Sick.

Sister Belyea and Burbank

AWE!!

 I LOVE the

I know I say every week is a rollercoaster, but I literally feel like that is the ONLY word to describe it.

Last week for P-day, we got to go to the Zoo!!! WHAWHO! We were able to see FLAMINGOS! AND PENGUINS! AND ELEPHANTS! AND GIRAFFES! AND EVEN COCKROACHES! (hmm. My favorite.) An active family, the Hadley’s, took us. Did I tell y’all that Brother Hadley served in SLC and he had over 260 baptisms on his mission?  I’ve always heard that Utah missions are the highest in baptisms… but that was just shocking.

We went on 3 exchanges this week! It was exhausting. So exhausting actually, (and freezing,) that I actually got a pretty bad cold- and I unfortunately passed it onto Sister Burbank. Yesterday was a little bit of a catch-up day on sleep. Not a very productive Sunday, but it was very much needed.  Yesterday, Sister Burbank woke me up with hot chocolate, and cinnamon sugar toast. How cute is she?! I love my companion.

Ok- so the first exchange was from Tuesday to Wednesday with the Lake Murray Sisters, (Sister Glauser and Sister Jensen.) I stayed in Gaston. Sister Jensen came with me, and she’s been out for only a transfer. She taught me a lot about keeping that “Greeny Fire,” and about humility when we’re teaching. We were able to teach the Torrez family together- and follow up on some good leads.

Then, we unxchanged on Tuesday- and Sister Burbank and I got caught up for an hour and exchanged information. Then, like I said, less than an hour later, we went on another exchange with the Lexington Sisters! I spent the day in Lexington with Sister Patterson. We spent a lot of time knocking doors… in the 32 degree weather. BRR! We did get to see some less-actives though, and we set up a lot of return appointments with some of their potential investigators. I met the family member that I apparently know that live in that ward. But.. the awkward thing is… I didn’t even know it. Hinds family? Grandma wrote me about them forever ago? Ya- I shook Brother Hinds hand. Only- I didn’t know it until about 5 minutes after the fact. Awko-taco.

Then Thursday…  Sister Burbank and I got to spend some time in Gaston together- and we were able to meet with Teresa and have a REALLY good follow-up lesson from when we’d taught the Plan of Salvation, the week before. She fed us.. again… soup and corn bread. And yes- we’d already had dinner beforehand with Kathy. (one day we’ll learn.) BUT- after our lesson with Teresa- WE HAD THE BEST MOMENT OF OUR LIVES, not in a spiritual sense, though. Kathy and Emily, (the 9 year old who is now on date to be baptized on February 22^nd,) had us over to ROAST MARSHMALLOWS AND MAKE SMORES!! It was so much fun. And, it was a relaxation we really needed. I would show y’all pictures, but the library we go to wont let us send home pictures anymore, (grr..)

Friday… weekly planning- and then (I’m sure you guessed it,) ANOTHER EXCHANGE! I went to Orangeburg with Sister Mumford, (whose companion is Sister Simmons’s- and she spent the day in Gaston with Sister Burbank.) (They were the ones who were able to put Emily on date!) Sister Mumford and I… spent a lot of time… out in the cold. 28 degrees! BRR! We had some fun though, and we were able to visit some less-actives, and teach the Plan of Salvation to one of their investigators that they have on date. Orangeburg is such an interesting town. Apparently Orangeburg is the Nation’s capitol to Diabetes. And the reason for that… is Sweet Tea. You know you’re in the South when…  :)

Then.. finally another couple of hours with my cute companion! Saturday night we were able to go to the Adult session of Stake Conference. The whole meeting was centered on missionary work! It went SO well! President and Sister Holm were there. Sister Holm was talking about her son, “Jeffery,” who would go around the neighborhood as a 3 and 4 year old shouting, “I BELONG TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST… OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.” Sister Burbank gave me a small shove in the elbow when that was mentioned.

Marco Loppez was able to meet President,  and President gave him a fist bump after they talked for a bit. Fingers crossed- he’ll be able to get baptized this transfer! He’s turning 17 on Thursday- and Sister Burbank and I are invited to his Birthday party. Whawho!

Yesterday we were able to gather as “South eastern states” and we had a “stake conference,” with over 48 stakes! It included all of Florida, Georgia- and South Carolina. Elder Russell M. Nielsen talked a lot about the simplicity of the gospel- and how we need to not over complicate things. I love Elder Nielsen. He’s always been one of my favorites.  (still not as cool as mom apparently hugging Elder Holland last week??!?!?.......)

So.. we keep telling ourselves, “Ether 12:6…. Ether 12:6..” because… we’re COMPLETELY out of miles. And… when I say completely, I mean we’ve gone over- even though we were granted 200 extra miles from president. Still. It’s been a trial. We have 3 more exchanges this week… as well as DDM and MLC.

“AFTER THE TRIAL OF OUR FAITH!”

So, we did have a random miracle. Apparently the Spanish elders were working in our area this weekend, and they put an English dude, by the name of Orlando- on date for the 22^nd of February! YAY! Never met the guy, but he sounds like a new solid investigator for us.

I’m mentally.. and physically.. trying to prepare myself to start reading “Jesus the Christ” by Talmage. I’ve read Matthew, Mark and Luke. I want to finish John first- and then… the adventure will begin! Wish me luck! (if you don’t know what I’m talking about.. just Google how massive that book is.)

This week, on Wednesday actually- it’s my 8 month mark. Time flies.

 Well. I hate to apologize for not being able to send home pictures. I wish I could show y’all some of the fun adventures from this week.  

I am trying harder each and every day to focus on the 6 Christ-like attributes that we are able to study in PMG. Please know that I love my mission. I love my companion. I love our teaching pool. I love the spirit and I love trying to be exactly obedient. I am learning so much each and every day, and I truly know that none of this is possible without the Atonement and the love for each of us from our Savior. Keep working hard. Keep smiling. Please, keep staying safe.

Read 3 Nephi 12:8, 2 Nephi 4:16, 1 Nephi 21:13 and Mark 3:35.

Love you all!

Enjoy to the End,

Sister CIERA Belyea