My Butte hurts

The days are long and the weeks fly by.  Every Monday, I'm like "dang, it's already Monday?"  I still remember last Monday."  Yet, I hardly remember the days in between. Here are some highlights of the week:

Hiked the Butte:  Not everyone came, but the majority of our zone went hiking. This is the second time now that I've hiked the Butte and still died when I reach the top. But this time I can see improvements; got to the top faster it seemed and when we were done my legs were still completely attached to my body.  It's always very windy at the top, which makes for some great hair pictures.
Bike ride:  Doing some service for Hannah last week we saw two bicycles that were still in working condition that we asked if we could have.  We rode them for our morning exercise one morning and about died.  I got the seat that was more comfortable than Sister Williams and my bottom still hurts afterwards.  Sister Williams thinks she is bruised.  I also died because of all the hills in our neighborhood. I miss flat-land Texas.  I can go forever on no elevation and completely flat, but my legs fall off with jagged hills.
Miriam & Aaron:  The Hensons, who are the best ward missionaries ever, invited a family over for dinner this week.  They know them because Aaron use to be a student at the school where Brother Henson works.  Miriam has been a member for not too many years and has become less active due to some events in her life.  Her son is not a member.  Sister Williams was awesome at not beating around the bush and straight up asked if she wanted to come back to Church and if he would like to learn more about the gospel.  According to Brother Henson, Aaron is not shy about his feelings.  If he doesn't want to do something he will say no.  But when we asked him about learning more he wasn't opposed.  He would be going to the singles ward, so we are going to be working with the elders and transitioning once we begin actually teaching.
More service:  We did quite a bit of service this week again, which is always a plus. We helped to finish raking leaves with Bobby.  We worry about him tripping over something he can't see but he always seems to exceed my expectations.  We helped clean the house for Barb, Terry's wife, while he is still in the hospital for his foot.  She wants us to come back and talk more about the gospel!  We, along with the Wasilla elders, helped out at Hannah's this Friday and three of us worked on a car that needed a new frame and a door.  I learned something new and can now replace a car door if y'all need it :)
Transfer calls:  Transfer-call Thursdays are always long and stressful because we are wanting to know what is happening.  Are we staying, or are we going? The agony kills us. Though this Thursday went by fairly fast. We made our day pretty packed so we would be focused more on all the things we got to do and less on our calls.  The verdict is both Sister Williams and I are staying one more transfer together!  This will be my third transfer total with Sister Williams.  She is "dying" after this transfer (meaning this is her last transfer on the mission and will be going home); which means I have a funeral to plan.  :)
Mother's Day:  Mother's Day could not come sooner. Usually every week there is something to look forward to, like Zone Conference; planned service; going to the temple; etc.  But this is the Jack of all trades -- We get to Skype home !!!  We email family once a week, obviously, but get to have a face to face Skype call with our family's only twice a year.  It was so nice being able to talk to my Mom and wish her a Happy Mother's Day.  I got to meet my Dad's new wife, Angel, who is adorable, and also had the opportunity to Skype my brother Chandler, and meet his girlfriend Rosette, who is so cute.  Most people would think after calling home it would make a missionary more "trunky" (wanting to go home with packed bags), but I always feel more invigorated and ready to go out and take on the missionary work. It's too bad we can't do this more often.  The Henson's went down to Soldotna to go fishing for the weekend and got back on Sunday.  While down there they visited my "daughter" (my trainee in the mission). Sister Randall had her sign a Happy Mother's Day card to give to me.  I was so thankful for that and miss her tons. She got her transfer call to leave and go to Beach Lake to serve with Sister Spencer who came out a transfer after Sister Randall. 

At one point my Dad wanted me to bear my testimony to Angel, who is not yet a member, over FaceTime.  Even though I was put on the spot for that, the Spirit let me to say what needed to be said.  I know our testimonies of Jesus Christ and His Gospel is the most important thing we can obtain on this earth, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share it with the people I teach here in Alaska and for anybody who reads this blog.  Our testimonies develop "line upon line, precept upon precept" and with some time throughout our lives along with the experiences we have overcoming our trials.  This Church is true and the Book is blue. If you haven't read it, read it.

Sent from ALASKA!
Sister Shelley Willden