I Made It To My New Area – Lockport, New York

Editor’s note: Many are familiar with my daughter, Sara Arkell, also known as The Piano Gal. Sara has been called to serve in the New York Syracuse Mission. This is a series on her weekly letters that we will be posting on the site for those who wish to follow along with her mission. You can read her previous emails here.

Hello friends and family! Reporting live from Lockport, New York. 

 

This week felt so long but we made it through! Saying goodbye to people in Rome was so hard. I really did bury my heart in that area and it broke my heart to leave. It’s crazy to think that back in February those people were strangers & now they feel like family. They’re so special to me. 

 

Transfers were so fun because basically the whole mission was there!! Said goodbye to the departing missionaries (some of my best friends) & met up with my new companions woot woot. Can’t believe I’m companions with Sister Dean again!! And Sister Dustin is the sweetest! They are both going home this transfer…I get to learn this area super quickly so I can lead it out next transfer! 

 

 

The people here in Lockport are great 🙂 it’s definitely weird transitioning to a new area but it’s a fun adventure! We are teaching an awesome family. They have have 11 year old son who is SO ELECT. Wow he’s absolutely incredible! He really wants to be baptized!! His mom isn’t against being baptized either but wants to take it slower and his dad is really stubborn and says he doesn’t believe in God but he totally does. We had a church tour on Saturday with them! They came to church the next day! And we had dessert with them & the Bishop’s family last night! It’s perfect.  

 

God is so good to me. I’ve been struggling a lot with leaving Rome this week. You really feel all the emotions on a mission – happiness and joy, sadness, disappointment, motivation & drive, frustration, exhaustion, and more haha. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster this week! BUT I’ve been praying for the strength to make it through and I’ve been praying that I will somehow feel like this is truly where I need to be right now.

 

 

Yesterday at church, during the sacrament hymn, I felt the most calming peace. I felt the Holy Ghost comfort me and confirm to me that Lockport is where God wants me right now and He has a work specifically for me to do. The members are all so welcoming and it really is a wonderful ward. Our chapel has actual pews to sit in & the ward members sing the hymns so loud! I’m very grateful that God helped me have that special experience that I can remember & lean on whenever I’m struggling 🙂 

 

 

I also got word that one of our friends in Rome did get baptized on Saturday!! She is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!!!!  I am so so proud of her. I’m very grateful that God gave me the opportunity to teach her for almost 6 months & help her work towards this amazing step. I love her so much!

 

I love being a missionary. Even amidst all the struggles, it really is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever been a part of. If you’re thinking about going on a mission, JUST DO IT. You will feel the greatest joy you’ve ever felt & you will learn so much! I wouldn’t trade it for the world 🙂

 

Have the best week my friends! I love you all! 

 

Sister Arkell

261 Beattie Ave #2
Lockport, NY 14094