Best Week Ever

Umm...Ok.....um...best week of my life. The end.

I don't think I have been this happy in years and years. I don't even know where to start!

I have had so many adventures and I laugh 24/7!

I left Temple Square on Wednesday morning - I left a box and a suitcase in the storage at T2.

I flew into Spokane and Pres. and Sister Mullen greeted me there. They took me by the temple and then we went to the mission office and got some info and training with the Assistants. I had an amazing interview with President and then I was off! I got put in a trio because this mission is a week behind T2 transfers. Let me tell you it has been the best thing ever! I seriously haven't had this much fun since I was in high school with Sarah and Jessica all the time. That's what it feels like with my two companions! SOOO great!  I can tell you one thing...my bootie hurts something fierce because my bike seat is so hard!

 I am serving with Sister Ledoux and Maxfield, both from Utah:)  We just got transfer details last night  and this next transfer Sister Ledoux and I are sweeping a new area called Liberty Lake. Sister Maxfield is training again for like her 5th time and is straying in Hayden. It will be sad to say goodbye to her.  All three of us have become really close the past few days. This is sister Maxfield's last transfer. Next transfer Sister Ledoux and I will have a full time car, but we have bikes, too, so, we do both.

Before I get going I want to tell you that our Heavenly Father is VERY much aware of each of us....and knows us individually...I have never felt that so strong in my life as I have these past few day since being in Hayden. Any of you who really know Janet Reynders knows, that I get scared very easy, and one of my biggest fears is getting kidnapped.  I know it sounds silly...but it's a real fear for me.  Of course I never talked about it when deciding to go on a mission.  I have left my life in the Lord's hands and he continues to take care of me.  One of the first things President Mullen said to me without any prompt from me was, "I have recently been told on 2 different occasions that the Spokane mission is considered a very safe mission." Yeah, God loves me.

   

Transitioning from T2 to into the field has definitely been a transition, but the good thing is, is that I am a "preach my Gospel" Missionary in and out  and because of that everything transitions pretty smoothly.  I really just have to learn the new resources and such, like church tours, and then learn how logistics work like reporting numbers, learning the area, learning how to work with ward leaders, and new mission rules.

I have loved the work out here. I love making awkward contacts, I love getting my skirt caught in my bike every 2 seconds:), I love BEING ABLE TO DO SERVICE HOURS (I have raked a lot of yards this week.) I love being in homes!  We went to visit an less active family in the ward and the Sisters said, "They are always sneaking up and scaring us.  This time we are going to get them good."  It was pitch black outside and we sneaked around the back of the house (without getting eaten by the dog) and climbed over just a few things and we run up and banged on their window and then ran and hid.  The little girl screamed inside and the dad came out looking, "I bet it was the Sisters." He pulls out his flash light...then we jumped out! Everyone was laughing and we went in and had a good time with the family! Their boy and I played a duet with  him on the banjo and me on the guitar. But what I loved most was being able to gather the family together and all be edified by the spirit.

 We had a District meeting this week and our District Leader was going home. So I am sitting there waiting for it to start...and I hear this morbid depressing music...and all the Elders are dressed in black and are holding bouquets and they are walking in a funeral procession.  They walk to the front of the room and surround the District leader, and then that cheesey "going home" song from  the seminary CD's comes on and one Elder is just like "bawling and mourning."  Anyway....it was hilarious.

I don't believe in coincidences. It was raining last night and we had an appointment with this lady, but she ended up not wanting to talk so we went to their neighbors. They weren't home but we ended up talking to the uncle Josh who was babysitting the kids. Turns out he was baptized when he was 8 and has not been active for years. We gave him a new book of Mormon and taught him the importance of using the Book of Mormon to guide you though out your life. It was a tender experience and the spirit was strong.

I know the Church is true with all of my heart! I know that more than ever! Life is good! Pray for me! This week will be the test!

Hurrah For Israel!

-Sister Reynders