I was pretty drained emotionally when I got back from the exchange, and then I got an email telling me that aunt Gina had passed away. But I had to compartmentalize for a little bit on that because my companion was struggling and so I needed to be able to help her as well as figure out with her what things we could do to help the sisters we had just been on exchange with. It was a blessing that I was able to do that so that I could deal with one thing at a time.
Friday when I got an email with the obituary is when it really hit me and I had a good cry. But it was ok. When we lose people we love and that have blessed our lives it is sad. And it is sad to know how hard the loss is on other people who I also love. But that is ok too. Because of God's plan of happiness we know that there is no need for hopelessness or devastation, because we know the separation is temporary. But we are sad because we sure will miss them in the meantime. And that is ok.
Sister Brown and I were definitely united in the struggle this week, but we were there for each other and I am so grateful for the blessing that it is to have a friend like that. We were able to go to the temple on Saturday because we had some reactivated members go to do baptisms, and it was nice to be able to just spend some good time in the temple. Turns out that the North Hanover ward had a temple trip that morning as well, so I was able to see even more of my people from there. So all in all it was a good week!
Sister Brown is on her departing trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island today, so I am spending the day in Paterson with Sister Skelton's companion because she is also on the departing trip! It is super weird being back in Paterson a year after I served here! And we are going to try to stop by and see my recent convert Rose! I am so stoked! We got some more pictures on the shore this week so I will send a couple of those and one with a less active member that we are working with named Gerald. He is awesome! He bore his testimony yesterday and it was a proud missionary moment for sure :)
Love yous!
Sister McConkie
Ps Happy birthday Julie!