Ruston, LA -Week #46

Good afternoon everybody! 

This week has been pretty interesting week! I have some sad news, and then some good news, and then some sad news again! The first sad news is about my recent convert Bob! I am sure ya'll remember him, he was just a stellar investigator, and shortly after we starting teaching he became the newest member of the Hattiesburg Ward! He just sent Sister Kendall and I an email saying that "he appreciates everything that we did for him, and the tremendous time and effort to help him, but he just doesn't think that this is the right decision for him right now". I just wanted to cry! It was the saddest news I heard all week, please pray for him to come back! He was so close to being able to go to the temple!  

The Happy News is that the ward needed a pianist for the sacrament meeting this week, and I got to play on Sunday! It was really fun, I loved it! I am embarrassed to say that I was so nervous that my hands were super sweaty and I missed some notes because my hands were stuck to the keys..haha but I was glad to have the opportunity to play in church! 

The other good news is that we went to Monroe to help the church's "helping hands crew" to help the flood victims clean out their homes, and tear out sheet-rock, and break down walls that were ruined. It was pretty devastating to see these homes. it just broke my heart, and I really am glad that we were able to help out, also! While in the process of helping, I stepped on a NAIL! 😥 It hurt super bad! The nurse said that the nail went about an inch or so deep. That thing just went right through my shoe! She said that I needed to go to the clinic to get a tetnis shot. When we got there the doctor said that I was going to need another shot, and this time it was going to be on my bum! I wouldn't reccomend it, but I am so glad it is over! I got to talk with good members and friends while we were at the church, I am so blessed to have missionary friends and stake members who care about me! 😁

Ruston Ward volunteers for "Mormon Helping Hands" and Elders Hughes and Rawi

Ruston, LA Zone

The other sad news is that yesterday, Sister Eaton went to go visit those sweet recent converts who struggled with "Evil Spirits". When we drove over there we saw Patricia (Recent Convert) walk out of her apartment looking all nice, we ran up to her and talked with her for a second, she told us that she was on her way to church! And we were excited and said yay! We can't wait to see you there" and she said, "Sorry ya'll, I am actually going to a different church." And our hearts dropped. Well, the work had to keep going right? So, we went to go see our other recent convert and Patricia pulls up next to us to see if we knocked on her door yet? We said no, and then she HONKED THE HORN! Gwen is the other recent convert, and that is who Patricia was honking at. Gwen came out and I went and tried to give her a hug, and she told me,"Darling I don't have time for you." And walked away. It was so sad! They were both on the way to a different church. I was so sad, please pray for these sisters! We are still going to try to work with them! 

To end on a good note, we also had ZTM this week! (Zone Specialized Training) and I got to see Sister Kendall again! When we were together as companions, we didn't get to have this training meeting, and so it was fun for us to both be trainers and learn how we can improve and help our companions. It was super fun, and I always love seeing all of my friends! I am beyond blessed to serve with all of these cool members and awesome missionaries, they make the job fun! 

I can honestly say even though this week has been crazy, and full of up and downs, it has been a fun week for me! I really have enjoyed all the experiences I have had. Reading about everything that I did this week probably makes ya'll wonder why I am still happy but I love what I do! I love my savior and I am grateful for all the good times as well as the trials I have had. It makes me stronger, and allows me to have a better relationship with my father in heaven. The scripture that has been on my mind is Ether 12:27. God really can make weak things become stronger. His Grace is sufficient for us all. I know that to be true! I love ya'll! Have a blessed week! (: 

Dear Mom and Dad- 

This week has been one crazy week! I was so EXCITED to hear your voice on the phone!! It kills me every time! I unfortunately had 2 shots.. I got one on my Bum, and one on my arm!! It sucked so bad!! They also gave me some perscription to take for the next month or so. It is to stop the infection from spreading apparently. It sucks! I played the piano in church! It was super fun. I have never had such sweaty hands..dude it was like glue. My hands were stuck to that piano! I was so embarrassed! No one asked to shake my hand afterwards so that was good. I went and washed my hand after the meeting. it was SO NASTY! I am doing pretty good on the piano! Every one asks me to play now, and so it is just habit to practice the piano.I love it so much!! I cannot wait to play for you when I come home! Also, we had ZTM and I got to see my friends! :) 

Sister Scott, Sister Eaton with STL's on their splits Sister Dobbins and Sister Harrison

Sister Eaton told me during comp inventory that, that is what she admires about me. She said she noticed everybody loved to talk with me, and wanted to say Hi to me. It felt so good to hear her say that! I always want to be that person everyone wants to talk to, not for prideful reasons, but just because I care! (: It seems like Satan was playing games with me this week, but he obviously didn't win. It turned out to be a pretty good week! 

(Excerpt from Sister Hannah Eaton's email)

Flood cleanup in Monroe

This past Saturday we got the opportunity to go to Monroe and help with the Mormon Helping Hands crew, and do flood clean up in peoples houses. In one house we were cleaning out the water had gotten up to four feet high, and had just soaked everything and damaged alot of the things in this persons home. It was really sad to see, and it was hard seeing something someone worked so hard for just be damaged by floods. 

 Sister Scott before she stepped on a nail. 

In the second home we were working in, we started tearing out the wood paneling and knocking out sheet rock when Sister Scott stepped on a nail. It went about an inch deep into her foot, and she ended up having to get a tetnis shot (or a techno shot as she calls it because she couldn't pronounce it haha) and an antibacterial shot in her bum (OUCH) to prevent any infections. (I ended up giving her the nick name hop-a-long because she hobbles every where;) 

My poor companion had to go through a lot that day, but she is seriously a trooper and such a positive attitude about everything. She is beyond awesome. :) It was a bummer though because we were totally willing to get back out and get to work but no one would let Sister Scott get up and use her foot which is totally understandable but both of us were eager to help, but couldn't :(. It was a little bit of a tender mercy though because we both got to text our parents off of a members phone, and through that I found out that my sister had her baby!! I started crying and was just a mess, but I was so happy for her! She named him Buel Isaiah and he is just the cutest little thing! So that is it for this week!