Splits, Homesickness, and a little Decorating

November 18, 2013

Hi family!

What a fabulous Monday it was! Today, Sister Hooker and Sister Parrins came down here and we spent our whole P-Day together! Ah! I want to be companions with Sister Hooker SO bad!

Thanks for the e-mails.  Momma, now worries!  I know that you had emailed me.  I just didn't have time to get on after the morning.  We went to the mall.  Sister Hooker needed boots and I was trying to find some too.  I found some good boots, and they will keep me warm through the winter.  I was sad when we had to say goodbye.  I hate saying goodbye to Sister Hooker!  Luckily we will see each other on Friday.  We are having a fitness and makeup thing with Sister Wolfort on Friday with all the sisters in our zone and in the Lilburn zone, so I get to see Sister Carrigan too!

We had dinner at the Holgados' and then we went over to Sister Wareham's ( a part member) and had FHE with her.

When we got home I saw that we had a call from the Collins Hill elders. One of my elders, Elder Calkins, is in Collins Hill, and so is Elder Schmidt (who told me the 'word on the street' thing).  They were calling to ask for Kelly Hayes teaching record.  She is back on date!  They are teaching her again I'm excited for them and her!!!  YEA!  Elder Schmidt told me that there are more people who talk about me "on the street".  Elder Calkins talks about me and so does Sister Carrigan.  Oooo!  I am up to 3 people on the street but oh how I LOVE those 3 people!  I'm just glad that  I have good friends here in the mission! :-)

A sign for my uncle!!  Love him!

November 19, 2013

Today was exchange day!  I got to go to Coal Mountain again, this time with Sister Alder.

District meeting was a little crazy today.  It's the first time in three weeks we have had district meeting because of zone conference and zone meeting.  I had training and I was the last one.  I basically gave up cause no one was listening.  We went to Zaxby's for lunch.  Transfers are hard because you get so used to who you know and love.  Then you compare who you got with who you lost and sometimes they just don't measure up - - at least not at first.  I think we all need to be better at giving each other a chance.  In the end we all end up loving who came to us, maybe not in the same way, and okay honestly maybe not as much but that may be our own problem and not theirs.  Sister Hooker told me that I have lost a little bit of my smile.  I am going to try harder!

When we exchanged I asked Sister Alder if Sister Knight said anything on their last exchange.  She said that Sister Knight's only thing is that I talk about Sister Carrigan a lot...Oops!  Sometimes I notice it and I try to stop it but I know that there are times when I don't notice.  She said that that was the only thing, and other than that, Sister Knight loves me!  I will have to watch that closer because I would never want to hurt Sister Knight's feelings I really do love her lots.  It is hard enough being a greenie without having your companion talk about previous companions all of the time and she is a good missionary.  I will so fix that!

We tracted until dinner.  At one house the guy opened the door and just said to come in.  I looked at Sister Alder thinking it was just a member they forgot lived there.  Nope!  Turns out it was a JW couple.  They talked to us for about an hour.  They were the nicest JW's I have ever met!  Mostly we just let them talk.  We did get into the first lesson with them though! It was super crazy!

Dinner was at the Swifts.  A part member family.  Sister Swift is a member, all their kids are active, her husband knows everything about the church, he just isn't a member.  They were both very nice and dinner was so good!  Mediterranean turkey burgers!  Yum!

Then we went to the Berg's.  They are a family in the ward who let the sisters go over and practice their lessons.  I went over there the last time I was on an exchange with Sister Hamilton.  It was fun to see familiar faces!

November 20, 2013

I woke up from the worst dream ever!  Ok, so it wasn't the worst but it sure wasn't fun!  I dreamed that my 18 months were up and they were making me go home! I sobbed and sobbed and I begged them not to make me go home!  I asked to extend but they kicked me out.  Oh, I was so sad.  I woke up pretty sad and it kind of makes me sad just thinking about it!  It wasn't the fact that I was going home, it was the fact that they were making me leave the mission.

Sister Alder had a dentist appointment today, so that is what our morning was, hanging out at the dentist office.  She was so nervous and I felt pretty bad.  The dentist was a guy in the ward, and he was super nice.  Luckily everything went smoothly and she is okay.

We didn't have time to eat lunch because the dentist took until one and we had to meet back up with our own companions at 1:30. We ended up meeting them at a place called Panera.  It was SO yummy!  Sister Alder and Sister Knight went to the bathroom.  I don't know what Sister Hamilton did, but Sister Knight has seemed so much happier!  She has been joking and laughing today, it's been really fun.  I really want her to be happy!

 Finding names of Family and People I love!

After we did everything and exchanged back, we went tracting.  Ah!  It's so much more fun!  Laughing, joking, and smiling, while tracting really makes it kinda fun!  Training is so much more fun and it really is all in your attitude.  The first house we knocked on the lady answered the door and let us in.  I was shocked, first the JW's let us in and now this lady.  She was super cute!  She is a schoolteacher and a parent of one of her students was supposed to give her a Book of Mormon, but never did.  Sad.  They missed a great missionary moment.  Maybe if they had given it to her, she would have been ready when we got there.  We gave her one and talked.  As we were talking her dog, a big dog, just crawled through my legs!  That's a little awkward with a skirt on.  I was laughing and she was so embarrassed.  I hope that she will read the Book of Mormon and feel the spirit testifying to her.

We tracted and then once it got dark we went and got dinner.  Then we went to the Watkins'.  She had printed out all my emails.  Sorry I stressed you out Momma.  I don't know why it doesn't send sometimes.  Give sweet Gina a hug from me.  I will write her a little note and you can give it to her.  The sisters should totally go to Thanksgiving with our family!  You are so right when you said that the company would be out of this world!  It makes me a little teary eyed thinking that I don't get to have my out of this world family with me for thanksgiving.  I'm oh so excited because we are going to a soup kitchen in the morning.  It will just be a little hard to wake up and know what is going on at home and not being able to be there!  So I would hope very much that they will go!  Because if I can't be there, they should be!  I just get so excited when I think about skyping or face timing with you on Christmas!  Though I love this work with all my heart, I sometimes just want my family!  I can't help it!

I'm so jealous you got four tickets to the Tabernacle Christmas Concert!  Fun!  One day I will get to go to that!  I love your boo hiss song, Momma!  I totally think that you could write the President Monson song!  You are quite talented but just won't admit it, but go for you!!!

Sister Watkins gave us each a claddagh ring!  :)  I have always wanted one!!!  They are so cool, and I will wear it forever!  It is a gift that I will always treasure.  She is just so cute and thoughtful!  It is beautiful!

November 21, 2013

Sarah Holgado came and spent the entire day with us.  From 6:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. She got to be a missionary right along with us! She is going to BYU-I in January again and she said she wants to come and visit you and meet you guys.  I though that might be kind of fun!  She is a cutie and will make a fabulous missionary when she goes.

We tracted in the morning after studying and lunch.  For a Thursday afternoon it was actually pretty productive.  We contacted quite a few people!

Then we went over to Brother Heirs.  Since Sarah was there, we could go over.  We helped him put us Christmas lights.  He is a little quirky sometimes. . .and sometimes he says things that, well that I just have to fight not to laugh at.  We love him and Brother Nevins (his roommate) they are funny guys.

After that we went and dropped off some stuff to Sister Johnson.  I love the Johnsons!  Gabe, you need to become friends with their son Jordan. . . you should try to find him on Facebook.  He reminds me a lot of you!  You guys would be instant friends.  We had dinner with the Olsons tonight.  Sister Olson is probably one of my favorite women in the ward.  I love going over there and she likes us over there. 

Sarah was so tired.  She kept telling me, I don't know how you do this every day!!!  I smiled and said "I don't know either!  It's exhausting!"  It is all a gift of being a missionary.  I think Heavenly Father gives you just enough energy to get you through the day and then collapse into bed each night!

The elders texted us and asked if we wanted to go to a JW Bible study tonight.  Heck yeah!  So we went.  It was pretty interesting.  Their bibles are different.  They have changed quite a bit in them.  They were pretty nice to us.  We had to leave early but the elders stayed and said after the meeting like 20 people came up to them.

We had to leave early because Sister Knight had a package waiting for her at Sister Watkins.  So we went and got that for her.

