January 13, 2014
Well, it was a pretty fun P-day here in Hickory Flat! Different, but fun. We first went over to the library. Talk about a pain way to
e-mail! I miss having the family history
center as my e-mail place. It was nice
cause since we hung out there, you could check your e-mail on and off whenever
you pleased. At the library, it’s get it
done or forever hold your peace!
Daddy, it was fun to have you on for a little while at the
same time. I hope that the test went ok
and everything is fine! Keep me updated
on everything!
I hope by next Monday, sister Knight will have sent me my
camera cord so that I can send pictures.
Luckily the Dustin's texted you some pictures so you know that I am safe,
pretty happy and you have seen some pictures of me and Sister Nettleton.
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| Sisters George and Nettleton |
After e-mailing was shopping. Now, I left Suwanee’s pantry fully stocked
for Sister Heyland. (I didn’t buy stuff
for her, I just didn’t take anything ). On the other hand Hickory Flat's pantry is completely empty. It makes me laugh because Sister Nettleton told me that was normal for
there. Oh my. They have never had any food in
the apartment. So we went and got food…
and cleaning supplies. There is black
mold everywhere. Now, in Georgia you are
going to get black mold in your bathroom, it is inevitable. Therefore, cleaning is vital. After cleaning, we dropped our stuff off and just went and
hung out with the Dustins. They are a crazy super awesome family.
We had dinner at the Curvelos. I guess Sister Curvelo signed up for us and
the elders. They really haven’t
enforced the new rule about sisters and elders at the same dinner
appointment. Brother Curvelos was still
at work so we just ate with Sister Curvelos.
She is nice.
After than we went home to deep clean. We basically sprayed everything down with
pure bleach, killed the mold, and scrubbed.
All our doors were open! Fumigation and all. It was
quite the task. But, we got it done and
it feels more homey now. Hey, what would
one use to get rust off of your bike?
Mine needs to be cleaned.
January 14, 2014
Man, do I miss Suwanee!
I miss knowing the area and the members.
It makes things so much easier.
We just go visit people all day long and mostly it is members. Tracting is not the highest priority in this
area. I hope to work into more of
that. I really do enjoy tracting.
I miss my old district.
Today was district meeting. It is hard getting to know new
missionaries. It takes a while to feel
comfortable. Sister Macedone, so nice to have her here, gave a
training on listening to the Spirit. She
did a role play and had Elder Jackman whisper stuff to her across the
room. At first she just ignored
him. The second round she was trying to
follow what he was telling her. But she
couldn’t hear at one point in time and said “WHAT?!?” Fail.
It was funny though and probably no unlike listening to the spirit.
We went to lunch with our elders and the elders from Jasper
(there are like 4 areas in our district).
Sister King was there. So we just
sat with her and talked. She is a
cutie!
We went and visited Sister Tye. She has a lot of health problems but she is
the sweetest lady ever! She told us that
she is working her way to the temple. I
hope it is soon. She is just awesome!
We had dinner with the Dustin's after that. They took us to a BBQ place. It was really good! I like the Dustin's a lot. They have been added to my
People-That-I-Love-In-Georgia-and-will-come-back-and-visit-list. I gotta come up with a shorter name. We were a huge group cause there was us (2),
the Dustins (8), Sister Dustin’s mom (1) and friends (2). There were 13 of us and it was a little crazy
but quite fun. I have now officially had
the Southern BBQ. Yummm!
After dinner there was a relief society activity. It was cute.
They had a game called telestrations that is pretty fun. I think y’all have a game like it on the
ipad. You draw a picture and then pass
it on to the next person, they write what they think it is and pass it to the
next person, they write what they think it is and pass it along to the next
person who draws again. So on and so
forth. Well we played and then each
table had to choose which drawing they thought was the funniest. I got chosen at my table to stand up and show
mine. I could tell by the looks on faces
that nobody knew who I was. I heard someone
say, “Where is Sister Kelly?” So I just
introduced myself, “Hi, I am Sister George!
