I can't believe it's already been two weeks in the field. I promise the next post won't be this long!! I went to the MTC four weeks ago today and got here two weeks ago tonight. Time has flown by. The first day in the Employment Center, (hereafter to be known as the EC), my supervisor from Sacramento came down and began the training process. There is so much to learn! She had two mock interviews scheduled that day so I sat in on those and sat with her as she prepared resumes with two clients who just walked in and needed help. Unfortunately, because she was so busy with all of that, most of my training on the computer programs and day to day office procedures didn't happen. She'll be back in a couple of weeks when the next senior missionary, who will be our companion in a threesome, arrives from the MTC. Her name is Sister Henrick and she is from Mt. Home, Idaho.
Sister Ure, my companion left the day following my initial training for a long week-end in Utah to go to her grandson's baptism. I had new missionary training at the mission office that day with the newly arrived 26 Elders and Sisters. It was a fun day interacting with them, hearing all of their rules that seniors don't have to follow, and getting to know President and Sister Gelwix, the office staff and the AP's. The best part of the day was watching the President assign companions to the greenies. It was awesome. With each companionship he added a personal touch as to why and how he received the revelation to make that match-up! It was a long day - 8 am to 6 pm and exhaustion was the order of the day. The next problem was what to do without a companion for the next four days! Britta kind of took over and we made a few shopping runs and she took me to church on Sunday and began the endless introductions! Not that I remember any of them - Sigh......... Sunday afternoon I decided to try indexing and sat here for four hours straight! It is fun - and very addicting!
Week two began with days at the office and Sister Ure arriving back late Monday afternoon. Tuesday I helped (using that term liberally) teach the Career Workshop. It is a divinely inspired program that helps people realize their skills and talents given them by God and applying those skills and talents to real world situations and turning them into assets to use in resumes and interviews. The rest of the week was pretty much me at the EC and Sister Ure at the mission office doing her medical stuff. Most evenings we find little service projects to do or getting ready for the next service. We went to the temple Thursday night and did initiatories. We have a standing appointment every Thursday night to do temple work of some sort. This week we will do a session.
Saturday was a special day and not because we were getting ready for Sunday! It was Mormon Helping Hands day in Fresno! Our ward was assigned to clean 2 miles of a bike trail that is within the stake boundaries. It started early and we spent the morning raking all the garbage, leaves and debris accumulated over the winter. I don't personally believe they have winter, but they tell me they do!
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| Guess Sister Ure doesn't like my face! |
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| Sisters Ure, Aldrich and myself |
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| Sister Ure |
The work line.
Saturday night was the most amazing experience of the mission so far. I went on splits with a young sister missionary, Sister Jamison, who is one of the coordinating sisters. That probably wouldn't be a big deal, but it was for me as she is assigned to a Spanish speaking ward. We had three appointments. The first one, the Mom wasn't home so we stood on the porch and talked with her 30-something year old son who is less active. He spoke English so it was easy. Sister Jamison was talking with him about returning to activity which he claims he plans on doing after this semester. He needs the blessings of activity in his life now - not after the semester! She had me bear my testimony about the power of reading the scriptures before attempting to study anything else. It was fun!
The next sister we visited spoke no English, so Sister Jamison did most of the talking but asked me to explain to this sister what Dave and I did in raising our family that kept that attending and loving the church. She translated my words. So - I did that and the sister seemed touched. One of the things I felt prompted to talk about besides trying to have FHE, was that Dave worked Sundays a lot and so it was up to me to take the girls to church and set the example. I did not know beforehand, but this sister is trying to return to church and so wants to have her kids go with her. She is not having FHE or family prayer or scripture study. Sister Jamison and I both felt that the words that came out of my mouth were just what she needed to hear. It was a very spiritual and special experience to be in that humble home. I am so grateful for that opportunity.
The last visit of the night was to a young family with three little girls. They spoke English also. Their Mom and Dad aren't married yet but have it scheduled for May 4th. He is not a member and she is less active and trying to return to church. Her 17 year old step brother lives with them because his parents were both deported two years ago and he has no other family. The brother is active and studies Preach My Gospel every night. Anthony, the Dad, had been asked to read the first chapter in the BOM - and he did. He said he didn't really understand it. Sister J asked him to explain what he could - and he understood more of the story that I probably did after reading 1Nephi 1 for the tenth time! He took the challenge to read the next chapter and has gone to church the last two weeks. He also said the closing prayer - with the 7 year old prompting him. It was so humble and simple - but so beautiful. It was AMAZING to be there. The conversion process is an incredible thing. I feel so blessed because of this experience. I am grateful to be on this mission.
