Week 55

My new area...

I don't think I've walked so much in my entire mission! :D  Our area is actually pretty far away from our apartment.  Oton used to be just one area but it recently split.  The other sisters sharing our apartment are in the city, where our apartment is and there are sooooo many people.  Our area on the other hand is mostly just fields... and some houses here and there...but I love it!  There really aren't very many people living out there, but it's fun.  It's so beautiful.  I feel like it's more of an elder's area because normally sisters are only in the city. It's a great area, but sometimes we walk a long ways to get to an appointment and then we're punted.... and have to walk all the way back.  I'm not complaining though... I've always loved walking. :D

Transportation... There are hardly any tricycles here, which is the main mode of transportation I've used my whole mission so far.  Now we ride on jeepneys which are like buses... kind of.  We walk out to the main road, flag down a jeepney, climb in... there's always enough room for you... even when it's already full... they squeeze together and somehow there's room.  Sometimes the back is covered in men hanging on or sitting on the top.  When we reach our area, we call to the driver to stop, we climb out... and not so much in our area, but usually, in order to get to a certain place within an area, there are c-cads, which are like tricycles, but instead of motorcycles, they are bikes.  C-cad drivers just ride their bikes all around the neighborhood and up to 2 people can sit in the little seats attatched to the side... that are really close to the ground.  Usually we just walk though, to save money.  And... I'm a little embarrassed to have them push me around... I'm a kana... I probably weigh more than most people here, haha. It looks like such a difficult job!  Imagine, riding a bike all over town all day long trying to pick people up... and depending on how many people you can get to drive around, is what kind of dinner your family will have. It looks so exhausting!  Tricycle drivers look lazy to me in comparison, haha.

I'm really enjoying this new area!  This week we focused on finding new investigators and were able to teach 12 new investigators!  And have several more that are potential that we plan on returning to.  I'm getting used to the area and the people and my companion and I are getting along great!   

On Saturday, we went on exchanges.  Sister Butler from Orem is the new Sister Training Leader... which is like a zone leader for sisters and it's her responsibility to go on exchanges with all the sisters in the zone to help them with anything.  It was a really fun day!  You get twice as much attention when there are 2 kanas.  :D  We did a service project as a branch that morning, taking down the posters from the elections.  That was my first opportunity wearing the bright yellow helping hands uniform thing for LDS service projects.  It was awesome! :D  And... we don't really have any upcoming baptisms... but I'm sure things will pick up in the next few weeks and we'll give out some baptismal dates to all our new investigators. :D 

On that day, we prepared a lesson for a father who is less active.  We shared about the Anti-Nephi-Lehis who were such good valiant people, perfectly honest and upright in all things, and then compared that verse to the verse about the 2000 strippling warriors (their children) and how they turned out.  We shared about how by his example, his children will learn to be faithful to the end.  I surprised myself by testifying that I know I am here on my mission because of the example of my parents.  If it were not for their faithfulness and example and their teaching to me of the gospel, I would not be here right now.  I can't express my gratitude for them.  I felt the spirit so strongly as I shared about my parents dedication to the church and to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I just hope and pray that I can do as good a job in my future home.  I love my parents so much... I am so grateful for all they do and have done.  I do not doubt that they know the truth.  I am so grateful that we had family prayer and scripture study every day... even though I slept through it most of the time... wrapped up in my blankets... I am so grateful for their efforts to eat meals as a family and have family council meetings... I am so grateful for their worthiness and dedication to go to the temple every week and that I was able to receive priesthood blessings as needed and desired.  I am so grateful that we attended church as a family EVERY Sunday, even if we were on vacation or if I couldn't find my shoes. I can't repay everything that they have done for me.  I am so grateful for their decision to marry in the temple and they are being true to their covenants so that we really CAN be an eternal family.  I am grateful that they taught me about principles of tithing and fasting.  I am grateful for our Family Home Evenings every Monday.  For our service projects occasionally.... for our family outings and traditions... for their magnifying of church callings and willingness to do anything asked of them... and right now, I am grateful for their decision to serve as missionaries.  It encourages me every day to work harder here and to make them proud.  Thank you for your weekly letters to me, which really encourage me and help me get through the difficult times.  There is SO much more that they have done for me and for others that I can't even begin to say, but I would like to.  Thank you so much for everything.  I love you both SO much!!! I'm sure my appreciation and gratitude will only continue to increase over the years, especially when I have my own children and actually experience what you went through. :D

Thank you wonderful family, I love you all. Your letters of support really help me a lot.  They help me get from week to week.  

Take care!
Sister McClellan