Sister Michelle Clark: 10.21.13: New Daughter...Sister Reed

Family and Friends,

How is everyone doing? It was a good comfort to hear about the funeral and the family being together. It gives me a little glimpse of our life together after this one. Thank you all for being righteous and staying strong in the gospel. It is true. I miss you all so very much. I’m so amazed by the strength and the power of the gospel can bring. But most of all comfort. It’s real.

Ok the moment you’ve all been waiting for (well probably just mom and dad have been waiting for). My new Trainee is Sister Reed! She’s so awesome! She’s 5’10 and so people really mistake us for ‘sisters’ it’s fun though. She reminds me a lot of myself. Our nickname for a while was twin towers but then,, we had to change it to be sensitive to sept 11^th. But it was a fun nickname while it lasted. My new area is……… PATERSON CENTRAL! I’m in the city. It’s so completely different. Not going to lie I’ve been in serious culture shock for the past couple of days. Basically the missionaries are the only white people who live here. So we stick out but it gives people a reason to talk with us.

The first couple of days here have basically been us just trying to find our way around. We’ve gotten lost so many times it’s bad but its ok were learning. We live in a cute little house just for the 2 of us. It is covered with Halloween decorations thanks mommy. We bought wild life blankets and a pumpkin to make it a little more ‘homier’ but all in all our apartment is great.

It was so hard to say goodbye to Toms River. I’m still struggling to let it go, but it will take time. I’m praying to love the people here and I know it will happen.

-oh and side note for Jason.. I may or may not be teaching Lebron Jame’s cousin.. literally. I have to confirm it with him but his name is Corey and he’s great.

Ok so Tuesday after transfer conference and after getting lost for a couple hours we arrived at our apartment. I have no idea how to open an area and train.. so it was an adventure of me just running around trying to figure out what to do. We ended up going to an FHE of a ward member Shyima. She’s so awesome! We met some members and talked a little bit.

Wednesday

We went shopping, we met with some of the recent converts who are solid. And we tried to unpack a little. Later that night we met with a less active who is an old lady with 2 cats.. I was right at home. Heavenly father has a funny way to comfort me when I’m down. She talked about her life and as we testified that she was a daughter of God she got the chills. So that was awesome.

Thursday

Was weekly planning. We planned and tried to figure out our area more, then we went out walking to try and meet some people on the streets. We met a few and also got very lost, but we ended up finding our way home. Sister Reed knows Spanish and that comes in handy a lot out here. She’s so awesome. She’s not afraid to talk to anyone.. I think she’s handling the culture adjustment better than me…actually that’s a fact she’s adjusting better than me haha.

Friday

We got 2 new investigators! Felix and Joma. They are from the Dominican Republic and they are great. We’ve met with them a couple of times this week they asked us a lot of questions about life after this one and where we go. It was a good reminder and refresher for me. They also fed us dinner. That’s another thing different about here. Every meal you have with someone is from a different country. I’ve had Dominican food, Peruvian food, and Colombian food so far but I’ll keep you posted.

Sunday

I’ve never been in a room with so many people from so many different countries before. It’s so neat! I literally am serving in every country. I’m in a foreign mission right now. I’m adjusting but it’s cool. The branch is so neat. They are strong and so supportive of missionaries. The branch president hugs everyone who comes into the door and knows them personally, then behind the scenes he whips us into shape to go out and save some souls. It’s great.

This week has been an adjustment, and still is an adjustment. It’s been a rough week but it’s defiantly a growing experience. Lots of growing, learning and changing. Well, trying to change. But It we will get the hang of it.

Things to look forward to- We have zone conference

this Friday which will be awesome and inspiring I’m sure. We have international night. So the branches get together around our areas and they come together and showcase things from their countries, like music, food, singing dancing,, all sorts of stuff. I’m told there’s over 64 different nationalities in our ‘district’. So it’s going to be a party and we came just in time. It will be a great opportunity for missionary work.

If anything I’ve learned from this week is, Endure to the end. We must keep pushing forward and giving our best. Some day’s the best you can give isn’t as much as the day before.. but Heavenly father knows our limits, he knows our weaknesses and he is patient with us. We must give what we can, he makes up for the rest. I know that prayers and heard and answered. I’ve had many points this week down on my knees, I know they were not in vain. God lives. He loves us, he has to, if he didn’t nothing would make sense. He wants us to be happy. That’s something I tend to forget a lot. I know Christ lives. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know we can be with our families forever. I love you all so much!

Love,

Sister Clark