A Leap of Faith

FIRST OF ALL: We got transfer calls on Saturday and I am moving! So please don't send mail directly to Minot anymore--it will take a while to get to me. Keep writing to the mission office. So I am going to Casper, WY! I will be serving in the 4th ward there with Sister Burt, the Sister Training Leader. I don't know a lot about her, just that she is a convert of about 2 years and is super funny. So I am way excited for this new adventure! I am sad to leave Minot, though. This has become my home. But the Lord has called me to Casper, and to Casper I will go.

This week wasn't our most successful by any means, but it was still a good week. We got in with a lot of people, especially after we knew I was leaving, so that was nice.

Among the miracles of the week was the lessons we were able to teach to Barbara and the time we had with her. She is learning so fast and has such a desire to know more! She is very open and tries her very hardest to understand what we are teaching, even when it is different. In a lot of ways, she reminds me of myself, and so I have loved this time to teach her because without knowing it, she has helped me through things that I was going through inside me. She is a beautiful daughter of God and is coming to know that for herself. Out of everyone I've said goodbye to so far, she was the hardest for me to say goodbye to. She told me a lot of things that I needed to hear, like "The people in Casper need you" and "Heavenly Father will always be with you." I already knew those things, but being able to hear them from one of our investigators helped me a lot. We got in the van after, Sister Manning and I, and drove away. I tried my best to hold back the tears, and it kinda worked. It's amazing how much the people we teach end up helping us. I wonder a lot of times if we are helping them with anything! It's such a good balance. But Barbara and I have decided that we are going to be good friends after the mission. For now, we will stay in contact, and that means so much to me. Nothing can quite compare with a mission: you have the opportunity to be a positive force in the lives of those who need it! I love my mission!! :)

Saying goodbye to people is always hard, but I am convinced that I am going to come on a mission tour after my mission, so I will see these people again! (Parents, prepare yourself. Sister Jensen, get the car ready.)

I don't really even know what else to say, my heart is so full and I'm so distracted with all the change that is going to be happening very soon! 

But anyways. We helped Camie, a less active, make a wall thing for her flowerbed this week! It was fun. Actually a little bit stressful. And while there I got the nickname "Muscles" because I was lifting 77 or 88 lbs in a wheelbarrow (bringing the pavers to the bed). Now, I know it may not be impressive to some, but that is most of my body weight, so I was happy. She's super cute. It was a fun service project. 

At the beginning of the week, Sister Peterson went to MLC, so Sister Osburn was with us until Wednesday afternoon. It was super fun to be with them both. Sister Osburn is so funny (she is getting transferred to! She's going to Minnesota.) 

IN fact, every companionship in our district is changing except for Elder Kirton and Elder Lott--pretty crazy! A lot of change! And we are getting another set of missionaries here tomorrow! 3rd ward is doubling up! So now there will be 5 sets of missionaries in Minot! How cool is that! They're going to split our districts into 2. They're moving all missionaries into their actual areas, so we are looking for an apartment for 1st ward sister to move into....I'm glad I don't have to be here for all the weird change! Haha it'll be awesome, but strange. 

SO yeah, I don't really know what else to tell you except I have LOVED Minot and am sad to leave, but I feel peace about it. It's my time to go. I know that without a doubt. I am going to have experiences that I need to, meet people I need to, and grow even more. I know this gospel is true and I can't wait to share it with the people of Casper! It's going to be a new adventure. :)

So please, send the letters! Keep them coming! The mission office address will be perfect! Thank you! I love you all!

sister leslie, reporting the last time from Minot, ND. 

Pictures..so many!

Sister Osburn, Me, Sister Manning with our Warhead Sour Candy faces--they're gross.

Don't eat them ever again. 

Us with Camie, a less active and the wall we were building.

It's a bit fuzzy, but our district!! :)

Me, Sister Manning, Brother Banister, Sister Banister, Barbara (holding the Prayer Rock I gave her)

Barbara and Me. :)