Transfers have come around. President kept us all hanging by our toes because he had a meeting on Sunday so we got the emails this morning. However, I did get a call yesterday afternoon. I was told I was being flushed into an area where there had never been sisters, half Spanish and English, in a trio with another Spanish speaker, and that I was going to be an STL. LOTS to take in, but that left the question, WHERE???
Drumrolll please...Sister Lucas (from Guatemala), Sister Searle (past full site sister), and I will be flushing Rochester Spanish South. Cue me: AHHHHHH.
President tried an experiment these last couple of transfers with the companionship of sisters who proselyte in and around Palmyra. They had a trio, and one sister they would drop off at the sites while the other two stayed in the area. They were commonly nick-named Sophronia (one of Joseph Smith's sisters). Well, President has decided to do some more experimenting and we know will have a Rochester hybrid of this, US! We've decided we will be called Caterina (the Spanish version of Katherine--Joseph's other sister). Every day one of us will be at the sites while the other two are in the area, either driving with other sisters who serve in Rochester down to the sites, or driving them. Meanwhile, as we proselyte, we will have no car, but bikes, and buses, and feet! Cue me: yes, Yes, YES.
I am PUMPED. Spanish, and city, and buses, and people, and street contacting. May I repeat: AH! So today we are serving at the Smith farm and we don't technically get a pday until next week, but we've been allowed emailing time, so this will be fairly zippy!
There have been many tears shed this week. Six sisters are leaving, including my amazing mother Sister Tucker (pause as tears stream down face.) One of the amazing things about serving at the sites is how much all of these sisters become a part of your life. I know I will always find a friend in each of them, even if never having been companions with them. I have learned so much from all of the sisters who have served here, who all seemed so old when I first came into the field, and now are leaving me. My heart breaks, but I know friendships like these will last forever, and it is not goodbye, but simply: until next time.
Just on the topic of cool experiences that happened this week. We were in the heart of Palmyra at the Grandin building this week when it was Palmyra Pirate Day! I don't know why it's a big thing in Palmyra, but it is. There were pirate decorations all around town and in the evening as we were driving home we saw a different kind of Palmyra mob making their way through town on a "treasure hunt". This place is slightly crazy, but I love it so much. Anyway, on the topic of this day, Sister Dickey and I went to take a picture outside with our own little parrot decoration, and just as we finished a man in a motor chair zooms close to us. Being missionaries, we stopped and talked to him, then offered him a tour inside. Wow, what a cool experience. His name was Michael, and he couldn't speak very well because of physical impairments, but he had a grand sense of humor, and love talking with us. Quote Micheal upon finding out Sister Dickey was from New Zealand "What a treat for me to meet someone from so far away." Such a sweet man. He also didn't know much about the church or the Grandin building for living just a block over. Sister Dickey and I decided to tag team the tour (never thought I'd say it would be odd actually teaching with my companion).
As we explained the message of the Book of Mormon a warmth filled my heart, because it's message touches the lives of people all the way on the other side of the world in Russia, and can also touch the lives of those living right where it was printed. Michael accepted the invitation to meet with missionaries, and so my prayers are with him and the sisters in his area.
Being full time at the sites has allowed me to grow in ways I never thought possible. It has allowed me to feel the Spirit in ways I never thought possible. It has allowed my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and more importantly, my testimony of the Savior, to strengthen in ways I never thought possible In other words, I never thought joy like this was possible. Luckily I will not have to say goodbye to the sites, but I will NEVER forget my experiences in Palmyra, and what it meant to call this area home.
I love you all, until next time!
Sincerely,
Hermana (emphasis on Spanish- HERMANA) Abreu
1. Pictures of all the sisters at the first site meeting (during summer they are split in two--I was serving at the Hill so I got to be in both pictures)
2. All of the sisters in the second site meeting, the one I attended. You can't see from the pictures but my eyes are puffy
3. A few of the departing sisters
4. Las picture with Sister Tucker
5. Photo taken with parrot just seconds before meeting Michael
6. A good chunk of the full time site sisters congregating to the Smith Farm the morning of transfer emails (ignore the disheveled sweaty appearances). Also, Sister Searle is the blonde one in the hoodie
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