"Constant He is and kind, Love without end."

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

 

Hello!
Merciful, so much has happened this week. Back home and here.

Mom sent me lots of updates, so I'll comment on those first.

I'm so sad to hear about Eleanor. She was/is a huge role model in my life. I was very serious about naming one of my children after her. but I know she is at so much peace. She is an incredible person and is doing so much work on the other side of the veil. Lots and lots of prayers sent to you all.  [Note from Dawn: Sad news for our family. Eleanor Heywood one of family's dearest friends passed away this week]

Also! So sad to hear about Bob Leighty!  He is one of the nicest people ever. He'd always joke with me when I would take off my shoes to play, haha. Send my music people my love and prayers! [Note from Dawn: More sad news. Mr. Leighty was a music teacher in Charleston who suddenly passed away this past week]

CONGRATULATIONS DEANNA! Obviously, I just imagined I rocked a bridesmaid dress, haha. So happy for you!! Can't wait to see pics! Love you! [Deanna one of her BYU friends got married]

And congrats Corinne!! ah!! [One of her BYU friends became engaged]

And obviously I'm bummed I missed the annual Atkinson concert on the lawn, haha. (mostly because I love the plethora of leftover popsicles we always have.) But I'm glad you had a good turn out!!!

Okay. Seriously last P-day feels like forever ago. Transfers are this week! SISTER JONES AND I ARE STAYING!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much Heavenly Father! We are so excited. This transfer is seriously nuts. There are 42 new missionaries coming in tomorrow. The most our mission has ever gotten. They are opening 18 new areas. They called another set of sister trainer leaders, so we'll still have the same amount of companionships to cover which is nice.

 

I don't know if I will come home sassier than I left. I'm trying not to be...but it's me...

Lets see, last Tuesday we did temple service (it's closed right now for cleaning). Of course I accidentally set our alarm clock for 5pm. We woke up at 6:15 in pure panic mode (it was hilarious), but we made it out the door in 12 minutes like bosses. We were only...a little..late for service. #notmybest We helped cleaning in the cafeteria with the cutest ladies who made us a very Mexican and delicious breakfast. Oh and next week, P-day will be on Wednesday because we are going to the temple for a session! Yay!

This week we did a "service project" for our precious branch president. We set up a gmail account and facebook account for his wife and made sure there were icons on her desktop and everything, hahaha. Reminded me of Dad. [beginner tech skills] Oh mercy.

Sidney has a very set baptismal date for September 8! So proud of her!

One of our favorite missionaries got super sick and had to go home this week :( but her companion Sister Kylee Rudd (Timmy knows her) came with us! Aka we were in a trio covering her Spanish area, our YSA ward (which covers the stake), and her Samoan ward (but they all speak English) for the past 5ish days. Aka it has been nuts! But so much fun! We just love her. But she'll get a new companion tomorrow.

All I have to say is I have been exposed to a lot of culture this week, haha. But that's always the story in Los Angeles.  I forgot to tell you about driving through Watts a couple weeks ago and seeing a man peeing on the side of the road. Win. Anyways, Sister Jones is a Spanish-assigned missionary luckily so they both were able to teach in the Spanish lessons. Obviously I sat there, smiled, and said 'bien' a lot. It was cool though because even though I didn't understand 95% of the conversation, I was able to focus on the Spirit. And that is a universal language. God is so real. :) The other biggest culture shock was walking in to ward council to find a room full of very large Samoan men with giant tribal tattoos. wearing lava-lavas. Half of sacrament meeting was in English and half was in Samoan. It was so cool. Samoan culture is so neat. And the children's names are unreal. I accidentally called Sister Mui-Mui, Sister Mucho-mucho. But not to her face, so that's good.

We helped this sweet Samoan sister with the whitest hair I have ever seen with the Primary activity (I miss kids so much... I won't know what to do when they send me to a family ward, haha) so she fed us to thank us. SO MUCH FOOD. Seriously, we left with a whole chicken, a 2-liter, and 5 containers of food at least. Also, we had a meeting at a church building Saturday night the same time as a wedding, so obviously they sent us home with the cake. Like we have at least half of a wedding cake in our apartment. And a whole watermelon (my favorite. aka tender mercy). Basically I just kept saying all weekend "this just doesn't happen in the single's wards." Best part about a trio? I get to rock the back seat of the car. Seriously. Best 6 days of my mission car life. Except I was backing Sister Jones, but was checking our texts at the same time. She may or may not have scraped the side of our car against a pole. I mean the back was great, but as backer I probably should have been watching the sides as well....once again, #notmybest. ['backers' are supposed to direct the driver to make sure they do not hit anything!]

 

Okay on to what we really spent most of our time with this week---our media campaign!!!!!!! The website is almost done! Sister Jones has to move an orange box and we have to fix the facebook links (so don't click on those just yet..but obviously like our page when the links do work). www.theysabranch.com is our precious baby lamb. SO CHECK IT OUT. We are so excited for this transfer. The tools and organization are almost done, so we'll get everything rolling this week. The Branch has already progressed and changed so much in the past 3 weeks. I'm so proud of 'em, haha. For example we were sitting in a family ward's ysa Sunday school class this past Sunday. Lets just say there is a reason we have young single adult wards. We just know that this branch can change lives and sitting in that Sunday school class was just one of many instances where we have felt Heavenly Father tell us to keep doing what we're doing.

 

I have been overwhelmed by Heavenly Father's love this week. The back of my new planner has this quote from President Uchtdorf " This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are EVERYTHING to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation -worlds without end- within our grasp. And it is God's great desire to help us reach it." He just loves me and you so so so much. Earlier last week Sister Jones and I just sat and reflected on how much He loves us. I don't know if it was watching our friend have to go home, working with the sisters in the mission, having specific lessons we have had, listening to an elder tell us how he just got diagnosed with Chrone's diease, realizing our breakthroughs with our website and everything we're doing right now (otterpops always bring inspiration...just saying), sharing our life experiences, or falling even more in love with the scriptures, but a lot has made me realize HE JUST LOVES ME AND YOU SO MUCH. Moments in my life came to my mind. I was able to realize very specific points that changed who I am. I was just overwhelmed with humility. I will never understand why God sent me to the home and place I was raised in, with the parents, the siblings (uhm thanks for writing me every week! #bestsiblingsever), mentors, and friends I have had. I don't know why He lets me have these incredible experiences with His beloved kiddos here in L.A., in Provo, in WV etc., but I am just filled with gratitude...always. We can't comprehend how much He loves His children. This transfer has been full of those moments. Sister Jones and I can both confidently say we are different people than we were 6 weeks ago (I can say that about every transfer of my mission though, haha, but definitely this past one). Heavenly Father has just taught me a completely different way to think and look at things. I will just be a completely different member of the church, missionary, wife, mother, trumpet player, friend, etc.

