Sister Sarah:

   I am going to keep it short, because I will be able to TELL YOU my stories in two weeks! This week was filled with many "lasts" which is always painful! BUT! I know that the memories of a week filled with hard work will never leave me, and so I am proud to say that WE WORKED ALL WEEK! IT WAS A GOOD WEEK! No one got sick, injured, or had a panic attack! 

     I wish I had endless miracles to share with you but other than small daily miracles, this week was rewarding mostly because of the increase of the Spirit that comes with obedience and hard work! It WAS a little disappointing because our district leader promised he would do an interpretive dance to the scriptures of our choice if we hit three of the standards of excellence but, “Verily verily I say unto you, yea cannot reap the rewards unless though dost already hath a teaching pool!”

    Coming up this week I am beginning the BOX CHALLENGE *crowd oohhs and awwws* which is that during my final two weeks I am going to give out a box of Book of Mormons: Another Testament of Jesus Christ! Most missionaries when they do this will leave BOMs on doorsteps or if they eat at a restaurant, leave one under the tip. But I am going to do it! And I am going to give them to actual people! There are about forty books in one box! My district leader Elder Mcdoogle told me I could pick ANYTHING as a reward, so my reward will be the ugliest tie the elders can get ahold of! 

    This week we went on base (did I mention half our ward are navy families? We go on base all the time) and had dinner with this family, and the dad while he was on his mission in Bolivia, bought this necklace with a semi-precious stone that Bolivia is known for; to give to his future wife. He proposed to his wife with that necklace! So I had a very tender moment as I bought taxidermy alligator heads from the gas station next to our apartment, as a pictured the moment when I would give one to my eternal companion—haha!! I LOVE THE SOUTH! When I found a gift shop that sells this stoneware that Mississippi is famous for, I remember telling myself when I got back to Mississippi, I would purchase some as a memory of my mission. But I have NOT had a semi-precious-stone or somewhat-expensive-bowls-and-plates sort of mission. My memories of Mississippi are of rednecks and teaching gangsters in the hood about Joseph Smith. And I am so glad! God knew EXACTLY what He was doing when he sent me to this funny old place! I have not had one thought of bringing home actual souvenirs until my last transfer, because it is the PEOPLE that make Mississippi special. That the stories of the people are what I will be taking home.

     This week we went over to a members’ house. Missionaries of the past have called this member, “Voldemort” (just so you can get an idea about this member). And when we walked in he asked Sister Elms, “What day are transfers?" She told him, and jokingly asked, “Why? Are you trying to get rid of us?" He looked her dead in the eye and said, “Yeah, to tell you the truth, I am trying to get the sisters taken out of Gulfport." We were SO SHOCKED! His calling is the missionary apartment coordinator for our zone, and somehow he got ahold of our CONFIDENTIAL progress report from the week that I had food poisoning. He lectured us about how our numbers showed that we weren't doing any work and actually said to our faces, “We need a set of Elders. Elders could do a better job.” At this point, I started to cry and I told him, "Brother, at this point, I am the most experienced I have ever been on my mission. That really hurts because I feel like what work we have been able to do in Long Beach has been the best I have done". He switched his attack and spent the rest of the night telling us how to be good missionaries and sharing stories about how HE GOES TRACTING IN OUR AREA! And all the people in Walmart he has taught the Restoration to. Even though his family was begging him to stop and leave us alone! SO FRUSTRATING! Even though this member is known for telling the missionaries what to do, it still hurt! Because my missionary work is the most precious part of me! He not only insulted our missionary work, but SISTER MISSIONARIES! WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO BE HERE! WE CAME BECAUSE WE WANTED TO!  And I KNOW there are people that I have taught that would not have been taught if we are Elders! The reverse is true of course, but I know that the world needs young women to serve missions. Nurturing spirituality is part our divine nature as mothers of all mankind, so what better way to use that than on a mission!?!  Rawr! It made me pretty cranky. Sister Elms is very patient though, so I think I will be okay! 

      I am so grateful to be a missionary! Even if it is only for two more weeks! I know that next week will be full of miracles and teaching opportunities! ITS GAME TIME!!!

Love y'all!

Sister White