It all started when we got the call Saturday night at the end of transfers. "Sister Reyne, you will be in a new area, and receiving a new companion. Sister Williams, you will be staying in Northport and receiving a new companion." I knew it was inevitable, and that's kind of what we had figured was going to happen. I was excited and ready to take on a new area! Saying goodbye to people in Northport was harder than I thought. It was like leaving home. Wednesday, transfer day came. We have a slide show that shows who will be with who, and what area they will be in. My picture comes up. In Haleyville, Sister Reyne will be training Sister Downs. I can't even explain how unprepared I felt. I knew when I was going to be training Sister Williams, but I wasn't mentally prepared to train, because I wasn't told. But the Lord truely blessed me, because I feel like Sister Downs is training me. She is an excellent missionary! I have already grown and learned so much in the last 2 weeks. It's already the middle of this transfer in Haleyville! We are starting this area (as Sisters) so we had no area book to go by, we were starting fresh. So we really relied on our members, and they are wonderful! We have received so many referrals, and so many ideas of who to contact. That's the blessing of a small branch and small town. The hard part ... hearing people have been in Hamilton (which is close to Haleyville, also a small town) for 9 months. Now that would be rough! For those that live in Lincoln California, Lincoln is huge compared to this Podunk place.
So where is Haleyville? What is Haleyville? It's just what it sounds to be. It's a small village filled with hay and hicks. Well that's an exaggeration, but a little bit kind of true. Population 4,000. Branch members at church last Sunday, 20. A lot of people who live here have lived here their whole lives. We have met lots of scary dogs .. A LOT! And there is a lot more to say, but for the sake of time, this is the best things we've heard yet. Many people literally wanting to kill their spouses. One story in particular, she said she had a gun ready to shoot her husband, but nothing happened because there was no bullet inside. That's just one. So you get the gist. It's a small hick town. It's been a really rough 2 weeks, but we've been working SO hard! And we have been so blessed with busy schedule already! And I'm starting to love the people here so much!
We started teaching Sue and her daughter April. Sue is 50, and April is in her 30's. Sue's daughter other daughter Felicia is 8, and April has two little girls Peyton and Isabelle. April says she isn't a church goer, and Sue was raised Penicostal. I really like them a lot! On Monday we had an incredible lesson with them! It was one of the few times I can honestly say, I truely walked out of that lesson and KNEW the spirit guided it. I knew we were teaching through spirit. It is the most incredible thing.
We are also teaching Cara and her less active husband Ricky (Ricky is April's brother-in-law) A lot of people are related in Haleyville. They have a 4 month old Annabelle. Cara was raised Catholic and is afraid to join the church because of her grandmother who passed away would be looking down on her. Cara is blunt and hilarious! I love her already! We have met a few others that we have started teaching.
We're working on getting Ward Coorlation started, and getting involved in Ward Council. The first Sunday we were here we taught Primary which consisted of 7 kids, but that's only because the high councilmen was here with his 5 boys. The other 2 .. well you get it. Then this last Sunday Sister Downs spoke in Sacrament (we don't have chapel, its' just one big room used for Sacrament, Sunday School, and Relief Society. Then there's a little trailer just by the building that the men go to for Priesthood). Then I taught Relief Society which consisted of 5 people, including me and Sister Downs. So we are building up this area and getting people active!
Missions are hard. Waking up at 6:30 everyday is hard. Being in a new place is hard. Sleeping in a new apartment every few months is hard. Getting new companions is hard. Meeting all new people is hard. Teaching is hard. Constantly thinking of how you can build others faith is hard. Knowing you are responsible for bringing souls unto Christ as His representative is hard. But if it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be worth it. Something that President Hanks quoted from Jeffrey R. Holland says, "This is hard work. It's the hardest work you will ever do. That is why I say, it is the most important work you will ever do. I know this work is real! It's hard, but oh so worth it! I love my Savior, and I hope I can be a better missionary each day! I know that His Church has been restored so we know how to gain peace in this life and the life to come. We have the tools that help us get there. I love y'all! Thank you for all the support!
Roll Tide!
Sister Reyne
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.