....A witch or a goblin or a ghost? What are you going to be, well [PLEASE] tell me. . . Yes, I want to know what all of you did to celebrate this entertaining and enjoyable Pagan holiday!
Holidays in Florida are very strange. The weather is all wrong for Halloween. It should have snowed by now and everyone should be wearing coats over/under their costumes. But not here. No one needs coats. Even when it is raining. You just get soaked because it is too hot to wear a coat. Holidays are also strange because our Preparation Day is on Monday, and lots of Holidays are on Mondays. Therefore, we will sometimes have Preparation Day on Tuesdays so we can be out and about when people are home and available. Just so you know.
For Halloween, we still have P-day (hence I'm writing this today) but we end a bit early. We can only be out working from 5 to 7 and then we have to be inside. I'm not entirely sure why, but I'm kind of excited to go harvesting for at least a little bit. "Can we bless your home? NO? Then can we have some candy?" Ha ha not really. Well, maybe. . .
Florida. I am really here. During this past week, my companion had the opportunity to turn to me and say "Welcome to Florida!" That was because we came out of an appointment and it was POURING rain. We had to run around the building and back to our car. There was about an inch of water on the ground, everywhere, with some puddles even deeper. The water has nowhere to go so it just pools. Plus it comes down so much all at once that there is no way for it to disappear quickly. We are very grateful for our car and windshield wipers.
Last Tuesday, the ward had a "Trunk or Treat." We met several new people who came with friends and are interested in the church, but unfortunately, none of them are in our area. We had one of our investigators come with her 4 grandkids. She even brought her neighbor and son, which was pretty awesome. Laverne is already being a good member missionary and she isn't even a member yet! She would totally be baptized already if she was married. Hopefully that happens this month so we can contribute to the goal of 100 baptisms. President Anderson told us today that there were 76 baptisms in our mission in October, but we're hoping for all 100 in November. It is definitely possible!
Speaking of President Anderson's email, he said they realigned our mission boundaries so we now have The Stuart Stake from the Orlando Mission. That means another Zone, another stake, and 24 new missionaries (5 sisters 19 elders), bringing the total to about 160 missionaries! Crazy! That's pretty much all we know about it so far How strange to be one of those missionaries and to suddenly be in a different mission! They could now be transferred all the way down to Miami. We'll see what happens at the next transfer.
While harvesting this week, we had some very interesting experiences. We met a lady who happened to be home early from her job and was very welcoming. We blessed her and she said we could come back on Sunday when her whole family was there. And they were. When we went there yesterday, we taught her, her 4 sons, and her daughter. They all shared their faith with us, but only Shirley, Scott, and Marcus were there the whole time and paying attention. They are Adventist, Catholic, and Baptist, respectively, but they all wanted their own copy of the Book of Mormon by the time we finished the Restoration Lesson. It was pretty cool. Unfortunately, we can't see them again until next Sunday, but they committed to read and pray about it. They've had hard lives (Shirley's daughter witnessed her own father get gunned down about 16 years ago and they haven't really gotten over it yet) and I know the Restored Gospel will help them.
We have been kind of stumped this week as to what to do around 8. We have trouble setting up appointments for that time (when did 8 pm become late at night?!?) and if they fall through, we have nothing to do. We can't go harvesting that late because no one wants us around at that time, and it is not the safest idea. But hopefully we'll figure out something to do because it is only going to get darker earlier and earlier and then we'll really be in a bind. We are very careful about where we go, and are perfectly safe. (Just so you don't worry!)
Our biggest concern this week has been Ardena and Jerry. They have so much faith and even knowledge of Christ. We taught the first half of the plan of Salvation and they both agreed with it and seemed to already believe in it. Ardena is a writer and she showed us some poems she wrote that discussed our purpose in life and how she is struggling to align her will with God's will. They didn't use those exact words, but same idea. When we got to the part about our life on Earth and the Atonement, we talked more about her smoking and drinking problem. We let her know of a "quit smoking program" we have and she is pretty interested. Then randomly during the lesson, Jerry (Ardena's boyfriend) said he was going to quit smoking, too. He was determined. So they are going to do this program together. It takes 7 days and has only 15 steps to do to make them smoke-free. Also, it includes daily prayer, and no alcohol, tea, or coffee, so it is like a total purge of all things against the word of wisdom. Hopefully it all goes well. We're starting it tonight! We have to see them every day while they are working on it, but lucky for us, she doesn't have a job so we can go see her all the time! I just hope they have more dedication to this program than to going to church yesterday (they didn't come because they were asleep!).
This week we were harvesting and came to a home that had many people inside. The man who answered the door was a little wary of us, but let us in. When we introduced ourselves to the rest of the family, one woman asked, "Are you Latter-day Saints?" When we said yes, a little shocked, she responded that she was, too! She introduced herself as Jesula and we realized that she was a less-active sister in the ward we have been trying to get in contact with! We were so excited and immediately recognized that God had sent us to that street to find her. We look forward to visiting her and teaching her family (who all really enjoyed the blessing we left with them).
By the way, I received on Saturday the first letter since coming here. Thanks to my cousin Cheryl! Usted es La Mejor! Anyone else who cares to join her in the ranks of awesome needs not but to write to me. The title will be granted immediately.
Last Saturday, we found this street and the first house we knocked on was a Haitian lady that spoke only a little English. She said that sister missionaries had stopped by her house before and had invited her to church. We're pretty sure that was from at least 6 months ago because we didn't recognize the hand-writting. We blessed her home and said that we would send the Creole Elders to her. Her grandson (age 7) showed us his sweet dance moves. As we kept walking down the street we ended up giving 5 blessings. It was pretty cool especially since they told us the Jehovah's Witnesses had been there earlier in the day. We clarified that we were not the same but didn't really get any return appointments either. Except the Creole families, which we passed on to the Elders. Oh well, you win some you lose some. They'll just be ready later.
I miss home and all of you. I would love to hear from you all. I have learned so much here and can't wait to share it with you all.
You all should go read Mosiah 23 and 24. Alma is such a great leader. People are so blessed when they turn to the Lord and hush their fears and trust in the Lord. He will answer your prayers and bless you in ways you don't even realize or expect.
Everyone, I bid you fond farewell for the week. Have a wonderful Halloween. Take pictures.
Love, Sister Anna Sheffield
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