11-1-10 "What IS the definition of sweater anyway?"

Well, according to the marquee of a local pizza joint, a sweater is a "garment worn by child when mother is cold." Yeah, we're not really sure what that means either, but it makes a great conversation when we drive past it every day. Actually, the pizza place is really good, and I like supporting them because they are not open on Sundays. They even gave us free lunch one day when we picked up an old lady from the ward who was walking there on a very busy road. Come to find out, the lady thought the lady in our ward was homeless. She's not, but we didn't know that the pizza lady had thought that until later. But they have really good pizza and salad, and it's all you can eat, but their signs are not nearly as easy to digest as their food.

In other news, we had an interesting experience with animals yesterday. I'm not sure if they could sense Halloween in the air or something, but they were nuts. First we went to visit this less-active family we'd never met. They let us right in, and their chihuahua is sitting on my lap for a few minutes, until it starts making this strange gagging noise. I somehow just knew it was going to throw up. Which it did. Right on my skirt. I couldn't get it off of me in time, plus that might have hurt it or something, so I just let it happen. Gross. But a cool story. And it totally made it so we had to stay and visit with them a little bit longer because they felt bad because their dog had thrown up on me. Not exactly a tender mercy, but maybe. And then at our dinner appointment, the sister's cat was sitting on Sister Schlauder's lap, but it would NOT let her pet it. It kept raring its teeth at her every time she would touch it until finally the member just took it. This is what happens when animals attack missionaries.

Speaking of which, I have been DYING to tell you some amazing news we got last Tuesday. We were doing some contacting when we got a call from the Assistants. They had a sister coming in from Temple Square for a few months and would we like to have her as our companion? YES! Wow! I never saw that coming! She arrived the next day, and we have been enjoying her excellent missonary skills ever since. Her name is Sister Radin (ruh-DEAN), and she is from the Philippines. She is AMAZING at asking for referrals, and receiving them. And she is so nice and personable that everyone loves to talk to her. She makes tracting so carefree almost, except that she is afraid of dogs and bascially everyone has one in Texas. She is so small though that she can easily hide behind us when the dogs are trying to get out. So far no disasters.
This week has been full of crazy surprises actually. The second one involves running into Elder Judkins again on Saturday. He was going to the temple, and we were walking around, trying to contact a few investigators. They saw us as they were driving, apparently, and he said, "Hey! Pull over. That's my cousin. I know her." So now I have a picture of us together to prove we served in the same city at the same time and by some intense celestial calculus were able to run into one another twice in less than a month. I don't know how God does it, but he works it out. I had been thinking about him all week, hoping he was doing okay with Grandma Ricks and everything, but he seemed very happy, and I was really glad to run into him again.


Other than that, this week has been filled with trunk or treating, featuring some excellent costumes. My personal favorites were Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa and the BEST Ms. Frizzle costume ever. Seriously. I thought she WAS her. Also, love the pictures of Eli as the Karate Kid. Very smooth. Very dojo. Very sensei. Very black hair. I'm sorry I couldn't see it in person.
It sounds like Grandma Ricks had a lovely funeral. I'm sure you did just fine, Mom, although you know I would have helped you in a second with the life-sketch. But give yourself some credit. You are an excellent wordsmith yourself. Grandparents--I haven't forgotten your birthdays. I just didn't have time to send your birthday cards/notes yet. I will get them in the mail today.


As far as who can come to the airport, I'm sort of undecided on it. It's not that I wouldn't want everyone else there, but I think it'll be kind of overwhelming as it is, and I've kind of always pictured it as just the few of us. But, I'm not making any official decisions yet. I'll think about it and let you know soon. Maybe it would be possible to have some kind of get-together at the house that evening, but I know that's hard on Aunt Anna, so maybe everyone should just come to the airport. You may know when my plane arrives, but I don't know yet, but I guess I'm assuming its not at some weird hour of the day but one that is pretty feasible for everyone. All in all, I guess my gut is saying I think it would be fine for everyone else to come as long as there's no squabbling about who gets the first hug. I remember going to see either Roger or Russell or both back from their missions at the airport, so I guess it would be selfish of me not to invite everyone to mine. And I really am eager to see everyone. The more, the merrier, they say. I think as far as opening the mission call, I think I was just overwhelmed about finally knowing and I just needed a second to breathe and think about it to myself, but this I will have had plenty of time to ponder the homecoming hugs all the way home on the flights, so I'm going to go ahead and make a final decision by saying you can invite whomever you want. I want to see anyone and everyone you think would be good. Final answer, Regis.

That's all for this week!

Much love and shining,

Sister Whitney Mikell Sorensen

PS I will use the funds wisely. That is way more than I expected to that should be just perfect. I might even send a package home this week with various things I've collected.