Yes, I'm alive! And the big news, I'm no longer in Florence, Mississippi. That is why I haven't been able to email until today. Tuesday I was privileged to drive 3 other sisters and myself the 3.5 hours to Shreveport, LA! Yep, that is my new area! Normally we would ride on the transfer van, but we got lucky and got to drive in a nice 2014 car to Shreveport. Another sister was asked to drive, but she wasn't comfortable driving that far since she hasn't driven the past 10 months. I've been driving all the time in Florence and none of the other sisters wanted to drive, so I did. I LOVED it! Yes, I've decided I love road trips, and I love driving them! So that meant I got to drive over the Mississippi River! It was beautiful and we all had a lot of fun. Sister Meek also got transferred and rode in the car with me because she is going to Texarkana, Texas!
My new address is:
215 Sand Beach Blvd. #2408
Shreveport, LA 71105
So this last weekend was very bitter sweet as we said goodbye to ward members, investigators, and our fellow sisters, Sister Walker and Sister Ray, who are staying in Florence. I will miss those girls and all of the people in Florence. I love them so much and am so grateful that I got to serve there for so long. It is truly amazing to look back and see how much that ward has grown and where it's headed. I'm so excited for that area! Sister Walker and Sister Ray along with their new companions will be AWESOME, as well as the elders.
Even though a part of my heart will always be in the Florence Ward, it felt like it was my time to move to a new area, and Shreveport feels right. It's great here. I already love it. They are so blessed to have TONS of stores - food, clothes, everything. It's got way more than Florence!
I'm in a four-some apartment again, which I don't think is any coincindence. And I love the girls! One of them is one that rode with me in the car - Sister Sellers. She is companions with Sister Valdez. My companion is Sister Benjamin. She is a taller girl (still shorter than me, but not by much), with pretty red hair. She is from Orange county California, but I'm not sure of the exact town. She has been out 2 transfers (3 months) and has been in Shreveport that whole time. She is a lot like me - more reserved - and is a lot of fun. I'll send a picture we took last night in our color coordinating outfits (not intentional, but it was fun). We both look a little tired, but it's because it was a good hard-working day. :)
So I didn't get to email Tuesday because we didn't get to the library in time before it closed, and then our Wednesday was already filled up with appointments and meetings, so this morning was the soonest I could do it. So sorry for the wait! I'm doing great though!
It's amazing to look back and see how much I have changed too. Today is my 6 month mark, and I can't believe it's been that long. I have changed and grown, but it has definitely been a little at a time. I couldn't see the change that much, but over time I can see the small changes that truly are refining me. I feel so much more prepared to be a mother and to live the rest of my life. I don't know how to express it, but for all of you who are of mission age, if you have not considered going on a mission, I would strongly encourage and invite you to consider it with your Heavenly Father. It's hard to describe how it happens, but the mission does change you and prepare you.
I am so grateful for my mission. I've been working hard, wanting to be able to with my whole heart that I love my mission and am so grateful for it. I feel that I can honestly say that at this point. I know that if my mission were to end right now, life would be 10 times better than if I hadn't gone. I know that our Savior lives. He loves us. In fact, He loves us more than He loves our comfort and pleasure. He will lead us through the refiners fire to purify and strengthen us, if we will let Him. But it's up to us to make the change. Are we willing?
I've realized that life gets to the point where we have to choose completely on our own to do more, meaning, will we stay comfortable with where we're at and what we've been able to change? Or will we continue to press forward and improve?
My dear family and friends, I love you all so much. I love this gospel and I love my Savior and Heavenly Father. May we each choose to act, to make a change, to be the change.
May THE force be with you all this week!
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