 

Anyways, He lives. He loves us. He has provided a way for us to be happy. This Gospel is it. Embrace it.

I love you all so much! I pray that you are happy!

All my love,

Sister Atkinson

So trusting my all to thy tender care...I'll do thy will with a heart sincere; I'll be what you want me to be

Why helloooooooo!

As always, this week was nuts.
    First off, CONGRATULATIONS BRITT AND TRISTAN! I swear I won't know my family when I get home. Auntie Ali to the 8th power? Uhm yes please. [Note from Dawn: Brittany just announced that they are expecting a baby girl January 7, 2014]
    Creature update: the ants are back. but not in the kitchen. In our bedroom and bathroom. Where there is no food. It's so weird. And so disgusting. I think it's because our house is surrounded by dirt. Aka it's one giant ant hill. We ran out of raid. So we've been killing them with Windex, totally My Big Fat Greek Wedding style. I never thought I would have nightmares about ants. But... lets just say I woke up a lot last night, haha.
    Also, I held a giant python snake thing this week. I'll let you imagine my facial expressions in the pictures. Merciful. I was on exchanges of course. We finished our last one this week! And obviously the highlight of my exchange was seeing HEATHER'S MOM, BROTHER, AND HOUSEHOLD. So fun. THANKS AGAIN MAMA VIRGO. Seriously, made my day. And congratulations Heather for being a piano-trophy-winning champ. Please talk to Amy about trophies. She loves that topic. #christmaspresent2007
    I  loved getting to work with sisters this transfer. So fun.
    Oh another weird thing. We got introduced to Kongan water by some people in our stake. I call it Tuck Everlasting water. I don't have time to really type out the quirkiness of our introduction, but just look it up. Maybe it'll cure anyone's reflux.
    We got to teach some training to the zone leaders/sister training leaders that they took to all the missionaries this week. We based it off of a quote from Elder Richard Scott about how there are three types of people in this work. 1) people who don't have a testimony and are not converted 2) people who have a testimony, but aren't converted 3) people who have a testimony and who are converted. We then compared that quote with the three groups of people in Lehi's vision of the tree of life (1 Nephi Chapter 8 in the Book of Mormon). The way we become fully converted really is through our daily gospel  study and putting it into action. I finished reading the Moroni chapters this week. I just love The Book of Mormon so much. It has brought me so much closer to my Savior.
    Investigator highlight of the week was teaching Sidney. She's facing some family opposition. But it was so powerful to testify how she had to know for herself. She's a champ.
    Our "tool building", the new idea I spoke of last week, has been an adventure and a half. It has been insane. I can't believe it's only been two weeks. We are trying to get everything done in the next week and half, so that starting next transfer we can really launch the campaign..or as Sister Jones would say "we can stinking shred". [Note from Dawn: I have no idea what that means] It has been SO weird to spend time on a computer again, haha. To answer your question Mom, no we don't have our own facebook account. We don't know when our mission will get that authorization nor do we know yet how it will work. But our website is looking so sweet. And we filmed a lot of people this week and had a photoshoot yesterday with a professional photographer who lives in the stake. We can't believe transfers are next week. We are just praying that we stay together (Sister Jones is a visitor's center sister and has already been out full-field for 3 months and she ends her mission in 2 transfers...so the odds are against us being able to stay together), but we pray we can get the ball really rolling together. Besides building the tools, we have been focusing on building the branch. We had a meeting with our branch presidency this week (whom I love so much. just so much), and on Sunday there was some auxiliary reorganization, we started on time, our ward council meeting was focused more on individuals, we had a home teaching/visiting teaching night, etc. MIRACLES. So progress is being made, haha. The biggest thing is to have our game plan of how everything is going to work, done in the next week. That basically means very detailed check lists for a lot of people who are helping us from the stake, to other missionaries, to branch members, to people with specific callings, etc. But once it is all delegated out, it's going to be so effective! For example, we are going to "mobilize our zone". Our zone of missionaries covers the stake [geographical area] that we cover. We have 800 young single adults who are on stake records (most are less active), but are on their family wards' records. The missionaries in each family ward will be given a list of the ysa less actives in their ward to go visit and figure out their story and encourage them to come to the branch. (But it won't be a waste for those missionaries, because they're still working in their areas. and most of the ysa's live with their families who are also less active or who are nonmembers.. and we're all united in the same cause. So exciting.) And then they have called a ysa representative from each home ward and their calling is to help encourage people in their home ward to come to the branch (we're still working on getting them coming to the branch -_-, haha). But one of their jobs will be to add every single one of the ysa's on their ward list to our facebook group and to figure out their emails so we can link them to the website. So!! All of our 800 people will be able to have been contacted face to face, and virtually, in a matter of weeks rather than Sister Jones and I trying to outreach to every single one of them (they just never will happen). Anyways. I love this campaign. I just pray that we'll be given the opportunity to see it through. But it's the Lord's work, so it'll all work out the way it's supposed to.
    I had a favorite quote from the Lorenzo Snow manual from a church lesson yesterday "Knowing our religion to be true, we ought to be the most devoted people on the face of the earth to the cause we have embraced." I was thinking about the most devoted people in this world that I could think of. And then I was evaluating my level of devotion to the gospel. I'm constantly changing and trying to be better. The mission just opens my eyes to just how much room for improvement there is in my life, you know, haha. I just know that I can never go back to the way I did my callings or the way I read my scriptures or they way I served others. I just love this Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm coming to know my Savior Jesus Christ more and more each day; I'm not just learning about Him. I'm really trying to live the principle mentioned in one of my favorite children's songs "He knows I will follow Him...give all my life to Him." This is the most important cause we can embrace. I know that. I love it. And obviously, I love every single one of you. Truly. Thanks for your prayers, letters/emails, and support!

