The Life of a Missionary (from August 25)

Being a missionary is something else. It's the most spiritual, uncomfortable, amazing, strange and wonderful experience you ever have. 

But sometimes, you get yourself wrapped up into situations that you would NOT have gotten yourself into ANYWHERE else.

 Within twenty four hours, we taught lessons to....

1. An interesting woman in the hospital who had an infection which made me paranoid to touch ANYthing.

2. A person with a LOT of stuff in their house.

3. Someone whose house had some bugs (my legs are now pretty coated in bug bites.)

4. An intoxicated person. (But, we talked with this one about a baptismal date. Wooh!)

5. A woman who hadn’t yet dressed for the day. 

6. A home which was possessed by an evil spirit. You think I'm lying or exaggerating. But I'm not. THAT WAS NOT A GOOD FEELING INSIDE. IN FACT, IT WAS A VERY, VERY BAD FEELING. 

Thank goodness for the Holy Ghost to lead and direct us....

And it was at the end of that day, that I declared that I really, really do enjoy Elmira. 

Sister H and I are the weirdest sister missionaries you will meet. We make one strange companionship, and have way too much weird fun together, mostly because we have the exact same sense of humor and enjoy the EXACT same movies/TV shows. 

It's quite hilarious, cause she can still remember episodes of those shows and/or movie quotes. So often times this is how our conversations go:

Sister H: "[insert movie quote here.]"  

Me: "Ha....ha....." 

Sister H: "Guess what movie that's from!" 

Me: "I have no idea." 

Sister H: "It's from [insert movie that I've seen multiple times here.]"

Me: "Ha.......ha....." 

Sister H: "You don't remember that at all, do you?" 

Me: "Nope."

We had zone training meeting this week! During said meeting, we had interviews with President Wirthlin. In the middle of our interview, he pulled up his iPad, and began to scroll through his transfer board. 

I leaned over and peered at his screen. 

"How do you feel about possibly training a new missionary your last couple of weeks?" he asked.

"Uh...uh.....uh......sure! I mean....if you think I'd be good at it." I managed to say through my slight shock.

"I think you'd be GREAT at it!" 

"Well....yeah....sure!" I said. 

We'll see what happens.

Then I asked if he wanted to see my finger. 

He said it looked ugly. 

 Later, Sister H came out from her interview. 

"President hinted that I'm leaving." she grumbled. 

"Yeah....he asked how I'd feel training." I said. 

Later, I went and talked to Elder T, who served in Saratoga with me, and told him the whole encounter with President. 

"The first week of training sucks, just so you know," said Elder T, "But then it gets a lot better and you'll love it!" 

"Well.....that's good. Hey! Wanna see my finger!" 

"That's hideous." he said, looking at it. 

"I know, right?"

"I still feel bad for laughing when it first happened and before I knew how serious it was." 

"No worries. I would've done the same if I hadn't been bleeding everywhere." 

I'm enjoying Elmira! We have truly seen miracles, and the ward is wonderful :)

Unfortunately, I be out of time. 

I love you all!

See you on facebook. 

Hurrah for Israel!

Sister Stimpson!

"Yup.  We be twins."

elmiiiira

Things have been going well this week! Still adjusting to Elmira and trying to get to know people, but we truly saw so, so many miracles this week!

So, we set goals as missionaries to reach, right? And there are mission-wide goals as to how many lessons to teach, and so on. 

And for the first time in my mission, my companion and I REACHED THEM!

Booya :)

I was pretty psyched. 

The Lord was just kind of sprinkling miracles everywhere. When I first came to Elmira, we had zero investigators with a baptismal date, and now we have four! We also found four new people to teach this week!

One day at the beginning of last week, I was just feeling kind of blah. I was missing my Saratoga friends, and it was hard being so close to Owego and not being able to go say hi to my Owego friends. Sister H suggested that we go visit a mom and her son who had requested a Book of Mormon a few months ago. 

We did, and they let us right in for a lesson. After having an AMAZING first discussion with them, they both accepted the invitation to be baptized! We were able to set them with a date for September 27th. 

