Greetings from Fairbanks.
So many changes, I don't know where to start... For one I'm now the companion that speaks more Spanish (my new companion Hna Barton has only three months in the mission) so that's throwing me for a loop. Usually I tried to not talk for a long time and switch off speaking with my companion which is the best way to teach. But now I'm teaching the whole lesson and asking my companion for commentary. And don't get me wrong, she's doing quite well. In just the week I've been here her prayers have improved a LOT. Sometimes I laugh in my head because I remember making the same kind of mistakes myself!
Being a Follow-Up Trainer (Greenie-Breaker) is tough because your new Comp has only had their Trainer, so there's always "But we did it THIS way." or "But my Trainer told me..." Hermana Barton's Trainer was an excellent Missionary, hard worker and new her Spanish. But there are some things that I hope to be changing to better relations with the Ward and stuff like that. It's just a lot of work that's been plopped into my lap! Taking it one day at a time really helps, and of course leaning on the Lord is the best option.
But I'm starting to see signs of DMS (Dying Missionary Syndrome). I'm tired ALL THE TIME. I fall asleep almost instantly once in bed and I don't usually wake during the night, but I don't feel rested when the morning comes. And I've never been one to fall asleep during my studies, but now my eyes are unfocusing and despite all my efforts I just can't keep reading. And it's hard to open my eyes again after praying! And there's no hope for my condition to improve until I end my Mission. It happens to most though, your body just starts giving out and your mind starts going. (I sound like I'm in my 70's or something).
This Transfer will actually only be five weeks long instead of the usual six because we're getting a change in Mission President. And our current one wants everyone to be in place before the new President takes over. So this Transfer is a week short, and my final one will be seven weeks long. A little bit of havoc on the planners but we'll be fine. I really hope they don't move me again, or I will have packed my life into suitcases FIVE TIMES in only six months! Oh wait, let's make it Six times in seven months because I'll be going to college soon after my return from my mission.
Streeeeeeeesss.
But it's all cool.
~ Hermana Smart
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
I have to pack AGAIN!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
I have come to rather detest packing. Stuffing all my life into limited space and then trying to reorganize in a new location and I ALWAYS lose things. (You would think college would have prepared me for this)
As you may have guessed, I'm on my way out of Gulf Bank and heading to another area. Yes, I was only in an area for a single Transfer again. I've had to pack everything three times in as many months!
Okay, done venting.
So I'm going to an area called Fair Banks, where I will be Greenie Breaking a Hermana Barton who has only three months in the Mission. Oh wow... I have to be the one that understands Spanish! But if I've learned anything on my Mission, it is that the Lord will provide for those doing his will. It's not going to be easy, but I will be okay. And the few times that I've met Hna Barton she seems really sweet and a hard worker. So this should go well. I'll miss this area of course, it's my Baby Area. And also the most populated by hispanics out of all the Hermana Areas. So many people prepared to hear the Gospel! (well that's everywhere)
I've gotten most of my packing done already, just waiting on the stuff that I'm going to use in the next couple of days. I've also done much better, I got 90% of my clothes into my one duffle bag and it's mostly my study materials that are being a bugger with space. I plan to give away a lot of clothes and other items right before I die so I'll have less to take home.
On that note: I HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT. Goodnight child! Where did my Mission go? Does it feel like 14+ months to you? Anyone?
I'll probably have a lot more to say next week reporting on my new area. I will most likely remain there until the end of my mission, I don't think they would move me somewhere else for only one Transfer. I might cry having to pack again THEN pack going home.
Hope y'all are doing well!
~ Hermana Smart
I have come to rather detest packing. Stuffing all my life into limited space and then trying to reorganize in a new location and I ALWAYS lose things. (You would think college would have prepared me for this)
As you may have guessed, I'm on my way out of Gulf Bank and heading to another area. Yes, I was only in an area for a single Transfer again. I've had to pack everything three times in as many months!
Okay, done venting.
So I'm going to an area called Fair Banks, where I will be Greenie Breaking a Hermana Barton who has only three months in the Mission. Oh wow... I have to be the one that understands Spanish! But if I've learned anything on my Mission, it is that the Lord will provide for those doing his will. It's not going to be easy, but I will be okay. And the few times that I've met Hna Barton she seems really sweet and a hard worker. So this should go well. I'll miss this area of course, it's my Baby Area. And also the most populated by hispanics out of all the Hermana Areas. So many people prepared to hear the Gospel! (well that's everywhere)
I've gotten most of my packing done already, just waiting on the stuff that I'm going to use in the next couple of days. I've also done much better, I got 90% of my clothes into my one duffle bag and it's mostly my study materials that are being a bugger with space. I plan to give away a lot of clothes and other items right before I die so I'll have less to take home.
On that note: I HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT. Goodnight child! Where did my Mission go? Does it feel like 14+ months to you? Anyone?