I am the new missionary in the area.
I come from Suwanee and I have been out for 6 months.” I then answered the common questions everyone
asks to cover everyone at once.
It is always awkward going to a new area. Some people inevitably miss the old
missionary. Others may be glad that
person is gone. I can tell that they loved Sister Kelly. I find my spot but I am missing Suwanee
right now. I knew where I stood with
everyone.
January 15, 2014
So today we went visiting teaching with Sister Lineback and
Sister King. They took us out to
lunch. I try to have a salad when we go
out. One of the families that we went to
visit was Sister Presley. She is a nice
lady and it was fun talking to her and getting to know her.
After that, we went home and I changed into some service
clothes. We were going to take lights
down for Billie, an older lady that we often go and visit. Sister Nettleton chose to not change into her
service clothes, which is a good thing I guess, because when we got there the
lights were already down. Her daughter
must have done it for her or something.
Darn it! I was in my pants all
ready to go.
Instead of stopping at Billie’s to chant with her, we went
to a lady down the road named Ashley Rose.
There was nowhere to change so I was still in my pants… Ashley is a single mom with an 11 year old
daughter named Bella. Bella very much
wants to be baptized but her mother isn’t ready for that yet. The church fascinates Ashley and she loves
the people and everything. But she wants
them to do it together if they do it.
Bella would like to be baptized right now. Ashley goes to a church called
“Revolution”. We asked her if we could
come with her this Sunday since our church doesn’t start until 1:00. So we are going to Revolution.
We had dinner at Morgan’s.
We had a fire and cooked hot dogs.
Morgan has become a good friend to Sister Nettleton and to Sister Kelly. It is good to be friends but missionaries
need to be careful about that. Note to self - - be conscious of that in the future.
I have been struggling lately. This routine is so much different than what I
am used to. It is hard to just come in
and change everything. I miss tracting
and teaching lessons. I am happy, but
struggling. Elder Pena asked me today if
I was doing okay. I told him “Yah”. He said, “We could give you a blessing, would
you like one?” Yes! So, sometime this week I will be getting a
blessing. Sometimes I forget about
blessings and I think it is a gift that is taken for granted a lot. I haven’t allowed the elders to exercise
their priesthood in that way as I should.
I know that it’s not only doing a disservice to me and also to them, but
I’m doing a disservice to Heavenly Father because I’m taking for granted, and
not using all the tools He has given me.
We went to visit one
of the ladies that we teach in our apartment complex. Her name is Judy. She is the mother in-law of one of our
members. She smokes which is a smell I
am not fond of but she is a sweet lady.
It is kind of funny, she is like the girl version of Richard. She has a dog named Lucy that is really
overweight and she has to sit on Judy's lap. Judy
sits in the rocking chair with the tv on but the sound off. I dunno, but it was kinda nice to see/feel
something similar to Suwanee.
January 16, 2014
Today was quite an adventure. We went out with Sister Owens for about 2
hours this morning, trying to visit people.
Not too much luck. But, I got to
get to know Sister Owens a bit and I got to sit in the back with her son Caleb,
who is 6 months old. Ah! It was the best! I hate the rule that we can’t hold little
kids. It kills me! I just want to sit with a baby on my
lap. Is that too much to ask? I think not!
But alas, no such luck! : ( In a
year I can hold all the babies I want.
Just not mine.
After lunch we went to visit Sister Craig. She has a crazy life. She just got back from Hawaii. The second day she was there she got hit by a
car and landed on her knee. So she got
surgery before coming back. She has a
boyfriend that lives in some foreign country.
She has 8 kids and is really active.
When we got there, she had us help her paint her nails, do her makeup,
and she had us put some purple in her hair.
It was kind of crazy.
