June 20, 2011

So you'll never guess what!!!! You'll love this story Dad.
So yesterday are dinner appointment canceled on us again, so for the second week in a row we ate with our ward mission leader (Steve Clark) and his family. Brother Clark was asking what I did before my mission. I said BYU and was majoring in Elementary Education. He said cool, my dad taught in the Education department - the Mckay building for about 27 years. So I asked then if he grew up there. Yes, in Spanish Fork... Fark he said. I laughed saying that my dad liked saying it that way too. Spanish Fark. He asked why that was. I said that my dad had lived there when he was younger and that my great-grandparents lived there for a long time. Brother Clark asked what their names were. First I said, "Clark... wait that's your name." Weird coincidence... I couldn't remember Grandma Clark's or Grandpa Clark's first names. I mentioned a Barbara and Douglas... but those didn't ring a bell. I said that my dad actually grew up in Moab. Then Brother Clark said he had relatives in Moab. Seriously, I asked. His wife said he was joking... at least we thought he was... he's joker. But he got really thoughtful and then asked, "Barbara Walston." "Yeah, that's my grandma." "I've got to call my dad," he said. He called his dad and yep. His dad is cousins with Grandma Walston. CRAZY!!!!! His dad remembered Grandaddy's name, Milton and remembered that Grandma had a child die a while ago... Pam. Yeah, really weird. I'm related to my Ward Mission Leader! Weird, but really kind of cool! Isn't that awesome! Brother Clark's dad's name is Clifford Clark. I was looking at the family tree I have and his dad must have been named after his mother or grandmother's maiden name. Anyways, our relative Clifford Clark has been trying to call his cousin... Grandma, but since no one's living there he hasn't been able to get a hold of her. I told him that she was living in Fillmore with Cathy. But in case he hasn't found a number, can I get Cathy's number, or Grandma's cell phone number so I can give it to him? He'd really love being able to get a hold of Grandma.
Crazy, crazy story, huh?
That was really cool. Another funny story about my life is my companion's embrassing moment of the week.
We had some questions for the zone leaders, Elder Clancy and Elder Bodily. Sister Grant called them. Elder Clancy answered saying, "Hello. This is Elder Clancy." Sister Grant said, "Hello. This is Sister Bodily." I bursted out laughing! She looked horrified! Hahaha... oh manigins. Yes. She stumbled on her words for a moment, "I meant... This is Sister Grant." "I had no idea," said Clancy. "Why didn't you invite me to the sealing?" Nevertheless to say, he is not going to let this one down... and neither am I apparently. I LOVED it. But she doesn't mind. During companionship inventory she told me a strength I had that she liked of me was teasing her... and that she didn't mind it. So now she can't complain. Haha. No she's good nature liked that. A lot of people here like to tease her and she takes it well. Oh, and no Dad, she's not the asain one. In the group picture, she was the one standing right behind me... I think you can only see half of her head because I'm so tall. She's a white girl from Utah... somewhere west of Salt Lake. The "asian" girl you saw was actually another new sister. I didn't know until I was about to board the plane that there was actually another new sister with our group. She's from Peru and had been in the MTC for about 2 months and was with the international group... that's why I never learned of her until that point.
Other fun things... didn't I mention before that on my 4th day of being here I was with another sister that had been here for only a transfer longer than me and that I got to permissionto drive all that day in Antelope? That was fun :D. Oh, funny. So my first Sunday here, are dinner appointment canceled on us. Sister Clark (the ward mission leader's wife) said she would feed us and that they were having fish. Another lady in the ward told a story of how her husband didn't like fish and thought missionaries wouldn't like it. Well, he was wrong and those missionaries did like it. After Relief Society Sister Clark asked if we liked fish. Our answer, no. So I believe she is the secretary in the Relief Society and when making the news letter of this month, she mentioned how we have a new sister missionary and something something and then at the very end she said, and just so you know, the sister missionaries don't like fish. Everyone likes to mention that. Haha... I'm glad though. I've come to realize as I've been here this 2 weeks... I'm kind of a picky eater. Opps. :/ Oh wells. I still try to eat some foods that aren't my favorite and just inwardly groan.
The other day I was talking and my companion stops me and said, "You sure like to ramble sometimes, don't you." Haha, funny! I have been rambling a lot. But she does it too, so it's only fair. Oh! And I got all the letters you sent me the first week I was here - Taylor's included! And I got the package!!!! Thank you so much!!! I had been really wanting my charger! And thank you for the sweets. You are so sweet for sending them to me :) .
Friday we had a trainer/trainee meeting. It was good! And I got to see my elder's from the MTC and Elder Borrowman was there! He finally made if from the MTC. (He was held back for an eye problem, but it only a week to fix thank goodness!) But it was really good. The one thing that really stood out to me was this. I am here fully dedicating 18 months of my life to the Lord's service. Jesus Christ, though, gave His entire life for us. Why should we worry that we are gone for this short time? The Lord did so much for us. We can give this time back to Him. Missionary work is soooo important. It's to the bringing souls unto Christ - where all happiness and goodness comes from. I am so etnerally grateful for the Savior. Without Him, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I know it's true because I find my true happiness when I looked unto Him. When I am need of comfort, I turn to His word, His love. In 2 Nephi 31 it speaks of the doctrine of Christ. I never knew about this chapter before. It is amazing. The doctrine of Christ lies under 5 things that are discussed in the chapter: faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I plan on enduring to the end and receiving the promise that is in 2 Nephi 31, which is receiving eternal life.
I love you family oh so much!!! Remember the Savior and His promise in 2 Nephi 31: 20-21. His words are true.
I love you, I love you!!!!!
Oh, and you should tell Ryan that he should write me... I want to know he misses me!!!
And one other thing. The other day I was at a older ladies house and she asked if I had a picture of my family... I don't have any... do you want to be kind and send me some. A picture of our family from Christmas time? And any other cute pictures of our family you think I might like so I can show everyone off? That would be great!!!
LOVE YOU!!!!
Sister Kristi Walston