Casi llegamos a los translados...:/

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Well this week has been pretty great! We haven't had a lot of lessons but we have been searching out many people and we know that as we are diligent, we are blessed!

 

Two days ago, I went on exchange to one of the English areas in the mission. It was very intereseting! You know, I teach in English all the time at the Visitor's Center but that is mostly just about the Temple. When I give full lessons there they are in Spanish. So it was fun to teach in English for a change. Also - I loved the companion I was with! Her name is Sister Tembo and she is from Zambia! She is like the sweetest person on the planet and I love talking to her :D She is so funny! She just kind of brings up subjects we have since passed and just laughs at the ridiculousness that happened or something. We spent most of the day looking for backups and taught one less active but it was all very fun! Also - she tried her first slurpee with me :D haha- and a taquito...she liked them both!

 

Yesterday was actually P-day but the internet was down so that is why I am emailing today. We had a blast...you know why?? WE WENT TO WALMART and THE DOLLAR STORE!! man was I in Heaven :D haha, it was fun! We just stocked up on all the good stuff and aren't planning on shopping much next week which is good because it's transfers...only problem is that one of us may have to move all that food with us to a new area :/ we'll see! I don't want to leave my companion...we just have too much fun together! My trainer told me about a transfer where they just laughed all the time...President said they'd never be companions again :/ meh.

 

We had to say goodbye to President and Sister Matsumori this week...well sort of. They came to our trainings and said goodbye and we took group pictures with them. This next wednesday at Transfers is the last day we will all be together so the plan (which is a secret so don't tell them) is to sing the mission song right after the transfer meeting. Tears are going to fall. Put it will all be okay.

 

Well I love you all so very much! Okay - so how is life for everyone? Let me know. I miss you all. I can wait to see you because I want to be a missionary...but I will be very excited for the day when I do see you all...whenever that comes :P It's very far off in time. I hope you are catching my drift and sarcasm :P Stay amazing!! You are wonderful!! The Lord will help you with all the things you need! I promise...he makes up for the rest when we need it.

 

Les Quiero!

-yo

Vi una columna de luz

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Well this week has been pretty crazy and pretty awesome.

Last Thursday I had my last interview with President Matsumori. The new President comes the first week of July and there are no more interviews before then. It was so great and so sad. He is so full of wisdom and I wasn't afraid of getting in trouble this time because we just got to chat and he gave me some counsel as if it was my exit interview and not his.

Friday was a great day! The power was out at the VC all morning - but did that stop us? NO WAY!! We still had our training meeting with all the sisters that morning and it was super sweet - kind of ironic because we talked about how we could improve calling and we couldn't even work the phones that day. Then we had a sweet practice at the stake center (which had electricity) for the Night of Music and Inspiration that is coming up this week...I'm singing a solo. kinda nervous but it will be good. Just singing my testimony, ya know? 

That night I got a phone call from our VC Director, Elder Eyring...he invited me to be a VC Trainer! Crazy. I readily accepted because the Lord has given me a lot of craziness in my mission and has always helped me through and qualified me for the work. I'm excited to help out and do what I can! The other trainers who I will be serving with are just fantastic so it will good times!

Our area is doing great! In 2011 some missionaries ran into an elderly lady who was baptized about 20 years ago en El Salvador. We found her again the other day. She is fantastic! Yesterday we taught her and her grandchildren about prayer and both of the kids prayed at the end of the lesson and said they would keep praying. Truly a miracle. The Lord is so good!

Something I'm learning a lot right now on the mission is to talk it out. It truly makes life better and the Spirit can actually abide. But if you walk away, you just feel bad, the person is mad and the Spirit will not be with either of you and than you can't help anyone else. 

Kind of crazy but so very true. Try it out.

I love you all! I know that church is true. I got to give some amazing tours at the VC of just people wanting to know about the temple and then asked about the whole gospel. I got to tell Joseph Smith's story twice, in English! Sweet! :D never happens. 

Portense Bien! Que nade les cuesta!

-yo, Hermana Word (2)

8362- sunset last night...like 8.45pm

8367-there's a spiderweb there...can you see it?