We then went to go see Sister Jenkins, a less-active
member. She is really sweet. I wish that she would come all of the
time. She is a good missionary and talks
to people all of the time. She just doesn’t
come. We sat and just visited with her
for a while. Hopefully, having church at
1:00 will help.
After that we went tracting.
Ah! Yah! I really don’t feel amazingly productive
unless I have tracted. Well, since we
have only tracted one other time since I have been here, I haven’t felt
productive. But I finally got Sister
Nettleton to tract. Happy day! I was driving today and controlled the agenda
a little more. I found a house that made
me think of Sister Watkins. It made me
miss her. It had a skull knocker and was
just all her personality.
We had dinner at the Wymans.
Sister Wyman reminds me of Grandma George. You all know how much I love Grandma
George. It was nice. I really do appreciate the kindness of member being so willing to share what they have with us and feed us all the time.
After dinner we went to a meeting with the bishopric, relief
society president, elder’s quorum president, and the high priest group
leader. It was called the “lost sheep
meeting”. Basically we went through as
much of the ward list as we could and talked about all of the less-active those
that want no contact. We were there for
2 hours and only got halfway through the list.
We are doing the other half of the ward next Thursday. Oh boy, hopefully it won’t take too long.
January 17, 2014
Weekly planning today.
Sort of discouraging. We updated
the map of the area. Not a whole lot
going on right now on the map. We spent
some time trying to get that updated.
And one day we will work on the area book. Cause it is also not up to date.
We went and contacted a referral. She was really sweet! Her husband just passed away in
December. Hopefully we will be able to
get in and teach her about how she will be able to see him again.
After that we went to Andrea’s. She is like the first person I met. She is a recent convert . We talked to her for a while.
Then we met up with Sister Tye to go to Morgan’s She has been dying to meet Morgan. They clicked really well. We tried to get going after an hour but they
were still talking. They really
clicked.
We had dinner at the Dustin’s tonight. Brother Dustin made ribs… Yummy!
So while we were eating we were talking.
There is a girl named Molly in this ward and they were talking about
that family. Brother Dustin knows that
my name is Molly but he forgot. He said,
“What parents would name their child Molly when they are Mormon?!? It’s like naming your son Peter!” I was laughing so hard. Sister Nettleton looked at him and said, “Ummm, Sister George’s name is Molly.” Poor Brother Dustin. He was so embarrassed. He kept apologizing the whole dinner. He felt really bad. But I don't know why I didn’t mind and to be honest I am still giggling about it. I would be in trouble if I got offended every
time I was called Molly Mormon or got teased because of my name. Thanks Mom and Dad! Luckily it takes quite a bit to offend me. And anyhow he was really talking about you Mom and Dad not me!! HAHA!
January 18, 2014
Today was a productive day.
We went tracting! Whoot! The road we tracted was kinda out in the
middle of nowhere which made it lots of fun.
The driveways we walked up were super long and curvy and bendy. It was tons of fun. Sister Nettleton had a good time too but we
walked quite a bit. She also is scared
of dogs. That is a bad thing because
everyone seems to have a dog.
By the time we got done tracting, it was about 4. At the Lost Sheep meeting on Thursday, Bishop
gave us some people to try and go see so we decided we would try to see them
before we reported back on Sunday. We
pull up to the first house and got out of the car. A boy about 13 opens the window and asks if
he can help us. We told him that we were
missionaries and that we were looking for Lisa.
He told us she was out but that his dad was home. We told him we would just come back
later. Then we asked him what his name
is. He got flustered and starts saying
“Ummm…” and rubbing his face. Then he
says, “Uh.. Capper!” and throws his hands up.
Well….Sure that is his name. It
was pretty funny.
I finally got my blessing tonight! Elder Pena gave it to me. He was really in tune with the Spirit. He said a little silent prayer before giving
me the blessing. In my blessing he said
that Heavenly Father knows of my struggles and that He placed me here because
it is where I need to be. He said that I
will have some trials come up, but that they will make me stronger and
better. I was told that I need to
remember why I came out on my mission. I
was instructed to read my patriarchal blessing and pay attention to the counsel
in that blessing. Then he said one of
the most important things. He said don’t
worry about my family. They will be okay
and be blessed because I am here and while I am here.
