Hermana Ludlam, the Leader, Emerges

Jenna's new companion for the week, Hma Granados

Fact: I came on a mission because that's what Ludlam chicas do when they turn 19. I also came on a mission because I did not like to study scriptures or pay attention to talks-- but I wanted to learn how. I thought going on a mission would help me gain appreciation for the churchy stuff.

Fact: My testimony has already grown as much as I thought it would throughout my whole mission. I already enjoy scripture study as much as I thought I would after my mission. So that is a good thing. I still think I have a long way to go, even though all my original goals for appreciating the gospel have been accomplished. Love that stuff.

Which shirt?  Short sleeves for the DR or baseball for home?

Fact: I had a rough start to the week. I felt overwhelmingly discouraged and discouragedly overwhelmed. I prayed about my feels for 15 minutes, going on about how miserable everything seemed. I also thought about how the DR has everything I don't like (bugs, tarantulas, humid heat, unintelligible Spanish) and I also felt bad because I couldn't show my companions how much I appreciated them. No bueno all around. I prayed for lots of help. I woke up the next morning, feeling sick, and I just felt as mopey as the night before (I guess I thought God would bless me with a good attitude. Not so.) I went to my training meeting after I got ready (because guess who got called as an STL, aka Sister Training Leader!) and all they talked about at this meeting was serving people.

P-day Fruitloops

Then I got to class and we had to find a scripture about how to deal with stress. While I looked in the BoM, I was still waiting for God to bless me with a good attitude, and to magically know Spanish, and for someone to tell me that sisters don't actually serve in areas with tarantulas (I'm kidding. I don't know what I expected my answer to be). Then I found Alma 17:11.

"Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."

Then Hermama Geddes (my companion) indirectly told me, "Yeah, you can't just focus on all the hard things." So those were my 3 answers: 1. Serve people 2. Patience and long suffering 3. Stop focusing on the negative. Find positive. For some reason, these were not the answers I was expecting. (Also, I've never been able to recognize answers so easily. It's a missionary thing.)

Bottle tops improved

I've got great companions! Hermana Day is from Oregon, and she doesn't have much Spanish experience, and so she's more timid when it comes to speaking, but she does great whenever she opens her mouth. She studies our Basic Core diligently. Hermana Geddes is always ready to go. She somehow gets dressed and showered at the speed of lightning, but I also mean she's always ready to get focused and study and plan lessons etc. She was also the fastest girl in her high school in track and cross country. I guess I just like fast friends. ha ha

Also in case anyone wanted to know, I got the highest score on a grammar placement assessment in my district (77%). Hmo Mun (morning teacher) didn't believe me when I told him I knew grammar. Honestly, I didn't either, but I just really didn't want to study. Also, 77 isn't very high and I have a long way to go.

Our service project this week was folding the clean bed sheets in this industrial laundry room. It was so much fun and we were so fast and efficient. It reminded me of my Dirt Diva days. We even sprayed smelly on our folded bundles of joy :')

This Sunday was so fantastic! I highly recommend “Character of Christ” by David A Bednar. It's muy bueno whether you're a missionary or not. Watch it for FHE or something. Anyways. Sunday always helps me remember why I'm happy to be here. Also, the tri-panionship fasted this week and got priesthood blessings for the gas to keep cruising during our last weeks here!

    King Lamoni= King of Rohan, Ammon = Aragorn, Abish = Êowyn.   LOTR = scripture? 

Also, my district is 12, and we like to pretend we're in the Hunger Games. Lots of cannons go off throughout the day. The oldest district (12C) left this week so we're the oldest now, but the “Blanquitos” (12A) are the ZL's (zone leaders) and some people are SALTY. Also, this week, us STL's are expanding our kingdom/ gaining power this week. EIGHT new blanquitas chicas to rule over! They are affectionately named after the dorky white sticker on the newbies name tags. That's 12 girls total to take care of!! Also, STLs get phones, but our branch president can't find the one to give us. That's okay. They're the kind that are 80% brick and can crack coconuts. (Fatimah from Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon might be interested #nancydrew :)

From the Dr.  What is this Dad?

Anyways. Sorry for a long boi. I just had some adventures this week.

Love,
hermana ludlam