8-15-2011
Mom & Popsy & Family
I've arrived safely in New Jersey. On the plane I could see "the city" and the Statue of Liberty. It was weird not having a companion, and even now I don't. Hmm. When we got out of the airport in Newark, the President's assistants took us into Newark and said we were going to sing. Halfway thru "Called to Serve" everyone started running. I booked it after the sisters until they stopped and began talking to someone. One of the sisters kept bumping me saying, "testify." I tried to and the guy said, "Whoa, whoa slow down! She threw you under the bus!" Then he didn't let me finish. It was scary. I am honestly terrified out of my wits!
It's very green here (understatement), and they're not kidding when they say the trees are tall. My mission president and his wife (the Jeppson's) are really nice. They gave us a lovely Sunday dinner, then the president began interviewing us. He was really understanding of my concerns and helped me realize the first little while is tough to adjust to.
Apparently we get to visit the temple every June and December. Then when we leave, they take us to the Statue of Liberty and the temple. There's no dominant race here, so food-wise we might have Ethiopian one night and southern the next. I'm not gonna lie, I'm so nervous. This is the Lord's work and He'll help me teach the people who are preparing--but there's still so much I don't know. Please pray for me to have faith in myself and in the Lord.
Be safe, and I love you! Oh, and apparently it's been raining cats and dogs here, so please send a rain jacket. And it's super humid here, woof! I'm so happy I cut my hair! I love you, be safe!
Sister Missy
8-22-2011
Momma! And family! Where do I even begin...
I didn't have P-day last week, so I couldn't email. And just a disclaimer, now I will be emailing. I might write, but emailing is easier here than at the MTC. And Monday is my P-day. I haven't gotten your package or letters yet, because we are only given them if we have a zone conference, and I have no idea when those are.
I'll start with the mission home. The Jeppsons are the nicest mission president couple ever! He should have sent you a letter and pictures. But they are so sweet, and so easy to talk to. They're new to this mission as well, but I can tell they already know what they're doing. All the new missionaries were fed, then put to bed, then woke up and studied for 6 hours while we waited for our companions to arrive. Since I'm the only girl, it was pretty obvious who my companion was going to be. Her name is Sister Cope, and she is a gas! Very energetic and loud, in a good way. She's also very upbeat and understanding. She struggled too at first, but with terrible companions and a bad area, so I'm pretty lucky. We then went to Transfer Conference, where the rest of the transferring missionaries were. They read who was with whom, and then everyone did a massive car, phone, and luggage swap! It was a little nuts.
Sister Cope and I have been sent to the Fardale area in northern New Jersey. There are two Spanish elders here as well. What can I say about it...it's extremely green. And the trees are very tall. Almost claustrophobically so. We don't have a GPS, so we use the map and get lost a lot. The roads here change names when you drive through different counties, and none of them are numbered. The houses are adorable. They're all brick and wood, even the siding, and they look like beach houses from Maine. Or Disney cottages. We are staying with a couple, the Michels. They are soooo great. And they make tasty foods.
The ward is fantastic! Seriously, I feel like I'm back in Utah, but with more ethnic people. They are all so strong, and so welcoming. We have a lot of dinners set up, so I know I won't be hungry for a while. Member missionary work is really important. They are all very willing to come to lessons with us and fellowship whomever we'll be teaching. Back home I didn't realize what a resource the ward was for missionary work, but it's huge! I'd encourage everyone to talk with the ward mission leader about how they can help, because those members are lifesavers. And they're very excited to have sisters here. They haven't had them here for years and apparently they've been needing a gentler approach in this area. One of the members, Brother Peterson, went to high school with cousin John Healy, which is random. But they are a swell family.
Teaching has been interesting. Either because people aren't home, or they just don't want to hear, which is to be expected. One of our investigators, David, is super awesome. His fiance Kristen doesn't really want to listen, but I'm hoping that the switch from Elders to Sisters will help. They just had a baby, Lucas, and I can tell they are going to be great parents. He's only 22, but he really likes what we teach, and wants to have a close, strong family. He's a bit of a character, but that happens in New Jersey.
I can now say I've had a New York slice! Actually a New Jersey slice, but close enough! It was amazing! It was a huge triangle, very thin, all cheese, and dollops of marscapone. Woof.
I'm so excited to hear about baby Susan! Oh right, not Susan. Baby Leah! We aren't allowed to hold, hug, touch, squish, etc. any kids out here, and some of them look like the children from home, so it's tough. I love hearing about the little ones.
Well, I love you, and I hope you're all doing ok! And Winnie, the poor ol' gal!
I love you and I miss you!
Best,
Sister Mister
Also, thank you for the package, I hope I get it soon, cause when it rains here, it POURS. BUCKETS. Not joking. Oh, and my address is:
Sister Melissa Anne Healy
New Jersey Morristown Mission
1719 Route 10 Ste 309
Parsippany, NJ 07054
