"Don't think twice, it's alright"

Another week down!!! It was a good week. This was actually the last week of my first transfer! For those who don't know, a transfer is 6 weeks and how we mark time in the mission. Every 6 weeks, there is potential you will get a new companion or change areas. But this time everything is staying the same with me and my comps! Which I'm happy about. I was feeling super stressed beforehand about it, and then nothing changed! So that's where my title comes in this week. Don't think twice about the things you can't control!! It will work out the way God needs it too!

I honestly can't believe how fast these 6 weeks have flown. I'm always shocked when Monday rolls around again! But I'm so grateful to be here. I know there is no other place I need to be and I feel so blessed that Heavenly Father is letting me experience this.

We had a pretty busy week with lots of lessons with lots of people! We also got to see some of our fabulous ward members. Tuesday we ate with the Rayas again. This week, me and Sister Raya sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives." I love that woman, she is just too cute. Later in the week we borrowed tools from them, and when we dropped them back off they roped us into eating lunch with them. So we got to eat some pretty awesome pork chops. On Thursday we ate with our ward mission leader's family, the Hulls. They are such a fun family. They live on a farm with llamas! So we got to feed them! When I got assigned to New Mexico I definitely didn't think I would ever get to feed a Llama. I love all the unique experiences I've had in such a short period of time.

Speaking of unique experiences, we were 30 minutes late to our dinner appointment on Sunday because a train was just stopped in the middle of the tracks! It was super frustrating, but at the same time kinda funny. Never in my life have I had to send a text saying "sorry, we are going to be late to dinner. We got stuck behind a train." There's a first time for everything!

We got some super exciting news this week that we get to watch season 2 of The Chosen together as a mission!!! I only got to see the first episode of the first season pre-mission, but I'm still so happy we get to watch the second season. It was so fun having a little watch party over Zoom with the whole mission. AND OH MY GOSH IT WAS SOOOO GOOD. I didn't want it to end. I can't wait to watch the next one. Sister Clayton was so excited, it was cute. She got to watch season one over Christmas on the mission and has been dying to watch more. The whole time she was just giddy and wouldn't stop smiling.

On Sunday we got to go to church with Paula! I've mentioned her before, but I will remind you guys. Paula is deaf and not actually in our area. But, since Sister Clayton and Sister Lathrop know ASL, we have permission to teach her! She is getting baptized on Saturday!! We are so excited. It's amazing to reflect on how aware Heavenly Father is of his children, especially when considering Paula's situation. There are so many crazy things that have all lined up that can't just be coincidences. She just happens to live close enough to where two missionaries are placed who know ASL, lives in a ward where the bishop, his wife, and a relief society counselor all know at least some ASL, lives in a stake where an entire family knows ASL (we borrowed one of them to interpret on Sunday. She was amazing!) And lives in a stake that just started a deaf Sunday school. It is so wild to me! Heavenly Father knows exactly what this girl needs, and her soul is so important to him on an individual level that he is moving mountains to get her baptized. It's incredible. She has the sweetest spirit and I love her so much.

As for my ASL, I'm actually improving a lot. I am loving learning a new skill and it is such a fun language! I've embraced the fact that I don't know much, which has in turn actually allowed me to learn more. I'm shocked at how much I can understand and remember. The spirit really is helping me with this and that is a miracle in itself. When we humble ourselves and see our weaknesses, Heavenly Father works wonders through the spirit to fill our words (or our hands) with exactly what we should say. He really will help us when we turn to him.

Another fun thing we did this week was pretending to be the missionaries of old. You know, the ones who would walk everywhere for miles and miles a day? Now, I know this is just so impressive and crazy so get ready… we walked 6 miles on Saturday! I know right?!?! Wild. Haha. We even walked to one appointment only for them to not show up and have to walk back home. It honestly was so nice to get some sunshine, but also helped me appreciate our car a whole lot more. Missionary work is a lot more productive when we don't have to spend as much time traveling.

Well, sorry this email isn't super entertaining, I haven't had as much time today to think about all I should say haha. Pday is a busy day! But next week hopefully I get to tell you all about Paula's baptism!!!

I love you all!!! God is good and this is a great work!

Don't forget that Jesus loves you,

Sister Wallace

Pics

1. Me and Sister Clayton serving with big smiles!

2. Sister Clayton catching me with my lunch. I like to go sit on our porch in the sun to eat hehe

3. Hike with the sisters!

4. Feeding llamas!!! They loved me.

5. Random selfies help us stay sane during study time

6. I thought this truck was rad