I wish I could just show you my planner and how nothing went according to plan... and yet, there were some brilliant moments! Monday was Zone Development in Limerick, which was really fun!
Tuesday was our p-day, and we did some crazy cleaning, trying to shape up for a flat inspection this week. I stabbed myself with ice while I was defrosting the freezer (that was fun.) and we had time sucked away by the electrician and buses. But we got a lot of necessary things done. Electrics in our flat are ridiculous. Don't ask.
Wednesday was the most insane day of my life. Literally Madness of every moment not going according to plan! It was so long! We were supposed to have flat inspections, but they rescheduled us without telling us, then we missed one investigator for another because we had to go into the city to teach Taran. (Taran is a new investigator, friend of recent convert Tipon. He's from India, and he's progressing slowly. He has a really sweet spirit though, and he can see this church is good!) Our bus broke down, we had to run around trying to find a bus to take us to a hospital in the elder's section of the area that neither of us know to visit a member who was sick. We got lost, but it was a sweet experience, it was really good to visit with her and get to know her better. We had to run and find and catch another bus because the people from the mission home were at our flat for inspections and we just flopped down to rest for the first moment all day for our dinner hour.
The day wasn't over yet. We went on splits with sister to do their visiting teaching, which was also really great, I loved that, but we got lost again and then as we were late, trying to get back to the church for an investigator (that wasn't actually there) The phone died and I realized I forgot my bag at Dierdre's. . . . . . My planner was in my bag. . . . . And we had a blitz exchange to plan. . . . . 0.0
Dierdre came to the rescue and drove across the city from the north side to bring me my bag at 9 o'clock at night! I love her!! So. insanity.
Thursday was less crazy, but crazy. We exchanged with the Sister Trainer Leaders, Sister Henkel and Sister Valadez, and we got to have lunch with them and the Waterford sisters, which was fun, especially when we realized that we all were mission-related to the same trainer, Sister Knabb. We had the STLs car, and we headed out to Ballincollig, where Sister Oliphant and Sister Henkel met in a member's home with an investigator and Sister Valadez (who served in Cork) went with a recent convert, Fezeka to do service at the nursing home. We played some music for the people there, which was wonderful :) I love having that opportunity. We tried by a less-active, and it was really great to meet one of the only YW, Laura, and see that she is open to meeting with the Sisters again! We headed back to the church and taught Eileen, who is still technically progressing, but its really hard to teach her sometimes. She's short-sighted, and we tried to help her see that this life is so short, in the Grand Eternal Plan of Salvation. We stayed at the church for dinner (chicken enchiladas, go Sister Hale!) and Institute, which was an awesome Doctrine and Covenants lesson that completely went over Eileen's head.
Friday we completed our exchange, and I loved getting that time with Sister Valadez! She is an awesome leader and missionary! We met the man who knows Cork city from the inside, Manual, from Portugal, who works with street signs. He's been chatting with missionaries on the street for quite some time now, and it was great talking with him. He always has really great questions!
Friday was a bit slower.
We finally met with Coco again on Saturday, and started teaching him English... Mom, how do we teach ESL?? I don't know! Advice?? Dora-level Spanish is good, but not adequate in this situation! Thank Heavenly Father for the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of tongues... seriously.
Sunday was miracle day! We had 4 investigators at church! Taran, Coco, Hannah and Eileen! and Hannah speaks Spanish, so she was able to communicate with and help Coco! It was so great! The messages that were shared where filled the Spirit! We got to practice with the choir for District Conference next week, and we had dinner with the Kagari's and Hannah! It was so fun, and the Spirit was so strong in our lesson about faith! It was great, teaching from experience and testifying! I loved it! It was pretty much the best Sunday yet. Hannah is going to progress slowly, her experience will be prolonged exposure to the church that will hopefully lead her to Him. She loves the friends she's made in the church, and she can tell it is good, but its going to take some time for her to accept change. She wont be pushed. She's very bold :)
So, that's me. I have had a crazy week, and I am truly learning what it means to be up against a wall and let go and letting Heavenly Father take control. There is no comfort in the growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone. Faith, patience, love. I'm learning why I am here everyday.
I love you all so much! I'm praying for you!
Love you to Kolob and Back,
Sister Kirkpatrick
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