Love, Sister Atkinson :)

    oh p.s.--we get to open mail/packages on fridays now! haha. Mom, i know you'll be happy about that one. But of course we only write on Mondays. Sorry if it takes me a couple weeks to write back to some of you! I'm really trying!

The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat!... I will go, I will do the things the Lord commands!"

Monday, August 5, 2013

 

Hello!!!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness, I don't know where to begin. This week has been insane.

So sorry to hear about Uncle Boogie! [Note from Dawn: My Uncle Boogie Thaxton (her great uncle) passed away last week]. But I'm grateful that his disease is no longer paining him and his sweet family though. He was always so sweet. He would always take me and Mick up to his truck to get us Spearmint gum. So obviously, he was one of my favorites.Love you all! And obviously, I'm very upset I missed Uncle Skip mooning the pictures. [Just after extended the Miller/Gibson family photos during the family gathering last week.] Sending my love and prayers to you all!

I am coming to love the Hispanic culture. (Obviously I knew nothing about it before...) Two of our neighbors both had Fiestas on Saturday night. But secretly, we highly enjoyed the Babylon music break. [She usually only listens to Sacred Music] Our area's signs and such always have hilarious spelling and grammar. For example this week I saw a "Toe-Truck". YES. Apartment updates: we finally got a fan for our bathroom and it is the best thing that ever happened to that place. Also, one morning during exercising this week I went to scratch my arm to find a GIANT SPIDER. I'll let you imagine my reaction. It was awful.

This week we got to go on exchanges with the ASL (sign language) sisters! It was SO COOL. Even though I couldn't communicate. I could understand a lot though, since deaf people are so expressive. It was super cool to feel the spirit, even though I wasn't sure what was going on. I have loved being a sister trainer this transfer.  Getting to know these sisters and exploring other areas is a huge blessing. Like I said before, being a missionary is very challenging. But there is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father takes care of His missionaries. It is so obvious that these sisters are His daughters and they are in His hands.

Okay this week was nuts like I said. It all started last P-day in Food4Less. Sister Jones and I were sitting in the motor scooters at the front of the store (naturally) eating a box of wheat thins (naturally) waiting for the sisters that we drive around on P-day (They're on bikes in their area. Counting my blessings on that one). I looked at Sister Jones kind of frustrated and asked "How can we see more success in this area? Our branch is dying." [The Branch is a smaller church unit] Within 20 minutes and between the car and 'Marshalls' (I'm telling you these are the places of inspiration), our outlook of missionary work changed forever. Sister Jones is super smart and is always 3 steps ahead of everyone. But Heavenly Father just gave us a lot of inspiration this week. It has been so cool. ANYWAYS. She turns to me and says "They've approved missionaries to use social media and the internet, right?" "Well not us yet, but yeah..." "Then why wait to use our resources? We can go through our members at least!"

I don't know if any of this is going to make sense, but one thing has lead to another and we are starting a "Save the Branch" campaign. We have gotten a lot of our ideas from the "I'm a Mormon" media campaign. We got permission from our mission president (because he is most inspired, humble, and ingenious men of all time) to use facebook if we have a member there and wix.com to create our own website! We have started filming our members "...and the branch saved me" and one of our members is editing them for us. WE CAN ACTUALLY SAVE OUR LITTLE BRANCH. There is just too much to say about it, so just stay tuned for the progress of it.  I can already tell this email makes no sense. Meh. Sorry.

It's so cool how all the little things that we have been working on have led up to this. One thing we realized about the new "work of salvation" website and such is that the brethren have asked us to stop separating all the different organizations in the church. Everything we do in the gospel should be united into one effort--the work of salvation! Everything should revolve back to helping individuals along the path to the saving ordinances and on to eternal life. So we're trying to help our leaders understand that we're not just concerned about nonmembers. We have a huge meeting with our branch presidency tonight. So exciting.

First we need to build the branch. There needs to be some reorganization and change to the way we're doing things. And then we can build the ship. We're building the tools (social media, etc.) with the intention of our members building the ship and letting it sail. The goal of all of this is to target different groups 1. strengthen and unify our branch members 2. get active Young Single Adults in the stake who aren't attending to come to the branch 3. the 800 less actives in the stake that we'll never be able to reach without ol' facebook 4. nonmember friends/making inviting so much easier.

I don't know if that made any sense, but we are so excited. It has actually been super hard to "drop the sickle" or stop doing traditional missionary work this week. I'm all about key indicators, so it was secretly super hard for me. But I can honestly say I know that this is what God wants us to do. This has been something huge I have learned on my mission: "Not my will, but Thine be done." I'm still learning to ask Heavenly Father what He wants me to do and then being okay with it. I'm coming to accept that it's okay if He doesn't want me to see 50 people baptized on my mission (not that that still isn't possible. You know. Just saying. I have faith :) ). He knows the desires of my heart, and I'm working hard. I honestly can say I'm trying to do what He wants. Even if it is to stop every missionary tradition I know for the next 6 weeks to see this "campaign" really get hold, so the branch and future missionaries will be able to see a lot of success. Where's my sickle? I have no idea. But I'm learning so much gratitude and humility. And I simply love this work. I love being here. I love Sister Jones. Love these people. I love this branch. I love my Savior. And I love each of you. Thanks for all you do! Sorry this is so scatterbrained. Make it a great week!

All my love,
Sister Atkinson :)

"Oh my Father --For a wise and glorious purpose, thou hast placed me here on earth."

As her mother I must say I am glad she was on exchanges even if she is sorry she missed the "excitement". And poor Sister Son. OH MY GOSH! This is lengthy but she knows all will enjoy it, (except maybe me, her mom). Thank you all for your support. Love, Dawn

 

"Oh my Father---For a wise and glorious purpose Thou hast placed me here on earth"
Hello hello hello everyone!

What a happy week.
We have lost a lot of random investigators the past week or so, so we need to do a lot of finding this week/hope that our efforts with our members will pan out this week.

