#1 in "Mission Love"

So much has happened this past week, where to begin....when we got to Albany we didn't have a place to live. So we've been leaving with some sisters in our mission. We finally got moved in on Saturday and we big fat LOVE our apartment! It's so HUGE! (Remember I spent the last 6 weeks in a shoe box) We live with a member, in her basement. It is so nice!

We are sharing a ward with a companionship of elders.... the ward is pretty small just a little bigger than a branch. My companion is Sister Matheny, grandma knows her mom. We are STL's together and we are having a BLAST! We decided as a companionship that we would get bikes???? I know RIGHT?! I was recently almost killed on a bike :) hahahahahahahahhahahaha Never did I ever think that would come out of my mouth. This mission is all about facing fears, doing what I haven't done, throwing myself into the uncomfortable, doing what scares me and...yes riding a bike....in a skirt....in the 100 degree (EXTRA Humid) heat! Fairly sure I Won't put the big blue "Let the Holy Spirit Guide" sticker on my helmet.....but, I'll keep you posted ;) We are really excited! So this week we are looking for bikes.

We taught this past week at zone training meeting....the spirit was so strong! We are not really sure what everyone else thought about it... but we feel like we were Rock Stars! We are speaking in sacrament meeting not this Sunday but the following Sunday..... we are talking about missionary work, I'm centering my talk around the quote... "Preach the gospel, and when necessary uses words."

Oh, maybe I should have started off by saying; we are serving in Albany, OR in the Takena Ward. We taught relief society yesterday on eternal marriage. I talked about thinking and accepting that I would never be sealed to my family and shared dads conversation story everyone was crying it was great! (Is it a little strange that I think everyone crying is great?!) We have a new investigator named K--- she came to church yesterday and we are teaching her this Thursday, we are really excited!!!!!!!!!!! Pray for us and for her.

Sis Z Follies:

~ Almost stepped on 3 snakes this week! How can I keep my eye on the goal when I have to constantly stare at the ground for fear of losing a foot to a snake bite! :/

~Got chased down the road by a man yelling "Your church is a cult!" Yes chasing implies running cause I'm not sure what was going to happen if he caught us but, the large stick did not imply we would be getting warm hugs and ice cream! Sis Z was gettin it! ;)

~I have had FIVE meetings this week! Someone decided being on a mission is like having a job....the nerve of some people ;)

Did I mention I LOVE my companion? Cause I do, I really really do! And did I mention that I'm not keeping score or anything but when it comes to families and the "mission love" mine is Far & Away #1!

My message to y'all this week is hold tight! Hold tight to each other, hold tight to those you love and hold tight to those who love you. Never let go of the teachings of the Church. Hold tight to your testimony....it is true that if you don't use something you will lose it.....it may be sacred and one of your most truest possessions but, it's not a secret; SHARE it and watch it Grow! Hold tight to your standards, never bend....bending leads to breaking. There will always be something to test us, to try to measure our strength...our commitment, how easy is it to be valiant when the storms rage and we cry out for the Lords help and guidance....in calm waters we must always show our gratitude and hold tight to the ordinances we have made with our Father in Heaven. Hold tight to the scriptures; feast upon their words, for all that you seek is held within them.

I love you ALL! Mom & Granny Happy Birthday this week! Next year I will be there to help y'all get your party on! Daddy...I am SO lucky I get to call you dad! Mik you are absolutely beautiful! I love getting your letters, you make me laugh out loud, you are almost as funny as me! Pipe and Stella, big sissy loves you to the moon and back!

AND WHAT ARE WE NAMING MY NEW SISTER?????

XOXO

Sis Z

Sister Zubickis new address is:

3463 North West Knollwood Dr

Albany, OR

97321