So this week was amazing. Top notch. We had solid 13
lessons this whole week. We met with Tito twice, and we have been getting him
to meet with people from the ward. We talked about the word of wisdom and the
law of tithing with him. Each time we asked him if he would live this
commandment, he said yes and was so happy about it. He told us that if God has
commanded us to do something, we should do it, no matter what it is. He kept
telling us he is so excited to be baptized, and that he is ready to start a new
chapter in his life. He even invited all his family and friends to be baptized.
He has a very thick African accent, so when he talks you have to listen really
hard to what he says. I love it. We rescheduled his baptism date for the 28th
of May, a Saturday morning. He is so ready to be baptized, he is so ready for
the gospel. He is so willing to keep all the commitments we have asked him to
keep.
.... Too bad I'm getting transferred out of Lincoln
before his baptism.
Yep, I'm leaving Lincoln. Here's a funny story to go with
that:
transfer week always makes me anxious and on edge. I was
talking to Sister Singer about it and she told me that if I was really
struggling and stressing that I should just text president Marston and ask him
if I was leaving or staying, as she had done that before and he told her if she
was staying or leaving in an area. So I did, I texted him Thursday night and
asked him if I was staying or leaving. He texted back saying "Not quite
done yet." Which to me, means I'm staying. Ok.
Well I was kind of in denial, as I am stressed out double
covering two wards. So I went through a lot of prayer and pondering and asking
the lord to please help me to accept what I was supposed to do. I honestly did
not want to stay. I love the area and I love the people, I am just tired of
talking all the time with sister smith not speaking. But, through lots of
prayer, I came to terms with the idea of me staying in an area for six months.
I accepted what president wanted me to do. So I texted him and asked him that
if I was going to be staying in Lincoln for another transfer of I could get a
priesthood blessing to help me not be so stressed and/or area trunky.
Lesson learned: never ask president Marston about
transfers. Just leave the poor man alone and accept whatever the lord is giving
you without complaint.
And then I found out I was leaving. I was really
surprised, mostly because I had come to terms with me staying. I had not
prepared to leave mentally at all. Saturday night we got the email, and all the
missionaries were anxiously waiting to see who was leaving and who was going. I
flipped a lid when I saw my name. The AP's of course already know everything,
and they are in my zone, those little punks, so they just sat there and watched
me freak out.
In Preach My Gospel, there is a chapter that talks about
doing all you can to leave your area better than you found it. I personally
feel like I have done that, in both wards. I have found new people to teach in
each ward in the last six weeks I have been here. I have out someone on date
for baptism. I have served and done what I could to strengthen the relationships
with members and missionaries. I guess I'm done, according to the lord. I've
done what I could do for the Lincoln 3rd and 6th ward.
CAN I JUST SAY I AM SO HAPPY TO BE DONE DOUBLE COVERING.
Ok here's a spiritual thing, we had a member of the
Seventy come to our mission to train us in being better missionaries. It was
Elder Packer and his wife. They toured the mission and helped us to know what
we can do to help our investigators be converted to the gospel instead of just
having testimonies. When you have a testimony, you feel and believe something,
but when you are converted, you act on and know something. That is why we
strive to baptize converts, not investigators.
All in all, a great week. I said goodbye to so many
people this weekend. I think I am ready to leave Lincoln. I've done what I
could, and I am now ready to go to Auburn with Sister Wall. I've served around
sister wall already in my mission when I was in Corning and I love her. We will
get along fabulously. I'm still a sister training leader, and so is sister wall
now. I'm excited. Auburn is only like thirty minutes from Lincoln, so I am
still in the south part of the mission. I love the south.
I love you all! Thank you for your prayers. Pray I don't
melt as the heat starts to get unbearable here in California.
Love,
Sister Ginn
