She Comes and Goes

We had another crazy, no-hugs-allowed at transfer this week. My new companion is Sister Ethington! She is absolutely amazing and I didn't think there was another me out there (I mean, besides Sheralyn of course), but then Sister Ethington came and we are basically the same person! This whole week has been so much fun, which is going to make saying goodbye so much harder. We had only been companions for a grand total of two hours when we got a call from President Pickett and he told us that Sister Ethington will be going back to the Nauvoo historic sites mission in just about 10 days. Soooooooo sad! I will probably be getting another companion next Monday from a foreign mission. . . But nothing is for sure. 

On the way back from transfers, we happened to pass right through Knoxville where there just happens to be a Culver's right off the exit. . . . So, needless to say, lunch on Thursday was the BEST. 

Mother's day was such a sweet treat. I just want to let the world know that my mother has been my teacher (quite literally for 9 years), cheerleader, comforter, counselor, nurse, personal trainer, and most importantly, has taught me to love the Savior with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. She has so many skills, I doubt anyone can handle that many jobs better than my Mom. I love her!!! Happy belated Mother's day! 

-Sister Shumway 

A Whole Transfer Without Knocking on a Single Door...

I can't believe that we have gone a whole transfer without going tracting once. Nada. Zip. Zero times! It has made the transfer crawl by so slow and now it seems like it was the blink of an eye!

Well, we had transfer calls on Saturday and my sweet companion, Sister Whitney, will be leaving me to go be a Sister Training Leader again! My new companion is Sister Ethington. She is actually a missionary from the Nauvoo Historical Sites Mission and came to spend 3 transfers in a proselyting mission but ended up staying longer due to COVID-19. She seems so sweet and I am excited to welcome her to Dandridge!! (Even though I hardly know Dandridge myself). 

We received a referral this week (someone who requested through comeuntochrist.org to meet with missionaries a.k.a. a missionary's dream come true!) and she was interested in learning more about the Book of Mormon! I can assure you all, that the Lord's work is still moving forward, and no virus can stop Him from spreading the gospel! 

The highlight of my week was, by far, getting to be part of Liz's baptismal service via zoom! I have never been happier for another person in my life! She was absolutely radiating afterwards and I know without a doubt that the gospel will indescribably bless her and her cute little family! I am in absolute awe of the changes that Jesus Christ can bring about in people. He knows us, He loves us, and He knows how to help us! 

Also. . . . We got spontaneous and chopped off even more of my hair. . .  With the kitchen scissors! (Shout out to Sister Whitney for full sending when we both didn't know what we were doing!) Hahahahaha! It turned out okay. No worries! 

I love this mission. It's the best. I love knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me and that He has plan for each and every one of us. A plan of happiness, redemption, salvation! I love knowing that my Savior came to this world and conquered death for us. I love knowing that through His Atonement, we don't have to bear our burdens alone. I love knowing that we have a living prophet on the earth today who guides as God's children and helps us know and recognize God's love for us. I love it all. And I love the Lord! 

-Sister Shumway

What a Wonderful World!

In our mission, there is usually an average of 170 missionaries. With so many being sent home early because of COVID-19, we currently only have 130. BUT we just found out that in the next couple months, we will literally DOUBLE that number until we have 260 TKM missionaries! Wards will all have double the companionships, new areas are opening, literally everyone will need to be a "trainer" in one way or another. I am so excited to welcome these missionaries who are so eager to get back into the field, no matter where it's at. I have a strong testimony that we have been called to serve the Lord, not necessarily called to serve in a specific area, so we can serve the Lord wherever in the world we are. 

Our phone has been giving us some issues the past couple of weeks, but this past week it started working again so we were calling people like crazy and it felt a little bit like tracting. People would say funny things, hang up on us, and even gave us fake numbers! It was kind of a tender mercy to feel like a missionary again. You know that you are standing up for something good and true if you have to face opposition and adversity. 

My mission President's wife told us that this isolation situation is kind of like Zion's camp for us. Zion's camp was an opportunity for a lot of the early leaders of the church to show their faith by marching into the unknown, and even though they never actually fought any battles, or seemingly accomplished anything, they came back more faithful, more grateful, with better leadership skills, and a stronger relationship with their Savior Jesus Christ. This is our Zion's camp! 

Also, MIRACLES ARE STILL HAPPENING. I just found out that one of the sweetest ladies that I have taught on my whole mission is getting baptized on Wednesday! She is back in Loudon but I will have the opportunity to Skype into her baptismal service, and I could not be more excited! I will be honest with y'all, it's been a little bit of a sore spot for me that I've not been able to help very many people make the covenant of baptism with their Heavenly Father because I've had so many examples of powerful missionaries who seemed to baptize and bless nations. But I do have a testimony that success as a servant of the Lord is not measured by baptisms, it measured by commitment and obedience. And I am committed. I know that this is God's work. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be part of it! I love it! And I love the Lord. 

-Sister Shumway