It was so much fun to spend the whole day with Sarah.  Poor girl was exhausted but she like it! ☺

November 22. 2013

So this morning, the Surgar Hill zone (my zone) and the Lilburn zone (Sister Carrigan and Sister Paepaetaata’s  zone) got together all the sisters and we just hung out with Sister Wolfert.  We worked out together and had breakfast and had trainings on hair and makeup and sat around and just talked.  It was pretty fun!  I got to see all my favorite sisters and I was happy.  I absolutely love being a sister missionary.  I am surrounded by the most amazing women and being a part of a group like that is just the best. ☺

When we got home it was about 12:30 so all we had time to do was shower, eat lunch, and head off to Marni’s.  She is sweet.  One day she and her family will be baptized.  I hope that I can be there!  They are going to go pick up their tree tomorrow and said we could come over to help, so we will probably do that. ☺  I’m just sad that I don’t get to decorate the tree with y’all at home.

We went and tracted for 2 hours before dinner.  That is getting better.  Nothing is coming out of it lately, but we do it cause we have been asked to.

We went over to the Paxton’s for dinner.  I like them. ☺  They were the ones who found us Kiaundra and I am so grateful for that!

Since we didn’t have time to weekly plan this morning we went home at 8 and planned.  It was kind of a weird day with all the stuff that was going on.  Not much to write about.  The best part of the day was this morning and getting to see Sisters Hooker, Carrigan, and Paepaetaata!

November 23, 2013

Oh boy.  Today was a homesick day.  This morning we had to finish weekly planning.  Then Marni texted us and told us they were on their way home and we could come over.  Since we did weekly planning, 12 week, and our personal studies, it was about 2:30 by the time we headed out to Marni’s.

Her husband Michael was home.  It was great!  He is super nice.  He is in construction so we talked about that and how daddy builds houses out of the styrofoam block, ICF thing.  I helped him put the lights up on the tree.  It was really fun!  They have a 14 ft. tree so it was quite the task.

The homesickness came when they started taking out he ornaments.  I got a little choked up.  I was thinking about how I don’t get to do this at home.  When we got done and driving to our appointment before Michael and Brittany, I started crying.  I couldn’t help it.  I was thinking about home and I didn’t want to go to Michael and Brittany with puffy eyes.  Sister Watkin’s called and I told her how I was feeling.  She told me that before we went in to give them a lesson she wanted us to give a grateful pray and ask that their hearts be softened.  So we did.  We didn’t have a team up and that was scary because Michael asks such deep questions and we can’t always answer them.  During the prayer I started crying (again) and Sister Knight started crying.  It was a good crying though.  I felt the spirit so strong and I was so calm.  I knew it would be okay.  It was.  Michael told us he truly wanted to know the differences in our beliefs.  He wants the truth.  He will figure it out eventually.  He may go through tons of missionaries, but he will figure it out.  And I will be there.  I will be there when he and Brittany are baptized and I will be there when they are sealed.

Sister George, Sister Knight and their Brittany at a Relief Society function.

Then we had our weekly meeting with Brother Pickett.  To tell how everything is going.  It was so nice to report about our lesson with Michael and Brittany!

We decorated our apartment tonight.  We have a Christmas tree that is missing it’s top and we have lights strung along the wall.  It isn’t much but it is what we have got.  We even have stockings hung, though not as cute as my one at home. ☺  Eventually I will have a box from home under our pathetic mission tree. ☺   And it will be nice.  Only 32 days and counting until I get to talk to you! ☺

Our Little Christmas Tree and ME!

November 24, 2013

There are 2 reasons why I love Sundays.  #1-Because it is Sunday and we get to go to church, have the sacrament, see the ward and it’s usually just a good day. ☺  #2-Because tomorrow it's always P-day!!  It’s really just one of my favorite days.

I taught gospel principles today, the gathering of Israel.  Pretty intense.  It went well though.  I’m just hoping I’m not preparing to be a gospel principles teacher when I get home.  I loved being a relief society teacher but I’m good now. ☺  Whatever I am called to do I will do it with a smile on my face. 

We went into Young Women’s the last 20 minutes of church.  We talked about what is important to learn before your mission in order to be self-reliant.  I told them budgeting was a big one.  Last month I didn’t do so hot and had only 76 cents for the last 2 weeks.  Bummer!  This month I have done great though.☺  For the last week I have $55.  Sister Leifson told me at the end to just text her “76 cents” if it gets that bad again. ☺  She said when she was on her mission she was bad at budgeting.  I won’t ever text her but she was cute! ☺

We went tracting after church.  We started on one street and just weren’t feeling it.  So we left and went to another.  That was good.  We talked to a lot of people.  No potentials, but we had some good conversations.  It’s supposed to be cold this week.  It was pretty chilly today.  I had a hard time warming up!  Yucky humid cold!

We went to the Willson’s for dinner and the Gertsons were there too.  There were a lot of us but I liked it.  I felt a little like it was Thanksgiving with everyone.  It was fun and you can never argue with free food. ☺

After dinner we went over to the Egg’s (Yup!  That’s their name! ☺) and gave a thought.  Their son, Tyler is on Easter Island right now.  He has been out 6 months and has gained 40 lbs!  Crazy!  I’m glad that’s not me!  I’ve done good so far.  I lost the weight that I put on with Sister Carrigan.  So I’m back to normal. ☺  Sister Paxton said her son is doing “6 months to sexy,” meaning he has 6 months left of his mission and is working on getting rid of all he has gained.  I thought that was funny. ☺

Well family, I love you!  I’m so very grateful for all y’all and the support that I have from you.☺  I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving!  I will be thinking of you all day long!

♥

Molly

P.S. Daddy, I got your letter. ☺  I can’t remember if I said that or not.  Thank you. ☺  I love hearing stories from your mission.  We don’t hear about your mission a lot but I love it when I do!  ☺

A Little Heartbreak and Family Birthdays

November 11, 2013

Hello Family!

Happy Vetran's Day.  Happy last flag day of the year.  So, I'm totally all for Vetran's Day but I don't like it too much when the post office is closed and I can't send birthday presents home.  Bummer!  Well, I will eventually get them to you.  Today we went to Target.  Again.  I love Target but it is pretty far out of our area.  We shopped for a while and then we got out of there.

We had let the Spanish elders into the church before we had gone to Target.  They have made another rule that you can't go out of your area without permission.  Technically their area is like everywhere.  When we got back I got chastized by Elder Ontivarous for letting them in but Elder Bridge was on my side.

 

Sister Holgado signed up for dinner again.  Brother Holgado loves having us there.  He is trying to get Sister Holgado  to have us for Thanksgiving even though we already have dinner.  They are funny.

Then we went and got my package!  Thank you!  The Frankenberry cereal made me giggle.  I love that stuff.  How did you know I wanted my other USU sweatshirt?  Smart Momma!  I love the fancy coat.  It is so warm.  Ah!  It was all perfect.

We talked with Brother and Sister Watkins for a while.  Sister Watkins is sad because her brother's foot has gotten super infected and they will probably have to amputate it.

I shared a thought before we left (we always do but I like this thought).  It's Alma 36:22, at the very end of the verse Alma says  "...my soul did long to be there."  I wrote 'home' next to that.  My first thought was home with all of you but as I thought more and read the verse again, I thought about heaven home.  How much of our natural man is blocking our soul's longing to be home?  I think sometimes, that slips and we get a glimpse of how close our souls are to heaven.  President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Nothing is going to surprise us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us."  So, there you go, a thought for the day.

November 12, 2013 

I was right.  We got chastized today.  I didn't know this but the writing on cars is an act of flirtation.  We had a whole thing on it.  I guess telling the Elders you like their tie is flirting too.  From what they were saying, basically all forms of communication with the Elders can be flirting.  I think they are going a little overboard on the whole thing.  I know we need to be careful but I think they are stretching it a bit.

On a better note, I saw Sister Hooker.  I can never say enough how much I love her.  She is happier but she is also having a hard time training.  We didn't think it was going to be as hard as we both find it to be.  It is for sure a learning experience.  I also got to see Elder Harmon.  I really didn't get to talk to him though.  It probably would have counted as flirting if we had talked.

All the sisters in our zone.

