Hey Everyone!!!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving filled with plenty of food, plenty of football and a bunch of things to be grateful for. :) I am slightly jealous of your pumpkin pie dinner. :) It sounds fabulous, although it makes me feel super healthy with my pancake dinner.
This week has been an absolutely incredible week in so many ways. I have much to be thankful for, and much to tell you. :)
On Tuesday and Thursday we taught the Bells the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity, and they both were incredible. Ms. Bell said that she doesn't really like coffee (Mom, I've been waiting for someone like you. I seriously thought you were the only one on the entire planet who didn't have to get over Word of Wisdom issues.), and they hardly ever drink tea (UNHEARD OF in the South… and she is from Georgia!!!), so it wouldn't be a problem. :) I was amazed beyond belief. They threw their tea and coffee creamer out as we walked out the door.
For the Chastity lesson, Ms. Bell was super nervous, and I could tell she was bracing herself for all sorts of awkwardness, but I don't think it was that bad. We told the 7 year old not to kiss and then sent her in the next room. Just was we got started the 14 year old (Kionee) said, "Can I say something?" we looked at each other, braced for awkwardness and said "Sure." She said, "You know. I think some people just should not have kids. You can just tell because they look bad together, they should just not have kids because their kids will be really ugly." It was pretty much the awesomest icebreaker ever, terrible to try to build off of, but it broke the ice really quickly.
It has been really nice to teach someone who is converted. I don't have to worry about saying the wrong thing, or offending them. Ms. Bell was sick on Sunday, so the Elders came over to give her a blessing. After the blessing, I tried to testify about the power of the blessing, and she just said, "I know," and it was 20 times more powerful than anything I could have ever said. A few minutes ago, she didn't even know what a blessing was, now she has a powerful testimony of that. I have no idea what happened to give her that strength, but it truly is beautiful to see someone that converted.
We had an incredible Zone Conference on Wednesday. Absolutely incredible. I've been focusing on bringing questions to meetings so that I can receive specific revelation. Last week was a rough week, and I ended up just going to the Lord and saying, "Zone Conference is coming up, I need to have a question, but honestly, can you just fix this? Please, just fix it." I wasn't even sure what "it" is, but he fixed it. Every single question and/or problem that I had was addressed. I came to the meeting feeling rather worn, but I left the meeting feeling spiritually rejuvenated and ready to get to work. We ended up teaching 5 lessons in the four hours we had after zone conference, and most of them were not planned. It was just beautiful.
And finally- I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D Yes. I am a little bit excited, possibly a bit nervous, but mostly thrilled out of my mind. Vestavia has been a great area, I've learned a lot and I've loved a lot. I'll also really really really miss my dear companion, Sister McDougal (who is pretty much the most fantastic person ever), but I was ready for a change last transfer. This transfer I'd pretty much given up on ever getting transferred, and I was sure the Lord was just going to keep me here for eternity (I've been here 1/3 of my mission…), but once I heard I was getting transferred, I got really excited. It should be a great transfer. I'm excited to work in an new area, with new people and hopefully I'll have an absolute blast.
I won't find out where I am going until Wednesday, so I'll probably email you then (unless President has changed that policy), and I'll tell you where you can send anything that you want to send (I'm sure you've gotten the emails on packages and letters during the holiday season).
So Dad, the Elders were actually planning on doing the same thing this Thanksgiving. We weren't invited to anyone's house, so they just decided to team up with some other missionaries for a nice dinner. When our ward mission leader heard about that, he announced in PEC, Relief Society (and I'm sure Elder's Quorum) that we didn't have a place to eat. Some very generous and kind people quickly offered to have us over, so my companion will have a place to eat. No idea what will happen with me, but hey! It will be an adventure finding out! :)
Well, I love you all. Thank you for everything you do to support me. You are the best family ever :) even if, and perhaps especially because, you eat pumpkin pie for dinner.
Love always,
~Sister Pratt
p.s. Due to recent events, stories we've heard and a concern for our families, Sister McDougal and I have decided not to get involved in any tornadoes, typhoons, illegal activities, hurricanes or any other sort of dangerous or life-threatening activity. Just so you know. :) We're just not going to die. Its officially decided.
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