It's been a little bit since we've had an update from Hermana Clarke about her mission. Let me see if I can catch you up on all that has transpired over the past few weeks.
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A Sister Missionary's Love
I believe these may be some of Jessica #2's seven children. |
- Transfers were today, and Rachelle was expecting to go to another area for her last 12 weeks since she has been in Edinburg for 6 months already--the max amount of time that Sisters are typically allowed to serve in a single area. BUT, President Torres felt that Hermana Clarke should stay in Edinburg until the end of her mission, which means that she will be in Edinburg for 9 months straight. How does she feel about that? She is overjoyed! She did NOT want to leave the area or her companion, Sister Drury.
- This also means that she will get to be with Sister Drury for her last 12 weeks--something she was really hoping for! They are so excited to stay together.
- ALSO, both Hermana Drury and Hermana Clarke have been given a new assignment to be STLT's for the mission (Sister Training Leader Trainers). This means that they will have the opportunity to meet and train all the new incoming sisters for the mission and to train the other STL's, or Sister Training Leaders. They will have a third companion for six weeks while they learn the ropes: Sister Vasquez. I'm sure we'll hear more about her next week when they've had a chance to serve together.
- AND as part of their new assignment, Hermana Clarke and Hermana Drury will need room to house the incoming "greenies" (new missionaries) when they arrive in the field . . . which means that Hermana Clarke and Hermana Drury were moved into a REAL HOUSE today as the STLT's home base was relocated from McAllen to Edinburg. They also have a new car which they refer to as the "mom car." They are both very excited for these changes.
- They celebrated not getting transferred today by waking up at 3:00 in the morning to get their studies in before taking their $7 pink fishing pole to a local lake to fish. (She has no idea how to fish, but she sure enjoyed pretending.) Apparently Sister Drury is quite a hunter and fisher. Hermana Clarke called us as she was arriving at the lake, and we heard a lot of giggles and confusion about bobbers throughout our conversation.
- The work: Edinburg continues to thrive. Hna. Clarke and Hna. Drury are working hard to retain the recent converts and recently reactivated members. Last week, they had 11 new people in church, all of which are progressing at different paces toward baptism. Rachelle and her companion had a sweet experience two weeks ago. Jessica Robles (Jessica #2) and four of her seven children were slotted to be baptized the Sunday before conference. While Jessica was waiting for her baptismal interview, she sheepishly confessed to the sisters that she had not yet conquered her smoking habit all the way. At that point, Rachelle and her companion had to decide whether to let the children be baptized or whether to wait for the mother. They decided to wait because in Rachelle's words, "Trust with the ward and trust with the Lord is more important than extra numbers." As of now, Jessica #2 continues to attend church each week with her children and she is working toward quitting her smoking habit for good. Pray for her.
- Hermana Clarke insists over and over again that God does the work and that her job as a missionary is to be the sharpest instrument she can be, and she constantly asks for advice on how to be a better missionary.
- Rachelle continues to find a lot of joy and peace in this work--even if everything in life isn't perfect.
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| Early P-Day fishing with a $7 pink fishing pole. They couldn't keep their catches because they didn't have a license, but they sure had fun. |
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| A fun new house to for the sisters |
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A new assignment: STLTs (Sister Training Leader Trainers)
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