Letter from Abbey Oct. 9, 2013

Dear Family,
Transfers will be tomorrow, and Sister White and I will be staying
here. We did not think that we would be leaving, but it was still very
exciting when we found out that we would be staying. Sister White has
been asked to be a sister Training leader, which means that she will
be over 8 other sisters in our surrounding area. With this we will get
the chance to do splits with one set of sisters every week. I will
most likely be staying here when we do that so that will give me an
opportunity to be in charge and lead the area, so that will be fun. It
has been a crazy week, but a good one with many emotional roller
coasters. The highlight of our week was that ANN MARIE GOT BAPTIZED ON
SATURDAY. The Wednesday before that she called us and left a voice
mail saying that she wasn't able to get anything done because she was
so distracted due to excitement about getting baptized. She said that
she was high on the holy spirit:) funny lady. She is already doing
missionary work with her financial consultant and her parents! The
elders forgot to fill the fount until 30 minutes before the baptism
started:) The fount miraculously filled in an hour and she is only 4
foot 10 which proved to be a blessing. She was radiating that day! It
was a simple and beautiful baptism. We took her to the temple the
Friday before she was baptized. We took her into the waiting area and
she put her hand to her heart, because she could feel the spirit in
there. we were able to explain a little bit about what she has to look
forward to. We have lost a few of our investigators this week but have
also gained some. Chris was supposed to be baptized tonight at 6 but
she dropped us on Monday. She does not agree with the baptismal
interview process. She knows that the book of Mormon is true, she
loves the prophet Joesph smith, and said that she will continue to
read the book of Mormon but needs some time, so we continue to pray
that her heart will be softened. Jakai and Jaiden's grandma, the two
little boys we have been teaching has decided that she does not want
them to be taught any more but will allow them to come to church. We
are still however continue to teach the Bender family, and they came
to conference on Sunday! A previous investigator by the name of Raquel
decided to meet with the missionaries again after the women's
conference. She is being taught by the Spanish speaking elders. And we
also started to teach Kristen who is married and a mom of two. She
knows a lot about the church from many friends and already knows that
she wants to be baptized, she just wants to wait to have the support
of her husband. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met.
Sister White and I feel very strongly that this is the family that is
going to join the gospel by the end of the year. The family is being
broken up. Elder Bradly has been transferred. We really are a family.
We team teach a lot of the investigators and it has proved to be
successful. We have been able to share many wonderful and spiritual
moments together. I don't think that i will ever forget our little
family. yesterday Sister White and I had the opportunity to pick up a
sister from the airport. She is a visitors center sister from Nauvoo
and her flight came in 2 hours later than all of the other
missionaries. Traffic mad us late so we ran to the gate and than found
out that her flight was coming in on the opposite side of the airport.
so we ran there while trying to look professional and not totally
crazy:) And the poor girl was sitting there by herself waiting,
thinking she had been forgotten:) haha we felt so bad. It was not
funny at the moment but we must have looked pretty hilarious in
dresses, running, and out of breath. It was a fun experience though
and we got to drive through downtown Boston. Sister White told me we
were going to drive right by Fen way park. When I asked her what kind
of park that was, haha she told me to never ask that question again to
any one and that my secret would be safe with her:) I really need to
get my sports basics covered, cause they take it real seriously here:)
I love being a missionary and can feel the Lord's hand in my life and
in the life of others every day. I pray that you are all doing well.
Tell the grand kids that I love them and miss them, and pray for them
daily, as of the rest of you. I know that this is the Lord's work and
his restored church on the earth. I know that our savior is very
mindful of each and every one of us. I know that the power of the
atonement is very real. I love you all and hope that you have a
wonderful week.
Love Sister Rushton