"My way or the highway..."-Elder Fuhriman // week 39

10:47 AM

Hello everyone! Everything has been getting better!! How are all of you?!?!?!

I went on exchanges this week with sister Allen and it was a PARTAY!!! Oh my goodness we had too much fun. Okay so on Tuesday we were walking and she was like, sister Olivas left or right? So I picked right, and we determined that it was inspired because we were able to find a potential new investigator for them. There is this lady in their area and her granddaughter is living with her and her granddaughter is soul searching right now, so we were able to meet the granddaughter, Sierra and we helped her make these awesome cupcakes for her co-worker and we talked about the gospel and the Book of Mormon and it was awesome. Then we walked, no hiked, up these giant hills. Later in the day we had a Book of Mormon reading club with these cute old ladies in their area. I also realized that English people are a lot more rude than Spanish people, like they just close the door in your face where in the Spanish program they will let you in, offer you water, you have a lesson, then they will tell you they aren't interested. We then walked to dinner, and it was death. But it wasn't that bad haha. But the poor members at dinner thought I was going to die or something because my poor whiteface gets so darn red but I really wasn't that hot or anything. I just red really easily... After dinner we walked around a lot and we street contacted a ton. Then before exchanges ended Sister Allen took me to a really nice part of her area, her area is the 2nd richest area in the mission basically, and we saw some crazy HUGE houses and some amazing views. (Pictures below) it was a great exchange and I learned to much from sister Allen. Oh I learned that Lucas Gabriel, like Sharpay's brother from High School Musical, lives in my area, with his husband... But I saw his house!! So that's cool.

Wednesday Hermana Thetford and I biked in the afternoon and once angina I got a sunburn, but on my arms. I now have Aloe Vera gel and sunscreen. But we biked up huge hills, well I should really say that I walked my bike and Hermana Thetford rode her bike. She's a champ.

Thursday Hermana Thetford went on exchanges so sister Fisher came into our area. It was fun. We had a few spontaneous lessons so that was always great. And Sister Fisher is a crack up. She has so much energy. It was a good day.

I had what I thought was a headache but it lasted for 2 days until I went to the doctor and it turns out it was a migraine... So I got a shot in my hip and some mess. I also was able to drink some Dr Pepper, which is normally not allowed but I guess caffeine is good for migraines so I was able to do that haha. Still have some pain in my head but the work must go on.

we had an awesome training from our mission president on Thursday. We focused a lot about how we as missionaries need to be motivated by our missionary purpose, which is: "to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end." so we all received a sticker of a scripture to put on the back of our name tags to help us remember to focus on our purpose. I am very excited to be able to focus on the missionary purpose more and not be so robotic And just going through the motions of missionary work. In the MTC my teachers talked to my companion and I about having a personality in our lessons and it was something I struggled with in the very beginning of my mission but I feel like I have improved a lot and I am ready to improve more. It all has to do with the love we feel for the people we meet and teach. We aren't just teaching numbers, we are teaching our brothers and sisters. Charity and love are really the motivating factors behind missionary work. I love this work and I am so grateful that I can be serving a mission right now here in Salt Lake City. I know that I am here for a reason and I couldn't be more happy than to serve here. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father and I know that they love and know us individually. Missionary work is the work of Salvation. And I am honored to be able to preach it to everyone I meet. Have a great week! Send me pics of your lives! Love you all!