Hungary for the Gospel in Montana: Week 10

Hello Loved Ones!!!

I am pleased to say that I am loving it in the field, and particularly serving in Montana!

The first few days were rough. I left for Montana around 5 am, for a 3 hour flight. Then I had a 4 hour layover in Seattle, and then another 3-ish hour plane ride to Billings, Montana. It was a bit nerve racking, as I was alone, and very tired because I was up at 3 am to go to the airport! I was nervous too. I had no idea what to expect, and I was heading straight into the field from home, no MTC buffer. Saying goodbye for the second time wasn't easy, but I knew that I wanted to be out in the world sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. With all my heart, I want to serve the Lord and His children as a full-time missionary, wherever that may be!

We spent Tuesday-Friday morning at the mission home doing training and orientation. Transfers were moved from Thursday to Friday because of Halloween, so we had a day more than we were anticipating. Tuesday-Wednesday was intense; we were being trained non stop! Not to mention I knew no one. The rest of the greenies had just come from 3 weeks in the MTC together! It was difficult to not feel a bit out of the loop with things because of that, and not having had English MTC training etc. It all worked out okay though! We eventually played some games, and got to know each other better, especially on Halloween. That day we had some training, as well as video call lessons, but we played lots of games, laughed, and that evening we watched Coco (approved by President Larson) with the tons of missionaries that were there for transfers. It was refreshing to be able to get to know the missionaries that I'd be serving with for the next 16-ish months. I realized that missionaries are humans, and we can have fun!

IT IS COLD!! The first couple of days I was in Montana, it was below 0°. Arizona was barely making it down to 70°, maybe a little lower! Thank goodness I have plenty of wool everything! I have actually quite enjoyed the cold and snow. I think it's wonderful! I love how white and glowing everything is with the snow. The mountains have more definition, the trees and houses look cool, and I could go on! I also love the crunching and crackling of the snow under my feet as I walk! Maybe I'm silly, but I just can't help it. My excitement is too much to hold in! hahah (:

Friday is when we did transfers and left for our new areas. I was assigned to Bozeman! After a 2.5 hour ride of napping, looking at the beautiful scenery, and some Book of Mormon studies, I finally met my trainer! I love my Sister Flake so much! She is such a dedicated and hard working missionary. She is an amazing teacher, and is very kind, considerate, inclusive, attentive, responsible, loving, efficient, among sooo many other things. I am extremely grateful to have her as my trainer, I can hardly wait for what the future holds for our companionship!

I love my area so far, I had heard so many awesome things about Bozeman, and I have to say it is certainly living up to it! We are doing plenty of teaching with interested and progressing people, as well as with members. We have set high goals for this month and we are pumped to reach them! We are feeling great about it so far because we had an unexpected lesson this morning! A man knocked on our door and was there to check on the internet and wifi connection for the whole apartment complex. We told him we don't have any of that and explained why (this included our missionary purpose). We asked if he'd like to learn more about our church and ended up showing him a short video and getting his number!

Here are some funny and random moments from this week:

When I was at the airport, someone's phone blurted out, "Search results for do most redheads have curly hair?"

I saw an albino deer on Wednesday right before going to dinner!

I kept almost walking into the men's restroom at the church building we were being trained in, because its where the women's restroom is in my building at home… heheheh

We had two dinners yesterday! It worked out because it was fast Sunday and we were hungry!

I hurt my back somehow (maybe the plane rides? I have no idea, it's weird), so it has been hard to put warm tights on and sit/lay down. heheh Luckily, we get free chiropractic work done by a member here. The missionaries have standing appointments, weekly! It was seriously an answer to my prayers!!

I want to share a couple of things that really stood out to me this week in my personal study. I have been studying the character of Christ, His attributes, characteristics, qualities, titles, etc. It is amazing, each time I study, how every page of The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and of His endless love for us. It is never too late to turn unto Christ and follow in His light. It is NEVER too late, no sin is too great, no sorrow too deep. His hand is stretched out waiting for you.

2 Nephi 26:24-28
"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him..., partake of his salvation... and ... of his goodness..., none are forbidden."

All that Christ is and does is because of the love He has for us! He is LOVE! Everything He is and does is for the benefit of the world. All He wants is to draw us near unto Him and vise versa. He desires ALL to partake of His salvation and goodness. NONE ARE FORBIDDEN. He will never deny anyone who desires to come unto Him at any point!

2 Nephi 26:33
"...he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men..."

This is another phrase that stood out to me. The Lord does not try to trick us. He provides knowledge and understanding in a way specific to us! If we want to know Him, we just have to make effort and it will become "plain unto [us]"!

I love you all so much and am seriously grateful for the love, support, and prayers!

All my love,
Sister Alger

PS
Boy oh boy does it feel good to close with "Sister" Alger (((:

Sis Lemmon, Sis Lee and I at the temple