These shoes I wear are gospel shoes

As I was listening to music Sunday morning as I was getting ready for the day, I heard the line, "These shoes I wear are gospel shoes." I looked down at my nasty shoes and I couldn't help but laugh. So I thought for this weekly update I would tell you all the cool places that my gospel shoes have taken me.

 

This has been the best week and I am seriously so happy!! It's unfair for the rest of the world because of how happy I am. Well the week started out with an amazing P-day! I've said this before a hundred times but Florida is so beautiful! Everywhere I go I see a new animal I never even knew existed or a beautiful view. Well although Florida is beautiful, it's not near as beautiful as the people here. I got to spend P-day with Diane! Me and my warn out nasty not-so-white anymore, flats headed out to the IKEA that opened a couple months ago. Neither Sister Lane or Diane had been to IKEA before so I was pretty excited to show them.

 

It was so much fun!! Diane even found a few things that she wanted and she planned out her dream kitchen complete with a farmers sink. We grab some cinnamon rolls on the way out but they weren't near as good as Diane homemade ones. Then as we were driving on the freeway with the Tampa skyline on my right, Diane looks over at me and says, " Do you have time for a surprise"  Um why not. So we start driving and I am like hmm, where we going then she starts counting down, " 10,9,8,7,6...." Then I saw it.... The Ocean... well ok the Tampa Bay but still, water!! Oh my goodness I was soooo happy!! I started screaming and everyone started laughing. We drove over this huge bridge and I was taking pictures like a fool. Don't worry my shoes never left the car, but it was so pretty!!  I pretty much love Diane so stinking much!!! 

Also, one of these days ( I can't remember which one because they really all start to mix together) my trusty tracting shoe and I were biking to an area to go tracting and some how was missed the street and ended up biking all the way around but we saw some pretty scenery. I want to introduce you to my new investiGATOR, Al. He is a little slothful but I am not giving up yet :)  

 

We saw 7 alligators, huge ones, a bunch of turtles, and this monster of a bird that looked like a penguin on stilts. Holy cow I love Florida.

 

Saturday was a great day!! It started out doing a service project of cleaning out someones garage. That was great because not only do I love serving people but I also got to wear pants. Anyday I don't have to wear a skirt is usually a good day. As I was filling through all the stuff I came across the most beautiful shoes I had ever seen. There they were sitting in the box silently whispering "Sister Thomas, I need a good home. Please love me." I gently picked them up and I think I fell in love. They were black vans with , get this, purple hippos on them. Um, yes does that not say my name of what? The lady told me to take them and they were brand new. These will forever be my gospel shoes! 

 

After that we ran over to the church to get ready for Barbaras baptism! Oh my gosh, best day ever. President Summerhays and his wife showed up and it was just such an amazing day for me, well until I found out that I was supposed to sing for her.... Oh no. Yeah for those of you who are unaware of this, singing in front of people is probably my worst fear. We got the President Summerhays and some other missionaries to join and it actually turned out alright. I had the priviledge of helping Barbara before and after she was baptized. I watched her walk in to the water and waited for her with her towel when she was done. After she came out, she hugged me and started crying. I was doing just fine until then, but then it hit me just how awesome this moment was. I said, " Barbara, can we be friends forever?" She said, " Of course you silly girl. I love the gospel and I love sharing it. There is nothing better! 

 

 

 

Then Sunday the Bishop surprised me and asked me to give an impromptu talk in Sacrament. Thanks.... that was scary but it was really good for me. 

 

Now that I have contained myself this entire email, I will tell you what me and my new hippo shoes are doing today......

I AM GOING TO BUSCH GARDENS!!!  AH!! I can see all the roller coasters from my area and everyone talks about it but I never thought in a million years I would ge to go especially on my mission. There is a guy in our ward who works there and since today is Sister Lanes last P-day on her mission, he got us in for free. The president gave us permission and so I get to spend the day riding roller coasters!!! I am so happy. I don't think missions should be this amazing. Sorry all you RMs out there but I am pretty sure that my mission is pretty much better than yours. THe most amazing companions, teaching awesome people, wonderful baptisms, alligator, hurricanes and Busch Gardens. Yup, I Love my life!!

 

Well I got to get going but I love you all. Have a wonderful week

 

Love

Sister Grace Thomas