Mini Meatloaf and Red Velvet

I know I say this every week, but it has been an exciting week.

Last Monday was spent a lot on the computers emailing (my companions usually get 2 to 3 dozen emails each week). Then on Tuesday we were dropped by investigators and people wouldn't answer their doors, so in a feeling of discouragement, we went to the library again for Mormon.org time--viewing the profiles and seeing people actually gaining faith in the Savior uplifts me for sure. Angie, the librarian, laughed to see us again so soon. She has relationships through the library with a couple of the members, and since we go there just about every week, we are gradually making a relationship with her too. Cross your fingers and say your prayers that she will gain a desire to continue learning more.

I truly feel that the work in Wesson is progressing, however, it can be hard to see that when I say we've been having people say they don't want us to come back. It makes for interesting experiences when we meet people, especially when non-members ask if people are responsive and kind. The answer is yes, for about 75% of the time. For example, yesterday we met an Apostolic Pentecostal. He was nice enough, but then he started using the phrases "Well you believe..." and "If you really look at the bible in..." We've been counseled to stay away from any arguing or bashing so Sister Tebbs spoke up before me that we should probably go. But the man stopped her, finished his point and invited us to come back and we could have a real bible study. When we finally walked away, we were all a little sad because the man only referred to one chapter and book in the bible, but if you read in other sections, they disproove what he said. I am glad to say that through thorough study between chapters and books, Old Testament, New Testament, and the Book of Mormon, I know and understand fully the Doctrine of Christ and can not deny the truth (though I still have a lot to learn). However, I can't force people to believe this, I can only encourage them to find out for themselves.

In our tracting experience on Saturday, we finally saw the proof evidence why so many missionaries don't like dogs. We met some people with a 3-legged pooch that barked as we approached but then licked our hands as we talked to its owners. The people told us that if we were going to continue down the road be weary because a couple homes had lots of dogs and one house had a herd of chihuahuas that bite. We thanked them and with faith continued on. When we knocked on the trailer with the chihuahuas, a herd rounded the corner of about 7 chihuahuas and one large Australian Shepard. The Shepard came right up and I froze, luckily it didn't bite and we talked to the woman who answered the door for a minute. But as we walked away, still ignoring the dogs, Sister Totterer felt teeth on her leg twice. It didn't tear her tights so we thought the chihuahua might just leave a bruise, but the next morning she found a good battle wound on her calf. Needless to say we are extremely cautious of dogs now.

With our branch, things are...well...weird. That's not to say anything of our members, I love them. My companions and I have all agreed that we are staying in Wesson the rest of our missions. Just kidding, we aren't in control of that. Truth is, it is sometimes hard for me to get all the spiritual support I need from church, but the most important thing is that I partake of the sacrament every week, and no matter where you go, that never changes.

In exciting news, I've been making some new foods this week. On Tuesday we had meatloaf! We quickly thawed the meat mixed up the ingredients, slicked a muffin pan, and baked it for 30 minutes. I chose to use the muffin pan to have it cook faster and it worked like a charm, the meatloaf was perfect and the sweet glaze I made for the top was a nice addition. I was proud of myself. Then we had red velvet pancakes from my Christmas present from Mom. I purchased cream cheese frosting which we warmed up and drizzled over the top for our "syrup". They were so good, my only fear is that there isn't enough mix. Haha.

As the food news continues, I have something sad to say: Pollywog's is officially closed. All those I told to go eat there, I apologize. Sadly, the owner was having some health problems and had to close. The rumor is that a spa will be replacing Pollywog's. Highly debatable whether that is better or not because I loved their soup. Let's just say I am saving some yogurt in the freezer.

In better news, we celebrated Reyes (Rey-sheys), a Uruguayan holiday. Sister Totterer's mom is Uruguayan and sent the making of Reyes. Under the direction of Sister Totterer, we set out our shoes and bowls of grass and water. The Wise men came with their camels and left gifts. It was so sweet and it really made the morning fun as we received a package from Sister Totterer's mom with her Reyes gift. Who knew I'd be getting the traditions of other countries in my mission in the USA?

