WHAT A WEEK! Sometimes weeks feel like months and that was this week. But I have some funny stories if yall have a minute to read them :)
First, Khua (pronounced Qua). Khua lives three doors down from us and has shown up for church twice now! He is in his 20's and his English is not very strong. He says he understands better than he speaks. One evening at around 9:00 Sister Kelly and I are getting ready for bed when our doorbell rings! "What? NO ONE comes here, who in the world could that be?!" It was Khua. He just kind of walked into our apartment. We kept telling him "sorry! you can't come in here!" and we stood in the doorway, but he just kept getting closer to my face! Do I let him get closer or step back? This poor kid is confused, so I step back, he comes inside and tells us that he has a question about our church. He wanted us to come by tomorrow night to talk about it. OKAY KHUA GOODNIGHT NOW. The whole time my District Leader was on the line even more freaked out
And then the next day we talk in our driveway and after a good minute we understand that his question is about TITHING! He said that in other churches if you like something you give money, but was confused how to give money to our church because we don't pass an offering plate like he is used to. He wrote all over his hand 1/10 and $2000/200 to explain. He even used scriptures from his Bible (in a language I have never seen before) to clarify his question. This guy did his research. We told him we would show him our tithing envelopes next time he is at Church. As he was leaving he told us that he would be working next Sunday. Yall guess what he does for work? MAKES SUSHI. I haven't had Sushi since I went out with friends in Logan before my mission. This sweetheart brought us Sushi on Sunday night and made our whole week a little bit better :) Don't worry, we will be finding someone who can teach Khua over Skype.
On Wednesday we helped Miss Kay renovate her trailer. Miss Kay is someone that has been taking lessons from missionaries for a really long time. She is older, has no teeth, and tells the funniest life stories I have ever heard. (We found out the other day that she was 45 and were absolutely shocked.) I have never felt more like I was immersed in Southern Culture than I did that afternoon. Man. we painted a wall and laid some flooring over her older laminate flooring. There were so many good quotes for me to choose from, I hope yall like the one I picked :) I'm sure there will be more from this fine lady! We went to a Mardi Gras parade! Pretty much they just drive trucks and trailers down the streets and throw beads at crowds of people. It was pretty fun. I got a couple pictures. People say Mardi Gras in Hattiesburg isn't too crazy. I've never celebrated it before! But we have been fed lots of King Cake :)
We haven't seen Russell since the 6th. He has been pretty sad and then he got sick, we are praying for him, and members of the ward are waiting to help him out as soon as he is ready. Keep him in your prayers! Quitting smoking has been a real struggle for him.
On Sunday we had a Southeastern Stakes Conference Broadcast! We heard from General Authorities and Apostles in Salt Lake City. It was really cool! There was a really good message about the Prodigals Son. Sister Reeves reminded us not to compare ourselves to others. "Just because God is smiling on someone else, doesn't mean he is frowning on you!" Too often when someone else does something impressive or receives recognition, we think down on ourselves. God doesn't compare His children. He loves us perfectly and individually.
This week was rough for us down here in Mississippi, but we are still alive and still determined to keep trying. Pray for us and the people here, please!
Anyways this week is going to be better because I am here for a REASON! That reason is to be creative in finding. To do different things. To get involved in other churches by serving them and building friendships. To share the gospel by living it right in front of others! And I'm here for these sweet sisters. Because I need to learn to be better friends with girls. I am in a wealthy area because it is the exact opposite of what I wanted for myself, so it must be exactly what I need! I'm here for Russell, who I haven't seen in almost two weeks, because I can really empathize with some of what he is going through. I'm here because many need support with addictions and I guess I am good at that or maybe I need more practice. And, lastly, I am here right now in this area because it is REALLY HARD FOR ME. I struggle to be motivated to work almost every day! This situation has brought me to my knees much like being a new trainer did. That's a lot of praying. I'm simply trying to stay myself and not sink into a generic, boring, missionary. I have a lot to learn here. That is why I'm here! And as I learn, I hope I can teach others and have opportunities to tell them the truth.
My transfer schedule shifts a week next transfer, it's going to be 7 weeks long!!! WANT TO KNOW SOMETHING CRAZY MY HALFWAY MARK IS NEXT TRANSFER WHAT?!?!
I love you all! Have a blessed week!
Sister Bartsch
Southernism: FINNA.
If you need to say something really fast, 'finna' is the replacement for 'fixin to.'
It is usually barely squeezed into an expression and you almost don't even hear it.
"oh, WOAH! I'm finnaget out the way!" -Miss Kay
I think I will leave that one out of my vocabulary.
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