On Top of the World

I AM CURRENTLY STANDING ON A LIGHTHOUSE
There's WiFi up here. Weekly email to come later.
(Letter following first three pictures.)

All right, I've got like 30 minutes; let's do this email:

Hello lovely people!

This week has been incredibly busy and pretty darn awesome.

Tuesday we had interviews, which was so good. President asked if we were teaching anyone promising. "I don't know yet. Dunno who we're teaching." xP

Met a guy named Curtis who is a minister and LOVES TO TALK. Oh my goodness. I wanted to bash so hard. But all that you can really do in those situations is bear testimony and try to love them.

Wednesday finally finished dental nonsense for now. They played music that I love. Apparently President Clark has said to think of that as a tender mercy. Haha.

Had a kind of refreshing discussion with someone who is not remotely interested in learning more... but asked questions. Missionaries love questions. 

Met Sister Mellen, a less active. She just kept asking us, "How do I get my faith back?" She feels like every time she starts to feel really happy, something catastrophic happens. And I just felt for her. Shared my mission scripture, Alma 32:27, which has a ton of meaning for me. Just told her to do what she can do, and more would follow. She was glad we came.

Then we visited with Sister Gavin, an 82 year old who does not look or act it. She's basically less active because she feels like people will judge her for wearing nice clothes and jewelry. :P

Thursday, more tracting. Haha. Met another guy who probably isn't interested, but I know we needed to talk to him. Maybe one day he'll be more prepared.

Then we went to try and see an old referral, and the way up the stairs was blocked by someone sitting on her phone having a smoke.

My thoughts: "Oooooh awkward. Do we ask her to move? Start preaching the gospel? Just walk around?"

Sister Sorensen: HELLO THERE, HAVE THE GOSPEL.

Bless companions.

So we met Shakira, and it turns out that she's really struggling and searching for peace right now. She was raised Baptist but hasn't gone in a long time. And she knows she needs that faith in her life, and to raise her four boys with that.

Later we were invited into a home where we sat with 6 and 10 year old girls while their mom got ready to leave. The 6 year old whose name I have no idea how to spell looooved Sister Sorensen's hair. We did end up talking to the mom, Leslie. She just is super fixated on things like what race God is. So. Ended up talking to her about family history.

Friday, planning n stuff. Except for the first part of it we just rearranged our apartment. It looks fantastic now. woo.

Our ward has, every year, a spring and fall concert. So we went to the spring concert, in which members of the ward and the YSA branch sing/play an instrument. It was super fun. The best was the end, where two people played a duet on the piano and organ. It was awesome.

Saturday we just went around and met a BUNCH of people. Highlight: Kenny, a former investigator who is super nice, fantastic at interior decorating, and KNOWS THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE... but feels comfortable in his church. DARN IT KENNY THIS IS THE TRUE CHURCH. We'll get him. He told us to come by whenever his car is there. So we definitely will.

Also it rained for the better part of the day. Mostly a drizzle, but we walked around a ton, so we were VERY WET. And it was freezing rain. Also thunder happened. And a man who was either drunk or a hippie or both pointed out hawks searching for a mate to us. It was a good day.

Sunday was church! :D We went to both the ward and the YSA branch. Also found out that the daughter of a member in my last ward is now in our ward. So that's cool. Got roses and chocolates and stuff even though I'm not a mom yet.

Had an awkward encounter in which our dinner appointment forgot that they were having us for dinner. Then made us take a whole watermelon to compensate.

THEN SKYPED FOR LIKE 3.5 HOURS SO THAT WAS GREAT

Today we climbed the Ponce Inlet lighthouse which was fantastic. I wanted to buy the entire gift shop.

And that's been my week.

Go out and hug someone who needs it this week. That doesn't have to be a physical hug. Spiritual hugs are good too.

I love you all. Have a fantastic week. "Don't forget to drink your Ovaltine."

Love,

Sister Stevenson

It rained and I was very happy. Even if I don't look it.

RAINRAINRAIN

A flower.

A tree.

LOOK AT THIS VIEW.
ON TOP OF DA WORLD.

More Lighthouse Pics:

Spiral stairs are my fav.

Look at that lighthouse.

Look at that squad.