Dear Roseanne,
Hey! Happy Holidays!
I am Sister Dunham. I just finished training with your lovely daughter, and I asked for your address so that I can update you on her progress that she has made!
I remember our first week together. I could tell she was having a miserable time. At our first companionship inventory she told me that she didn't even want to be on a mission and she had no idea why she came. She even said that if our mission president gave her a plane ticket home, she would gladly accept it. I am not trying to rat her out or anything...or get her into trouble but that is where she was at when she first came to me. I am sure you know that though.
Don't worry I wasn't going to give up on her. We started off working hard, popping out of bed at 6:30 am sharp! And I was starting to see a transformation in Sister Dawes.
Your daughter is a hard worker! She is very willing to help people, especially the less actives. There was a woman who has been struggling a lot with her health, mentally and physically. Your daughter was the missionary that she needed! She knew how to make this woman feel loved, more than I ever could. And I know Brinne was called to Brownwood for that specific reason, and I am sure for many other reasons.
Sister Dawes is also learning to be patient, and to not give up on any one. She has a big heart.
Her prayers to her Heavenly Father are so sincere and she is never afraid to admit her shortcomings and weaknesses.
Whenever I gave her something to work on, she always corrected it right away, and she always was open for constructive criticism so that she could become the missionary the Lord wants her to be.
She is not the same person as she was 3 months ago. For being with her 24/7 for 6 weeks, I can see the dramatic difference. You can tell that she still struggles from time to time, but the transformation she has experienced has been amazing!
I have prepared myself for a mission, and I was excited to go, and I have never doubted my choice. But to see Miss Brinne not really want to go, and not really wanting to be here ---- to take that huge leap of faith, and then stick it out.... That is a huge example to me. The Lord wanted her to be here, and even though she didn't want to be here, she is here to stay:)
A couple weeks ago I told her, "It doesn't matter why you came, but what made you stay?" She replied, "Because you changed my perspective of the mission, and now I have a joy for the work."
I was a little disappointed when I found out that i was being transferred out of Brownwood, But I realized if I helped Sister Dawes love being a missionary and helped her decide to stay, the I am good with that:) I am glad that I was able to be her companion, even if it was for a short two transfers. I learned so much from her, and I wouldn't trade that for anything! I was her trainer, but I learned so much from her!
I can not wait to see what and who she becomes after her mission. It will help her be a great mom, and wife, and I can not wait for you to see the change in her:)
Thank you for raising her, and for pushing her to come out on a mission!
I hope you have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
<3 Sister Megan Dunham
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