Guess who made it to Washington!!

Hello again. 

Ya know, before coming out I always thought to myself "I am going to excitedly write an email every single week". Yes, I have written an email every week, have I done it enthusiastically, no, but that's ok. Just know that I am doing it for all of you because I love you.

Pre-Washington

The last few days of the MTC were great! Definitely exhausting and I now hate doing role-plays with a passion, but it’s all ok! It was so hard saying goodbye to everyone. Everyone left either thursday or friday, and us sisters got up both mornings at 3:50 to go out and say bye to those who were leaving. I love all of them and miss ‘em like crazy!


ELDER BEDNAR

Elder Bednar came and spoke tuesday night for the devotional and it was incredible! There had been a rumor going around campus that he was going to come, but I didn’t actually believe it. I’m glad I was wrong. There is such a special spirit when you're in the presence of an apostle. He talked a lot about repentance. One thing he said that I really like was that “repentance isn’t just about changing your behavior, it’s about changing your heart”. Which is so true. You have to be completely converted to change and turn towards Christ. You can’t just repent half heartedly, you have to be all in. 


Travel

Ya know, it is quite the adventure traveling with a group of 19, basically, teenagers. We first got on a bus, rode two trains, two airplanes, and rode in 3 cars to make it to my area. When we first landed in Yakima it all kind of hit me what was actually happening. It’s still all so surreal, but I am actually in my area as a missionary for Christ. Let’s just say I had to hold back a lot of tears… but I was not successful. Oh! Huge blessing! The day I got here I got to see my friend Emma who has been serving in the same mission for over 6 months! It was so good to give her a big hug and see someone from home.


Companion

My new companion is Sister Spencer. She is from montana and her family trains horses so that is kinda crazy! They definitely paired us up right! She’s been such a great trainer and I’m learning so much.


The field

Y’all, I don’t know exactly what I was expecting missionary work to look like on the daily, but let me tell you, I am way more tired then I ever expected I would be. I’m in a walking area, and let’s just say we have knocked A LOT of doors. I was not expecting all of the lessons we’re teaching to be on door steps, but hey, however you can spread the good word I guess. 

The ward members here are absolutely incredible! I honestly felt like a celebrity on sunday. 


Classic Trucks are the key

Ok, so most of the time I’ve just been observing, trying to figure out the lingo, but we came up to this one house and he had an old chevy square body, and I was like “I got this, I can talk about this to open up the conversation”. So we went and knocked on the door, I talked to him about his truck for a bit, and then we ended up teaching him for about 30-45 minutes and he might be coming to church next week! So thanks dad for teaching me everything I now know so I could have the confidence to talk with someone with potential!


Spiritual Thought

One aspect of repentance that Elder Bednar talked about was how repentance can be so so simple. It can simply being turning to Christ in the little everyday things you do. Instead of scrolling on social media, read a quote or a scripture, instead of gossiping with your friends talk about the good that you have seen in people. Try and think of some little way you can change and turn to Christ, and I know you will see many blessings.


I love you all, sorry the email was kinda dry!

Sister Wanlass


New Comp:  Sister Spencer

Volleyball with the District

Last pic all together

Temple Trip at my favorite temple...Provo City Center!

The truck that gave me confidence!

Saying goodbye at the mission office

The Day of Travel

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