I was reassigned to the Dallas Texas mission for just a little bit. It has been amazing! I'm in lake highlands, which is basically Dallas. I can see the skyline from where I'm at! I love Texas so much. AMAZING food, and awesome people... what is there not to love?!
Since I will be leaving soon, I'm in another trio! Sister Cook is our trainer, and she's amazing. She is so diligent in the work and has been such an amazing example to me. She's only been out for 3 months, but she is so strong. She has such a stong testimony and shares it every time she talks to someone. She doesn't let one soul pass by without asking if we can share our message. She has helped me get out of my comfort zone alot. The other is Sister Lawrence. She was fresh out of the MTC as well. I love her too! They are both from Utah and are so knowledgeable. We get along really well together and I'm going to be sad when I have to leave them. Keep reading to find out when I'm leaving.... I'm so pumped! ;)
Real quick- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I hope you had a fun day 
What a week it has been!!! There is so much that happened, but I will tell you the highlights of the week.
1. Elder Holland-
The day after we got there, we were informed that there was a mission conference and ELDER HOLLAND was here to speak with us. I got to shake his hand!!! It was so cool :) He was SO bold. I hadn't even started being a missionary and I felt like I already needed to be better. He talked about how this is the most important work you could ever do. He said," You've been given the chance to go save somebody, GO DO IT!" He also talked about how we have the power, potential, authority, and prayers... so we just need to go forward and teach people about the atonement of Jesus Christ!! Missionaries really are one of the most prayed for people in the church. That is so special, and it gives me the strength to do his work. I definitely felt the fire and the urgency from an apostle of the lord. We ALL need to go save souls! People are spiritually dying out there, so we need to save them! Missionary work is at the center of his plan and it is not casual business. One last thing he said that struck me. "If every missionary was the missionary that you are, what would the church look like?" We can apply that to anything. Reflect on who YOU are and how you are contributing to the Church of Jesus Christ. Would you want the whole church to be based on how you are as a parent, how you serve in callings, and what you contribute as a member missionary? I know that I have thought back on that and want to be the best missionary I can be so I can help build up Zion. Ponder that yourself "Try a little harder to be a little better"
2. Bike life-
So ya, Melissa, you are right... I don't know how to ride a bike that well. My tush is still sore and my short legs aren't an advantage when it comes to the bike I'm borrowing from another missionary who didn't need it! haha but each day gets better. Riding a bike in skirts and dresses is also interesting, but I'm getting used to it! So it turns out that the week I come to Texas, Dallas gets record rainfall. It didn't stop raining until Saturday. As missionaries, the work never stops, so we ride on :) Most days I was soaked and cold, but I really tried hard to be positive. My rain coat worked pretty well, too. I couldn't change the situation, so I just tried a little harder to find joy.
3. Service: Zarghona and food pantry
We got to do service this week! It was so much fun! Zarghona moved here from Afghanistan, and we teach her English. We don't teach her anything about the gospel (unless she asks), only English! It was cool to her about life in Afghanistan and how she is trying to adjust to living in the United States. She cooked us some food for lunch. It was delicious! she made homemade flatbread (kinda), rice and chicken, and a sauce to go over it. She also made a salad... it looked SO good. It had normal stuff, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. Once I took a bite, my mouth was on FIRE. All three of us sisters had a spicy look on our face. TEARS were streaming down my face and I couldn't get my drink down fast enough. Zarghona noticed and said," I sorry, I like spicy salad." She put like habanero peppers in it I didn't want to be rude, but I could not finish it hahaha
We also did some service at the food pantry. We flattened bags for two hours! when you have a positive attitude, anything can be fun!
4. Angels around us
Thursday night we were on bikes and it was raining so hard. We went to visit someone, but they lived in a sketchy apartment complex. ( Don't worry mom, I'm safe.) We could smell weed and it was just sketchy. As we got going home, we were just all struggling. We were tired, cold, scared, and a LONG ways from our apartment... and in the dark. Sister Cook said the most powerful prayer I have ever heard. She prayed and asked heavenly father surround us with angels, and specifically for angels who were of our ancestry and loved us. The rest of the way home, it was still hard, but I know that angels were sent to surround and protect us. We sang hymns and we biked as fast as we could go. I know that we were able to make it home because of her prayer.
5. My REAL purpose-
I learned something really interesting this week. As a missionary, I can't force people to accept Christ, all I can do is invite. I have not failed at all if people don't want to accept it, I only fail if I don't try. There were people we talked to who were not interested and it made me sad! I just had to realize that it wasn't anything to do with me and I had not failed, they have their agency. Rejection is never fun, but I just pray for the people. Also, no one has been mean at all. They were very respectful, so that was good.
6. Chili judges-
On Saturday, there was a ward Trunk or Treat! Part of it was a chili cook off... guess who they picked to judge? the three Sister missionaries ;) Most of them were good. Some were really gross or super spicy regardless, it was fun!
7. Brian-
We met a man named Brian this week street contacting. He has a really cool story. He was homeless for a while and he said that when he accepted God and Christ, he was blessed. now he's married, has an apartment and has a job. We set a time to meet back with him because he wanted to know more of our message. The day before we were going to meet with him, we saw him again! He was with his wife, so we met her too! On Sunday, we got to the appointment and realized we didn't get his apartment number. A member came with us, and she just started asking around if anyone knew a Brian. Then, he walked out at that very moment. We figured out we even had the wrong phone number for him. So we got everything straightened out and we have a return appointment. he texted us later and thanked us for showing that we really cared, that it meant a lot to him. I know that he needs the gospel! It was no coincidence that we ran into him so many times. I'm excited to hear how that goes.
8. MY VISA GOT ACCEPTED. AFRICA HERE I COME!!!!! Pretty self explanatory I'm SO excited. My flight leaves tomorrow at 2:30 and I don't get to Zimbabwe until 9:15 P.M. on Wednesday. I have a long flight ahead of me... I fly from Dallas to Georgia, Georgia to South Africa, and South Africa to Zimbabwe. I'm kinda nervous, but I'm so ready. Africa has just kinda been an idea, and that it would eventually happen. Now it's becoming more of a reality and I can't wait to meet the people.
My mission has started off so unexpected, but I have learned a lot in this past month. I just have tried to have the attitude of I'll go wherever the Lord needs me, and bring on the adventure! Thank you for your love, prayers, and support! I miss and love y'all very much
Love, Sister Kershaw
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