Its been such a fun week, I've grown closer to my companions and closer to the Lord. Last night we had a cry fest as we shared the strengths we have seen in each other throughout the last 10 weeks. It was really touching to hear the things my companions said about me and has motivated me to stay true to what they said.

The Lord has blessed me today, how has he blessed you?
Alma 38:2 "I trust I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God... for blessed is he that endureth to the end."

I love y'all. Have a lovely Monday and a blessed week.

Love, Your Favorite Mississippian Missionary

 Reyes! (yes, our tree has fallen down)

 Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese frosting and hot chocolate!

 Mini Meatloaf! <3

The last Pollywog. 

 Welcome to Wesson.

 Anything to keep the kids quiet.

Scraping our car before church.

How to start a New Year off right: 2014

Anyway, this week has been exciting. First off, Lindsey got baptized!!!! Sister Totterer was so happy, it was her first baptism. It was so great to see Lindsey in white, she was beautiful. She was baptized by her boyfriend and confirmed the next day by President Boone in the Stake Presidency. It was so good to see the support of the ward members, and hopefully this will encourage them to share with their friends. Lindsey's parents weren't as supportive of all this, but her sister came for the baptism and together they cried through the whole event, especially during the special musical number that was a hymn at Lindsey's previous baptist church. A member sang it and it truly brought in the spirit, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. While she was changing, the Zone Leaders encouraged us to use that as an opportunity to teach the non-member friends and family, and so we taught a short lesson on Priesthood from the Gospel Principles manual. I felt good about it so hopefully it all made sense. Lindsey's sister had a quizzical expression on her face.

My favorite part: a baptism text gets sent to the APs, which they send out to the whole mission telling how many baptisms were in the mission. Ours was the first baptism text for the whole year!!!! Yay! First Baptism!!! Lindsey laughed when we told her.

Then on Sunday we had an investigator come to church, one of the Crystal's in fact. After talking to her earlier in the week, she agreed that the best way to get her to church would be to come to her place and wake her up. So at 8am (church starts at 9a) we went to her place, woke her up, waited for her to get dressed, then had her follow us up to the church building. Sister Totterer and Sister Tebbs were so excited as we drove, I can only wonder what she thought as she followed us. But then at the turn in Hazlehurst from HWY 51 to HWY 28, she turned the wrong direction! We were flabbergasted. Had we come so far just to have her turn around? No! We pulled over and waited about 5 minutes for her, we called and she didn't answer. Our hopes sinking, we went on to church and arrived with only a few minutes to spare. After the opening prayer as we watched Lindsey walk up to the stand for her confirmation, in walked Crystal! "Elated" might not be enough to explain our joy. After Fast and Testimony meeting, quite a few members came up, introduced themselves and shared a quick insight that they are pretty much all converts themselves. I think that intrigued Crystal but not enough for her to stay into the next hour and left before Sunday School. Still, progress!

As for the other Crystal and her family, they had to cancel again on account of not feeling well. But they talked to the members that are fellow-shipping with them and Ellen, the mother, said that she was sad she had to cancel but she's reading and has questions!

In personal news, my goal for now is to find the silver lining. Luckily Sister Totterer is really good at making up scenarios for how bad situations can turn good. Yesterday during tracting when a man made the church sound like "Satan's playground" (my words not his). I felt on the verge of anger and so I asked Sister Totterer to make a scenario. She said that the man would check out the Mormon.org site and realize his words were all false he would desire to be baptized (the ending to all her stories), I think it made all of us feel better and we pushed on through the rain to accomplish our 7 hours.

It's freezing today. When we went to get our mail at 9am, the car said the temperature was 23*. So, not the happiest camper. Especially when chatting with Dad he tells me that it is 72* in Mesa. I miss Arizona weather (never thought I would say that).

For New Years Eve, we had a normal tracting and proselyting day. But it was awesome. First off, with the help of Sister Martin (member) we were able to store our bikes at a fireworks store. Then we tracted and met a woman that we all think was high off something because she was telling us strange stories and wouldn't let us say anything but just kept talking, we got out of there as quickly as we could. We walked past a potential investigators house and met her daughter Marcia, who had heard about Lindsey's baptism and was really interested in the church so we gave her a Book of Mormon (were going to try to go over today to see if she's read). Then, because we had to turn in at 6pm or be in member's homes) we went to Sister Martin's and she made hamburger steaks and let me make mashed potatoes. It was so good to be around her and her entertaining children. We ended the night with a bottle of Martinelli's--my favorite.

