It has been a wonderful past week and a half. I am sure you are all wondering what happened with transfers. Well, I am still here in Swinton, but I have a new companion. Her name is Sister Howes and she is from East London. Yes, I have an English companion! I am going to get to know the English culture all the better now. I am very excited.
I am struggling with the English language, but somehow I am managing. Some days I wonder if I should be given extra time for language study (like they do when you go on a mission speaking another language). Let me tell you a few stories that will hopefully make you laugh.
I was at the bus stop and starting talking to this young lad named Ricky. We were discussing the gospel as well as talking about our days. He mentioned how he was going home from work, so I asked what he did. He told me, “I am a bookkeeper.” For whatever reason I thought to myself, “Oh, he works in a book store.” At which point I asked, “So do you bind books or something?” He then responded, “No. It’s like betting.” You can imagine my embarrassment. I told him I wasn’t from around the area, which he clearly already knew. I honestly have no clue what I was thinking. Who binds book these days anyways (besides Annie in a class at BYU)? Furthermore, I met a lady on the bus who told me she was a retired dinner lady. The conversation continued and I had no idea what a dinner lady was, so I asked her. She informed me that it was the person who watched the children at school during meal time to give the teachers a break. Translation…dinner lady=lunch lady. I learn new things every day and am grateful for my new companion, Sister Howes, because I know she will help me to better understand English :)
Finally, I need to report about transfers. I will admit that I was a bit surprised about it all at first. I realized that I am usually the one to leave my companion behind and go to a new area. The only time that didn’t happen was in Whitefield, when I trained. However, with the excitement of training and knowing Sister Low was going home, there wasn’t much time to dwell on it all. I can tell you that I have inquired of the Lord and know that this is His will for me. It has come with time. Monday evening, I prayed and asked Heavenly Father if this was His will for me. I just had the feeling that I needed to trust my leaders. I know that they are called of God, and as a result, I need to follow through with their assignments. Then Tuesday morning in personal study, I came across Alma 29:9. In this verse, Alma says, “I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory in myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me…” Humility is key. We should put our faith and confidence in the Lord, recognizing that we are here to do His work. Throughout the entire time, I felt that the Lord has something different for me to learn than I had planned for myself. I am excited for what lies ahead and am confident that this transfer is planned by the Lord. I know we will be able to accomplish whatever it is He has for us to do.
It is sad to see many missionaries go home this transfer. A lot of them, I have served around as well. I can’t believe how fast time flies by. Luckily, I was able to speak to a few of them before they left and received some parting words of wisdom. While I know their presence will be missed, I know there are great new leaders that will arise to the occasion and influence all our lives for the better. The mission is changing, but that is what happens when you have people come and go. It is wonderful to learn new things and witness not only a change in our lives, but also in the lives of others.
Love always,
Becca
p.s. I think I sent a picture of Sister Howes and I last week from the photo scavenger hunt. This week I sent a picture of Sister Howell and me as well as Sister Beaty and me. Hopefully you reognize them from past pictures I have sent.
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