Well....that just happened

So this week is Thanks Giving. Yeah we don't know what we're going to do yet. We have two dinner invites and everyone is just assuming that we're taken care of... Sad Sister Marty really doesn't want to go out and work on Thursday. But I might have to. And I might find a family to teach. And they might find the joy that the gospel brings families. Yeah I guess going out and working while everyone else is feasting wouldn't be too bad of an idea... Right?

In other news, I'm not sick, I'm sleeping well, staying warm, finding new people to teach and getting less actives to church. So the world isn't ending. Nor is it slowing down. It's just getting a little more frustrating. With Sister S going home in two weeks it's making me think about the end of my mission. Yeah. It's kinda unreal that my mission will end one day. AND I don't want a new companion. I love Sister S and wish she could stay around a bit longer.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I forgot my camera this week. So expect lots of pictures next week. Or maybe not. I Might not gather a lot between then and now.

Love Sister Martineau

SNOW!!

I looked out the window and what did I see

Little snow flurries going through the trees

The winter has brought me such a bad surprise

Cause missionaries can't stay inside.

Wish I could be warm and read a book

But the work is fun and really cold

Wish it wasn't so

But it's really cold

Little snow flurries going through the trees

Yup folks, it's true. It's snowing but Guess what! It just makes it super pretty outside! Oh you want proof of it? Here's some proof.

The birds are having a hay day and I had lots of fun trying to get pictures of them. This is the only one that turned out good... But that's alright. 

This was the picture I took yesterday... So stark difference right? I just love how it looks all warm and fuzzy outside when it was really just 24-36 degrees outside... Yeah we're freezing over here in Ohio. I kinda envy those missions that are warm all year around. But at the same time. They probably don't have as awesome people/missionaries/mission presidents/mission Yeah... I am a little biased. 

Alright Yall, I hope you have a good week because you deserve one! Everything here is going great! Despite  what my e-mails say I am working hard and we're hopping to two investigators will want to be baptized soon! I'm super happy that more people are finding the happiness that the gospel brings people. 

Love

Sister Martineau

What a week!

Well... there's been a lot that's happened and long story short, people are stupid. Missionaries, Investigators, General world population. We're all just a little stupid sometimes. Even myself... especially myself. Now all, before you get down on yourself or pity me let me tell you something. If we weren't all a little stupid, crazy, idiotic, or outright weird coming up with ideas from who knows were then the world would be a boring place wouldn't it? See my point? Do you want me to shove it in your face a little more? No? Didn't think so. So go out and smile at all the little stupid things that happen and that others do. It's really quite comical if you think about it.

I know more then you do!

Ain't we cute?

I got a bunny!

Christmas in November?

So on exchanges we met this guy. He was happy to talk to us and we were excited because no one had wanted to talk to us all morning. So we start talking and then all of sudden he says, "You know, I know more about your religion then you do." And we looked at him funny. Go goes on to explain he use to live right across from a church building in AZ and had read everything he could find about our doctrine. But what he found was Joseph Smith was a story teller... and something more then an elementary school education... He looked through a hat with two stones... Not a breastplate with stones fastened to it... Oh and he wrote the book of Mormon and we were completely clue less... 

Sorry dude, you're information is wrong. You've been antied and refuse to know the truth so I guess we all know where you're going. It's really is sad when people act like that. Because we know we've all already been saved. Christ's atonement took care of that. WE ARE SAVED! If I could get that through every born again christian's mind I would. You don't even need to accept Christ as your savior to be saved. Why? Well, it's because we're all promised resection. But, it is up to you how long you stay in God's presence and how comfortable you will be there. (for more information search His Grace is Sufficient on LDS.org)

We went and got the car looked at. The guy was super nice and even took us into the shop to see what was wrong. SUPER cool. We were required to wear safety glasses and you can't do something awesome as a missionary without taking a picture right?

Oh! AND I got to hold a bunny!

It's Christmas! Yesterday we opened the door to go out and I had two packages waiting for me will all sorts of amazing stuff in them! Like warm socks, a scarf, hat, gloves, and reusable hand warmers (we tried them out they're amazing). I'm a little less worried about freezing this winter. All the others missionaries who survived last winter are laughing at me saying it's not cold yet. BUT I DON'T CARE!