But the night didn't end there as at 11pm someone set off a firework/explosive/bomb which shook the whole trailer. We found out later from our neighbor that whatever it was had been permitted by the local officials. Still I never jumped that high in my bed before.

We are truly seeing the hastening of the Lord's work this week and we are excited for what may lie ahead. New challenges have been placed before us. In the past, we have been taught that one prayer during a lesson is enough to count for our records. As of today, 2 prayers (an opening and closing) MUST be said. This means that getting lessons during our tracting will be even harder. My companions have reassured me that it'll be possible though. Wish us luck!

I've begun a new study schedule for maximum knowledge gaining because my preparation in the morning can sometimes spill over into my personal study time. So now in the evenings I write in my journal and read from an Ensign in bed. I am loving the Ensigns, especially September 2013 Ensign. This past week I was reading from April 2013 Ensign and was struck by an article called "Faith and Infertility". Following this article was a poem that really made my heart ache. The poem is called "Just the Same" by Diana Lynn Lacey.

Sometimes--

God sends rain
To nourish the young flower
And it grows

Sometimes--

God sends rain from the sky

To the mountain tops,

Then over the hills and through valleys

Until it reaches the flower
And it grows, just the same.

Sometimes--

God sens a child

Straight from His realm

Into a mother's arms
And love grows.

Sometimes--

God sends a child

From heaven to another's arms

Then over hills and through valleys

Until he reaches the arms of his mother

And love grows, just the same.

I pray it touches you, too. I love you all. I can't wait to hear your stories about your efforts with a missionary tag "painted on your heart" as Elder Anderson described last April.

Love y'all, Sister Stewart

 Wet missionary.

 Dictator Tebbs.

Why I don't like tracting at night. 

 Welcome 2014!

 Sister Totterer opened the Martinelli's on the porch with our can opener.

 I like mugs.

 While out with members/old missionaries, they put coins on the train tracts and we watched the train go by from the safety of our car.

 Beautiful.

 Took me a couple weeks before I realized the noodles and cans of beef and mushroom soup were for stroganoff. Sister Totterer was SUPER happy about dinner that night.

 Happy.

 Lindsey was baptized by her boyfriend. Happy Tears!

Bundled up Cuties.

Ready for the New Year

I hope this doesn't sound like a bad missionary, but the thing I am most excited for is that I can now say "I'll be home this year!"

I love my family, not getting to "see" everybody over skype hurt a little bit but at least I got to hear y'all's voices. I still remember my shock to hear Evelyn, I did not recognize her voice. And to see Kenley walking. Awww! I am missing the chance to watch them grow up. Mothers you have a new calling, make sure these babes don't forget me and that the newer ones will know who I am. You better believe all 11 are getting the tackling of a lifetime in hugs and kisses come October!

It has been a long week. Mostly because a lot of people are out of town with the holidays and sick from a bug that's going around (I hope I don't catch it). That makes tracting long and actual teaching opportunities few and far in between. Still, the work moves on and so do we and we let ourselves be examples. Lots of people have already commented to us about how they were shocked to see us walking around the cold Christmas day, but just because it was a holiday didn't make it a non-proselyting day. In the morning we opened presents, I made crepes for our breakfast, we tracted, and sang carols at a disability home. For lunch we ate with Sister Diamond and her family and friend Sister Luke. She fed us on Thanksgiving and again did not disappoint. Afterwards we were picked up by member Kim McLemore and spent the remainder of our evening at their home, skyping, facetiming, and calling families. The elders came over half-through and did the same. It was a beautiful evening. Next to skyping my family, Kim's little boy Karter made me laugh a lot. I told him I had a nephew named Karter, spelled the same way, and kept shouting at the computer because he wanted to meet him, I'm not sure if Kristi's skyping video was good enough for the Karters to meet. Another time perhaps. Thank you everyone for your gifts, especially my secret sibling, the hot chocolate was delicious.

Funny Things of the week:

1. Saw an albino squirrel. Check off on the bucket-list: I saw an albino animal in the wild. I just wish I could have gotten closer.

