Six months done, a year to go!

I think I am finally starting to get the hang of everything again! This week has gone a lot smoother (as smooth as missionary life can go) and I don't feel nearly as crazy as I did last week. We are finally getting to know the old investigators of the past sisters, and have been able to find some of our own. We have been able to get our area more organized as well, but it is a slowwwww process. 

We have had some awesome lessons this week! Monday night we had one with a woman who is  recently married, and her husband is about to hit his year mark for baptism. She would like to be baptized the same day her husband was, October 10th. At first we didn't know what to teach, since the other sisters had taught a lot. But luckily Heavenly Father helped us out and prompted us towards the right lesson for her at that time. It went really well, and all of us felt the spirit very strongly. 

We also had the chance to meet  an investigator for a very long time. Her and her two daughters have been taking the lessons from the sisters, and they have incredible testimonies! All three want to be baptized (and the girls want to be missionaries :)) but aren't sure when. Also, she has had to work most Sunday's lately. We are praying that they will be able to be baptized within the next few weeks. She knows that this is the right path for her and is such an amazing example for her family.

So confession... I don't like talking to people in the street. It has been a hard thing for me to learn how to do. For my past three transfers, I just hid behind my companions, and always expected them to start the conversation. I don't know why it is such a hard thing for me, because before my mission, I talked to people about the church all of the time! So it has been a goal of mine for this transfer to man up and talk to people! Haha. So Heavenly Father heard my prayers and has sent a lot of people in the streets to talk to. A lot! But it has been fun and I am starting to feel more and more comfortable with it. Of course there are always the people that ignore you, but I have had the opportunity to get to know a lot of people that are genuinely kind. Also, when you ride a bike in a skirt, people usually ask questions ;) 

My favorite experience of the week! We were at a recent converts house, teaching the Ten Commandments when her friend walks in. She joined in on the lesson, and began to ask questions. Then she asked us all sorts of questions about our lives as missionaries, why we are here, what we do and what we teach. It has been a while since I have been able to share why I chose to go on a mission. It was just the reminder that I needed. I am here because the gospel has blessed my life and my family's life. My savior is everything to me and I don't know how people live without a knowledge of His love for us! It was so much fun being able to share about these 18 months in a casual way. 

It hasn't been a crazy exciting week, but I see potential in this area. It will take time, but the success will grow. I am grateful for the opportunity to be in Los Feliz to help it reach its full potential while reaching my own. As I hit my six month mark yesterday, it has made me reflect on the work I have done so far and the work I have ahead of me. I am proud of the person I am becoming and am excited for the year to come. I love you all so much and I am so grateful that I have all of you on this journey with me. 

Love, 

Hermana Erickson

Feliz en Los Feliz!

Meet Sister Gregson!

The craziness of a double transfer is unreal. I don't think I have ever experienced a more hectic week of my life. I thought my first day was stressful. Isn't that a joke now! Sister Gregson and I are starting to get our heads on straight and it will all run smoother as we get later on in the transfer. It's been a fun and crazy learning experience so far!

A familiar sign!

Monday is when I said all of my goodbyes! I am going to miss all of the people I am teaching so much. I didn't realize how strong that bond is with your investigators and members until you have to leave them. It's kinda scary handing all of theses people over to someone different, but I know that the Lord will take care of them for me. One person said something before I left that really left a deep impression on me. He said " If the whole rest of your mission fails or goes wrong, just remember that you made a difference in my life." The spirit testified to me in that moment that I had made a Difference in that area. I was worried that I hadn't done anything to improve it, but I know now that I have.

Tuesday is when the craziness begun. Sister Gregson and I didn't get to our new apartment until around noon. Our area overlooks all of Las Vegas. Our condo is really close to the mountains, and is about the same size as my old condo. Sister Gregson is from Alabama and has been in the mission for four months. She is always ready to work and I am so excited to be with her for this transfer. She has definitely helped me keep my head on my shoulders! 

View from our hike

So my new area, Los Feliz, used to have two sets of missionaries here, and was split into two different areas. Since the area has been combined into one, no one has organized the area. It was so confusing trying to plan and figure out where we were going to go. Plus, no gPS for us. Looks like I will get really good at reading a map this transfer. Haha! So, in, order for us to work efficiently and effectively, we are the lucky ones who get to organize the area. :)

Mini horses :)

Not much has happened this week, as we have just been trying to figure the area out. We have only met with one of the Sister's investigators, but we have met a lot of recent converts and less-actives. The ward seems very supportive and loving of the missionaries and I am excited to work with all of them. They have welcomed us with open arms and have been very helpful with this new transition. Our goal for this week is to meet everyone and decide which investigators to continue teaching. 

I am excited and nervous for the challenge. I never realized how crazy it would be until I got here. But I know that Heavenly Father and my mission president trust me enough to be here, or they would have sent me somewhere else! Thank you for your prayers and love, I have needed them this week. :) Sorry that I don't have much to say, but hopefully next week! 

Love, Hermana Erickson