8349 - pouring rain...with the sun out? what?

8354- outside our investigator's house after the rain :D

actividad de zona y una semana sin dormir

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

sometimes as a missionary you have weeks were you are completely tired and all you want to do on P-day is sleep...but is never an accomplished task. What usually happens is that day you want to sleep you have super cool activity outside and you get this adrenaline rush until you sit down and email your family and friends back home. Well, that's my pday. We had a Kickball tournament. At one point the ball came flying to me and so I went to catch it and was determined to hold onto it, but the ball wouldn't have that...it tried to fall to through my arms so, somehow, I ended up on the ground. haha. in the end - I caught the ball....and we got the 3rd out that inning...next inning , i got smacked in the face and caught the ball at the same time - putting my years of playing goalie and sacrifice of all body parts to stop the ball to work! haha - it was awesome! We had a great team and for winning - we got Lei's and fake mustaches - we are planning on wearing our sombrero and going to visit the senior missionaries in our building (shh - that's a secret ;D)

Okay - but this week has been so full of miracles that I have been super tired. Last we we only had one member to come to a lesson and it wasn't even planned. One of the Ward Missionaries, Hno. Corado, brought the Father of Hno. Corado's Father-in-Law to the VC while Hna Chappell and I were on Shift. It was so cool! We are now teaching him and taught him that night. He came last night to the VC and just loved what he learned. He is really humble and ready to accept the Gospel.

Other miracle - we met a man on the street about a week ago named Manuel. We tried called him on Monday and set up an appointment at the VC that night at 6pm. He didn't show up. We were bummed but we called him anyways and left a message. Yesterday he called us back!!! WHAT?! That like NEVER happens. It was so cool! He apologized because he had been called into work last minute. He also said that his schedule is crazy because his dad has Alzhimer's and sometimes he has to take him to appointment. He said he wanted to apologize and that he wants to meet with us before the week is over and he knows the message we share is a good message and he wants to hear it! MILAGRO!!

Also - Edgar got a phone and called us. We hadn't seen him in like 2 weeks because he randomly got a job and works all day, every day. But that also helps a person get money to have a phone. Well, he got one. and HE CALLED US!! He apologized! and he said he is reading the Book of Mormon everyday. He also called the member who picks him up for church and said he wanted to go this week! How amazing! The Lord is so good! We are just working really hard and he is blessing us! We have a member schedule to come out with us 5 more times this week! Truly amazing - we haven't had member support like that since I have ever been in this ward. It takes work, but the Lord is blessing us because we are trying so hard and there are people here who are prepared to learn.

So I want to share with you all a goal of mine. When I get home, I want to have FHE every week. Like for me personally no matter where I am. A very smart person told me that it is good to make plans while I'm still on the mission before other things start coming into play. It is great! I'm loving it! But FHE is something I have found that is super important and doesn't take a whole bunch of time. We have it with members all the time now and I love it! It shows God that we are willing to put him first and our families before ourselves. Those are the promises we make in the Temple. I love to show people the sealing room because in every temple, there are mirrors that reflect to simbolize Eternity. You can't have eternity if you are selfish...in other words - you can't see yourself go on for Eternity, but you can see your spouse. Pretty cool, Huh? So FHE is sweet! Give it a shot. I love it! There are so many things the youth have been asked to do...just do that for FHE. FUN! and you learn new stuff! also - Mormon messages or Mormon.org profiles. 

Just enjoy your time together. I personally loved going to get Slurpees with my dad or just heading out and getting ice cream cones or something. Just do it together and bring a spiritual thought into it. Dad's way good at setting up Iron Rod object lessons  :D

Anywho - LES AMO!

-Hermana Word (2)

8288 - BAZINGA!!! haha, laughed my head off when i opened this - thanks smash:D

8293 - i got a new ring a few weeks ago...just thought it was sweet.

8300 - getting ready for kickball...Sis Bullock and Me :D

8311 - We won!! 

