 |
| The Falls |
So this week was crazy.... as you know we went to the Sister Training Leader Meeting. Well as I was driving there I got into a bit of an accident in Kingston. So many crazy roads. I was turning left down a road to get to Kingston and there was a sign that said "Do Not Enter". So immediately I put it into reverse and since we have a huge truck that we drive, I could not see the little car behind me and I bumped into him. It wasn't a bad dent but of course once you damage some thing they are going to find every little thing that is wrong with their car and have the church pay for it. It was very rough.. I had to contact the office Elders and AP Elders. It was very upsetting for me. My FIRST ACCIDENT. I have never gotten into a car wreck before.. ugh...it was such a horrible night for me. Then of course they had to talk to President B. I love President B he is very comforting and so nice but when we got back home we got a call from the office elders and they told us that I will be suspended from driving for 3 weeks and President B wants us to walk for those 3 weeks. Since we have the biggest area that we have to cover in the whole mission and only me and Sister B covers it.. we have to taxi all over the place.. and its expensive.. I don't think President B understands all the areas that we sisters cover.. its very discouraging. So I will be talking to Prez about that today. As for all of the truck problems me and Sister B came to the conclusion that we are just meant to walk, that there is someone out there ready to hear the gospel and we have been passing them all the time while driving the truck and the only way to find them is by walking. So..... through faith in Heavenly Father we have been working very hard and walking and taking taxi's all over the place. Its okay though. The funny thing about taxi's here is that when you think you don't have enough room to fit someone else in the car.... they find room and they climb on in.. some of them even end up going in the back of the car with no seats. They pack the taxi's up full of people. One time I was so squished that I was literally on my companion. hahaha! Its hilarious.
The Sister Training leader meeting was good and we learned a lot. We skyped with the off island sisters. By the way the sisters are dominating this mission. Only sisters are off island except one companionship of elders in Nassau.
We didn't go see S yesterday (even though I love her). She is hard because she loves us being over (she does our hair in stuff) but she doesn't really listen to the lessons.. I mean she listens but there are so many personal things going on with her right now that she dismisses it and tells us about her personal problems.. so then we try to help her with those as well as bringing in some doctrine into the lesson. So we try hard with her.
 |
| Brother G before being baptized |
But anyway, as you know we had a baptism yesterday. Brother G got baptized!! When he came out of the water he said "I feel so happy and so light" it was amazing. His family came out to support him and it was an awesome experience. Now he is looking forward to getting sealed to his fiance next June. He is in his 70's. He is so humble and I am so glad he made the decision to be baptized so that now he can live with his Heavenly Father again. I love Brother G. He is also considered as "my baptism" because I have taught him longer than the other sister who taught him before. So that was my first baptism and it was a great experience.
Brother G wanted Elder H to baptize him so this is Elder H with the younger boys walking to the sea. The young boys just love him!
The family that you see walking is R and T with their little girl K. They are the most wonderful family you would ever meet. They were Pentecostal but missionaries worked hard teaching them and now they are wonderful members of the church.
An amazing and very stalwart family!
