Belfair
is such an interesting place. We continue to knock on doors every night
from 5-7. And most people really don't care about us. Actually that's
not true, they worry about us walking around in the dark but they don't
care enough to invite us inside. There is ONE neighborhood in the area
it's a golf course neighborhood so a lot of people live in it, but the
people there have a petition to get rid of missionaries. It's funny
though because almost every single house has a welcome sign or a welcome
mat or both. They all are really cute inviting houses, but then we get
to the door and they say to go away. Some houses might even call the
cops on us. Wouldn't that be fun? I'm hoping it happens once so I can
tell you guys that I got arrested. :) The cops wouldn't actually do
anything to us, they'd probably just take us back home to satisfy the
grumpy old people.
The
other night we were knocking on doors and I had to to to the bathroom
quite bad. And we got to a house and my companion was like "Do you have
another woman in the house? Because my companion needs to use the
restroom." and then he was like, "my wife is here, but uhhh, no you
can't use our restroom." ......awkward. WHO DOES THAT?
Sometimes
though, we get to a door and an old person answers and will tell us
their life story. I love when that happens. One lady was 85 and she told
us everything that her mother taught her and told us about her multiple
husbands and how one almost killed her but because she listened to her
mom's advice she is still alive and her kids are still alive and that
the most important thing in life is to remember the things your mom
teaches you, no matter what religion you are. She talked for about 30
minutes. She was really sweet.
Another man talked to us for
an hour about how he doesn't believe in God and religion because people
like the Muslims and the ISIS are so corrupt. He also brutally described
the things going on over there and told us that girls our age were
getting guns and shooting people. He doesn't think there is a single
good Muslim and wants to kill all of them.... It was very uplifting.
Just kidding. But he might let us come back and chop firewood for him,
and he took the Book of Mormon and said he would read it because we told
him it was a history book.... That's not totally dishonest right? :)
Last
night another man talked to us about how religion is corrupt and that
they all have bits of truth and that he things God is in the trees and
inside of us and in the air and nature. We gave him a Book of Mormon
also because he was saying that Mormons are one of those corrupt
churches but he's never actually read the Book of Mormon. He does
research, but how can you be fully informed if you haven't gone straight
to the source? He also gave us 20 dollars to buy lunch, which was
really nice. He wouldn't let us chop his firewood though. Sister Harris
asks everyone if she can chop their firewood, she loves chopping wood.
One
of our new investigators, Andi, grew up a Reorganized Latter Day Saint.
Her story was kind of sad. Her family was RLDS they went to church and
if you quit the church you are disowned. Lately she's had doubts because
they are changing their doctrine, changing their name, and they want to
get rid of the Book of Mormon. She doesn't think a church should be
able to change their name. Also, her dad was abusive, and before church
he would put make up on her and pretend like nothing had happened. She
hates that members of the church are hypocrites. We tried to explain to
her that people aren't perfect, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is.
That's so important to know. We love her though and hope she will be
able to feel the truth and goodness of the gospel. It really can bring
so much happiness and peace.
We went WAY over our miles
this week. I don't think our mission president can take away our car
though because then nothing would get done. We taught Andi in Grapeview
and had an appointment afterwards in this nothing of a town called
Tahuya that turned out to be an HOUR away. ... Then we had dinner at
Camp Zion that was another HOUR in the other direction. We aren't
purposefully trying to go over miles but the area is so spread out and
you have to drive ALLL the way around the Hood Canal or the Sound to get
anywhere.
Sister Harris made this joke :
Mission president: We are taking away your car for going over your miles?
Us: Tahuya talking to?
It
makes us laugh. If you don't think it's funny, try being a missionary
with a limit on miles in this area. Then you will laugh..haha.
We
taught seminary this week. Just two days. That was actually pretty fun.
We taught the Word of Wisdom. I feel like I probably should exercise
more now.