3.5 millas-psh, eso es nada!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Well this morning was awesome! We got up at 3.50am to go and do some more sunrise pictures at the Lincoln...I think next time it would be sweet at the Jefferson! (still haven't made my way over there yet). But yes - it was pretty sweet! A little cloudy but there was a break in the clouds where the sun came through and just shined all bright redish-orange :D yay! Then, we proceeded to walk to the Smithsonian Zoo...which was only 3.5 miles away! That was way fun. We stopped along the way- in some shops, I got a Krispy Kreme :D, and we just took some fun pictures. I love my mission - it is gorgeous! The people are wonderful! And there is always something new and fun to do! Even to get to know people :D

 

This last week was FULL of Miracles. I think I told you about Celia last week...we have our next appointment with her tomorrow. We are finding some less actives who actually want to come back to church! That is the best - when they realize they have made big promises with God and they want to start keeping them again. Like any repentance - it is a process, but they seem very willing to do so. Then we also met this sweet potential on Saturday afternoon - Walter. He is SUPER humble...he basically asked us to come back before we could ask him (he is the neighbor of someone we are trying to meet :D)..He has had some hard trials in his life, even in the past week and Heavenly Father is really humbling him so that he can learn. We went and taught him yesterday and we asked what it would mean to him if the Book of Mormon was true and he said, "That this is the path that God's wants me to follow and I will do it." SO COOL!! He is really nice...talks a lot, but also listens and understands really well! SO GOOD!!!

 

Mother's Day was great! They brought sandwiches and sodas to Relief Society :D they were actually pretty good! We also got to serve in the VC that night and I met a cute little Guatemalan lady and she was so excited because she had just talked to her daughter in California on her mission...She also said to tell mom "Hi." Sorry I forgot mommy...not really sure what her name was at this point but she was really nice and just loving!

 

Well, that's all I've got this week! The Church is the true church. Heavenly Father loves each and every one of His children, no matter how hard life gets...He is there!! And His Son, Jesus Christ! We've have some amazing heritage in our roots, we just need to learn how to be more like our Father and our Brother in Heaven! We can do it!

 

Les Quiero!!

-yo...Hna Word (2)

 

ps = I'm finishing the Book of Mormon in Spanish before I get home...challenge - do it in English/ or read the New Testament if you have read the Book of Mormon before! you can do it!! Will you? Love you!

 

 

7981-I forgot to tell you we had a walk around the Temple last week for training...I got a little distracted :P

7986 - sweet spider in his web :D

8019 - YAY GRASS!

8035 - we also had a crazy Saturday night in POURING rain and ran to our investigator's house hehe.

8042 - sweet - this was at a school we got lost by yesterday :P

 

feliz dia de las madres!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! to the best mother in the world!! and all those mothers who have played a big part in my life. and all those women who were my leaders and loved me for whatever crazy thing i did! Thank you all so much! I love you all!!!  I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE AN AMAZING DAY!!! and that at church they bring chocolate covered strawberries - fingers crossed ;)

 

so this week has been pretty great...I wasn't in the happiest of moods to start it, which was just stupid. Being sad is a bummer especially when you have no reason to be. So -just don't do it!! Life is way better when we do what the Lord wants instead of staying in the same old pattern we've always been in. It's sounds crazy but I know it is true. He is so awesome! We are reading Preach my Gospel as a mission right now and we just got done reading about the Christ-like attributes. I'm still working A LOT on patience. and the next is charity and love on my list. I do little things here and there for the other attributes but I came to realize that these two are one's i still really lack on and are what I need to become a more effective missionary. So that's where I'm at right now. And still working on being more bold but I'm getting way better at that cause my companion is just straight, to the point and always speaks with the Spirit! It's great!

