Bike Week has been survived.

This week has been a good one. I am really appreciating Sister Reynolds these days. She's my first truly sassy companion, and I forgot what that was like (well....SP was a little sassy. ..:). She kind of reminds me of Gordy, to be honest. I can just say whatever ridiculous opinion I want and she'll just throw it back, and say something like (all the syllables exaggerated), "Sister Ross, you are so weird, how do you survive?" (if, for example, I don't like tootsie rolls) and I do the same to her. It's actually very enjoyable. If that makes sense.. . It's hard to get across.

 

The weather, aside from this very moment, when it's rainy and cold, has been relatively fantastic. I've barely started to need a coat.

 

We made it through the weeks on bike/foot. Slash, it is extremely unrealistic to not have a car here. It took us an hour to walk 2 miles at a decent pace, and we had to walk through somewhat rough (lots of bugs) terrain because there are no sidewalks here. And that was one of our closest people. Forget about hoping there are other people we could have made appointments with that lived near that home.

 

Being a missionary is the funniest thing. Honestly. If people even knew the types of people who were on missions--ie Sister Reynolds, they would so know the church is true. I see people eye us and probably they think we're religious weirdies, as makes sense. Let me tell you, Sister Reynolds is not that type. Yes, she has a strong testimony, but she ain't nobody's fool. She made fun of me for trick or treating after elementary school age. And for putting my laundry in a plastic bag ("You're just so at poverty's door that you can't afford the dollar ones at Wal Mart!" she mocks).

 

I miss the temple greatly. I will never ever not live somewhere within an hour of the temple. And I will go every week. Not having the temple has really made me appreciate taking the Sacrament because at least I have some covenants I can renew weekly. I never understood the importance of covenants before my mission (on account of going to the temple weekly in Nauvoo), and I can't fully explain it now, but they mean everything to me. And some people just don't get it. That's why they don't attend church. These are promises you are making to God. It's like the sweetest contract ever signed. In which you promise to do stuff (like mourn with those who mourn. .. oh man, so rough to try to love other people!) and God promises slash then is able to bless you beyond your own deserving. And those things you promise to do, like stand as a witness of God at all times, or live a consecrated life, bless you anyways, not to mention the other promised blessings. Really, it's a win-win-win situation.

 

And it's eternal perspective. Life is so much more then just living for the next temporary gain. These blessings are eternal. For you and your family.

 

Sorry, just a spheel I went off on.

 

Anyways, I'm psyched to go to the temple again, eventually. At least in April.

 

Love you!

 

Rachel