I just sent off a bunch of letters and my SD card on Saturday, I'm hoping they arrive by tomorrow but I can't be sure. Emotions for me are running really high, it’s been tougher than I expected, but my companions give me pep talks to make me feel better.
We are the only sisters in our area and have the most people to cover. They worry and have concern for me beyond what I've ever had with people outside my family. Sister Cox has been teasing me from day one about how stubborn and selfless I am. They say to just let it all out and be a little selfish. It’s a hard adjustment, but I'm working on it, and have had moments of real peace.
I have 2 companions, they said it was something the mission president is working on. Sister Cox is my trainer, a passionate sister from Fresno, CA. She's been here 12 weeks, she's 20, and really sweet. She's always making sure I'm comfortable and taking care of myself (she says I take cold showers but I actually just don't like my water super hot like they do). And Sister Johnson is a beauty from Murray, UT. She’s been here 9 months, 23, trained Sister Cox and is now working with Sister Cox to train me. She graduated in art and has great fashion sense. She's more laid back than Sister Cox, but very knowledgeable and friendly. I'm so glad I have both of them to lean on, they have each other to lean on in my training so they aren't alone.
Our area is called Brownlee because that is our ward name and the church is located off a street named Brownlee in Bossier, LA. There is one set of elders in our district and a set of Spanish elders which attend to the other district in Bossier. We have our own car so I don't need a bike yet. My shoes are comfortable but I'm having fashion issues and would like some more shoes. Could you get me some Toms? Lots of other sisters have them and the President didn't say no (of course, I'm a Soda's girl more than Tom's, though).
My area is nice but there are a lot of less actives and tons of smokers. Most of our days are visiting our investigators, less actives and driving. I mention in my letters that our area is about 80 miles wide and we cover one side of it, so miles are an issue, but we drive a newer car so gas isn't bad. Church Sunday was odd because it was supposed to start at 9am but it didn't start ‘till 9:10am and only a third of the ward was there by then. I didn't look behind me to see how many actually made it in time to take the sacrament. So size is something I'm getting used to.
My sisters are really helping me learn and meet different people though. I felt bad yesterday, however, because after I bore my testimony in sacrament and said I was the new sister missionary, everyone thought I had taken the place of Sister Cox, and wondered where she'd been transferred to. They are so attached to Sister Cox and Sister Johnson, but of course they opened this area where sister missionaries are concerned and so they are their first sisters.
The McCabe's Family has really made me feel welcome, they have 3 children Hunter 11, Taylor (a girl) 9, and Tucker 7, they are a handful, but Sister McCabe really knows how to handle them. Brother McCabe is nice and dedicated to his calling and fulfilling the Lord's work. Plus they have a dog, Charlie the chocolate lab. They feed us every Wednesday and yesterday they fed us again. And by us I mean sisters and elders, so they feed 5 extra people for their regular Wednesday meal! So kind.
It’s almost scary how crazy everyone here is about baseball. Family life and church take a backseat to it with almost everyone we meet. I've only seen a few road kill opossums but I've been told I'll see some live ones eventually. I’ve seen mostly pets, livestock, and some turtles and rabbits.
I'm already picking up a Southern accent (especially every time I'm around the McCabe’s), but it's growing on me. The schedule is still confusing but I'm understanding the planner better and the Sisters say I'm handling my first week well. Lessons are still a problem because I don't talk much, my sisters do good at making up for my lack of talking.
I haven't gotten any packages or mail yet but I'm excited for them! Especially keep the chocolate coming, its gold in our apartment.
Love and miss you!
-Sister Stewart
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