"We're halfway there, and looking back now, I never thought that I'd ever say we're halfway there"

Well, I guess I should start off with the news that I have to leave my greenie, Sister Olsen :( nooooo. Yes, I'm getting transferred! It's ok, Sister Hardman will do great finishing up her training. On the upside, I still get to see her because I'm gonna be her new STL (sister training leader). This basically means I'm more involved in leadership and do trainings and have responsibilities, lol. But it also means I get to go on TONS of comp exchanges, which I love. So I'm pumped. I will get to check in on my old area.

I've noticed on my mission I've done lots of "planting and nourishing", and right when I'm about to get transferred is when stuff starts to happen!! The spirit has been preparing me for this change all week, though. I just couldn't picture staying here, and I knew I'd be in some form of leadership. Then, once we had a lady and her grandkids all show up to church on Sunday after 3 months of trying to get them there with no luck, I knew my time here was up for sure. Like I said, as soon as anything starts to happen after the "seeds" have been planted, it seems I get transferred!

This area is on the verge of so many miracles, and I'm so sad not to be apart of it. But I guess it's just part of the mission experience, and I'm happy that the Lord trusts me to just love people and prepare them to make bigger commitments later down the line. He knows I can recognize the mini miracles and be so grateful for them. Hopefully I still get to go to Conner's baptism. His date isn't set yet, but we know he wants to be baptized. Unfortunately, he feels a bit of pressure from his uncle, so we want to make sure he really wants it and isn't just doing it to please anyone. I love Albuquerque, and I am so happy to stay here in this area. Plus that means I get to keep going to Sprouts to shop for groceries, haha (a habit from Hermana Babcock I still have). Gotta count all the tender mercies. Crazily enough, I'm half way through this mission life. I'm not sure how I got here, or how I stayed, but I'm here. (so shout out to a group from my childhood, Big Time Rush, and their song Halfway There, for this week's song lyric title). The Lord has strengthened me and helped me do something seemingly impossible. As I've reflected on the past 9 months, I've thought about all I've learned. I've expressed gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all the amazing people I have met and for the life changing experiences I've had. It hasn't been perfect, or easy, but it has been full of true JOY that I never thought I could experience. The wild thing is, I know I really struggled at the beginning, but I don't really remember that. I just remember being happy and loving people and seeing them change. Now bear with me, I know I'm extra and if you don't wanna read all this, feel free to skip on down... but I wanna take a minute to share some lovely lessons learned this first half of my mission - 1. Being a mom is tough. Because wow, I do the majority of the cleaning and I now feel so bad for all that stuff my mom would place on the stairs for me to take to my room and well... it sat there for days ... lol 2. It really is good to floss 3. New Mexicans like their green chile and shakes. Even together. But me, I'm cool with just the shakes. 4. Days never turn out how you plan them 5. Dogs either make for good conversation starters, or abrupt rejections 6. It is possible to go 18 months without watching TV (although I don't think I will ever do it again) 7. Loving people so hard hurts so much sometimes 8. Seeing people change changes you 9.The scriptures are actually cool 10. The atonement of Jesus Christ can fill your soul, and bring you peace and forgiveness 11. Prayer really can be a communication with God, rather than a box to check off 12. God places us where He needs us 13. People never are a waste of time 14. Jesus really did die for me 15. Miracles still happen Missions are hard and weird and all over the place. They are like a dream and remind me at time of a summer camp. Because let's face it, this isn't real life. But that doesn't mean it isn't wonderful and life changing. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't met Cathy or Impala, the Williams or the Rayas, Clint or Noe and Diana, the Paynes, the Queens, Conner or Eddie. And we better not forget Trinity and Betty Jo. All these people, and many many more have changed me for the better. I'm grateful to my Savior who makes this all possible. I'm so happy I still get to serve the Lord as a full time missionary for 9 more months, while I try my best to let go and let God. Don't forget that Jesus loves you, Sister Wallace 1. The YUMMIEST burger place. They had gluten-free buns and milkshakes and I tried a meatless black bean burger. Delish. 2. Exchanges! This is Sister Larson, and she is actually going to be my new comp 3. Super yummy lunch today at a place I've been dying to try. Didn't disappoint. Also had a fantastic gluten-free carrot cake there. 4. Got to join Kekeli's 1st bday party!!! I miss you baby!! 5. The Durant fam must have been in sync this week because I got a letter from Paul (in Florida) and his dad (in Vegas) on the same day!