After our meeting we went over to Marni's.  I love going over there and talking to her and helping her.  We had dinner at the Brintons.  They are a cute little family.  It is fun because Sister Brinton is 22 and it's nice to have a friend.  We were at the table and Sister Knight stood up to go do something and I saw that her zipper had split.  I excused myself, walked over to her and let her know.  She had to sit through dinner with it. 

After dinner we drove over to the church and she switched into her jeans that we had in the car from Marni's.  We had about an hour left before we needed to go home.  By the time that we would go home and change there would not be time to do anything.  So we went and washed the car because they may switch it out tomorrow because of the car mirror.  I did not feel productive tonight, dang it!  I hate that feeling.  We had no control over the zipper though.

November 13, 2013

Today was a super fabulous day!  Usually Wednesday is kinda hard to get through but today was awesome.  It was the follow-up meeting, and because Sister Hooker is training they came to us and we drove together for the rest of the way.  How delightful!  I know I say it all the time, but I just love her.  She always brightens my day.

We got to the meeting and Sister Paepaetaata sat next to us.  She is so sweet.  She goes home this February.  She told me again how much she would love to be my companion.  I would love to be her’s as well.  It would only give us a transfer together though…  And I got to see Sister Carrigan.  I love her and miss her.  She misses me too.  She says that she feels like Lilburn is the AP’s area and they are just there.  I hope it gets better for her.  I can’t wait to show y’all the book she made for me.  It’s really cute.  She put a lot of work into it.

Sydney.  I got your letter today.  Heavens baby cakes!  Talk about making me cry.  Your talk on the Holy Ghost was so good.  I’m so proud of you.

I got a letter from Liz (a friend from work at Macey’s).  She’s pregnant.  I am so happy for her.  She is going to be a great mom.  She sent me a baby name bracket…Funny girl!

When we were getting ready to leave we were all saying good-bye and about five people all yelled “Bye Sister George!”  Sister Hooker looked at me and said, “How do you know everyone?!?  I just shrugged my shoulders and said, “I dunno.”  We drove home and I had to say goodbye to Sister Hooker.  But I get to see her soon because next Monday they are coming down here and we will get to see each other again.

We went tracting a little before dinner.  It was dark and not the funnest.  Dinner was at the Ketchums.  They had a lady from Brother Ketchum’s work over.  She is super sweet.  Her story is really sad!  Her dad died, then a few months later, she and her fiance got into a motorcycle crash and she watched him die.  She almost died too.  Then exactly a year later, her mom died.  The gospel could help her so much.  I hope she will let it help her!  She was a very happy person.  She said that you choose whether you are happy or not.  How true!  I hope that as we call her and text her that she will respond and want to know more.

November 14, 2013

Richard broke my heart today.  He knows that he is supposed to get baptized into this church but he can’t because of his wife.  She won’t let him.  He just looked at me the whole time.  He knows that I know that.  He also knows how much it is killing me that his wife is stopping him from being baptized.  He just kept telling me, “I’m okay.”  At the end of our meeting, we were shaking his hand.  He took mine but instead of shaking he pulled me in and gave me a hug.  I was crying as soon as I was out of the door.  I couldn’t help it.  I love this man that Sister Carrigan and I found.  I want so badly for him to receive the blessings that come as a member.  Sister Galt hugged me and let me cry for a minute.  Shen she took a picture and sent it to you.  That is always fun.

Sister George and Sister Knight

We went over to Marni’s next.  She is sweet.  I actually had a cool discussion with her.  She asked what we were doing for the rest of the day so I told her that we had a few investigators and we were asking one of them to be baptized.  She was excited for us.  Then we started talking a little about baptism.  She likes that we don’t do it as babies.  I talked about why and what it means.  Slowly but surely she is getting there. 

We met up with Kiaundra at Sister Willey’s.  We read Alma 15 with her and talked about Amulek and how he gave up everything for the church.  When I asked her if she would be baptized, it threw her off.  Even though the whole chapter talks about being baptized, and she knew that this was coming, I just think it was a surprise that I asked.  She said that she would pray about it.  She is sincere and will get her answer.  It’s just a matter of when.

After Kiaundra we went over to the Adams for dinner and to teach Ben and Casey.  Sister Adam’s son, Ben, just got home from his mission, so Sister Adams is partial to the elders.  This is the first time I have ever gotten to go over there.  Sister Adams is really nice and so is Brother Adams.  Ben is nice and we talk to him all of the time. 

The lesson with Ben (not Sister Adam’s son Ben) and Casey went really well.  Ben is ready right now to be baptized but he is waiting for Casey.  She is still a little shakey.  She will get there though.  I think at the beginning of next year.  Hopefully I will still be here.

November 15, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!  I wish I was home so I could give you a big hug and kiss!  I hope that your day is fabulous.  Today Sister Knight took charge of weekly planning.  We may have to go back and redo a few things but she did pretty good.  And to be honest we frequently have to redo a little here or there. After weekly planning we went tracting.  It rained all day and so that’s what we tracted in.  Mom, I would not have like Holland too much, but maybe more than Sister Knight.

We met Brittany Miller (our investigator, her husband is Michael) at Chick-Fil-A, just her and us.  It was nice to just be able to talk with her and answer her questions.  I like Michael and his questions, but it was nice to get to know Brittany one on one.  I’ll give it to Sister Knight, she was asking Brittany great questions about herself. 

Dinner was with the Hunsakers tonight.  They are awesome.  Sister Hunsaker is so cute and happy.  Their kids are a hoot.  I felt like I was right at home with them running around, yelling, and wrestling with each other.  We had crepes for dessert.  Yummy.  No huckleberries though.  You don’t know what you are missing if you have never had huckleberry crepes.

We had about an hour left of our day.  We called a few people to see if we could visit but they all either said no or didn’t answer.  We still had a bunch of 12 week that needed to get done so we went home and did that.  Not too much of an exciting day, ah well.

November 16, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LACEY!!!  I’m glad you liked your presents.  I thought you might.  How was your day?  Fabulous I hope!  

We did a lot of service today.  President Galt asked us to come and help their neighborhood.  The elders cleared out a bunch of trees while we helped decorate the subdivision with Christmas decorations.  We were there for a very long time.  They fed us lunch and we had a blast.  I’m sad that I missed decorating the tree with y’all this year.  I missed it last year too.  Dumb school.

We went tracting after.  Oh boy.  We had one guy who answered the door and I said we had a message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He stopped me and said, “What was wrong with the old one?”  I didn’t understand so I asked “Sorry, what?”  He said, “What was wrong with the old one?  Why is it restored?”  I started to say nothing was wrong with it, that is why it is restored to what it was.  As I was explaining he just shut the door.  He didn’t slam it or anything, just shut it.  OK dude, whatever.  Don’t ask a question if you don’t want an answer. 

We had another lady open the door, look at us and yell, “Oh no! You get out of here!  Go away with all of your crazies!”  OK.  We will.  Sadly she will be stuck with her crazies.

We met a sweet older lady named Anne.  She talked to us for a good 15-20 minutes.  She was just so cute and lonely.  Not interested, but sweet.  We were in the neighborhood of a couple in our ward, the Spencers.  They were outside and invited us in.  Sister Spencer spent a good 45 minutes trying to marry me off to her son.  Brother Spencer tried too.  They said they will introduce us when he comes home for Christmas.  Oh, they were funny!

We met with Michael and Brittany at 7.  Brother Wernli came with us.  I think Brother Wernli has been able to hit something in Michael that no one else has been able to.  I sure hope so!  I could listen to Brother Wernli talk about the gospel all day long!  He knows so much.  I wish I did.  He just got called to be a seminary teacher.  What I would give to be in that class!  The lesson went super well!  Hopefully that will continue.

November 17, 2013

Oh boy!  What a day.  I didn’t even attend most of sacrament meeting today.  It was crazy.  Ok, back up, so Kiaundra came to church and so did Ben and Casey.  We sat by them and Kiaundra sat by the Paxtons.  Then Yvonne (a sweet lady who got help from the church and sometimes comes) came.  I was glad to see her!  After sacrament meeting Sister Galt catches my eye and motions to me.  Sister Knight stayed with Ben and Casey and I went with Sister Galt.  There was a black lady in the back with her 2 kids crying.  She had come on Tuesday and President Galt told her to come back today and we would help her.  It was good that Yvonne came.  Theresa was the lady’s name.  She was so embarrassed that she had to come and get help and Yvonne kept telling her that it would all be fine.

