Gray Skies and Exchanges

It looks like winter is on its way to WA. The skies have been gray every morning for the last little while. Though the sun still manages to make an appearance. I'm not going to lie I'm excited for the rain. I got a short taste of the drizzle on Fridayand people weren't lying when they told me I wouldn't really even get wet. I'm weird and looking forward to winter.

This week was a pretty average week. Nothing too exciting to mention. Though our ward has decided they were allowing us to starve and think over feeding us now will make up for it. (Not that I'm complaining. Our fridge is very full)

 We haven't gone a single night without a meal since the beginning of last week and its the same straight through until at least the end of the month! Its so great because we're finally meeting more of the members. We had one elderly couple who due to some health problems had to change their diet so they gave us pretty much everything they couldn't eat. We now how pork chops and various other things to eat if we are ever without a meal.

Friday we had interviews with President Blatter and exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders. Interviews were at 10 amand went pretty smoothly. I love the Blatters. They are super sweet and you can tell they really love assisting with the Lord's work. They're an inspiration. (Sister Blatter of course took a number of pictures so they should be on the mission blog by now.)

Our music standards have changed a little so that's sweet. Now on top of listening to Christian music composed and performed by LDS members we can also listen to classical music from composers like Beethoven, Bach, and Debussy! I'm super excited about that. They just have to be the original composition.

Last transfer Sister Sandau and I had to go to Leschwab because our front right tire kept going flat. Turned out there was a nail in the tire. They fixed it up and all was good. At the beginning of this transfer the same tire started going flat again. So while I was in Elma on exchanges Friday Sister Lechuga took the car back to get fixed. It had ANOTHER nail in the same tire! Apparently the guy that fixed it was the same as last time and he thought it was very weird.

So as I mentioned we had exchanges this week. I was supposed to stay in Olympia with Sister Gehring while Sister Lechuga went to Elma. Last minute Thursday night the Sister Training Leaders texted saying that plans had changed. So I packed my bags and we met with the sisters for lunch right after interviews. Turns out Sister Gehring had just worded the text funny and had meant that her and Sister Julien were switching who was going where. Since I was the one packed I went to Elma. It was nice. We parked the car as soon as we arrived at their apartment and walked the rest of the day. I'm not sure how my legs didn't feel it the next day. It was fun though. We met a few really sweet people and had plenty of fun sharing the greatest thing possible.

Upon returning from exchanges we helped our apartment manager repair/seal up her RV. It was super fun climbing up on the top. We resealed every single part of the roof. No more leaks for that thing.

We were suppose to be having a baptism on the 28th for Becky but there were some scheduling conflicts with the stake people and none of the Bishopric would have been able to attend so we will have to push the baptism to October 12th. I was kind of bummed and a little frustrated since Becky had chosen the date herself but then we realized that this means her two daughters could potentially be baptized on the same day! That made me excited. It also allows us a little more time to prepare since this week will be extremely busy and we are losing a day in Olympia as we are going to Zion's Camp for a missionary training of sorts. I don't really know what it is but I've heard lots of good things from older missionaries so I'm pumped.

I'm also way excited for the General Women's Conference on Saturday! How great is it that we get to hear from God's living prophet and many others called of God to help lead us and provide us with guidance! Its super great in my opinion. I hope you all get the chance to watch it this weekend and of course the Saturday and Sunday sessions next week (Oct 4th and 5th)

I think that about wraps it up. I hope you all are doing well. I know that God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. All we have to do to know it is ask Him!

Love you all!

Kaitlyn

Not Much to Report

Sorry this week there isn't much to report! It was a really busy week full of finding miracles. Like I said last week we had extremely high goals that there was no way we could reach them but we went out and tried our hardest. It was an exhausting week that passed really fast. We are now teaching 6 new investigators! Its so great to see the work hastening!

