Its week 5 of the transfer, which means moves planning for President Brown and the APs. I don't know where this transfer has gone! Craziness, Christmas seems forever ago and yet it was a black hole of time, which sucked away the first couple of weeks. I've been here in Cork for nearly 4 1/2 months. That's so crazy!
Well, we got some really great surprises and successes this week!
Tuesday during District Meeting, (while Elder Thomas was doing a great job of instructing) we noticed that it was SNOWING!! Brilliant!! It turned off and on all day, and there was an excellent skiff by the next morning! The flakes were HUGE and fluffy and we were all so giddy! We ran out and took photos while it was going. It got stronger later, and the Sister Trainer Leaders came from Dublin to blitz with us, and that was extra fun. Sister Henkel and I went on our 4th exchange together :) We went and saw Ashley, a less-active that was surprised, but pleased to see us. We went to the branch volleyball activity in the evening, and the snow was building up. Sister Henkel and I went out to take a photo, when the next thing we know, Branch President Roy starts nailing me with snow balls! I tried getting him back but kept missing! One of the priests started joining in as well! Then, President Roy went inside and I said to Sister Henkel, "I really want to get him!" So I gathered up a snow ball, mixed up with twigs and leaves and went into the church to find him. Obviously, I thought it would be inappropriate to throw it at him in the church, but I went up and stuck it in his hood.He pulled it out, looked at it, laughed, and nailed me with it, right there in the church! I tried to clean up the pieces, but threw them into President Roy's face when he approached! I accidentally got Elder Hale a bit too oops... That was a party.
Sister Morrison and Sister Cannon saw some miracles by finding a couple of promising potentials and meeting a less-active out in a far area that we took advantage of getting to with the STL's car. I'm really excited about the progress we've made, just this week :) Sister Henkel and I took the car out to Bantry to try by a less-active (that doesn't live there anymore). Its a long drive, and it turned out to be even longer when the GPS took us on really narrow country roads, up and down steep hills, and we even had to back out of one route because of the slick slope with the snow from the day before! But it was a good adventure :) The nasty cold rain melted all the snow over the next couple of days though
We're seeing some progress with our less-active trybys, and it really helps us to focus on the progress we're making!
Then, Friday we got a call from the mission office with a Church HQ referral! I don't remember ever receiving one, and this one seems really promising! She's been learning from a friend in Salt Lake over calls, and wants 3 things: A Book of Mormon, a blessing, and to learn more! We tried by her address on Saturday, but she was out of town until this week, so we'll try by again! We also got a couple of referrals from a member over Christmas that we're hoping to work with in the near future!
We finally got to see John again, and saw him at his house with the Elders. The lesson went well, and I really felt the spirit as I witnessed him relating to the elders and their inspired teaching as we read the Book of Mormon with him. We'll probably do similar lesson(s) for a short time until we completely hand him over, since we want him to feel comfortable committing to meeting with them. I know its hard, but its the right decision.
Hannah came to church! It was FREEZING, the heating in the church, particularly the chapel was all wonky from some issues in the building that were worked on over the week, so they shortened sacrament meeting, but it was still good. Hannah came with us to dinner at the Kagari's house, and we saw Bro. Kagari's mum Anita again there as well, who is also a non-member. It got a little bit awkward, because of their similar attitudes about any route will take you to God, which came after making the mistake of discussing politics, which made it non-conducive to a proper lesson, but it was still good to be with her in a members home, and we already have plans with Sis. Kagari and Rachael for this week, to help her investigate some family history :)
So things are good. They're getting better. I'll admit that its been a rough road to travel, but I appreciate the strength and love my friends and family. I needed to be reminded of the miracles that are brought through my faithful prayers and service here (both in Scotland/Ireland and back home), and that its better to continue to endure. Sister Rydalch said something I loved : "As you work to bring others to Christ, whether they be investigators, LAs, members, cats, yourself, your companion, anybody, you can know that you are successful." I know that is true, and conversion is the name of the game, and it doesn't matter who. Elder Holland reminded us that the most important convert we should have by the end of a mission is ourselves. We aid the work of salvation, its His work, not ours. We'll show our conversion and true respect for all that we did as missionaries after we return home.
“As we lose ourselves in the service of others we discover our lives and our own happiness.” Dieter F Uchtdorf
I love you all. Keep the Faith. He's There. I promise.
Forever Yours,
Sister Kirkpatrick
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