It amazes me that Heavenly Father allows these young men to
give blessings and lets them know exactly what to say. I feel like I can’t even put into words the
awe that I feel each and every time I have hands placed on my head. I feel honored to be serving with these young
men who are worthy to give blessings and to hold the priesthood. I am filled with pride knowing that I have an
amazing brother who is like one of these young men and that I have a Daddy that
has shown me what I want to have in my life always. Thanks Daddy!
Thanks for being that example to me!
Gabe, thanks for being you!
Thanks for being the brother that I can boast and brag on. Because I know many sisters here who can’t
say that about their brothers.
After I got my blessing we went to the Frias family. They are an awesome family! Towards the end I started feeling REALLY
sick. We left, got home and I just laid
down and was out for the night! Not too
bad of a day for the most part though.
January 19, 2014
This morning I didn’t even hear the alarm. I still felt really sick. Anyways I got up but I was just laying on the
couch. Sister Nettleton got up and took
a shower. I was trying not to die. I dunno what happened but my stomach felt
like there were knives in it and I felt like I had stayed up for 48 hours even
though I had slept all night. I finally
got up off the couch and got into the shower.
I don’t know what it is about a shower but they always make me feel
better.
We went to the Revolution before church. The elders came with us. The elders and Sister Nettleton all wanted to
take their name tags off but I said what was the point of going if we didn’t
have our name tags? I won.☺ It started out with a band singing hard rock
Jesus music. Everyone was rocking out
and yeah, the music was fun, but it didn’t feel like church to me. I am glad that I went, but the whole time I
was waiting for the warm feeling that I get during church. I kind of felt empty inside the whole
time. I am grateful that I know what
church is really supposed to feel like.
After Revolution the elders asked us if we wanted to have a
tracting competition. They were trying
their way to get us to go tracting. We beat
them by one contact.
Then there was ward council.
So cute Autumn Dustin is the Beehive president. She came up with this amazing idea to do a
mini-mission for the youth. They have
set up 4 missions that the youth can get called to. On Sunday at their fireside as each youth
walks in, they will be handed an envelope with their name on with the church
logo. But they are not allowed to open
it. When they do open it, it will be
exactly like the official mission call (they took a real mission call and copied
the text). Everyone will be assigned to
one of the 4 missions. They got people
in the ward who served in those places to teach about the culture and a little
of the language. They will split up and
go to the different rooms and be in the Missionary Training Center. They will be given name tags, a copy of the
Book of Mormon and some pass along cards.
Basically, their goal is to place the Book of Mormon before mutual on Thursday. On Thursday for mutual the missionaries (us)
will teach them the Restoration, then they will be split into companionships
and go teach investigators (ward members).
At the end of mutual they will get together and have a testimony
meeting. It’s going to be so cool! I’m way excited!
They are going to encourage the youth to wear the name tags
to school too. I hope the youth get into
it cause it will be awesome if they do!
After church we went tracting. One guy told us he wanted nothing to do with
our “cult”. I think that he mistook us
for somebody else J Dinner was at the Burkharts. It was fun but we probably stayed a little
too long.
I miss Suwanee. I do
like it here and I love the people but this just doesn’t seem like home to me
like Suwanee did. I know you tell me that it takes time and that I will love it and I will love these people and not want to leave them when the time comes. I just need to figure
out why the Lord sent me here. I know
that I need to help myself and to help Sister Nettleton be better
missionaries. I hope that I grow
stronger while I am in this area. I
dunno. I guess that I will figure it
out.
Well, I love y’all!
I’m excited to e-mail you. We are
at the King's tomorrow because the library is closed for Martin Luther King day. Love you.
Molly
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