So not too much to report on since I only wrote a few days ago. The biggest event this week was working with the Red Cross! Sister Moreno was asked to translate but we are kind of a packaged deal so I got to go as well! We volunteered for a about 10 hours over 2 days. Not much in comparison to other missionaries but our area was not as effected as some.
Our shelter was mostly the tornado victims. We spent most of our time there in the afternoon hours while people were at work or school. If not that, then people were out trying to salvage belongings or looking for new places to stay. We were able to help watch the kids and serve meals. There was a group of about 7 kids that I just came to love! They were there both days and were out of school at this point. We didn't have much to do but we made it work. Duck Duck Goose, play dough and crayons. I only have a picture with a few of them. I thought we would be able to help out a little more but I know that just sitting there and talking with these people helped them a ton. They just lost everything they had and were stuck in a gym all day everyday for at least a week. We were friendly faces to talk to! It was all worth it the second day when I walked in and these kids came running up to give me a hug and every time I left they would ask if I would be back tomorrow. I will never see any of them again but I know that I played a small part in those kid's lives.
It was fun getting to know the volunteers as well. One of the volunteers was actually a victim herself. Her apartment burned to the ground due to lightning. Her whole complex was basically burned, 14 buildings! She was out for the weekend so she didn't even know till a few days later. She said she was blessed because she had most of her belonging with her that were of any value. The rest were in storage because she was getting ready to find a new place. Everyone had a story. No matter the tragedy people all were happy and had a smile on their face. What a miracle that even though a tornado ripped through an apartment complex in the middle of the night no body was killed. The only injury was a broken arm. I am so grateful for the chance I had to help. It was a some contribution compared to some who helped clean and fix homes but I know that every act is a good act after a disaster such as this.
We only had one big storm this week and that was Saturday night. It only lasted for about 30 minutes. They had the missionaries go inside for good measure. I am afraid that anytime it rains now that it is going to flood! Oh and Happy Hurricane Season! Only 6 more months of rain to go! Hopefully we will have a dry summer like we did last year. This was good preparation for things that may come. We will hope nothing bad happens like this again for some time.
As for the missionary work side of things! V is finally starting to progress! He came to church yesterday. We have been meeting with him 2x a week and we have seen his faith starting to grow. He said he can honestly say now that he believes that there is a God. He is just stuck in the thought that he cannot make the changes in his life because he has done too many bad things. I have great faith that he will be able to make the changes he needs to. It will take some time and a great leap of faith but when we meet I can see the wheels turning in his head. He is really taking it all in. He is starting to realize the need to do the things we are asking him to do, especially reading in the Book of Mormon. He is great! I am excited to keep working with him.
Oh and today is officially the "I only have 6 months left" mark! It is hard for us English kids because our dates are not consistent at all! I am known for counting down. Not because I am excited but because it is just what I do! Remember how I would always put countdowns on the fridge for random things. It is just in my blood. It is crazy to think that I have been out for over a year. Time is starting to pick up. I am excited to see what I can do in these next 6 months :)
I have a lot of changes I still want to make and hopefully Heavenly Father has many more great experiences in store for me.
I love you all so much!
Have a great week!
Love always,
Sister Greaves
Our shelter was mostly the tornado victims. We spent most of our time there in the afternoon hours while people were at work or school. If not that, then people were out trying to salvage belongings or looking for new places to stay. We were able to help watch the kids and serve meals. There was a group of about 7 kids that I just came to love! They were there both days and were out of school at this point. We didn't have much to do but we made it work. Duck Duck Goose, play dough and crayons. I only have a picture with a few of them. I thought we would be able to help out a little more but I know that just sitting there and talking with these people helped them a ton. They just lost everything they had and were stuck in a gym all day everyday for at least a week. We were friendly faces to talk to! It was all worth it the second day when I walked in and these kids came running up to give me a hug and every time I left they would ask if I would be back tomorrow. I will never see any of them again but I know that I played a small part in those kid's lives.
It was fun getting to know the volunteers as well. One of the volunteers was actually a victim herself. Her apartment burned to the ground due to lightning. Her whole complex was basically burned, 14 buildings! She was out for the weekend so she didn't even know till a few days later. She said she was blessed because she had most of her belonging with her that were of any value. The rest were in storage because she was getting ready to find a new place. Everyone had a story. No matter the tragedy people all were happy and had a smile on their face. What a miracle that even though a tornado ripped through an apartment complex in the middle of the night no body was killed. The only injury was a broken arm. I am so grateful for the chance I had to help. It was a some contribution compared to some who helped clean and fix homes but I know that every act is a good act after a disaster such as this.
We only had one big storm this week and that was Saturday night. It only lasted for about 30 minutes. They had the missionaries go inside for good measure. I am afraid that anytime it rains now that it is going to flood! Oh and Happy Hurricane Season! Only 6 more months of rain to go! Hopefully we will have a dry summer like we did last year. This was good preparation for things that may come. We will hope nothing bad happens like this again for some time.
As for the missionary work side of things! V is finally starting to progress! He came to church yesterday. We have been meeting with him 2x a week and we have seen his faith starting to grow. He said he can honestly say now that he believes that there is a God. He is just stuck in the thought that he cannot make the changes in his life because he has done too many bad things. I have great faith that he will be able to make the changes he needs to. It will take some time and a great leap of faith but when we meet I can see the wheels turning in his head. He is really taking it all in. He is starting to realize the need to do the things we are asking him to do, especially reading in the Book of Mormon. He is great! I am excited to keep working with him.
Oh and today is officially the "I only have 6 months left" mark! It is hard for us English kids because our dates are not consistent at all! I am known for counting down. Not because I am excited but because it is just what I do! Remember how I would always put countdowns on the fridge for random things. It is just in my blood. It is crazy to think that I have been out for over a year. Time is starting to pick up. I am excited to see what I can do in these next 6 months :)
I have a lot of changes I still want to make and hopefully Heavenly Father has many more great experiences in store for me.
I love you all so much!
Have a great week!
Love always,
Sister Greaves