Rollercoasters are Usually Fun

 Hey y'all! 

 

This week felt like a bunch of ups and downs, but that's okay. A little bit exhausting, but okay. 

 

I don't have much to say, soooooo sorry it's so short!

 

I will say that this area has been one of growth! I have recognized changes happening and they are much more than just surface level changes. I've been thinking a lot about a quote from Elder Oaks that says "In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to learn something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something." 

 

I love you all!! And I love the Lord! 

 

-Sister Shumway 

We are trying to get better at taking pictures so here is a picture of us making lunch!

We're Gonna be Famous!

 Zone conference was so good!!! As always, every single training was an answer to my prayers and questions  One of the most interesting things that President Graham shared with us was the mission's statistics for the past year. In early February there was a significant spike in the number of people being found to teach and then in late February there is a HUGE drop (President Graham called it the Covid Cliff). The learning curve was quite literal as we learned how to use Facebook. BUT as of right now, we are finding JUST AS MANY people to teach through Facebook as we were in January when we were tracting. All of that learning in 5 short months!! That's really quick in the grand scheme of things! The other amazing thing that the average trend for baptisms in the mission HAS NOT CHANGED. At all! Even during the Covid Cliff! People did not let it stop them from making covenants with the Lord. There were several things I learned from this. 

1. The Lord led us to His children who could be found through tracting while we were still tracting because He knew we were going to be switching tactics soon.

 

2. There are so many ways to find people to teach!!! Not just tracting or street contacting or social media or member referrals or self referrals, the opportunities for people to hear about the gospel are endless! 

 

3. NOTHING can stop the Lord's work from progressing.

 

4. He is in control!!! 

 

Okay! Miracle time! Our friend Casey, who has come to church 3 weeks in a row now, keeps missing all the appointments we make with him during the week, so we thought he was sort of ignoring us. But then he told us he has been working his 12 hour shifts (2pm-2am) for 20 DAYS STRAIGHT.  And he STILL comes to church!! We honestly don't even know how he is still alive. The sacrifices he is making are astounding! We moved his baptismal date up to August 30th!! He has taught me so much about faith and sacrifice. I know that the Lord will bless him abundantly for the steps he's taken and sacrifices he's made to come unto Christ. 

 

Okay, the reason we are gonna be famous is because the Stake public affairs coordinator interviewed us and wrote an article for the newspaper. . . So not really that famous. But a little bit! 

 

On Sunday morning Sister Pelky and I decided to go to an early morning service at the Church of Christ right down the road! It was really different but really fun.

 

I love the experiences I am having SO MUCH! Every day teaches me so much!! I know that this is the Lord's work. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church! I know that the Book of Mormon is true!! I know my Savior lives. 

 

I love you all! I love Tennessee and I love the Lord!!!

-Sister Shumway 

Keep it Up!

 The Sister Training leaders came and visited us this week! It's always fun to work with another set of missionaries for a few hours. I always learn so much from the different ideas and suggestions they have.  

 

Our miracle friend from last week came to church again yesterday!!! He is making such a sacrifice to come because he works a 12 hour shift from 2 pm to 2 am AMD STILL COMES TO CHURCH AT 10!!!!!! He is teaching me about sacrifice and how worth it the gospel will always be! He's quitting coffee this week so keep him in your prayers. 

 

Tomorrow is zone conference and it always comes around at the most perfect time. I've been trying really hard to keep pushing myself. The thing I am most afraid of for the last few months of my mission is growing complacent and not continuing to grow. I have cherished the changes that I've seen happen in and around me! I want to keep seeing them! So I am excited for zone conference to learn how I can best accomplish all that I need to. 

 

I love you all! I love Tennessee! And I love the Lord  

-Sister Shumway

This week was so much fun!! It was so sad to say goodbye to Sister Allen on Wednesday, but I also got to see so many past companions at transfers.

 

My new companion, Sister Pelky, is so much fun!!! She was originally assigned to the Belgium Netherlands mission and was in the first group of missionaries that did online MTC. She was released for two months, and then re-set apart and THEN came to the TKM. I'm 2nd half training her (which was a surprise to me because they didn't mention that part in the transfer call) and she Speaks Dutch!! So technically she's Zuster Pelky! I had her teach me how to pray in Dutch and let me tell you, Dutch is hard!!! 

 

Here's a miracle for the week: We found a guy on Facebook like two weeks ago and he was super open to the message! We taught him the restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he'd come to church! And then he missed church and stopped responding to our messages. We hadn't heard from him in a week and he wasn't responding to anything we sent him. . . . But then on Sunday morning we get a message from him that said: "I'll be at church today." He came and our members were SO good and provided such a strong testimony meeting and all tried to introduce themselves to him afterwards. This ward is so good! After church we taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ and invited him to be baptized. . . . HE SAID YES!!! 

 

I love fast Sundays. The miracles and blessing and abundance of Spirit are REAL! 

 

I love you all so much!! But I probably love the Lord more. . . . 

-Sister Shumway 

Sister Shumway and Zuster Pelky

These bumper stickers are very common in the South, apparently even on dump trucks!

In the Blink of an Eye

And just like that another transfer is coming to a close. We had transfer calls on Saturday evening and I will be staying in Lebanon, but losing my most sweetest Sister Allen.

 

In other news, we also had interviews this week! Now that I've had a chance to sit down one on one with President Graham, I am all the more eager to tell you all how amazing he is going to be for this mission! I am SO excited for the miracles and growth that are going to be bursting at the seams of these next 5 months!!  

 

I don't really have any stories from this week, but here's a picture of the most beautiful sunset!!! 

 

I love you all! I love Tennessee! And I love the Lord!

 

Love,Sister Shumway