The other day while knocking doors we were approaching a house when this older woman saw us coming and came out to tell us to go away. We could tell she was struggling so (In Sister Sandau fashion) I simply told her to know she was always welcome at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You could see something in her change and she learned that we wanted to have her feel welcome and loved. She expressed how she wished we had come 7 months earlier. As we talked with her you could see her opening up to us. We learned that her husband had passed away in February. She had so much heart ache. She invited us in and we sat and talked to her for quite a while. You could see how badly she had needed that. We are going to be teaching her fully the plan of salvation tomorrow. Its so great knowing how God leads us to His children at just the right time. We had planned on knocking in an entirely different area and felt prompted to knock Fir Tree instead. We also had felt like instead of handing out Restoration pamphlets we needed the Plan of Salvation. It was all because we were suppose to meet Juliana. She has such a sweet soul and I know through the Gospel of Jesus Christ she can be healed! The message we share is true. I know it with every part of my heart! He can heal us if we allow Him to! None of us have to suffer in pain.

This coming Friday we have interviews with President Blatter so that will be fun. Takes time away from the people of Olympia but we'll make it up by working harder tonight.

I pray all of you are doing well! Love you all!

Here in the WA-TAC

So things are VERY different this transfer with a new companion. Its super stressful but I'm working hard not to let it get to me. Every time I find myself stressing I think of a scripture reference Sister Sandau gave me (2 Timothy 1:7). Its extremely helpful but needless to say I had it memorized by Wednesday.

So Tuesday was a long day. We had transfers up in Tacoma. Traffic on the way there was insane. I don't think I'll ever get use to traffic here. I'm still use to being held up by tractors not congestion of too many cars.

The rest of the week was a challenge as Sister Lechuga wants to start visiting more people each day than I'm used to/that I know. It's a challenge to know who to see when I barely know anyone but with lots of prayer its coming together. Obviously I can do it since transfers are inspired by God. Him along with people here think I can take care of the area with Sister Lechuga's help so I will work my hardest until I see what it is they see.

It is a good experience because I can see myself becoming more bold with the individuals we teach along with growing in my love for them. Its really great to get a small taste of how important and special each one of us are to God. I love it!

The other day we went to finish knocking a neighborhood Sister Sandau and I had started. It was interesting. We ran into a potential who had come to church the previous Sunday. He was talking to a member when we pulled up to park in front of their house. He greeted me with a really slobbery kiss on the hand. It was the most awkward moment of my whole mission... (you know the whole 7 weeks...) Any way after he left the member informed us he was a "little" drunk. I really need to start cluing in because I had no clue. But we got to teach him a lesson after he sobered up and it was awesome. He said he would be at church Sunday. Unfortunately he wasn't but maybe next week! He did say after he finishes the case of beer he has he won't be drinking it anymore so that was pretty cool.

Really cool experience on Sunday. Our normal number for investigators at church is 1 but this week we had 6! It was so great! One of the six was a lady we had lost contact with until church. She put herself on date! It was so cool! Words can't really highlight the experience properly. The church is true!

Anyway we have some extremely high goals set for the week. I think they're a little too high (I'm working on doubting my doubts before I doubt my faith). I also know that through faith God can accomplish anything. So with that I will just work my hardest and let God accomplish what he wants to and not even worry about numbers (its the only way I'm not going to stress) I've come to the decision that while keeping numbers is important because it shows progression and encourages progression I can't focus on them because they never really show the amount of work being done anyway. (For all you current missionaries and r.m.s feel free to correct me if I'm wrong in that.)

I know that through God all can be accomplished. We are not here doing our work but His. I am so grateful for this time to serve my brothers and sisters because I have come to understand just how special they all are. I look forward to the rest of my life and the opportunities I will have to share this amazing gift God has given us.

Love you all! Hope you're all well! Sorry no pictures this week!

Transfer week is a challenge to my positive attitude

Frog count of the week: 65! There was one house with 19 and another with 12! Crazy.

So there's really not much to tell about this week. It was another extremely busy week where our numbers didn't really show evidence of that but numbers don't matter all that much to me as long as I know I am doing my best and following the promptings I receive.

Saturday we got transfer calls and Sister Sandau and I were crushed to learn we were being split. I am staying  in Olympia and Sister Sandau will be leaving for Sequim Bay in the Port Angeles area. We leave for transfer meetings in just over an hour. My president explained that reports from everyone were telling him I was ready to take over the area and train. THANKFULLY I am NOT training. I don't think I could handle the stress of that on top of taking over the area after just 6 weeks. I don't know what people were saying but I know I don't feel ready for this. BUT who God calls to the work he qualifies so I know while I'm not ready He is and that gives me some comfort. Something that was sad in stake conference last week is very applicable to my life right now. "Don't cry because its over. Smile because it Happened." - Dr. Seus. Its been a blessing and life changing experience to have Sister Sandau as my companion.

