So transfers were this week, and it was actually really hard to say goodbye to Loudon. But we finished the transfer really strong and on Tuesday we had a lesson over the phone and put our sweet Liz on date to be baptized!
For transfers, all of us missionaries who are leaving our areas go up to the Knoxville Stake Center in Farragut and it's always so fun to reconnect with old companions and other missionary friends!! But this time. . . . Due to the Coronavirus, we weren't allowed to hug, or shake hands, or touch. . . . And we had less than 30 min to find our new companion, move all the luggage, pick up supplies, and leave! It was weird and SO HARD not to hug the sister missionaries I haven't seen in soooooo long!!! (And don't tell the President, but it was a gathering of definitely more than 10 people haha).
My new area is Dandridge! And the members here are so few and far between, that it's not a ward, or a branch. . . . It's a group!! But we aren't even meeting together for church, so I haven't met very many of the members anyways.
My new companion is Sister Whitney and she is the nicest human ever! We are already having a blast and I just know this transfer is going to be SO GOOD. Also, this is area is pretty new, this is only it's second transfer. . . And the apartment is soooooooo nice. It's not an apartment. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 full bath HOUSE. Literally the nicest one in the mission (I guess it makes up for our area not having a Walmart). We are in HEAVEN!
We even got permission from President Pickett to go teach a lesson in person and oh how I miss teaching people. . . . this isolation thing better be over sooooon.
Miracle!!! I know that I am supposed to be here in Dandridge because waaaaay back in Sevierville (my very first area) we taught the most wonderful lady. Some of you might remember me asking y'all to pray for Julia, she was never able to be baptized in Sevierville because of her health and living situation, but she moved to Newport to live with her son and get better care a while back . . . . And guess what???? She re-connected with the missionaries HERE (we cover part of Newport) and we get to go see her as soon as this virus is gone!!!! WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT? Chances don't matter, it was all the Lord!
On Sunday morning we woke up to quite the storm. It was crazy, and we got a call a little later from the lady who we were planning on having a little Sacrament meeting for, and she told us that the storm had hit her trailer park particularly viciously and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to get out. This was heartbreaking news for us! So we said a prayer, asking for a miracle and for the Lord to provide a way. We got in the car and headed over to see how bad the damage was. It literally looked like a tornado had gone right down the street. It was the scariest thing I think I've ever seen. There were probably 20 trees that had completely been ripped out of the ground and were lying on top of cars and trailers. Luckily, no one was hurt and only one lady had been temporarily stuck inside her trailer. AND the miracle is that every time there was a tree lying across the road, there was JUST enough room for a car to squeeze around it. So you bet we got Carolyn to the little church service! The Lord answers prayers, and He will provide a way for us to accomplish the things He has commanded.
This week was my half way mark for my 18 months in full-time service to the Lord, and it breaks my heart that it is going so fast. I find comfort in this little segment of the Missionary handbook: "Your mission didn’t really begin the day you were set apart and won’t end the day you are released. A mission isn’t like putting on an employee or school uniform in the morning only to take it off again when the day is done. Since the time you were baptized, you have been on the covenant path that leads to eternal happiness, joy, and peace. Your full-time mission experience can be a transforming event but should also be an integral part of your life mission experience." I know that the many miracles and the immense joy that I've seen and experienced are not just limited to Tennesse. This is all part of our LIFE mission. Miracles are not just reserved for full time missionaries. Sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is not reserved for full time missionaries! I promise that it brings a joy beyond anything I've previously experienced: you should try it!!!
I love you all so much! Stay safe and don't get sick! I love you, I love the missionary work I get to do, and I LOVE THE LORD
-Sister Shumway
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