This week was a train wreck but at least we had fun doing it #MTCROUND2

Hello Everyone. I don't think I've ever been more exhausted in my life, this week was pure CHAOS but I'll do my best to relay details to you haha

Times the rain has turned into hail: like every day

Times Sister Smith and I just crashed on the floor: At least 4

Times I had to remind myselF "I CAN DO HARD THINGS": Every single day ahaha

Time spent laughing with Sister Smith: a lot and I'm SO GRATEFUL FOR HER

Okay so some of you may remember some of you may not, but Sister Smith was my companion in the MTC, and also like my best friend on the mission.  And she and her comp were on the social media team here in Everett. Both of our companions have been really struggling this transfer, and they both went home on Friday. So they made Sister Smith and I companions, which means that we now cover 3 Wards, and we're the Social Media Sisters, and we're the Everett STLs. Honestly, it's been a pretty overwhelming week, but we're still moving! Let's get into what went down this week...

Mondayyy we had an awesome day with Sister Smith and her comp, Sister Searle, and we explored Everett a little! We went to this super cool CD and record shop and found soooo many old gems, it was pretty awesome. Then we talked with our families, and that night we went finding at the beach! 

We caught some teeny tiny sand crabs and met some cool people! Also we saw the most beautiful sunset in the world, oh my goodness.

Tuesdayyy we went and helped a guy named Steve move! He was so funny haha but it was good! After that we went and met with Stacey, and we taught her the Restoration! She absolutely LOVED it and was like, "this is exactly what I believe I totally believe this!" We were talking about the Priesthood and Baptism, and she said, "Every time you say the word Baptism, I get chills!" She said that she wants to work towards baptism and take all the lessons!!!! IT WAS A MIRACLE!!!!!! We're so excited to help Stacey progress, please pray for her!! After that, we did some harvesting, without a ton of luck, and then we met with some members which was fun! That night we had dinner with the cutest couple, the Merkley's and that was a blast. We had a lesson with Alexis, who is a 16 year old girl that Sister Holm has been teching, and that was awesome. Then we had to rush to the Mission home because President wanted to meet with Sister Holm. They talked, and when they were done, they came to the conclusion that it was time for Sister Holm to return home for mental health reasons. It was hard, but honestly, I think it's for the best. So it was a long day, but it's okay.

Wednesdayyy we had District Council which was good, and then afterwards, we all went over to Bobby Scagnelli's house for lunch. He's one of our Ward missionaries and is pretty much the coolest guy ever. He's an 80 something year old guy from New York City who's been helping individuals in the Addiction Recovery program for YEARS, he's got some wild stories. He made us all coney dogs, and if you even thought about putting ketchup on it, you'd get in big trouble. Bobby doesn't like ketchup on his hotdogs, take note. After that we went to go visit a Ward member who lives in a Senior Living complex, and whoever designed that building is probably the worst person to ever walk the earth. We were lost in that place for a good 40 minutes; it was like a freaking maze. Thankfully our Ward member came to find us and we had a good visit with her! Then we had dinner with a cute family! That night, Sister Holm wanted to do one last exchange, and she and Sister Searle really wanted to go together, and Sister Smith and I just needed a break, so we were together and our two companions were together. and OHHH MY GOODNESS it was so fun. 

Thursdayyy we had to exchange back pretty early, and we went to the office so that Sister Searle could teach me how to do all the social media things lol. After that, the day was mostly spent packing, getting ready to move/go home, and some member visits. We had a dinner that night with the cutest older couple, and that was so fun! Then we played pickleball at the stake center and met some more cool people! That night we had to stay the night at Sister Smith and Searle's apartment, because Searle was flying out early the next day, so we were up helping her finish packing that night.

Fridayyy we all woke up at 5am, got ready, and got to the Mission office at 6:30 to drop Sister Searle off. Then we went to Dutch Bros because we were #sad. Then we had an office shift, and I made my first Facebook story for the page! So that was fun. After that, we raced back to the apartment and met Sister Holm's mom who had flown out to pick her up. We got her car all loaded up, and then said goodbye. Then Sister Smith and I raced to the Mission office for MLC! (Mission Leadership Council) Honestly, We couldn't really tell you what was going on because we were both just so drained from the crazy day we'd experienced. After MLC was over, we went to the old Everett apartment and got all of my stuff so that I could move into Sister Smith's apartment. We came home and just CRASHED we were so exhausted. 

Saturdayyy GENERAL CONFERENCE YAYAYAYAY we watched all of the sessions at the Church building with some other missionaries which was super fun. General Conference as a missionary is just so bomb.com. I'm so grateful for the words of prophets and apostles!! Also, EMILY BELLE FREEMAN IS THE NEW YW PRESIDENT YAYAYAY that was some awesome news. We got the best teriyaki of my life for lunch (like, seriously, the best I've ever had) and had a pretty mellow day. We were still organizing and moving things around between the two apartments, and trying to figure out how we're gonna do this with 3 areas lol. But I'm grateful for the peace and rest that Conference brought. 

Sundayyy CONFERENCE AGAIN YAYAYAYAY We got to watch the morning session with some members in the Mill Creek Ward as a District and it was so fun!! The music was STUNNING!!! Then Sister Smith and I went to a member's house in the Port Gardner Ward and there were 5 kids, 3 young women, 1 non member, and 2 missionaries. I think I'll really have to review the talks given in the Sunday Afternoon session because there was a lot going on haha! But it was super fun! After that, we went and moved some more stuff from the old Everett apartment, and that night we had a dinner with the cutest couple in the Mill Creek Ward, the Demolins! They're so cute and the husband just kept giving us sweet gifts and it was so awesome. We love them!! That night we had ZLC to discuss the needs of the Zone which was good. It was a suuuuuper long day, but we made it through. 

Then today is FINALLY pday!!! We're treating ourselves and going to Target and Old Navy because we deserve it after this week haha!

OKAY LET'S GET SPIRITUAL

Not gonna lie, this week was probably one of the hardest. I was frustrated and I felt stuck, and found myself mentally beating myself up sometimes. But I'm so grateful for the messages that were shared during Conference. I found that one VERY common theme was to end contention, and serve others as Christ would. As missionaries, we remind ourselves all the time to "forget yourself and go to work". And that doesn't mean to completely ignore your needs and burn yourself out. But it does mean finding rest in service. Camille N. Johnson in the Sunday Morning Session spoke about how Jesus Christ is relief. She said, "As we serve others as Christ would, we can bring relief to them, and in turn, find relief for ourselves" (or something along those lines). This phrase was such a good reminder for me this week. I really had to forget myself and help my companion this week. I had to forget myself and bear testimony of Christ to random strangers. I had to forget myself and just do what the Lord needed me to do. But what I found was that whenever I was serving someone this week, that's when I was the happiest. Serving others brings JOY because we are following Christ's example. So go serve someone this week. Find someone new to talk to at school. Offer to help someone with their groceries. I promise that it brings peace and joy even in our most turbulent times :))

I love you all a WashingTON ❣️ 

Sister Gibb