Hey there family,
Transfer texts came in this Saturday
and I am being transferred to
Ellington, Connecticut. My new companion will
be Sister Barnie. I was
really heartbroken at first but it gets a little
easier every day. It
is crazy how fast you can come to love people in such a
short amount
of time. This truly has felt like my home, and I feel so blessed
to
have been able to serve here. It is comforting to know that this is
the
Lord's work. The Lord is very mindful of us. I had two letters in
the mail on
Saturday when I went home and had 16 emails in my
inbox
today. I am sure feeling
loved. Billerica has truly changed me and I
will never be the same. Last week
was very eventful. Christin had a
little hiccup with the baptismal interview
on Monday. She decided that
she needs a little more
time. I think she was a little thrown off at
how fast Shawn switched gears
and was all of a sudden all in. She is
still progressing though. When we went
over on Thursday Grantlee
bounced down the stairs and told
us that he wants to be baptized! He
will be baptized this
Sunday with two other 8 year olds. His dad will
receive the
priesthood Sunday Morning and will then get to baptize
him
Sunday night. Shawn was
baptized and confirmed Saturday Morning. We
had
doubts on whether he was ready or not because his conversion
process was so
fast, but we were quickly humbled! He is very
intelligent and every gospel
principle just made sense to him
mentally. And so he knew that it was true.
But on Saturday he felt it!
The baptism was late starting
and so Brother Koyle suggested that we
take pictures so the baptism could
start, he asked if he could go say
a prayer. Before he was baptized he stood
up and thanked everyone for
being there and said that he had never before
felt so loved and
invited in his life. When he went into the baptismal font
he said
another prayer with Brother Wright. The man is so tall he
basically
had to curl into the water:) His countenance seemed so different
after
that. The spirit was so strong when he was getting confirmed!
After
the service he was talking to us and got emotional when he was
talking
about his 12 year old daughter not being to interested in the
gospel.
He was saying that he now has to tear down that wall that he
has
built. I think that she is a little confused since he was
so
antagonistic and then converted so fast. Shawn said he has only cried
a
few times in his life. He shed happy tears a few times that day!
Shawn said
that he didn't feel anything when he was baptized into a
church a few years
ago. When Sister White and I were leaving he looked
at us and said, "I know
now, I know now!" Ah he knows its true and
wants nothing more than for his
family to join. I know that they will
get to be sealed together in a few
years. I have so much love for that
man! Once he recognized a small truth in
the gospel he took a huge
leap of faith, wanted to know everything, and was
baptized a week
later. Raquel and Reyni were also baptized on Saturday! All three of
her boys were there. Rudy
the 15 year old opened up to Sister White
this week. He will come around it
just may be a while. We got to stand
in the bathroom by the door to the font
when Raquel and Reyni were
baptized. Reyni was baptized by Nathaniel Decker,
one of the priests
in our ward. After Reyni was baptized us four embraced in
a huge wet
and tearful hug. It was a beautiful baptism and a lot of people
came,
they were confirmed on Sunday. Zone conference with
Elder Nielson was
very good and I got a lot of good take aways. His biggest
stress to us
was not to waste one minute of our mission. I wasn't going to
tell
many people that I was leaving but Brother Lazenby a high council
man
from our ward announced it from the pulpit! haha so there have
been
many good byes and some of them tearful. People have been too good
to
me. After so many goodbyes part of me is just ready to get it over
with
and leave. Being a misisonary is not a sacrafice at all because
of all the
love you receive. We receive many blessings everyday. I
hope I will never
forget what I have learned here. Yesterday I said
goodbye to
Sister Kohler and Dante, Raquel and Reyni and the Hoffmans.
The spirit hit me
really strongly yesterday that this is why we
do
missionary work. So that one day we can again be in the presence of
God
all together. I sure do love them. Saying good bye to the Hoffmans
was
emotional, Shawn excused himself because he was getting emotional.
He then
followed us to the gas station because our gas light was on,
and insisted on
pumping our gas for us. What a guy! I sure have loved
the time that I have
been given here. On Monday Ann Marie found
out
that her mom has muscle degeneration and will likely pass in a
year.
She said that all she wanted was a drink, and we begged her not to
do
it! poor lady has a lot on her plate! We went to Cryss' and she
said
that she has lost her faith. After that I was really scared to
leave:)
But they have been doing better and Ann Marie has been strong!
Its
good to know that the Lord is on our side. I have said many
prayers
and the Lord has blessed me to feel a lot better about leaving. It
is
sad but it feels right. I know that Ellington is where I need to
be.
And that this new sister is what Billerica needs. I am going to
miss
Sister White. She is pretty crazy! And has kept me laughing:) She
has
definitely taught me how to relax and enjoy all the little things
in
life. We have had some pretty crazy happenings together. I know we
will
be friends for life. Life is good! And I sure do love being a
missionary! I
do appreciate all of the love and support I have been
receiving from back
home. I am truly blessed. I pray that everyone is
doing well! Thanksgiving and Christmas are
coming! I am so excited:)
Love you all! Brother Lazenby reminded me that the
church is true in
Ellington too, so all is well:) Have a great week!
Love
Sister Rushton
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