Hello Family!

My prep day is on Thursdays this transfer. Because there always needs to be someone serving in the visitor center our p-days amongst the sister missionaries get swapped around every 6 weeks. You don't really get that anywhere else in the mission. It's interesting scheduling appointments, when I'm not actually sure if we're going to be able to make it, because the visitor center schedule might get changed over the next couple weeks. But most of the time we still make it to all of those appointments and are scheduled at the vc for the other half of the day. It's a miracle really that it works out that way.

I'm in Main House with 3 other companionships. There's a big map with all the vc sister's names on it who've served there and where they're from. Thus far I am Colorado's only representative. However, I was talking to Moua Talamatasi the other day in Blue Mills Ward and she said SheDaisy's lil brother served in that ward a while ago. So Mom, feel free to confirm that. I've never been so 'in the know' about the goings and comings of a ward and pretty much everything about everybody in it, as I have here in Independence. I've grown accustomed to my role in life as 'the last one to find out.' On one hand, it's a nice change; on the other hand, some times I wish I was still 'the last one to find out' about a lot of people's histories.

We're going to Science City today and I'm bound and determined to be a better member missionary on my p-days and talk to someone at the library and a few people at Walmart and somebody at this Science City place. My companion is dying and going home in 5 weeks, so this transfer we're doing everything she's been meaning to get around to doing her whole mission. Supposedly this is like the ultimate 5th grade field trip. She's excited. I'm up for any excuse to wear p-day clothes.

Oky-dokey, spirachel stuff.... we've been really blessed as we've talked to everyone this week. The girl I referred to the singles branch 3 weeks ago that I met at Cold Stone on a p-day, we finally contacted and she's a new investigator (with a pet ferret :-) and she really liked the first lesson. Except she was so on it with her questions that it really was a discussion. It was great. Then we went back and she missed the next appointment, but we talked to some people in her parking lot and they were really open to meeting with us, so we got their info and are going to make an appointment with them this next week. And even though that appointment didn't work out, the teamup we brought, who used to work with her, was up for coming to teach with us, but as we talked in the car I came to realize that she's probably less active and so it was a good teaching experience and I hope we got her motivated to go back to church in her ward.

So things work out the Lord's way. Sister Durrant, my new, very awesome VC leader/companion, made a good point in companionship study this morning about how we should always be teaching. Even if it's not who we were planning to teach or if it's not a real lesson. Like talking in the car in between appointments we should bear testimony and teach each other. Every conversation can be a teaching opportunity, even if it's with Bishop. And she mentioned this as we were reading “Mothers Who Know” from last conference. It said something like, “mothers who know, teach.” So even after the mission, especially with kids I should constantly be teaching, though not necessarily preaching.

Like in the car with that less active teamup, Sister Durrant chimed in, “So this is off subject, but I was thinking today, like what is faith? And how are we supposed to actually get it?” Perfect. The best lessons are really conversation topics. Well-placed questions. I'm working on that this transfer. Coming up with simple questions that aren't like, “What's the purpose of life?” but like, “Are you happy with how things are right now? That's the point right? You think you could be happier? That God has something more for you than work and school?” I've spent half my mission trying to come up with some good questions and they're finally starting to come as I let my lil personality shine on through.

I'm really in a unique situation here. Our branch could potentially have 600 members, there's actually about 100 on the list and about 20 who come every week. Ay yay yay. So I went to church on Sunday and stilldon't really know anyone, but it was good. And there's been a lot of baptisms in this ward and so sticking with the recent converts is fun. Plus a couple of them live in Riverview ward, which is in Kansas City and is a little more exciting. It's the ethnic quarter. In 5 blocks there's15 taquerias, 2 middle eastern shops, a couple African export stores. I like driving through there, but do my best not to slow down.

Life's good and the church is true. Missouri is thinking about warming up and I hear it's actually pretty in Springtime. Things are going to get busy. I'm excited to teach little old ladies by the busload! I'll keep praying for you all. Thanks for all the support.

Love you,
la Hermanacita Deb