Week 14

Family and Friends! It's a new week already? I cannot believe that October is almost half way over. That is insane. 

This week we had exchanges, which is where the sister training leaders split up and me and my companion each go with one of them. They last for 24 hours. Last transfer I went to the sister training leaders’ area, but this transfer I stayed in my area and Sister Martinez went to their area. I was so nervous because I was going to have to take the lead, since I was the person who knew the area and who we were teaching and what we needed to be teaching them. And when plans and back ups to those plans and back ups to the back ups of those plans fall through, I was the companion who was going to need to know who was near by that we could go see. I was also really nervous for my Spanish because Sister Martinez is fluent and, honestly, I rely on her more than I should when I get nervous. But it went so well. Sister Pearson was my companion for the day and she was amazing. At the beginning of the exchange we tell the sister training leader what we want to be helped with. I told her I wanted to be more bold and learn how to give better commitments. I realized something that I probably should have realized three months ago: When I set a goal of what I want to improve on that day, and have someone holding me accountable for it, I just do better at those things. I was so bold in all of my lessons and left the commitment at every lesson. I was so proud of myself for setting a goal and being determined to work on it. I even invited a woman to be baptized on her front porch, and she said yes! It will be a long road for her to get a date for baptism, but I am so excited for her. So set goals, and tell people what they are! 

P-day hike - disregard my sweaty red face

Finally got a picture with a cactus!

We did a lot of contacting on exchanges, which always makes me nervous, but it was cool to get better at talking to people. I like getting better at things that I am bad at. Not the process of doing it, but seeing improvement in myself is really rewarding, and seeing other people want the gospel is even more rewarding. 

Central Phoenix is a really interesting place. It is so different than Portland but I really love it here. The weather is finally starting to cool down, but it spiked back up yesterday and I thought I was going to die a little bit. We had our first "full" day on bikes. We had a three-hour meeting and then studies, so it wasn't actually a full day, but we didn't drive our car at all so I’m counting it. It was so fun. We biked so far that my legs started to burn a little on the final stretch home, but we were laughing the entire time so it was a success. There was one man that was eating ice cream with his coworker outside of this car shop place who yelled, "You look really pretty riding bikes" as we rode away. It made us laugh even harder because we looked so ridiculous with our helmets and trying to adjust our skirts as we rode. It is a lot easier to talk to people when you are on bikes because you can easily stop and talk to people. We got a return appointment with a family because of it. It strengthened my testimony that God really does bless you when you do hard things. I love being a missionary. Even in the hard, sweaty, uncomfortable moments. 

The beginning of a bike day

End of the bike day

This week we have really focused on finding more people to teach, so we did a lot of contacting. Our investigators are still progressing and learning more about the church. It is so cool to see these people slowly gain testimonies of Jesus Christ and of the restored church. It makes me the happiest when they can see the change within themselves. 

Today for P-day we hiked Camelback and after we got our Eisenstein Bagels paid for by a man in line. It was the BEST. I love you all and thank you for your prayers!

Have a wonderful week,

Hermana Doxey