 

Theresa’s kids were angry at her, mostly her 15 year old son.  Sister Galt had me go out into the hall with them.  That is why I missed all of sacrament meeting.  I just talked to them and got to know them.  Jamal (the son) slowly opened up to me.  Morgan (the daughter) took a little less time to open up.  They went to all three meetings, that was awesome.  Theresa says she would like to start taking the lessons and that they would be back next week!  I hope so!

After church we went tracting.  We finally ran into the basher Sister Knight was waiting for.  I don’t think that we did that well.  Of course, let's be honest, it NEVER goes well when it is like that.

We had dinner with the Moores.  Their house is so cute!  Sister Moore is super creative and fancy.  We had a fun time.  After that we went to the Liefson’s.  They are one of the families in our ward who have their parents, brothers and sisters in the ward too.  There are a few of those.  It was just a fun way to end the night and a great way to end a crazy but awesome day. 

I love you family!  I hope all is well.

Love, Molly

P.S.  I would like some more maxi skirts.  If you see any good ones I would like them…

UGH! Banged up the Car but LOVE this MISSION!

November 4th, 2013

Hello my wonderful family!

Okay first off, thank you, thank you, thank you for the e-mails! I loved them all :)  I'm so very grateful for technology and that we can communicate so very easily! P-day was great! It was also kind of a bummer because they made another new rule that the elders can't come play b-ball at our church anymore.  It was a very, very quiet P-day.  I got more stuff done though!

Ok, so now for the "I'm a complete idiot" story.  So we had dinner at 5:30. Bummer, cause that means our P-day is cut short :/  Anyways, I was pulling up to our complex so that we could change.  I pulled out our key to open the gate and it fell out of my hand into the deep dark abyss of the crack and went was under my seat.  Well, there was a car right in front of us and I  figured that we would just go in with them.  The sensor always stops the gate form closing...well not this time it didn't!  By the time I realized that the gate was closing, we were already partly through and had no choice except to keep going.  The gate knocked the passenger mirror and cracked the mirror.  The mirror got knocked out and was hanging by the wires.  I was freaking out (and still am).  I called the office on the verge of tears.  Sis. Atkins answered and I sort of got out what happened and all she kept asking was "Sister George, are you and your companion okay?!?"  She asked us three times until she was sure.  Then she sent me over to Elder Residori who is in charge of the cars and stuff.

OOPSIE!!

I told him what happened and after he found out that none of us were hurt, he said that he would look at it tomorrow at zone conference.  He was super nice and kept telling me to calm down, that it was fine.  I told him that I felt horrible he chuckled and said "Well, you're going to feel that way for a while Sister George. But don't worry. It's not the worst that has happened."  Yeah, but that still doesn't make me feel better.

We had dinner at the Qureshi's.  Their kids are psycho energentic! Oh my heck they were bouncing off the walls!  I had the biggest head ache and so that did not help it!  But we truly have the nicest families ever in our ward.  It is amazing how awesome everyone is!!  

Then we went over to the Watkins.  I just needed a hug! We told them what happened and Bro Watkins went out to see what he could do.  He was able to pop the mirror back in but it is super loose.  Better than nothing though!  That side of the car looks super beat up.  It has scratches and dents in it ...Not from me though!  They were all there before.  I just broke the mirror. Not that that is okay cause it's not!  I just get sick feeling every time I think about it.  I feel horrible!  I'm just gonna go to bed.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

November 5, 2013

Well, if we to compare yesterday to today, I would take today!  Today has been a great and amazing day! I'm so very glad for tender mercies!

First off, I got to see some of my most favorite people here in Georgia!!  We combine with the Lilburn zone with our zone for zone conference.  So, I got to see Sister Carrigan!  I miss her!  She made me a book!  It is so very cute!  I love it!  She put pictures in it and then wrote memories!  It is one of the best presents ever!  I MISS and LOVE her so very much.  I was given the best trainer ever.  She is really a good missionary and the best of friends!! 

Darling Sister Carrigan and Sister George

Then I got to see Sister Hooker!  LOVE HER!  I will never be able to thank Father enough for sending her to me. I believe that we were great friends in the premortal world.  I think that we were probably very sad when we got separated and I'm sure that Heavenly Father just smiled and promised us He would let our paths cross.  I'm so very glad he did :)

We hope Sister Hooker loves Sister George at least half a much as she is loved by Sister George!!

Last but not least,  I got to see my darling Elder Harmon!  I just love him!  They fed us lunch at the end of zone conference.  I walked into the gym and he was at a table.  He caught my eye, pointed to me, and then pointed at the chairs beside him with a face that said "No buts!"  I laughed :)  I just so love Elder Harmon! He told me everything that was going on.  He told me how his girlfriend was and how his family was. He said his girlfriend (Janessa) picked out the day she wants to get married.  September 1, 2015.  I told him that was pretty quick after he gets home. He said he knows.  He says he wants to marry her but feels like he will end up getting a "Dear John".  Janessa would be a dumb girl if she did that to him though!

Sister Hooker, Sister George, and Elder Harmon keeping it proper!

Elder Harmon was teasing me that my time to go home was creeping up.  Little punk!  I told him that I was happy that I would get to come to his homecoming because I would be home before him.  So Elder Harmon's trainer, Elder Schmidt, was there. he was sitting next to us during lunch.  He turned to me and said, "So Sister George, word on the street says that you are one of the coolest sisters in the mission!"  I laughed and asked him who the "street" was.  He pointed to Elder Harmon and said, "He talked about you a lot!" and then said, "But I've actually heard form other missionaries too!"  It was one of the nicest compliments I have ever gotten!!!

Then we were all out by our cars and everyone was saying goodbye, and one of the sisters who EVERYONE loves, Sister Paepaetata, (she is Tongan and I'm pretty sure that I didn't spell that right!)  saw my name tag and said "Oh! Sister George!"  Now side note, I know who Sister Paepaetata is!  I know she is an amazing missionary, she had never actually met me though and I've never actually met her.  But she goes "Oh! Sister George! I have heard so much about you and how great you are! You need to ask President with me if we can be companions!"  I told her that I would LOVE to be her companion, and that I had also heard great things about her too!  And then I said "But who have you heard about me from?"  She just shrugged and smiled and told me quite a few other missionaries.  Then Sister Alder and Sister Hamilton said "Sister George, ALL the Sisters want to be your companion!"  It was just one of the nicest things ever!  I'm sure they were exaggerating, but it made me feel so good to know that other missionaries know about me, in a good way. :)  Feeling loved is the best thing ever!!

After saying goodbye to Sister Hooker, Elder Harmon, and Sister Carrigan,  I said goodbye to Sister Knight and went to Coal Mountain with Sister Hamilton.  So I forgot to tell you something funny that happened during out meeting.  Elder Residori called me out.  Not meanly or by name, but everyone knew it was me!  He was talking about some of the things that have happened and the cars and then he says, "And we had someone try and beat the gate."  (Okay, not fully true!)  All the Elders turned to me and started laughing.  I'm pretty sure that my face went three shades of red as I sunk down more into me seat.  The Elders got a good kick out of that one!  It serves me right!  Everyone keeps telling me that it is alright but I know that its not as okay as they say.  I have learned my lesson though!  There shall be no more accidents with cars for me!  

Going on an exchange was SO MUCH FUN!!!  I love Sister Hamilton.  She is amazing and it was a nice break to a) not be the senior companion and b) not have to worry about being a trainer for the day.  I had a blast with Sister Hamilton.  She was asking me how everything was going, how training was, and how I was doing.  I told her that the only thing that just drives me nuts is Sister Knights whole thing about being older.  Come to find out, Sister Alder does that to Sister Hamilton except opposite.  Silly companions of ours! Sister Hamilton is 22 and Sister Alder is 19 and Sister Alder is always telling Sister Hamilton how she is so old (22 is SO not old) and how she should have taken advantage of the change.  Even though she couldn't cause she was 21 when they did that!  It drives Sister Hamilton crazy too. It was just nice to have someone understand exactly how I feel!  I would love to be Sister Hamilton's companion!  I know that we would just have a blast!  I met some of her investigators, Annie and her mom Barbara.  They are so cute!  Sister Hamilton says that Sister Alder wants to give up on them but Sister Hamilton doesn't want to.  I don't blame Sister Hamilton!  I wouldn't give up on them either!  Sister Alder is just the cutest thing too.  I will get to have her probably when we do exchanges next time.  Which will also be fun.  It is kinda like getting to have a sleepover with a friend.  Always fun but always good to come home to what is yours!!

