February 11

Hello! or as we say in Finland, Moi! (not pronounced French of course. it's pronounced moy) Sister Phermsin is teaching me Finnish. by the time I leave I'll probably be fluent. Haha no way. That language is so hard.
I'm so sorry to hear about Jessica and Travis. What sweet and special names to give her. I hope they are doing okay. I'm grateful we have a family that pulls together in times like this.
This week I remembered how miserable and lonely missions can be. Satan works so hard because he knows great things are happening or about to happen. And I felt the greatest opposition right before we had some great teaches this week.
We saw C. and R. again for the first time since Christmas. It was so good to see them again and as we talked with them I just had the clear feeling that this is missionary work. What we were doing with them in their home was real missionary work. Numbers and progress records and all that jazz are great because they help us focus our efforts and strive to be better, but that's not how real missionary work is measured. It's in the moments that you spend with people. It's the feeling that you are doing and saying what Christ would do and say if he were ministering to these people right now. That is pretty special and it makes all those miserable moments worth it.
A couple weeks ago I made friends with this adorable family that came to the visitors' centre. Jake, Olivia, Lucy, and William. I don't remember if I told you about them. Jake is 12 and doesn't talk to me much, but he reminds me a lot of Elijah in the way he looks and he's almost taller than me. Lucy (5) and William (18 mo) are so cute, but Olivia (8) has really become my friend. They told me they were coming again this week and I was excited to see them and when they got to the visitors' centre their mum told me they were so excited to see me again. Olivia just acted like I was her doll and wanted me to spend all my time with her. I coloured with them for a bit. Another five year old joined us and started telling us about her boyfriend who lives in America. Olivia gave me this confused look. It was so funny! Then the other girl said she's five and that she turns eight in a couple weeks. haha and she was so serious about it all! Olivia was sad when her mum said they needed to go, but I think they are coming back in a couple weeks. I really hope they come one more time before I leave. It's fun making friends all over England. I'm not sure where they live but I'm pretty sure it's not in this mission, so I never would have met them if they didn't come to the visitors' centre.
Well, I'm almost out of time again. Time is crazy. and one hour for emailing is just not enough.
Today my plan is to sleep and sleep and sleep as much as I can. and maybe write some letters. maybe. but first I will sleep. i am soooooo tired.
Have a wonderful week! Thank you for your prayers. I need them so very very much!!!!! Thanks for keeping me posted on everything.
I love you all!!!
Love,
Sister Reneer

February 4

(I wrote to Ruth telling her that Elijah didn't like her new look with fringe/bangs)
haha Elijah's reaction sounds just how I feel when I catch glimpses of you all growing up. I'm afraid I won't know you when I get home. But tell Elijah not to worry. I'm still Ruth, no matter how I do my hair. He can still run from my hugs and I'll still take him to ME crepes when I get home :) and he's still one of my heroes.
There's a lot to say, but I'm almost out of time.
This has been a pretty diverse week. I enjoyed my time in Orpington. Sister Santo is amazing and so sweet. We got to do some knocking in the rain and met a cool guy named Roger who will hopefully meet with the missionaries again. Walking everywhere again was exhausting, but we also had fun. I remembered how dark this world really is. I get to live in a nice bubble at the visitors' centre. I admire so much those missionaries that are just the two of them in a city full of darkness that they are bringing light to. That can be so hard and feel so lonely, but I know we are not alone and that we will succeed because this isn't our work, it's the Lord's.
I was back on Wednesday and spent some time with Sister Cabrera before she left. I have missed her so much. and it's been a bit rough transitioning, but the new sister, Sister Phermsin, is awesome and I think we will have fun as we serve together.
Yesterday I played the piano in primary again. I love the primary. They remind me of being a big sister. These kids are coming to know me and I love being their friend.
Being a missionary is still one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I am surviving and learning lots along the way.
sorry i don't have time for more.
Love you all lots and lots!!!!
have a wonderful week!

January 28

How fun to hear about all those missionaries!!!! Jakob and Ali are going to be awesome. So many changes in the family. I can hardly stand it. But that's okay, because I've changed too--I have a fringe, I speak British, I like Mayonnaise, I drive on the left side of the road, and I drink tea. Missions are pretty amazing! :)
We got to watch one of the men in our ward open his mission call this week. His name is Jason and he got baptized less than a year ago and he is going to preach the gospel in GREECE!!!! How crazy is that?! And a couple in this ward just got back from being the mission president there, so they'll be able to tell him all about it. Apparently, he'll get thrown in jail a few times and there are only 30 missionaries and no Americans are allowed. It sounds pretty crazy and exciting. Another young man recently got his call to Australia Brisbane. So the missionary enthusiasm is spreading here, too! These guys are like celebrities in the ward. It's kind of funny.
When does Eliza get home? Won't she be home before Alison goes out? I sure hope she doesn't get married before I get home..... I'd be so upset.
One of my biggest adventures this week was driving to London! Well, kind of driving to London. When we first got started, we followed the signs pointing to London, so I was driving to London, but technically we actually went to Guildford. Sister Cabrera had a doctor appointment there and we got permission for me to take her. Fortunately, she's a great co-pilot and our satnav is trusty. But those motorways are so big!!! It was like intense freeway driving. It was cool, but I prefer small, twisty, country roads. The motorway is rather boring.
By the way, I'm in Orpington. Surprise! But only for a couple days. We got a new visitors' centre sister on Tuesday. She is half Thai/half Swedish and from Finland. Sister Maughan is training her, and after Sister Cabrera leaves I'll be in a tri with them till the end of February when we are getting another sister mid-transfer so I'll have to go back to the field. At least, that's the tentative plan. And I've learned these 'plans' are always tentative. Sometimes God likes to wait till the last moment to tell us where we're going. But one of the sisters from Orpington is also going home this transfer and they spend the last few days at the temple, so her companion is on her own till Wednesday. But obviously that's against the rules and she needs a companion soooo last night they came to the visitors' centre and we had a little farewell party for Sister Cabrera and Sister Corbett. Then I came back to Orpington with Sister Santo and I'll be here till Wednesday. It's a cute area. Very posh. And it's the closest I've been to London! And the next two days will be full of finding. woot woot. I was worried that I've forgotten how to be a non-visitors' centre missionary, but hopefully it comes back. Sister Santo just finished her training with Sister Corbett, so I guess I'm the 'old' missionary in this companionship which is so weird. I'm still a child on the inside. I still have insecurities and I'm not perfect. WHAT?!?!?! I thought for sure by 10 months I'd be a pro. Guess I'll just have to keep growing....
Well, I can't think of any other interesting or exciting things to tell you. We visit people, we teach people, we study, we make mistakes, we repent, I drive around, I sing, and we learn a bit more every day. I met a couple little girls named Emma this week. They were both very adorable. There were sooooo many children at the visitors' centre on Saturday. It was like primary/a playground. They were kind of crazy.
The snow has melted and today Orpington is sunny, clear, and cold. It's beautiful. I like it here.
Well, out of time. I hope you enjoyed another random, rambling email from Sister Reneer.
Love you all!!!
-Sister Reneer
P.S. I got a letter from Larisa this week which was simply delightful. She is so wonderful.