.....but literally the next day the mom was put in the hospital for some illness. 

Dang it. 

But we're still teaching them, so that's good!

Another one was a daughter of a less active member. The mom has been starting to come back to church, and out of nowhere, the daughter came, too. We were able to also teach her the first discussion, and when we asked her to be baptized?
"Well yeah, I think I'm ready!" 

Best day ever :)

Another is with a young girl. 

I'll be straight up honest with you, though. Our lessons with her are so scattered. Last time we tried to teach her about the Book of Mormon while she and her friend French braided our hair. Another time, we kept trying to teach her about Joseph Smith.  

.....well we DID manage to teach her in between her shoutings of: 

"WANNA SEE ME DO A COOL BIKE TRICK?" 

"HEY, LOOK AT THIS SCRAPE I HAVE ON MY KNEE!" 

"DO YOU HAVE A PRESENT FOR ME?" 

"WANNA SEE MY DOG?"

....needless to say, it's been interesting. 

We're also teaching a woman who's not quite getting it all. We taught her about Joseph Smith, and asked her if she'd be willing to pray to know if he was a prophet. 

"Dear God, is Jon Smith a Prophet? Please bless him to be a better man. Amen. Wait, is he alive?" 

"Um....no, but we still have a prophet on earth today named President Thomas S. Monson--." 

"OH HE'S DEAD! Dear God, is Jon Smith a Prophet? Bless him to be a better man. No wait. He's dead. SCRATCH THAT! Amen." 

"...........Amen."

Things are good. We have a dinner appointment every night in this ward. 

Guys, I'm gonna get so fat. 

One day our ward mission leader fed us and said, "Sister Stimpson, how long have you been out?" 

".....12 weeks." 

"Ah! Take a second piece of bread! You have enough time to gain weight!" he said. 

"She's been out 14 months!" said Sister H. 

"PUT THAT BREAD DOWN! YOU'LL GET FAT AND YOUR FAMILY WON’T BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE YOU!" 

I ate it anyway, guys. 

I ate the bread anyway. 

Anyway, so much happened this week! But unfortunately I have to get going :) Life is good. Missionary work is THE BEST!

Love you all!

Hurrah for Israel!

Sista' Stimpson     

hello (from August 11)

Hello friends. Romans. Countrymen.

Man, what is that from? OH! SHAKESPEARE!

Glad I remembered that. That was bugging me.

The week has been very bittersweet. It is so weird for me to think that just a week ago, I was in Saratoga Springs with Sister L at the racetrack with a couple of members, and the next day I was saying goodbye to our young adult investigators, then went home and sat in a pile of clothes and cried because I didn't want to leave.

It was weird driving to Utica. I was just kind of in a daze the whole time, and same with the drive from Utica to Elmira. I was just kind of.......in disbelief I guess. I was crammed into a van with a bunch of luggage and four other missionaries, and I didn't say much the whole time.

Elmira is like a much, MUCH bigger version of Owego. More civilization and a lot less nothingness than Owego, but much MORE nothingness than Saratoga Springs.
It's a good area, and already I've felt the love from the members in the ward.

But let me tell you. The adjustment, especially when I first got here, has been hard.

The van pulled into the church building in Elmira, and all of us piled out. One of the sister training leaders, who spent the day in Elmira with my companion, pulled me aside and said, "This area needs you. Like, really really needs you."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because there hasn't been a sister here who has been out longer than 6 months in a really long time. Your companion was trained by someone who just got trained, by someone who just got trained, and the sisters out before that were pretty new, too. There's just a lot that needs to be done that isn't getting done, simply because they just don't know what to do."
"So what should I do?"
She shrugged and said, "Just....be yourself. Love her. Love the area."
I nodded and said, "All right. I can do that."
She helped me load the luggage into the car, then turned to me one more time and said, "Basically, you're here to train."
I was a little shocked, but nodded, and went to go meet my companion.

