Transfer 13 Week 1

TRANSFERRED:

PO Box 86 

Page, AZ 86040

I'll be just down the street from a perfect view of Lake Powell. My companions will be Sister Navarro and Sister Steele. I'll be in a trio for my last six weeks. I was shocked, to be honest. Totally shocked to be transferred. But I'm delighted, since the sister taking my place with me a brand new missionary trained by the lovely Sister Campbell! She'll do so great. I've had great anxiety about packing and she's had great anxiety about training since we got the call. We give each other hugs and say "It's gonna be okay" every few hours. 

The Lord is wonderful and He has taught me a lot throughout my time in Holbrook. One big thing I've been learning, and am still learning, is to be a "God fearing woman". I'm learning to say what God needs me to say, even when it's not what others want to hear. I've gained so much greater of an understanding of what love is. And I am learning better to love myself. 

Sister Campbell made me do weird self-affirmation things like Sabrina used to do. "I am awesome, and will become more awesome, and that's okay. I am called because God needs me here." She made me repeat it to myself once a day or else she would pester me mercilessly. She's been such a blessing to my self-esteem. She's so well educated in psychology, so she understands feelings from an "intellectual standpoint". We had many good conversations on long drives, and did a lot of problem solving a goal setting to help improve my future relationships and friendships. Best of all, she shared her contagious faith, hope, and obedience. 

I am so grateful for Holbrook. It's sad to leave, because it feels like home here. This charming strange corner of the universe feels more like home than home itself does at this point. The members here have been amazing, the work has been great, and I have learned so much. I look forward to all that Page will teach me, as well as my great companions there. 

Conference was fantastic this week, I was so grateful to watch and find so many ways I can improve and goals that I can set. I had questions answered through the speakers, revelation flowing like river rapids, and the spirit was so strong. God is teaching me so much. The most important thing I am coming to a greater understanding of is the Atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the center of everything. There is no time I have felt the Holy Ghost stronger than when I hear about the Atonement. There is nothing more that I feel I need to have a stronger testimony in than that event. I am realizing that my testimony of the Atonement is directly influenced by how much I am using it in my life. I am grateful for repentance. I am grateful for the perfect love of a perfect Father in Heaven. I am grateful that because of the even we celebrated this past week, I do not have to be who I have been.

"'Twas I, but 'tis not I." I am grateful to be able to say that with full confidence in a God who forgives sins, who heals wounds, and who urges me to press forward.

I love and miss you all,

many apologies if I don't send much mail this week,  

xxoxoxoxoxo

Sister Valdez

Pretty view on our drive

A dog irritated by all the traffic in Gallup

and packing packing packing