Final 42

This past week was Transfers and, scary as it is to say, this is my last one.  I have begun the last 42 days on my mission.
I will be both beginning and ending my mission in the great ward and area of Kentlands and I am so blessed to have Sister Yancey be my twelfth and final companion. But with this in mind, it's given me the chance to really reflect on what I've done with the past 16 months of my life and how I'm planning to spend the next 42 days and the next chapter or two of my life--what I want to accomplish and how I want to use this precious time. Everyone always talks about how short a mission is and I don't think anyone believes it until they actually get the chance to try it out themselves.  The key that makes it go by so fast is that you are constantly working and there's rarely a slow moment.  It is a time of intense, fast-paced learning and refinement by God and depending on how much you resist determines how much you are able to grow and become useful in God's hands. To the degree of which we are willing to sacrifice is also the degree of which we are able to be useful.

Sorry about this one being short again this week, but our schedule this week is so tight that we're having to schedule some appointments during our p-day hours. #GoodProblemToHave  Adrian and Paul are both doing great and are both still pumped and prepared for their baptisms October 7 and 14.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Accomplish all that God has for you to do!!

~Sister Galli

The Terrific Trio

The Dynamic Duo

Trio with Adrian

Yet Another Weekly

With all that happened last week, I guess it's no surprise that this week was a little bland.

It was another great week in Maryland.

We've also spent the better part of our p-day making bread with one of the senior sisters at her apartment so this email will be short.

We were able to meet with Adrian a few more times and he is very prepared and ready to be baptized in a few weeks :)

Paul is great as well! I've never had an area with so many people ready and willing to learn and keeping their commitments. 

I'm excited to be able to work and serve these people in the Maryland/DC area for another 6 weeks!!  I'll know this evening if I'll be spending that time in Kentlands or in another area that needs me!

~Sister Galli

Sis Sheffer loves skin care so we did facials with volcanic ash

Baking bread with Sister Tolman

From the Old West 🐴 to the Vatican ⛪️

...and everything in between!

So much happened this week, and thankfully I have pictures to go along with almost all of it :)

Our week started out quite normal but abnormally slow, especially at the VC where, since the temple is closed for the month of September, our visitors have been few and far between.  It has been pushing us to be a lot more creative with our time there and to work harder with our online contacts.  However, often times there are more sisters at the VC than computers, so sometimes boredom takes over and funny pictures result.

On Thursday night, we were asked by the stake primary president if the three of us would be willing to help out at a daddy-daughter activity. We, being missionaries, love to serve however we can and happily agreed.  The activity was Saturday night and the  theme of the activity was Old West, so we dressed up in our plaid (courtesy of Sister Yancey) and were the models to help the group know how to square dance.   We had a little bit more fun than we should have ;)

Sunday we helped with an Interfaith Unity Walk in DC.  There were about 20 missionaries that were allowed to help but we were in the group where our only purpose was to walk with the group and answer any questions about the Mormon faith.  During the walk, we stopped by a lot of Cathedrals and other houses of worship, including the Vatican Embassy. As some sisters were walking, they saw a small procession of cars and a limo coming down the street.  One of them joked saying, "That must either be a funeral or the President." Turns out it was the latter. Not only that but President Trump rolled down the window and waved to them.  #OnlyInDC

And even though our area is almost 100% residential, we took some time this morning to explore the Kentlands area.

Now for the more spiritual side of things.

We had yet another amazing lesson with Paul and Mireille as well as shared a meal with them.  They are my favorite family ❤️ Paul is progressing nicely and is continuously excited to be baptized come October.

We were also able to meet with Adrian two more times as well as he came to church yesterday!  We invited him to be baptized the last weekend of October and he said, "sooner the better".  :D

It's amazing to see how much the nature of this area has changed over the 14 or so months that I've been in the field.  God can get a lot of work done when we are submissive and willing to make sacrifices.

Keep being awesome!

~Sister Galli

We tracted in the jungle

At PetSmart because Sis Yancey was missing her bearded dragon

Sometimes the VC drives you to the point of insanity when only 18 people come during the entire day

The Trio

At the InterFaith Unity walk

Old West Trio

We Broke into the Mission Home 🔦

It was late Thursday evening. The three of us sat in the darkened car, eyeing the mission home, wondering how this was all going to go down. We finally got up the courage and made a mad dash for the front door, carefully carrying all the supplies we would need.  Getting through the front door was easy--no alarms activated.  We were in and out within 3 minutes.  Five minutes later, we were in the car, a few miles away with big grins of satisfaction on our faces.

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This week was great!
On Tuesday, we were able to teach Paul again.  We taught the Plan of Salvation and invited him to be baptized October 7th, to which he replied "Why not? I can't be half-committed" :D  That family has been a miracle since day one and I'm so thankful I have the opportunity to be a part of it. I look froward to seeing what else Heavenly Father has in store for that amazing family.

Thursday was good too! Yes, we did in reality break into the mission home. It was quite easy seeing that they front door is always unlocked (hence why I'm certain Kentlands is the safest area in the mission). Our purpose was to leave snickerdoodle cookies for President because his birthday was on Friday and we succeeded.  He called to thank us afterwards :)   (thanks for the recipe Mom)

We were finally able to get in contact with Helen and she's moving.... so we'll see if we can still teach her or if we'll have to pass her, but a baptism, no matter which area, is always a point for Team Jesus.

We also got a referral this week for a kid named Adrian.  He's YSA, but the zone leaders thought he'd be best suited in a family ward, so we have the privilege of teaching him as well.  We only met and taught him briefly on Saturday, but we also have high hopes for him!

Remember, God is good!

~Sister Galli