MEETS PRESIDENT AND SISTER ANDERSON!
So, I left the MTC
last Wednesday to head for Bismarck with half of my district-- my companion and
myself, as well as a companionship of elders. Sister Cavey and I sat next to a
man named Adam, who was from Wisconsin. I thought of Jon Lifferth :) Adam wasn't
a member, I don't think... well, he referred to his family as Jack Mormons, so
maybe he was. I don't know. But he asked us where we were serving and we just
had a nice chat.
We had a layover at
the Minneapolis airport, which was HUGE (there was a mall in the middle of
it!), and we met some missionaries who were on their way home. That was so
cool! We got to Bismarck, and the airport was super small, where President and
Sister Anderson and the APs were there to greet us.
We spent the night at
the mission home, and the bed was so luxuriously comfortable compared to the
MTC. It was marvelous! The next day was transfers, and it literally took all
day. We waited for the "transfer train," or a 15-passenger van full
of missionaries with a trailer attached for luggage, from about 1pm until
around 4..it was running late.
The drive was pretty
long. It still blows my mind how few people live in my mission. The towns and
cities are so spaced out. However, the open land is absolutely beautiful! It's
relatively flat, but there are still hills and buttes and plateaus. with an
occasional creek slashed across the landscape. And lots of cows :) It was a
lovely drive. I didn't get to Rapid City until like nine-ish, and we were still
three hours away from the area I'm serving in.
I spent the night at
the Sister Training Leaders' apartment with my trainer, Sister Pierce, who is
fantastic. She's so patient and kind! And a super big goofball :) I love her to
pieces. Then, the next morning we drove out to my first area, which is
Valentine, Nebraska! It's such an adorable little town... emphasis on little.
It's WAY small. It takes two minutes to drive to opposite sides of town. But
they have hearts on all of their street signs, and it's fantastic! I'll have to
take a picture. Also, their library is so pretty! A weird thing to point out,
but it felt more like finely furnished library in a grand home than a public
library.
There was a tornado
warning that night (Friday), so that was interesting. But I've had the
opportunity to meet some of the investigators and a lot of the members. The
members are so awesome! They're all very welcoming, and super supportive to the
missionaries. Sister Pierce and I are the only missionaries in the branch, and
it was a bit strange to get used to only having a set of sisters without
elders. I'm in a tiny little branch. It reminds me of home :)
It was so cool, there
was a family baptism this Sunday that I got to see. The Bernal
family... they're so great. I love that they're such a loving and outgoing
family. AH. I love, love, LOVE being on a mission! I literally have moments
where I think, "Man. I'm a real-life missionary. THIS IS SO AWESOME."
I love putting on my name tag every morning. I'm so excited to serve the Lord!!
Sometimes I get frustrated with myself because I want to be the best missionary
now! But then I have to remind myself to be patient. I'm still working on
opening my mouth. I get all excited thinking about serving people and bringing
them the gospel, but then when it comes time to actually talk to someone, I
forget how to use words. But, the Lord has blessed me so much!
He has increased my
desire to serve and given me a greater ability to feel the promptings of the
Spirit. It's so awesome to understand more and more each day how much Heavenly
Father loves us SO MUCH!! I'm so happy to have the knowledge of the gospel. I'm
grateful to know that no matter how many times I mess up, the Atonement never
runs out! As I've asked Heavenly Father to help me change, and to have the
desire to change, crazy wonderful things have happened! Things might get a
million times harder, but I know I'll have help. Life is good.
Love,
Sister Clark
This is our tiny building :) Me gusta! (I like it!)
Also, Sister Cavey and I right before we got on our "transfer train," a.k.a a 15-passenger van full of missionaries with a trailer attached.
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