Out in the Field!

Hey y'all!

My first week out in the field has been a great big blur! So much has happened, and I still can't believe I'm here!

On transfer day I heard rumors of another Sister Wilcox. We met actually before the transfers and that was super cool. But then as companions got paired up, the mission president, Pres. Hughes, mentioned that there was a companionship they had to pray extra hard about because they weren't sure it was right... But he kept getting the same confirmation. Then he called out "Sister Wilcox & her trainee, Sister Wilcox" and I swear we've been the talk of the district since that happened!😂 My trainer is the coolest human being ever and the more I get to know her, the more I understand how the president couldn't put us with anyone else! She is so patient with me and so spiritual, we get along so well!

Our area is called Herstborne, but I think we also have part of Jeffersontown? I'm not sure yet. We are a biking area! We've been biking for 3 days I think, because we had to get the bikes in working order. Sister Wilcox Sr had her rear tire pop right before we were going to go visit an investigator, it was pretty crazy. But us being on foot allowed us to stop by and talk to a whole bunch of cool people, and we taught a guy named Tyler the whole Restoration right on his doorstep, (though he came out in a towel first and that was awkward 😣). The day after we got our bikes all ready to go, there was a fire right next to our apartment building. Seriously, someone lit up the landscaping with a cigarette butt! Never a dull moment in Louisville, but I feel like someone's trying to stop us from going out and teaching?

Anyway, the apartment was previously housing elders up till now. All I've been doing every night after studies is scrubbing something or vacuuming, or throwing away a million different stale cereal boxes. Oh and our neighbors really like marijuana, like a lot. We have to air out the apartment all the time, and febreeze is my bestfriend right now. But man we sleep real good at night!😅 Haha I feel like I should be more worried than I am??

My first night here we had dinner with some members. They took us to 'Mi Cocina', a yummy Mexican restaurant that I love so much. The problem was that they played Latino music, and not just any. It was every song I've ever loved ever! I couldn't resist singing along and I felt so bad, and I confused the members a bit. No hablo Espanol!

I'm learning so much already and I've only been out a week! The people are so easy to love too! We helped this adorable couple move out of their apartment, and it took us hours, but it was so much fun and we got to teach them a bit about the Gospel. They were so generous to us and wouldn't let us go without feeding us. People are amazing, and the more I get to know them, the more I want to teach them the Gospel! I still feel like I don't know anything, but these wonderful, beautiful people deserve happiness and to know that there is an almighty Father in Heaven who KNOWS them. I will do whatever I can to help them know that for themselves. That there is life after death, that this world is only a short time and we are to live it the best we can. I testify that there is a God, that His Son Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of the world, and that through His Atonement, all of us can return to live with our Father in Heaven again. I love all of you so much, and I hope you are doing well!

With Love,
Sister Wilcox ❤😙

Week 2!!!

Hi everyone!

Already two weeks in?! I can't even believe this! The first week was the longest week of my life, I thought I would never get through it! But wow, where to start?

This week was an emotional roller coaster ride that none of us wanted to ride... we did though. There were a lot of mental breakdowns, a lot of failures, and a lot of things learned the hard way. I think the only way I've survived this was because I have depended so heavily on prayer and the Spirit. All my lovely roomies have had moments where they didn't think they could handle this anymore, or each other (except Sister Jackson she's a literal angel). Many times already I've had to be the mediator. I've had to smooth over ruffled feathers and reason with the unreasonable. It's been pretty hard being positive all the time. But I love these Sisters, and I just want them to love each other to the point where the quirks and flaws don't matter anymore. I don't even see them anymore! We are going to go out into the world and meet all kinds of people from all walks of life. We won't have the luxury of running away and not facing the problems we might have with the people around us. I feel like I'm starting to understand the unconditional love the Savior has for us all. He sees us as we are, and as we could be. He doesn't care that you're imperfect, that you're introverted or shy or awkward. He doesn't mind, he just loves YOU. It's pretty incredible.

My companion and I had a rough start this week teaching investigators. She was coming unraveled and I didn't know how to comfort her. She wants to do her best at all times. So when we weren't getting anywhere with some of these people, it just crushed her. Our teacher, Brother Holmes, who is a spiritual giant, took us aside and had a chat with us. He told us that the reason we weren't having these amazingly powerful spiritual moments was because the Spirit is always with us. He also told us that the reason things get harder is because God trusts us. He sees our growth and maturity and gives us more opportunities to learn and grow.

We were in tears by the end of it, and he gave up thirty minutes of his time just to comfort us. It was sincere, and we really felt his love. I decided that this was how I wanted to teach investigators from now on. I want them to know I care and that my heart is sincere. The next few lessons we had were strong with the Spirit, and I cried through a prayer given by an investigator who had been wary of praying in front of us. It was just so wonderful. I'm so grateful for the people God allows us to meet in our lifetimes.

I just remembered that while my companion and I were studying with another companionship from our room, we were all having a rough day and there was tension between the other two sisters. Then, out of the blue, these Spanish speaking Sister missionaries come right down the hall at us and talked to us for a bit. They told us that they loved us, and that things will only get easier. They then bore their testimonies to us in Spanish and we were all crying and I can't tell you enough how mysterious the Holy Ghost is. I know they felt prompted to come to us, and that just testifies to me even more that Heavenly Father is aware of all of us and he knows exactly what we need when we feel lost or comfortless.