 |
| Sister B, Brother G and Sister J |
 |
Sisters J and B with Brother G and
his fiance, P(on the right of Brother G)
|
As we went into Fast and Testimony Meeting yesterday a wonderful woman whose name is S ( I just love her) went up to bare her testimony. She began to say "I love this gospel with all of my heart, even when I do not have the best house or do not have much I feel like the richest person in the world." That really touched me.. I began to tear up because these people literally have nothing..... But yet they are willing to come to church every Sunday and partake of the sacrament.. some of them walk from far but most take taxi's. It is amazing to me. We are really hastening the work here. This is the hardest area in Jamaica I have been told.. and me and Sister B and the elders have been working our booties off and it is paying off. Elder H who has been out forever ,and is actually getting transferred out tomorrow morning (but is leaving for home in like 4 months), said in all the areas that he has covered out on his mission, this has been the hardest area and that this is the first place he would bring his family because this is the area where he has grown the most. I agree with him, It is so hard but I tell you what.. we have received so many blessings and have seen miracles as we have been working and loving the people here. I love it. But that was my week..it was good. Later on today we are going to be having a going away party for Elder H and we are having Jerk (Chicken parts with jerk which is a different sauce they put on it) and just hanging out together. Its really sad. We are all going to miss him. He has helped the young men immensely here. Now almost all the young men have received the Aaronic Priesthood. Our recent convert Brother H has received the Priesthood as well and is now blessing the sacrament. How amazing is that?! We don't have 50 active members that come to church yet but still it is growing with some amazing converts. Through our faith we can make this work hasten here. They said that when we have 50 active members then we can get our own building for the church. That's our goal, even the members are helping us missionaries hasten the work here. We love the members and the members love us. We are just one big happy family. Being out on a mission is the happiest I have ever been my whole life. Yes its hard but its wonderful. You get to see the Lords work happen right in front of you. Its a privilege to be his instrument in Jamaica. well Mom enough talking I just had a good week. I miss you all so much and love you all.
(I mentioned to her that by sharing the gospel with someone she is planting the seed) That's the thing here...its very hard to plant that seed. We are walking now in this country which is very hard also. Guys always go "PSSST" really loud that means they want your attention and its hard to teach a man without him trying to flirt with you. Its annoying I swear I never thought getting this attention would ever annoy me but as a missionary its hard work and we have no time to play around. But we try to get it through their heads. We are going through a very discouraging time right now. Because we are walking our numbers have dropped. We are unable to go and see most of our people since they live almost an hour away on the west and on the east. So its hard.. and we can't walk there..it would take all day to even reach them. But I will be talking to prez today. Some thing that I have learned out here on my mission is that you cannot give up trying.
(I asked her if she has done service projects lately) Everyday is service for me..doing the work. We will wash and clean outside of others houses but nope we haven't had any service opportunities lately because of the truck situation. We stayed pretty busy with traveling to Kingston in things. The elders are building the outhouse and that is coming along great. The lady that they are helping build the outhouse for, built her own house. There are some wood parts where she didn't have a saw so its uneven but she sounds like an awesome lady.
(Our little Lauren can have an attitude:)) Lauren is another Mackenzie that is for sure. That little terd needs to learn the gospel. That cute little celestial being. I have been praying for dad to get a job as well. That is hilarious how Lauren knew she needed to pray for that!! I bet dad was rolling. I love you and I miss all of you. I am glad you all are doing good, dad says that you will be heading off to the Lake again hahaha I know you are "excited" about that mom :) Well I love you all and I get to Skype with you this Mothers day on Sunday. The senior couple said I can come over there and Skype on their laptop, and then they are gonna feed us (FINALLY we get food!) I am excited to see you.. I will be getting on Skype after 4 o clock here. I don't know the difference of times from here and America so you can figure that out lol but yeah I will be on after 4 o clock so make sure to be in tune! Could I have your Skype name or e-mail so I can Skype you this Sunday? That would be great.. also the skirts that we bought from that chicken store (She remembered the name later...Dirt Cheap:)) you can send to me. They are not too short so when you have the time could you send the rest of my skirts to me? I am losing weight and my clothes are getting baggier. But its okay..the Jamaicans here are fattening me up. Last night Sister D (Brother G's future wife) made us dinner and she said she is going to fatten me up. And let me tell you.. the Jamaican food will fatten you up. Sister B is trying to not be Maga (not be skinny) so she is trying to eat all she can. I am excited to Skype with you and see my family this Sunday!! If its not 4 then it will be a little later but make sure to stay logged in. I need your Skype info.
(I asked if she had gotten a sunburn yet) Nope I am not sunburned..I got a little one but it turned into a tan so its not too bad. Lotion is working good. Tell Lauren I love her and I am excited to Skype and see my family Woohoooo!! You get to meet the missionaries.
But anywayyyyy, my mission is going good. Well my time is about up I love you mom and I am glad to know my family is doing good. I can not wait to see you on Sunday!! WOOOOHOOO! okay bye !! Love you all:)