2. As we were visiting one investigator her niece, a different investigator, walked in! The connections of small town living.

3. I saved a possum stuck in an investigator's garbage and saw my first live possum!

4. I reached my nine month mark!

5. Church in the South is Baptist, which makes sense since most everyone is a convert. But Church just isn't the same. The talks were a little confusing, we had a musical number and rest hymn, Sunday School was a mix of Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and random deep doctrine that in total made no sense, and the 5th Sunday Lesson was more like an Enrichment on Food storage and preparation, no spiritual stuff. Made for a tough morning.

Interesting week, looking forward to the new week, new year, new month, more miles!!! Will be happy to use the car without worry. We're going to start working in Crystal Springs north of Hazlehurst at least once a week now, too. Wish us luck.

I want to hear YOUR missionary experiences.

Spiritual Influence of the Week: September 2013 Ensign. My favorite article was "The Healing Balm of Hope." I shared this with a troubled woman last night, my companions were able to testify that it was full of wonder words of peace. I know it will be the same to you.

With lots of love,

-Sister Lara Stewart

 Thank you Ryan, Amy, Evelyn, and Ammon!

 Close up on joy. I've been waiting 9 months for a new yellow watch. So Happy!!!

 New clothes! I love my new plaid pajama pants!

 Evelyn's Snowman. Made him on the wall since we don't have any snow.

 Albino squirrel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Beautiful Sister Tebbs, the cold weather reminds her of Utah so she spent some time on the porch rejoicing.

 Pepermint Milk and scripture study lunch at Pollywog's.

 I love Pollywog's! <3

My Companions like Pollywog's too! 

Merry Christmas!

The Week BEFORE Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I've seen miracles this week, for one, I'm still alive. I've had some trouble with my bike... the brakes don't work, but the elders told me they could fix them so no worries. I just ride past where we have to stop then turn around. It was scary last Thursday though because we had gotten out of an appointment late and were riding in the dark (about 5:45pm or so) and realized after I began speeding up that I was on a downward slope. I maneuver to the grass on the roadside so slow me and down eventually just jumped off and ran holding onto my bike till I could stop. It was a neat experience and one I won't be experiencing again any time soon. I walk my bike up and down hills as often as I can. Don't fret, Mom, I wear my helmet.

More bike stories: Sister Totterer had her bike stolen on Thursday. We parked on the corner of 7th St and East Railroad, and Sister Tebbs and I locked our bikes to a stop sign post and Sister Totterer leaned hers with it (her lock didn't fit). We thought nothing of it because we have never had any theft problems in Wesson, though we do lock up if we'll be tracting for a long while. We were gone for 2 hours and as we were walking back from the next road, we saw a group of boys near our bikes, and as we approached closer they ran away. Sister Totterer muttered something under breath and when I asked what was up she said, "They stole my bike." Indeed as we came nearer we saw that Sister Totterer's bike was MIA, Sister Tebbs bike was leaning against the sign but the lock wasn't around the post, and my lock was still on but my bike was on the ground away from the post. Confused and angry, Sister Totterer ran after the boys with Sister Tebbs and I close behind. We tracked down the boys with no sign of Sister Totterer's bike and asked if they had seen it. They said no and had to explain that we were going to have to call the police. We gave them a card with our phone number on it and asked them to give us a call if they saw the bike. They said they would look and called us a few minutes later. We waited at a nearby apartment complex and up came one of the boys on Sister Totterer's bike, the front brake broken and her helmet gone. We were glad that we didn't have to call the cops, but sad that that had to happen. We walked everywhere after that. We didn't trust losing our bikes again.

And then yesterday we tracted the country. Four miles, 3 hours, talked to 11 people, no lessons, no Book of Mormons. Yes, we are geniuses. In other news I have learned that I can keep going when my feet and back are killing me, Sister Totterer has good balance, and I can wait 4 hours to use the restroom (we were out with a member for an hour before). Best part: we accomplished our goal of 7 hours of tracting for the week--we just wish the street had had more houses on it.