Sister Sandau and I are already planning to meet up post mission. She goes home in two transfers (hopefully I'll get to attend that transfer meeting). She is from Utah so it won't be too hard to meet up. Especially since a large majority of her family lives in Idaho Falls, ID.

Its true what people say about a mission changing your life. I've only been in WA six weeks and I have learned and grown so much. Though I've gotten terrible at writing letters. The work is hastening so my pday isn't really much of a pday. Last week didn't really get to relax or even clean. As soon as we were done emailing we went and helped a family move. After that we hurried and shopped so we wouldn't starve and then did a lot of other necessities by the time we finished those it was time to go knocking.

I love the people hear so much and am thankful I get at least another 6 weeks with them. 

Well that's really all there is to the thoughts in my head right now. I hope all is well with you and I will use another Stake Conference quote to summaries the work that I am blessed to take part in. "Its True. Its ALL true."

Another sunny week in the Beautiful WA-TAC

Weird fact of the week: The deer here are not at all shy. They'll let you practically walk right up to them before they take off. They'll also walk down the side walk in the middle of town. I would expect that in Fulton (if Fulton had enough side walks) but not in Olympia where the population is over 50,000 people. They're crazy.

Frog count of the week: 43 frogs this week alone! That's on top of the 22 from last week! These people love their frogs!

On to this passed week! Sister Sandau and I felt like we were running nonstop! This feeling was supported yesterday when we returned home for dinner. We laid down on the floor to relax while waiting for dinner to be brought over. I ended up falling asleep in under 5 minutes for 40 minutes until our dinner arrived. It took Sister Sandau 3 times to get me to wake up. It was crazy, I hadn't even realized I was tired let alone that I had fallen asleep.

We had a girl who is preparing for her mission join us from 8am to 9pm on Wednesday. We were a little bummed because everything seemed to fall through that day. We had intended on putting 2 of our investigators on date that day but both of them cancelled on us :( BUT the next day we got to meet with a lady and her daughter who had been referred to us by a member. The lady's name is Becky. She's amazing. We shared the message of the Restoration with her and her daughter Katie and they are now scheduled to be baptized September 13th! Her husband and 10 year old daughter may begin taking the discussions as well! The WA-TAC truly is a blessed place!

We also have a part member family moving in from North Carolina who wants to be baptized and work towards being sealed for eternity in the Temple! I love seeing how the gospel blesses families!!!

This week was exhausting but a really great week at the same time. We were running around at high speed but we also got a lot of people (not members) who took the time to thank us for our work and to tell us to keep going. It was really nice. I wasn't feeling discouraged in the least bit but it was really nice to see how even though they didn't want to hear the gospel they could still recognize the importance of what we were sharing. I felt like God was cheering us on through these random strangers.

We got to help a less active member with some yard work for a few hours on Saturday.  It was fun. I enjoyed the hard work. I did get a slight sunburn on my cheeks but it isn't painful. Thankfully.

I love seeing how God blesses Sister Sandau and I in such little ways that are so great to us. Like when a member invites us to join them for lunch out of the blue. Or the simple moment where something small breaks the stress of the day with laughter. There's always something little to remind me of the mightiness of God and the tender love he has for each one of us. Like the tears of joy that form in the eyes of someone we're teaching as the spirit touches their heart and fills them with happiness. I LOVE LIFE and I REALLY LOVE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!

This last week I have been studying charity. Its such a great topic. I wish I had hours to talk about it but I will share one thought. Charity is more than love. Charity is kindness, compassion, concern for others well-beings, service, (and so much more), but most importantly it is an action. So I'm going to leave you all with a challenge for this week. Pray to find ways that you can develop charity (the Pure love of Christ) and when you see those opportunities. ACT. Don't hesitate. Just do it. I promise you will find your love for others grow and your personal happiness will too!

Love you all! Have a great week and I will email again next Tuesday and Monday the library is closed for Labor Day weekend!