August 13, 2014

My mission is the most fun, rewarding, and exhausting experience of my short 20 year old life. No one told me that your body falls apart on a mission. IE- dark circles around the eyes, hair falling out, an increased ability to store fat cells, untamed cuticles, feet that cannot be restored to their pre-mission form, and there will never be enough hours in a night to get half the energy I need. But, my friends, I can truly testify that the Lord qualifies whom he calls because somehow I make it through every day! Missions are great, especially mine. Why, you may ask? Well here's an example:

Last Friday, we went with Nauvoo On The Road to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield! I have never seen a state fair that big. There was a life-sized, incredibly detailed cow and a woman leading it- made out of butter! And an Abraham Lincoln impersonator who hung around our area a lot (I said, "Abe, how do you feel about having a 25 foot tall statue of you right there?" "Well, little lady, there's something about engraven images... but I didn't engrave it so it's not my problem.") And I bought a ridiculously overpriced deep fried Snickers bar. So worth it. We really were doing missionary work, I promise. ;) We were let loose for about 30 minutes to roam the fair (which we didn't even cover 1/4 of it) in our pioneer dresses to see the things and talk to people. We came across this woman, a state worker, who struck up a conversation with us, and mid-conversation she goes, "I have Tourette's and it hasn't happened to me once while talking to you two. I just feel very calm and comfortable talking to you guys." We weren't allowed to proselyte at the State Fair so I didn't know the lines of bringing up the gospel but what she was feeling was the Spirit! It actually surprised me a little. Here we are, carrying flyers from other booths, in pioneer dresses, chatting it up about deep fried Snickers, and she's feeling the Spirit already!! It was quite amazing. 

So what we were doing at the State Fair was the same we do at any Nauvoo On The Road- we played pioneer games and tried to talk to people. I was playing this ring toss/catch game with a little girl and another sister and President Gibbons was there! I, kind of jokingly, invited him to come play- he did! He took a minute to get it down but when he did, well, I never saw a man in his 70s so excited about a kids' game. hahahaha.

I don't have a lot of time left so here's a quick summary:

The YPMs left this week so it's slowing down a bit- but that's good because we have more Teaching Center time! Speaking of Teaching Center, Sister Etherington and I got to do one-on-one personal trainings/interviews with each companionship about their calling, cards, etc. That was sweet. A family came into the Bakery the other day and I found out that their 3 year old son was deaf! We got to talk some about deaf culture and things afterward, so that was good. I'm starting to wear my hair up with headbands now. I love it. Pictures another time! (Don't I say that every time?)

Tah tah for now!

Ashley