Olmstead #3

Dear family, 

Sorry, but this one is going to be short! 

We have been spending the day cleaning, doing laundry and I have been organizing letters/papers I have collected and so on. I am trying to do a little organizing at a time so that I won't be crazy stressed out at the end of the cycle when I have to pack up. 

To answer your questions mom, we have an escort because hunt's point, and a few other areas are not safe. So we get picked up and dropped off to our appointments in those areas because we are not allowed to go in alone. It is just a precaution. 

Anyway, this week has been fantastic :) I saw Sister Raine at church! She is back from her trip! It was super fun to see each other! How crazy that we would both end up meeting up in NY in the same ward. It was fun to talk and to catch up with her. She teaches gospel principles and does a really good job. I'm glad I'll get to spend a few weeks with her :) 

Well summer ended abruptly. It went from hot days where you are sweaty and thristy, to chilly windy days with misty rain. The leaves have been falling for a while, but now they are really coming down. Fall isn't so pretty here like it was in Newburgh, but I'm still liking it. 

This week we were able to meet with an investigator named Maxine from Jamaica. There is a bit of a language barrier so we have to teach very, very simply. Which is good, because that is what we should be doing anyway haha. We used pictures and any other visual we could and that seemed to help. We can only teach one or two principles at a time or it is too much. We are trying to have short frequent visits. She is very nice lady and I would appreciate it if you could keep her in your prayers that she can receive an answer. 

The ward here has improved a lot. It was hardly functional but things are picking up. We have a ward mission leader now and just started to have ward council. There really are so many aspects of missionary work, and our main focus here is strengthening the ward members. We are focusing on visiting teaching right now with the Relief Society Sisters. 

I'm not keeping track of how long I have left, but everyone else does a good job of reminding me haha. I guess I have to come to terms with it and start preparing for the upcoming change. I just love the mission. I know there are good things ahead and that God will continue to use me to bring about His work. But I will always, always cherish and love the time He was able to use me as a missionary here in New York. 

Well I love you all. I hope you have a lovely week! 

Love, Sister Lounsbury