Willie Jean

First week in the new area! Woo! It's been crazy.


First of all, I have been STUNNED at how much time we spend giving tours at the visitors' centers. It is such a stark difference from being full proselyting. It's fun in a lot of ways because so many fun people come in wanting to learn or wanting to finally see the places they've grown to love for so long. It's fun to be around the other missionaries and the Senior couples so much- a bunch of new people have come in since I was shipped out and they are AMAZING. Sister Hausauer and I have been having a blast already, too. I'm starting to wonder if you're allowed to get along with someone so well right off the bat? I'll take it though!


With all of that said, I still really miss Brockport. I think that's allowed ha. That area just has a special place in my heart and it probably always will. Just like Buffalo. I'm sure Brighton will carve it's place before too long as well. It was nice to be able to meet people throughout the area and in the ward this week- there are a TON of really strong members and it's interesting for me to try and find my place as a missionary. In past areas, there were PLENTY of things for missionaries to do because they were mobile search and rescue units. The church has an incredible organization where every member has other members who are assigned to take care of needs if there are any, and visit them from time to time to uplift, inspire, and encourage the individual as well as their family. When members of the ward go through a hard time, there is a system in place so that there are people who have responsibility already. When the members don't live up to that duty, the missionaries often fill in the gaps. It's pretty cool- in the Rochester 3rd ward there really aren't that many gaps. There's still plenty for us to do, but it'll be very different than where I was needed in Buffalo and Brockport. Happy and excited about it- just trying to figure out whats going on. Ha.


The weirdest phenomenon has been happening this week- everyone looks familiar! I think I might be losing my mind, but I seem to spend half of my time trying to figure out where I know people. Strange.


This week I have been thinking a lot about how often we complain about blessings these days. Maybe it just seems that way from where I'm sitting, but I've noticed it not only in many of those around me but in myself. When I say complain about blessings, I mean complaining when things aren't as wonderful as we would prefer them to be. Getting upset that a house isn't as functional as we would prefer or a meal isn't as satisfying or a lesson isn't as inspiring as it could have been. Shouldn't we be grateful that it was anything good? I just realized how frustrating it must be for those in worse circumstances. Consider it- would you complain about your outfit in front of someone who has holes in their shoes? Would you complain about a bad hair day to someone with alopecia? Would you complain about eating something less than appealing to someone without food at all? I'd like to think about that more in the future when I think I've got it bad. So embarrassing. That's part of the reason I think we are commanded to pray often! When we feel that our lives are lamentable, Heavenly Father can lovingly remind us of one who never enjoyed selfish pleasure- Jesus Christ.


In other news! This weekend I met back up with Sister Wall and we ran a 5k! It was her first ever and she did great! Our time was 31:39 and I felt super good afterwords which is a good sign. We're thinking we should work up to a half marathon in the future...a bunch of missionaries ran in it. Sister Hausauer and Torres had been asked to cook pancakes for the breakfast afterwords so we just did a switch for a while. I love the atmosphere of races. There were quite a few kids that ran in it, too. All weekend I've thought a lot about families I've known and the possibility of my own in the future. I've been super pensive all weekend- pretty quiet. Sister Hausauer probably thinks I'm getting sick. Changes just bring on a lot of new thoughts. Whenever that happens though you just can't seem to shake that tired feeling. I wonder if I'll ever not be tired.


Some days you all seem so distant! Like I routinely get on the computer and talk to myself or something. It's gotten to be more like that the longer I've been on my mission. I keep hearing about other friends who have gotten home or thinking of friends who I know will get home soon. That seems like a different dimension now. I hope everyone is well and dealing with whatever adjustments may be sneaking up on them with as much strength as they can muster. That matrix feeling is something else.


That's...all I've got. Exciting city stories to come next week.

Till then,

Hermana Raines


P.S. We spent the day today raking leaves with 2 of the elders we serve with and one of them tried to fix my tiny guitar! He deemed it to need professional help. But it's still exciting! One day that thing will be my pride and joy. It's pretty close now. Lil cutie.