So I just arrived in Birmingham. It's SO beautiful here, and the weather is amazing. I will try to start back from where my last letter left off, but that's been a couple weeks, and a lot has happened.
main points of the last days of the MTC were that me and my companion Sister Kiernan got to perform "my kindness shall not depart from thee" for mission conference. Mission conference happens every fast Sunday, and it just adds to all the other regular meetings. I was so excited to be able to perform on my own harp, oh how I already miss it, and it went great! The spirit was definitely felt. Its amazing how music can bring the spirit so strongly.
Monday I left before the rest of my district and flew to Colorado Springs. I went in the MTC bus (which made me think of David and Matthias) with a group of missionaries going to Chile, so we parted ways quickly after arriving at the airport. After having a companion constantly for two and a half weeks, it feels weird to not have one. When I got to Colorado Springs, the AP's picked me up and I immediately took a picture with President and Sister Pfile and went out tracting with some sisters.
Here Annie is with her Mission President, President Pfile, and his wife. They were wonderful.
My companion that I went tracting with was Sister Hilbert. She is from Australia, and she is so funny. We would switch off talking every other door, so right away I started talking to people. Soon, I wasn't even nervous. Amazing. I didn't think it would happen. On that first day we taught a couple of first discussions and placed a book of Mormon. And I got to take out someones trash. So fun! That night, I and all the other greenies from the MTC stayed at the Mission home, and President Pfile filled us in on everything in the mission. Apparently Elder C. Scott Grow had recently come to the mission and changed some things up, and so we learned all the new things. They emphasize the restoration, because that's what's different about our church, and they focus most on the restoration. They have this four part way to teach the restoration. The first companion sets up the restoration talking about the events in Joseph Smith's life leading up to the first vision. Then the second companion gives the first vision in "15 mph" so that the investigator can feel the spirit and picture what happened. (it felt super awkward the first few times, but I have noticed its great effectiveness already). Then the same companion testifies of the truth of it, and the first companion also testifies and commits them to following Christ's example by being baptized by the correct authority. My initial response was that it was gutsy, but then i realized that if people said no, they didn't waste any more time with them if they didn't have that goal in mind. Their names would still stay in the area book for later on.
Tuesday was much like Monday. We had some training, did some tracting, and had some more training.
Wednesday was transfers! before we started transfers though, we went out tracting again for a couple hours. This time I was with Sister Baker from Orem Utah. It was great, and we committed two people to baptism! At transfers I saw Brett Johnson (a kid I knew from my first semester at BYU, wow what a flashback that was) so that was fun. I didn't think I knew anybody in the mission. I got my companion, Sister Keller from Pleasant View Utah, and we went out to work.
She is awesome. Super fun and hard working. A good combination. I can't really remember anything else that day except for we live in the basement of a member's home, and we have no kitchen. We have a little fridge, microwave in our bedroom, a hot plate, and a toaster. We wash all our dishes in the bathroom sink and shower. It is funny, and we have to be creative with meals and cleaning. It definitely adds to the excitement. I am in the Pikes Peak singles ward, so all the people we work with are young. I wasn't expecting that, but its fun. We only tract apartments where young single adults would be.
Thursday, lots of teaching! I wish I had more specifics. We met with some less active members and new converts. It's so fun to talk to new converts who are just so excited about the church that they are constantly being a missionary. What a cool thing to see!
Ok, I am going to skip to Saturday. We taught an 18 year old kid named Aaron. His best friend is about to go on a mission, so he was a referral. We taught him with his friend, Scott, there, and it was amazing. It's a goal in that mission to give the first discussion in 15 minutes. Quite the challenge. But it works, and its really great because it's straight to the point and simple. When we got to the end of the lesson and the first vision, we committed him to be baptized. He said yes! Worth every rejection to hear a yes. So his baptismal date right now is for May 30. Sister Keller promised me that she would keep me informed.
Sunday was so cool! Happy Mothers day momma! We got to go to a new convert's patriarchal blessing! It was amazing, and this girl is amazing. She is like a golden member. I am so excited to hear more about her life too. Aaron came to church!!! We were really praying for that. He fits right in, and we are really excited to see how he grows during the rest of the lessons. I wish I could still teach him. That night I packed, because we had to get up at 3:00 AM to get me to the airport.
I have two missions - one in Colorado Springs and one in England Birmingham.
Monday. I tried to keep positive, and I know that sounds silly since I am going to England, but I fell in love with Colorado Springs. So it's kind of sad. I had a flight to Atlanta, and yes, I slept the whole time. I sure needed it. Then I had hours of waiting time in that airport. I got to use a nice girls phone to call mom, and she told me that Lucy had a Waldorf salad I had to try. I was in E terminal, and had to get to B, but I had enough time to do that. Oh, Lucy, so there is no more bath and body works. Now its a shoe store i think? so yeah, but i found it! And it was delicious. Thank you for that suggestion! I then flew from Atlanta to Amsterdam. LONG flight! I tried to sleep the whole way, but oh gosh, sitting the middle of two people and right behind a 2 year old who loved to look over her seat to say hi to me, it was a struggle. thank heavens for ear plugs! Amsterdam to Birmingham was a super short flight. That felt nice. President and Sister Ogden picked me up at the Birmingham airport. There was supposed to be the rest of a district landing at the same time i was, but their flights were all delayed. How sad!
So actually, all that just happened was actually on a Tuesday at a certain point. I can't really figure out what day is what. Jet lag is setting in. I am now in the Mission office, waiting for my companion. I just had lunch with President and Sister Ogden, fish and chips. YUM! Sister Bioleome was in Cameroon until she was 11, then her mom married a German and she moved to Germany. I haven't met her yet, but I hear that she is really funny and is a crazy driver. We will see! I am excited to work here. The weather is completely awesome. I can already tell I will love it here. Yay!
I know this church is true! I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that Christ's true church has been restored. I love the Book of Mormon. I am trying to read it all in one transfer. I am excited! I love you all, and thank you for all the prayers, letters, love, and support!
love,
Sister Clark
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