 

Miracle of the week - We went to an appointment with a potential yesterday. Her name is Celia. Hna Shaw and I met her on the street like over a month ago....but things kept happening...she wasn't home, or  we couldn't get there in time and it just never worked out. Well, we went over yesterday...a few minutes late because of the appointment we had before so I was expecting her to be walking the dog or something. We knocked a couple of time and the no answer - but the dog was in the windowsil looking at us - GOOD SIGN! We checked around the side of the house because we heard some kids playing, but it was just some kids at the park and not Celia's daughter we have met before. So we go back and Hna Chappell was writing a note to leave on the door and Celia OPENED THE DOOR!! and let us in RIGHT AWAY!! It was amazing! We had a great lesson about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. Hna Chappell pulled out the Introduction page to share with her. The last line in the Intro says, "...In preparation for the Second Coming of the Messiah..." (if not exact it is the translation skills :P) She loved that, She said, "oh - just like the Bible says! This is a good book. I'm going to read it. I promise you!" WHAT?! It was amazing! Celia is so spiritually intune! She also wants to come to church and wants somewhere for her kids to go. Truly, we are seeing miracles from Heavenly Father! yay!

 

Well...that's what I have to share this week! We are working hard. Even went out in a rainstorm yesterday. The sun is bright today!

Les quiero un monton! Yo se que el Evangelio es verdadero. Esta es la unica y verdadera iglesia de Jesucristo. Y como dijo Jose Smith - "No hay un otro libro en la tierra que pueda acercar un persona mas a Dios que el Libro de Mormon." Es cierto. Testifico de estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo. Amen.

 

Adios mi familia y mis amigos! Les Quiero!

-yo :D

El primer dia de Mayo!

Wednesday May 1, 2013

WOW! Ya esta aqui - no puedo creerlo! We had some awesome missionaries go home today! OH, and Hna Shaw got transfered to be with Hna Clement! I'm now serving with my roommate from the last 2 transfers Hna Chappell! Stinkin sweet!

 

Well..I have 5 minutes.

This week has been crazy. We have been trying to see what investigators want. The craziest is Lourdes. She is confused about things and feels like it is different..We had a lesson with her last night and read Moroni 7.16 and asked her is she felt like any of the things we were teaching her were bad even if she didn't understand them and she said no. That's good! We are going to work with her and help her find answers to her questions and help her really prepare to be baptized. I'm not giving up on her yet and neither is Heavenly Father!

 

I just want you all to know that the mission is a roller coaster - and I love roller coasters. We get thrown around all the time. We just got all our full pros sisters back because they want us to be able to stay in contact with our phone and chat investigators and we can't do that if we are never here! I'm excited to have all my sisters back! So amazing! Things are changing. The only constant in life, besides the plan and the gospel, is change. I'm working on being bold. Wish me luck...that's my big change. It's working when the Spirit is with me!

 

have a great night and week! I love you all!

-Yo!

(sorry so short...limited time this week!)

ps - POPSICLE!!! I'm so excited for you to be in Elder's Quorum!

pps- SMASH - i need disney music...like Hercules!! Help me!! PLEASE :D originals, no disneymania. more chill that way

7612 - we fight down by the water sometimes

7535 - Hna Tuft! She's awesome!

7796- these two came out with me...almost to our year mark! some of my favorite people right there!

7791-HERITAGE SHIRT...i was trying to be cool :P

7693- DC in the spring...at night

GO NATS!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

haha, well today we are headed to a Nationals Baseball game. Apparently it is a mission tradition! Pretty sweet! So we are emailing first hand (sorry for the fact that I have no pictures  yet...that is why)

This week was pretty much a roller coaster of investigator's emotions. Luis and Yeti are fantastic! They actually had questions more than anything about who created the Earth. Christ created the Earth under the direction of Heavenly Father. We taught them that but they thought Heavenly Father created it so we invited them to pray and ask Heavenly Father and they accepted...they said, "we will definitely ask Him." They are so good!

Then we have this new guy we found named Edgar. We found him while we were looking for his mom who was not home. He is the one we were meant to meet though. His mom doesn't really want to learn but Edgar does! We taught briefly about the Book of Mormon and he was like, "I have one of those..." then walked over by the TV and pulled it out (but it was in English). He doesn't ever speak English to us but he says he does speak and read in English and so some missionaries had given him the Book of Mormon a couple years ago. He is reading the one we gave him in Spanish. The 2nd time we saw him, Hna Shaw had just gotten the first vision down in Spanish that day and she recited it to him...It was SO COOL!! She paused often and that brought the Spirit so strong...plus - we were sitting outside and the sun came out behind the clouds in the middle of reciting it! OH MAN - SO COOL!!!

