8/19/14

Last Friday night we got a phone call from the APs that Sister Bair was going to train a brand new missionary next transfer. I was super excited for her but also a little upset because that meant that I was getting transferred for sure. She was still on the phone when i tore the closet door open, pulled out my suitcase, and shoved all my clothes in it... 

On Saturday Lupi spoke at Stake Conference and did a really great job sharing her testimony in front of a very large group of people and Elder Nielsen from the 70. I'm not sure she knew who he was but she wasn't nervous at all. Sonia came with Lupi and really enjoyed the talks. We had a sleep over with the Seaside sisters so we didn't have to drive back and forth for the next session. It was there that I got the official "moving out" text from the zone leaders. We spent a big portion of Sunday night saying goodbye to people.

On Monday we went to the beach to say goodbye to the zone and sign journals. The Elders found a big dug out fort and we it over. We took a few pictures then headed back to our own private tour of the Richardson Adobe (aka the haunted hotel in Ghost Hunters International!!!). A member of the ward works for the city and let us run around and told us the history. It is pretty old and racketty and I would not be surprised if there were giant rats living there but thankfully we didn't see any rats... or ghosts.

We also had Sonia's baptismal interview on Monday and now Sister Bair and her new trainee are set to go for her baptism on Friday night... oh yeah, did I mention I got TRANSFERRED?!

I just got moved to a brand new area that is in a big city just north of San Jose. There are a ton of hindu and indian people and almost no hispanics which is really weird for me. Also, there are a billion cars and freeways everywhere so driving is kind of scary. Sister Boyd and I are opening up a new area so neither of us know anyone or anything and the boundaries are still kind of unclear but we've decided that our new motto is going to be "We'll figure it out!" I am in an apartment with two other sisters who will be going home pretty soon. About half our zone will be home within the next 3 transfers so that is kind of weird. 

I absolutely loved serving in the Greenfield ward. There were many people prepared to hear and receive the message of the restored Gospel. I am sad to leave but grateful for this new experience. It will definitely be a growing and humbling one but this is the Lord's work and he will not let me mess it up too bad, right?

I'd like to close by sharing a thought from the Monterey Stake Conference. Sister Nielsen, wife of Elder Nielsen (area 70), shared a quote her dad used to say: "the Holy Ghost is in you like breathing". It was kind of a funny quote but also really deep. We often do  not think about breathing, it is something that we do all day every day but it is not until we are unable to take in air that we become aware of what we are doing. She said that it is the same with the spirit. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have been confirmed and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. As long as we remain worthy of its companionship it can be with us all the time. We get so desensitized that we forget it is there and that it has a special purpose. Let us prepare ourselves to be sensitive to that spirit. Let us pray, study, and look for signs of its presence.

I love you all,

Hermana Quintana