Sister H is SO, so sweet, and we actually have a lot of similar interests. She has been out 3 transfers, and is very bold. I guess you could say she has the "greenie fire," and she is NOT letting anyone hose it down.
Which, hey, I'm cool with.
We agreed that I'm sheepishly bold, and she's very bold.
It works out. We get the point across and we even each other out in the process.

So I opened the area book after a couple days.
"How......how is this organized?" I asked.
"I don't even know!" she said.
"Me neither. I'm just......we're going to tackle this another time, okay?"
"Yeah. Hey, what's your opinion on how the whiteboards are?" she asked me.
"Hate them."
"Oh good, me too. Can we reorganize it?"
"Yes, please."

So yes, that's been the majority of my week.

The ward is good, but it's slightly hilarious. Seeing as the past three sisters who have been here have been brand new, and then two before that have been brand new, the main question everyone asks me is, "So you're just brand new to the mission, then?"
"Oh no, I've been out a while."
"How long is that?"
"Just over a year."
"How much over a year?"
"14 months."
"Oh wow! So you're going to finish your mission here?"
"I guess so!"

Life's good.
But mostly I've just pit-puttered around Elmira, trying to get used to my surroundings, and trying not to miss Saratoga.

It'll take time, but I know I'll adjust.

Hurrah for Israel!

Sista' Stimpson

MLC, transfers and fingers (from Aug 4)

Now before I begin, I want it known that I had many wonderful spiritual experiences this week.

Our elderly investigator read the Book of Mormon and LOVED it. He told us he "learns more in this church than any other church!....but don't tell them that!"

Our young adult investigators are so, so wonderful. We had a really fun FHE with one of them at a member's home, and she seemed to really connect with the members.

The other one is getting excited for her baptism and is finally back in town!

One of our investigators just loves the gospel. And makes it known to everyone.

But, you see, then Friday, Saturday and Sunday happened.
They were insane.
And so this will probably dominate the majority of my letter.

We ventured up to Utica for Mission Leadership Council this week. There were two main themes President really hit hard on:
-Online Proselyting and
-Music

When it came to online proselyting, they began to train us on it (you'll hear more about this in the future....), and the Salt Lake City Missionary Department skyped in and observed us.
Now, whenever one of us commented, Sister Wirthlin would turn the camera RIGHT at us.

After that happening to me a good number of times, I turned to Sister L and said, "I feel very aware of my upper body."
I'd start picking my nails, remember who was watching and instantly stop.
I'd start practicing doodling with my left hand, and instantly stop.
I'd start playing with my hair or scratching my ear, and instantly stop.

Afterwards, President began to talk about the importance of keeping the volume of our music low.
He began to demonstrate by playing a classical song.
All of us began to bob our heads.
Then he blasted it.
And about half the missionaries,myself included, began to conduct the music.
Some of us had a "baton." aka: a pen.
"NOW, CAN YOU FEEL THE SPIRIT WHEN THE MUSIC IS THIS LOUD?!" shouted President.
"NO!" we shouted back, and continued to conduct the music until he turned it off.

Mission Leadership council took place the day before transfer calls, and President found himself surrounded by missionaries, asking him what was happening. He'd give them a hint, but not the full thing.
So I run up to President and say, "Okay, am I leaving the zone?"
"Yup." he said, not looking up from his transfer board on his iPad.
"Am I going to a zone I've been to before?"
"Which zones have you been to?"
"Owego and Albany."
"Yup."
"SWEET. Am I training?"
"Nope. But you'll be with a newer missionary," he said, still not looking up from his transfer board, "And you'll be in a really good area. I think you'll like it."
"Okay....will I still be a sister training leader?"
"Nope."
"Presideeeent! I really liked it, though!"
"And you were good at it! But the Lord needs you somewhere else."
"Man. I'm bummed. I really liked this."
"Well, maybe you'll get the chance again."
"Buddy! I only got 3 transfers left! OH MY GOSH. I JUST CALLED YOU BUDDY. I AM SO SORRY. Can I call you buddy? That just slipped out. Can I call you buddy? Is that okay?"
"Sure, you can call me buddy."
"Phew, thanks President."