Do you know the famous picture of the two missionaries in the field with their sickles trying to harvest the wheat one by one? Well one of our leaders drew this cool picture of the two missionaries dropping their sickles to go work on a rusty combine. It's supposed to represent our work through the members. And that's what we have been focusing on. It takes a lot of faith because it's one of those things that takes time to see the fruits of our efforts, but it's working! We have met with almost all of our precious branch members. Quite a few of them have brought their friends to church or fhe the past couple weeks so it's working! And we have taking a few huge leaps of faith in a few of them. It has been super good.
Oh my gosh two ladies just got in an argument at the computers across from me. One just got up and left the library. #ilovemylife #i'mtellingyouitisasoapopera

Okay anyways, love the branch. Except most of them take us out to eat instead of in their home. Which aka I've eaten out more in the past 3 weeks probably than in the past 6 months combined which can be hard. First world problems at its finest. (Note from Dawn : I do not think Sister A knows what 'aka' stands for but we will just let her continue to use it. Also I have made some explanations in the following paragraphs of her email/blog surrrounded by brackets [ ] that you will see).

Someone laid out everything for me that has happened the past couple decades leading up to the hastening of the work, most of which a lot of people have talked about before. but, it's cool to see it all laid out. So since 2004 Preach My Gospel [missionary guidebook] came out, mormon.org/ the 'I'm a Mormon' campaign came out, the red book (teaching missionaries other languages) came out, Duty to God came out for young men/changes in Personal Progress for young women, [ these are youth personal improvement programs] the 12 week training program for new missionaries came out, the age change for missionaries allowing elders to leave at 18 and sisters at 19 happened, almost 18 years after the Proclamation to the Family [an amazing document about the importance of families] came out which changed the way we were raised in our families, the Come Follow Me Sunday School program came out for the youth, the MTC time has been shortened, then the missionary broadcast of The Work of Salvation website launched (which you all need to look at and love..the video under members and missionaries about priesthood duty is about a kid named Hector and he's my hero), and soon to come is our use of technology in proselyting. Just imagine what more is still to come! Happy are we!

We had more exchanges this week! I got to go back to my old area. tender mercy? Yes, yes it was. Got to see Darrell! which was super good. It was good for me, because although I love those people and that place, I know that I'm supposed to be here in my new area :) Sister Son (my last companion) came to this area with Sister Jones. I call them on Tthursday morning to see what time we were going to meet and this is what Sister Jones says to me "All I have to say is I cannot wait to see you. I have a story that involves a bloody man, the police, calling President Weidman, Sister Son going in to full-fledged shock, and a priesthood blessing." I thought maybe I shouldn't tell you all the story, because I can hear mom yelling "Alexandra!" from here, but it is too good to not tell. I mean, I need to keep readers on the ol' bloggy-blog, you know? So don't freak out mom. [by the way, 'Mom' definitely freaked out when reading this story!] They were honestly in the nicest area and this could have happened anywhere! Even in Charleston. But obviously, Heavenly Father needed them there to save a man's life. and I was secretly/not so secretly super jealous I missed it. [again, 'Mom' was glad she had gone back to UCLA for the day!]

Anyways, the following is from Sister Jones, so please enjoy:

[This is what Sister Jones wrote to her mom and Alexandra copied it to share with us.]

Wednesday: We get home from splits and go on splits again right after with the UCLA sisters. So, I stay in my area and am with Sister Son (a sister from Korea, who also was Sister Atkinson's baby). [meaning Sister A trained Sister Son]
Anyway, I knew the split was going great when within the first hour, she said to me, "Sister Jones, I can't take anything you say seriously."

"What? Why?" I respond.

"You talk like a black person." #obviously,thatisthebestcomplimentIhaveeverreceived
Anyway, we had way too many adventures to write down, but at the end of the night, we went and had a lesson with Earnest at the library.

*okay, Mom--don't freak out at this story, okay?*

[this is what Sister Jones says to HER mom!]

So, we have a lesson. Super spiritual. Whatever. #well,notwhatever,but...whatever

Earnest leaves first, and we follow out behind him (we're about 30 seconds behind).

As we're leaving the library, we see Earnest on the side of the road, talking frantically on his phone, and there is a man DOWN on the ground!
So, naturally, Sister Son and I pull over, jump out of the car, and go see what is the matter. We run up and see that Earnest is on the phone with the police trying to tell them where we're at and there is a man, covered from head to toe in blood. He is just laying there, with his phone in his hand.
OH MY GOSH. Was he stabbed? Shot? Is he going to die?!
So, my pure Korean companion just starts praying out loud, right there and then.
Earnest is freaking on the phone, Sister Son is praying, and then all of a sudden, bloody man starts talking!

"Where am I?"

"Oh my gosh, you're at the Downey Public Library. What is your name?!" I frantically ask (#youknowhowIdoinpanicsituations...)

"I can't remember."

"Yes you can," I say.

Then, he starts passing in and out of consciousness. So, I'm kneeling on the ground, next to this bloody man, and E$ and Sister Son are in their own little worlds.

"WHAT IS YOUR NAME?!"

"Charlie," he mutters out.

"Charlie, what's your last name?! What's your last name?!"

"Kinnap." And then bloody man passes out.
Then he's back.

"Call my wife," he pleads.
So, I grab his bloody phone from his bloody hand and get blood ALL over me (#gag #mymissionstorytotallybeatsyourmissionstory) and ask, "What's your wife's name, Charlie?"

He starts to tell me, but he can't because he starts COUGHING UP BLOOD. What is going on?!

"Charlie! Stay with me! What's your wife's name?!"

"Priscilla," he says and then he's out.
So, I take his bloody phone to my ear (he has the cutest picture of his baby as his screen saver) and call Priscilla. I call once. Nothing. I call twice. Nothing.

PRISCILLA! YOUR HUSBAND IS DYING!

At this point, Earnest has gone to Charlie. Charlie starts saying, "I"m going to die. Tell my wife I love her." Earnest responds, "You're not going to die. You're going to be fine. You say with me. You a Christian?"

"Yes," says Charlie.

