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| Back row to front, left to right: Elder Chandler, Elder Jacobsen, Elder Hardy, Elder Money, Elder Gay, Elder Viehweg, Elder Hamilton. Next row: Elder Larsen, Elder Stewart, President Brough, Elder Waite, Elder Jacobson, and Elder Loveless. Sister and Hermanas: Hermana Gamett, Hermana Butts, Sister Wagner, Sister Brough, Hermana Matagi-Magalei, Hermana Wade, Hermana Bennett Front row: Hermana Steele, Hermana Failner, Hermana Hearne, Sister Patterson, Sister Taylor and Hermana Farris. |
Hello from Kentucky!!
I have hardly any time, so I will have to be quick. My hair is officially an afro, and I was attacked by a dog this week and had to go to the ER. Kentucky has given me such a warm welcome! Haha. We were out contacting and this lady's little chihuahua bit me three times and drew a little blood. It wasn't a big deal at ALL, but the church takes dog bites really seriously because it broke skin. My companion and I had to go to the ER and I had to get antibiotics. It was quite the experience. Believe it or not, the bites actually did hurt pretty bad. It was an evil little dog! When the doctor came in he started singing who let the dogs out, it was pretty funny. For little tiny bites I got quite the royal treatment! They cleaned up all my wounds and put band aids on them. It was so much hassle for something so unnecessary! Haha, but it was a good time. The mission president got word that I was "attacked" by a dog and was calling us and was so worried. I really was tempted to play a prank on him and give a big elaborate story, but I decided to give him a break, he's new :) When I got bit, my companion jumped up on ledge and just watched me. We now have a joke that if I ever get attacked again that I will have to fend for myself, because she is too afraid of dogs. I also learned the hard way that always having your insurance info and your id on you is always a good idea :) Haha
Anyway, my area is Hurstbourne. To be honest, its a pretty ghetto area, but I like it! There are a lot of Hispanics to go contact which is good :) Our branch is TINY, like 15 members at the most. Most aren't active. We really need to reactivate members, and get some member support. But the members in the ward are great. They are floored by how much Spanish I know and call me Hermana Fiona because my last name is too hard to say haha.
We found this amazing woman this week name Julia. She has lived such a difficult life, but has really been searching the bible and for a religion that sits well with her. The gospel was seriously made for her! I shared with her the first vision, and it was such an incredible experience. I have never felt so much peace in my life. Looking someone in the eye with all of the conviction and truthfulness in the world is something I will never forget. I feel so much love for her and can't wait to see her progress.
Yesterday we went contacting and made some amazing referrals for the English sisters as well as a whole apartment complex we have never knocked before that is filled with Hispanics! We contacted three solid people who all have been curious about Mormons and have wanted to learn more, three in a row!! One of the guys we found, B'shar, told us that right before we came up to him that he was praying to God for a sign or to send someone to him to get him through his hardships. The second he finished his prayer, we showed up. It was such a cool experience. We offered a prayer with him and set up a return appt. I know that we were definitely sent for a reason. The amount of empathy and love I have felt for people out here has been incredible. At times I am sad for them, and really feel what they are feeling. I am so grateful to bring this message to them!
Lastly, my mission president and his wife are awesome! I love my president already. During my interview with him I was talking to him about life, and how to find a balance between being a missionary and a human being with hardships and trials going on. During my interview, he felt impressed to give me a blessing. It was such a spiritual experience, I have never felt so much love from my Savior. It said that I was meant to be here, how proud the Lord was of me and that during many times in my mission that I would literally be held by the Holy Ghost in the many times of sorrow I will experience out here. I was such a comfort to me. He also felt impressed to tell me that I was meant to be in Kentucky at this exact time, that I would bring families to the gospel through the atonement, and that he felt that he was meant to be my mission president. In hard times, this always gives me comfort that I am supposed to be out here for a reason, even when it doesn't seem like it. After my blessing, he gave me something I have never had since coming out on my mission. He allowed me to have 10 minutes completely by myself, with no one around. I was actually able to cry and to feel what I was feeling without a companion right by me. I am so grateful for him, and for his understanding.
Now I am ready to go to work! I have never felt so much comfort or peace in my life since I have been out here.
I love all of you. I pray for you daily and hope that all is well.
Hermana Failner
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