This week has been full of ups and downs. As you might've guessed from the subject line, after 6 short months, I am being transferred out of Nampa. I am so sad to be leaving- this place has really become my home! It's all so familiar. I am excited for a change though and to be moving on to my third area of my mission...Kuna! I will be with a new companion there, Sister Bateman. Also, I was devastated to find out that, with all the new incoming reassigned missionaries, and our mission doubling in size, I will not be serving spanish for the time being. There are definitely perks to serving only English, but I will miss spanish so much, and hope I can return to it very soon.
We have been able to teach some awesome lessons these past 2 weeks!! We got a referral from a couple in our Spanish ward, Mario. He is so humble and ready to hear the Gospel. He is always so engaged in our lessons and so open and honest with us about his questions and struggles. He is going through a lot of hard things in life right now, and it has been amazing watching how he turns to Christ for strength, and is able to keep moving forward. I am going to miss teaching him!!
2 weeks ago, Manny Vega (remember him? I've taught him since my first day here in Nampa!) decided that, despite gathering restrictions, he wanted to go ahead and reschedule his baptism!! I was SO excited, and we had scheduled it for May 30th. However, we aren't sure what happened, but ever since then, we have not heard anything from or been able to get ahold of Manny and his family. Needless to say, the baptism didn't go through. I am so sad to be leaving Nampa with Manny in this state, but I pray that he will come back around and I will be able to make a quick visit back here to see him finally be baptized! He really is one of the best.
I think one of the hardest parts about being a missionary and missionary life is how temporary everything is. You can never get too comfortable because change is always around the corner- a change in companions, a change in where you live, a change in the people around you, etc. But no matter how mixed up things get, no matter how hard change is, Christ is always constant. He doesn't change or go away when everything else does. He is always there- a constant light shining through the darkness. I've learned on my mission more than ever how important that is, to have someone you can ALWAYS count on, you can ALWAYS turn to. He will lift us up. Through Christ, we truly can do hard things.
I love you all, I hope you all continue to pray for the strength and wellbeing of the world.
Hermana Rawlins
(even though I may not be spanish right now, my name tag will always say "Hermana" ;))
Pictures:
1. We got to teach a bible study lesson over Zoom to some of Hermana Kucharyski's best friends from home!
2. 10/10 recommend the smoothies from Panera. Actually 10/10 recommend anything at Panera that place has never let me down.
3. Tried this new Acai place down the street from our house! Also, turns out that sister missionaries eat FREE there. I love serving in Idaho
4. Last district photo with my last district in Nampa... :(( Gonna miss these people
5. We were having a bad day so we did a mandatory frozen yogurt run. Also as I'm putting all these photos in I'm realizing how much we go out and get food ooooops
6. A day in the life of a Missionary... If you're wondering what my life looks like everyday here it is. Me, wrapped in a blanket, sitting at my desk, listening to a devotional, eating cheesecake.
