On Wednesday this week we did exchanges with the sister training leaders. I went with sister Manson in Mechanicsville until Thursday. It was lots of fun serving in a different area with a different companion for a day. It is a little less country in Mechanicsville which was nice. We went to see a less active family and they let us in (which is unusual for them) and we shared a message with them! They also decided to take us to Chick-fil-a for dinner, which was such a huge treat! The only places to eat in Warsaw are Mcdonalds and Hardees and ya those places are not my favorite. Anyway... I had lots of fun doing exchanges this week!
You know what it feels like when you are super excited for something to happen but you aren't sure what is going to happen and you don't know if it is going to be good or bad so you are just really anxious and nervous and excited all at the same time and you really just can't wait any longer?! Well that is what this whole week has been but Saturday especially. We got transfer calls on Saturday, and if you get a call from the President that means you are getting some kind of leadership position, if you get a call from one of the Presidents assistants then you are getting transferred to a new area, and if you don't get a call nothing changes and you both stay there. Well, Saturday at around 4:30 we get a call from PRESIDENT! Oh my gosh my heart was racing so fast. My companion Sister Tibbits is staying in Tappohannock and training a new missionary. I am being TRANSFERRED to a new area and I AM TRAINING!!!!!! For those of you who don't know, when you first come out on your mission, you go through 12 weeks of training. Either with the same companion or sometimes a new one, but you still are in training for 12 weeks. I HAVE BEEN OUT FOR 6 WEEKS. I am only halfway done with my training so ya, I am still not sure what to think.
In college when I was called as Gospel Doctrine teacher, I thought that I was called to help me learn how to teach by the Spirit, which it did. But I think what it also taught me was to trust that Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. To trust that when I have been called to do something scary, I am not alone and I have divine help to accomplish everything that the Lord asks me to do. I know that I am supposed to be a trainer at this point in my mission. I full heartedly know that I can not do this by myself. I feel like I keep learning again and again that I can do hard things that scare me with Jesus Christ. I have already used the Atonement every day in my mission but I am learning how to really use it to strengthen me. I know that through Jesus Christ our weaknesses can be turned into strengths. I trust my Heavenly Father with all of my heart and I am so ready to start this new adventure on my mission. I don't find out who my companion will be or where I am going until tomorrow at the transfer meeting. So I will let you guys know next Monday!
Yesterday was a crazy day saying goodbye to everyone at church. They were all like, "But you just got here!" Which is true, just one transfer in an area is so fast! I am going to miss the ward and the people that we have been teaching. At the beginning of this transfer I was not too happy being put out here in the middle of the country, but I have grown to love it so much!
Last night was such a crazy night! We went to the German's to say goodbye and German had made us "something special" to say thank you for everything we have done for him and his son. But when we got to his house, his brother and his wife were not there. Which means that there was no female in the house and we were not able to go in. Last time Sister Tibbits tried to explain to him that we can't come in without another female there because it is the rule, he got really offended. With the language barrier he just didn't understand. So we said that we would be right back and drove to the nearest member, but she wasn't home and she wouldn't answer her phone! We did not know what to do! We either had to break a rule, lie and tell him we have an emergency and can't stay, or try to explain why we can't come in and hope that he doesn't get offended. I finally suggested that we say a prayer. I just started explaining to God what was happening and that we needed help and we didn't know what to do. Sister Tibbits and I made the conclusion that we needed to head back to German's house and try to explain why we couldn't come in. On our way home I kept having the thought, when you get back to his house German's brother and wife are going to be there. But I thought I was just wishful thinking. When we got back to German's house, a car started to follow us down the road and pulled into Germans driveway right behind us! It was German's brother and his wife! Yay! What a huge miracle. I know that God hears and answers prayers! We were able to go inside and eat the nice meal that he made for us. The funny thing is, German had no clue what had just happened. Both German and his son said that they are going to miss me. German Sr. said that his house is our house and if we ever need a place to stay to just come over and he will go outside so that we can stay in his house. He is seriously so sweet! I always have the best time meeting with them. We also had a random extra spanish Book of Mormon we gave to Germans brother!
Since Thanksgiving is on Thursday, I want to make a short list some things I am grateful for:
My Savior Jesus Christ
Prayer
My family
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Book of Mormon
That I am able to be a missionary
Prophet Thomas S. Monson
My testimony
The Holiday Season
Pumpkin Pie :)
I love you all and am so grateful for all of the opportunities that I have had while being on my mission so far. I am so excited for the ones to come. I know that this is the Lord's work and it will always keep moving forward, even with someone like me being a trainer. I hope that you all have such a happy Thanksgiving!!
- Sister Ruffner
My daughter just arrived in Warsaw last night, and just emailed me her new address, which I promptly googled, and found this blog, since it is the same apt. I wonder if sister Tibbits will be her new trainer? I'm so happy to find this blog, Sister Ruffner writes much longer more descriptive emails than my daughter! Lol.
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