In other exciting news, we have a couple new investigators! Funny part, they are both named Crystal. The first Crystal we have met with twice and is really soaking up our message. Unfortunately she didn't come to church yesterday but she realizes that how she lives her life isn't in coherence with the teachings of Christ. Hopefully we can help her move forward and feel the spirit and change her life for the better. The other Crystal is a neighbor of the McLemore's, whom we eat dinner with every Sunday. Her mother-in-law that she lives with was a referral from another member. We went to see her, and spent some time talking to her and her husband, but Crystal and her husband were out. They arrived home right after we left and walked to the McLemore's. We had only been at the McLemore's for 30 minutes when their home phone rang and WE had a phone call. Crystal wanted to meet with us! She came over with one of her children and we taught a short lesson on the Restoration. It was a little awkward because we hadn't prepared, but when the spirit is there the information doesn't matter as much. And the spirit was there. We have an appointment to see her in-law's next week and she said she would be there, wish us luck!

We spent last Tuesday in Clinton at T-point (Transfer-point) saying goodbye and hi to new and old friends. We're lucky enough to be close enough to do this. It was so exciting to see everyone! So many people were my comrades in Shreveport--A Shreveport reunion! I was jumping all over the place as I hugged, hand-shaked, and took pictures with everyone. The best part was seeing Sister McGrath. I was going nuts seeing her again, because it had been 3 months. I had the chance to go out with her and several other old friends to lunch and she told me some details about my first area, Brownlee. It sounds like quite a few of my old less-actives and investigators have fallen back but others have stepped forward to take their place. One man named Bill, Sister McGrath and I tracted into before I left. Well, the next week he ran into the elders at Target and the elders told Sister McGrath and her companion to go back and see him again, they did and he wasn't interested. But then they began seeing him everywhere! Eventually he said they could come over and share their message and with the help of the ward members, Bill was baptized 2 Saturdays ago! And my recent convert, Richard, is doing great. He apparently played the role of the Shepard in the Ward Christmas Nativity scene and he told Sister McGrath that he felt privileged to do that! OH, I love and miss Brownlee Ward so much, I really hope I'll be able to go back there soon.

Our Branch had a last minute Christmas Party on Friday. We got a ride to it with a member and had a really good time. Most of the Branch was there and they had brought lots of good food. Bad part was that they let us take some of that good food home. Uh, bad for the waist line. Elder Hartwig and Elder Anderson were called on to play Santa and his elf, but the suit that the ward rented was too small for Hartwig (he's a really big guy) but Elder Anderson was still able to play the elf with our Branch President Miller playing Santa. It was so funny seeing how many kids were afraid of him, even some of the bigger kids didn't want to sit on his lap, even knowing that candy was involved. Eventually the temptations of chocolate had all of the kids coming up though and even Sister Miller gave Santa a kiss! Its so much fun to see a great group of people getting together and celebrating the holidays.

This week has been one of package receiving. Thank you so much to all those who spent time, money, and energy on me this Christmas, I pray blessings will reciprocate. I've saved nearly all my packages for Christmas and am excited to spend time opening them up. Our Christmas plans are to eat crepes for breakfast, Skype at the McLemore's, and have dinner at the Diamonds. What else will happen beyond that has yet to be determined.

Have a very Merry Christmas! Check out mormonchannel.org under Collections for some Holiday Media. My favorite video is "O Come, Emanuel - Christmas Version," a music video by the Piano Guys (one of my favorite music groups). All of the videos are splendid though, so if you have a moment watch a few. Have a Merry Christmas.

On Thursday I plan to sing a very special song all day. You know it: "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me."

I love y'all!!!

Branch Christmas party. All the missionaries with Santa (Branch President Miller). Yes, Elder Anderson is the elf.

 Caught a lizard in the Hazlehurst Library bathroom and set it free outside. Freaked out Sister Totterer because she had used the bathroom in there just before me.

 Teasing a member. He had to go hand out all these pass-along cards.

Waiting on my bike for the train.

 Sister Tebbs 6 month mark, tradition states she burn a shirt.

 Went to a Mexican Restaurant with an investigator for lunch, pet a horse.

 Tracting the country.

Still Tracting: 11 houses, 3 hours, 4 miles.

Earlier Merry Christmas

Well, I just pinched myself so apparently I'm not dreaming. I'm staying in Wesson!!! With Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer! Whoo-hoot! The party in Benny continues.

