Missionary Newsletter #58 (Jan 26)

Here's a pic with Stephanie, a recent convert, we said bye to before Sister Brunner left Madison. :)

New Transfer with Sister Zackrison! Even though it was a bit of a trial, we got Sister Zackrison here. Somehow, luggage expands on the mission and no one can explain it. It can be rough. Especially for sisters. Let's just say, every transfer I am reminded how out of shape I am. haha. I love working with her though! She is so great! She and I are so a like! Both very girly, go to BYU, Belle was our favorite Disney Princess as a little girl, clean, etc. It's going to be a good transfer. In fact, right now we are renovating the apartment to make it more livable! I've been trying to clean it little by little last transfer, but with little avail. However, now with a partner in grime, we are making a difference in [our] world! Also, teaching with her is a breeze. We compliment each other so well and are already very unified. Because of this, it has been amazing feeling the spirit in our lessons. We really work together and focus on the spirit. It's making a huge difference in our teaching and it's incredible to feel!

Ok. Now Investigator and Area Update!
So things are Hoppin' Down Here in Madison! We are teaching so much and having so much crazy going on right now! It's wonderful! It's the best kind of stress EVER! It's a stress of racing from one appointment to the next. I'm losing sleep and gaining new little colonies all over my face, but I couldn't be happier! This week we had 5 different investigators at church this week. It was a little bit to juggle, but members took them under their wing! Let me tell you what I mean...

Nene came in a little bit before church started and we sat her in by us. We are also teaching a younger girl, Julia, who's father is recently trying to come back into activity again. They came in and sat down together. The meeting started and had yet to see the few others we were expecting. After a few minutes, we see Marcia try to slip in and before she could come up to sit next to us, a sweet member of ours, who came to a lesson with Marcia, snagged her and had her sit by them. :) Marcia then waved at me across the chapel. It was the sweetest thing! After sacrament, we scanned the congregation looking to see if the others had come in. Sure enough, we saw Erica in the back of the chapel surrounded by a couple different members. A Young Women came over to us and stole Nene to go to class and Julia went to primary in the merry way. We then saw Christina in the back with her toddler and baby. Turns out that that the family that she sat by are her neighbors! They only live one house apart! They helped hold the boys and took her the nursery for her boy and then to the gospel principles class. With all our members lending a helping hand, we were able to pull Marcia aside with the first councilor in our ward and give her a blessing to help her with the Word of Wisdom. It was such a spiritual experience and she cried at the love and support she could feel from God. Leaving the blessing, she didn't need to take a smoking break, which she would normally have to do. It was incredible to see how the Lord helped us as we did all we could to bring His children closer to Him. :)

I love y'all and love the mission. We are so blessed right now. I can feeling the blessings of all y'alls' support and prayers. Thank you for that!

I love you! Take care!!
Sister Salmond