I'll probably have a lot more to say next week reporting on my new area. I will most likely remain there until the end of my mission, I don't think they would move me somewhere else for only one Transfer. I might cry having to pack again THEN pack going home.
Hope y'all are doing well!
~ Hermana Smart
And it was wonderful!!
And it was wonderful!!!
In case you were unaware, Missionaries only get to call home and talk to family twice a year (Christmas and Mother's Day) and only talk for an hour each time. It is a well-anticipated event and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This time was a slightly different flavor, lots of encouragement and laughs as usual. But also some planning for the (not so far) future. What we want to do once I'm home (WEIRD).
Next week, ALREADY, is going to be a new Transfer. (MORE WEIRD) I really have NO idea what's going to happen with me. I might stay here in Gulf Bank, I might be moved, I might be Training, I might Greenie-break, I might stay just the same. There's no way to guess with any kind of accuracy. We don't recieve revelation for that.
(fifteen minutes pass by as I am completely distracted by conversations ranging from uses for sourkraut, Josh Groban, and Happy Hour at Sonics)
I don't even know what I wanted to type anymore....
For now I'll just mention that my Quincenera is coming up! It's a Hispanic thing, kind of like American Sweet Sixteen. Except it's wedding-sized event that can cost $10,000. It boggles my mind but it happens all the time. Anyways, my Fifteen Month mark is coming up, which in this mission means I shoudl treat it as a mini (MICRO-mini) Quincenera for myself. I dunno what I'll do. Maybe go out to eat.
Aaaand that's all.
Type to you later
~ Hermana Smart
In case you were unaware, Missionaries only get to call home and talk to family twice a year (Christmas and Mother's Day) and only talk for an hour each time. It is a well-anticipated event and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This time was a slightly different flavor, lots of encouragement and laughs as usual. But also some planning for the (not so far) future. What we want to do once I'm home (WEIRD).
Next week, ALREADY, is going to be a new Transfer. (MORE WEIRD) I really have NO idea what's going to happen with me. I might stay here in Gulf Bank, I might be moved, I might be Training, I might Greenie-break, I might stay just the same. There's no way to guess with any kind of accuracy. We don't recieve revelation for that.
(fifteen minutes pass by as I am completely distracted by conversations ranging from uses for sourkraut, Josh Groban, and Happy Hour at Sonics)
I don't even know what I wanted to type anymore....
For now I'll just mention that my Quincenera is coming up! It's a Hispanic thing, kind of like American Sweet Sixteen. Except it's wedding-sized event that can cost $10,000. It boggles my mind but it happens all the time. Anyways, my Fifteen Month mark is coming up, which in this mission means I shoudl treat it as a mini (MICRO-mini) Quincenera for myself. I dunno what I'll do. Maybe go out to eat.
Aaaand that's all.
Type to you later
~ Hermana Smart
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A year in Texas!!
This Thursday I will complete an entire glorious year serving in Houston Texas. Man, as I start to repeat months on my Mission it's really trippy. But NOW I'll be repeating them working the same area as when I FIRST arrived! Well, for two weeks at least. We have a lot of crazy stuff going on with Hermanas leaving and four new ones coming in on the 18th of May so I really don't know if I'm staying in Gulfbank or if I've just been in another Limbo Transfer.
Anyways I was informed by my Mom that the address I gave her was incorrect. My bad! And that some people have had their letters returned. That would explain why I've been in a famine for letters. I thought people had forgotten about me because I was not freshly gone or about to come home. But it was just a mail-related oopsy! I hope to get my long-awaited letters here soon.
My Dad had his birthday yesterday, so he gets a Shout-out! I love you Dad! Thank you for being such a good example to me every day of my life! Also it's my Sister-in-Law's birthday today! Amy you are a good example to me and I look forward to speaking Spanish with you all the time! I hope your BDay in Hawaii is the best one yet!
Oh and to all the WONDERFUL people who remembered me on my Birthday, Thankyou cards are coming. I'm enlisting the help of an Elder in my ward to make them extra-special. I'm paying him in pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
I think that's all the news for now. Talk to you next week!
~ Hermana Smart
Anyways I was informed by my Mom that the address I gave her was incorrect. My bad! And that some people have had their letters returned. That would explain why I've been in a famine for letters. I thought people had forgotten about me because I was not freshly gone or about to come home. But it was just a mail-related oopsy! I hope to get my long-awaited letters here soon.
My Dad had his birthday yesterday, so he gets a Shout-out! I love you Dad! Thank you for being such a good example to me every day of my life! Also it's my Sister-in-Law's birthday today! Amy you are a good example to me and I look forward to speaking Spanish with you all the time! I hope your BDay in Hawaii is the best one yet!
Oh and to all the WONDERFUL people who remembered me on my Birthday, Thankyou cards are coming. I'm enlisting the help of an Elder in my ward to make them extra-special. I'm paying him in pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
I think that's all the news for now. Talk to you next week!
~ Hermana Smart
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