This week was a really good week, but it was one of the longest weeks of my life & I couldn't tell you why.
Tuesday
we had zone meeting. So at the last transfer, President made a bunch of
changes in the mission, including combining zones. In the past there
were 2 Apple Valley zones, but now we're all one BIG zone. It's pretty
great though.
Wednesday at 10am
we had a meeting with the zone leaders & President & Sister
Hobbs--for the leaders in the Apple Valley zone. It was a great meeting packed
full of information. Afterward we had our individual interviews with
President Hobbs. The first question he asked me was "When was the last
time you felt the spirit?" For some reason, I KNEW he was going to ask
that question. Luckily I was able to say the last time I felt the spirit
was that morning in my studies.
I
pondered that question & idea throughout the week. I think back to
before my mission--if I would've thought of that question & answered
it, I probably would've said something like "at my baptism" or "last
week at church". Both would've been true, but all too often we think of
big events or conferences are where we feel the spirit. The Holy Ghost
should be in every aspect of our lives; therefore, we should feel His
presence each & every day. I'm SO grateful to be a missionary &
to have had countless experiences with the spirit, where I now know what
He feels like & how He works with me. I want everyone to have that
experience. I want everyone to know & recognize the spirit's
promptings in their EVERYDAY life.
So my challenge to you is to slow
down & use the Holy Ghost's guidance in choices you make everyday.
Do things that will increase the spirit's presence, such as praying,
reading the scriptures, or doing good things for other people. Too often
we take for granted the greatest gift--the Holy Ghost. He should be our
constant companion to warn us of dangers, to prompt us to do good, to
give us feelings of love, peace & joy.
After
our interviews we had the wonderful privilege of taking Sister Hobbs
out with us for a few hours! It was so neat to see Sister Hobbs in
action & BOY does she do a good job. We went out to lunch & she
talked to everyone in her sight! I knew I had to step up my game. We had
to stop at Stater Bros to get Hanna Schulthess a bday cupcake. The
first opportunity I had I started talking to a lady with an adorable
child & gave her a Christmas card :)
Thursday
was my first exchange ever as an STL (sister training leader)! I went to Victorville with Sister
Carter. I knew of her before & I'd seen her around, but never
really talked with her. She is adorable! She's been out about 5 months
& is from Utah. Sister Wood stayed in our area with my MTC
companion, Sister Dinkel. It was a good day!
Friday
we had to take our car into Pep boys for an oil change & stuff. We
planned on working on our area book while in there, but there's no time
for that when there's friendly people to talk to. We ended up spending
the whole time there talking to 2 different men. One was a man in his
70s who has been a firefighter for over 50 years & is also an
ordained minister. He was super kind. Then after he left, the man that
was sitting next to us struck up a conversation with us. He knows quite a
bit about the church & has gone to temple square before.
After we
found out our car would take longer than normal, we called Sister Wagner
& Hammond to pick us up. We went to Hanna Schulthess' house to
weekly plan, because this girl, who just turned 18, is going to be the
most prepared missionary there ever was. She comes out teaching &
tracting with us about 3-4 times a week & she wanted to know how to
weekly plan. We told her it's super long & pretty boring, but she
didn't care. So we spent the rest of the afternoon weekly planning and then
went to our ward Christmas party. Man, Mojave Narrows really knows how
to throw a party! It was super fun. :)
Well,
all week Sister Wood was keeping secrets from me about my bday. I was
hoping that moving to a new area nobody would know when my birthday was
& I could spend ONE birthday of my life not focused on me. But alas,
Sister Wood is the best & made sure EVERYONE knew. She even woke up
at 5am to decorate the house & make pancakes. Yeah, I know...haha
We
got to sing in the YSA (young single adult) ward, our rendition of "Away in a Manger/Jesus
Once of Humble Birth". We had dinner with the Schulthess' & they
also celebrated Sister Wood's bday on the 30th. They gave us a couple
gifts :)
Thanks for being the best family ever! I miss you all & love you!
xoxo
Sister Viraldo
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