22March2010

My suspicions were correct. I am getting shipped out to Torrington. Last night I had a brief temper tantrum and then I felt truly peaceful about it. I know it’s what needs to happen. Even though I feel like I’m leaving a part of my heart behind me here in Trumbull. Seven and a half months is a long time to be in one area! My new companion will be Sister Mortimer, who was my MTC companion.



I just got an email from Pres. Pehrson saying three missionaries were sent home this week. Usually when people get sent home they keep it very hush-hush, so I don’t know why we heard about it this time, but it sure breaks my heart. Especially because it’s obvious how much it breaks President’s heart when these things happen.



We’re also getting, in addition to one greenie, a sister from another mission and she is coming to Trumbull. There will be a trio here again. So we’ve been preparing for her and I spent the last two nights on a bunk bed as a result—the TOP bunk, nonetheless. That was exciting. We’ve been told to keep the beds not right next to a wall, because bedbugs sometimes come through walls. So there is a big open space between the top bunk and the wall. Might as well have a neon sign saying “toss and turn in your sleep and FALL RIGHT IN!” I have discovered I’m not the most rambunctious sleeper. I have avoided falling into that big open space so far. I was nervous because I still have vivid childhood memories of Andrea falling off the top bunk in her sleep. :) Between that and my fear of heights with which you are all well acquainted, I am very proud of myself for being SO brave as to sleep on the top bunk.



I have learned how important it is to use P-day for actual P-day things. Last Monday we helped someone move most of the day. We didn’t realize how much that would affect our energy the rest of the week. We got really drained and our motivation took a nose-dive. It was a rough week. Lesson learned! So I’m excited for the changes that are coming.



Other than that, it really hasn’t been a terribly eventful week. We’re still trying to sort our way through a bunch of member referrals, but none of them have turned into actual investigators yet. That project consumes the majority of our time.



This morning Molly, one of our favorite five-year-olds, told Sister Johnston that she (meaning Sister J) is “a teenager.” When Sister J asked for a high-five Molly said, “BORING!” She said the same thing when I asked her for a hug good-bye. Wouldn’t hug me even after I reminded her that I was moving.



Last week I called the Relief Society president’s house and her 18-year-old son answered the phone. After I asked to talk to “Sister Trump” (keep in mind missionaries are practically the only people in church who use the titles “brother” and “sister” out here, so by process of elimination it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out who we are on the phone), I heard him calling her to the phone. When she asked who it was he said, “I don’t know. A WOMAN.” I have finally graduated to the level of “A WOMAN”! Tell that to everyone else who still thinks I look like I’m sixteen. (Yes, I know, I know, I’ll be grateful for my youthful appearance when I’m forty and look thirty-five.) “Woman” sounds so old and dignified. “Who’s Sister Monson?” “Oh, she’s that WOMAN over there who’s always with that GIRL.”



Now that I have become a real WOMAN in Trumbull, it’s time for me to leave. Torrington must be in dire need of some real WOMEN. So I will take my WOMANLY self outta here to pack my bags and say goodbye to my fan club. (No, of course I’m kidding! I don’t really have a fan club. But it is nice to feel so accepted and supported by the ward.)



Love to everyone,

Sister Monson, the WOMAN

I was so distracted by my WOMANliness that I forgot to put my new address in the last email. Here it is:

227 Riverside Ave. #1
Torrington, CT
06790