Wildbreeze in O-Town: Trash Australia

In the words of Sister Lamborn... "Wow. Wow wow wow."

So last Monday we pet a crazy puppy and a tiny happy kitten.

Also had an incredibly frustrating lesson with the nonmember husband of an awesome lady in the ward. Where he just took over and told us all the things he doesn't like about religion. Even though he knows absolutely nothing about ours. And we were just like

Tuesday we did service at the HUM and we've decided that we're gonna stay there longer. We're supposed to do like 4 hours of Just Serve service a week? But we've been doing about 2, because they don't have much for us to do downstairs other than clean. But the woman in the office upstairs, Ginny, is soooo grateful for help with organizing things, and we prefer that anyway. :P

Then we tracted for a solid hour at least in the BLAZING HOT Florida sun. Summer ain't even here, folks. I'm going to die.

Then the member we ate with gave me a second plate even though I said I didn't want more and was full. I felt so dead after that meal.

And then the most frustrating lesson of my LIFE that was just super contentious and ugh.

Wednesday we had ZTM which was (surprise!) all focused on facebook, on what we can and can't do and what we need to clear out. Also how we need to focus on our missionary purpose while using it. So that's been fun. Got to see all the cool peeps in our Zone, including Sister Yance who is now training. She da best.

Thursday we had a cool pass off lesson with the New Smyrna Sisters. They had a guy approach them in a Walmart, ask if they were Mormon missionaries, and then said that he felt like he needed to learn about the church. WHAT. He is such a cool guy and we had an amazing Restoration lesson with him and his daughter. The Spirit was awesome, and we were all able to teach well together, which is sometimes a weird thing with 4 missionaries.

We taught Shakira the second half of the Restoration and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. :) She was interested in the Book of Mormon. "I've never heard of this before. Y'all probably think I ain't gonna read this. But I am." Cute thing: her 4 year old high fived me, the 2 year old saw and ran over to get a high five too. :D

Friday was planning so idk what happened.

It drizzled all day and I was SO happy. Florida rain is freezing.

Started exchanges. Sister Sorensen went down to New Smyrna with Sister Brady, and I stayed in here with SISTER LAMBORN. Fun missionary fact: a Sister missionary's trainer is referred to as her mom (dad for Elders). So I got to have a day with my mahm and it was fantastic.

Saturday. Such a good day. Just went finding all the day and tried to follow promptings.

Stopped by Shakira for a quick second and just read a little bit from the Book of Mormon with her. She remembered that we had wanted her to read the introduction, and as we read it with her, she remembered stuff from the Restoration that it was talking about. SO AWESOME. Most peaceful lesson I've ever had in her home. :)

Met yet another part member family. She's awesome. And she really wants to come back to church and bring him with her. Also they have a tiny sheltie puppy and I was VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

We also met someone who was once a Bible referral, but had never been followed up with after they took the Bible. She was so willing to listen. At the end she said something like, "I hear everything you're saying. I understand. But I can't just believe it just like that." Those words are marvelous to a missionary's ears. We told her that was perfectly fine, we didn't want her to take our word for it, we wanted her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. She said she would!

Aaaand Sister Lamborn took stalker selfies of me ALL DAY LONG. Without me noticing. We forgot to take a normal picture. :P

From Sunday comes the explanation of the subject line. So we go to church for 5 hours and that's a long ol time. The final hour is YSA relief society. And they like to start with a getting to know you question. This week it was where we'd like to go on vacation. And I've wanted to go to Australia since I was like 4. The conversation from there:

"But Australia's just full of dangerous animals."

"...so is Florida though."

"Except Florida is also full of crazy people."

"It's like a trash Australia."

Yep.

Dinner with the Boyces. I adore their family. The 5 year old got some Disney Thomas Kinkaide puzzles that they're going to glue and hang on her wall. She's so excited about them and wants everyone to help make them (since she can't really do 500 piece puzzles on her own). So I got to help with puzzles which was excellent. Also Sister Boyce's mom is from Scotland, so we got to listen to that accent all night. :D

Today we went to the beach as a District! Woooo. I dunno where my camera converter is, so no pics unless I can snag them from someone else, sorry. Also I introduced Sister Sorensen to World Market and now it's going to be a downfall for both of us. They have DARK CHOCOLATE TIM TAMS.

Anywho.

I've realized this week how blessed missionaries are to just be separate from the world. Y'all have it much harder, having to be "in the world but not of the world". Give me tips on how to deal with that pls

I think the most important thing is to always have our focus on Jesus Christ. We missionaries have our purpose and our mission vision and constant spiritual boosts. You guys at home have to find other things to help refocus yourself and keep yourself spiritually safe. One of those things is definitely sharing the light you have. We've been talking to members about missionary work a lot this past couple of weeks. And I've just had the thought that someone, someone that YOU know, needs your light. That doesn't necessarily mean telling them about the gospel or inviting the missionaries to visit them right off the bat. But being an example, writing a note, supporting them... There are so many ways to serve and love and share the light of Christ that is in each of us. Go find a way to do that this week!

I love you all so much.

Love,

Sister Stevenson