Hermione's kids haven't been transitioning into family
scripture study and FHE very well, so I asked if she wanted us to do an FHE lesson
with her family last Monday evening. She basically said good luck and accepted
our invitation. Her kids were pretty cold at first, but by the end of the hour
they were all enjoying themselves and participating in gospel jeopardy. That
night Hermione texted and said, "Thank you both for just being you!! You
have helped us have fun as a family! Can we do this again on next Monday too??
And think of a different game to play? I will make something sweet for you
both!! Yes I am bribing you both completely. Haha. :)" When I read that
text I truly believed for the first time on my mission that I was sent to Mesa
to help someone specific. I have become really close with Hermione's family and
believe that my entire mission will be worthwhile if they make it to the
temple. Hermione told me two weeks ago that whenever and wherever I get married
she is making the trip for the big event. I told her she could hasten the
process by just finding someone for me to marry. I just love her so much!
We didn't meet with the Tony Hawk fam the week before last
because the boys were out of town, so I was excited to see them this week. When
we got there the middle boy said, "Now the party has finally
arrived," and the oldest boy said, "Poppe! I've missed you."
It warmed my heart. I forgot to tell you guys something awesome! The middle boy
filmed an episode of Ridiculousness a few weeks ago with Rob Dyrdek that will
air on MTV sometime. I think he also filmed an episode of Fantasy Factory while
he was there. He said something about an episode airing in October and one in
January he thought. You guys have to DVR the episodes so I can watch them when
I'm home! Tony Hawk boy said that in one of the episodes Rob told him that when
he retires the Tony Hawk boy gets to take over his shows. I asked if I get to
be on them when that happens and Tony Hawk boy said that I can be his Channel
Westcoast (with a less obnoxious laugh, clearly)!
Our ox was in the mire so we went to Target on Friday night
and purchased a stupid $6.17 plunger. When sister missionaries are in Target on
a Friday evening and they only buy a plunger, everyone knows what's up. It was
super embarrassing, but I just owned it. I walked with my head held high and
looked all the judgers in the face as I swiped my card at the checkout. Haters
gonna hate. Judgers gonna judge. Poppe's gonna pop (those clogs out of the
pipes). Our toilet has been having problems, so I think there was some buildup
or something going on; it took above and beyond normal plunging efforts to fix
it. #selfsufficient #preparingforlifelongloneliness
My biggest triumph of the week.
I miss Sister D. It was so easy to have fun with her and be myself. I hope she is enjoying Brazil.
Sue broke her hip and is in the hospital, so the assisted
living home was operating at a less entertaining level this week. We still had
a good time serving there though. The residents are just so appreciative of the
company we provide.
Update on training for Satan's 5K: it is still awful. I try
to be positive about it, but by about minute three I already hate everything in
the entire world. Mainly I just hate how much of a hindrance I am. We run outside and someone always has to be the slow one with
me so I'm not alone. I really despise feeling inadequate and I get to feel that
way every morning for half an hour while I bring up the rear of the sister
missionary herd. I'm always glad I ran by the end of my work out because it
feels good to start my morning that way, but while I'm puttering down
University I want to shoot lasers of hate out of my eyes that are strong enough
to slice Hummers in half.
Elder Nelson came to speak to our mission with the Scottsdale
Mission on Saturday. We had
approximately 500 missionaries in one stake center! My roommates and I carpooled to the event and
arrived two and a half hours early so we could get good seats in the chapel and
not in the overflow. We ended up in the
third row! I swear to you, Elder Nelson peered into my soul no less than three times. He was accompanied by Elder Foster of the second quorum of the 70
and Elder Hansen and area 70 in the sixth quorum (who also lives in the stake I
am serving in). They gave such wonderful
talks. When Elder Nelson walked in the
room was filled with the Spirit and there was no way I could deny that he is an
apostle of Jesus Christ. It was such an
unforgettable experience. We all got to
shake his hand before the meeting officially started. All three men spoke to us about missionary
work. They talked a lot about training a
new missionary and how it is the most important calling in a mission and the
one in which the most trust is involved.
It was a unique experience for me since I am actually training this
transfer and the words he said applied to me.
He motivated me to be the best trainer I can be so that my mission
legacy will be in the missionary I train and down through the ones she
trains. I also felt inspired during the
meeting that I need to be better at using the scriptures in my teaching. I have been told so many times that I am such
a wonderful teacher that I rely on my own abilities and don't use the
scriptures when I teach. In every lesson we have had in the past few days I have used
at least 2 scriptural passages and it has really enhanced my teaching
ability. Elder Nelson invoked a blessing upon us that we will be hard
working, obedient, good member missionaries when we get home, safe, and many
other things. It was a powerful
meeting. Our mission president was asked
to tell us one thing and he said, "We love you Arizona Mesa
Missionaries. We love you more than you love
us." It was so sincere, I will never doubt that my mission president and
his wife love me. It made for a wonderful end to our good week.
Love,
Sister Poppe
Because
Nug Nug and J-Fizzle have been featured on my blog, MJ wanted to be as
well. She found me after sacrament meeting so we could get a pic for the
blog. I love her whole family; they're a family that I will always remember
fondly from my mission.
I take all
of my training duties seriously; especially the ones that involve me introducing
my trainee to AZ cuisine. Our first P-Day included a trip to Backyard Taco and
Bahama Bucks. No one can accuse me of not teaching Sister D2 what is important!
I finally
used part of my Cheesecake Factory gift card to take Sister D2 out for dessert
to celebrate her one week anniversary of being in the mission field.
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