This week has really been full of new experiences and a lot of change. It was my first week with a new companion and it definitely had its ups and downs. In addition, I also got a new kabahay named Sister Jimenez who wanted to make a ton of changes around our house. At first, all the change seemed a little overwhelming but now I actually feel like it will be a lot better now.
~Me & Sister Jimenez with Brother Corre and all his little nieces and nephews!~
For one, when Sister Jimenez first got here, she wanted to move into the spare room across the hall. I don't know why the idea bothered me so much, I guess I just liked having the extra room for all of us to get ready for the day and store all of our stuff. But soon after the move, I found out that Sister Jimenez was right, it was an awesome idea! For one, it makes it easier to keep our room clean and we actually end up having more space.
Speaking of clean, my new kabahay and companion are both a little bit of neat freaks, so I am going to have to learn how to be a little bit more organized so that they don't hate living with me :)
Anyways, last week when I first heard that I would be getting a new companion I was super nervous because Sister Villa was such an amazing companion and I didn't know if I could do it without her. All through last Monday, I was so freaked out about the transfer until we got our new companion announcements. I was super shocked when I heard that Sister Satini would be my new companion, and also a little bit excited.
~Sister Satini~
So Sister Satini and I were in the same zone so we've met at zone meetings and conferences before and it always seems like we end up together and talking. Specifically, I remember going to her to get advice or opinions for some of my investigators, because she always has a ton of good ideas and advice. After an hour bus ride home with her from our Christmas Conference, I remember praying that one day I might have the opportunity to be her companion because I felt like there was so much I could learn from her. I quickly gave up the idea however because she is getting really close to finishing her mission, so the odds seemed really low.
You can imagine my surprise then when I heard that we would be paired together. Of course, that didn't make me any less sad when I had to give that final hug to Sister Villa,
hardly able to hold back the tears.
~Sister Villa & I~
But it did leave me with a small sense of anticipation and excitement to get to know Sister Satini, which I hadn't completely expected. Sister Satini has been out on her mission for 13 months now and is from New Zealand. It's nice that we can actually talk in English to each other! :)
~Sister Satini~
Anyways, after she got all settled in I soon found out that Sister Satini is a lot different than I expected. For one, she has a huge personality and loves to have a ton of fun all the time. Some of her teaching styles are different, but she is a very good teacher and teaches super clearly and powerfully. People usually respond really well to her teaching. Additionally, she is a lot more laid back and care free than me, so I think the first thing I have to start learning is to try not being so hard on myself and worried about everything. Finally, Sister Satini is really good at setting goals and within her first few days here, we have really started to get down to business in our area and focus more on finding and teaching those who are ready to hear our message, it has really worked! We went from 3 investigators with baptismal dates on Tuesday to 10 now! I am so pumped!
~A picture with the Baidal Family, some of my FAVORITE investigators!~
As companions, we've already had a ton of good and funny experiences. (We get made fun of because our names rhyme!) For one, we smashed a special treat...
...we brought for this cute fella...
But it still tasted good! :)
Another time Sister Satini really needed the CR (bathroom) while we were working so she asked this old Nanai in our area and she led us into her back room where there was literally a bucket sitting in the corner, and that was it. No toilet paper or anything! Just that bucket and a big open window on the wall. We couldn't help but to laugh after that experience, even though we left and Sister Satini was still in need of a CR :)
Additionally, when she first got here, Sister Satini thought I was a nerd for trying to solve a rubix cube, but after I started showing her the steps, she quickly became addicted and went out to buy her own. Now Sister Stackhouse won't stop joking with me about how I broke my companion! But that's fine by me, I finally figured out the rubix cube and have gotten my solving time down to 4 minutes :)
This morning we caught a HUGE rat! It was NOT cute and little like the other ones we have seen... it was almost the same size as a Chihuahua. In fact, I think it could have eaten a Chihuahua. We think it might have been pregnant.
Despite all our good times and new experiences--like when Sister Satini tried balut for the first time or when I was in a tricy accident (another tricy hit our tricy)--there have also been some hard experiences in adjusting to a new companion. As I said, Sister Satini is completely different from Sister Villa so I have definitely had to learn to adjust a little bit. For example, I felt like she underestimated my ability with understanding and speaking the language a little bit at first, which is understandable because I still really am new and don't quite have a grasp on everything that is going on yet. But anyways, the little things like that have taken us a little to get used to and learn from each other.
~A super cute goat we saw on the road that let me pet it!~
Anyways, I am super excited for the upcoming weeks which I really want to use as an opportunity to learn from Sister Satini. For now though, I think I just need to do my best to keep learning to be more upbeat, positive, and willing to serve those around me. I know that if I can just give it my best effort, the Lord will do the rest and everything will work out in the end.
As Elder Holland says, "Salvation is not a cheap experience" but it is possible. This life was never meant to be easy or without challenges. It was meant to be hard. To force us to grow and stretch. We are meant to have trials and difficulties in life. But if we can just do our best and hold on through those struggles, we will never have to walk through hard experiences in life alone. The Savior will always be right there, paving our path and making sure nothing too difficult stands in the way. I know we each have trials in life, whether they be great or small. But it is up to us whether we will use those trials as opportunities to grow. Just remember, whenever the going gets rough, just keep on going :)
I hope you all have a great week and a Happy Valentines :) Eat lots of chocolates for me!!! <3 <3 <3
-Sincerely, Sister Matheny
"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." -Mosiah 24:14
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