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| Josie and her family. |
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| Our Pension's Family |
Familia,
OH
MY GOSH I HAD A CHANGE. And it totally shocked me. Completely. I
literally almost had a stroke. Hahaha they told my comp first that she
had a change and I was like "um, what?" And then they said the rest! I was
so taken by surprise. I will be doing what Hermana Jameson was doing
when I got to the mission in San Juan.
Well,
that night we were literally up all night packing and trying to get
everything ready for the Elders to move in, fixing our area book, making
notes on everything, etc. The next morning, we had to break the news
to the family we live with. Then we heard music blasting outside and
found our pension waiting outside to take us to his house for a farewell
breakfast. Then, our ward mission leader took us out in his car to find
every house and person that was important so that he could help the
missionaries that are coming. Members were calling us all day. They are
so sad that they are taking sisters out of the ward. I cried pretty much
all morning saying goodbye to everyone and then again in ward council
that night.
When we finished all that, like 6 families came to our house
to help us get all of our stuff to Cruz Del Sur, the bus station. We
got there and it was insanity. Since there wasn't church to say goodbye
to everyone, like half the stake was there to say goodbye to all the
missionaries that were leaving. It was really tender actually. Then, when I had to say goodbye to Hermana Jameson, I almost started bawling all
over again. I have been in a zone with her 4 out of my 5 changes, and
this change will be her last. She is staying in Ayacucho to start half-time family history with Hermana Bott! They will be so great. Then, we
got on the stupid bus. Hermana Wilkins had a change as well, so we were
sitting by each other. We talked a lot because it is almost impossible
to sleep. 10 hours of dark, stupid bus hell. Hahaha, it is not that
bad.... but it is not good.
At 7 o'clock the
next morning when we got to Lima, we piled in a taxi with all of our
bags to get to the office. AHHHH civilization :) hahaha it was awesome.
So I am going to explain what I know of all these new changes and such.
They
called 6 companionships to work in family history. 2 of those
(including mine) are full time working in Family History and Institute. The others will be half-time starting to be opening like family history
stuff. Our title is Sister Missionary Retencion Specialists. this is
one of the only missions in South America starting with this to the
extent that we are. I kid you not I feel the Spirit so strong just
writing about it. When we got to the office, 11 of the 13 sisters that
will be doing it, including Hermana Bott (oh my gosh I was soooo happy
to see her) Hermana Wilkins and Hermana Santiago all piled into a van
with President Douglas and we drove to the area offices. There, we had a
brief training and it was so spiritual. We were all sitting around a big
table, and when they started testifying about how this would help with
retention and change the way missionaries work, it was almost hard to
breathe I felt the spirit so strongly. I am so grateful to be a part of
this. I can't even explain it.
Well, shortly
thereafter we said goodbye, and I said goodbye to Hermana Bott. We went
out and caught the bus to Ica, and I got to sit on an even worse bus for
6 more hours..... Hahahaha it was awesome. Hahaha but all went well and
we arrived safely in Ica! Me and my comp as well as Hermana Wilkins and Hermana Freyre who both left for Nazca this morning. When we got there
at 10 p.m. The zone leaders were waiting for us and Elder Colton, my
first District Leader, is my new Zone Leader! They took the other four Hermanas (also Hermana Torres and Hermana Alonzo from our zone) to their
house and then came back for us. The two Elders went with all of our
bags, and the taxi was so small they were literally hanging out the
window. Hilarious! Hahaha at 11 o clock at night. Oh, I love the mission
so much.
Well, I am a little in the dark about
my new assignment too. Hahaha my companion was serving in San Juan in the Institute, so she knows whats going on :) Thankfully. We will be in an
office in the Stake Center, working with recent converts, recent
rescues, and less actives.
OH, I ALMOST FORGOT: I
finished the Book of Mormon last week :) on the 1st of October. I know
the Book of Mormon is true without a doubt in my heart.
Also, I have an intense request. Plea. I really need this. Everyone needs to
get involved in Family Search :) Get on, scan in pictures, do the
trainings, put in stories, everything. Let's do this together :) You can
literally be doing what I am doing and helping me :) Involve the whole
family! I feel that it is going to have a HUGE impact. Seriously :) Also, mom, can you send me a separate email with all the dates and
places of births, deaths, and marriages for all of my grandparents 4
generations back, as well as any brief facts about them? Also dates of
birthdays for all my aunts and uncles and grandparents on both sides.
Oh
man. I feel so scattered. So blessed :) So happy. So excited. I GET TO
OPEN AN AREA IN INSTITUTE AND FAMILY HISTORY IN ICA PERU. Oh pray for us. Pray for this program :) I testify that the Lord is truly hastening His
work in His time and we are all a part of it :)
Oh, I love you all so so so so much.
Lauren
Hermana Jameson and Hermana Bott (note that one was
before the 10 hour bus ride and stressful training and one was after. Hahaha no judgement!)
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