Helmet Hair is the real deal!

Yep folks, you read the subject right- I'm in a biking area! Ya know, for a mission that said that only elders biked and that sisters always got cars, I was surprised when President Tateoka looked at me (and this was even before we met all our companions) and said I would be going to a biking area. So yeah, that's been a HUGE adventure!

My legs aren't as sore anymore (the first 3 days were the worst), but no matter where we seem to go, we always end up drenched by the end of the night. Apparently in Oregon, there are usually  weeks in which it's hot (90 degrees or so), and guess what...that's right now! haha, it's not too bad, I guess being an Arizona girl helps me to better endure through the blazing sun on our backs. But downside- about half the dresses and skirts are NOT biking worthy. But that's ok! I'm getting along well!

So hold on! There's so much to write- I can't keep track!

Rewind:

So I arrived in Oregon last Wednesday morning. We spent the night at the mission home with President and Sister Tateoka and they are seriously the SWEETEST! President is such a spiritual giant and Sister Tateoka loves to take charge. The next morning we drove to the stake center where we all met our companions. My companion's name is Sister Schmoekel. She is from California and has been on her mission for exactly a year. She and I were sent to a town called Lebanon (pronounced Lebanen). 

So on top of being on bikes, we are in a white-washed area, which basically means that we are both BRAND-NEW here. We were basically dropped off at our apartment with our bikes, luggage, map and list of people we should contact.  And that's exactly what we've been doing for the past few days. Knocking, and talking, and biking, and talking to every single person we come across. Some are nice. Some are...not to nice. But miracles are real! 

I LOVE our ward! They were so very welcoming and within the first hour, we received so many referrals of people we could visit. They are very happy to help us in any way they can- which is AWESOME because we're on bikes. We haven't even tracked through 1/4 of our mission because it's just so big! We live in the heart of Lebanon, but up north the houses are much more spread out, making it much more difficult to get up there. 

Anyways, that was my spiel of the last 4ish days I've been here-and so many more to go!  Sister Schmoekel and I are working hard to get appointments and find those who are ready to receive the message of the restored gospel!

I love teaching- and now that I've got a taste of it, it's so exciting! I love working and studying and praying, it has made a huge impact on my life. Today in my letter I want to testify to those who read it that the Spirit is so real! The Holy Ghost has helped me so much in my transition to missionary life and how much comfort, peace and guidance I can receive from prayer. Some days have been really hard, and prayer has been my steering wheel. And I'm glad it has.

Miracle of the week was when we were trying to contact people and I felt like we should go visit one girl on our list. Someone that the elders before us had completely lost contact with. We went to her door- and SHE OPENED IT! Truly a miracle, and the message we shared was something she desperately needed to here. She got a new number (which explained loss of contact), and she has been working crazy hours to support her son in the hospital. Truly a miracle and I'm so thankful for the Spirit to have prompted me to go visit her. 

I love you all and I can't thank you enough for all your support. God be with you till we meet again!

All my love, 

Sister McCown