Monday, November 5, 2012

Candy, Weddings, and Baptisms

Monday, November 5, 2012 (email)

Well, this week was a TOTAL blur!! Halloween feels like it was 2 whole weeks ago...but I'm pretty sure it was only a handful of days back.

On Tuesday we had an INCREDIBLE lesson with Jennifer. We had Sister Gladden from the ward come with us...just because she was the only person whose schedule would allow her to come...and then it was PERFECT!!!!!! Jennifer has been going to the Addiction Recovery Program to help her stop drinking Alcohol...and Sister Gladden has had a ton of experience with that program helping her extended family. She had the PERFECT insight and connected well with Jennifer. On Thursday we had another Sister, Sister Landrum, come with us, and AGAIN we had a miracle strike. Sister Landrum just fell into our lap, and then she was the right person for the job. Jennifer has changed soooo much. I have watched her heart be softened, changed, and empowered. She went from not being interested, to liking the lessons, to loving the messages, to loving changing, and to loving being a part of a bigger family. She is soooooo great!!!! 

Wednesday was Halloween, and it was tough. We didn't have much to do, but we didn't feel it was right to go tracting on Halloween. People would probably open the door because they would expect kids, but we didn't think they would believe we were real missionaries, or that they would even take us serious. We met with a couple less active families to fill the time. At dinner we had ham and pineapple and green chili pizza...and it was THE BEST!!!!! That is my new favorite pizza. I never thought I would love green chili (especially when I hated it as a kid at Grandma and Grandpa Wilkins') but now I can't imagine a world without green chili! 

I included pictures of our pumpkins that we painted on Halloween night. Mine are the 3 little ones. I knew my plan from the get go. I spent FOREVER taping all of those pumpkins, and then painting meticulously....but when I pulled the tape off, half of the paint came off with it....and I ended up free handing the rest of it. Sister Isaacson just started painting her bulbous and ugly pumpkin...fretted over it, and then just went with it. At the end of the night we laughed, because our pumpkins totally match our personalities. I try to plan it all out, and everything has its place...while she frets for a while and then just jumps head first. My plan usually gets messed up and I have to jimmy rig something...but it turns out ok in the end. She just sees what happens, and it still turns out great. (I think her way is a lot less stressful than mine, but I can't seem to figure out how to let things go.)



Friday was Donny and Melissa's Wedding (Hal Richman's grandson). Melissa had me come over and do her makeup before the wedding...which was really fun and I was really proud of myself. It looked fantastic. I included a photo of the 3 of us...I apologize for it not being the most modest picture, but it was the best one we got. We had such a wonderful time a the wedding...probably because we were laughing so hard. That was the most random wedding EVER. Bishop was awkward. The group of people there were a mismatched sort. The bride and groom were soooooo fidgety that we thought they would pass out when Bishop said he would give them some tips on married life, and then said it was from his 20 point collection. 20 Point!!!!!!! Oye. We just had a ball. What we didn't realize was that Sister Isaason's wallet was stolen during the ordeal. not fun. I've been there. I know how miserable that can be. At least now I know what to do to help her.

Saturday was a day of baptisms. But none of them were ours. We were asked to help with 2 of the other ward's baptisms.....because she can play piano, and I am really good at waving my arm around and pretending to know what I'm doing. Jennifer came to one, and she had the BEST time. She testified to us about the power of the priesthood and she was sooo moved by it all. She won't let anything get in her way. When we do our lessons with her, we try to be ourselves, but on our best behavior....well.....this weekend we were able to be more of our silly selves with her, and she ate it up. We were all giggles after the baptism as she was trying to say goodbye. We were talking about 4 Corners and how far it was....and then Jennifer yelled, "CAN WE HAVE A LESSON AT FOUR CORNERS?" Well....if we get permission, and you drive us!....So we got permission, and today we are road tripping to 4 Corners to have a lesson in 4 different states!!! Love it!!!

I love you all!!! Have a fantastic week!!!!
Sister Wilkins

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