June 29, 2015

So! Transfers happened! I didn't go very far, and I'm still in the same stake, but I am now in the Warrenton area. It is SO DIFFERENT from Manassas. Manassas was full of suburbs. Lots and lots of townhouses or regular houses that were really close together. Some super big houses out in the woods, where the rich people lived, but mostly everyone was packed in tight. Here, I'm out in the "country." Cows and ducks and chickens and big corn fields.  Most of the houses are far away from their neighbors and there are only a few suburban-type neighborhoods. People keep to themselves a lot more here. Even the ward members. They don't seem very driven to meet new people. Its actually kinda irritating. Sister Wright (my new companion) tells me that most of the areas she has served in have been like that. I guess Manassas was just extra awesome in its level of friendliness. BUT! I'm still really excited to be here and have new experiences. 

My last week in Manassas was really great. Sister Morris finished the Book of Mormon with us, which was a HUGE accomplishment for her. We read the last verse, and we all looked up and each other and she had this big smile on her face. It was so neat. The day before I left, she said, "I'm really going to miss you, Sister Taylor. You two are such a powerful team. I've loved all the sisters who have come, but I think I'm going to miss you the most." I just love her! I had to say goodbye to the Giordanos, too and that was super sad. They were sad that both Sister Christiansen and I were both going to be gone, but I promised to write them still. They are such an amazing family! Lots of people in the ward said they were sad to see me go, and I was sad to leave them. I really loved it there. Its definitely someplace I want to go back to someday. 

I don't have a whole lot to report on yet by way of Warrenton. I met a woman in the ward who is bed-ridden and has MS named Sister Norris. We go by one or two times a week to teach her. She got baptized when she was still able to walk, and she needs some reminding of the doctrine, but mostly she just needs love. We have been encouraging her to read the Book of Mormon daily on her own. She is such a sweet lady, and I'm excited to get to know her better. 

The Price's are another family in the ward, and they are a hoot. They are an older couple and they are very eccentric. They love the missionaries and they are the friendliest people alive, but Brother Price (who introduced himself as a ward missionary) is less active, and Sister Price is a returning member. I'm sure I'll have exciting stories to tell about them as time goes by. 

Connie is our progressing investigator. We taught her about temples and family history work on Friday, and she LOVED it. She said it answered a lot of questions she has always had and helped her feel more at peace. She should be getting baptized on July 27. That is her mother's birthday, which is why she picked it. 

Other than that, we've mostly just knocked on some doors and gone to church so far. I've met a handful of ward members, and like I said earlier, they come across as sorta standoffish. I tend to have to be the one to initiate conversations if I want to get to know someone, but once I do, they seem nice. Hopefully I get more warmed up to the ward before too long. The bishop is great and listens carefully to everything we say to him. We live in the ward mission leader's family's basement, and they are SUPER sweet. They are the Anguiano's. They have a little boy who is 18 months old, a boy who is 9 and a girl who is 11. Sister Anguiano is pregnant, and we found out this morning its a girl! 

Anyway, I love you all. Have a great week! 

Sister Taylor