Thanksgiving

Hello!!

This email may be a bit of a marathon, frankly I don't know where to start. From the greatest sister training leader meeting, to #LIGHTtheWORLD, to Thanksgiving, to stake conference, to Ndiaye, to Global Buffet, to calling an ambulance, and transfers. This week was quite a ride. Now you may know why I don't know where to start. 

Probably should start with transfers, but not quite yet. 

Okay so the sister training leader meeting on Tuesday. This is the first one ever, and I am praying we get another one soon! It was basically the greatest thing ever. The meeting took place in President and Sister Stevens' FLAT. So just close your eyes and picture in your mind one of Sarah's hallmark Christmas movies where everything is wrapping up and the family is all gathered around in the coziest room with beautiful Christmas decorations, soft music playing in the background, fire blazing, lights twinkling, good feelings all around. It was basically that. Plus the Spirit. It was just beautiful. 

We all learned so much. It was the greatest. We got to ask President and Sister Stevens how to give counsel and how to inspire others and oh wow. I wish i had my notes on me right now so that I could share some of it. And it was fantastic being with the other sisters. They are incredible missionaries and people. Each companionship gave trainings. Sister Stevens made us lunch (fresh salad and chopped fruit and hot orange rolls). We all sat around the dining table and traded ideas. At the very end, we went through some takeaways of the meeting (okay maybe a little tear formed) and then President and Sister Stevens closed with their testimonies and we got a sneak peek to #LIGHTtheWORLD, the new Christmas initiative while eating the best cheesecake you have ever had in your life. This is heaven. We were also given a box of chocolates, red tissues, and a Christmas ornament. I think the elders were a little bit jealous. 

Now you can see why I am praying to have another one. 

Okay next big thing. 

#LIGHTtheWORLD!!! Wahoo a new initiative to show absolutely everyone!!!! And this one is very fantastic because it invites to act. How great a message. (And a side note. Is it sad that I noticed Skyline High School almost immediately? Eagle forever and always. There are multiple scenes with Skyline as the setting.)  Thus video is powerful and uplifting and fantastic. The church knocked it out of the ball park as always. So...who is going to share it?! Ask your local missionaries or ward for cards. They are really nice to write things on because they are white. So no excuse. Go show it to someone! And then act. That's the most important part. 

THANKSGIVING!

You're right dad, we did find a way. And oh this is the funniest dinner I will ever go to. It is probably a little different from all of your experience with the family at the club. Just a little different. And I cannot explain this well. I don't know how to give the justice that it deserves. There was just so much mayhem in that tiny kitchen. Brother and Sister Stevenson had us over. Sister Stevenson is part Italian and served her mission there. She is this short hilarious woman. Well she was whirling around the kitchen cooking this and chopping that and cooking Brussels sprouts over candied apples and yam because there wasn't enough space. Brother Stevenson was just trying to follow a few steps behind and furiously scrub all the dishes she was leaving in her wake. It was an absolutely tiny kitchen where we could barely all stand with the dining table. Somehow 8 people were scrunched in there to eat in 30 mins because it was 8:15 and we had curfew soon. 

And how do you explain personalities. You just can't. I don't even know what to write. I'm sorry I can't. 

Okay stake conference. It was great. It was the greatest feeling to walk in and see Simon there!! I found out that in the Saturday evening session he bore his testimony and talked about meeting sister Swann and me and then getting taught by the elders. He is going to the temple soon. AND I found out Ana and Dino have gone to the temple for baptisms. Super good :). 

Oh and we had to call an ambulance for Ben at the end because he had a bad seizure. Epilepsy is very difficult. We have certainly had more experience in dealing with emergency situations. 

Okay the people. We saw Eline and Jane--didn't come to church :(. Ahh. Also new friend who is fantastic. Ndiaye. I mentioned him last email. His name is pronounced (En-jii). He is from Senegal and speaks French. He read the whole gospel principles book in 3 days. He is certainly committed. On date to be baptized December 18th. 

I'm running out of time so all I can say is we went to Global buffet last night. Las Vegas buffet style with all you can eat shrimp and pavlova. Still full. 

So, transfers. They are here again. So soon!! And here is the big news....

Crazy things happening! So in a strange twist of events...I am...staying in Ilford!!! And Sister Matthews is leaving to St Albans! 😥

What why. Makes sense with the track record. This will be my 8th companion. Sister Daines is coming to Ilford. She just got called and I will be training her to be a new sister training leader. Oh boy. But great news--she is a fantastic missionary. She is from California. And there are three people I have always wanted to serve with. 1. Sister Swann 2. Sister Matthews 3. Sister Daines. Got all three in a row. I am very lucky. And I get to stay in London again! But yet another companion. I can't hold on to them at all. Pros and cons to it. Lots of new friends but never get to fully know my companions. 

That is about everything though!! Thanks and I will keep you updated for this next week! 

LOVE AND MISS YOU!!

Sister Soulier

PS sister Matthews better come to the U after her mission. Or I'll go to South Africa. That works too.