Oh, one thing that I think is
funny, we went to district meeting and were teaching about the Holy
Ghost, and the elders all of a sudden started talking about exact
obedience and how they know it brings blessings. and I was sitting there
thinking "Wow, we are obedient but because of the size of the area and
the lack of houses to knock on, we are having trouble being exactly
obedient." and I was feeling guilty, but then I was in the car
afterwards and it dawned on me: "These are elders. They probably are not
often exactly obedient. But they can talk about it because males often
don't have that whole self confidence issue. We are female, working as
hard as we can trying and stressing about doing everything we should and
thinking we need to try even harder to be better. I bet that we are
being a lot more obedient than the elders are but they don't think they
need to work on it and we think we do. I don't think that made any sense
at all. So, just keep on scrolling, I'm not going to retype it.
On
Friday we got to do some service for an old couple that has a small
apple orchard. They pruned it but they are too old to pick up the sticks
very easily so we did it for them. They said we could come when they
burned the burn pile. So that's exciting.
Then
on Saturday we went to camp Zion to chop firewood. Sister Harris's
dreams are coming true. She's great at chopping wood. I fail miserably.
Eventually one of the Elders there took pity on my and said "Wanna see
how a real man chops wood?" Then he uncovered an electric chopper where
all you have to do is pull a lever. I am great at that kind of wood
chopping!
Then
they gave us cookies and we went to find another former investigator.
He wasn't home but his neighbor was moving so we asked her if she needed
help. At first she said no, because that's weird but then when we said
"okay, just call us if you need help with anything we love to do
service. It's what we do 24/7. Then she was like, "so you just wander
around until you find stuff to do?" and we said "um, kind of" then she
said, "Okay, come on, you can help." and we realized that we had just
guilt tripped her into letting us help her move. hahaha That's how we do
it!
Anyways we helped her move
and while we were helping she said "I've been thinking about going back
to church recently, I'm a christian, but my boys don't know anything
about church, I'd be alright if you wanted to teach them."
(!!!!!!!!!!!!) SHE OFFERED TO LET US TEACH HER KIDS! SERVICE BRINGS
BLESSINGS!
So,
we're going back next week to teach her two boys. We're now teaching 4
children. So we joke that we have the magic flute. It's kind of like the
pied piper of missionary work... we have more children investigators
than adults.
On
Thursday we had companionship inventory and Sister Harris told me that
before she knew that I'd be her next companion she prayed that she'd
have a companion who worked hard, was obedient, and was able to laugh.
Then she said, and God sent me you, the girl who laughs at everything.
She said "God is probably up there laughing and thinking ha ha ha!
This
girl Literally laughs at everything!"
When
we woke up at 5:45 the other day to teach Seminary she got up to turn
off the alarm and the phone fell on the floor and I laughed. Her
reaction was nothing because she was too tired to even smile but I sat
up in bed and just laughed. Haha! So I'm the girl who laughs at literally
everything.
Life
as a missionary is fun. I really enjoy it. The sun is still shining.
I'm meeting a ton of people. The older people in the ward take care of
us and feed us (probably more than I should eat but oh well) and my
testimony grows every day.
My spiritual thought for you is a quote from Dieter F. Uchtdorf that I read yesterday.
"You are loved. You are dear
to your Heavenly Parents. The infinite and eternal Creator of light and
life knows you! He is mindful of you! He is not waiting to love you
until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you
today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you
reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times
you have held onto the fading light and believed--even in the midst of
growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse
for times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you. And
God knows of your successes; though they may seem small to you, He
acknowledges and cherishes each of them. He loves you for extending
yourself to others. He loves you for reaching out and helping others
bear their heavy burdens--even when you are struggling with your own.
He knows everything about you. He sees you clearly--He knows you as you really are. And He loves you--today and always! He
loves you not only for who you are this very day but also for the
person of glory and light you have the potential and desire to become."
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Living the Gospel Joyful)
DON'T FORGET IT! YOU ARE LOVED! :)
-Sister Kinsey Warburton
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| My camera has an awesome macro lens. The flowers here in Washington are SO pretty. Spring is coming. Hopefully warmth comes with it! |
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| This is the backyard of the Relief Society President, Sister Keely, who really takes care of us. One day I might have to come back and move into her house which is right on the water and beautiful. We live right across this water. It's the Hood Canal. |
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