June 15,2010 letter from Sister Kimball

From Lauren's letter June 15,2010
What a wonderful day it has been. I still haven't meet my companion yet but shortly I will. I'm the only sister among the greenies. Oh my goodness Washington is beautiful,sooooobeautiful. It was rainy when we arrived. My mission President is so sweet. It's kind of saad that they are leaving at the beginning of July...We had lunch at the Pesident's home with all the senior missionaries as well. Guess who President Showalter called on to say the blessing on the food? Me! I was totally nervous but honored to give the prayer. The mission President's wife and the secretary welcomed me with the warmest motherly love hug! I imagined hugging you, mom. They were much needed hugs. They love their sisters. I feel so special and so well treated. The Elders are so respectful towards me! I'm so excited! I can't wait. I'll be proselyting tonight and teaching and hopefully extending and iviting investigators to baptism tonight! This is a very succesful mission. They have about 192 missionaries. t's alot! They stress the importance of obedience, strong faith and hard work. I'm so excited! It's my kind of mission! This is the mission for me! This is truly where the Lord wants me to serve...its so green and beautiful and I can feel the spirit so strong here. I can't wait, but I'm very nervous but I can feel the Savior's love for me and he is greatly blessing me. He is strengthening me and taking away my fears. I met with my mission president and in the interview he asked me about my decision to go on a mission. He got to know me and we said a prayer. Than right after he said that during the prayer he felt that he needed to ask what my greatest fear was about my mission. I saaid,"Opening my mouth". He said to trust in your testimony, don't worry about the way you say it but how you say it. Say it with all your heart and the people won't know if you say something off or weird. Just say what comes from your heart. Such a sweet man! I can't beleive I'm here and I'm starting. It's so surreal! I love it and I can't wait to get to work and...sleep. It's such a priviledge to be here and to be apart of the Lord's work here on the earth...P.S. I love it here in Washington! Seriously there are trees everywhere and water. I love it! You have to come up afte my mission. Sister Kimball