Well as you can tell by the title, I was transferred:( It was time though. 6 months was an incredible amount of time to serve in the Gila Valley and it will forever hold a place in my heart.
On Saturday night we got calls. We were playing softball for sports night, and I was out at 2nd base, super into the game, when Sister Aleman yelled to me that President Passey was calling. Well as you can imagine I hauled on over there. He told us that he has news for both of us and I just assumed it was that I was going to another area. So he asked Sister Aleman to train a new missionary (totally called it) and then he said "Sister Lundquist, we would like you to serve as a sister training leader in Silver City with sister Magnusson." (Sister Magnusson is my mission sister because my trainer also trained her). Boy oh boy was that the shock of a lifetime! Usually a sister training leader has trained a new missionary before, so I never expected that. A sister training leader is basically a sister who covers a group of other sisters and goes on exchanges and helps the zone leaders with zone training and works with the mission president. I am really excited to get to work closely with President Passey and to try my hardest to help these other sisters. I feel a little un-qualified, but I know that the Lord qualifies those He calls, so I am ready for whatever challenges that come my way.
Silver City is beautiful. It is about 20 degrees colder than Tucson (why wasn't I here during summer? haha). It is really green and beautiful! Not anything like Washington green, but pretty green for New Mexico haha. Everyone says that it snows during the winter so that is exciting! Who would have ever thought that when I was called to the Tucson Arizona mission, I would see snow? haha
So the last week in the Gila Valley was great.
On Wednesday we decided to do some major finding time in Pima. We had been walking for a while and it as hot, but nevertheless we did push on with all our strength! We felt like we should knock on a certain door, so we walked through the gate and this dog started barking, we turned around to walk away but it ran after us and followed us through the gate. That thing was huge, like the monster dog from Sandlot. I just prayed with all my heart that it wouldn't bite us, and it turned out to be a nice dog! Sister Aleman freaked out a little bit though and threw her book of Mormon at it. We laughed it off and continued on down the street, and it followed us. We didn't want it to get too far from home so we turned around to take it back and as we walked up to the house, the owner pulled up. And she was Hispanic! We had a really good conversation and she gave us some pomegranates from her tree. Then we shared 1 Nephi 19:9 with her and invited her to church. She wasn't too excited about learning, but we gave her our phone number and hopefully something touches her heart one day. And all this because of one friendly dog. I love the mysterious ways Heavenly Father works(:
On Saturday we went to Angel's baptism and he was so excited! We felt so blessed to have been able to be a part of that teaching process and to see him grow and progress. He is so solid and so excited about the gospel. Even though he doesn't speak much English, one of the only things he does know how to say is "Yeah baby!" and "I am baby forever". We always thought that second one was just a joke, but as part of his testimony he shared Mosiah 3:19 that talks about how we should become like little children ( be humble and meek and follow Christ). So he shared that then explained that he wants to be like that. Thus, "I am baby forever". It was pretty awesome!
Yesterday, we spent a lot of time going around and saying goodbye to members and recent converts. It was a crazy day but I felt so much love. A few members even said they would try to come to Silver City to visit! Let me tell you, the first place I am going after my mission (after Washington of course), is the Gila Valley haha. I felt like I was leaving home all over again, so it was a rough day, but I am excited for new adventures and to meet new people!
Well, I am excited to see what the week holds. So grateful to be a servant of the Lord and to know that wherever I go, the church is the same and true. Love you all!
Hermana Lundquist