On a funny, lighter note, my first Sunday here was spent during a blackout! I did my makeup with the light from my tablet (that I had the foresight to charge the night before) and we had sacrament meeting in the dark. It was pretty awesome. The lights would come on, and we would hear cheering, and then the power would go back out again. I got to hang out with the Asian branch where half the testimonies were borne in Korean or Japanese, it was so cool! We also had a weird Wednesday night when Sister Beckstead got a cheesecake in the mail... didn't think you could send perishables?? We spent the night trying to defrost it enough to eat it. I sang in a choir for our Tuesday night Devotional where Elder Bednar came to speak. We sang "Nearer my God to Thee" and it was such a beautiful composition, and the choir director was hysterical.

One more week till I leave for Kentucky! I don't have enough vocabulary to describe how excited I am!!! My flight schedule is a little on the crazy side, but I think we'll make it. I can't wait to meet more people to love and learn from!

With Love, Sister Wilcox xoxoxoxoxox

Week 1

Hi Everyone!

I don't know how I made it through the week! It's been so wonderful and exciting, I can't believe this isn't a dream or anything! The atmosphere here is warm and peaceful, and everyone is pleasant and kind. It's like being in a bubble of spiritual energy. The remodeled buildings are beautiful with murals and cute little offices everywhere. I love it. There's these gorgeous mountains right in front of us and I have no idea what they're called but I love them too! It's actually been raining here quite a bit too, so I almost feel like I never left! Now I suppose I should talk about my people. Let's see, my district is composed of 12 elders and sisters. They're all amazing people, like I don't even know how I got so blessed. The elders are absolute sweethearts (don't tell them I said that), and they are so patient with us sisters. My companion, Sister Ashmead, is a doll and keeps me in line with the scheduling and all that. She is spiritual and thoughtful, she loves to run everywhere (it's hard in heels) and she feels utterly devastated if we haven't done something productive in five minutes. She makes me all the better though by strengthening my weaknesses, and I only hope that I've been helping her as much as she's been helping me.

I had no idea that I would be jumping right into teaching the first day, so that was a little nerve wracking! I've seen the benefits of it though, now that I'm a week into it. We're here to learn how to teach the Gospel. We're going to be teaching for 18 months to 2 years, so we need as much experience possible. I love getting to know investigators, I could talk to them all day long about hiking and working and all that good stuff. However, I'm a little more hesitant about the spiritual part. I may not be learning a language, but I definitely feel like the spirit is it's own language that I may or may not be fluent in... It's getting easier though. I can already feel a difference in myself and in my district. The thing is, you can study all you want in the scriptures or in Preach my Gospel, but in order to truly learn something, you have to be in tune with the spirit. We teach by the spirit, investigators are taught by the spirit. They aren't converted because of how awesome my companion and I are, they're converted by the Holy Ghost, by what they feel. (I've already had to comfort my companion with this because she takes it personally if a meeting doesn't go well.)

There's this odd sense of peace in me. Like I'm not bothered when something goes wrong, or if things don't go the way we planned. I would have an ulcer by now if I still had the mindset I did before I left.  I've been able to get up early every morning and stay up late, yet still have energy for the day. I just feel as though I'm where I'm supposed to be, and that this was the right decision. Of course I miss everyone, and Oregon. I miss the green, and tasty water. But I also feel anticipation and determination when I think of the field, like I'm not as afraid of this whole mission thing as I was before. The unknown is exciting, and leaves the possibility for change. and I'm grateful that I am here and that I chose to do this. I will do the best I can because I want to, and because I want to give others the opportunity to change for the better and to learn that they have a Savior who loves them. That they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and is aware of them. I want people to feel as empowered and carefree as I do that there is life after death, that we get to see loved ones again. I want people to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in their lives so they never feel alone without comfort. I want to teach people to want to be better, to lift themselves up and learn to truly live.

I'm still getting used to all the rules here. One of my dresses was too short and I felt like all the sisters were staring at me! The slang is hard to get rid of too, like saying "you guys" and "freaking" and yes "crap". I had to set a goal for myself to quit using that kind of lingo. But we can say "yall"??? I've also refused to give up singing whatever I want. While vacuuming the other morning I was totally belting out some Sia and Florence and the Machine. It was great. I have felt the effects of the MTC though, because I've caught myself singing Christian songs and going "where did that come from?"

Kentucky just sounds amazing the more I hear about it. Even when I'm told it's -5 over there or something like that, it's like my brain refuses to take that as a bad thing. It's beautiful over there, the people, I hear, are friendly, the food sounds tasty but deadly and of course there's beautiful horses all over the place! Half my pictures are probably going to be of horses...  so yeah. I can't wait to get over there.

I love yall, I know that this work is the greatest work I could be doing right now. I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ loves each and every one of you, even more than I do! Hugs and kisses and big hugs and kisses!!!

With love, Sister Wilcox

Day 1

I made it to the MTC in relatively good condition, I didn't cry too much... The plane ride was awesome and yes, I did get a window seat because hardly anyone was on the plane! I just barely missed the 10am shuttle because my flight was a little early. So I was the one hanging out all day until a ton of missionaries showed up and I talked to this guy who's going to serve in Salem, Oregon. He's a doll.

My companion is super chill and fun, and she's already keeping me on track with scheduling and all that. The MTC is big! Everyone here is so nice, an they are all happy! I'm freaking out a bit with the schedules and classes, we already had to teach some converts and it was kinda scary. But it's all so exciting and I can't even believe I'm here!

My P-days are Tuesdays so I'll write something longer then. I love you all so much and I appreciate everything you'v done for me, thank you.

Love, Sister Wilcox