It's already Monday??

Time is very different to a missionary.

Everything we do requires a tight schedule. I'm constantly checking my watch (i even sleep with it on) and we talk about time for appointments, meals, and finding frequently. 

Yet, with all of the stress on time, it passes so quickly. And then it's Pday again and I have no idea how I got here and I don't even know what has happened in the last 7 days.

The days are slow, the weeks are a little faster, and the months disappear without me even realizing it. But let's put a heavy emphasis on the slowwwww days lately.

But at least it's only been in the low 80s, so that's been nice haha.

So, I can't really tell you what all happened this last week because I can't even tell myself. We currently don't have many people to teach, so we spend our days walking and talking to everyone everywhere. 

Sign wavers on the corners? Sure.

People pumping gas? Okay.

Crossing guards? Might as well.

Mail men? Why not?

Sketchy people at night? I guess so!

It's times like these that we REALLY have to look for the good things, otherwise life seems awfully depressing. But when we look for them, they're always there!

Example A: we were having a really rough day and then we got a referral, went to go meet her, and found out she only wanted to meet with us because she is writing a school paper on polygamy. Bear with me, it doesn't sound like a blessing, but it provided enough humor and quotes to get us through that day.

Example B: we got pretty much guilt tripped and freaked out on by our bishop about some new missionary ideas President is having all of us do, but he bought us a full rack of ribs each. Worth it.

Example C: our investigator didn't show up to church today, but you know who did? A random Swedish lady. And she was awesome.

This week was full of walking, bandaging, and eating. So basically, it was great. And I'm ready or another week! Some big crazy miracle will probably happen or something.

I love you all!

Sister Trebotich

Pretty much explains our week. Haha.

Life is good.

Lessons from a missionary

Okay, okay. Can I start off by saying that being a missionary is THE BEST?

I should know, I've been one for a year now. Wait, WHAT? How did that happen?!

There are all sorts of parts of being a missionary, and they're all great (even when they're not).

There's the seeing-the-fruits-of-your-labor part. AKA, the part everyone thinks is a much larger part than it really is.

Sometimes you get to see baptisms. And when you talk to people they actually want to talk to you and are interested in learning more. Sometimes investigators actually show up to church. Sometimes your numbers look reeeeeeal good and match the effort level you put in. Okay, SOMETIMES.

Then there's the awkward part. AKA, the part everyone jokes about but is actually a real life struggle.

Sometimes you have to teach people about commandments that they're definitely not living. Sometimes you have to tell people things that you sure don't want to tell them. Sometimes you have to ride around with ridiculous sweat marks, helmets, and pictures of Jesus that you're trying to talk to people about and they straight ignore you. Sometimes you get asked out and creepy men fall in love with you. All in all, it can be quite uncomfortable.

Then there's the hard part. AKA, the part that probably definitely takes up the majority of the time.

Sometimes you get companions you don't jive with very well. Sometimes you're in a ward that just doesn't want to do missionary work so your area is completely dead, and sometimes your Ward just doesn't even like YOU. Sometimes you have days where you just walk and bike trying to find someone to teach for 9 hours. Sometimes you go days and days and days without teaching when others around you are baptizing. Sometimes you have to drop those you love because they're not progressing, or EVEN WORSE, they drop YOU when they are so close to getting it. Sometimes your faith is tested, hard. I didn't understand what 'hard' was before my mission. 

Then there's the fun part. AKA the part everyone tells you about before your mission to get you all excited.

Sometimes you meet your absolute best friends. Sometimes the most ridiculous things happen to you and you get the best stories out of them. Sometimes you get completely soaked riding bikes in garbage bags and being complete dorks because there really is no avoiding that one. It's just FUN.

Then there's the miracle part. AKA the part that makes it all worth it.

Sometimes you see people literally changing their lives to be more like Jesus Christ. Sometimes you meet people who are LOOKING a for the truth, and you get to help them find it. Sometimes you meet people who you KNOW were placed in your path for a reason. Sometimes (all the time) Heavenly Father blesses you in the most unexpected ways.

And finally, there's the learning part. AKA the part that sticks with you for all eternity.

I am not who I was before, and I am never going to be her again.

I've learned more about myself and about my Savior in the last year than I have my ENTIRE life. I've never relied on Him more and I've never understood His love so much. Jesus Christ is truly my best friend.

This last year has been the best, most rewarding, hardest, awkward, most life-changing year of my life. And I'm grateful for every minute of it, even when I don't feel that way at the time. The tag I wear has become who I am, and I am so proud to represent the Lord. 

Love you all, have the best week!

Sister Trebotich

God bless America.

1 year celebration pie!

I still have a ridiculous green flower stained on me. Face painting with the young women.

Josh (my newest little brother)