09-26-2016

Hello, Hello! :)

Middletown is so so small. I don't even live in Middl town. I live in
a smaller town 10 minutes from Middletown. I see more deer than
people. I'm not even kidding. It's super super small. I like it. Well, I
think; it will grow on me that's for sure. There are more cats
here then there were in west Sacramento, so that's saying something.

About a year ago there was a horrible horrible fire that burned down
over 1800 houses in this area and even a year later the different
towns are still recovering. On the side of the "mountain hill" it's
all dead trees. It's really sad actually. There a lot of empty lots
where houses used to be but no houses. Just a month ago there was a
big fire in lower lake which is like 25 minutes from us and it burned
quite a bit of houses too. People here have gone through a lot and
it's so sad and humbling to hear their stories. It makes my mouth drop
and I can't even believe the fear that they must have experienced.
This lady was telling us that she got stuck in the fire with her 3
kids and they parked in an irrigated field with the fire on all
sides of them and they stayed in the cab of the car. She told us that
the whole night they heard houses and buildings being blown up and she
just prayed and prayed that they would be safe. I can't believe the
stories I've heard about this fire. So many people have been living in
trailers on their empty lots as their houses are being built. The
people here have experienced so many miracles.

There is this less active we went to go visit and he asked me if I
wanted to meet his friend Sam and I was like yes and then I go outside
and he pulls out this 10 pound dessert turtle. Oh, my goodness! It was
so cute. It just walks in and out of the house like a dog. He was
telling us that the turtle will hibernate between Thanksgiving and
Easter and they put him in a box underneath the kitchen sink.
What? hahaha

The work in this area is pretty slow. We aren't really teaching anyone
right now, but hopefully soon. Not going to lie it wasn't the easiest
week. I went from being super, super busy and teaching lots in
Fairfield and being inseparable with my companion and now it's a new
area with all new things, but it's okay. Sister Randall is awesome
she's very quiet but she's so nice and she cracks me up.

Today, we got a flat tire and oh, my goodness, it was the worst thing!
Just kidding, but really though fixing a flat tire is hard. And
getting a flat tire in Middletown is like asking to die because there
isn't any life to help you except for deer. It only took us 2 hours
It was so funny, but we did it so now you know who to call if you
have a flat tire. Haha just kidding don't call us. That was so stressful!
I was like let me call my dad - wait.... Hahahahhaha

I was really grateful for the General Women's Broadcast this weekend. I
had one of those moments where I was reminded that God knows us
individually. I was having a harder week. I was so grateful for President
Uchtdorf's talk. I felt that President Uchtdorf wrote that talk for me. I
felt that he was talking to me, That it isn't always going to be easy
and that you will struggle, but that if you go till the fourth floor,
last door, you will be okay. I don't know why it's still hard for
me to grasp the idea of a successful missionary, but President Uchtdorf's
talk was so comforting. I CANT MEASURE MY SUCCESS BY THE CHOICES OF
OTHERS. People will have their agency and all I can do is do my part.

I'm really grateful for the gospel and the companionship of the Holy
Ghost which allows me to feel that a talk from a worldwide broadcast
was written for me. The gospel is true. Sometimes it's hard and my
heart is sad but I have to remember how happy it is when those we love
choose to follow the Savior. I'm grateful for prayer that we are never
alone. I'm grateful for my parents who pray tirelessly so I can feel
their love and feel the Saviors love.

I love you guys so much.

Godspeed,

Sister Thurgood

Pictures:

1. Last selfie with sister Morrison at the apartment
2. Four best friends in the zone
3. Transfer photo
4.  Sister Randall trying to the tire
5. When we finally got the tire
6. Holding Sam ❤️❤️
7. In the "city part" of Middletown lol hahahah