Hattiesburg, MS - Week #10

MOMMA! I was super excited to email you today. I have had a lot on my mind this week! Before I forget, I am going to answer your question about my daily schedule. I will start with Monday because that is the only day that is different than any other day. Monday is P-day, we wake up at 6:30, and we clean our apartment until 7:00. Then from 7-8 we get ready for the day. at 8:00-9:00 we have personal study. 9:00-10:00 we have companionship study, and we also plan lessons for the day. Then right about 10:15/30 we go and email until about 12:00. Today we came in late, and we had to run to a couple stores so we are short on time today. Then we have lunch at about 12:30, today we will be going to CiCi's Pizza! And then from 2-5 we go and play at the church with other missionaries! We play handball, or human foosball, or mofia, or signs. I LOVE P-days..,they are so chill. Then from 5-9:00 we have our appointments or tracting. 9:30 we start our planning session for the following day. On Tuesdays-Saturday we do the exact same thing in the mornings. At about 1:00We really start our day. We tract, visit with members, or have appointments to be at in between 1-9:00. If we have a dinner appointment we come home at 9:30. Then we plan again and are off to bed by 10:30every night. We plan our schedule for every second of the day. It is so nice knowing what we are doing, and use our time wisely. It is SO IMPORTANT TO PLAN. When I come home I will most definitely use a planner. It really is so helpful. On Sundays we have our church meetings at 11-2. Then the rest of the day is like normal. 

So, girls camp is this week huh? Well that just flew by! Some of my favorite girls camp experiences are just being with the girls, and spending time together as a ward. I was always in such great company and that is all that mattered to me! You have always been good at planning these types of activities. This is the perfect calling for you. You are just like the girls and they LOVE YOU. Will you please tell them all hi for me? And also that I hope they are having a blast? Girls camp was my favorite. There is something special about all the girls, and the spirit, and being in nature. It was my safe haven and my favorite place to be. Tell them to enjoy every moment! It seriously goes by so fast. I am so grateful for their testimonies, and for being my friends. I love them so much! Take a ton of pictures for me. I will most definitely pray for you. I have always prayed for you, and think about you often. At least everything is ready to go! It sounds like a blast. What in the world! Shayla had her farewell?! How is she feeling? How is Wendy? Man that is so crazy. I can't believe Parker is home, and Josh anderson. SO WEIRD! I love missionary work. It is so FUN, and super TIRING. I also want you to know that I have been really good at writting in my journal. I have only missed a few days! Well, I just want you to know I am doing so good here. I love these people with all my heart. Even though their accents are hard. HAHA on side note, a few people have told me I have an accent? They always ask where I am from and they say that I have an accent. HAHAH I think that is hilarious. Love you mom. Please send lots of pictures this week! I will continue to pray for you! 

Good morning everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful week, I know I sure did! Before I forget, I was wondering if I could get everyone's home address? I would love to send letters, and maybe get some from you all too! Thank you for your support, it means a lot to me and my family! This past week has been awesome! We have two new investigators and they seem to be really interested in the gospel. We also have Brandon's Baptism this Friday!! YAY! Please keep him in your prayers this week, it would mean a lot for us. We are so excited for him! On the first day I arrived here in Mississippi I met a woman named Shirley, she is 80 years old, and has the biggest heart ever! She has been meeting with the missionaries for the last 5 years, and she still hasn't made the decision to be baptized. About 4 months ago, she became really sick and didn't want to meet with the missionaries anymore. My companion who has been serving for 5 and a half months now has been here while she been sick the last few months. My companion said that she knew Shirley would eventually get baptized. She never gave up on her. Shirley would always make these excuses about why she wouldn't want to be baptized. Her main concern was tithing. Shirley owns over 15 cats. She also works full time Monday through Saturday. She has been working so she could take care of her cats. Shirley said she couldn't commit to tithing until her cats were taken care of. On Sunday we asked Shirley to come to church, and she said she would. When she came we asked her  again to be baptized and she said no. We asked the bishop what we should do, and he said that she could be baptized, as long as if she commits when she is financially ready to pay her tithing. So, we had the prompting again to ask her to be baptized again and she said YES. She will be baptized this Saturday! We are so excited for her and know that this is the right thing to do. It is just amazing and a great testimony to me that we cannot give up on someone even if there is a little spark of interest. Shirley finally decided to be baptized after 5 years of meeting with the missionaries. I am so lucky to witness this baptism. I know that the church is true. I know that the spirit testifies of simple truths. This is true happiness, and we are so blessed. I am excited to hear from you all this week. Be safe, and enjoy the rest of summer! 

here is the fun fact for the week..In Mississippi, they call grocery carts "boogies". Also, all the woman when they greet us they kiss our cheeks! It is so sweet!