Sister Tanner had a very eventful birthday week! She turned the big 21! "It was one of the best birthdays ever, and I'll never forget it", she said. She is blessed to be surrounded by people who love her so much, and who made this week so special for her!
This week started off with a fun sports day on Monday. Last week, Sister Tanner got knocked around quite a bit, but this week was her companion Sister Hancock's turn. As the Missionaries were all playing volleyball, she hurt her ankle really badly! "She is one tough cookie", Sister Tanner said. That night, the Sisters enjoyed Family Home Evening with a wonderful family from their ward.
Tuesday was Sister Tanner's Golden 21st Birthday! 21 on 21! "It was the best day ever", she said. She woke up that morning, and opened her presents. Afterwards, her and Sister Hancock taught their District Training Meeting! Their training was on using the Sacrament prayers to help explain baptismal covenants. "Everything we did was totally inspired. It went really well", Sister Tanner said. All the Missionaries seemed to really enjoy it! After their training, all the other districts came into their room to sing "Happy Birthday" to Sister Tanner. She felt so loved! She also enjoyed a yummy birthday dinner at a member's home that night. She was treated to so many sweets that day! The members of her ward showered her with cupcakes, cookies, and ice cream! She was also able to attend the Relief Society Recipe Group Activity that night. They all sang "Happy Birthday" to her there as well. "We had a blast", Sister Tanner said! She was so spoiled and loved by all the sweet members in West Allis on her special day! "My birthday was fantastic. I'll never forget it! Everyone made me feel super special! Members, Sister Hancock, all the Missionaries, you guys, it was great! It feels weird to be 21 now. I feel like I'm not mature enough to be 21. I'm an old fart now! Feels like just yesterday I was having my sweet sixteen in Tahoe! Where does time go", Sister Tanner said. We are all so glad she had such a special birthday!
On Wednesday, the Sisters found out that Sister Hancock tore the ligaments in her ankle! They had a doctor appointment for her, and she was given a boot type cast to wear. They were able to relax after the appointment, and watch Saturday's Warriors at a ward member's house. They had a fun dinner that night with a family who took them to a pizza place. You can build your own crustless pizzas there, and they bake it with all the toppings you could want on top! How fun! Sister Tanner said it was really good!
Sister Tanner was able to use the skills she taught in her District training with a less active member on Thursday. "We used the sacrament prayers to remind her of her baptismal covenants. The spirit was so strong! I love it! She's so close to coming back, but Satan is working so hard on her", Sister Tanner said.
Sister Tanner was so grateful for the help she received from so many sweet ward members on Friday. Since the Sisters don't drive in this area, it is hard for them to get around with Sister Hancock's injury. So many people were able to take turns driving the Sisters around to appointments and to contact people. They were so grateful! At one point during the day, they were able to go to the library to work and study. While they were there, they visited lds.org. Sister Tanner was so excited to see the new video on the Church website about family history! It is titled, "A Voice Said I Am Not A Son", and it features a woman she knows from back home. Sister Tanner has grown to love family history, and has a huge testimony of it. She absolutely loved this video! "I love her! I started freaking out that I knew her", Sister Tanner said.
Visit lds.org to learn more.
That night, after an amazing fondue dinner, the Sisters participated in a Wisconsin Missionary tradition. It is a tradition, that on a milestone of your mission you burn something. Since it is Sister Hancock's 6 month mark, and Sister Tanner's 9 month mark, it was the perfect timing! Sister Tanner burned a ruined skirt, and Sister Hancock burned a sock. So much fun!
After their burning of the items, Sister Tanner and Sister Hancock had the opportunity to teach the niece of a member in their ward. "She's 13 and ready to learn about the gospel. We introduced the Book of Mormon to her and she wants to read it! She's the cutest 13 year old ever, and I absolutely LOVE her. She even said the closing prayer and it totally sounded like she was already a member! I pray that we will get to keep teaching her", Sister Tanner said. The young girl's dad gave permission for her to be taught the gospel and even baptized. "I'm so excited to see what happens with her", Sister Tanner said. I'm sure the light and love of the gospel in Sister Tanner's eyes is a huge inspiration for this young girl. We are so proud of the amazing missionary she is, and what a positive example she is for all these young girls that she meets.
On Saturday, the Sisters received the transfer news! Sister Hancock is being transferred to Racine, WI. Sister Tanner is staying in West Allis, WI and will be training a brand new Missionary straight from the MTC! She is a little nervous, but so excited! This is what Sister Tanner had to say about the news, "I'm super sad that she's leaving. She'll always be one of my best friends. She's taught me so much, and we've had the most fun while working hard! Even the members are sad that our "dynamic duo" is getting broken up! I'm super scared to train here. I don't know the bus system as well as Sister Hancock, so please pray that I won't get us lost! I'm excited to train though! I think it will help me a lot." We know that she will be an amazing trainer!
That night, Sister Tanner was able to spend time with one of her favorite families! A bunch of couples from the ward came over, and they all played "Marshmallow wars" together! "So much fun! I love them", Sister Tanner said.
Sunday was Sister Hancock's last day at Church with Sister Tanner. All the members were sad to have to say goodbye. She was asked to bear her testimony in Sacrament Meeting for the last time. Sister Tanner was so excited to receive a Missionary care package from the youth in the Stake. They made all the Missionaries packages for an activity. What a cute idea! Later that night, Sister Tanner had dinner at the home of one of the Bishopric. He was just put in as a counselor! "He is such a humble guy", Sister Tanner said. "He was just reactivated 3 years ago, and his wife was baptized then. They have such a strong testimony. He said without the Missionaries, he wouldn't be active and his wife wouldn't be a member. What a great family!" The remainder of the night, the Sisters went to visit families so that Sister Hancock could say goodbye to them!
Sister Tanner had an amazing birthday week, and a great last week with her dear friend and companion Sister Hancock. She has an exciting new week ahead of her, and we can hardly wait to hear about it! We know she will be an amazing trainer and companion to her new Missionary!
Sister Tanner's Message:
"It's been a great week! Today and tomorrow are more frigid temps. Everyone says this is the coldest winter in 20 years in Wisconsin! OF COURSE! But the work continues! I love you all so much! PS: I finished the Pearl of Great Price this morning! SO GREAT!"
Favorite Scriptures of The Week:
1 Nephi 17:3, "And this we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."
1 Nephi 17:13, "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."
D&C 90:24, "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another."
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