"The Mormon missionaries are here. Everything's going to be fine, alright?" says Earnest. #Ilovethisman

"Pray for me," says Charlie.
So, Earnest is just holding this bloody, dying man and is praying for him.

I am trying to get a hold of ANYONE! Priscilla doesn't pick up so I go through his recent calls and see someone named Chuck with the same last name.

"Call President Weidman right now!" I yell at Sister Son #sheisNOThandlingthissituationverywell
So, she runs off and starts calling.

I call Chuck.
Chuck picks up!

"Hello?" he says.

"Chuck! My name is Sister Jones. I am a missionary and I'm here with Charlie. He's down and bleeding. How do you know Charlie?!"

So nonchalant, he says, "He's a friend." OKAY, can you show a little concern here Chuck?!
All of a sudden, three people from Embassy Suites (the hotel across the street) run up. "We found him!" they say on their radio.

One of the security guys walks up to me and says, "Who are you calling?!"

"Chuck!" I respond (Chuck is still on the line).

"Who is Chuck," he asks.

"I don't know," I say.

"Hang up," he orders.

"Hang up on Chuck?!"

"Hang up."

"But...it's Chuck!"

"Hang up!"

"Sorry Chuck, I gotta go," I say into the phone.

*hang up*
I would totally hate me if I was Chuck.
Anyway, the three hotel people leave (I have no idea where they went) and then it's just the four of us again: Earnest, me, Sister Son, and bloody man Charlie.

The police call Earnest again and ask, "Is this the man from Embassy Suites?"

"I don't know," he says.

"Then ask!"

"Are you from Embassy Suites?!" Earnest asks the dying Charlie.

He just grunts.

"Are you from Embassy Suites?!"

"Yeah," Charlie responds.

"Alright, we'll have people there as soon as we can."

Then, Sister Son (who is FREAKING OUT #butwithgoodreason) hands me the phone. I have no idea who is on the other line.

"Hello?!"

"Sister Jones, this is Elder Davidson (our A.P.). What's going on?!"

"Um...there is a bloody man and he's dying and the police aren't coming..." at which point Earnest interrupts and says, "Sister Jones! Call 911 again! They're not getting here fast enough. We're going to lose Charlie!"
So, then I say, "...and I have to go. I'm so sorry, I'll call you when I can!"
Once again. I would hate me if I was Elder Davidson.

So, then I call 911.

"Hello, this is 911 Emergency Services. What's the situation?"

I bark back, "The situation is that there is a bloody man down on the corner of Brookshire and Firestone. He is losing blood fast and he is in and out of consciousness. You need to get her FAST!"

"Is he the man from Embassy Suites?"

I check with Earnest, and get an affirmative.

"Yes!"

"Personal are on their way. Please calm down ma'am." #DONOTTELLMETOCALMDOWN

So, we're waiting and FINALLY start hearing the sirens.

Then, the hotel people come back and they start talking to Earnest. Sister Son is who knows where (#yayexchanges) and then Charlie gets this sudden burst of energy and tries to stand up.
Yeah...that didn't go so well.
He stands up and then just collapses right on his face! He is just on the ground in the most awful position (okay?! Can the police get here already?!).

"Charlie," I plead, "STAY DOWN!"

"I see a light, Sister."

"CHARLIE! STAY AWAY FROM THE LIGHT! Don't you dare go toward that light! Help is coming, okay?!"

Then, they arrive. But, they are just taking their sweet ole time. Then, Charlie freaks out and tries to get up again and get away (#whoisthisguy?!)
So, this bloody man starts stumbling (he looks like a zombie) toward Sister Son. She literally starts screaming.

"Sister Son! Come over by me!"

*scream, scream, and more screams*

She was a little paralyzed by her fear.

"Sister SON! GET OVER HERE!"

I go over and get her out of the way.

And then Charlie just goes down!

The police and paramedics run around him. As they approach him they yell, "Does he have a gun?"

DOES CHARLIE HAVE A GUN?! OH MY GOSH, WE'RE GONNA DIE!

Then, Charlie loses is and starts going OFF on all of these officers. "'F' this" and "'F' that." Honestly, I couldn't have been more thrilled because I thought homeboy was going to die 10 minutes earlier.
They get him down and then start asking us all these questions.

"Did you see him jump out of the window of Embassy Suites?"

"HE JUMPED OUT OF THE WINDOW OF EMBASSY SUITES?!"

"Or did you see him jumping from balcony to balcony?"

"HE WAS JUMPING FROM BALCONY TO BALCONY?!"

Needless to say, they were a little frustrated with our lack of information.
They asked what happen. Earnest explained: "I was driving and stopped at the stop sign. I look to my right, see this man all covered in blood standing up. Then, Charlie looked at me, and said, 'Help.' And then he just collapsed to the floor."

"What were you doing here?" they interrogated.

I tried to explain to them that we were trying to teach Earnest about Jesus, but they were NOT believing me. #offended

Finally, a police officer comes up and says, "They really were," and then looks at me and says, "I'm LDS." #thankyouHeavenlyFather
So, after all of the questioning, I guess here's what happened:

Our friend Charlie suffers from PTSD. He had an episode and freaked out on his wife and baby. So, he broke a window, realized he was in trouble, and tried to hop from balcony to balcony. He only got about a block in a half before he collapsed due to blood loss (introduce Earnest).
So, mostly, God loves Charlie because had we not have found him, he would have died.
NUTS.
So, they finally tell us we can go home (it's about 9:35pm or so). We get in the car and respond to the millions of missed calls from the A.P.s. We respond, tell them we're all right.
But, fun fact is that we weren't alright. Sister Son legitimately went into shock. We get into the car. OBVIOUSLY, I'm like, "OH MY GOSH CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" and she just looks at me and then BURSTS into tears. Like uncontrollable sobs and she can't control herself and she's having a hard time breathing.
We're driving home and I have NO idea what to do.

"Do you need ice cream? (#yes--thiswasthefirstthingIasked #probablybecausethat'swahtIneeded) Do you need to lie down?"

She's not responding, but just sobbing, sobbing, sobbing. Homegirl is hysterical. Finally she chokes out, "I need help Sister Jones!"

