June 17

I'M BEING TRANSFERED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok ... now that that's out there...

Hola Familia y Amigos!

I'm being TRANSFERED! I really just can't get over it. It doesn't feel like I've been here for that long, but I guess it really is the end of my training period. I know that I'm going to a bike area, but I won't know anything more until tomorrow at the transfer meeting. Don't worry about any letters that have already been sent; Hna Whetten will forward them to me because she gets to stay in Sylmar. However, please send any letters from now on to the mission office until I can send you my new address.

Hermana Marin Hardy

California San Fernando Mission

23504 Lyons Ave Ste 107

Santa Clarita, CA 91321

 I'm being TRANSFERED!!! Aaahh! Somehow I have to learn to ride a bike in a skirt without dying (not sure if I spelled that right...). I tried it once on Elder Linford's bike (3 weeks ago), and didn't die, but it was terrifying all the same. He's 6'3" so his seat is at the middle of my ribs when I stand next to his bike. I just stood to pedal, but then I couldn't figure out how to stop and get off... I'm so used to swinging my leg around the back like Daddy taught me that I didn't know how to stop without falling over. With some help from Elder Winward I finally figured it out and got off the bike. Little did I know I would need that skill the next transfer. I have to admit that I was pretty sure I'd go on bike this transfer, but it's still crazy. At the beginning of my mission I was scared out of my mind about the idea of being on bike since I have really bad luck on bikes. However in the last week and a half or so I started to get excited about the idea... The Spirit really works in amazing ways to prepare the hearts of sister missionaries. :)

So... In other news, Monday we had a Zone activity where we played capture the flag with socks full of flour to tag people with. It was really pretty fun, but the best part was when I got stuck in jail on the other teams side. One of the other Hna's was talking to a man who had been passing by so I went over with her. We got to know him a little bit, and basically taught the first lesson and committed him to read the Book of Mormon. It was SO COOL!! And this was on a Preparation Day. It really built my testimony of how we need to stay on purpose as missionaries all the time. We really can search for and use opportunities to teach all the time even on Prepeaation Day.

This is the elder's after the game:

(no...they're not ever normal)

Tuesday was a pretty normal day and we did a lot of missionary work. We had a lesson with Ana. She had already read all the way through 1 Nephi 4 in the Book of Mormon! That's more than I read in the Spanish Book of Mormon in the same amount of time. She is really praying to know if it's true, and she has so much real intent! The best thing is that she's friends with Teresa (a recent convert) which will help her so much in this process! We also contacted a couple of referrals (Ada and Eddiberto) who are going to progress SO quickly!!! They really are so prepared for this gospel and I can't wait to see as the blessings start to appear in their lives!

Wednesday we went to the TEMPLE!!!!! I was so excited the whole week before (well really more like the month before) that I had countdown going on of the days hours and minutes until we'd be at the temple. They did a special meeting for us before the session, which was wonderful, and the session itself was amazing! The Los Angeles temple is absolutely beautiful! The Celestial room at the end is enormous which was good because we had over 100 missionaries there. I felt so good, and I feel like I now have that extra strength that I need to be able to be a missionary for the next 6 months until we go again. It was also a good reminder of how much God loves me, and that no matter how weak I sometimes feel; I am always enough for him.

The district at the temple:

(nope not even normal at the temple)

Thursday our district had the opportunity to do a service project for a neighbor of one of our members. We cleared a bunch of yard waste and rubble out of the back yard, and finished taking out a concrete pool. It was so much fun, and it was great to be able to do service for him. At the end he brought pizza, and we shared a scripture. We're hoping that in the next few weeks we'll be able to start teaching him and his fiancee the gospel and help them recognize those blessings in their lives as well.

 

See what we did!

 

(Especially not serious when doing yard work.)

Friday we had district meeting, which was great, and then had to finish up weekly planning from Thursday since the service project had taken more time than we expected. It was a weird weekly planning for me since it's the last one before I head to a new area. I'm being TRANSFERED!!!!! I am going to miss our investigators and our ward so much. It's amazing how quickly you can grow to love people, especially as a missionary. The spirit really helps that love grow in your heart, which is great, but it also makes it hard to leave.

Saturday morning we were able to do another service project, and move in a new apartment of missionaries. It was really fun, and since we had four companionships working it went really quickly. We also helped out with a ward Father's Day activity, which was really fun. Speaking of which ... Happy Father's Day all you fathers out there. But especially mine! I love you Daddy!

Sunday was church, and saying a few good-bye's. Ana came to Sacrament meeting wich was so exciting!!! She got a little lost on the way to the church because we hadn't given her the best directions, but she got there right after the sacrament. It was great because we were able to introduce her to Obispo, and she said she'd be able to come to all 3 hours next week! I'm sad that I won't be able to watch her progress all the way through baptism and then eventually go to the temple, but I am so happy that she is taking these necessary steps that will help her to better feel the love of her Father in Heaven and find happiness in her life no matter what else happens!

I know that the gospel really does bless lives! I've seen it in my life, and in the lives of members and investigators. No matter how bad or hard things get it is always better and easier when you know that God is on your side, and that He is pleased with you everything seems to be okay. I know that the best way to feel this is through the basic steps taught in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Love,

Hermana Marin Hardy