FSU Go Noles!

The fun has arrived! I'm in Florida! I have a lot to update since i missed Monday, so hold on for a long ride...The last week in the MTC was amazing! Tuesday night Elder Holland came and spoke to us. I think you might be able to find it online- try because it is amazing! He is such a powerful and bold speaker. I have lots of favorite things he said but here are a few. We are God's investigators. The purpose of Preach My Gospel is to convert the missionary and then the investigator. He said that as missionaries, we are probably the most prayed for people in the world, right up there with President Monson! It is so true! I can't even begin to count all the times I've prayed for the missionaries, plus the First Presidency prays for us in the Temple every Thursday morning. Elder Holland also said that we have an obligation to all those that are praying for us. We have an obligation to the little old ladies, the parents of teens, the little decons who think missionaries are super heros (he then acted it out by spreading his arms and acted like he was flying. then he said 'I see evil, I will go down' and he pretended to fly down. It was the best!) That we have an obligation as missionaries and then when we have returned home to continue to be an example. It was such a powerful talk! I loved it!One of the sisters in my district, Sister Miller, got really sick and through the course of helping her get better they found that her diabetes was out of control, so she has to stay at the MTC and get it under control before she can come out. At least she isn't going home, that is what they had first told her. So hopefully she'll be out by next year and serving with us in the best mission on earth! It was suprisingly hard to say bye to my district. I hadn't really realized how close we had all grown until it was over. We did as much as we could together the last few days. One of the funniest was that we all watched Legacy Sunday night after the devotional. One of the Elders closed his eyes everytime someone kissed. One of the Elders was saying he hopes he can be as bold as David Walker when he gets home. There was a sister behind us commenting on the stunning good looks of the actor that played Joseph Smith (I'd have to agree with her on that one) It was great to laugh and cry together. After we all went back to our beloved classroom, tearfully sang Army of Heleman, and exchanged handshakes. One of the Elders jokingly came in for a hug and I backed away terrified. Everyone had a good laugh at my horror-struck face. It was a long walk back to the room - especially since the Elders spread themselves out so that we saw another one every 5 feet all the way back. I think they enjoyed seeing us cry or something. I got up way to early after going to bed way to late and loaded up to go. The Elders all came down to say goodbye again. It was super sweet and a great unexpected surprise. They were all so cold and tired, but it was great to see them one last time! The flights were uneventful, the missionaries all ended up sitting together. (There were 4 from our district and 6 from another) When we got off the plane Pres & Sis Summerhays were there to meet us. It was so wonderful! We went back to the mission home and had dinner and some orientation. I got to meet with Pres Summerhays briefly. He is such a great man! I could feel his love for me and my Saviors love for me through him. He said words that were exactly what I needed to hear. Sister Wright and I got to sleep in an adorable little room with an amazing view. Florida is so beautiful. We got up the next morning and transfers began. Because I stayed in Tallahassee and my trainer, Sister Wilcox, was coming in from somewhere else, I spent the day with Sister Summerhays. Her daughter was in town, so we spent a few hours with them at the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science. It was really fun and I loved getting to spend time with kids - even if I couldn't hold them. About 6 I met Sister Wilcox and headed up to Florida State University! We ate dinner with some members and then went over the area book and unpacked. We are 'white washing' the area, but Sister Wilcox has been here before, so it is a little easier. There are three sets of missionaries in the ward - 2 sisters and 4 elders - and the ward is doing really well. We have a baptism this Saturday! I'm so excited to work here!We spent most of Wednesday walking around campus- I was so lost. We taught a lesson to Dan in the afternoon. He is a studio design major at FSU that the previous sisters had found tracting. It went really well and I loved actually teaching! We knew he was staying here for Thanksgiving, so we took him some leftovers Thursday night. Right after we knocked on his door I remembered he was a vegetarian! Oops! He said he appreiciated the guesture and he thanked us for the Book of Mormon and said he had started to read it. Best Thanksgiving ever! We did some tracting on Wednesday night and talked to 5-6 people. We had a return appointment for today, but she didn't answer the door - I think she was still asleep, so we'll try again later. We have another return appointment Monday and a few we'll check back on in a week or so. It was such a wonderful experience. I love sharing the gospel! Thanksgiving was great! We had district meeting in the morning, which was amazing. The Spirit was so strong and I learned so much. Elder Lewis talked about the 5 languages of love (one of my favorite things) and how the Spirit can let us know which language will touch the heart of an investigator. We also talked about working with the members and how it is a little different working on campus and with a singles ward. We had Thanksgiving dinner with the Ladles. Brother Ladle is in the Stake Presidency and two of the daughters are in the singles ward. (Tallahassee 5th ward) It was great to be in a family setting again. Friday we went to the mall to contact - we go where the people are :). It went really well. We talked to 4-5 people, gave some women a pass along card, located a former investigator, and on our way out a girl, Amanda, stopped us. She asked us about the singles ward and said she was inactive but thinking about coming back to church. We, well Sis. Wilcox, gave her the address, directions, and the time. I pray she'll be there tomorrow. After the mall we went and cleaned at the Ronald McDonald house. There was a father, Jim, and son, Tyler, there. Tyler had been in a car accident 6 months ago and they were getting ready to leave next week. Jim started talking to us as we were cleaning and we had a good half hour discussion with him. He talked about nearly all the doctrines in the 1st and 2nd lessons. I gave him a Book of Mormon and he was excited about it. He thanked us and told us that God puts people in your life at certian times and that we were those people for him then. I was so thankful to be apart of that. They go back to Arkansas next week, so I won't teach him or see him baptized, but I did get to see someone that the Lord has prepared and I got to play a small role. I love this work! Last night as I was telling the District Leader about Amanda, I said I'd pray that she'd come to church on Sunday. He told me 'way to use that greenie faith' and I responded that I hope to always use that 'greenie faith'. I don't ever want to think that someone won't come to church because the last 10 people didn't. I never want to knock on a door expecting it to be slammed in my face again because the last 20 were. I have faith that the Lord will touch the hearts of those that are ready and that I will knock on every door and extend invitations to church so that I will be sure to find the ones that are ready. I'm going to keep the 'greenie faith'! In district meeting we also talked about how prayer can affect the agency of others. Alma prayed for Alma the younger, and becuase of this an angel came and the heart of Alma the younger was softened and he repented. (See Mosiah 29ish) My prayers have the same capability when they are in accordance with the Lord's will. Today is the Florida State v. Florida game, so campus is crazy! It is energizing though. (at least until everyone is drunk) Our district leader strongly advised us to head in early and do our proseliting before. I'm excited to get to clean the apartment- I've already scrubed the stove top and it made me feel so much better :) The shower is next in my plan of attack. I love the Lord! I love His Gospel! I love His Work! I love all of you and would love to hear from you! My address is 105 Fifield Lane,Tallahassee, Flordia 32304