Breaking My One-Transfer Companion Streak!

Happy Memorial Day! Can't believe it's already transfers again...no surprise I'm staying in St Paul since it's one of the only Hmong areas in the mission. So happy to stay with Sister Xiong! This week was such a blast! We got to go to the temple to see one of the YSAs, Cindy, get her endowments! She's leaving on her mission to Japan soon, we are so excited for her. While we were there I saw the Stoltz, one of my favorite families from my last area! Their son was getting his endowments since he's leaving on his mission to California next week. It was such a sweet surprise! I love the temple so much, and love continuing to further my understanding of the Savior and Heavenly Father and our potential to one day to become like Them. We had such a huge miracle with Mor!! She asked us to fast with her to help her stop smoking, so we did, and the next day she called to tell us that cigarettes taste nasty to her now! She went to smoke and just had the grossest taste in her mouth during it. God is so good!! Fasting brings forth mighty miracles. Ruth and Sarah continue to grow in the gospel, and are progressing so well! The only thing stopping their baptism is parent opposition, but we're praying their hearts are softened and they'll let them join the church. We had branch conference at church yesterday, and they focused on a topic that was so inspired for the branch! The stake president talked about culture and how we use that as an excuse or a defining factor in our lives. A lot of people have been using "old culture" or "Hmong culture" as the reason for their inactivity or inability to accept the gospel publicly. It's not typically the norm to be Christian in Hmong society- most are Shaman or Buddhist. But he said something I love, "You can CHOOSE what the culture is. Don't let that word define your religious and family beliefs."  It's so true! I love the people here, and I feel like that's something that they can really improve on. I know they can do it if they take that leap of faith! Two of our elders, Elder Vang and Elder Gardiner, are going home this week. 2 years completed! It's sad to see them go, they're such great missionaries. The branch threw them a going away party, so we got to eat good food and talk about our favorite memories of them. Elder Gardiner was the AP when I first came in the mission, so I've known him my whole time here. But they have a life to get back to at home...that'll be me in 11 months! Not trunky or anything :) Yesterday was a major thunderstorm- we didn't have any miles left on our car, and our ride couldn't take us home, so if you can imagine the stereotypical scene of missionaries walking in the pouring rain getting splashed by cars going by, that was me and Sister Xiong....and it was awesome! I've definitely learned how to dance in the rain on my mission, literally and figuratively :) Gonna go celebrate Memorial Day, but shout out to my parents for having their 42nd anniversary today!!! Love you guys! -Sister Brett