Hello From Minnesota??

August 26, 2019

Friends and Family I have an announcement:

Psych! I'm in Wisconsin, haha! I'll get back to those who are asking how Minnesota is in maybe 2 transfers. It's so green in Wisconsin and so is Minnesota for the half a day I was there. I was a little shocked when I discovered that Minnesota wasn’t really humid at all, neither is Wisconsin. In fact, I think the weather out here could not be better. It's perfectly cool, we would go tracting and street contacting for hours and not break a sweat.  My area is Eau Claire. It's sort of out in the country and away from the city life, about 2 hours away from Minneapolis. There are lots of suburbs and families here, so there is lots of good opportunity. Sister Kohler (my trainer, sometimes I call her Sister Cooler because she's cooler than you) and I are the only Sisters and there's Elder Smith and Elder Kenison in our area. 

As far as adjusting to this new lifestyle as a missionary out in the field, it’s REALLY NICE. I could not emphasize this enough to Sister Kohler. It could be the MTC was crowded and I got tossed around but being out in the field, it's so nice to just finally settle in. Plus Sister Kohler is AWESOME. She's so good at loving everyone. The ward members adore her. 

Speaking of members I LOVE the ward I'm in. I was genuinely impressed with them. I actually got to meet several of them before Sunday at the ward pool party and they were so ecstatic to meet "the new sister missionary!!" The ward really values missionaries and missionary work. In Relief Society they really emphasized the importance of missionary work in two parts: loving everyone first and sharing what you believe. They go on splits with the missionaries every Tuesday consistently trying to have non-active members feel the Spirit in their homes, and if they want to come to church, great! 

Its’s actually been on my mind how important members are in Missionary work. The Lord doesn't ask everyone to dedicate years as a full time missionary, but he does ask everyone to love their neighbor and to bear one another's burdens (plus you can always give us referrals). Plus I think that members going on splits with the missionaries really invites the spirit even more.

While I was in the MTC, I had this scripture from the Book of Mormon be under "My Missionary Purpose" notebook and it will continue to be under that notebook even after the mission. 

"Yea are willing to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort and to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things…" –Mosiah 18:9

How amazing would the world be of every person on earth loved and helped each other? That's why I'm so impressed with this ward. I hope all members can ask Heavenly Father and be directed by His Spirit on who to minister too. I haven't gone on splits yet (that's tomorrow) but I'm excited. I know it'll be a great experience trying to get non-active members to church. 

As far as tracting, we found 3 people to teach. We find lots of people who aren't interested and that's ok. But these 3 people we’re really excited about. There's also a man named Will in our apartment building who has several questions about our church and wanted to meet up with us. The Elders and Sister Kohler and I plan on teaching him later today. Tracting has also become my FAVORITE thing as a missionary. I love meeting new people and learning about their beliefs. Most of them are dead set on their religion and have no interest in anything else, but it's still super cool to learn from them and help them. 

FAVORITE QUOTES 

*a little girl I met in church named Daphaune* "I'm a missionary today!" And "I'm an Elder Princess" 

*Elder Smith* "can I be an Elder Princess too?" 

*Me calling out to a girl who wasn’t interested* "Have a good day!" 

*Sister Kohler* "You too!" 

Hahaha!! 

DAD JOKE 

What do you call an alligator wearing a vest? An investigator. 

I have to cut it short. I love and appreciate your support so so so much! Your prayers are so felt. Heavenly Father truly cares about his children. I LOVE YOU. 

Much love, 

Sister Henderson