Maryland welcomed me with a downpour. It rained the whole way from the church to my new apartment. I loved every second!! I apologize in advance for a rather long email, this week was long and wonderful.
The day I left was definitely too early to be up for anyone. Not even the sun came to say hello until I was already almost to the airport.
We were in the airport for a while and then in the next few hours, we were on the other side of the country. Eee! It was exciting and humid and I was a bundle of energetic nerves. We left at 10:07am and arrived around 4:30pm.
We walked to the baggage claim area where our mission president and his assistants were. My president's name is Thierry Mutombo. He is quite possibly the happiest person I've ever met on planet earth. He laughs and smiles all the time. His energy level is through the roof and you can tell he loves life fiercely. I also learned quickly that he loves to say "Strong and powerful. Like a dolphin!" He speaks 4 or 5 languages, so that's cool I guess. I mean, can't everyone? His family is the absolute cutest. His wife doesn't speak English very well but she also speaks a handful of languages, and she just had a baby two months ago! Her name is Ruby and she is the sweetest baby I've ever seen in my life. I got to hold her for a bit while Sister Mutombo put the boys to bed. (Her boys are also the cutest things I've ever seen.)
We stayed up that night eating, having a devotional, and sharing our testimonies. We finally got to bed around 11:30. The next morning we got up at 5:30 and started our interviews with President. I was the first one ready to go at 6. I'll pause for you all to be shocked. I know I know. It's okay to be impressed. I was impressed with myself.
After interviews were finished we went to the church to eat breakfast and meet our new trainers and learn a bunch of rules I've already forgotten.
My trainer is Sister Morin. I know right?! Sister Morin and Sister Morrison? God has a sense of humor. She's about 6 feet tall and a long-distance runner. And quiet. And gentle. And has curly hair which I love. Basically everything opposite of me. She's the sweetest thing. She'll just listen to me talk and talk. I feel bad but every time I stop myself and apologize she says "No go on!" And I mean you have to obey your trainer because they know best right?
Turns out y'all that I'm in the old people retired community/the country. Cumberland is great though. I pretty much know nothing so I'm just slowly slowly learning and seeing how things are done here and how I can get the Lord's work to speed up. Unfortunately, we all know how much old people like to talk, (something about being so close to the end makes you wanna get as much in edgewise as possible,) so we tend to stay hours instead of minutes. It drives me crazy! It's too slow for me, that's for sure. Maybe if I can get this area hoppin' they'll let me go to a more fast-paced environment. Fingers crossed, prayers said.
I've already met so many new people and learned so many lessons. I don't know if I can take another 17 months of all this learning. My wee little brain can't hold it all in. I'm writing it down in hope that I remember. Each journal entry in 4+ pages long! So some things I've learned:
•never leave home without your water bottle
•Maryland's high temperatures do not stop in the 80s
•when it is 97+ degrees outside with 80% or more humidity, it tends to feel like 1000 degrees
•old ladies love beets
•I MELT in the heat. I mean really guys. It's not pretty.
•I get into really bad moods when I'm hot
•the Lord is the best sunscreen anyways
•God is aware of each one of his children!
•Showering 2-3 times a day is absolutely necessary
•Heavenly Father loves us SO MUCH
Being able to be set apart and have access to God's power to help in His work has its definite perks. The Spirit is so strong all the time. The love I feel for complete strangers regularly makes me stop to revel in it. On Friday I met this wonderful daughter of God who has a very hard life. This women's house was barely standing. Her insulation peeked out from massive holes in the walls and the cracks that covered most of the house. I think the only thing holding that house together is her faith and God's own hands. She began to list off all her complaints and her worries and life struggles. On and on she went. She says she knows God helps her and uplifts her, but it can be so hard sometimes. And as I was sitting there in her disgusting house listening to her complaints, I suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to hug her. So I stood up and said "Sherry. God loves you. He is aware of every single need you have. He has His hand in your life this very moment and is preparing you for greater and better things." She stopped talking and said "Oh miss, I know He is. He's there keeping back the devil every day." It was such a powerful testimony to me of the humility this woman has and infinite and unconditional love God has for all of us. Never forget that you are His!
I pray for you guys every morning and night, and I feel the power of your prayers for me. Thank you so much for all you guys do! Much love my friends.
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!
Love, Sister Morrison
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