Watching the World Change

Hey ya'll,

How yn's been doin' o'r yonder?  This week seemed slow, but it hasn't been.  It's just that the past month or so I always have something to report on like someone getting baptized or confirmed or receiving the priesthood, and for the first time in a long time that's not the case, and that's okay. I've been pretty spoiled for the last transfer, so I don't have anything to complain about.

On Tuesday, Sister Shuler stayed home with Carolyn and packed up her bags while Sister Parry and I went out to do some finding.  It was kinda awkward for a little bit because we were trying to stay close by so we could run back at a moments notice to get Sister Shuler so she could say goodbye to everyone, and we had no idea when that would be. Because of that, we ended up knocking doors at a really awkward time of day, but we couldn't figure out anything better to do.  It was kinda discouraging, but right at the end we found 3 potential investigators that we're going to go back and see during the week.  Then we came back to get Sister Shuler, and said bye to everyone with her.  It was hard to see her leave all these people she loved. I feel like, from watching her, I haven't cried in a long time, but it was good.

Wednesday morning came, and the Breeden's came and picked her up and took her over to the mission office.  It was hard saying goodbye, but now she's onto the next stage of her life, and she's gonna rock it!

Later on we went over to Young Women's, which was the biggest party of my life.  I feel like I hadn't had that much fun in a while.  We did watercolor pictures.  I never knew how riled up I could get just from watercolors, but it was awesome!

The next day we went over to see our new investigator, Helen.  We found her from our other investigator, Debra.  Here in Loudon we have ambassadors for our church.  This is the second investigator we have that has gone around to all their friends and told them they need us in their life.

On Friday we went out to the boonies of our area.  We had a lesson with a less active member and then knocked a couple of doors around her.  We got a couple of potential investigators, one of them being Brittany.  She was sitting outside, and we walked up to her and talked to her for a little bit and showed her a little video. At the end of the video she told us how grateful she was that we stopped by because she had been struggling with a breakup, and she felt like she wasn't sure she knew Christ or was saved even though she told everyone she had been.  It was incredible talking to her, and I can't wait to go back and see her again.

Then we went over to see Marissa and all of her family. It was our last time to see her before she left to go back and live with her dad. She's seriously incredible guys.  She definitely has a piece of my
heart.  We halted them a little with getting organized before she left and had dinner with them.  I love this family so much, and I'm sure I'll see Marissa again some day. :)

On Saturday we had our branch activity. We went up to Melton Lake Damn and had an awesome lunch and played a lot of fun games.  Sister Parry and I got there, and we had our skirts on, and then we saw the Elders in normal clothing, and we just thought, "I could be wearing pants right now.  Why am I not doing that?!"  I even thought to wear a slightly more casual skirt, but not pants.... #missionaryprobs  It's all good though.  We were boss at volleyball in our skirts.

Later on that night, I got permission from President Griffin to call my awesome recent convert, Harley, and chat with him for a little bit.  He just keeps progressing in the gospel, guys.  He got his patriarchal blessing since I've been gone from Grove Park, and he got it in the mail a few days ago. I'm so proud of him!

So there yn's go.  I love it here in Loudon.  It's just so crazy seeing everything change.  I got to see the fruit of one of my previous areas, and see two good friends leave. One is starting a new phase in her life, while another one is staying strong with the gospel no matter where she is.  As for me, I'm just in the middle of it keeping the work going and watching the world change around me here
in Loudon, Tennessee: The place that stole my heart.

Sincerely,
Sister Shelton

 Our last picture with Sister Shuler. She's going to do incredible things back home.

 Look what someone put on our windshield! It completely made my day!

Another of the many animals I hold out in the Tennessee wilderness. This is

Hawkeye's chicken. We're gonna do some service with him this week!

 

 

Quotes of the week:

 

Water coloring with the young women:

Me: I've never had so much fun in my life! Except that time I baptized

Marissa....