Story of my life: I use used-wrapping paper to decorate planners and Sister Totterer had some from her birthday presents this weekend. As I was cutting out squares I wondered why the paper was so thick and just thought it was extra tape. Turns out the people who sent the package had taped their Christmas card to the outside and I cut it up! Sister Totterer just laughed at me as she taped it back together. I'm going to triple check the wrapping papers from now on.

We were treated to dinner at an investigators home on Thursday. They have antique home built in 1893 and it is gorgeous. High ceilings, wide porches, and matching antique furniture. We had a semi-proper dinner of cornbread and turkey neck gumbo. It was so much fun, I felt like I was playing dress-up with the fine silver and good china. And we had a great spiritual moment, they asked about our converts and Sister Tebbs shared the story of her recent convert in Bossier. I'm getting better at recognizing the spirit and the spirit was definitely there, I hope they felt it, too.

In other news, Benny was TP-ed this morning. Sister Tebbs stepped outside to see how cold it was, stepped back in and said "Guys, I think we were toilet papered." And we were. They wrapped the pillars of our deck and threw it across the roof. We got most of it off but it ripped on the roof. And the great part was that it froze last night so my hands were freezing as we were cleaning it up. Still, new experiences.

Today we traveled to Clinton for transfers to see old friends moving around and say goodbye to missionaries going home. We had a hearty Mexican lunch that was delicious and talked to a lot of people. It was certainly a different experience then my first transfer day. And the best part was that I got to see a lot of friends from Shreveport and other: Elder Spence, Elder Ashdown, Sister Holbrook, Sister Keyes, and Sister McGrath is a new Sister Training Leader in Jackson so I get to go on exchanges with her this transfer! This is going to be a great transfer, I can't wait.

Christmas is next week. I made a paper tree yesterday and Benny is decked, we even have presents under it. So far the homesickness hasn't set it in and I plan to keep it that way. But do expect me to be singing "I'll be home for Christmas" come next Thursday.

I love you all. Merry Christmas!

Love,

Lara

Made pan-fried chicken for dinner. No left-overs. 

 We had a badly scuffed pan and asked for new ones. First Christmas present. Love cooking!

 The Brookhaven District.

 While tracting I found a fat cat statue.

 Stairs to no-where in Pollywogg's.

Planner-making week, this is Sister Totterer. #Imamormon# 

 Celebrated Sister Totterer's birthday.

 Christmas Tree!

 TP-ed.

Back with Sister McGrath!!! :D

Elder Zwick of the Seventy

We had the great pleasure this week to have Zone Conference on Thursday and have a visit from Elder Zwick of the Seventy on Friday. That means that one Wednesday we had to super clean our car (which stinks because we then drove an hour on the interstate the next day). A lot of driving was involved with our week but we still were able to work a lot.

Elder Zwick was a very inspiring teacher and I loved learning from him. He talked a lot about what we can change rather than asking for other things to change for us. He exhorted exact obedience to gain the trust of members and being ourselves on the foundation of Christ. After the meeting he offered to let missionaries bare one minute testimonies and I bore mine. I mentioned how strong the spirit was, my heart was pounding so hard, to the point that as I went to sit back down I got dizzy. I loved the time spent in the presence of someone so called of God.

Moving onto the cold front...

We've had some crazy weather this week. It was warm towards the beginning then on Thursday it was super humid and gross. The next day it was wet and freezing. It rained all the way through Sunday. Luckily it let up enough that we didn't have to tract through anything really nasty but I was wearing my boots Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the average all day was 34* F. And no snow!

Living in a Trailer has been very interesting. For one, there is no bathroom fan. So as quickly as I finish my shower I try to open the door to let fresh air in. I have been surprised how much I miss that noise. My shower just doesn't feel complete without the noise of the fan. Also in the trailer I have come to an understanding that their are more residents than me and my companions. Roaches are a very common sight, and if you know me you know that that bug is my least favorite creature . Let's just say I've smashed a few this week--enough said.

