Note from Taylor's sister: Sadly, it doesn't look like we got any pictures this week! I guess she owes us double next week :)
Hello all!
I wrote just four days ago, so not a ton has happened but we did
have two big events. The first is that our investigator was baptized! It was so
cool to be able to help her with the last few weeks before she got baptized. I
am looking forward to seeing her testimony continue to grow as we teach her
these next few months. She is so sweet and has set a great example for her
kids. The spirit was so strong as her dad baptized her.
This weekend we also got to participate in the "Keep Phoenix
Beautiful" day through the Just Serve program. It was a zone service
project so about twenty-five missionaries from our area went out to the canals
and cleaned up the area. I was assigned to the group of people who loaded
cinder blocks into wheelbarrows to be moved to the dumpster. It was a lot of
work, but it was also really fun. It was cool to be able to meet people from
the city. I met a young, blond women from the city council and I couldn't help
but think of Parks and Rec. The project was a success and the old concrete wall
that was falling down was almost completely removed. So many volunteers helped
all over the city to clean, raise money for good causes, and do service in any
way that they could. If you have a chance to look at the Just Serve website, it
has great opportunities to serve wherever you’re living!
It’s been kind of strange to adjust to a new companion, but I love
sister Teniza. She is so sweet and cute; the members from the branch already
love her. We have been working on having her learn the area and meet as many
people as she can. Because she doesn't know the people as well, I’ve had to
step up a little bit in lessons. My Spanish has already grown a lot this week
just from speaking more in lessons. I have a little bit more confidence in my
ability to speak to people. Understanding is still a problem if people start
speaking quickly or use a lot of vocabulary I don't know. I normally just smile
and nod and then look at my companion. The awkward part is when smiling and
nodding is the exact opposite reaction that is appropriate, but I am learning
and will continue to learn. I know that the only way I have been able to learn
what I have learned is through God. I have been so blessed to be able to be on
my mission and learn all the things that I have learned so far. I know that I
will continue to learn and grow the longer I am here and I wouldn't change this
experience for anything in the world.
We have three little families that are progressing a lot right now,
an investigator, a less active, and a part member family. I love teaching the
people here. When they recognize a need for change in their lives and they are
willing to make the change to be happier and have a happier family, it is the
most rewarding thing in the world to see. I hope I get to stay here to continue
to teach these people for at least one more transfer after the one that just
started. That would mean that I would have spent six months in central phoenix,
which is pretty normal for Spanish speaking sisters in our mission.
I love it here and am learning so much. I hope all of you had a
great week and will have an even better one this week. I love you all!
Thank you for all of your support,
Sister Doxey
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