Down by the bay where testimonies grow....
Hola Familia y amigos! Que pasa?
So.... if you have not already learned this from google Novato is about 15 mins away from San Rafael which is about 15 or 20 minutes away from the San Francisco Bay. So I am down by the bay where testimonies grow and miracles happen.
A lot of changes are also happening. About 2 weeks President Alba sent out an e-mail saying that many changes would be happening and that he invited the entire mission to repent and start over. Then in Zone Meeting we went over many new rules and other changes. One of the biggest changes is that we can only listen to Mormon Tabernacle Choir and General Conference talks. So next week I will be sending home a package with all of the cd's I can no longer listen to. Another rule is that we can longer chat with family members if they are online. Also we are no longer aloud to text or call any other missionaries out of our Zone. The other rules are straight from the handbook and nothing that really affects much. Even though some of these changes are harder to adjust to I know that they are all from God and I am so thankful for a mission president who is sensitive to the Spirit and is trying to prepare to us be the best missionaries we can be as the work is hastening.
Then the other more obvious change is that I am now serving in Novato. Yes, Mom and Dad I got all of my stuff packed up it was challenging to fit everything but I did it! My first night in Novato was interesting to say the least on our way out of the apartment that night we locked our keys in the apartment. The apartment key is attached to the car key so we could not go anywhere but luckily we had the phone. We called all of the Elders who serve around us seeing if any of them were available to help but they were all in lessons or going into lessons. So we ended up hanging out in the apartment of one of the English members as we tried to figure things out. The apartment manager would not do anything to help us since it was after hours so we either had to call a lock smith or have elders climb up through the window. The senior missionary couple in charge of housing told us that they would rather have us try to get into the apartment through the window first and then if it wasn't safe we could call a lock smith and get reimbursed. So our wonderful zone leaders came to the rescue and Elder Camper climbed up to our balcony on the second floor and then onto the roof and then through a little side window. It sounds crazy and it truly was but we got into our apartment and it was even before 9:30. The beginning of a transfer is always very very exciting.
Novato is very different than Farifeld but I love it. We do not serve as close to the Elders and it is a smaller town but the branch is bigger and stronger and more supportive. The church is in San Rafael and that is where most of the members live but there are still many wonderful people to teach in Novato.
I have enjoyed getting to know the members and our investigators and I love that nobody knows that I have only been speaking Spanish for 5 months. I feel a lot more confident with my Spanish and I just have a lot more courage to just open my mouth and speak.
Oh really quick funny story. So we were at dinner at the home of one of the branch presidency members and the mom asked about my family and I said I had two brothers and 1 sister and that I was the mejor (the best). Everyone started laughing and I realized that I meant to say I was the mayor (the oldest). Earlier in my mission this experience would have made me cry but instead I just laughed and knew that I can learn from my mistakes and I actualy love making mistakes because it is just a way to practice.
We are just trying to find new investigators and help the branch members be better member missionaries. I am loving this new adventure! Also it is only a 5 week transfer so that we can get on track with the MTC's new schedule. So it is crazy because time is flying but I am doing all that I can to make this the best transfer ever!
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! I love you all so much and pray for you too!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Hillary
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