Berry-stained feet, exchanges and a zone conference

It was an unusual week for us, we were out of our area for two whole days! It was strange but fantastic.
But, first...
We had the most wonderful dinner on Monday night. We ate with the Andersons, who don't live in our area, but a couple weeks ago at church their little girl Emily turned around and looked at us in sacrament meeting and said to her dad "what do girl missionaries do?" He told her she'd have to ask us herself. So, then they signed up to have us over. (We can eat with anyone in the ward, but most often we eat in our own areas- there are 3 companionships in our ward)  Their kids were both so excited to have us, and dinner was delicious. Afterward, Brother Anderson asked Sis. Anderson if they had any ice cream left, and she said yes. He came up with a great idea - we went outside and picked mulberries off of the tree in their back yard, and ate them with vanilla ice cream. I was also just thrilled, because I had to go barefoot in the grass- my shoes were white, not fit to be walking under a mulberry tree in those unless you want them purple! My feet were varying shades of mulberry purple for a couple days- so happy. :) It's the simple things, you know?
On Tuesday night we drove down to Clinton to do exchanges in the Sister training leaders' area- so we stayed the night and had exchanges on Wednesday. I got to go on an exchange with Sister Cannon again for the first time since our last one in Cedar falls. It was awesome, we both needed it. Sister Cannon and I love each other a lot. She's from Bountiful, and goes home 3 months before me, so we have some grand plans to get together when I get home! Anyway, it was a great exchange. We got let in when we were knocking and taught an awesome restoration to these two sweet ladies. It was a miracle, we hardly ever get invited into people's homes while we're knocking. :) That night we had dinner with the member who they live with, and it was great.

Thursday we had Zone Conference in Iowa City, so we stayed another night and we all drove up together. As usual with zone conference, I received a lot of answers to prayer and direction for how I can be a better missionary.

It has been impossible to find people to teach, but we are continuing to try. The Lord will lead us to those who are ready to receive the gospel, I know it.
I am so grateful to be a missionary, and to have the opportunity to grow my faith by diligently serving my Savior.
It'll be another great week, I'm sure! :)
Love,
Sister Monroe

IC July ZC- Zone Conference! I am fourth in, kneeling in the bottom row.

 Sister Jensen insisted on us taking a new picture together. I was standing near her, holding my camera and she thought I wanted to take a picture, I told her I have one of us from a couple months ago and she said "We've changed, we need a new picture!" So cute. :)

 Clinton has a really cool sign, but my camera refused to focus on it. 

 My sister Arica got me a 3 month subscription to birchbox for my birthday.

I was so surprised and happy. :) Thanks Air!

I got a package from my Aunt Jan this week with this amazing binder in it- it's full of all kinds of quotes, stories, scriptures, etc about missionary work and the gospel. I love it so much!

Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel

This week was good, but rather difficult. We have been trying really hard to find people to teach, and are having no success whatsoever. I feel like I'm back in Dubuque, opening an area. EXCEPT that we have an awesome recent convert, and my perspective, knowledge, and ability to do missionary work have grown a lot! I am happy, so happy. :)

The fun event of this week was that Sister Stahle and I were chosen to be part of the "Called to Serve" program that the stake puts on for the youth each summer.
We each got a "mini missionary" to have as a companion from Thursday to Sunday evening this weekend. My companion, Sister Hayes, was so sweet, and just what I needed right now.

Something really incredible is that within just minutes, I found out that about a year ago her family went through almost exactly what mine is going through right now. Here was this faithful young woman with so much working against her, but she is so firm in her testimony, and so full of peace and calm. Father in Heaven knew that I needed to see her example. He needed me to see that I will eventually heal almost fully from this, and that from it I can have a permanently more peaceful spirit about me. What an incredible thing to learn from someone younger than me, in a different stage of life, but in such a similar situation. I am so grateful. No to mention that we had a good, fun weekend.

Dominique is doing so well. She is growing in faith and testimony each day, which I can say, because that's basically how often we see her. :)

I've decided I never want to leave Davenport, or Iowa. I'm just gonna be a missionary forever. :)
Just kidding. I'm so excited to see how I am blessed and changed by this for the rest of my life.
Love you all so much!
-Sister Monroe

Me, Sister Hayes, Sister Goepper, and Sister Stahle. (the picture was taken at the Ramos' house. )

Tender Mercies

While this week was not particularly miraculous or productive, it was once again great.
The reason being that Father in Heaven has given me so many tender mercies, blessings big and small that come in unexpected ways. I will tell you of my favorites. :)

I've known since I got here that there was a member of the neighboring ward, Brother Bennion, who is a high councilor over our ward that is a really good chiropractor with his own practice, and he works on the missionaries for free, but I had never met him and so I felt like it would be strange to just call and ask if he would adjust me. Well, he was at our ward last week, and we got to meet and talk with him. Long story short, he heard from the sisters in his ward that I have migraines, and offered to have me come get adjusted. Friday we were able to go, and I got adjusted for the first time ever. It was awesome. My neck was so messed up, and felt so good afterward. He said he wants me in as often as three times a week until I transfer- all free of charge. This is one, non- missionary work related miracle that I am so grateful for. Dr. Bennion is so awesome!

We had a really fun, laid back fourth of July with some wonderful members in our ward, the Greens. They also invited Dominique, and we all got to spend the evening together. We ate delicious food, and watched the illegal fireworks fly. (The firework laws here are really strict, but some people just don't care. Haha) It was really nice to spend the evening with members, because otherwise we have to be in at 6pm for safety, etc.

On Friday, I had a bunch of letters, which in itself was a tender mercy. Then it got even better. One of the letters was from a Sister Megan Saxton, a name I didn't really recognize. In the short letter, she explained that she is serving in my home ward (TOV), and that she's from Des Moines! She said she had heard about everything and just wanted to write me and let me know how awesome she thinks I am. It was such a sweet little note of support, and so great to know that there's an Iowan in my ward, they're the best. :) I feel so loved!

I am so grateful to know how much my Father in Heaven loves me. We are working hard trying to find people to teach- with little success, but I am so happy each day. I know I'm doing exactly what He wants me to be doing, and He is blessing me in so many ways.
I seriously can't believe I only have 6 months left! It's a good thing I miss my family so much, or I'd never want to come home.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers. Have a wonderful week!
-Sister Monroe

 Hooray, a super fun birthday package from my Aunt Shawna. Thank you so much!

 The city of Davenport has these everywhere, but I'd never actually read one

until this week. So funny.

 A gorgeous Iowa sky. It's hard to be mad about how hot and humid it is when it's also so beautiful. :)

Sister Despain went to Utah this week and met my mom!!! She was

kind enough to bring home 2 boxes of stuff for me! Love you Sister Despain! :)