October 28, 2013

This week we were gearing up for our open house. We had two bouncy castles (one was an obstacle course), cotton candy, sausage sizzle, fresh baked cookies, a free clothes swap, kids games, and a family history workshop. We delivered invitations to literally every person in Westport and had a pretty good turnout. We had missionaries up from Greymouth and Hokitika, the other areas in our missionary district (have to make that distinction since we're not in a stake anymore haha). At the end of the totally awesome, fun-filled day the Branch President gathered all the missionaries together and told us we were about to find out who was the best missionary!! First, we raced our companions through the obstacle course bouncy castle. Somehow I won - SIster Woodbury did NOT take this competition lightly!! Then i versed Elder McKenna, who is serving in our branch as well. I really only won because Branch President was running beside me yelling my name, "GO SISTER ROSE!!!" So it eventually came down to me and one other missionary.. Elder Adams, serving in Hokitika in the Greymouth branch. Elder Adams is the same size as I am, if that helps you visualize this match. We tied to the first time, but in order to bring honor and glory and pride and luck and whatever else it is that you receive when you win an obstacle course race to the Westport branch, i declared a rematch. The second time, a bunch of kids ran after Elder Adams and pulled him down so she couldn't go any further. Third rematch - i lost! Noooo!! But it's okay I guess. Second place in a major sporting event, I'll accept that. 

As we were passing out flyers to the open day, we were about to cross a street. And then a TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR occurred. Seriously, I've never seen any rain like this before. It was literally raining sideways, and it was like needles were stabbing through my 2 layers of tights that i always wear because skirts are far too breezy and i get tired of always being cold. I didn't even know what to do, so i just stood there and laughed! Then my companion yelled, "Shelter!!!" We started looking around, and we saw that we were standing right outside one of our investigator's homes. We ran to the front gate - couldn't get it open (kind of like in the wizard of oz) and so we ran around the back against the needle-rain and went through the other door. The woman opened the door, looking quite surprised. We asked if we could come in, and she brought us a towel. We started talking, the rain kept pounding. The rain kept coming long enough for us to find out that her 16-year old daughter had moved out that day. We sat down with her, talked, and prayed together. The Lord truly MADE is go inside so we could comfort her in the time of uncertainty. Whoah, the Lord is all-powerful, that is for sure!
My companion and I discovered this lovely scripture - Abraham 2:16. "eternity was our covering and our ^brock and our salvation". Everyone write back to me and tell me what this means to you :)

Also, there are two German ladies that work at the library. Still debating whether to use the 2 words i know in german on them - some of the germans we meet think it's amusing, others think i'm an idiot. I happens haha :)

i love you all! The Church is true!! 

Sister Rose