And just another picture to make you all smile! Just kidding. It's just a mustang call Pea Soup.

​

YEAH! WHOHOO! PARTY!

I got a new companion! Her name is Sister Smith, she is 23 years old, on the last transfer (6 weeks) of her mission and is super happy to be alive an well here in Montgomery!

This week has been crazy. Over half the mission got transferred so we were backed up half way into the gym.  Tis the season for fasting, praying, and receiving miracles! 

I honestly haven't been keeping good track of the events that have transpired in the past week. All I can say is thank heavens transfers happened. People have been telling me that I seem happier and different. Well... I think it's because I'm no longer getting blamed for everything and the dog... Sister Smith and I will do great. We've both had hard companions and made a pact to be VERY open with each other. It's pretty great. 

OH! Sister Smith is Gluten Free. So she's going to teach me how to eat healthy. Like... cutting down on all the sugar/breads that I so dearly love... Granted. Eggs in the morning are the best thing ever. And hot chocolate... with real milk. Not the silly almond stuff... *sigh* I am just happy can you tell?

Love Sister Martineau

SAFE!

Hey all, I made it another transfer! I'm staying in Montgomery and getting a new companion! Super excited and nervous. I'm super happy that I'm not leaving though. I've got a less active that I want to see return to activity and two investigators that I want to continue to teach. It's going to be hard to re-adjust with a new companion but it'll be worth it.

So... I don't have much to say this week besides the fact that we almost ran over a raccoon this morning. The silly thing was almost off the road and apparently our headlights were really attractive and he ran head long towards us. Yeah we came to a dead stop hyperventilating and laughing for about 5 minutes. Good thing no one was behind us.

In light of the fact that I don't have much to say... here are some pictures

A few pictures for your enjoyment

Kaitlyn sent a few pictures in her emails this week. Enjoy!!! 

Not again!

Do you ever have those moments when you don't think things will get better and you wish you could run away from a situation/time/place but you're stuck there? Like waist deep in quicksand stuck? Yeah. That's been me this week. No one to teach, struggling in our companionship, and feeling absolutely alone. Good news though, the poison ivy is healing up nicely. It's super nice to no longer be itchy everywhere. AND it's a testament to the power of the priesthood. I was super miserable and grumpy because I was itchy everywhere and Sis R would yell at me whenever I would scratch it. But since I got a blessing it hasn't itched at all! If you haven't gotten a blessing recently, do it. They're amazing and it'll be like a pep-talk from God. Who doesn't want that right?

Carving pumpkins

Learning of Him

Today for District fun Day we carved pumpkins! And roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. I felt kinda apostate (The missionary term for doing non missionary like things, or feeling like you're not a missionary). It made me miss going to events/family reunions. Lots of memories wrapped up into just one simple act. But it was still lots of fun. The Elders would feed the ducks to try and get them closer then turn on the  go-pro and chase them away. Indiana Jones style, without the umbrella. I was rolling with laughter by the time they got bored.

My pumpkin was amazing! I didn't keep it because we don't have a place to put it at our apartment! But I gots mes somes pictures. So I'm alright! 

aint he cute?

So recently I've been doing this thing. It's kinda on the religious side, that's the only disclaimer that you're getting okay? Okay :D 

Recently, to one up my gratitude journal I've started to write down who I am because of Christ and his atonement. It comes from my studies, promises in me patriarchal blessing, and other blessings I've received. Examples that I've written are...

am blessed                                am understood

am loved                                    am saved

have hope                                  can return

am not forgotten                         can be strong

That's just a few of the ones I've written down. So, friends, family, and others who stumble upon this blog. This is my challenge to you. Who are you because of Jesus Christ? He suffered all for you, how has that impacted your life? Write it down, put it in a safe place, and when you're down, upset, angry or have any unwanted feelings pull it out. It helps. I promise that if you do this you will see it affect your day in a positive way. I know this because it makes me happy just thinking about it.

I hope you all have a great week! Just keep looking up and remember that Heavenly Father is smiling down :D

Love, Sister Martineau