Hey everyone! Its been a while since I have blogged. My mom sent me a letter that she wanted me to put up on the blog for everyone to read since she does'nt have much time!
Dear Friends and Family:
Hello form Massachusetts! First week has passed quickly and I'm glad to have the learning curve behind me.
I loved the MTC! It is so amazing - I am going to list all of the areas throughout the world the seniors just from my group will be serving- one weeks worth of seniors:
Italy
Florida
Vietnam
Winnipeg
China
Texas
North Carolina
Australia
England
Malayria
Washington DC
Ukraine
Ontario
Georgia
Asia Area
Michigan
Portugal
New Mexico
Moscow
New Guinea
Illinois
Africa
Columbia
Indonesia
Argentina(to work with Pres. and Sister Asay!)
and Boston!
Wow! Don't you think that is amazing? And then they told us at the MTC that for every senior missionary couple the church needs 10. Outside of Utah, there is so much need for senior experience.
My companion and I are serving in Fair Haven, New Bedford, Dartmouth area about 60 miles south of Boston. I believe much of our time will be spent working with the single mother population of the ward - it is a huge percentage of the ward and therefor a shortage of priesthood holders. I haven't learned yet where all the fathers are. Many of these women are Cape Verdeans who speak Portaguese. most all are poor, very few own a home or a car, many are unemployed, some are illegal but have lived here many years, many have very large problems. But despite all that, they are a loving, kind, and friendly people . The moms that are active are stalwart and have converted many of their family. However, the inactivity rate is very high, for sure we have our work cut out for us!
So, we visited one senior sister, 90 yrs. old and very spunky, who had us sign a guest book - she has every missionary that has come to her home sign. I was looking through her book and noticed that Elder Devin Dastrup had signed in 2003!
So this is what we have done this week:
Met with the ward mission leader who gave us this list of single sisters/moms that needed to be visited. We contacted and visited with many single and home bound sisters of the ward.
Attended a Portuguise language Enrichment, had a district meeting, attended church,(1st Sunday)in Natick where a perfectly little affrican baby was blessed. (Natick is where the mission office is)
Yesturday,I attended church in Dartmouth ward because the Elders had a single sister to investigate that they wanted our help.
Then went to our ward for the first time. It is a good ward, I felt quite at home!
Saturday we traveled with the senior couple to Boston, we got to do temple session and then attended a short senior missionary seminar(or we call it that so the Elders won't know that we are really just getting together and having fun!) What can I say there's a few bonuses to being older! I might add it was inspirational too.
Never forget this gospel is true and it is such a priviledge to know that and to belong to this church. In just one week I have met many whose lives are so sad and hard, if they could only realize the difference the gospel and church could make. we are so priviledged to know forsure that God lives and is not only perfect in every way but has perfect love for us and will never let us down; all we have to do is keep his commandments and do our best. That is such a clear, straight forward, and plain way to live. So refreshing after seeing how messed up and complicated and sad the alternative is.
Well, you are awesome people. I love you! Be good and have fun in that order!
Love always, Mom, Shirley, Sister Edwards.
Dear Friends and Family:
Hello form Massachusetts! First week has passed quickly and I'm glad to have the learning curve behind me.
I loved the MTC! It is so amazing - I am going to list all of the areas throughout the world the seniors just from my group will be serving- one weeks worth of seniors:
Italy
Florida
Vietnam
Winnipeg
China
Texas
North Carolina
Australia
England
Malayria
Washington DC
Ukraine
Ontario
Georgia
Asia Area
Michigan
Portugal
New Mexico
Moscow
New Guinea
Illinois
Africa
Columbia
Indonesia
Argentina(to work with Pres. and Sister Asay!)
and Boston!
Wow! Don't you think that is amazing? And then they told us at the MTC that for every senior missionary couple the church needs 10. Outside of Utah, there is so much need for senior experience.
My companion and I are serving in Fair Haven, New Bedford, Dartmouth area about 60 miles south of Boston. I believe much of our time will be spent working with the single mother population of the ward - it is a huge percentage of the ward and therefor a shortage of priesthood holders. I haven't learned yet where all the fathers are. Many of these women are Cape Verdeans who speak Portaguese. most all are poor, very few own a home or a car, many are unemployed, some are illegal but have lived here many years, many have very large problems. But despite all that, they are a loving, kind, and friendly people . The moms that are active are stalwart and have converted many of their family. However, the inactivity rate is very high, for sure we have our work cut out for us!
So, we visited one senior sister, 90 yrs. old and very spunky, who had us sign a guest book - she has every missionary that has come to her home sign. I was looking through her book and noticed that Elder Devin Dastrup had signed in 2003!
So this is what we have done this week:
Met with the ward mission leader who gave us this list of single sisters/moms that needed to be visited. We contacted and visited with many single and home bound sisters of the ward.
Attended a Portuguise language Enrichment, had a district meeting, attended church,(1st Sunday)in Natick where a perfectly little affrican baby was blessed. (Natick is where the mission office is)
Yesturday,I attended church in Dartmouth ward because the Elders had a single sister to investigate that they wanted our help.
Then went to our ward for the first time. It is a good ward, I felt quite at home!
Saturday we traveled with the senior couple to Boston, we got to do temple session and then attended a short senior missionary seminar(or we call it that so the Elders won't know that we are really just getting together and having fun!) What can I say there's a few bonuses to being older! I might add it was inspirational too.
Never forget this gospel is true and it is such a priviledge to know that and to belong to this church. In just one week I have met many whose lives are so sad and hard, if they could only realize the difference the gospel and church could make. we are so priviledged to know forsure that God lives and is not only perfect in every way but has perfect love for us and will never let us down; all we have to do is keep his commandments and do our best. That is such a clear, straight forward, and plain way to live. So refreshing after seeing how messed up and complicated and sad the alternative is.
Well, you are awesome people. I love you! Be good and have fun in that order!
Love always, Mom, Shirley, Sister Edwards.
Shirley, I love your zeal. Hearing great missionary stories is so fun. It takes me back tot he feelings I had on my mission. You speak the language of a missionary. We love you. Do great things, and of course have fun.
ReplyDeleteLynne