bubbly and sister missionary

i was talking with a friend the other night, and we have gotten to a point in our friendship where we could share with each other what our first impressions were of one another.

it was a bit scary, and i really didn't want him to tell me what he really thought of me (that is so me to think, right? haha) but i swallowed my pride, and asked him to tell.

his response: bubbly and sister missionary.

bubbly -- ok. i get it. i am a loud mouth, talk to everyone. i could accept that graciously.

sister missionary. mmmmm. this one i had such mixed emotions. 1.) my mission is what made me who i am today. i could never imagine my life without knowing those people of argentina. 2.) when a guy says that to you 'sister missionary', i never feel like that is a good thing, but rather comes with the connotation of one who was needy, trying to pass time till she found a husband, and just another 'adventure' for social purposes, ms. molly mormon.

after i put a stink up, as dramatic as i am, about it, this friend proved me wrong. dare i say even put me in my place and humbled me a bit. he said that by saying 'sister misisonary' he could see those traits that a missionary holds, in me, as i carried myself. as we were out in public, he observed how i would go up and talk to perfect strangers, care about them in a short period of time. it is in that moment that he sees the sister missionary talise come out.

in that moment, what a HUGE compliment he had just given me. i am so grateful, and am proud of the person that my mission made me become. i'm not perfect, and i am 100% this friend could say that he doesn't alway see the sister missionary in me all the time. but the fact that he HAS seen that part of my life come out, and that it DOES still emanate from me, i am grateful. it is a true testament of how my mission, the people of argentina, and the gospel of Jesus Christ can change people.

so if that is the first impression i give people, bubbly and sister missionary, i will graciously accept it.

**disclaimer: this is my interpretation of our conversation, i will reserve my friends right to explain himself differently in using the term 'sister missionary' haha.