When we got home tonight we just had a long talk and a whole bunch of fun! They live in a member's basement and it is HUGE! Our apartment is one of the smallest in the whole mission! Ours could fit in theirs probably 3 times!

November 6, 2013

This morning we did service.  We moved mulch for two hours.  It was actually really fun!  Ya, ya, I would have never said that in a million years at home.  I guess I'm changing and maturing in lots of ways :)  Haha!  Hopefully I will stay this way when I come home!

We went home, ate lunch and then went to the members house that was driving us to the half way point where we exchange back.  Sister Knight said she missed me.  That was nice!  I am sure that she had a great time with Sister Alder though because Sister Alder is so cute!  And to be honest even though I had a great time it was good to see my Sister Knight again!  She is a cutie.

Then we drove back to Suwanee and Sis. Knight caught me up on everything.  It's amazing what can happen in the space of 24 hours!  We got back, I threw my stuff inside, and then we went tracting.  We had a fun time.  No one was super interested.  Well, this girl Cassie actually was, she stood and talked with us forever,  But her parents are Asian and the older Asian generation is just stubborn!  We gave her a card, - - she wanted to take a Book of Mormon but she said her parents would freak out.  Dang it!  Well, a seed has been planted! 

After tracting, we went to the Ketchems for dinner.  They had their neighbor come over dinner too.  His wife just passed away.  We didn't have sushi. :(  Oh well!  We had spaghetti and meatballs.  No sushi, but not too bad! ☺  After dinner we talked about the Plan of Salvation.  I think he was interested but maybe not to the learning more about it extent.  We will see, hopefully he will be interested in learning more!

When we left, there was a message from Sister Watkins, she said she needed to talk to me.  We called her and she said she had gotten a text from Momma saying it was a nutella day. :-(  Dang it!  I hate nutella days! Sydney, I love you!  Have Momma give you a big hug from me!  I'm so very proud of you and I will take you as my president any day, any time, anywhere!  I love you cute girl!  I'm glad you are mine!!

November 7, 2013

Oh what a day!  This week is a service week I guess!  Sister Knight doesn't like it sometimes.  She will get it figured out and it will get easier for her.  She will learn to love Georgia and all of the people here.  What's not to love?!?

We met with Richard today.  That was a rough lesson.  When he told us that he wanted to get baptized he said he understood it needed to be by someone holding the priesthood.  Suddenly, he is saying he needs to be baptized by his son again!  Both Brother Wernli and I just sat there the whole time trying to help him remember what he knew before.  Poor Sister Knight was practically falling asleep.  We knew that Richard knew that he needed to be baptized into this church, we just didn't know what to do.  I feel so helpless!  Later after the lesson, Bro. Wernli called and said Richard had just called.  Richard had said that he was sorry and that he did actually know he needed to be baptized into this gospel.  Basically he is just scared what will happen after that, with his wife and family, if he will even be able to make it to church and all of that.  I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do.  He knows!  But I really don't know how to help him.  Sister Knight keeps saying he just needs to suck it up and get baptized.  Although I want to agree with her she just doesn't understand how hard of a thing this is!  I know Heavenly Father has it figured out.  I would just like a glimpse of His plans.

We then helped Marni.  We ended up staying for about three hours.  Two working and one talking.  She is so lonely and wants to talk.  We helped her with a ton of stuff that her husband hasn't had time to do, with having two jobs and working sixteen hour days.  She is such a sweet lady!  I just love her :)  We didn't have dinner tonight, so we planned on eating and then going to Michael and Brittany's.  We went to the church first and ended up talking to Sister Rhodes until we needed to go to Michael and Brittany's.  Do you remember her niece, Stephanie, who we were teaching?  She is in jail.  She stole the Rhode's house payments for this month and drank it away.  She had been smoking pot and a whole bunch of other stuff.  She sabotaged herself.  She had two jobs and a good home with people who loved her.  It's so very sad.

Sister Watkins went with us to see Michael and Brittany.  Sometimes meeting with them hurts my head.  Its a good thing we bring people along who know more stuff than me!  Michael asks these super deep questions and all I can say is, "I don't know!"  Luckily Sister Watkins knew!  We talked about the Plan of Salvation.  That is already a deep subject but hand it to Michael and it becomes even deeper!!!  I don't think they will join the church until Michael feels satisfied and I'm thinking that that will take quite a while.  One day though! :)  And what a gift it will be to us and us to them.

November 8, 2013

Not a ton happened today - we weekly planned.  That was just lovely and uneventful.  Sister Knight stayed with me for most of it so that was nice!  I sometimes feel like I am wrangling in a child who just doesn't want to do what has to be done!  I love her and so that makes it better.  And I get it.  Sometimes it seems to take forever to plan out your week. 

Then we went to do service for Fae.  Remember a long time ago when Sister Hamilton came here to Suwanee for an exchange?  We went and did service for the same lady.  She called and asked if we could finish up the railings and so we did.  We had the elders come too cause she had a few other things as well.  Sister Knight doesn't know how to use a hammer.  I don't actually know if she had ever used one in her life.  I don't think she had, she tried though!!!  I'll give her that!  I love that she will try, we had fun.

Because of weekly planning and then service we went straight to dinner at the Lowry's after we had changed out of our service clothes.  Dinner was really good! We had homemade Cafe Rio. :-)  They don't have Cafe Rio down here so I was glad cause I love that place!  

We had an appointment with Kiaundra after dinner.  She and Sarah Holgado have hit it off really well so that is awesome. :)   Of course they are both just awesome.  We went and got hot chocolate and talked.  In sunday school they had talked about temples.  Kiaundra asked Sarah but Sarah felt like she hadn't explained it at all.  We told her what we did in the temple.  Kiaundra LOVED that!  She is so cute!  She just kept saying "I want my marriage to last forever!"  I would love to see her get baptized.  From the first time I met her I got this "vision" ( I think it was mostly a tender mercy) of her in the jumpsuit, walking down the steps, into the water.  I know it was Heavenly Father telling me that she would be baptized.  It's just a matter of when.  I promised Hannah I would try my hardest to have a baptism here while she was being baptized at home.  It would be great if it could be Kiaundra.

Sister George and her beautiful Kiaundra!

Kiaundra had a date so she left and we talked to Sarah for a little while.  She is scared to go out on a mission.  She wants to, but she is scared.  She just needed someone to talk to.  I told her to just go and talk to the bishop.  Don't necessarily start the papers, just go in and talk about how she is feeling.  She made the appointment right than and there.  I love that girl a lot!

November 9, 2013

Service, service, service! Today was a 'serve the members day! :)  Sister Aureshi called and asked if we could come help her.  Her cat has fleas and her husband is out of town and she has to vacuum the whole house, top to bottom, and pull out all the furniture and use the hose and go along the edges and have it ready for Monday so that they can "bomb" the house.  It had taken her three days to do the upstairs and she still had to do the main floor and the basement.  So, after studying and lunch, we went over and helped.  It was quite the workout! My body is pretty sore!  She was so grateful for the help and I was happy to help her!

We got a call from Mary.  She said she was thinking about having a garage sale.  I told her we would try to come.  I asked her if she had a place yet.  She said that she was working something out at the Grand Oasis Apartments.  I laughed and said, "Those are great apartments!  That's where we live!"  She liked that, I think.  I feel like Heavenly Father is placing all these signs around her to point to us and she just isn't picking up on them! One day!  After I got off the phone with her, Sister Knight said "I don't know why we are wasting out time with her.  She doesn't want to talk about the gospel, and we are wasting our time with people like that."  It took everything that I had not to say something mean in my frustration.  All I said was, "I don't think that it is wasting time.  She is a Child of God and needs our love."  I didn't say anything else, I just left it at that.  Mary will be forgotten when I leave Suwanee.  That kills me.  She wants to give up on Richard too.  I can't have that happen!  All I can do is pray.  I know that sometimes we need to turn people back to Heavenly Father but not Richard, and not Mary, not while I am here.  For some it is just a longer road.  I don't know I could be wrong but I don't think so.  But if it happens when I leave then I will know that Sister Knight did what she believed is best.  She is really a good person and a good missionary and Heavenly Father takes care of all of us the best way he can by bringing the right people into our lives at the right time.  Maybe she is more right than I want to acknowledge but . . . .  I will let it be in Father's hand.  But I can't drop them.

