Coming Full Circle W79

This week was a reminder that I'm truly serving In the south. I've never interacted with more people with accents then this week. It seems like all week we got to hang out with some Southern Bells. I've never been called, "sweetie, honey, and baby" more in my life! They really boost my confidence. Southern old ladies are my favorite people to be around. I'm hoping one day I'll have an accent just like them. 

Our friend Tina is officially on date for March! I'm so excited for her. She has progressed so much in just the short time of me being here. She loves church and has received a lot of persecution from her family for meeting with us but she has a strong faith. So pray for Tina! 

I got to come full circle on my mission and go on exchanges to Highlands (my first area)! We got to visit some old people I taught. I got to see Timesha who just got baptized and the Shumway family!! I got to go to institute and see my YSA bestie I've kept in contact with, Caroline. The institute teacher is named Bro. Ramirez. He helped me so much with my testimony in my training. He told me I look like a seasoned missionary and he can tell the Lord has changed me! I felt like we should call Michael who they stopped teaching about a year ago. We set up a lesson the next day! I got to see him again and now he's being taught. So grateful I got to see him again and we reminisced on old memories. It's so nice to be back because I didn't feel like I got to say bye because I found out day of transfers I would be leaving last year. So I feel like I got some more closure this week!  

I forgot to add the picture of Sifa + Gloria at the temple last week so I'll put that below! Also last week we had a cool experience. 

I finished the Book of Mormon on the day I hit my 18 months of being a missionary! That was my goal. It was fun to reflect on this last time reading it. I got to think of my testimony of the book and all the experiences I have had sharing verses and testifying of the truthfulness of the Book. I've also read the whole Institute manual with it which has been such a resource. That book is power, truth, and truly testifies of the Savior unlike any other book. 

Our sweet 96 year old friend Ellen loves the Book of Mormon and just sent one to her niece! True conversion there! 

Random things: I don't know why everyone in this area is short. I feel like 7ft tall everywhere I go!! We visited a district council and got to eat Ramen and talk about our dreams because apparently they do that in a restaurant in Boston. We also helped set up a boujee choir performance at the church!! We put together 750 meat and cheese skewers. My hands will be smelling like salami for weeks. 

Here's a quote that my president shared that gets me through the hardest days, "If you are diligent and faithful, it is as if every single person accepted the gospel in the sight of the Lord." -President Alder