The next day, I began to narrow down which areas I was going to, and there were only two possibilities:
Owego, or Elmira, the ward next door.

"Sister L.... I'm going to Elmira. I know it. I'm going to Elmira."
"What do you know about?"
"Nothing, really. I know it's a pretty nice area. It's a big ward. And the zone leaders are there!"
"Things could've changed between today and yesterday, though." she said.
"I know, but I think I'm going to Elmira."

Transfer calls came.
"Sister L, you will continue as Sister Training Leader and be joined by Sister L."
"YES!" we both cheered. She is an AMAZING missionary, and she came out with us! If anyone's replacing me, I'm glad it's her :)
"Sister Stimpson, you will join Sister H in Elmira."
"I KNEW IT!" I cheered.
"How do you feel?"
"Bummed to be leaving."
"It was bound to happen. You were having too much fun."

Don't worry, guys.
I still haven't fully comprehended it.
And I've already cried twice about leaving.

I'm excited to go, though. It's right next door to Owego, and it is a good area from what I hear.
I don't really know anything about Sister H, except that she just got done being trained, and that I will be her second companion.
I know it'll be good.
But I still am going to miss Saratoga and Sister L.

Sunday morning came. My last Sunday in Saratoga. I double checked to make sure my camera was packed in my bag so that I could take pictures with members. As I left the apartment, I really felt like I should receive a priesthood blessing.
"Not again," I thought, "I ask for too many. I'll be fine, this time, I guess."

At ward council, we told them that I was leaving to Elmira, and Elder T was going to Ithaca.
"So, Sister Stimpson you were here 7 months, and Elder T, you were here for 7 days?"
"Something like that, yeah." Said Elder T.

We left ward council about a half an hour before sacrament meeting. I began to dig through my purse to get my camera, when I found a disgusting, old sandwich bag full of jelly.
"Ugh."
I stood up and went into the bathroom, (the heavy door slamming behind me and making me jump, it was so loud!) and threw it away. On my way out, I put my hands against the door to keep it from shutting too loudly.
And then....my pointer finger managed to get lodged on the side of the door right where the hinges were.
INSTANT. INTENSE. INTENSE. PAIN.
"HOLY CRAP!" I screamed.
The elders and Sister L looked up. By this time I'm clutching my finger and hobbling over to them.
"What happened?" asked Sister L.
"My finger.....it hurts....holy crap...."
I look down to see blood pouring out of my hand.
And I instantly began to feel dizzy.
"SISTER L! SISTER L! SISTER L! I'M GOING TO PASS OUT."
"It can't be that bad, let me see--- Oh....my.....gosh. Okay, um, um, um, um-"
"SISTER L I'M GOING TO THROW. UP."
"Okay! Um...hurry, let's go to the bathroom."
I run to the bathroom, and by now my stomach is CHURNING! I stand by the sink and close my eyes as Sister Lloyd began to wash off my hands.
"Don't look at your hand. Do NOT look at your hand. Ew....oh my gosh...."
My vision is really bad, and I feel like my whole stomach is about to come up. I knelt down on the ground, keeping my hands in the sink.
"I'm going to throw up." I said.
"Okay, um, um, um.....okay hold on. I'll put a bandaid on. Can you sit up anymore?"
By now I'm laying completely flat on the ground, the pain being SO intense, and mumbling incoherently, "I'mgoingtopassouti'mgoingtopassouti'mgoingtopassout."
Sister L slapped a bandaid on my finger (by now I'm just completely sprawled on the bathroom floor) and said, "Okay, um, stay here. I'm going to go get help."
She ran outside. The Elders were in the foyer, laughing and joking when Sister L RUNS to them and said, "Is there a woman in the building yet?!"
She said their faces went from laughing, to sincere concern and they went to protective-big-brother mode.
"Um....I think there's a lady in the chapel!" said Elder T.
"Okay! GO TELL SISTER STIMPSON I'M GETTING HELP!"

