This week on Sister Cale in Columbus-the sisters went to Zone Conference (it was awesome), the Sisters coordinated with the ward mission leader and the Elders on their display and booth for First Friday (it's going to be awesome, you can follow the happenings through #foundmyfam), the Sisters went to iPad training and it was much less about iPads and much more about the appropriate use of technology across not only our missions, but our lives (it was also awesome). And of course in between the Sisters had hilarity and tender mercies and so many other things. Sister Cale had psychology flashbacks to Alfred Ellis and Evan Pavlov. Life was good.

Hi Friendlies!

How are you all? Things here are great! We have really had a blessed week this last week. I was honestly really amazed that we were able to accomplish everything that we did because of all the meetings that we ended up having. The meetings were however, absolutely worth it in relation to the upset of the missionary time continuum. I love meetings where all the missionaries get together. They're getting increasingly fun as I know more missionaries as well. 

Our first major meeting of the week was Zone Conference. I can't even express just how much I love President and Sister Daines. I am officially on board with the statement that President Farrel made when he said that he felt that I had been called to the Ohio Columbus Mission in part for who my mission president and his wife are. I totally get it now and absolutely agree. The first portion of Zone Conference was all about the transitive verbs that we use to describe the Atonement. It was so cool to talk about all of the things that the Atonement is and does for us, despite the fact that our limited human minds really can't fully comprehend the complexity and depth of the Atonement. At one point President said something like, "Our imperfect human minds will never truly comprehend the Atonement, but that should never prevent us from learning as much about it as we can." I loved that. We also talked about Anti-Mormon material, obedience, and the conference talk, "Stay by the Tree". It was great and it was super fun to get to see the other Sisters, because as Sisters we mostly just see Elders, so it's kind of fun to get some girl time. 

Our other major meeting this week was in preparation to receive our iPads next week! We gathered as an entire mission, which was huge and crazy and very much like a reunion. All of my MTC Sisters were there are I know lots of the other missionaries now that I've been out longer than .2 seconds. The coolest part about the training was that there really weren't additional rules for what we have already been instructed to do. The rules remained the same, because iPads are just another tool. We talked with Brother Watson from the missionary department about all the ins and outs of the program and the thing I like best about the program is that it comes from the Brethren understanding that you can't just take missionaries away from the entire world wide web for eighteen months and two years and then expect them to have the skills necessary to make the best choices with technology. Being away from the internet doesn't give missionaries the ability to make better choices than they did before they left, because being away from the internet doesn't really give you a choice. With the iPads we are going to have greater agency in choosing how we use our new tool to accomplish the Lord's purpose while on our missions and after. It was really so cool.

We had a Saturday where we were able to accomplish way more work than we could have done on our own, and I know that is because we had set goals that were a bit crazy and Heavenly Father knew that we were willing to work to make them happen. I love when we have days where our plans clearly indicate that we were listening to the spirit. It's just so reassuring. 

Among other things we continue to be spoiled by our amazing ward and are really excited for P-day tomorrow so we can get our apartment clean and go grocery shopping. Transfer week is always so weird and in some ways it's kind of fun to watch the missionaries start to freak out about whether or not they're going to be leaving. It's all such a guessing game and the torture of it is less than delicious. 

We're really excited about our First Friday booth. It's too bad that you all can't come to Sandusky Street. If all goes well the people of Ohio will post on their Facebooks, Instagrams, and Twitters using the hashtag #foundmyfam. You guys could follow along. It's going to be pretty cool if...when it all comes together. 

Well my darlings, the church is true, life is good, God's in charge, Satan hates you, and I love you all!

Love,

Jessica