I had a great time in the MTC, but needless to say it is a blessing to be out of there and actually be in the field. I've been here a week and haven't experienced one day of rain! It was a super sunny day in Portland when our plane landed. We even stayed overnight in Newburg and it still didn't rain a drop.
And THEN! I got assigned to my first area, Bend Oregon! It's across the mountains from Salem. Over here the climate is similar to Utah. Here's some things about Bend:
-Everyone wears Patagonia and is super outdoorsy
-Everyone and their dog has a dog (although I guess that's an Oregon thing in general)
-There are SO many trees and it is BEAUTIFUL here
-We are in one of the wealthiest wards in the mission. Last night we ate dinner at the members house and it was basically the size of the Portland temple and gorgeous.
My trainer's name is Sister Atkin! She is so awesome. She LOVES anything and everything Disney. She's from Saratoga Springs and played soccer in high school, and she has her own videographer business back at home. She's made a few videos here in the mission apparently. She's been out here five months. We are Pink Washing this area!! (Basically there were Elders in this ward before us, so both of us know nothing about the people and the area. It's new to both of us.) Sister Atkin is so stoked to be here in Bend though because she's wanted to serve in this area her whole mission. Supposedly everyone does haha.
It's hard to find people to teach here in Bend because people are generally wealthier and comfortable with their lives. But that doesn't stop us! We are going to focus a lot on member missionary work. And let me tell you the members here as SO WONDERFUL. Our ward mission leader is literally our partner in crime. The members are so great. Right now we are actually teaching a man and his wife who were members but haven't been to church in five years. The husband even served a mission. He had this long list of really deep questions about the church that are keeping him from having faith. But they are so open to us! They are going to come to church next week with their kids, and we even had the bishop call him and talk to him. Like I said, I love the members here!!
Anyways, I love all of you! I love getting emails and mail so I'd love to hear from you! Right now we don't have wifi in our apartment or very much phone data, so I only have a two hour period on P days when we are at the church to respond. But seriously I love hearing from people back home.
Sister Carlson
Digging a pond for a member in our stake area.
Hanging out with Amy on our P-day.
She just returned back from her mission in Costa Rica.
