Hoooaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh,
We'll just call it awkward. This whole week has been weird. Weird and refreshing. Story of my life.
Seriously. I think that the falcon watchers kind of sum up what the scoop is. So, a few weeks ago, there was a HUGE deal in Salt Lake about these darling baby falcons. You know me, I love the birds (Yay Bodega Bay!).
This family of falcons built a nest in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. So, in lieu of this, locals have teamed up and started what I like to consider Falcon Watch. They bring their lawn chairs, hairly legs and chest hair, binoculars and sassy falcon watcher attitudes. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. They are my people. Most days I feel inclined to pull up a borrowed Visitor's Center wheelchair. One day we were talking to a man named Jeff about the falcon situation (yep. I like updates). He said that Charlie, the baby falcon, wasn't doing so well. He was just learning how to fly. So, we were all a little worried that he would fly into oncoming traffic or even a shiny window. PLUS, Charlie the falcon took a little hiatus for about 26 hours with no spotting. So, sincerely, I said, "Well, I will definitely keep Charlie in my prayers. I hope we find him!" Jeff, rolling his eyes a little, said, "Better yet, try looking for him".
I loved that moment. Hello gospel principle! Prayers without a little action won't get anyone too far. But action without a little prayer is the same. The combination of Heaven's help through prayer, plus the determination to do our best is the BEST and MOST EFFECTIVE combo. You can thank Jeff for that one.
My weeks are filling up with lots of meetings, evaluations and numbers. One of my favorite experiences took place this week with Sister Tizhanina (from Russia) and Sister Parrella (from Brazil). Sister Yao and I were assigned to help evaluate what we could do to help them improve and celebrate what they are doing well. It's Sister Parrella's first week here. She's new. She's wonderful. After an hour with them, we were able to see how incredible these two really are. The most beautiful thing about their companionship is how much they let each other blossom! Sister Tizhanina treats Sister Parrella as an equal. As she is.
Basically, Heavenly Father keeps re-teaching me that letting other people learn by doing is the most effective (and supportive) form of leadership. That's Christ-like leadership if I've ever heard it.
THANK YOU TAMARRA!!!!!! Yep. So much love for you. THANK YOU! Tears were shed. I am really missing you right now--especially during this funny transfer. Who will watch PMG evaluation with me on our fancy DVD players? Oh and Carol big tooth grins at you and says Hi back. As does Evelyn. Evelyn has bangs now too, by the way. Super in style.
AND!! I announced in Danish on Sunday after the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Music and the Spoken Word performance!! Yeah!!
My favorite clip of the week: Hooray for research analysts! Especially when Tom claims Silicon Valley as one of his former homes.
LOVE YOU ALL!!
Hope you got a kick out of the falcon story.
Love you!
Soster Amy
