Dear mom and papa and family.
The next transfers are the 18th of October. Just so everyone knows, and so you can send my mail accordingly. If it's too close to the 18th, send the mail to the mission home. Thanks!
This week has been great. I will try to fit everything in this email in the time limit that we have. First things first, we had sisters exchanges again this week. This time it was with sisters Bioleome and McKelvie, who serve in Peterborough. Sister Pope and I and Sister McKelvie stayed in Banbury and sisters Bioleome and Nemec went to Peterborough. It was a very fun exchange. Sister McKelvie is hilarious, and so much fun. It’s crazy. All of us came out at the same time, and are reaching our six months this month, so it was interesting to be with our "generation". Exchanges were great. I learned so much. And my goals for these next couple weeks are to apply the new training that we have had, and to be able to really use it in my every day teaching. I love the new training, because it's really getting us to know the people that we teach. It’s pretty great!
During that training, K A called, and we talked for a long time. As you all know, she's been investigating the church for a LONG time now. Well before I got here. And so I am really really close to her. She’s like another sister. I love her so much. Well, she called, and we talked for about an hour, and she decided that she wants to get baptized. The only problem is, is that she is moving to Mississippi on the 22nd of October. And the only time she will be able to make it to church is the tenth (this Sunday) so that doesn't really leave much wiggle room to decide when to get baptized. Basically, it has to be this week. Well, that's pretty soon after deciding, and so it's a little bit stressful for her. To say the least. So since that day that she's decided, I have talked to her probably for an average of 2 hours a day on the phone, trying to figure things out. wow. It’s been good, but a lot of talking. She keeps psyching herself out, and trying to figure out what to do and stuff. Pretty crazy. Today actually, we are going to her house to spend all pday with her. We are going to go bowling. We are going to carve pumpkins. And then we are going to have her baptismal interview tonight. Prayers would be appreciated. Because she is full on freaking out today. She called us crying. We’ll see what we can do tonight. We made sure she knows that we aren't pushing her into this, and that it's fully her decision. But she is freaking herself out. So we are just really trying to help her. That’s actually been what my whole week has revolved around. K deciding to get baptized. It’s been fantastic.
On Friday, the Sellers family invited us, the As, and C over for dinner. Brother Sellers is our ward missionary leader, and he is amazing. He is one of the Americans here. Well, we had a great dinner, with a brilliant gospel discussion the whole time, and then the As asked for blessings. Wow. The spirit was so powerful during those blessings. It was amazing. Even T (K and C's four year old boy) was completely silent throughout both blessings. (We played the "quiet game" the whole time, which we all know never actually works. but it did this time) That night, K called us to tell us goodnight, ha-ha, and she said that Ch couldn't stop smiling. He was just so happy from the blessing. What a powerful experience for them! It was also a great experience for C to strengthen his testimony by bearing it to the As, and trying to help them through their struggles. C is the best!
The other AWESOME thing that happened this week was conference!!!!! It was completely weird not to be watching it in Utah with the family. I missed all the traditions a lot actually. I missed elder Scott’s mission reunion. I missed finding tickets (which I didn't really miss....but, kinda...). I missed shopping with mom and whoever else was there that wasn't going to priesthood session. I missed PF Changs. mmm. And I missed falling asleep on mom's shoulder in conference. What great times. I can't believe it's already been six months since I left basically. Crazy! But besides all that, conference was awesome. Wow. We first watched relief society on Saturday afternoon, which was completely wonderful. President Monson's talk on judging others was completely brilliant! Then we watched Saturday morning session on Saturday night. Then Saturday afternoon session Sunday afternoon, and Sunday morning session after that. We are really sad, because we won't be able to watch Sunday afternoon session. So I just have to wait till it comes out. Unless...mom, would you be able to send it to me, if it's online? We aren't allowed to go to any other websites but this one. Thanks! But the conference that I did watch was completely amazing. I have never before been so excited to watch conference in my life. I was practically giddy. Ha-ha. I am such a missionary now! But I watched with questions in mind. Some questions were mine, and some were for my investigators. I have K’s name all over my conference notes because I was thinking of her the whole time. Ha-ha.
It was a really great weekend. I know that general conference really is inspired. I really felt, and still feel, completely uplifted from the talks that were given. I loved it!
Mom, did you go shopping still? Find a cute skirt? Did you still try to figure out what key each song was? I didn't. Sadly. It’s less fun when nobody around you really wants to talk music. Ha-ha.
Well, things here are going great! We are working so hard, and learning so much. I am trying my best to be the best, most exactly obedient missionary I can be. I am so grateful for the time that I have here. I really got an epiphany this week, that why I am here at this time, in banbury is specifically for K. I really feel that way, and I am so grateful that I followed that impression that told me that I should go on a mission. There is nowhere else I would rather be. I love it so much here. I am so happy.
Thank you for the package mom. I got it, and love the book stay opener! I was thinking I should have brought my cute apron with me, to wear to member’s houses, not that I ever really spill on myself, but it would be nice when food was being flung at me. (This really did happen. Brother B put a spoonful of chocolate mousse in his spoon and flung it at me. I didn't think he'd do it, and then he did. I was completely shocked. So yes. I should have brought my apron with me! it would make me think of when papa used to give elders aprons when they came to our house to eat. Ha-ha.)
Well, I love you all!
Love you soooo much!
Love,
Sister Annie Clark
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