September 23, 2013
Dear Family and Friends,
This week has been pretty crazy. Tuesday was Hermana Warner's
birthday so I made here her favorite cake and we sang to her and Hermana
Hunt got us so take out. We have worked a lot harder this week and
haven't seen much success. We went on exchanges with the Horn Lake
sisters and me and Hermana Johnson got to experience our hand out
training.
We also drove by Graceland. We didn't get the chance to sign
the wall though.... too bad it wasn't a Monday. Exchanges were good. It
made me really want to focus on my spanish because It really bothers me
when I can't effectively share my testimony with these people in their
native tongue. We had specialized training and we learned a lot. It is
always a boost when we have a specialized training. We had to help out
with a relief society activity and that was fun. The women in
the spanish branch are very competitive!! I love this ward I am in.
There are so many amazing members in the ward.
Spanish is a beast!!!! My companions got so discouraged this
week but we worked it out and I had to develop a plan to accomplish
everything. We have 48 less active families in my specific area. Most of
them have moved but are still in the branch and we have no current
address. Opening Bartlett has been hard and to top it off I am training
in 2 weeks and I feel overwhelmed. I heard that President might close
Bartlett because we are struggling so much and when I heard that I was
so frustrated!!!! I don't want to give up on Bartlett and our little
Memphis 4th Spanish Branch. There is a TON of work to be done here and
although it is hard I do not want to quit and give up. I know things
will get better.
Things always get better. Like my first companion said.... This
too shall pass. It's been my motto this transfer. It will get easier.
God gives us weaknesses to humble us and when we work with God our
weakness can become strengths.
Love,
~Hermana Larissa Johnson