Missionary Life

Family and Friends,

 

Unfortunately this week Sister Porter was sick Tues-Thurs. I stayed busy by reading and studying the gospel through the Ensign, my missionary resource book (with talks, tips, and rules in it), the scriptures, and anything else I could find around our apartment. It was very uplifting but by the end I was very restless and ready to jump back into the work. We were able to meet with one of our investigators on Friday (Desiree). We read Ether 12 together along with a member from the ward she's in and had a great discussion on faith. We were also able to meet with our bishop and discuss the missionary work in the Woodhaven ward. We also had a lesson with a family who is preparing to be sealed in the temple. They receive their endowments this weekend and I really hope we'll be able to attend the session. We went to a going away party for one of our investigators. We're sad to see her go but hope we can send the missionaries to her new home. We have one last lesson set up with her this week. Saturday we had exchanges! I loved learning from Sister Mears! I hope I can remember all the wonderful insights I've gained from spending a day with her.

 

At the request of many, I will describe more the area in which I'm serving. The city of Sherwood has a population of 18,000. The homes here have so much character and are on the high end scale of quality. There are three wards in Sherwood: Sherwood (District leader and his companion), Cedar Creek (Elders), and Woodhaven (us, the only sisters in our district). Our three companionships, the Hedges Creek elders (the ward Desiree is in), and the zone leaders (over a YSA ward) make up our district. The companionships from Sherwood are putting together the booth for Robinhood festival. As you may know, Robinhood lives in Sherwood forrest and Mt. Hood is nearby--hence, Robinhood festival :) Every summer they have a Maid Marian (spelling?) pageant (similar to Miss Springville) and many of the streets are named after Robinhood characters or other things from the movie. 

 

There are so many trees here! There's practically a forrest in my backyard. There are sections of trees that no one is allowed by law to cut down. You basically feel like you're in a forrest anywhere you go. Since my area is so small, there are no businesses that we can go to. No stores, fast food places, gas stations, etc. It's all residential. You have to get permission to leave your area, with the exception of P-day. The funny thing is that we don't even live in our area :) We live in the Cedar Creek ward boundaries. The reason being that the sisters used to be over two wards; both the Woodhaven and Cedar Creek wards. We foresee getting roommates in the future because many wards will have two sets of missionaries by the time the summer is over. But who knows? For now, we have a one-room apartment. I'll send pictures soon, I keep forgetting to take some. 

 

Each morning we wake up at 6:15 (mission rules) to have a sacred grove experience. We find a place to pray vocally (kind of hard in a one-room apartment) to our Father in Heaven. We begin exercising at 6:30 and usually do an ab workout since leaving takes too much time. Once a week we play basketball with the Elders. From 7-8 we get ready for the day. Somehow I manage to take a shower, get dressed, blow dry and straighten my hair, do my make-up and eat breakfast all in that hour! From 8-9 is personal study and from 9-10 is companionship study. As we diligently study we prayerfully consider our investigators and I've already seen countless times applying what I've learned that morning to their individual situation. It's a neat thing to experience! It's a win win type thing; we both benefit :) From 10-11 is training since I'm a new missionary. We have a book that breaks it down into 12 week segments. It's a great tool that we have :) I can't imagine what Sister Taylor is going through! That would be scary to have to both be new and training at the same time. We eat lunch at 11 since we're already at our apartment and leave for the day afterwards. Sometimes when we eat really fast, we go take a nap for the remaining time :) We proselyte until dinner, eat dinner and share a message, and then go back out again. We return to our apartment at 9, usually and then we daily plan for the next day. We close with a prayer (I say it on even days and she says it on odd days according to our birthday :)) and then get ready for bed. And it's true what they say; the days drag and the weeks fly! But really, it all goes pretty fast. I can't believe it's almost been one transfer! It feels like the weeks go fast when we hit P-day but looking back it seems like the last one was forever ago. Time is warped when you're a missionary :)

 

There are SO many dogs in Oregon!! Nearly everyone has one! We call it the Oregon doorbell :) The worst part is when they lick your face, I can handle everything else. My skirt often gets covered in dog hair :P Oh well :) Random fact: Whenever my companion sneezes it's in sets of 9 or more! Can you believe that? I've never seen such a thing. It rarely happens when she's driving, thank goodness :)

 

I know this was forever ago, but I don't think I thanked you for the greenie package! I enjoyed it so much :) Haha you answered my question in your e-mail as to where all the green M&Ms came from :) Speaking of sugar...I've decided to not eat sugar. Don't die of shock ;) It's almost been a week since my companion and I made the resolution. I already feel so much better! We'll see how long this lasts :) What helps the most is not having it around our apartment. We buy lots of fruits and vegetables. I realize some members will insist on dessert so I'll have to eat it to be polite ;) But I have heard that if you eat sugar, it's best to eat it with a meal rather than by itself. Anyone else want to join in this challenge? ;) Alison also sent me a greenie note, but hers had a different kind of green in it :) Money!! Shoutout to Aunt Alison :) Love you!!

 

Well, I think that's just about all for now. If you have any specific questions about the area that I didn't cover, feel free to ask! I try to find time to answer them ;)

Love you all!

 

Love,

 

Sister King