"I'm just a little weird and slow..."

Dad- The shirt you got at the playmill place is so disgusting. I love it. You're the coolest. I sure love you. Mom- Thank you for your letter this week. It came on the perfect day. I sure am grateful you're my mom. I love you. 

Quotes of the week: 

1.) "Hold her right wrist...no not your right wrist....that's her left wrist..." -Bishop Carl The other day, the elders had a baptism. This baptism was for an active 9 year old that just somehow didn't get baptized when she was 8. Sister Grant and I invited one of our investigators, David, to come to the baptism. When it was time for the actual baptism, we all went to the room with the font and watched as this little girl and her grandpa walked into the font. It was a really special moment...until the grandpa had no idea how to hold her for the ordinance. He began grabbing both of her arms...and then he was just holding her waist...and then Bishop Carl freaked out. It was so funny. THEN after the poor man figured out how to hold his granddaughter, he said the prayer perfectly. Right before he dunked her he yelled "ALRIGHT, BABY GIRL, HERE WE GO!" He then proceeded to GRAB HER NECK and hold her under the water for an uncomfortable amount of time. I loved every second. At the end, David was like "I feel so honored that you invited me to this. It just seemed so special." I feel so honored that I was able to go as well. It was the best thing that has ever happened. 

2.) "I would come out with you girls if I could. I'm just a little weird and slow." -Brother Adams Brother Adams is literally the weirdest person I have ever met...in my whole life. BUT I love him a ton. The other day his wife left us a voicemail letting us know that she had to cancel coming with us to an appointment. We called back to let her know that we got her message. She didn't answer so we had the blessing of talking to her husband. After he said this quote, I didn't know what to say so after a few seconds of silence all I said was "Ha...well, thanks for trying." That wasn't a good response. I should have been like "Oh, you would be great!" or something sister missionary-ish. Nope. That's not how Sister Reddish rolls. Not ta-day, not ever.
3.) "Oh man, you go home pretty soon, huh?" -Too many people People have been saying this to me a lot lately. Every time I have a mini heart attack and then say "ha..ha...not really." This morning I was singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" while Sister Grant was in the shower and I STARTED CRYING. I don't know if I was happy or sad or both but there were tears and it was very strange. I'm just very grateful that I still have 3 months. 3 more months of awkward missionary experiences. I'm gonna try and love every second. 

4.) "You seem really good at talking to people, Sister Reddish." "Sister Garvin, I'm literally the most awkward person that's ever been in the mission field." The other day we went on exchanges with the STL's. I was with Sister Garvin for a whole day. On the exchange, we were able to teach the Restoration to this older couple named Barbara and Walter. They weren't really interested in learning more, but we asked if they would allow us to leave them with a prayer. I offered to say it. When I was companions with Sister Jenkins, she would always crawl towards me during my prayers because she knew it freaked me out, and now I automatically pray with my eyes open. I really do try and close my eyes, but somehow they always end up opened by the end of the prayer.  Anyways, while I was saying the prayer, my eyes started to creep open. When they became fully opened, I MADE EYE CONTACT WITH WALTER. I was talking to God and staring at this random old man. It was so uncomfortable. I then tried to handle the situation calmly, so I began to slowly close them. Ever so slowly. (I don't know why I thought this would be the appropriate route to go in this situation but I did) In the midst of trying to close them slowly, I also started to talk slower. The whole thing was just so bad. SO, so, so bad. This quote was said right after this awkward encounter occurred. Sister Garvin's eyes were closed during the whole thing because she knows how to act in prayers, so she still doesn't know what happened. I didn't tell her because I wanted to die a little bit. Can the Ohio Cleveland Mission handle 3 more months of me? Hopefully. 

5.) "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" -D&C 128:22 This week was sort of hard (and awkward). Appointments fell through, investigators dropped us, people were meanie weenies. Sometimes things don't really go the way you want them to on a mission..or life in general. BUT, that's okay. Without weeks like this, there wouldn't be any growth, and there was definitely some growth this past week. I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father that is aware of me and loves me. I love being a missionary and I love the people I serve. 

I love all of you a ton. Have the best week. 

Love, 

Sister Reddish