Sister Watkins is teaching Gospel Principles tomorrow for the first time.  She is nervous.  She asked if we could come and help her out.  She is going to do fabulous!  She is talking about family history and temples!  Two of her favorite things!  She will do great!  We helped her for a little bit and then headed off to dinner at the Tomberlin's.  I like them!  We had chili and cornbread! Yummmmm!  I love that combination!  I think that families are starting to realize that three hour dinners are not okay.  They respect that, and I'm so glad.  Missionaries before us started that and it has taken time but the chain is being broken!

Sarah just got called to be the YSA relief society teacher.  She asked for our help too.  We went over and helped her.  She will do great!  She was telling me some of the stories she kept thinking about and I told her to share them!  They went perfect with her lesson!  

After that we went over to Brother Pickett's and talked with him about our investigators.  That's always fun!  he is a great ward mission leader!  He takes good care of us!  I'm being spoiled, having a ward this great!

November 10, 2013

Oh my goodness! It has officially been four months! I can't believe how fast it has gone!  

Church was great!  We have Thanksgiving with the McKenna's!  That should be way fun for us!  No McDonalds for us like poor Boston Murdoch had! :)

Sister Watkins did fabulous on her lesson.  I wish I could have heard Sarah's too!  Grey Pickett (The Pickett's 16 year old son)  gave an amazing talk!  It was so cute!  He was talking about the love Moroni had not only for his people but for future generations (us).  He started crying and had a hard time talking but it was so powerful!  He did a really really great job.

After church we went tracting.  We got quite a few doors shut in our faces.  That hasn't happened to me in a while.  We had dinner at the Wiggins tonight.  I had met Sister Wiggins a few times but never knew her name.  I'm always glad to make a new connection.  I really enjoyed dinner!  They were really nice!  We did have an appointment after dinner but it got cancelled.  It was dark so tracting wouldn't have been effective.  We tried to go visit some people that Sister Johnson had given us.  No one was really home.  So at 7:30 we called to Olsons and asked if we could visit.  Sister Olson was so cute and said only if we would eat cookies and chips and salsa with them!  Brother Olson keeps me updated on the Aggies.  He is awesome!  He loves that I am an Aggie! Probably because most the missionaries are BYU-ers.  So Sister Olson is the one who gave me the skirt, I just love her!  I just feel like part of their family!  They were heating up the chips in the broiler.  They forgot about them and suddenly Sister Olson yells "the chips!"  they were on fire!!!  The smoke alarms went off!  We opened all the windows and doors.  We were all laughing, it was awesome.  Then we gave them a lesson and I gave Sister Olson a big hug! They were a good ending to the week. 

Well family, I love you!  Have a wonderful week :) Dad, Lacey, have great birthdays!  I love you both!  Enjoy your presents

Sydney, I love you and I am so proud of you! You are amazing,.

Hannah girl, have you been getting lots of hugs from my bear? You should! I love you!

Gabey I love you! I hope school is going well!

Momma, I think about you all the time.  I love you 20$!!!

Love,

Molly

The Low's, High's, and Flirts

October 28, 2013

Hey hey!

Yay for p-day!  Usually I only really start looking forward to p-day on Sunday night but it hit Friday and I was just so ready to hear from y'all and read your e-mails.

We first went to target.  I bought myself some boots that are flat.  They are pretty nice and I think they will last a good while.  It felt so good to have boots are my feet.  I had been missing that.  We went with Sarah Holgado.  That girl has a hoot!  I love her.  We went to lunch and Sarah thought one of the waiters was so cute.  She was getting all this info about him from our waitress.  I was dying.  It was funny.  The then our waitress, Tina, turned to me and asked what about me?  I grinned and told her that I was unavailable at the moment, because I was on a mission.  We ended up getting to talk about the church.  She had never heard about Mormons before and asked what denomination we were, and a few other things.  I told her we were Christians.  I invited her to come to our fall festival on Saturday.  Maybe she will come.  That would be cool!  I love how easy it is, and continues to get, for me to just start talking about our church!  I know that when I get home I will have to work from keeping that ease, but I can do it!

Then we went and emailed.  Ah!  I just love being able to e-mail.  It takes me a long time because I get distracted and start talking to the Elders.  They tease me for taking so long.  All well!

Hey Lacey, I love you!  I love that you are so faithful in writing me and I am your missionary!!  I hope that what I said helped a little, though I am not too sure if I did.  I am sorry that you are so sad and that this is happening with your friend.

Sydney, I'm sorry you haven't gotten a response from me and that I can't be online at the same time when you e-mail.

We went to the Holgados for dinner.  I like their family.  Brother Holgado told us he had a video for us to watch.  He went to lds.org and on the front there is a video called "Receiving a mission call:  Process of a Mormon Mission Call".  He clicked on it and we start to watch the video.  Suddenly Shane Pace is on there.  I was surprised and yelled, "Hey I know him!"  We kept watch and there was Brett Davies!  When did Brother Pace become a bishop?  So go to that video.  They're on it!  It made me feel a little home sick 'cause I just want to call you and tell you because it was kind of fun.  So, if you haven't already seen it, then watch it.  It's kind of cool!

After that we went over to the Watkins.  I just love them!  There just solid!

October 29, 2013

Today was hard.  I was feeling like a slacker.  I didn't want to work, all I wanted to do was just go home and sleep.  I wanted to not talk to anyone that I did not want to tract.

We had district meeting today and I was really missing our old district.  I was missing Sister Carrigan and Sister Alvey a lot.  I love Sister Knight, I do.  I am just feeling sorry for myself.  I know that.  I look at myself and I think, "How dare you feel this way!  You are so blessed and you're just whining right now!  How dare you!"  Then I try a little bit to stop but I don't, and then I just get frustrated.  It will take awhile for our new district to be as tight as our old one was.  And since I already like cute Sister Knight like I do I know I will be a mess when I no longer get to have her with me 24/7.  I guess that is one of the things we learn on a mission.  You learn to love and you learn that leaving is hard, being left is hard because you still love them so much.

We went and helped Marni today.  She is always a sweetheart.  She made me feel a little better.  I just needed someone to talk to while we were cleaning.  I decided to text the Spanish Elders.  I needed some reinforcement that I was doing OK.  They were really nice and kindly reminded me that I know what I'm doing and that I am a good missionary.  I was better after that.

We went tracting and ugh!  Some Halloween decorations are so YUCKY!  I don't know why some people like decorating the way they do!  Some of them look like real people or I guess monsters!  It's gross!  No thank you!  I hate the gross stuff and it makes me sad because I know that there really are a lot of fun, cute, and NOT yucky stuff out there to decorate with.

As we were walking and a huge dog came running towards us.  It wasn't mean or anything, just huge!  It jumped up and almost knocked me over!  Its paws were muddy and it got mud on my shirt, like a huge chunk.  Luckily I had a sweater in the car.  Not luckily, it was warm outside.  Dumb dog!

We had dinner at the Beasley's tonight.  Their son Josh is the one I bonded with over being scared of things.  He is a cutie.  He just turned 13 about two weeks ago.  Sydney I'll set you up :-) teasing!  Kind of…  Sister Beasley is really nice but kind of quiet.  She always warms up by the end of the dinner.  What a very nice family.

After dinner, we had about an hour left.  We didn't have any more Mormon.org cards that were filled out- - so that we could hand them out.  We decided that would be a good use of time so we went home and filled out a ton of them.  Sorry.  I feel like I just gave a very depressing/pathetic day.

October 30, 2013

Well, what a day!  Last night I prayed long and hard and asked for forgiveness.  It was not a good missionary day yesterday.  I felt bad about that.  Today was a day where I felt Heavenly Father just told me he loves me and that I am forgiven.  I woke up with a better attitude today.  I was ready to make this a better, happier, more hardworking day!  It is sometimes hard for a brand new missionary to do 12 week program as well as all the other stuff.  But Sister Knight is doing well and will continue to learn and it will get better and better.