Lourdes- not really sure what is going on. She seems like now she doesn't want to learn. I know that Satan is working really hard on her through her family members - Trust me, it happens! And they are teaching her things that aren't really true but are just rumors about the church. Kind of sad. We will see what happens.

Well, That's the stories I have for the week. Oh - we got a new Senior couple at the Visitor's Center - The Petromalos :D they are great! Sister Petromalo went to Costco yesterday and bought us a bunch of yogurt and Tilex Shower Cleaner. She says the shower cleaner is the best way to get out tough stains...huh, who would have thought? So she brought us both! She is so nice :D

Yes, now this is all. But I want you all to know I love you! Erika - I want pictures :D sorry, I'm a little selfish, I just love you lots :D 

Everyone - Have a beautiful Wednesday! Seriously - I'm so grateful for all the prayers and love!

Les Quiero un monton!

-Hermana Word!

porque estamos aqui?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Well this week has been pretty crazy. We had zone training this week that was amazing! I loved learning from everyone. President Matsumori did this cool analogy about how it doesn't matter what language we speak as long as we speak and teach with the Spirit. So then he has about 8 people who all speak different languages get up and do a piece of the first vision and they all did it in there different languages. English, French, Hungarian, Sign Language, Estonian, Russian, Spanish...okay maybe just 7 but it was AMAZING! i've only ever heard it in 2 languages and it was so great to see the the Spirit can speak to all of us. He testifys, we just need to make sure he is in charge of the lessons and we follow what he would have us do.

 

Our lessons this week were a little crazy. I would say the coolest experience we had was with Luis and Yeti. Yeti is a super inactive member who was baptized over 20 years ago in Peru...she ended up leaving the church due to rude church members...she then met her husband who is not a member, and they got married in the Catholic church. After that they came her to the US and had 2 kids. They are awesome! She said the opening prayer in the lesson and prayed to ask Heavenly Father to tell them if this is where He wants them to go. Then we taught about the Restoration...Hna Shaw told them the 1st vision and it was awesome! first time she's done that in the mission. Then Luis remember a lot of what he had read in the Book of Mormon (because we had left it with them to read) and he wants to learn! So they are great! And at the end of the lesson, we invited Kevin (7 yr old son) to come and pray with us...Yeti called him downstairs and he said, "what? are we praying?:D" and we said yes, would you like to pray with us...YEAH! And he said he was going to try and keep his family praying every night! So good! He's a stud!

 

This week we also had Night of Music and Inspiration in Spanish! It was sweet! I sang with Hna Clement and Hna Shaw. It was way cool! Hna Schoemaker put the whole night together and it was great to be apart of it. The Spirit was so strong...and there were so many people there. The Spanish members here are awesome! And there were some investigators there too! It was sweet :D

 

Well, that's about it except for randome notes of love...

-Kaity and Andrew - Thanks for my dress, mint cardigan, and headband. Haha, i love the headband :D and the other clothes too. They got here saturday and I wore them Sunday for Night of Music and Inspiration. :D You're the best!

-B-man! -I heard some sweet news from mom about how you got some rockets and set them off last week...SO COOL! Hey, just make sure you always listen to mom and dad when they tell you what to do, okay? They actually know a lot , I promise! And good luck with getting into clark. Either school will be awesome for you! But I want to see you play some good sports so you best keep up with your games and grades! Trust the Lord. Ask Him specific questions. Wait for an answer. He will tell you what to do! Love you b-man!

-Everyone else...still working on letters. Don't hate me. I'm sorry. I'm trying.

-ps...Dad - I'm going to the shop where I got the Rosie shirt next wednesday...let me know if you want anything and help me pay for it please :D LOVE YOU! I search for posters but I haven't seen any yet.

 

 

Well fam bam and friends...Les Quiero un monton! Espero que esten bien. Yo se que mi Salvador vive! Me ayuda cada dia. Es tan dificil de ser una misionera pero es vale la pena cada dia! I.T.