So, I call our Zone Leader and say, "Elder--we need a blessing. NOW."
They drive straight to our home and give her a blessing. And, Sister Son, who was completely hysterical, was just at peace.
Holy moly is the Priesthood power of God real.

Then, it was nearly 11pm and we went to bed. I talked to President and had to make a bunch of more calls (poor Sister Son).

Anyway, it was nuts. And I realized that the Preisthood power is the most amazing blessing. Earnest was in the army and knows his stuff, but honestly, he couldn't have done anything for Charlie. But, on the other hand, this little 19-year-old kid could have called him back from the dead.
Thank you Heavenly Father.
NUTS.
So, the next morning, we switch back and I barf this story to my companion. #sheisSOmadshemisseditbytheway

I love my life."

[We now switch back to Sister A's week's experiences]

 

You're welcome. Obviously, Sister Jones and I get along SO well. Like she knows pretty much everything about my life. And I am so grateful to be her companion. I just hold on for the ride.
Earnest is still waiting until December 22nd to be baptized. -_-
Sidney is awesome. She had a question at the beginning of our lesson but wanted to wait until the end to ask it. Then she said somehow it was answered during the lesson. #thechurchistrue Love her.

Two of our investigators are secretly (but not so secretly) dating. Did they meet at church? YES. We were at the girl's house this past Saturday, talking to her sister on her doorstep. In the middle of inviting her to be baptized who comes walking down the sidewalk? Our two investigators. Did we completely ruin any chance that they had of a doorstep moment? Yes. Why? Because we were literally on their doorstep. Whoopsies. Thank you Heavenly Father for letting us be there at that exact moment.

Oh we demolished the colony of ants living in our apartment this week, so that's good. But we have had a few awful spider experiences, haha. Sister Jones told some of our people "You think Sister Atkinson is always composed. But you just wait until she gets around a spider." It is so true. And it is so obvious to me why I didn't get sent to a foreign country. Heavenly Father knows me too well. Counting my blessings on that one.

I have just been so grateful this week. I'm trying to be more grateful in my prayers. I started doing that one night this week and then I accidentally fell asleep (woke up at 11 with my arms asleep). So obviously, there is just too much to be grateful for. A lot of people are living in some super humble circumstances. But the spirit in their home is unreal. It is so cool. I'm just so grateful. Just all the time.

The woman who got in to the argument with the other lady who stayed here at the library? The cops just came in and asked her to leave. and now they're arguing. I'M TELLING YOU IT IS A SOAP OPERA. AH, I LOVE IT.
This week I learned some cool things about the gospel that I've never thought about before. Gah, I just love learning. And I just love the gospel. It is so so so simple, yet there is always more to learn. Honestly, my biggest fear is going home and giving in to natural man habits that I had before. I read a blunt talk this morning about truly being converted to the Lord and what that looks like. I can see how much Heavenly Father has helped me change in the past 6 months and I just want to keep changing like this for the rest of my life. I know that God lives. And He loves us. And He wants us to be so happy. Pray! He IS there.

Make it a happy week!

So much love,
Sister Atkinson :)

"Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene -- one step enough for me."

July 22, 2013

Hello friends!

   What a week! Mission time is nuts. This week flew, but last Monday feels like forever ago.

   We have a new rule! We can spend as much time as we want on P-day on email as long as we get everything done. But we're restricted by our libraries, so we're figuring that all out. It's cool to see how we are very much changing from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law in missionary work.

    This week we went on 3 exchanges with other sisters, but I stayed in our area each time. It was actually really good for me to stay, because you get to know the area a lot faster if you feel responsible for it, haha. I actually love exchanges. I love these other sister missionaries. It has been so cool to then get back with Sister Jones and realize that the Spirit would tell us identical things to say to the two companions that we had worked with on the exchange. I'm learning so much from the sisters, especially Sister Jones. I have to say everything is all about love. If you don't love your companion, your area, your ward, your investigators, your leaders, your Father in Heaven, and especially yourself then this work is impossible. Honestly, missions are hard and missionaries really struggle. Especially with anxiety and depression. I'm learning how to be sensitive and just loving. Sister Jones and I talked about my favorite chapter in The Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 17, a lot this week. Christ tells the people He has to go do something for Heavenly Father (so obviously it is something very important), but when He looks at the people and sees that they still need Him there, He stays. And He blesses them and administers to their needs, one by one. Studying this chapter really prepared me for a day this week where we had big plans to work hard and meet a lot of goals, but Heavenly Father put us in the path of some individuals who just really needed some love. And it was totally fine that we spent so much time with them. Because we knew we were where Heavenly Father needed us to be.

    I'm still working on constantly conveying that love and joy to everyone. It's a constant process for me. President Weidman said something very touching in my short interview this week. He said, "Sister Atkinson, I feel impressed to tell you that God is not trying to tell you how to change, but He's trying to reveal to you who you really are. When you realize that, your life will change forever." I'm not sure what he meant, but I think I'm constantly learning about our potential as children of God. And when we realize our potential, we naturally change and become more Christlike. So I'm obviously always working on that.

    We drove up to the temple this week for exchanges and I realized how different my old area and new area are. It was kind of a culture shock.

    Raid ant spray is my best friend. We made a rookie mistake of leaving out a peanut butter knife this week, and came home to a stinkin army of ants. Oh my gosh, I almost died in a lesson this week. We were teaching on someone's lawn and all of a sudden I see this creature on her sidewalk. At first I thought it was a lizard because it was moving so fast. Then I thought it was a mouse because it was so big. Then I realized it was a giant cockroach. And I mean giant. At that exact moment of realization, it literally turned 90 degrees to it's right and CHARGED us. So obviously, I yelled in the middle of our spiritual lesson and we screamed and ran away. And then we couldn't find it. And then I was worried it was in my backpack for 48 hours after the fact. It was traumatic. We also almost got eaten by a terrifying German shepherd. That was nice. We started to walk in to this gate when the neighbor (thank heavens) across the street said "Aw man, you don't wanna go in there. There's a dog." Sister Jones backed out of the gate and closed it right at the moment that the giant German Shepherd charged us. Terrifying. But luckily Heavenly Father's got our backs.