Since we would be out of town on Thursday, we held a "Thirsty Tuesday" and rode our bikes around then. It was easier then last time and we loaded our bikes to get up past the first big hill. It is very hilly in Wesson, which is both good and bad. Good because I can lift my legs and not have to petal. Bad because one down hill is usually followed by a bigger uphill with enough room in-between to make all that momentum worthless. Good because the cold breeze is refreshing. Bad because its not refreshing when it blows up the skirt. And the final bad: because sometimes your brakes don't work too good.... I should probably consider a change.

I'm not sure what y'all thought was the worst part about missions, but the worst thing is actually "dying missionaries". This means that they have served their fill and will be returning home at the end of the transfer. It's a tradition at the end of Zone Conferences to have them share their testimonies. It's not so bad when I never served around the elder or sister. But when I know the missionary (like my trainer Sister Johnson bore her testimony (she leaves in January)) I just cry. Still it is great to hear from them.

Now back to Wesson adventure.

My first Sunday I was asked to give a talk on Dec. 8, "Something about Christmas," I was told. So all through the week I considered Christmas-ie topics and then after Zone Conference on Thursday they shared one of the bible videos. Its called "Good Tidings of Great Joy." Elder Eyering talks about about the most important symbol of the season is Light. So I read some scriptures and the Primary Song "Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby" where it sings that one star stood out from the rest. We must be like that Star, letting the light of Christ shine through us being a beacon to others.

I love you all. Soon to be Merry Christmas!

Next week is transfers. Expect to hear from me Tuesday and most likely late in the day, no idea what's going to happen.

Love, Lara

  Packed 3 bikes on the bar of our little Cruze. Sister Totterer pushed with all her might.

Freezing tracting. Afterwards we gave that Book of Mormon away!

Meet Benny

Transfer success! The Senior couple in Laurel, Elder and Sister Blau, helped transport me and Kent to 2 hours north to Wesson, MS. New address:

1020 Hill St. Lot 26

Wesson, MS 39191

We live in a trailer named Benny (I'll take pictures for you next week). We have a car but we did spend the whole day Friday biking, no me gusta. I don't know if it's something in the air or all the inclines but I don't bike here very well.

Dad, I love how you look up all the random little facts on the places where I live, its really interesting. You say they have 1904 people and I wouldn't doubt it, Sister Totterer and her last companion already tracted all of the town, so we work mostly out of town except for the few investigators and less actives in town. The church is north about 15 miles or so, up HWY 51 and east on HWY 28, across the street from Saunder's chicken farm and the huge Life Church (people always ask if that is ours, nope, ours is the only church without a big advertising sign out front). The town is really neat, and I want about 20 of the homes here. I'm falling in love with the wide porches, high stairs, tall windows and white siding. My future home is slowly being drawn in my mind. In town there are only a few places to eat- Porches, Los Lobos, Polliwog Frozen Yogurt, and 51 Dinner. The closest Walmart is either 15 miles north in Hazlehurst or 15 miles south in Brookhaven, and since we have to drive the Hazlehurst elders to district meeting, we usually shop there.

Mom, there is sunshine in my soul today, and in my cardigan! I love my harvest colored sweater.

By Saturday, we had 5 Thanksgiving dinners: 4 at members homes and 1 at Porches. While tracting, Sister Tebbs and Totterer had met a nice lady that was sad they weren't going home for the holidays so she paid for all 3 of us to have lunch at Porches. It was some really good food and hopefully I'll be able to save and perhaps go one more time before I leave Wesson. On Thursday we had dinner with the Diamond's, Payson's, and Francois' and even though I knew about all of these before hand, I wasn't prepared for the rush to eat. Luckily after the Diamonds we tracted for 30 minutes, wore off some food and sat and talked with all of the Payson's before eating there. Time between meals (including the half hour drive to the Francois') is what saved me. Then on Saturday we went to visit the Douglas' and accidentally popped in on their late Thanksgiving with their son home from college. Everything was really good, but the best: chocolate egg nog pie.

The work here in Wesson is really progressing and yesterday we had a really neat experience as we were trying to find the home of a member. We ended up meeting a young man next door, his nephew, who is baptist turned Pentecostal. We asked him if he had read the Book of Mormon and he said no and he probably wouldn't because it was something new and unfamiliar. So we talked to him a little about how it works with the bible, and using baptism as an example, showed how it made the ordinance of baptism clear, including progress and prayer. It intrigued him and he shared a couple points to us about his religion. After a while we asked if he would accept a copy of teh Book of Mormon and read it, he said yes (I would like to say with a little enthusiasm), and said he wanted to shared a pamphlet with us but couldn't find one so now we have a return appointment with him next Sunday. We're all excited to see how it goes, and we already have a fellow-shipper, his uncle!

