Monday, October 12, 2015

Sickness, Service for the Dentists, and General Conference!



10-05-15

 Dear Family,
This week, despite me being sick, was really good. I was sick for two and a half days and then I was mostly okay. I was still in a little bit of pain but I felt better than I did last week. So that was good. We had a lot going on this week that just kept us on our feet (literally and figuratively!). It was great!
On Monday, after we emailed we went back to the O's and I had a pretty high fever so I slept for a long time and we spent most of the night there before we had to go home. It was really kind of them to have me there and take care of me. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have them. As a result of me being sick, I didn't really study much though. I didn't do much of anything. I had some really good conversations with the O's. They are all so sweet and spiritual. One of them reminds me of Hunter. I have a very soft spot for C :)
Tuesday we had President Interviews. That was good! I was still in a lot of pain so, of course, I kind of broke down when I went in for my interview. But President is so loving and encouraging. He told me God would give me strength, and God definitely did give me strength. He helped me a lot. He told me I should write down distracting thoughts I've been having so that is what I've been doing. I am going to sprint to the finish line. There's no way I can give up now. Eight weeks. that's all I have left. And I'm going to do it well! We went home after that and I slept some. Then Sister Putnam got a team up for the night and I was at the O's, again. They are great. I didn't really sleep because I wasn't really tired, but I talked to them and studied conference from April. It was good. P tried to show me how to Index but I still couldn't figure it out. I went with them to feed the dog at the H's, who were out of town. I coudln't stay at the house without Sister O. All together, it was a really good time, even though I was sick. I love that family so much. It just felt like home.
On Wednesday, I was able to work a little more. We saw Sister J that morning. She is really sweet. We went through a talk from last conference with her and she really liked it. It was a really good lesson. I slept a little more after that. And then we went to the O's again. They fed us dinner. It was really good. Then we had an appointment with H. So we went and talked about the temple. He wants to be sealed to his wife but he said he's not feeling baptism right now. He loves the church and he loves the people. He believes what we've taught but he's looking for something. Not quite sure what. We saw Brother H! He is so great. I just love him. (Mosiah 18:8-9)
Thursday was October 1! Crazy right?? Time is flying by! We ended up doing a service project that morning. There was a free dental care event going on this weekend for the homeless so we helped set up for it. It was fun! we sorted gloves and then we helped fill sterilization...equipment I guess. We had district meeting right after that. It was good. We talked about working with members. We saw the O's again but this time we were working. We did some service for her. She tried to get me to sit but I wouldn't. I had been going crazy all week, laying on the couch. The H's fed us. It was pretty great! We also helped Brother H move into his new apartment. It was fun! (Mosiah 21:13-15)
Friday we were up at 4 a.m. President really wanted us to do the service project with the dental care. He said there would be a lot of people there and he wanted the Mormons to make an appearance. And, of course, we did. We got there at 5 and we were on our feet for eight hours, excluding the few minute breaks they made us take. I thought it was going to hurt my infection, but it didn't at all. My back was killing me but it was mostly muscular pain. We had to be in proselyting clothes too so we weren't wearing the ideal shoes. It was alright though. It worked. I loved it. It was so fun! We got to be in the post X ray area. We escorted patients from the doctors who saw them to the routing area where they would be routed to their next place. Some had to have root canals and some had to have extractions and fillings and...it kind of freaked me out. It also made me really grateful that I had good dental care growing up. It was so much fun though, especially when we were busy. The doctors loved us! One of them hugged me....it was kind of awkward since he was a man but I kind of just...went with it. Lots of people asked us questions about what we do and we even met some members who were getting treated and who were doctors! It was really great! We ate dinner with the O's. (Oh, hey, Mom, can you send me the recipe for sweet and sour meatballs?? Sister O wants to make it for me!) We saw M. She's so sweet. Sister H was worried about me. I lost weight and I guess you could tell. We saw Brother H again. It was fun. I love him a lot. (Mosiah 24:13-14)
Saturday we watched the first session of General Conference with H and C. I loved the talk given by Elder Larry Lawrence (AND I've MET HIM! His son is the bishop in Alluvial!). I loved when he said we should get down on our knees and ask God what we need to change. I am definitely going to do that more often. And I really liked Elder Francisco Vinas talk too. He talked about trials and using the Atonement. It was so good! We missed the afternoon session because we went back to the service project and did the same thing but we weren't as busy. Until we were taking things down. We stayed until seven that night and worked for seven hours. We had a late dinner with the G's and then saw F after a million years. She was excited to see us! She's had a busy month and she's been sick too. It was really sad. I love her a lot. (Mosiah 25:16)
Sunday we were able to watch both sessions. We watched the first one at the stake center. It was so good! I loved President Nelson's talk. It was amazing. (Mom, I hope you listened closely to that one!) It was all about women and the divinity of women. I loved what he said we needed in these days for women. It was really incredible to hear that. I thought it was perfect for me. I also really liked President Monson's talk, but he worried me when he almost collapsed. I was so scared! I hope he's okay. I don't think we're ready to lose our prophet just yet...unless God does. We watched the afternoon session with the O family. They are so sweet. They ended up feeding us dinner that night too. So that was kind of cool. In the second session, I really liked Sister Stevens talk and Elders Christofferson's and Bednar's. They were all so good! I can't decide what to even say. I loved how Sister Stevens used the moment with her granddaughter to teach and then she related it to how God gives us restrictions because He loves us. Elder Christofferson is always just so good. I liked how he said we strive to become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not the church. Elder Bednar was just really powerful as he testified of Apostles and leaders. It was really cool. I also liked the man who talked about the barrier in the ocean. That was kind of a cool analogy too. It was all just so good! I can't wait to watch the second sessino from Saturday. I've heard Elder Holland's talk was really great! We found a new investigator after conference! It was really cool. Her name is M Y. She's Hmong. She's really sweet with three young kids. I had a really good conversation with Sister O about my worth. She told me I shouldn't feel inadequate and that she loved me like her own. She said Sister Putnam and I help her in different ways but we both help her so much. I really needed it. She's so great. We saw Brother H and he told us some crazy stories! I hope I'll be able to remember them to tell all of you!
I love being a missionary. I love being here so much. I know that as I strive to do my best. I am so excited to see all these people I've taught in the Celestial Kingdom and after my mission. I'm so grateful for this experience. I love you all!
Always <3,
Sister Abigail Reese 

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