-Hermana Word (2)

ya empezamos el fin

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

today was so cool...and a tad sad. Hna Blasco(the only sister i came out with) and I went to Arlington National Seminary today. She left from my apartment with my roommate and I and she was like "this is just like the beginning...but it's not." AHH - can you believe it?! I hit 11 months yesterday and Hna. Schoemaker (she started same day as me but came out a transfer early cause she knew spanish) kept telling me happy birthday because it was her's too :/ but this is good. At least I've learned some things...well A LOT of things! And today I got to see some amazing things! Seriously. It was amazing. I also got a great souvenir ..not sure if you've heard of it before but around these parts it's called a sunburn. Haha, yep. I didn't have sunscreen so I just went without. Now I have some aloe vera :D ANYWHO - we got to see the changing of the guard...that was so cool! I have a video but I'm not allowed to send those home so I will show you when I get there :D But yeah.. OH - and CHERRY BLOSSOMS!! There are in bloom and we had the chance to go see them today - so cool! They say there will be a storm Friday and they will all blow away...so we made sure we saw those. The coolest part of the day was when we were at Arlington and there were leaves falling from the trees on by the graves. It was amazing! That was the best! so grateful I got to go at this time of year instead of October...but fall is beautiful too!

Well, my life is great! It's hard. and frustrating. and tiring. and fun. and TOTALLY WORTH IT! I.T. BABY! yep. So this last week we started teaching this guy named Julio who I taught last time I was here. We went in to teach him the Restoration and found out that his older brother who he was wicked close to...the older brother was like the glue of the family, past away about 4 months ago. He didn't go into details but it hit him really hard. We talked about that for a bit and I asked Julio how he made it past such a hard thing and he said he thinks his brother is just resting. Then we asked what he thought happened after death...and he didn't really know. Granted this guy has been taught a few times by the missionaries. He was open to learning! It was great! So we bagged the Restoration lesson and taught him about the Plan of Salvation (mind you Hna Shaw is pretty new and hasn't taught that in the field - she did AMAZING)!  It was so cool! The Spirit was definitely there and I was so grateful for it! Lourdes is doing well, we're still working with her to build her testimony a little bit more. It's amazing what the Lord will tell us when we are ready to listen...and what He will tell us even when we are not. 

Other than that, it's good! Hna Shaw contacted her first person on the street yesterday...so she tried to give them a card, but they were hispanic...so she tried to say it in Spanish and forgot the word for card (which she had learned 5 mins before) and it was so good! haha. 

just a few notes of loves...if they are repeats or if I forget someone, don't hate me.

-Jaime (Muzzio)Hurren - what the sweetest water bottle ever?! I've been using it since it got here! I love it! Thank you so much!! And stoked about the Vegas news...I'll see you there ;D

-B-man! - i got your card! Deal! Warped tour it is little bro...you pick the place, and we'll go! and thanks for the sweet card! now, put that letter in the mail :D

-Timmy hodges - where in the world is timmy hodges? I think he is lost. Write me kid! I like your inspirational stories!

-Hollowell's! Thanks so much for all the love and support! I loved your email!  :D thanks!

-anyone who lives in REXBURG...send me your address'...seriously anyone - i want to send letters, so just hit them to my email and I will write them down...or send a letter with it on it :D even better!

-ERIKA - 10 DAYS!!! right? haha, I could be off by a few! But know that i love you even if i don't have something to you before then! And that there is a cardboard cut out of my in Vegas that you are welcome to take with you ;D hehe. YOU'RE THE BEST!! Drake - you're lucky! be good to my her. Can't wait to meet you soon!

Well, that's all i have for this week. I'm really grateful for all of you and your love...and really love letters, so please send some :D Also - I just want you all to know that the church is true! Did you see General Conference?! I did! And I stayed awake, for ALL OF IT! Can you say miracle?! It was truly amazing! I know that I have some things I need to improve on. Always working on my obedience and loved President Monson's talk about that. Also - the Priesthood. It is a true blessing to have the power of God on the Earth again. Thank you to all you worthy Priesthood holders out there. I couldn't have made it through my mission without people like you and blessings from my Father in Heaven. And everyone that didn't see General Conference or doesn't know what I'm talking about, talk to my fam bam...or lds.org...check it out. There is a living prophet and 12 apostles on the Earth today. I promise. I know it. I testify of it every single day. That is the message. And that all can know for themselves. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

LES QUIERO UN MONTON! Portense bien! jaja.