    This week was exhausting. I don't know if it's just exchanges and information/experience overload, haha. but I need to look up more energetic foods to eat.

    I also realized this week that I absolutely love Los Angeles, but I could never live here because I need rain, fresh air, and good water.

    I promise we are making street safe decisions Mom. Everyone in the mission got the call to go in early because of the riots, (related to the Trayvon Martin trial results) but we were in a lesson and didn't check our phone until after. Oops. We were in the safest part of our area at a park though. And didn't go near the other areas for a couple of days just as a precaution. We only got cat calls when I had a blonde companion for a day. Sister Jones and I blend in just fine, and it is so evident that Heavenly Father is protecting us. So do not worry.

    We are working with our members a lot. Obviously, we made up an activity called The Three Amigos. Everyone has to think of 3 friends to invite to meet the missionaries at either church, family home evening or a dinner/other appointment. And from the missionary broadcast a few weeks ago it is very evident that the brethren are saying, cut the fluff. Now is the time. It's awesome. From a lot of our training meetings and such. It is incredible to think of the time we live in. Like really--Jesus is going to come again. We live in a time when the work has been hastened. President Weidman said that missionary work has been completely changing the past few years and will in the next few years. Elder Perry's talk [a church leader] at the recent broadcast basically said that the Gospel is already in all the world thanks to the internet. President Weidman said we're just waiting for the call to get our ipads or iphones or whatever we'll get. The work will just explode when that happens. It will be miraculous to utilize all of our resources. Elder Nelson [also a church leader] spoke to a mission a couple weeks ago and told them that 2 things need to happen before Christ comes: 1. the gathering. 2. the coming. Cool, huh? Anyways, we are trying to cut the fluff as well. Which is why we ask everyone to be baptized when we first meet them. And we're using the Book of Mormon of course. I love that book so much. We live in the day of miracles. I just love it.

    We have a few super strong investigators and are working hard to find more. Earnest knows it's true but feels like God wants him to wait until December to be baptized, so that has been a rollercoaster ride. But he is just one of those people that has so much potential. Ah, we love him. Sidney is dating one of our members and she reminds both me and Sister Jones of our Moms who joined the church when they were her age [young adult]. She is adorable. And we just started teaching her last week. And she just really wants to know if it's true. So obviously, we are excited for her to get her answer. My heart goes out to another one of our investigators. She's struggling in her life, but I know that this message can and will heal her. Ah. Love it.

    My branch President has a cousin, Larry Harris, in the Ravenswood Branch who comes to church occasionally. If any of you know him and can look him up and encourage him that would be much appreciated.

    I can't tell you how grateful I am. I am just so humbled constantly. I am especially grateful for my parents. I am so blessed. I know the Gospel is true. I know I'm supposed to be here. I love you all so much! Make it a great week!!

 

Love, Sister Atkinson

We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er. Happy are we! Happy are we!

Hello all!

There is so much to say. And the public libary I go to now actually times our hour, so I reallllly will need to be on top of things to get everything in.

Obviously first things first, CONGRATULATIONS JOHN-MARK AND NATALIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JESSE MARK ATKINSON IS ADORABLE. AUNTIE ALI CANNOT WAIT TO MEET HIM.

[Note from Dawn: Baby Jesse was born July 12th, weighing 8lbs. 12oz. We are thrilled!]

Be prepared for hilarious emails home. This area is hilarious. I love it. It was hard to leave my area and come to someone else's area (I forgot it takes time for people to trust and know you), but it has been a party and a half.

We work in the Huntington Park Young Single Adult Branch. Even though I am still in YSA, it is SO different than my last area. There are about 50 ysa's that come every week. But there are about 800 listed in the stake. A lot are less active of course, but a lot go to their family ward. There may or may not be some racial and authority issues in the area/stake... But Sister Jones opened the area two transfers ago and they have worked so hard to get the branch going. We call it the land of miracles and it really is.

The apartment is nothin like the Taj Mahal of my last apartment, but we got some ant spray this week and there is no room for complaints. We have the nicest neighbors. Especially Pascual. He owns an ice cream truck and brought us ice cream last night. YES. We do live in the ga-hhhhhetto. Aka someone got murdered in our alley last transfer, hahaha. But I feel 200% safe (DON'T WORRY!) and I LOVE IT. The stake is a nice mix of Hispanics, Samoans, African-Amerians, and Caucasions. AKA, the dream. A sister in our mission from Mexico came down here for exchanges last transfer and said our neighborhood made her feel right at home. I am surprised when we meet a white person. I have heard more Spanish in the past week than I have all of my entire life. Guaranteed. But it is an Enlish assigned area since our branch is in English. And all the YSA's speak English. Almost everyone lives in an house with their parents (which is the complete opposite of my last area with locked apt complexes and with people from all over the world and country), which makes finding and contacting people a whole lot easier. The branch is seriously awesome. They are a close knit group who fell in love with the sisters. Some sign up to feed us 2 times a week. They also have hilarious drama that they naturally tell the sister missionaries all about. It is like living in a soap opera. Aka, perfect for me. The work is on the brink of explosion here and I'm grateful to be here. Sister Jones is hands down one of the best missionaries in the mission. I am so grateful and humble to be her companion (I always luck out with the best companions. WIN.). She goes home in November and is a Visitor Center sister who is full-field right now. {note from Dawn: That means Sister Jones was originally called to work only in the Visitor's Center but full field means she is proselyting in othe areas of the mission now.] But she is on fire. And is the master of inviting people on the street to be baptized, which is good for me. We have a lot of fun together and other missionaries laugh or say the "dream team" when we tell them we are together this transfer. So grateful and excited to work. Also, she was looking through my family pictures and then all of a sudden slams down her hands and says "Oh my gosh! Your sister can't ride a bike." "Uh...how do you know that?" "Micah Atkinson! I know her!" HAHAHAHAHA YES. Apparently you two are facebook friends and went to EFY together in Utah wayyy back in the day. [Note from Dawn: EFY - Especially For Youth is a series summer camps for LDS Youth, held all over the country.] But that seems to be the only fact she can remember about you. But I told her that pretty much sums it up ;) (love you Mick, haha. Do you remember Kathryn Jones? Facebook creep and let me know).

