Week 52

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

I am writing from the McDonald’s near our house because it's the only place with wifi that is open right now. We had a fantastic week this week! So, we went to girl’s camp. I ended up driving this big white van (those 12-seater creeper vans) and I was super freaked out but it ended up being totally fine. Well…sort of. We just followed the bus that had the girls in it and they ended up taking a rout that was twice as long as the one we were supposed to take. So the Elders that were waiting to take the van for us had to wait two hours at a Taco Bell. Oops. And then I got an email today saying my TIWI report came back yellow from aggressive driving (TIWI is the device installed in missionary cars to monitor our driving). Ha ha - my bad. But it's all good because sister Jackson is the designated driver anyway. So I guess that proves that I am really not a good driver. But to be fair, that huge van going over bumps is pretty easy to set TIWI off.

So we drove up to camp on Tuesday, and it was just a blast. We taught a class on nature and personal revelation which went well. I learned that I am horrible at making friendship bracelets. Literally the leader of crafts (who is like the best ever - I practically adopted them as my mission family and I am trying to get their daughter to marry Cooper) said that I should just stay on my mission because that's where my skill set is. On Wednesday we split up and went on hikes with the girls. Sister Teniza and I went on the third year hike, which is the hardest hike. We went on a hike called "switch back trail" so it was basically as good as it sounds. It took six hours to get up and down and my feet hurt SO bad afterward. But it was so pretty so it was worth it. There was this sweet young woman who was kind of struggling so we were sticking back with her and when we got to the top she looks at me and says, "Hey I figured out why my backpack was hurting me...I forgot to unpack my scriptures!" Hahaha so that was hilarious. But she made it and I was so proud of her!

My goal for girl’s camp was just to make sure all the girls had a friend and were having a good time. We had a few girls who were struggling at the beginning of the week, but we kind of played matchmaker and by the end of the week they were having a good time. It was so cute! And all of the girls went to church that Sunday so we were just so happy about that. The food was great. They even had fresh baked cookies made every day at 2pm, so that was sweet. It was a lot like our girl’s camp but a lot smaller. We had the same cabins as our camp in Oregon. We were in the staff cabin. It was kind of weird to be an adult.

Then I got picked up on the way home by the same big van and drove down to meet the new mission president. He is perfect for the mission. He is chill but wants us to work hard. He is so nice and his wife is just the sweetest. I am still going to miss the Sweeney's but the Robinsons are perfect for the mission right now. They came to the Elder’s baptism in the branch, so we got to meet him and he really is just so supportive. We have our official “meet the mission president” tour tomorrow. Plus we are doing a big contacting event tonight that he might go to. Basically I am not nervous about him at all. I just have such a testimony that the people that are put in our lives are there for a reason. I have yet to have a reason to think otherwise.

After camp, we had exchanges with the YSA sisters. I was with this really sweet sister, Sister Fukushima. She is from Japan and holy moly we had so many miracles! The biggest one was that we found a new investigator for them. We were studying and I looked at her Japanese Book of Mormon and I remembered a girl from my last area (who I haven't seen in over seven months) who lives right down the road who LOVES all things Japanese. She just graduated high school so she is now YSA age so we decided to stop by and meet her. We knocked on the door and she answered with her friend who is also really into Japan. So they let us in and we had a great little get to know you. She loved Sister Fukushima and all her japan-ness and she felt comfortable because we knew each other pretty well. Sister Fukushima invited her to church and to the YSA activities and she said she would love to go. I was pumped. It is just crazy that the spirit can put memories and names in your head right when you need them. We found quite a few new people for them to teach. I have such a testimony of just opening our mouths and inviting people to learn more. I think that’s a skill that I’ve learned I have on my mission. It doesn't bother me to just talk to any stranger about the gospel.

Actually, we had a cool experience like 20 minutes ago. We were standing in line for an ice cream at McDonald's (don't judge me its 111 degrees outside) and I started talking to the lady next to me. Turns out she used to meet with missionaries and wanted them to come by again. So we got to exchange information. Way cool!

Our area has been struggling in the investigator department. We just don't have enough people to share the great message that we have with. This week for fast Sunday I simply fasted for a miracle. THREE NON MEMBER PEOPLE came to church and came up and asked us if we could start teaching them. Like that just does not happen. I gained a testimony of fasting - that's for sure.

So I am basically just on a high from all the miracles we have seen this week. I love my mission. It is so weird to hear of people coming home so soon because it just brings up such mixed emotions. I love my family, but I have a new family here in Arizona too that I love to death. Our recent convert received the priesthood this week and that was a special moment to get to witness. He is dong great and is just so happy. I love when the gospel makes people's lives happier! Blessings.

Ok I feel like this email was just a little spazzy but I am just so happy. I really love my life and all the people in it. I love being so dedicated to one thing and being able to put all my energy into it. And man I am beat tired, but it is so worth it. I can literally fall asleep in the middle of a conversation but you just keep moving your feet and go forward and it works out ok.

Thanks for the emails and the pictures and the love! Sending it right back to you.

Have a great week!

Sister Doxey