I'd say this week has been the most exciting week so far! The first lesson I learned this week is that our Heavenly Father is perfect in every way, including His sense of humor. I can remember distinctly teasing Tyler that he would get his mission call to Kansas... but I guess this is how it goes. The Kansas Wichita Mission is the place to be!!!
On Sunday we found out that all the missionaries in the MTC would be leaving by the end of the week. And so, on Thursday morning we left for the airport to start our journey in the mission field five weeks ahead of schedule!
It was strange to see the airports so empty. I got to travel with an awesome Japanese missionary from my zone named Sister Walker and four other missionaries from the Baltic States Mission. There were only 14 people on the flight to Wichita and six of us were missionaries so that was pretty exciting. We also flew over a lightning storm and went through some of the craziest turbulence I've ever experienced. But we eventually made it safe and sound to Kansas at around 11:40pm. We met President and Sister Ernst and they are two of the sweetest people I've ever met!
On the car ride to the mission home President told us that the people here are very religious and they love the Bible... I think Sister Walker and I both realized this is going to be a very different teaching experience from what we prepared for in the MTC. Welcome to the Heartland of America!
I met my Trainer Sister Powell and she's so sweet! Our area is McPherson, Kansas and it's really small and cute. It's a little strange because it kinda feels like I'm just back in Southern Indiana except it's extra flat and very windy. The fields are so green and there's winter wheat all over the place. The people here are so friendly! It's so cool to be a missionary because every day since I've been here I've been able to feel a little more of Heavenly Father's love for the people in Kansas. President Ernst encouraged all of the reassigned missionaries to "dig our roots deep in Kansas soil". I think having that perspective, and not seeing this as a temporary situation but seeing Wichita, Kansas as my mission and seeing the McPherson people as my people has already helped me feel a lot of joy. I've been reminded that the quote by Elder Wirthlin isn't "come what may and get over it", it's "come what may, and love it." I love Kansas, I love my Savior, and I love the opportunity to prepare to serve in Japan too.
During our first companion study Sister Powell decided we should read Alma 26 together. It was a really good reminder that God is aware of all of His people, no matter where they are, and that there is so much joy in serving them. So, to everyone that's been reassigned, you should give it a read!...I still wish people could read my nametag though...
We've been working on calling as many people as we can from the area book and sometimes people pick up! We are excited to keep teaching the Peña family over video call this week! We are also looking forward to learning to make pasta sauce over video call and Book of Mormon read with our neighbor Ethan. It seems like lots of people have more free time at home so we're trying to take advantage of that. Sister Powell has also been a big help as I practice teaching in English and Japanese, I'm so grateful for my patient companion!
Also! Make sure to get excited for conference this week and keep studying the restoration!!
愛しています！
ジョーンズ姉妹
No comments:
Post a Comment