Sister Watkins called us to ask what we wanted for dinner.  We are going to have a lesson with a referral we had gotten but the referral ended up canceling on us.  Sister Watkins told us she had talked to Sister Wolfert.  I guess tomorrow that Sister Wolfert has a meeting with some of the sisters who want to go home.  Sad, right?  It breaks my heart every time I hear things like that!

We started off our day going to visit a lady named Betty.  Sister Carrigan and Sister Morrison tracted into her.  Every time we passed her house, Sister Carrigan would say we should go visit her again.  We never did.  I took it into my own hands!  Betty is a cutie!  She is 83 years old and lives on her own.  Her husband passed away a while ago.  We asked if there was anything we could do for her.  She had us take down a curtain rod she didn't want any more.  Then we just sat and let her talk.  She is lonely and I was fine to lend an ear. :-)

Then we went tracting.  One door a little boy answered with his dad.  The little boy had on Superman footie pajama's.  We talked to the dad then I bent down and said, "Hi Superman!"  He giggled and said, "I'm not superman.  Just Josh.  This is a costume, see-this is my skin."  Then he unzipped it a little and pointed to his chest.  I said, "Oh!  You tricked me!  I thought you were Superman!"  He again giggled and looked up at his dad and gleefully said, "I tricked her!"  It was cute.

After tracting for quite a few hours we had to get home so Sister Watkins could pick us up.  She told me you had e-mailed her, Momma.  I like that she gets to be in contact with you.  Before she picked us up we checked the mail, yah for surprise packages.  Thanks Grandma!  She made Sis. Knight happy that there was a bag for her too.  Sis. Knight hasn't really gotten any mail, so she liked that!

We had dinner at Moe's a Mexican place.  I shared a story with Sister Watkins.  A story that I included with this week's set of letters.  I told her thanks for being my Suwanee mom (I have a couple, her, Sis. Galt, Sis. Olson, Sister Johnson and Sis. Fullwood.)I made her cry.  Oops!  But for a good reason!  After that we  went with Sister Watkins and visited with Sister Fullwood.  I love her!  I think I have told you her story but I got how long she has been in the church wrong.  Only 3 years!  But she investigated for 2 years before that.  It wouldn't have ever guessed it though!  She knows EVERYTHING!  She is so humble about it.  I shared with her the story too.  Then we got on the subject of how it is nice members can talk to our parents.  Then Sister Fullwood said, "Let's see if we can do a video?"  So we did.  And you got it!  I'm glad.

On our way home Sister Watkins told me to put your number in her phone.   I thought she was going to text you later, so I did it and handed it back to her.  Suddenly, she is calling you!  And telling me to not say anything.  Man, oh man.  Even though she had the phone to her ear, I could hear you!  I lost it as soon as you said hello.  I was crying and laughing at the same time!  It took everything I had not to rip the phone out of her hand and start talking to you!   I had my hand clamped over my mouth, wanting to talk to you!  That was a dirty trick of Sister Watkins.  I don't know if you heard me but right before y'all hung up I couldn't take it anymore and yelled "I love you Momma!"  What a way to end the night.  I love knowing you are so very close to me!

October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween.  What did you all dress up as?  Picture please.  We had to be in by 6 tonight.  So we really didn't have much time to do anything.  It was weird to go in so early!

After lunch this morning we went to go clean our car cause the zone leaders had texted all of us and told us they were coming around for inspections.  It really wasn't too dirty, but enough that we needed to go clean it.  As we were going, we got a call from the Elders.  They were going to pick up games from a member and wanted us to put them in our car.  We were close but the car wash was pretty far away.  We told them we needed to hurry though cause we were going over to Marni's after we cleaned the car.  Anyway we flipped around and we were almost there when we get another call from the Elders that the members were not home.  So we flipped back around again and hurried to the car wash.  Then we went to Marni's house.  Poor lady!  She is so very lonely!  She has friends come by and visit but while the kids are at school and her husband is at work she is all by herself.  Lots of times we just listen to her for the first little bit.  I like her.  She likes us too.  I will for sure keep in contact with her when I leave.

Ah!  We got to see Kiaundra today!  I have missed her!  Even though her family has told her not to, she so badly wants to be part of this church.  She said she will continue learning and figure out for herself what she wants to do.  She is just a little ray of sunshine and I just love her!  I have an image in my mind of her walking into the baptismal font.  I know it is Heavenly Father telling me she will get baptized.  It is just a matter of when.  And that, I don't actually know.  I pray that it is while I am here though!  She needs this church as much as this church needs her!  And that is a lot!

After the lesson we were supposed to go see Sister Watkins.  She wasn't home though.  Later she called us and told us about the temple.  She was doing her great-granfather's sister.  She said that during the session she could see in her mind a picture of the woman.  I believe all of the stories that she tells us.  They are pretty cool! 

We went and had dinner at the Reynolds house tonight.  They are probably in their 60's.  Sister Reynold's mom lives with them.  Sister Reynolds is a hoot!  She is funny!  We had tacos for dinner .  Halfway through Brother Reynolds phone rang and he just sat and talked.  Ah well, we had fun talking to her and to her mom.

When we got home, we ended up talking to the elders for a bit.  The zone leaders never came to look at our car so we called to chastise them.  Elder Bridge and I talked for a while.  We were all on the speaker phone but mostly Elder Bridge and I did the talkin'.

The night went by faster than I thought it would.  It is gonna be weird to come back home and have even more free time!

November 1, 2013

Happy first day of November!  It's crazy that it is already November!  Before you know it, it will be December and we can face time!!!  I'm so excited for that.  Today was a pretty stinkin' good day.  We started out with weekly planning.  The past few weeks it has been hard for us to focus as a companionship for the couple of hours that it takes to plan.  We did really well today.  Neither of us really wanted to go tracting today.  As we were leaving our apartment I grabbed some paper and an envelop.  For the past few days I have had Richard on my mind.  It has been nagging at me that somehow, I need to let him know we hadn't given up on him.  I told Sister Knight and we drove to his apartment.  I wrote him a letter and bore my testimony to him and told him that we loved him and were thinking about him.  I didn't dare knock on the door because if his wife was there, I didn't want to make things worse!  I shoved it in the door and just prayed that he would get it and not his wife or son.  I may never know what happens with Richard but I know Heavenly Father will work it out.  My heart breaks every time I think about him!

We went to go see Barbara after that.  Her son Eric was outside and told us to come back later.  We will try tomorrow or sometime next week.  Then we went to go see Mary.  She and Arianna were home.  I walked in expecting their house to be all packed up.  It's not.  She even put everything back that we had packed for her.  She said that the owners asked her to be out today.  I'm really nervous for her.  If she doesn't get going she is going to get kicked out and they won't have anywhere to live.  I invited her to our Fall Festival tomorrow and I hope that they come.

We had about 2 hours and 45 minutes before dinner.  We didn't have an appointment.  So we just figured we would eat at 7 and then the Watkins had asked us to go visit so we were going there at 8.  We started down the street and started knocking.  Across the street was a little field that people could play football or soccer or whatever.  There were 4 boys playing football.  They were kind of just standing talking for a minute and I heard snippets.  They were talking about us.  Suddenly one of the boys yells out "Do you want to come and play football with us?"  His friends go, "Dude, shut up!"  We laughed and told them another time.

We got to a door and knocked.  I could see a lady in there and she was talking on the phone.  She was walking really slowly.  When she finally got to the door she finished her phone call and Sister Knight told her who we were and explained the Book of Mormon.  The lady took one and then told us that she had just been in a really bad car crash earlier in the week.  I told her as part of our calling as representatives of Jesus Christ we give a prayer.  And then asked if we could pray with her.  She said yes and told us her name was Rhonda.  I said the harvest prayer of peace and blessings (first time I have done it) and by the time I finished Rhonda had tears in her eyes and she just kept saying thank you.  I think we will go back in a week or so and see her again.