Meanwhile, I'm just laying on the bathroom floor thinking, "Man....this is ridiculous......this is a new low moment in my life......I REALLY hope nobody comes in and has to use the bathroom...... they'd probably think I'm dead.....ugh and now I'm sweating. Why did I wash my hair today?........crap my finger's numb. That can't be good."

I hear a knock on the bathroom door.
"Um....Sister Stimpson?" said the Elders.
"Heeeeey."
"Are you alive?"
"Yuuuuup."
"Sister L and a lady are getting some ice and bandages. Can we come in?"
"Suuuuuure."
They walk in and go, "Ooh."
Apparently my face was beet red, the sweat was noticeable, and the rest of my body was SHEET white.
"Sorry," I said, "I don't normally hang out on bathroom floors."
"It's okay just....close your eyes." they said.
"Why?"
They grabbed a handful of paper towels and said, "There's just some.....um...... red kool-aid on the floor that we're going to wipe up."
"Ah, man. Sorry, guys."

Sister L and the lady from the ward burst through into the bathroom.
The first words out of the ward lady's mouth?
"Oh, Sister Stimpson, that is NOT sanitary!"
"Sister T," I grumbled, "I am going to pass out."
"Well, here. We'll help you up and at least move to the couch."
My thoughts about sitting on the couch?
"But....it's cold here......and the couch is even MORE in public!"
But I didn't say that.
They go to help, but before they do, I pop right up.
Hello, spinning, fuzzy black world.
Goodbye, all color in my face.
"I.....stood up.....too fast....." I whisper.
The Elders: "Uuuuum---."
Sister L's hands pop up and said, "DEEP BREATHS!"
Somehow I manage to flop down on the couch in the front foyer. Sister L wrapped some bandaids around my finger and held the ice on it.
Now, this whole time, I'm refusing to look at my injury. But everyone ELSE is mesmerized and want to see it.
At one point, the ward mission leader, the second councilor, the elders quorum president and our investigator were all surrounding my hand and Sister L took off my bandaid.
"OOH." they all said in unison.
Later, I had to leave sacrament meeting early to change my bandaids and get more ice. About 5 women in relief society surrounded my finger, asking to see it. Sister L took off the bandaids again.
Their reactions?
"Oooh!"
"Oh, ow."
"That's disgusting, man."
"Um...get your stuff. I'm going to take you to the Urgent care."
After getting a blessing, we called Sister Wirthlin to see which urgent care we should go to.
Seeing as I hadn't looked at the injury, Sister L began to describe it to her.
"Well, she ripped the skin off above the nail--"
"My skin....ripped....OFF?!"
"And the whole finger is purple---"
"MY FINGER IS PURPLE?"
"And she's probably going to lose the nail soon."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY NAIL'S GOING TO FALL OFF?!"
We ended up just going to the ER.
First, they thought I broke it. After looking at it more, they thought I had fractured it, but weren't sure.
After doing some x-rays, they determined that my finger was NOT broken.
They cleaned the disgusting, disgusting wound, wrapped it, and now....I have this HUGE bandage on my finger.

I stared at the cast-like bandage and said, "Well. At least I'm leaving Saratoga with a bang."

Our young adult investigators' reaction when they saw the bandage?
They grabbed a sharpy and signed it.
Why are they so great?

I'm giving you the totally watered down version.
Why?
BECAUSE IT HURTS TO TYPE.
But what did we learn from this experience?
-If you feel prompted to get a blessing, follow that prompting or you'll get your finger smashed in a door.
-Don't doodle with your left hand during mission leadership council, else you'll get your finger smashed in the door.
-The first aid kit in the church really needs to be updated.

Anyway, thankfully I was with amazing ward members and amazing missionaries when it happened. And now I can finally say I have a sweet mission injury!

Well, my friends. My finger hurts and my time is up.
Looks like I'm opening a new chapter in my life.

I love you all, so much!

Hurrah For Israel,
Sista' Stimpson