PET SQUIRRELL?? – WEEK 9

Wednesdays are always our days off and the day we get to do fun things around town with our district and other missionaries :) This morning we met up with our district at IHOP. The manager came out, greeted all 8 of us, and said it made her day to see missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She thanked us so much for the light we share! Then when we got our checks back, they had given us the employee discount and all of our meals were 50% off. So thankful. Last Wednesday was also so fun!! We met up with some elders and sisters from the Harpeth ward, which is another area of Nashville. We all played pickleball and volleyball outside since it was so warm and sunny! Then we went to the Parthenon and there were like 50 other missionaries there playing spikeball, volleyball, and football all together. I got to meet tons of new pals which was super nice after being stuck inside for a week. Afterward, Sister Pocock and I went with Elder Thomason and Hart to Sonic. Then we all went back to our apartments to call our families. 

I also got to see Sister Osguthorpe again and say goodbye to her! She left for Sweden last Thursday, which is where she was originally called to serve. Love her so much because I got to have her as my companion for the first day of my mission and she's a tall gal like me! 

Pocock and I had this marvelous idea to put some of the old banana bread from our fridge outside for the birds that always sit on our apartment balcony. It attracted a ton of them and it was super fun to watch them feasting. Then one day, to our delight, a squirrel came and started snacking on the loaf too. We decided to name him Nephi the Nibbler. When the loaf of bread got small enough, he even tried to grab the whole thing and jump off the balcony with it. So I guess we're squirrel moms now?? There are also a ton of cardinals and possums that hang out all around our apartment. They're adorable. 

I'm literally gonna have a six pack by the end of this transfer because Sister Pocock makes me laugh so much. Our quotes of the week: "If you're not making goat noises with your comp on the couch, what're you doin?" "Smooth brain musty gang." "He took his pants upon himself." "Juan Division?" I also love how much we can learn from one another. One of my favorite parts of each day is having companion study and being spiritually enlightened by sharing our individual insights from the scriptures! 

This week we did tons of lessons over the phone and on video calls. A bunch of these people we've taught have asked us to send them their own copy of Book of Mormon! They all want to accept our invitation to read it and pray to know it's true! This brings me so much joy because it's the best book EVER!! It has changed my life and has helped me grow so much closer to Jesus Christ. We've been teaching an amazing girl named Nadia and we've been having Book of Mormon discussions with her several times each week! We talk about everything we learn in each chapter, how every verse relates to something in the Bible, and how it testifies of our Savior. She has so much faith and wants to be baptized but she's waiting for God to tell her if it's right or not. This week we also got to go to the Vanderbilt University campus to teach two super girls who are wanting to learn more about the church and gospel of Jesus Christ! 

Last Thursday, this awesome guy from our ward named Jordan took Elder Thomason, Hart, Pocock, and me to a place called Sushi Train and it was an experience (yuuuuum)! All you can eat sushi- you just grab whatever you want off of this moving conveyor belt type thing that circled around the entire restaurant and moved past each table. It had tons of different types of sushi and other foods. My heart and stomach left that restaurant feeling very full haha. Highlight of the night was when E. Thomason ate a handful of ginger and almost died because he didn't know what it was. His excuse was "Well I figured it was good because I saw you eating it." 

Friday was crazy busy! We had lessons all morning and afternoon, brought cupcakes to one of our investigators, then went to the church to film some videos with E. Wilstead and Johnston. Another boy we're teaching has an AMAZING voice and he agreed to share his musical talent on our mission Facebook page! We filmed him playing the piano and singing "You Say" by Lauren Daigale. (Check out the latest episode of The Bonfire on the Disciples of Jesus Christ - Madison facebook page if you want to see it!) Then we all got Tacos in Nashville with him, the rest of our district, and a few members of the ward! 

On Saturday there was a huge thunderstorm and I've never seen rain pouring down so hard in my life. We decided to turn off all the lights, open up the doors that lead to our balcony, and watch the lightning for a few hours. It was incredible and so soothing. Would recommend. No one warned me Tennessee weather would be so bipolar haha. We're also currently on tornado watch and getting lots of flood warnings. It was so warm at the beginning of the week but lately it has been FREEZING.

Monday was crazy busy. We had district council in the morning then all went to California Pizza Kitchen together. Afterward we taught the message of the restoration to a few new investigators. Then we met with Trish, who is a member of our ward and she's an absolute ANGEL!! She has participated in many of the lessons we've had with Nadia and she has been an incredible friend/fellowshipper to her! We all cut out hearts and wrote words of encouragement and scriptures on them. We went over to Lipscomb University's campus and taped them all over Nadia's dorm room door to surprise her. That night we went to FHE and played sardines at the church. I even got to play basketball with the elders after the activity and totally balled up on E. Thomason in a dress and my church shoes in our 1v1 game. Also sank a few 3 pointers (only through the strength of the Lord haha). I miss playing bball so much. 

One of my favorite parts of the week was going to Institute, which is basically a church meeting/scripture study group with our ward. We talked a lot about repentance and how it's one of our greatest gifts! Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-15 says, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" When we invite others to repent, we are inviting them home to their heavenly home. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins so we can be made clean again, and we need to use this gift He has given us!! Someone at institute had a really cool thought. They said, "Sometimes repentance does hurt. If it didn't, it wouldn't change us." This reminds me that heart changing experiences are often heart breaking. We are so blessed to have the ability to repent and become more like our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the opportunity we have to find joy through changing and being better every day.

Sending hugs & prayers to every one of y’all