One lady we ran into told us that she had been watching the Jody Aries trial and what she had heard about  Mormons was not good.  I had no idea what trial she was talking about but I looked at her and said, "Well, sometimes things on the TV are not true.  We would love to be able to clear up any of those misconceptions."  The lady told us no again.  When we were walking away Sister Knight said, "Whoa, that was bold!  I am impressed."  I laughed and told her thanks.  I hadn't thought that it was that bold but I'll take it.  

We had about 30 minutes before we were going to go eat so we went down one more street.  Last night the assistants had called and challenged Sister Knight to invite someone to be baptized on their doorstep.  At one house there was a guy around our age.  Out of the corner of my eye I had seen him watching us.  When we got to him, we just started talking.  He told us that he believed in signs from God and maybe this was his.  He grew up Catholic but didn't agree with everything.  We talked about our church and he seemed really interested.  He was flirting with us too but unlike guitar boy he was sincere about learning more.  He is coming to our ward's fall festival tomorrow.  At the end, Sister Knight asked him if he came to know the truth, would he be baptized?  He said yes.  I am pretty proud of her.  She was hyped the whole rest of the night.  I hope something will come of it.  He was really nice and I think he would like our church.  Of course, anyone would if they gave it a fair chance.

We headed home to have dinner and ended up at Chick-Fil-A.  Sister Knight ordered first and I went to the next register.  My guy taking my order was about 16 and oh boy!  I don't know what it is about flirting today but he was flirting a ton!  I asked for sauce and the guy next to him handed me some.  The guy taking my order started pulling some sauce out from under the counter and I told him that I already had some.  Then he goes, "You are cheating on me?!?  We are through!"  I was laughing.  Then he forget to get my water and when he realized it he said, "Sorry, I just can't think straight since our break up!"  I told him so sorry, it just wasn't meant to be.  I dunno what it is about being a missionary but I feel like I get flirted with so much more now than I ever did when I wasn't a missionary!  Even the night before I went into the MTC that guy at WalMart flirted with me!  (Remember mom?)  I know it will stop again as soon as I'm home and not a missionary again.  Oh boy!  It was quite a funny day.

November 2, 2013

Richard called this morning!!!  AHH!!!  He called.  Oh I'm so happy.  I had been praying that he would find my note and not his wife or son.  Thank you for prayers and for putting his name in the temple.  He said that when he told his wife he wanted to be baptized, she said to him, "Well you should just go and find a new wife then!"  Richard said he couldn't believe she would say something like that.  He sounded so very hurt about it and it made me so sad!  He said everything is ok now, though.  I'm not so sure it is.  He told me he has been studying the Pearl of Great Price.  He told me that he knows it is God reading for him.  He said, "You know when I read aloud, I stutter and miss punctuations?  Well when I'm reading the Book of Mormon or the D&C I can read perfect.  I just know it is God reading for me."  I just kept trying not to cry and shout during our conversation.  He also said, "You remember that last Thursday you came?"  (This was the week before he decided to be baptized and then dropped us).  "I thought you weren't going to come back."  I then interjected  and told him we would ALWAYS come back!   Every week he would convince himself that we weren't going to.  "Well, when you called that Wednesday, I knew that it was inspired of God".  I cannot begin to express the joy that I feel!  Every time that I start thinking about it I start crying and at the same time I want to scream and shout!

I hate not being able to call Sister Carrigan and tell her.  Sister Knight is happy but she doesn't have the same connection with Richard yet.  It's okay, we are combining with the Lilburn zone for zone conference on Tuesday.  I will tell her then.  Richard wants us to start coming again!  We are going back at our usual time, Thursday at 11 AM.  After we got off the phone my first thought was that I needed to thank Heavenly Father.  I got on my knees and thanked Him.  All day long I have been thanking Him.  I can only imagine if this is how big my joy is, how big is our Savior's and Heavenly Father's joy?!?  It just amazes me.

My second thought was that I just wanted to call you and tell you!  I didn't want to wait for Monday to e-mail you.  I told that to Sister Knight and she said, "Have Sister Watkins call."  Oh!  So I called Sister Watkins and she called you.  She said she got to talk to one of my sisters and the voice sounded very young.  Hannah?!?  I'm very jealous she got to talk to my Hannah!!  It's ok.  I just have to wait until Christmas!  That is not too far away!

All day long I was just on a high!  Nothing was bringing me down!  We tracted pretty much all day.  We had picked a place that was pretty rural.  The houses were spread apart and the driveways were long.  One guy told us while we were leaving.  "You ladies are doing good work.  We wish you were on our side!"   I almost said, "You know that we are all on the same side if we are on the Lord's side."  That was a little too cheeky though and he had been nice to us.  I thought I was funny though. 

At 4:30 we went to go set up for the Fall Festival.  Austin, the guy Sister Knight had asked last night to be baptized, ditched out.  His loss.  It was so much fun.  They had games for the kids, TONS of chili for the cook off and good company.  All the kids were dressed up and one of the members had her little girl in a cow costume.  She looked SO cute.  We got to help judge the chili.  That was fun.  Sister Brinton's was my favorite.  I got the recipe!

When we got home the alarm box outside our apartment was beeping like crazy.  I called the number on the box and finally figured out how to stop it.  I can still hear the beeping in my head.

Daylight savings is tomorrow.  Yea for an extra hour of sleep.  I turned all of the clocks back tonight.  It was weird trying to figure out what the time was because of that.  Luckily we had our phone and I knew that one would change automatically.  

Momma!  I didn't get a letter from you this week.  I thought for sure that it would come tonight since I had not had any luck on Thursday or Friday, which is when it usually comes.  Bummer.  Ah well.  At least I get my e-mails on Monday.  Yay!!  I am very excited for Monday!  I always am.  Not because it is a "day off" but because I get my e-mails.  I am so very thankful for technology!

November 3, 2013

Wow!  Another week over!   I can't believe the highs and the lows of this week!  It just amazes me how I can be on a huge spiritual low one day and the next be the complete opposite!
 

Today was a fabulous day.  Fast Sundays are always good!  I love being able to fast for my investigators, you guys, and anything else.  I know that the Lord hears me every time.  Kiaundra came to church today!  I was so very glad.  I truly love that girl.  I so hope she will get baptized while I am still here.  She has until the middle of January.  I fugure they will put me somewhere else after I finish training with Sister Knight.  Anyways I will be uber sad when I have to leave.

We got our new bishop today.  I called it!  Brother (or now Bishop) Hunsaker is our new bishop.  He will be amazing.  Sadly that means that Sister Hunsaker will be released from the relief society presidency.  Brother Buddy Toliver is the 1st counselor and Brother Bill Tiszai is the 2nd counselor.  I'm excited.  They will do great!

I played the piano in relief society today.  Sister Johnson did a lesson all on music.  She asked people to share their favorites and we sang one verse.  She just found out that I can play.  It's not that I was hiding it but Sister Carrigan always played.  Sister McKenna was sick so I ended up playing.  I butchered only like 2 of the songs.  I felt bad cause they shared these amazing testimonies and then I butchered their song.  Oh well.  After church we tracted.  Sister Knight has been waiting to run into a basher.  I don't have that same desire.  But I am sure that it will happen sooner or later.

We had dinner with the Colletts.  They are a fun family.  Their kids are so cute.  I taught the dinner lesson tonight and I think that they liked it.  I had little cups with a word like faith or baptism or prophet.  We talked about each one and made a pyramid with Christ at the top.  Then I told them that if we skipped a step we wouldn't have Christ at the top.  I had one of them take the prophet cup out.  The tower fell.  Not all of the way but mostly.  So some of the churches have missing "cups" and they can't have the complete tower like we do.  The kids were funny.  Brother and Sister Collett were asking them if they liked having us over and they said, "Yeah!  Usually the missionaries just read a scripture."  I laughed and told them not to tell the Elders what we did and see who had the best lesson when they come over for dinner.

We had a little time so we went over to the Baumgarts to visit.  I like their family!  The boys have some sort of chronic illness but they are the happiest and sweetest boys you will ever meet..  They are really good at origami and they made me a box, a rose, and a little pac-man chomper thing.  Something that I will keep!

Well amazing family of mine.  I LOVE y'all.  I hope you have a fabulous week and know that I am always thinking about each and every one of you. 

Tell Grandmummy I love her and thank you for the Halloween package.  I love the CD's.

Molly