New Area

Dear Family:

 

I was reviewing the week and I still can't believe that all of it has happened just this past week! 

 

Sister Pierce & Sister Call

On Monday we had dinner with the Lowder's and then that evening we received transfer calls from A.P. Elder Saunders. Transfers are crazy and I try to come up with every possible combination for transfers, but somehow they always come up with one that I never thought of.  So once again that happened.  Elder Saunders told us that we would both be leaving Dubuque and that it would all make sense at transfer meeting, but since we were both leaving that we would need to write up information about the area and the people we were working with, so that the new companionship would know what was going on.  Needless to say this came as a shock to quite a few people and the members of our district would not believe that we were telling them the truth when we said that we both were being transferred.

  

Well needless to say I didn't sleep for the next three nights as my mind was racing.  The next couple of days were bitter sweet.  On Tuesday Sister Pierce and I volunteered at Hills and Dales for our final time and I can honestly say that I am going to miss that place.  I loved the clients and we were the only regular volunteers so they became really attached to us, so it was hard to say goodbye.  Tuesday afternoon we went to the library and typed up all the information about our area.  I felt like I was going on the TV show "Wife Swap"  where the wife leaves a manual about her family.  Anyways we had dinner at the Rasmussen's and then went over to the Saitos home, because the Marshallese in our ward were throwing a going away party for Elder Tekanene, Sister Pierce, and I.  I am so thankful for the time that I was able to spend working with the people of the Marshall Islands.  They are so generous and kind that they treat you like family!  They all sang "God Be With You Til We Meet Again." 

my Dubuque district

Elder Tekanene (district leader for past 6 months)

 

The Zirkers

Tuesday night we ended up calling our zone leaders and they approved a sleep over with the 1st ward sisters at our apartment.  Since the other sisters didn't have the car this week and Sister Farnsworth had a doctor's appointment Wednesday morning.  It was a lot of fun and a good way to end our time up in Dubuque.  Anyways on Wednesday we had district lunch at Olive Garden, and then that evening we said some goodbyes.  It was hard to say goodbye to some of the members and people that we worked with.  We went to the Zirker's and then had dinner at the Beytien's which will always be my home in Dubuque!  I am going to miss them so much and how much they helped us out.  They were so sweet and gave Sister Pierce and I  each a Dubuque, Iowa t-shirt, and a quilt. Then Brother Beytien showed us a couple magic tricks because we were leaving, and still I don't understand magic at all, but it was fun.  We then dropped by and said goodbye to Thora and she was so sweet and said that she was about to cry. 

 

Brother Beytien, Sister Beytien, Sister (Grandma) Beatse, Sister Call

Well I had planned on getting up around 6:00 Thursday morning, but after being wide awake for most of the night I got up shortly after 5:00 and started to get ready for the day.  Well the big news from transfers is that I am now serving in the Des Moines Ward with Sister Broome who is from Dalton, Georgia and has been a member of the church for about 2 years and has been on her mission for 1 year.  Anyways, I am so excited to be serving in Des Moines!  I am serving in the same ward as the AP's, our District Leader, and the office missionaries (the Gardner's and the Simmons).  I am now in the highest baptizing ward in America so it should be good!  We got back to Des Moines and then went out to the car so and it was completely iced over, because there had been an ice storm.  We didn't have an ice scraper, but luckily the Hermanas live in the same complex that we do and so we were able to borrow their scraper until we could get our own scraper.  We had dinner with the Cluff's and then went and visited a less active sister. That is sort of Sister Broome and I's  responsibility is finding, teaching, and nurturing the less active sisters.  Because we have over 600 people in our ward directory and quite a few are less active. 

Sisters Broome, Call, Jensen & ?

 

Friday marked 6 months of being a missionary!  Oh so in our area there are the refugees from Africa, so Friday evening we were visiting some of the refugees and as we were walking between the buildings, some guy said "you are so white, you are brighter than the snow."  haha granted this man was drunk, but yes he was able to point out the obvious that I do stick out like a sore thumb, but I already love the African people.  They are so kind to us and they always give you a hug! 

 

View out of our window the first morning in Des Moines!

Saturday was way busy we contacted 2 referrals that we had received.  Visited several less actives,  found 2 new investigators, had district lunch and district meeting, taught a recent convert, and attended stake conference.  The theme for stake conference was missionary work.  So President and Sister Jensen spoke and for the intermediate hymn they had all 63 full time missionaries serving in the Des Moines stake come and sing.  Sister Whipple was there and literally my heart jumped as I saw her walking up to the stand!  OH it was so good to see her! 

 

Yesterday was also full of miracles.  We had stake conference and then that afternoon/evening  Vania (a convert of about 7 years) came out with us and she has absolutely no fear whatsoever about sharing the gospel and talking with others!  She is a riot.  So we were doing some less active finding and trying by some former investigators.  Well one of the formers lives in a locked complex, so we buzzed in and no one answered, but a man came into the entry way so Vania first starts talking to him and he said that he was a member.  Which caught us off guard, so we clarified that he was  a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and sure enough he was and the Bishop had visited him not long ago, and he is actually having Thanksgiving with the Bishop.  Anyways we were able to go and teach him and the Spirit was so strong!  And Vania is going to pick him up for church! 

 

Well a lot has happened this week and I am excited for the Holidays even though I don't know the members here, but I hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving!

 

Love you,

Sister Call