Sister Elle Jackson's Adventures in the Washington Everett Mission: Week 56: "Sprinkles"

Elle at the Washington Everett Mission Office

Wow!! I cannot believe that another week has gone by!! Time is not a real thing out in the mission field. I can't even begin to wrap my head around it! I got the text today saying that I was going to be getting transferred. I don't know where I am going, but I am super sad to be leaving Lynnwood. I have been very lucky to be in the Alderwood Ward. They have helped me and taught me so many things. It is crazy to look back and think that seven and a half months ago I wanted to be transferred so-so bad, now I don't want to leave. Heavenly Father has blessed me a lot on my mission with being able to learn how to love things or people even if sometimes it takes longer then I would like it to.

Kelsie Wilding, Elle, Sister Wilding, and Sister Leininger

To start off the amazing week Sister Leininger and I went golfing!!!! We went golfing with Sister Wilding (the Mission Presidents wife) and her daughter Kelsie. It was so fun! We did it for Sister Leiningers birthday which was on Tuesday. We went to the Columbia driving range. There is a golf course here in Mill Creek but when Sister Wilding called and asked them if we could golf and how much it would be the guy laughed at her and told her that it was a privet golf course. HAHAHA people are so funny! So we just went to the driving range instead. We got there and were walking to our "spot" and I guess you could say we were kind of being noisy. All of the old men seemed a little annoyed that we were there. But once we all started to hit the ball they didn't mind anymore because we were that good! I was so happy that I was able to hit the ball straight. It made me want to go and golf nine holes and just bask in glory of my good old days. After we went to this place called Nothing Bunt Cake, and I highly recommend it to everyone. There GF (Gluten free) cake didn't taste GF at all.

Elle with a lime in her mouth

Then Monday evening we went and had a Ward FHE (Family Home Evening). It was so much fun! We had the opportunity to give the message. So we read the story of Samuel the Lamenite and the youth acted it out. It was so funny, I think that it would have been better if we could have practiced but it turned out really cute.

Tuesday we went and met with President Wilding. We talked with him and then he gave us a blessing. It is so cool to be able to have a Mission President that you feel like you can talk to. That no matter what is said he is going to help and make sure no matter what is said or going to happen it is all going to work out for the better. I really do believe he and his wife were sent to this mission of me if not anything else. But the blessing that he gave was exactly what I needed to hear. It has been weird not being able to live in a house where a Priesthood holder lives. There is such a different feeling, it is even more different then the spirit. The reason I think that it is different is because the Priesthood is the power and authority of God. It is such a special blessing our Heavenly Father has given us. There is a quote by Elder M. Russell Ballard that I love! He says, "The same Priesthood power that created worlds, galaxies, and the universe can and should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen and bless families, our friends, and our neighbors." Couldn't say anything better than that.

Also Sister Leineingers Birthday was a success!

Sister Leiningers 20th birthday

Wednesday was my last day at the food bank. I have loved it there and loved being able to learn a little bit of Russian. I am going to miss everyone there but I am glad that they LOVE Sisters! No matter what Sisters serve there they are going to love them and take good care of them.

Joe, Elle. Chrissey, and Vicki at the Food Bank

We were getting ready to do a role play in District Meeting. Elder Thompson was giving us all of our situations. Sister Leininiger and I were going to teach someone that we just met about baptism. This person had already been baptized and was happy where they were but had some questions. So I asked Elder Thompson how this "person" was baptized and he told us that they were sprinkled. Sister Leininger chimed in and said, "Like a cupcake!" HAHAHA! We all got a really good laugh at that. We couldn't use the Bible we had to use the Book of Mormon so we read from 3 Nephi 11 which was as good as Matthew 3.

Elle with the Harbour Point sisters.

Sunday Tevin and Amber came to Church!!!! WE WERE SO HAPPY! They had been up until 1 o'clock that morning and they still made it to 9 o’clock church. They spirit and this Gospel are amazing, they had to leave after Sacrament meeting but are planning on still coming to church next week and hopefully they are going to stay the full three hours. So many members came and introduced themselves to them and it was cool to be able to watch all of it happen. I was also asked to bear my testimony in church since I was going to be leaving. Normally you don't know you are leaving but President told us earlier in the week when we had met with him. We had a ward potluck at the park after church and there was a good turnout. The ward split awhile back and so they are working on helping people get to know each other.

Tevin and Amber with their family

Later that day we were setting up appointments with members to come and start working on their Family Ward Mission Plan. At one of the stops Sister Jensen told us that her daughter was now planning of serving a mission because we had been such good examples. It wasn't us at all it was all of the spirit. We have been trying to work with the Youth more and help get them excited about missionary work. It was all I could do not to cry because it made everything worth it! It made every day worth it.

Elle and Sister Leininger

I love being a missionary and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to dedicate my time and life to the Lord. There is no place I would rather be. I love you ALL so much and I hope that you had a good first week at school and that the weeks only get better!