Okay family are you ready for this???
"I am not going Outbound, but have been made a Zone Leader and my new companion is Sister Bowden from England and we are assigned to the East 1 Zone."
It really came as a huge shock to me because I wasn't nervous about transfers and thought that Sister Pipe and I would just remain together to finish training and then I'd be sent outbound. Well, with transfer conference yesterday, they were read out and I was, "shocked" to say the least when I learnt of my news and started crying because I won't be with Sister Pipe anymore. I didn't feel qualified to serve as a Zone leader either, but I did chuckle to myself when I learnt that I'm going to be over East 1 Zone which covers the Beehive House. So, I'm going back to my dear friend Brigham's house. It's going to be so much fun. I didn't sleep a lot last night as I thought about the weight of my new responsibility, but really there isn't much of a difference between a Zone leader and any other missionary apart from having a few more opportunities to serve so that'll be nice. Sister Vaivai has also been made a Zone leader and her companion Sister Cummings will be trained by another Sister and they will be in my Zone. That's going to be heaps of fun. Sister Vaivai is assigned to West 2 Zone which covers the Humanitarian Centre and Welfare Square. I don't think I'll see my mate alot this transfer besides our early morning basketball games but that's okay because I'm hoping we will both go outbound to the same place next transfer as we seem to do everything else together which is super cool.
So, family my new P-Day will be next Tuesday so don't forget to write me and I'm sorry if you have to wait an extra day. Sister Bowden was the sister who trained Sister Stolp (one of my previous companions) so it's like one big happy family circle. Haha!
We have had a lot of blessings this week and one of them was seeing my little cousin Elder Solomon as he came through the Square. It was hard not to hug the little guy but so neat to take him and other missionaries on a tour. One of the other missionaries included Andrew and Elene Ormond's daughter who is going to serve in the Philippines. It was so cool to meet her. Yesterday I also saw my mate Keri - who bytheway, gets the gold medal for spending two hours trying to find me - especially in the hot Utah sun after a long drive from Idaho. So sorry Keri that you had to wait so long but it was great to see you. The reason Keri couldn't find me is because I had to speak in a Sacrament meeting in one of the two homeless Branches in Salt Lake. It was such an amazing experience and I would love to go back there every week. They were so sweet and we stayed and helped out with Primary and the children were adorable and we sang a song that we had learnt and they are learning too. It was so cute. At 3:00 p.m. the Branch had a little brunch for anyone who visits or attends and for some of the people that is probably the only meal they will get that day. It was definitely a humbling and great experience. They fed us too and gave us a little, "Thank you" bag of goodies.
I loved hearing about your FHE and the things you have been focusing on. Hina, I'm glad you read and taught the lesson about, "Walking in Circles" from the June Ensign, because I absolutely loved that talk and I believe everyone needs to read it. It's wonderful to hear how your family has been strengthened as you follow the counsel of the Prophet and continue to witness the blessings in your home as you apply the Prophet's teachings.
One of the highlights of this past week would have to do with one of my long time investigators. I can't remember what name I used for him in previous emails, but he is a contractor and works six weeks overseas at a time so when he is home we can call and teach him. Otherwise, we email him a daily scripture to stay in touch. Well, due to weeks without too much contact, we emailed and asked this question, "Do you believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God?" He emailed back and said, "In short, the answer to your question, "Do I believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God?" "Absolutely!" He then proceeded to share other things in the email that he believed in, including the belief in modern day prophets and how much he likes the Book of Mormon because of how straight forward it is. He was the investigator that I said was having a hard time interpreting the way the Book of Mormon speaks so we posted the Children's Storybook version of the Book of Mormon and New Testament to him. He takes them with him everywhere and said they have helped him understand the scriptures a lot more. He's coming to Utah to visit his friends in August but I will be going outbound July 24th so I won't get to see him. I won't be back on the Square until October 16th which means I will definitely miss General Conference too. So, thank goodness most of my friends and my parents visited me during the two General Conference sessions that I was serving on the Square. I know the Lord will take care of our investigator. Well I love you family and am sad to see so many of my missionary friends return home this transfer - including my mission mum Sister Calderwood - but thank goodness for Temples because we know we will see each other again.
Have a great, happy, blessed week.
P.s. We went to the Cheesecake factory with Sister Pipe as it was her first time ever and it was amazing. I usually order fish and chips from there because so far its the only place I know that sells fish and chips but as we were waiting, a sweet couple asked if they could buy us dessert because we had already paid for our meal and I learnt that the husband had a sister who was serving in Guam. Turns out his sister was in the MTC with me in my District. Small world! But definitely the blessings continue to flow from paying my fast offering.
First picture is to show how beautiful we all look at 6:00 a.m. in the morning - this is our early morning basketball crew and we play 3-4 days a week. Sadly, half of these Sisters will be going home this transfer. The gentleman in the picture with us is Bob and he is on the Square almost everyday and he is our friend. He helps greet the people and makes us feel safe and we laugh a lot because he's quite funny. Love Bob, and he buys us cheesecake sometimes too.
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