Week 13

Friends and Family!

It feels like so much has happened in the short amount of time since I have written home. I think most of that comes from having General Conference this last weekend. I LOVE General Conference! It was a much different experience watching it on a mission rather than at home, not better or worse, just different. We watched the Saturday session at the Stake Center with all the missionaries and a few stake members. None of our investigators could go to the Saturday sessions, which was sad because all the talks were so amazing. On Sunday, we watched the morning session with one of our investigators in the Spanish room at the stake center. I had English headphones, which I was grateful for, but I do want to go back and watch some in Spanish. Our investigator really loved it - she is progressing so well. She has two adorable kids that really love going to church.

The Sunday afternoon session we got to watch at another one of our investigators houses who is from a part member family. It was nice to be in a home and talk to him about what he learned. I think what I learned from conference is that I really just need to stop thinking about the gospel in complicated terms. I just need to focus on the core of my testimony, and share that with others. I left my notebook that I took all my notes in at home, so I can't share everything that I loved (plus it would take forever to type out) but I am going to take the challenge to ponder and memorize a scripture a week. I think it will really help me to have the spirit with me and to focus on what really matters. Do it with me and tell me what you are learning!

So we rode our bikes this week. IT WAS SO FUN. We only got to ride it once this week because of scheduling conflicts and what not, but oh my golly it was a blast. We only rode about a twenty-minute bike ride but we were just laughing the entire time. Every time I would stop laughing I would just think about how I looked riding the bike and I would start laughing again. Turns out riding a bike in a skirt is a struggle, and helmets are supper awkward looking. Who knew? I was a little wobbly. I think this is the first time I have ridden a bike in years and years, so that made me look even more ridiculous. We are looking forward to more biking adventures this week. It really was super fun, and the weather is cooling down a little so that helps. 

This week Sister Martinez and I got invited to Missionary Leadership Council (where all of the zone leaders, district leaders, sister training leaders, the assistants to the president, and the president and his wife get together and talk about how we can strengthen our areas). It was so cool to be invited and get to see all of these amazing missionaries and hear their ideas. I learned so much about what I can be doing to improve my area and be a better missionary. The meeting was about five hours long and we had a lesson just an hour after it ended. We had to rush to pack up and drive back to Phoenix to get to the lesson on time. Because we were carpooling, we got dropped off at the investigators house. At the end of the lesson NO ONE was available to pick us up. We totally understood why - people have lives of their own. So we had to walk home to get our car so that we could get to our dinner appointment on time. It was a forty-five minute speed walk. We were just laughing so hard the whole walk. It was super hot but we made it without dying. It was worth it though, because our lesson went so well. Our investigator really opened up about how she is feeling about the gospel, plus we rarely get to see her because she works three jobs. So it was a miracle to get to teach her and a miracle that the lesson went as well as it did.

Starting our 45 minute speed walk

Ending our 45 minute speed walk

We didn't get to have English class this week which made me sad. I love teaching our little English class. It really helps me learn Spanish too, because I have to explain what the vocabulary words are in Spanish. We are hoping to get three investigators to next week’s class. In other news, I am continuing to eat double the portion sizes I should be eating at every dinner I go to…I feel like all of my weight is being gained in my double chin. Hopefully the extra exercise on the bike can help me out with that. 

Sorry I don't have more to write about - most of this weekend has been filled with conference and meetings. My Spanish is progressing slowly but it's coming along. I pray for all of you and hope you are all happy! 

Have the best week ever,

Hermana Doxey