Hello helloooooo! 

I am so sorry I didn’t send out an email last week! P-day had slipped past me and before I knew it, I was out of time. But! If it’s any consolation, this last week has been kinda crazy so hopefully this email is a good one.

Wednesday was transfers! It was a little different this time because everyone in the mission who was being transferred were not able to meet together how they usually do. So we had a little mini transfer with most of the sisters in our Zone and it was actually way fun. They all met at our apartment and did a little switcheroo! It was such a blessing to be with all those ladies one last time, two of them would be headed home the following day. But my new companion is Sister Swinson! It’s funny, we have actually been out on our missions for the same amount of time. She wasn’t in my district, but we actually met at the MTC! She is awesome. 

My new apartment is kinda like the ultimate Texas Mission experience. I live in a barn. No joke. Our apartment is above horse stables and one of our windows overlooks the inside of the barn where the horses go at night. The barn is on a big ranch owned by the nicest family ever. They are all brothers and each have their own beautiful homes along this lovely road and on the other side of the road is a large field where their longhorns graze! At the end of the road is the barn where we live with all the horsies. Honestly, it is soooo cool. Does it smell a little? Well yes, yes it does. But it’s awesome! We go out and pet the horses all the time and they’re so sweet, especially the little babies! I was petting one of the big ones the other day and she just leaned her big head on my shoulder and against my head and it was the sweetest thing. They are the best!

Kinda funny story regarding the horses that happened this week. Swinson and I were making some phone calls and sending out texts when I heard the sound of hooves on concrete outside. I looked out the window and saw that two of the horses, a mommy and a baby, had gotten out of their enclosure! I was just like.. “Ummm are they supposed to be wandering around all free like that?” And so we ran outside and these horses are just walking around doing their own thing. So we called the guy who takes care of them and we were just like… uh we have a problem. It took him like 10 minutes to show up and we were just like… what do we do?? Thankfully, they didn’t wander too much and the baby actually just stood by me for most of the time while I gave it lots of pets❤ The mama horse came to say hi to us a few times and let us pet her, but she was mainly interested in the grass haha. The guy eventually showed up and took care of them, so all was well.

This week we had a really good lesson with this guy who has a baptismal date in June. He is so eager and happy and he loves The Book of Mormon, it makes me super excited. We talked with him and asked him to continue reading and start a journal to write down all the blessings he sees in his life. I’m super excited to reach out to him again this week. 

We have had a few devotionals this week over zoom call and one was particularly helpful for me and I know Heavenly Father knew I needed to hear it. It was a world-wide missionary devotional put out by the church and the guy who spoke shared a very important message. He talked about how the joy we find on our mission and the success that we have and the amount of growth we experience and how much we learn is completely reliant on our attitude and how we decide to live. Am I all in? Am I completely committed to this work? Am I willing to submit my will to the Father’s and put aside my wants and worries to live at his higher standard? Am I living how He would have me live? If not, I better change. Time and time again I am reminded that this isn’t about me. My confidence is not in myself but in the Savior. I cannot do this without Him and that is a fact. This is His work and I am an instrument in His hands, not mine. I can place myself as a vessel in which He can work through, all I have to do is not get in the way of Him working His miracles. But I feel an overwhelming amount of joy and gratitude when I am able to witness first-hand His grace and love working in the lives of our Heavenly Father’s beloved children. Including in my own life. 

It has been interesting looking back at what my mission has been like so far, and it’s been kinda crazy. I have only been out about 3 months and I have served in 4 areas, had 4 companions, been emergency transferred, had my companion go home early, put in a trio and quarantined for a large chunk of that as well. I feel like I’ve been out here forever already and yet at the same time like I just got here! I can’t wait for the many more adventures that lie ahead!

I hope y’all have a super awesome week and remember to stay safe but stay happy!😁😁😁😁 I love you all!

Scripture of the week! 1 Nephi 20:18
Get Busy, Get Lost!-Sister Oldham