Changes - It's How We Grow - Right?

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Changes are always fun, right?  It's how we grow?  

By Tuesday we were not contagious any longer.  We still felt run down and tired but we were ready to get back to work.  

We headed to our District Council on Wednesday, this time in Whitesboro, at our Stake Center,  because President Gentry was doing interviews so, half the Zone met there as a central location.  Sister Gentry was with him because their kids are visiting family in California so she travels with him when they are gone.  It was fun having her sit in our District Council and hearing her input to our learning.  We love our Mission Leaders.  After the Sisters and Elders were done with interviews, President asked for us to come into the office and he dropped a little bomb.  This is the back story for all of it.

When we were in the MTC, President Gentry called us and told us that we were being assigned to the Oneida Branch but there were things in the works to dissolve that little branch and send them to Rome. That is why we are living in Rome. He asked us not to tell anyone because the missionaries and the members had no idea what was going to happen. On our first afternoon here we met with the Gentry’s, talked to President Morgan, our Branch President, on the phone (he knew what was happening as well) and had a call from our Stake President. It has been interesting as we have moved forward-working with the people-knowing the demise of this little branch. In May, things had gone back to the Area Presidency and they decided it would be a good idea to interview the active members and get their feelings. Not sure why, because we know these things aren’t by popular vote, but now the word is out and everyone is sitting on pins and needles not hearing anything. It’s been hard to watch them struggle. The church is actually on a major decline in the Oneida area. We don’t know why but members who were active just decide to walk away. There are baptisms happening all over the mission-but not here. Our missionaries don’t even have a teaching pool-they work so hard knocking doors and trying to find and nothing! So when we talked with President Gentry on Wednesday he told us that our Elders are being moved. No more Elders in the Oneida Branch and that the Rome Sisters will be taking over that entire area. If you think someone is overwhelmed?? The senior companion in Rome is being transferred and Sister A will most likely become a trainer. So, bless her heart, to train and to take over double the area is a bit much. Our attention will remain within the Oneida Branch boundaries for now but we can also help the Rome Sisters. It’s a lot. We will most likely take over the majority of the lessons being taught to our friend (we are hoping that the Sisters will help with her) and any lessons that we need to teach to less active members.  The Elders told our Branch Members today at church that they are leaving.   It was like someone sucked all the air out of their lungs.  This is hard.  They love the Elders and now they feel like they are being left with nothing.

Thursday was our Book of Mormon class and we had a good turn out there as well.  We will keep teaching the Book of Mormon to those who will keep coming.  We love being able to dig deeper into that amazing book.  We love it!  We love the spirit that comes with opening it's pages. Over and over we learn of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  How thankful we are for Him.

We had a big picnic at Verona Beach on Oneida Lake yesterday.  Oneida Lake is a big lake and lots of people enjoy themselves there.  We served pulled pork and had a potluck.  We were excited to have 40 people.  That was big.  We had so much food. I think we had 4 or 5 pasta/macaroni salads.  People in Central New York love their pasta.  We had deviled eggs, potato salad, watermelon, chips, cookies and cheesecake, ice cream bars, and all kinds of treats.  Some people swam in the lake, some played lawn games, and some just visited.  We had several less actives come and that was a win. The Rome Sisters came-trying to meet people in a casual way.  Several people really hit it off with them, (That is not a hard thing to do- they are darling) especially our YW President.  



And of course, what is a picnic without a good old challenge.  Our YW President was telling the Elders that she could outlast them in a plank and so they all decided to give it a try.  Emma dropped at about 3 minutes and the Elders made it to 4 minutes.  They were just shaking but they did it.

We look forward to this new week and the adventures that will come our way.  We love it here.  We love the people, we adore the Sisters and Elders, we especially love our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is the difference in everything and we are forever thankful for Him.  We feel so very blessed.  Thank you for your support and prayers.  Have a beautiful week.

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