-Hermana Word (2)

7168 - sweet leaf we found while walking around our area...oh wait the leaf isn't there, just cement

7189 - yes. West Point. represent.

7180 - the tree is exactly in the middle. sweet.

7206 - tomb of the unknown soldiers.

7215 - LOOK! The tulips are out too! Spring is here!

April Fools!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Alright who had a good joke this April Fools day? Our was from the Zone leader who told us that the Baseball game was cancelled (which is an annual tradition) because prices went up! Ahh...Hna Shaw was about to be so sad because she loves the team we're playing against (some team from Saint Louis). haha, it was pretty funny. Then I was reminising on past pranks from B-man and talked about the time he rigged his Vulcan blaster to shoot me when I opened my door and now one of the Elders from the ASL program wants him to come pick me up so they can meet :P haha, yep, my brother is the coolest!

 

Well. this week was a little rough. I had a sweet birthday up until 6pm when I had to go out into the area. We almost didn't have a car and so we tried to get Lourdes to come to the Visitor's Center instead of us coming to her house so we could watch Thomas S. Monson's Biography...she said she couldn't cause her family came to town...so then we couldn't see her even if we had a car. Well, we had a car (long story there - no worries) with no real place to go. We started with our backups and no luck. We finally tried one of our last backups but I have heard from past missionaries that the less active family we were going to visit doesn't like the missionaries very much. So we sat outside there house and prayed with 10 minutes left to meet someone. We felt we were supposed to be over by there but not at that house. So we knocked a couple and no one answered. So we tried the house right in front of the less actives and a man from El Salvador answered the door. He was just babysitting there but he accepted missionaries and said we should come back because it was his sisters help and she could would listen. So cool!! The Lord is amazing!

 

Lourdes wasn't baptized this week. After wednesday, she was supposed to have her interview Thursday...and then baptism on Saturday. Well, She couldn't make it to the interview because her daughter was sick and she had to take care of her. I thought it was Satan, but after a lot of prayer and calming down with my companion....we realized there was a reason for it and so we cancelled the baptism. There are still somethings that we are helping her learn. We didn't understand the Spirit as well with her before but we are getting it. The Lord knows where her heart lies and just wants her to be fully prepared before she can be baptized.

 

That's my week. A little crazy but good stuff. I know that Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways. He is in the details of our lives. He loves us and doesn't want us to go too far that we won't make it back to Him. He's looking out for us, we just have to come unto Him and ask for the strength and help we need that He has given us through the gift of His Son. I know this to be true. I invite you all to pray and find out. Have conversation with Him. That's all he wants. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Thanks for all the birthday love and cards and emails. I will be sending cards soon! I just have been too poor to get stamps :P

 

Les Quiero!

-Hermana Word (2)

 

1751-Spring is coming to DC! Yay!

7111- mis flores de mi familia :D

7120 - this is what my bday looked like :P

7136 - loved my cupcakes :D

muchsimas gracias!!!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Les Quiero un monton!!! Gracias por dar me un feliz cumpleanos hoy :D ya ha sido bien chevre! Yep, birthday is pretty awesome...the one conflict i had was figuring out my outfit at the end of the week without all my cute clothes :P worked out okay - hehe. I'm just kidding! I woke up to a wall with fun quotes and decorations...and my roommate set up my presents under it so i would have a cute background (that's what she told me :D) . So I opened my presents really early! And then put the cd's right in while i got ready in the Morning - mom..the spanish cd is like the same as one the cd's you have in english but I can't remember what any of the songs are, just that the tunes are the same :P pretty sweet! THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!! and for all the emails sent to me :D those were great! Thanks everyone!