I'm excited to see what will come in the work this week!

Zone Conference is this Thursday with the Clinton, Jackson, and Monroe Zones. I'm in the Clinton Zone (so no I won't see Petal friends). Its going to be a travel to get there but I know quite a few missionaries from there so this is going to be so much fun!

Not to be boring, here are 7 interesting things from Friday, November 29:

1. Egg and rice for breakfast, my new favorite keep-me-full breakfast.

2. Sister Totterer potentially ate a meth brownie (by the end of the day we determined she didn't though). But we were tracting and at one house pre-dubbed the "Party House" we were talking to a young man when his friend burst through the front door and asked if we all wanted a "chess square". I'd never heard of that before so I said no, Sister Tebbs said no, and Sister Totterer said yes... Luckily, I think it really was just a leftover from the holidays.

3. We met a guy with a green Uncle Same shirt on that said "I want you to smoke" and pointing at the viewer. He was indeed smoking, and then he started talking to us about his reading in the Book of Mormon (Sister Totterer had tracted into him a few weeks before).

4. When we tract in our tralier park we are always followed by one dog or another, today we had an Akita that was really nice. But everyone we talked to was scared of it and tried to shoo it away. It followed us on our bikes all the way to the highway before it disappeared.

5. Met a black lady named Dot who at first refused to be told my name. She only likes Sister Totterer and would only address her but fed us all cake and Sunny D then by the end told me she was glad I came so I could protect these girls... Glad my size comes in handy for something.

6. As we rode home around 5pm, Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer noticed Josh Francois' car at the gas station. Sister Totterer rode forward and before anyone knew it was in their car, quickly followed by Sister Tebbs and eventually me. We talked to Josh and his girlfriend and our investigator Lindsey for a while, had a short lesson, and rode home.

7. I saw my first Am Tram train! It was so fast. The train tracks run right through the middle of town.

Now let me tell you a little about my companions: THEY ARE AWESOME!

That doesn't mean to be saying a lot because I've already had some pretty awesome companions but Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer really know how to make and take the cake. Sister Tebbs was trained by Sister Cox right after Sister Cox moved to Bossier and was no longer my companion. So she has been out 3 months less than me. But that similarity in training makes the work so much easier because we are already uniform in our teaching styles. She's from Bryce Canyon, Utah (a little place called Ruby's Inn). She's 19 and her amazing devotion to the work makes me smile. Sister Totterer is from Farmington, UT, 19 (till next week) and amazing. She can talk really fast and is such a people person, she's makes even the tiniest thing an adventure. I'm really glad I have been put together with them.

I got my haircut yesterday, but it needs to go shorter. Still it feels good to have all that length off and to have healthy ends again. A member's daughter who lives Brandon cut it for me for free, so nice of her.

More warm stuff would be great. I lost one of my gloves biking and my hand froze riding down the hills. Also I was wrong, I do need a new jacket, lots of people have fleece one from Columbia or North Point, they seem to work really well. My polyester rain coat is just too sweaty.

I am SOOOO happy to be in Wesson, this has been the best week I've had since my first transfer. Sister Tebbs and Sister Totterer are really inspiring to the work and fun to be around, they are definitely on my list of best companions.

Spiritual thought of the day: Alma 32:27. Elder Holland once said that we should never be ashamed if we only have a desire to believe. Because if it is the desire of our hearts, the Lord will cause it to happen and then you will believe.

I love you all, hope you had a grateful Thanksgiving!

Love,

Super Lucky Lara

Elder and Sister Blau and Kent. 

 Thanksgiving Sisters: me, Sister Totterer, and Sister Tebbs.

 The STLs came and visited us, silly picture!

It was cold this week, into the 30s in the mornings and evenings. We had several days of frosted lawns when we woke up. 

 Tracting discoveries.

Not the best picture, but my new hairdo!