We have 7 companionships of sister missionaries to watch over for the transfer and start exchanges this week(3 a week). [Anther note from Dawn: Exchanges are when she and her companion split up and go with another missionary for an evening or so.] It should be quite an adventure, and we're excited. Love the sisters.

I just can't describe to you how much I love this area already.

At a closing prayer this week I asked a less active what she wanted us to pray for. Sshe said, "The planet earth." Anything else in particular? And without hesitation, she said "The White House." YES. LIVING THE LIFE.

We had a precious old Hispanic man speak at our ward yesterday for church. Why do people always feel the need to talk about chastity at a ysa ward no matter the topic? Anyways, we had a translator, so we got to hear the following twice (accompanied by his gestures), hahaha. "There are only 4 types of kisses you can do: 1- the cheek 2- half mouth 3- complete mouth 4- a peck). Yup. Welcome.

Also, I have a zone leader who is exactly like Elder Vanpelt (I think that's the name) from the movie "The Best Two Years". Can anyone appreciate that with me? Thank heavens, Sister Jones can.

I am in Heavenly Father's hands and am so grateful for that comfort. This path that He has for us is real and brings so much happiness! Love you all! Make it a great week!

Love, Sister Atkinson

"I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain:)"

HELLO HELLO HELLO! 

SO MUCH TO SAY. SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED THIS WEEK. 

Lets start with the biggest highlight: Denis got baptized! And confirmed! I can't tell you how different he is from when I met him 4 months ago. I'm so proud of him. It was such a special day for me. The quote in the subject line is from a children's song about baptism. We had two people from our ward sing it right before denis went in to the water and I felt the spirit so strongly. While he was changing to dry clothes, we did our missionary moment and I read a quote from mom about how the decision to be baptized has effected every decision since that day. And how it has directly effected generations and generations, ancestors and ancestors, and so many other people. I had an overwhelming impression that Denis' decision will do the same for him and many many people. His family came to the baptism and to church on Sunday to see him confirmed which was really special for them. 

Darrell. He has progressed so much this week and has had a lot of spiritual experiences. yay!! Something came up and he didn't think he would be able to make it to church on Sunday. We told him to pray about it and that the Lord will provide a way to come, but it was his choice to come. Sister Son and I fasted and prayed that he would be able to come. After the first hour of church (we sat in the front with denis' family), we turned around and there was DARRELL. He wanted it to be a surprise. I literally had to grab Sister Son's arms so she didn't hug him, hahaha. We were so excited. A huge tender mercy for me was a few days ago after one of our lessons with him he said "I know you all get moved around a lot, but I want you to know that you two will always be the ones who got me on track." He had no idea that transfers were coming up this week. Heavenly Father knew I needed to hear him say that. Why? You guessed it, I'm leaving my area! But I have no doubt that Darrell will be baptized this month. He's one of those people that you meet for a reason and just instantly connect with. So proud of him and excited to see what huge plans Heavenly Father has for him. So many more investigators and miracles and people to talk about but I just don't have time, haha. 

Okay on to transfers. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.  I got a call last Wednesday from President Weidman. I immediately thought "ah! training again?!" but no. I was completely blindsided to be called as a sister training leader. I have literally told all of my companions that Heavenly Father would never have me do that. -_-

I of course accepted the call and told President I would seem him the  next day, but as soon as I hung up, I ashamedly cried "Heavenly Father! What are you thinking!" Sister training leaders basically are assigned sets of sister missionaries to watch over and go on exchanges with. We will have a normal area and everything. And we go to lots of training meetings with president and the zone leaders and such. I soon realized that my initial reaction was completely wrong. This is a huge opportunity to serve others, focus on others, and learn from others. I AM excited for the opportunity and to see where the Lord is taking me. I'm going to be companions with Sister Jones who I already know and love. Everyone is surprised we will be companions because we are very similar, haha. Andddddddd I'm staying in a young single adult ward! Going to the Huntington Park YSA ward which is in the Downey zone. Aka the south of the mission, down by Long Beach. It will be great!!

I couldn't sleep much last night of course thinking about leaving this area. I will miss my people. This is my home!  I will miss seeing the temple every morning. And of course these people. So much has happened in the past 5 1/2 months here. I love these wards so much. And these people. Ah, I just can't stop saying it. I even took a picture with the old guy we wave to every morning while running--that's how much I love it. But it's just all part of missionary work, haha. I really am excited for new opportunities and I'm excited for this area to have Sister Son and sister Lyman. This is the Lord's work and these are HIS people. So I'll just trust Him with a huge smile on my face :) 

Sister Son and I are in denial that we are being separated. We have gotten super close in 6 weeks, especially in the past week even, haha. We had a great 4th! I introduced her to Chick-fil-a to celebrate 'Murrica as much as we could. I also am sad I'm leaving Westwood zone (our group of missionaries.) This week we had a challenge to invite as many people to be baptized. Every person we invited we got a water balloon to throw at the other missionaries. Lets just say UCLA sisters dominated. 13 invites in one day would have been an absolutely absurd idea my first day in the mission, haha. Oh how much I have changed. 

Big shout out to those birthday packages I got today from Mama Mandirola, Taylor, Ashley, and my Utah people. Love you all! It really meant a lot to me!!!! 

Today is my 6 month mark. WHAT??!?!?!?

"Come what may and LOVE it." I used to think this phrase meant have a good attitude, endure well, etc. But to love it means so much more than that. One of my favorite Book of Mormon scriptures says "Men are that they might have joy". That's the point of everything. To have joy. Not just joy in the eternities, but have joy here and now. Joy is a deep and abiding type of happiness. That only comes from our Savior Jesus Christ. Joy is the reason for everything--it's why Heavenly Father created a plan for us, it's why we have temples, it's why we have families, prophets, scriptures, commandments, trials, etc. And most importantly it's why Jesus Christ came to this world. Because of Him, we can have joy. I'm trying to do better at conveying the joy I have in my life in all I do. No matter what, come what may and love it! I have so much joy and love for my Savior and for this Gospel. And for each of you. 

Make it a great week!!!

Love, Sister Atkinson