Date
May 1, 2017
Area
Rego Park, Queens, NY
Companion
Sister Panoussi
"The smell of your weird is actually affecting my vocal cords."
Hi!
I can't believe it's May already! It feels like it was just yesterday when I was emailing last Monday. This week was gone in a blink of an eye. It was better than last week, which was a relief.
It can be a challenge being with a companion 24/7. I'm learning to let things roll off my back and continuously praying for a softened and more compassionate heart. I'm noticing a difference though. Whenever I'm irritated, it doesn't last as long and I just read the Book of Mormon and it helps so much. It's way better than when I first came out.
I'm almost out of training, I can't believe it!! I admit, I'm looking forward to proving myself and showing that "hey, I can do this whole Missionary thing," and then I think "wait, heck no, Sister Panoussi can be in charge." Haha!
MONDAY
I learned to NEVER encourage a random guy on the street. Whether it's just glancing in their direction, saying "thank you" to their compliment, etc. It never is safe to do it.
As we were waiting for the Nunez's (we were standing outside their door, they weren't home but they were coming soon) a car stopped in front of us, waiting for the light. I was just standing there, looking around and happened to glance over at the car and the guys sitting in there were checking me out and like nodding towards me and stuff. I was a bit confused so I glanced back towards them and apparently that encouraged them because they circled around and STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. The WORST feeling came to me but the Lord was watching over me because literally in that second, Sister Nunez walked up and let us in. It was terrifying!
TUESDAY
It started POURING in the afternoon but we were already out, so we had no time to get an umbrella. We went knocking in the rain and I found out my jacket is not water proof. We were soaking by the time we got home.
WEDNESDAY
My comp had a migraine so I got to read and study until like 3. She gets a migraine practically every day. She takes medicine and most of the time it helps but she really can't work some days because it gets too bad. She can’t get surgery (she has too much spinal fluid) and it scares her too much. But most of the days she pushes through the migraine and still goes out, even if it kills her head. Sister Panoussi is a trooper. Props to her!
I read this AMAZING Ensign article (April 2017) and it's called "The War Goes On." He covers the four strategies of Satan and how we can avoid/defeat them. I really encourage you guys to read it, it's given me so much hope and determination to be the best person I can be during and after my mission. I really think all of you would benefit reading it! One of my favorite lines he says is - "For me, when I begin to feel discouraged, it helps me just to recognize who is trying to get me down. This makes me mad enough to cheer up—just to spite the devil."
THURSDAY
At dinner time, Sister Panoussi promised that if I did the dishes (she hates doing the dishes but I really enjoy doing them) that she would listen to me talk about the Marauders. So I, of course, agreed.
So I talked about the Marauders and she asked a few questions but I felt like she wasn't really listening. Like REALLY listening. Does that make sense? One of the things I do, and I took it from mom, is that whenever you tell me something, I really listen and I react the way the person would want me to because it's the polite thing to do and I actually want to hear about it! When I talked about the Marauders, she nodded along but it's just so hard when the person doesn't feel the same or at least doesn't fake being interested.
It made me miss Jaycie and Lexi even more because they appreciate the Marauders and they actually want to hear about them. They get excited about it and it makes me happy because it means so much to me too!
Anyway, sorry, I sounded like a total nerd for a second haha
"I'm not a total nerd. I'm also into close up magic."
We had dinner and a lesson with Kimberly and Leo, members of our ward. Leo is turning 8 soon so she wanted us to teach him the lessons. They're an awesome family, her mom lives with them and her boyfriend comes every lesson and he's really nice. Kimberly, the mom, is VERY helicopter mom to Leo but other than that she is a lot of fun. Her mom, I don't know her name, is a sweet woman too.
We got pizza for dinner and Kimberly's mom made a salad which tasted a bit peculiar. Sister Panoussi asked what salad dressing it was and she told us it's her "secret ingredient." Kimberly told us it was straight up mayonnaise. It tasted weird and slimy!
FRIDAY
Our district helped someone move out of Lafrak, which is almost a project home but a tiny bit better. We got Costco pizza for dinner and we had too much so Elder Snell kept trying to give it out to people. Of course, being in New York, everyone thought he was the shadiest person ever- being in an alley way with a bunch of teenagers. But eventually, he gave the pizza box out along with a Book of Mormon! The guy seemed really interested so maybe he got a new investigator!
SATURDAY
We went to the baptism of one of the member's son which was pretty cute.
Oh, and Aira texted us and told us SHE'S PREGNANT!!!! She said that we're family and that we were the first ones to know, besides Tony, of course. But ahhhhhhh!!!!! We are so happy for them!!!! They're my family out here; they mean SO MUCH to me and I can't wait for all of you guys to meet them!! They're the best!!! ❤
SUNDAY
We had an FHE with Tony, Aira, Charles, Sister Petersen, and the Elders. We taught obedience and it was probably one of the best nights I had this week! It was the best!!
I really want you all to read the talk "The War Goes On" and please tell me what your insights are! And don't think I forgot about the Book of Mormon challenge I invited you guys to do a few weeks ago!! How is that going??
Later today, our district is going to Little Bombay, which is all Indian. One thing I love about Queens is how diverse it is. It's so cool!! You literally meet EVERYONE!
I hope you all have a good week.
I hope you're counting down the days to Mother’s Day, till you get to see my glorious face.
I LOVE YOU ALL!! ❤
"Live long and prosper."
Sister Persinger