Hi Everyone!
It's crazy how one phone call can completely turn your whole entire life upside down. For the first time in my mission, I'm getting transferred. Yup. I was so sure that I was staying another transfer with Sister Portzline, but as of 3 hours ago, I'm going to Houma with Sister Alder. Which is a tender mercy because I already know and love Sister Alder so much, so it's not completely foreign. Also, the craziest part is guess who's taking my spot? SISTER WHITNEY! She's coming back after just 3 transfers away. It gives me hope that I'll come back here someday! So yeah, I guess I should have seen it coming because I've been in Kenner for 7 months, but still, this is a big change, and I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye to everyone.
It's crazy how one phone call can completely turn your whole entire life upside down. For the first time in my mission, I'm getting transferred. Yup. I was so sure that I was staying another transfer with Sister Portzline, but as of 3 hours ago, I'm going to Houma with Sister Alder. Which is a tender mercy because I already know and love Sister Alder so much, so it's not completely foreign. Also, the craziest part is guess who's taking my spot? SISTER WHITNEY! She's coming back after just 3 transfers away. It gives me hope that I'll come back here someday! So yeah, I guess I should have seen it coming because I've been in Kenner for 7 months, but still, this is a big change, and I'm not looking forward to saying goodbye to everyone.
I don't have a ton of time to write today, on account of transfers and packing and saying goodbye, so this email won't be super long. Also, nothing that crazy happened this week, except for Mardi Gras. Oh my goodness it was so much fun! On Tuesday, we spent a good part of the day on St. Charles street watching parades. We went to Zulu, Rex, and a truck parade that I don't know the name of. For those of you who don't know what Mardi Gras really is-- it's basically a week of parades put on by social groups in New Orleans. The names of all the parades, like Zulu, are actually the names of a social group. There is a king and a queen (and a whole court) of every parade, and they're the richest ones. To even ride on a float, you have to pay like $200, and to be king or queen you're talking tens of thousands of dollars. It's crazy. The parades are super cool! It's a mix of bands, dance teams, and floats. All anyone cares about is getting stuff thrown at them. They throw mostly beads, but also tons of other stuff like footballs, stuffed animals, hats, back scratchers, cups, and all other kinds of craziness. At Zulu, they give out painted and decorated coconuts! I got one and now it's on my desk. We got an insane amount of stuff at Mardi Gras. People loved the Mormons! It was fun because we were by the LDS chapel on St. Charles street, so we were with a ton of members and missionaries. Even President Hansen came! Also, they put on a huge barbecue, which was delicious and amazing. We ate a ridiculous amount of King Cake. That's a traditional Mardi Gras cake that basically looks like a giant donut, is covered in frosting and purple, gold, and green sprinkles, tastes like a cinnamon roll, and has a tiny plastic baby hidden in it. Whoever finds the baby, legend has it that they will have the next baby. The youngest elder in our district got it, so we'll see how that goes for him! :) I love Mardi Gras so much! It was so sad when it was over because that's probably the coolest thing about this state. It was unreal how crowded downtown was. People literally camp out all week. They have all these chairs and tables set up and they're out barbecuing in the middle of the road and everything. It's 100x bigger than Christmas here. Crazy stuff!
Other than that, it was just a normal week. We did exchanges with the West Bank sisters which was so fun. I went with Sister Pennock, who is in her first transfer in the mission. She is so funny and it was so good to be able to get to know her better. She told me that she was scared about coming on exchanges with the STL's because it was her first time and she just thought we were perfect and had perfect Spanish and knew exactly what was going on. I just laughed my head off because I still feel like I just got out here and I'm still trying to figure out what in the world is going on. Also, we had stake conference, and I really missed Kaye and our huge stake choirs back in Highlands Ranch, because a 20-person choir with only 4 men just isn't quite the same. 10 points for trying though. :)
Alright, I think that's about all I have for all y'all. I'm incredibly sad to leave Kenner, but I'm excited for my new adventures! I trust the Lord completely that He needs me in Houma right now. It's kind of crazy being transferred because it's like the Lord saying, "you've done what you needed to do in this area, now someone else needs you more." I'm excited to find out who might need me in Houma and who I need down there. I'll have lots of stories next week, I'm sure, and lots of pictures. Kenner is very city/suburb and Houma is the straight up bayou. Alligator sightings are frequent. Bring it on!
I love you all so much! Have an amazing week!
Con amor,
Hermana Sorensen
I love you all so much! Have an amazing week!
Con amor,
Hermana Sorensen