Settlers of Chinese Florida, STLs, Body Work, and Banana Cake (Week 6)

Hello everyone,

Last Monday was district P-day, which is when the district does an activity together.  It also allows Sisters and Elders to do the same activity.  Normally, we can only do volleyball with the Elders.  I think it is so we don't become too close.  However, it is more annoying to the Sisters, since there are fewer of us.  A lot of Sisters go shopping, which Sister Taylor and I don't really care to do.

For district P-day we went to an ice-cream place that sells Italian ice with soft served ice cream.  I just bought some mango and straberrry flavored Italian ice.  It was really good.  We then went to the stake center and played Settlers of Catan and Signs.  I had lots of fun, although Sister Taylor thought it was kinda lame.  She doesn't really care for board games.

Starting on Monday night we had exchanges with the sisters in Olympia.  Those sister are STLs (Sister Training Leaders).  Their job is to take care of the sisters in the zone, and they go on exchanges with them.  I have a question: were therer STLs when you went on your mission?  I hadn't heard about them until the MTC.  I had fun with Sister Kirkham.

We had temple service this week.  We got to go on top of the Temple.  We bleached and mopped the roof, so it would be white again.  It was lots of fun.

Because of the car crash, we had to go to two auto body shops and get estimates.  It takes up so much time.  I'll be honest -- I hate it.  It's hard being a missionary when you're not being a missionary.  What I mean by that is it is hard living the missionary standards when you're not sharing the gospel.

Thankfully, that night I had a good experience sharing the gospel.  We were driving home from English class, and we got to a red light.  The car next to us had the window rolled down.  I rolled down my window and started talking to him.  He is Christian, but he wasn't interested in our message, but he was thankful for us sharing.  Even though he said no, it was the highlight of my day.

The Gospel Library app is amazing!  Just saying.  You should all use it if you can.

On Saturday, we went to an inactive's home for dinner.  We talked to her before.  Our ward doesn't have her records, and she doesn't want them to find her.  Hermie is her name.  I forgot if I emailed about her last week, so I'll tell you again.  She is from New Zealand.  Sister Taylor's grandma is from New Zealand, so they bonded on that point.  Her neighbor is a member, and she told us about her when we went over to her house for dinner.  Hermie has a lovely yard, and we have offered to help her take care of it.  We have yet to do that still.  She cooked us a chicken noodle soup and banana cake with chocolate frosting. Both were amazing.  She is a great cook.  She says she doesn't use any canned vegetables, but buys them fresh.  I also know that her food is healthy.  She gave us some food to take home.  We didn't need it, but since we have her dishes now we have to come back.  Hopefully, she'll come back to the church someday.  I think she was offended over people pushing her to get married.

That night was also the Trunk or Treat.  The Elders brought some candy to pass out.  I had one Peanut Buttercup, which tasted like licorice.  Nasty.  I think the sun's heat made fumes from the licorice in the bag that went into the chocolate.

Mirth and Mom: Thanks for the bookmark.  Sister Taylor and I love it.  It is also the perfect size to go into my scriptures.  Mirth I love how you said I would want a bookmark for each companion.  I was thinking about telling you that very thing. 

Mom: Could you make another bookmark for Sister Taylor?  I want it like the first one that says Orlando is where she belongs, but I also want some Mandarin Chinese on it.  She knows this is where she is supposed to be right now, but her heart is still in Australia.  I know the Lord needed to have a weird situation with her, so he could get a Mandarin missionary to Orlando.  Normally, they don't call Mandarin missionaries to this area.  Technically, her new mission call was changed to English, but President Berry wants her to keep using Mandarin.

Mirth: I love how you are changing crews so you can do Family Home Evening.  I always wanted to do FHE on Mondays, but something always interfered.  I am glad you are making the change.  By the way, 88 is a good crew from what I know.

Mom: We do have music on the iPads; it is just the hymns and children's songs though.

Mom: The Crowleys in the Winter Garden Ward are home-schooling for the first time this year.  She was asking the type of books and programs you use.  You could send them to me, or I could give her your email.  Whatever you want.

Dad: Nils has already moved back to China, but I'll be sure to email the information that Grandma and Grandpa sent to me. Thanks for also sending me your thoughts on the election.

I got the flash drive okay.  It think it will take two stamps though.  Since it looked like you paid 21 more cents.

I need to get off I'll sent you pictures next week.

--
~Sister Aurora Pack