Sister Michelle Clark: 12.2.13 A Jamaican, Nicaraguan, Philippine Thanksgiving

A Jamaican, Nicaraguan, Philippine Thanksgiving

Dearest Family,

Thank you for all the e-mails and love, it sounds like everyone had a great week this week. I had a wonderful week myself. It was the most cultural thanksgiving ever probably. 3 different thanksgiving dinners. 3 different countries. So cool. That's one of the coolest things about serving in Paterson. Or just New Jersey in General, you teach and talk to people from all over the world. It's like serving in 30 different countries. It's basically awesome. I also wanted to thank you all for your prayers this week. They are always felt and appreciated.

Nicaraguan
Thanksgiving

There are a couple of things. OK well a lot of things I wish I had done before my mission. Number 1 I wish I would have watched more Dora the Explorer... sounds crazy but those basic Spanish words could help me a lot. I get seriously made fun of for my complete lack of Spanish. Number 2, become a master at Parallel parking, I have to parallel park everyday, so man cars. So little space. Ha-ha number 3 Learning how to cook, this week with all the wonderful meals it helped me realizes and appreciates the skills of good cooks. I guess I'll go day by day for events of the week.

Monday

Monday, my last p-day with sister Reed. After we e-mailed we went to go pick up Betty and go swing on some swings. As we were in the park sister Reed Told Betty that she was being transferred. It was an emotion moment for all of us. We have grown such a strong friendship; we drowned our sorrows in Ice cream and then went shopping at the mall. It was a day full of goodbyes.

Tuesday

Transfer Conference.

We drove up to Transfer Conference. I got to see a lot of Toms River missionaries!! And the senior couple from down there. It was great to see them. I also got to say goodbye to Sister Morrison and Sister Santos. As I sat on the front row of transfer conference. It tore my heart out to hear Sister Reeds name, I know she will be taken care of but man. Still not fun. My new companion is sister Jakins. Her parents are from South Africa. But she's the white African American you'll ever meet ha-ha (our joke). He's about 5. 2' she's really happy and ready to work. As I hugged sister Reed goodbye it was raining in the parking lot, just another little sign for me from heavenly father that it was all going to be OK. A lot of missionaries at that transfer conference have changed my life and I'm going to miss them a lot.

Wednesday

I had the Pokémon theme song stuck in my head all day. It was pretty motivating for finding souls to save.

Thursday

Thanksgiving! Started off with a mission wide Turkey bowl! We played football in Newark. We had a lot of fun. Eventually the elders made us go play a sisters game. It was fine we had fun anyway. My companion does not play sports but she was bundled up in her big coat trying to stay warm. It was a funny sight to see. We then had Dinner at sister Abdul's house. She’s from Jamaica. We also had her mother there whom we taught a lesson to. We ate fried Chicken, mac and cheese. ham.. All the classic good things.

Then after that we had to head straight to another thanksgiving. We went to our investigators Sinthia and Jose from Nicaragua. We got there and they were all dressed up. I will admit the first 30 minutes of that meal was really awkward but thanks to the ROSE THORN AND BUD! It saved the meal! (Thanks mom) we did a rose thorn and bud then what we were grateful for and our investigator said she was grateful for the book of Mormon. And after our meal she committed to be baptized! Such a great day! SO MUCH FOOD!

Friday

We had another thanksgiving with Kevin (recent convert) and his family, all from the Philippines. That meal was all just meat. All protein. But it was delicious. Kevin's family was there none of which were members, we were able to share the restoration with them and Kevin presented them with Book of Mormons. They all committed to read. It was so wonderful! Great day!

I'm running out of time but Sunday was great! Sinthia and Jose came to church. They were late but they still came. We also taught a lesson to a less active who has decided that she needs to speed up her changing process. She doesn't want to waste any more time. So she's making some big strides in her life! So cool! Than last night we ended with some good old comp bonding! I'm very excited for this month to be able to go to the temple. Sing Christmas songs oh and get to call my family! That will be awesome (yes I’ll be able to face time).

If anything I've learned this week is "He never said it would be easy, He only said it would be worth it." I know that to be true. Missionary work is not a picnic. But it's so worth it. I truly do love teaching and sharing the gospel with others. It brings such a joy in my life! I love the gospel. I'm grateful I get to serve! I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ and for the love and support I feel from him everyday, even when I don't deserve it. I know that happiness is a choice. You choose to do what is right, and follow our savior and you will be truly happy:) it takes action, it takes work, but Heavenly father wants nothing more than to have us in his arms again. I love you all so much! Thank you for all you does for me

Love,

Sister Clark

-Clear Eye's full Heart, can't lose