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| Good-bye Sister Olsen |
Querida Familia,
You read that right! This little sister is leaving the 'Keek AND becoming a little Hermana!
About
2.5 weeks ago, I had an interview with President Wilson. I had
previously mentioned to him that I was interested in switching to
Spanish. During the interview, I brought it up again. I told him that I
would feel comfortable switching as early as April, or possibly during
the Summer. President Wilson said that he'd been thinking and praying
about it a lot, and that he wanted to switch me this next transfer! I
accepted. He said he had a favor to ask of me...he wanted to give me a
blessing! It was definitely one of the most spiritual experiences of my
life. I was promised the gift of tongues as I continue to study Spanish
spiritually. Last night I received the call to confirm my changing
assignment. I will spend the rest of my mission as an Hermana!
(Pronounced air-MAW-nuhh:) Sister Olsen will remain in Accokeek, and she
will also begin serving as a Sister Training Leader (female Zone
Leader).
As part of my preparation, President Wilson had me attend a special Spanish training in Richmond on Tuesday.
Sister Olsen spent the day with the Sister Training Leaders and I went
with the Hermanas from Stafford and Woodbridge. It was a lot of fun and
the food was amazing! Most of the training was in English, but I was
able to understand the testimonies, prayers, and songs, which were in
Spanish.
The switch will officially take place on Thursday this week! Prayers are super appreciated:)
*Other cool things that happened this past week:
Sister
Olsen and I went to Goodwill on P-day! I found four skirts for $20. An
older woman/widow in the ward, Sister Embrey, enjoys feeding us lunch
every other week or so. I love spending time with her and talking about
genealogy! We had a ward party Saturday
night. Two investigators and two less actives that we've been working
with attended. It was an adult social and we played minute-to-win-it
games. We had a 24 hour exchange with the Sister Training Leaders, and I
stayed in Accokeek with Sister French. It was great to see how my
investigators responded to a new missionary. It's the same Gospel, no
matter who the messenger! We went to Fredericksburg today so Sister
Olsen could be finger printed for a background check for her visa. (Can
you believe she's been out for 8 months and still no visa???)
*Here's an update on my lovely investigators:
The
Fishers are still progressing. I love this family so dearly, and it
will break my heart to leave them! I hope I'll be able to go to the
temple with them at the end of my mission!
Wendy is able to go up and down the stairs now.
She's going to be so heart broken when I disappear, but hopefully she'll
love the new sister:) She plans on attending church when her knee heals
more fully. She wants to bring her family!!!
Sister Olsen and I are probably going to drop Tonya.
My heart hurts so much, but I feel it's the right thing. She hasn't
been progressing in weeks now, she's missed two baptismal dates, and she
just won't keep commitments. Even though she wants to continue meeting
with us, that doesn't mean it's the best thing for her spiritual
progression.
Alex is home! We've passed him over to the Elders,
and they've already taught him twice. He said he met missionaries in
Honduras, but we're not sure how much contact they had with him.
Brenda is a new investigator! I'm not sure if I've
mentioned her before or not. Sister Olsen found her tracting while on an
exchange. She's golden! She's looking for a church to attend, and she
accepted everything we taught in the Restoration. She's unsure about
baptism, but that's a matter of understanding priesthood authority. I
fully believe she'll be baptized some day in the future:)
I don't talk about Steve and Sheila very much, but
Sheila is incredibly regular about coming to church. In fact, she wants
everyone to think that she's a member. Steve has begun to attend with
her and said we can teach him the lessons! They won't be getting married
until next fall, but shortly thereafter I hope that both will be
baptized!!
---
As excited as I am for my new assignment, I'm sad to leave behind Accokeek. After church on Sunday,
Sister Olsen and I stopped by the Bishop's office to get candy. We had a
long chat with Bishop Carver and Brother Jenkins (counselor). Bishop
Carver said there's a huge distinction between "great girls" and "great
Sisters," and that we are "great Sisters!" I'm so happy for the
opportunity I had to serve in this ward.
About a year ago, I submitted my mission papers for the first time. On March 31st, Easter Sunday,
I was told that I needed to wait to serve a mission. The Accokeek Ward
was formed on the very same day. Sister Olsen and I "pink-washed" the
area--meaning that we were the first Sisters here. If I had come on my
mission any time earlier than I did, I might not have had the
opportunity to be here.
When I submitted my papers the second time, I felt
very strongly that I was going to be called Spanish speaking because of
all the work I put into learning and loving Spanish. My Patriarchal
Blessing also specifically mentions the use of my gifts of communication
on my mission. I also felt that I was ready to serve a mission and I
needed to enter the field as soon as possible. When I received my call, I
only had six weeks before entering the MTC. If I had been assigned
Spanish speaking, I would have had to wait another six weeks or so in
order to go to the CCM in Mexico.
In all of my prayer and reflection, I have learned
that I was supposed to serve in Accokeek and I am supposed to become an
Hermana. It just feels right!
Siento bendecida
por la oportunidad que tenia servir en el barrio Accokeek! Estoy
agradecida for la oportunidad ahora de llegar a ser una hermana! Estoy
nerviosa, pero yo se que mi Padre Celestial me conoce y me ama. Voy a
hacer todas las cosas en mi poder de aprender y usar espanol para
bendecer las vidas de los hispanos en Virginia. Yo se que la Iglesia de
Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias es la Iglesia unicamente
verdadera en el mundo! Yo se que El Libro de Mormon es la palabra de
Dios y fue translado por Jose Smith por el Espiritu Santo porque lo he
leido. Estoy feliz porque yo se que soy una hija de Dios:)
I love you all super much!!!!! Hermana Crandall
*PS - I have no idea where I'm going, but you will get a new address from me next week!
*PPS - Happy Valentine's Day!:)
*PPPS - Virginia is for lovers. <3
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