Transfer 7 Week 1

I will organize this email into categories.

9 Months on my Mission!!!

TRANSFER NEWS:

Garcia is going to Bloomfield, my new companion will be Sister Panoussi. I probably mispelled her name. She's Sister Fackrell's daughter (trainee) so she is my niece. Her hairstyle will change your life and I can't wait to send pictures of her. She came out with Sister Garcia so she's 6 months fresh. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FACTUAL:

This week on the 24th was Pioneer day and it was celebrated by a dinner on the 25th (Friday), at which we served plates containing: a baked potato, pulled pork, homemade rolls, baked beans, and a piece of spice cake. We served 762 people in 90 minutes. 

The 26th (Saturday) we had a pancake breakfast at 7 am with our zone at the 2nd ward Bishop's house. I debated beating the pancake-eating record (20 pancakes, set by Sister Cousins). I signed their missionary book. Then we went to get ready for the parade. There were about ten floats or so. I threw one and a half bags full of candy at small children. We sang "Children Go Where I Send Thee" and "Called to Serve". After the parade we partied for approx. 4 more hours. (By partied, I mean we helped with events at the church building). There were two slip'n'slides, one bouncy house, three-legged races, and one greased pole (which I will address later). It was 100% pure fun and we ended the day 200% exhausted. 

HILARIOUS:

I forgot to tell you about what happened a little while ago. It was the week I started out by saying I was exhausted. I felt sick that week and the next day (Tuesday) after we finished up our day, I felt pretty pukey. I leaned over the trash can and dry heaved and finally got about a mouthful out then gave up and got into the shower. While getting into the shower I dropped almost every possible bottle of shampoo on my foot and thought Wow it probably sounds like I just died. But carried on. I heard Sister Anderson open the bathroom door and shout "ARE YOU OKAY SISTER VALDEZ?" I said "Uh.. Yup." and she shut the door.

What I didn't know is that this is what the other sisters heard:

Puking, gagging coughing, gasping for air,

giant commotion and tumbling,

no sound of life.

They thought I had puked and passed out in the shower. Apparently they called my name four or five times before I answered. They ran to Sister Garcia and said "I THINK SISTER VALDEZ PASSED OUT!"

ADORABLE: 

This week we have been asking different couples at dinner for their "Love Stories". The best is the past bishop who told us that when they met he had curly hair down to his shoulders and wore parachute pants and a shirt with fringe. I teased him incessantly and didn't tell Sister Garcia until after that I shamefully own a jacket with fringe on the sleeves.  

The other adorable story is that of the grease pole. Apparently the missionaries get it every year. Its tradition. So naturally the Elders tried. Failed. Tried again. Failed again. Sweat. Grunting. Tried again. Failed. They sat discouraged trying to rethink their strategy when a little tike starts scooting up the pole. A girl about three feet tall, 7 years old, started scooting up and up and up. The crowd starts to cheer. More people come. She's about halfway. Everyone cheers louder. She starts to slip and quickly the Elders assemble a small tower of people, Elder Howes, standing on top of two other Elders, pushes her the last few feet to the top and this little girl retrieves the $100 dollars on the top of the pole. Crowd goes wild. The best part? Her mother didn't see. She goes running to her mom with a handful of bills. 

SPIRITUAL:

Since Sister Garcia and I are being separated I've had time to reflect upon the two transfers we've spent together. Here are the things we've learned: Balance. There is balance in everything. You find the balance by always holding your core. Core being truth. Eternal truth. This rant makes more sense when her and I discuss it. 

Change- embrace it. We were born for change. Without change there is no growth. 

Hope- The Lord's work is impossible without it. True faith is always accompanied by it. 

Most of all, that everything comes down to one eternal and unchanging truth. The Lord loves us. 

"God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there"

-President Monson

Thank you so much for the presents and the love! I have yet to open them but I cannot wait! I love you all (: