Hi Friends!
It has been one heck of a week. Goodbyes, packing, transfers, new area(and companion and roommates and routine),service, walking, and missionary work interspersed with all of that, we'll see what I can put into coherent thought.
My new companion is Sister Jensen. She's been out just over 6 months (and I hit 5 tomorrow!) and has been in Ephrata fro 6 weeks or so. We're both still pretty new, but we've got a good feeling about this transfer and we're gonna learn a lot and work hard. I'm excited. We live with another set of Sisters which has been a little more of an adjustment, to go from spending 4 1/2 months living with one person to living with 3 who already have a groove that now I have to fit into. But they are all wonderful people and we've had some fun in these last 4 1/2 days. I'm going to learn a lot here and its exciting to see how Heavenly Fathers hand was involved in all of this. I know I'm supposed to be here in Ephrata and that whatever happens over these next 6 weeks with Sister Jensen, it's part of His plan. I already love it here, He definitely knows what he's doing.
Something unique to Ephrata, as far as I know, is the WIND. Its bad. And we're in what's called a car-share, so we trade off having the car and sometime we walk, a lot. Walking on a windy day is super fun, we had to walk at like a 45 degree angle it felt and constantly hold our skirts so as to not fully embrace the Marilyn Monroe lifestyle. But walking has been fun, and I found out where all the tumbleweeds come from. There's so much sagebrush, oh my gosh. Its been very different from Terrace Heights to say the least, but in a good way.
I've met some wonderful people here in Ephrata and already made some great friends. It's been cool to see how missionary work is pretty similar wherever you go, and the Spirit will guide you in all you do. I was reading in Jacob 6 this last week and it talks about how blessed the servants who labor in the Lords vineyard will be and I thought about how privileged I am to be serving a mission at all, regardless of where in the mission I am or where in the world I am. Heavenly Father has chosen me and trusts me to share the most precious thing in this world, and I'm gonna do it to the best of my ability.
One of the dinner messages we shared this week was 1 Nephi 8: 19-21. Lehi repeats the phrase "tree by which I stood" three times. That tree represents the Love of God which is essentially Jesus Christ. He's emphasizing that he stood by Christ and in verse15 when he sees his family he beckons them closer, but does not leave his spot next to Christ. Where do you all stand? and do you make it known to those around you? I've really thought about that these last few days. Where do I stand? How converted am I? and what can I do to step closer and proclaim to the world that I stand with Christ? Food for thought :)
Much Love!
Sister Shuldberg
p.s. coolest thing, okay not -est, but cool. The Bishop in my new ward makes pens, and he's gonna make me one! I'll send a picture next week, I swear I'm gonna come home with nothing but gifts and knickknacks that I've been given over 18 months. not a totally horrible thought
It has been one heck of a week. Goodbyes, packing, transfers, new area(and companion and roommates and routine),service, walking, and missionary work interspersed with all of that, we'll see what I can put into coherent thought.
My new companion is Sister Jensen. She's been out just over 6 months (and I hit 5 tomorrow!) and has been in Ephrata fro 6 weeks or so. We're both still pretty new, but we've got a good feeling about this transfer and we're gonna learn a lot and work hard. I'm excited. We live with another set of Sisters which has been a little more of an adjustment, to go from spending 4 1/2 months living with one person to living with 3 who already have a groove that now I have to fit into. But they are all wonderful people and we've had some fun in these last 4 1/2 days. I'm going to learn a lot here and its exciting to see how Heavenly Fathers hand was involved in all of this. I know I'm supposed to be here in Ephrata and that whatever happens over these next 6 weeks with Sister Jensen, it's part of His plan. I already love it here, He definitely knows what he's doing.
Something unique to Ephrata, as far as I know, is the WIND. Its bad. And we're in what's called a car-share, so we trade off having the car and sometime we walk, a lot. Walking on a windy day is super fun, we had to walk at like a 45 degree angle it felt and constantly hold our skirts so as to not fully embrace the Marilyn Monroe lifestyle. But walking has been fun, and I found out where all the tumbleweeds come from. There's so much sagebrush, oh my gosh. Its been very different from Terrace Heights to say the least, but in a good way.
I've met some wonderful people here in Ephrata and already made some great friends. It's been cool to see how missionary work is pretty similar wherever you go, and the Spirit will guide you in all you do. I was reading in Jacob 6 this last week and it talks about how blessed the servants who labor in the Lords vineyard will be and I thought about how privileged I am to be serving a mission at all, regardless of where in the mission I am or where in the world I am. Heavenly Father has chosen me and trusts me to share the most precious thing in this world, and I'm gonna do it to the best of my ability.
One of the dinner messages we shared this week was 1 Nephi 8: 19-21. Lehi repeats the phrase "tree by which I stood" three times. That tree represents the Love of God which is essentially Jesus Christ. He's emphasizing that he stood by Christ and in verse15 when he sees his family he beckons them closer, but does not leave his spot next to Christ. Where do you all stand? and do you make it known to those around you? I've really thought about that these last few days. Where do I stand? How converted am I? and what can I do to step closer and proclaim to the world that I stand with Christ? Food for thought :)
Much Love!
Sister Shuldberg
p.s. coolest thing, okay not -est, but cool. The Bishop in my new ward makes pens, and he's gonna make me one! I'll send a picture next week, I swear I'm gonna come home with nothing but gifts and knickknacks that I've been given over 18 months. not a totally horrible thought
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