As for missionary work - it's going really well! Lourdes is set to get baptized this Saturday and then confirmed on Sunday. She is awesome! We had a lesson with her last night about prophets again. We really feel like she needs to hear Thomas S. Monson before she is baptized, and so we are going to watch his biography with her tonight, "On the Lord's Errand." It's really powerful! We are praying the Spirit will touch her heart during it. But she is doing awesome! I have seen how a true testimony is that true conversion and why we should really be baptized. She has it! Just needs to feel this part of the gospel.

This week has been pretty great! We been just out and finding new people and also had some crazy things going on...we had some appointments cancel on Saturday but then out of the blue one of our members called us and told us that one of our investigators wanted us to go to the VC and watch a movie. It's was crazy, whirlwind style but that's what works for me :P It was cool - we watched "The Testaments" and it really touched him...he even prayed after the lesson! sweet :D 

It's been pretty awesome around her though - we had some random snow again and technically it's spring...I'm kind of hoping that that means a little bit cooler 2nd summer in humidity ;D maybe! oh - i saw the Skousins this week :D so cool! They came to the VC and everyone said "some one from your ward came in today..he was a firefighter" OH _ haha. but then they were gone before I got there...and they came back :D so nice of  them! It was really nice to visit with them for a bit! I love visitors at the vistors center ;P Also - Skousins! Thanks for the candy and present! Banana Laffy Taffy is my absolute favorite flavor!

little notes of love:

-SISTER OLSEN!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY :D I LOVE YOU !!! also...ELDER ahem BROTHER OLSEN!! HAPPY late BIRTHDAY!!!! I LOVE YOU TOO!!! And hope you enjoyed your special day...share hugs from me :D

-Grandma and Grandpa Lewis - thank you so much for the wonderful email! of course, I forgive you both! I love you too much to be mad :D Thanks for going to Kaity's wedding! I can't wait to hear more about it some day!

-Mommy - yes. harddrive. but no worries. Just before I come home so i can get pictures from sisters :D AND THANK YOU FOR SENDING ME SUCH WONDERFUL GIFTS!! and beautiful flowers :D (from all) I got those! and my card and my letter! I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH!!! Oh - and my scripture case is perfect! Thank you!

-Popsicle- a card and a letter? I'm impressed! Plus you made me cry a bit but it's cool :D tears of joy! Thanks for taking the time to do that...meant a lot to me! I don't know if there are Rosie posters...but there are pens, postcards, books, magnets, waterbottles, and of course tshirts.

-Harper family - thanks so much for the birthday card! You are just super nice to think of me :D

-B-man -haha, guess I'm waiting on your card still :P still love you bud! You can do it! keep up the good soccer skills! Practice hard, play hard. No regrets!

-Smash! - you make me smile :D I can't wait to see what birthday present you send because Christmas was just so fun :D

-Kaity - i'm excited for the finishing touch...not sure what that means but i know it will be great! Thanks for think of me and your sweet email :D

well....that's all for now. Sorry this was a little more birthday like then missionary like but i love you all. The fulness of the Gospel is here! Just reach up and grab it, God will give it to you if it is what you desire. I know that it is the only way to have true, lasting happiness!

-Hermana Word (2)

7050 - birthday flowers from my fam bam :D

7054 - i can't just look at the flowers - i have to make some pictures too!

7069 - they look like little cacti  :P

7076 - haha, so last night i went and took these because we were done a little early

7102 - look...i just woke up, opened my presents then took this picture :P

time flies when you're having fun...

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Just realized I need to learn the word "to fly" in Spanish. But seriously this transfer has been amazing! I felt right at home when we switched rooms and desks the 2nd half of the transfer and I got a bunkbed and my "sister" was on the top bunk! She is awesome, that Hna. Clement! She defintely will be missed in our apartment! I'm so grateful for her example to me of just taking the time and talking to everyone...even if you are late because otherwise all the children on the "sides of the river are dwindling in unbelief" :/ so we are going to keep moving forward and really do our best to take the time and remember that it is the Lord's as well.

 

So this week. Well, we had a great Relief Society activity where they re-innacted the forming of the RS in Joseph Smith's day! It was so cool! I never even new half of those things! And as all awesome ward activities- we had food!! We had some delicious food and I loved that part too :D I also got to know some of the Ward members so that was pretty sweet :DI'm getting there! I made a promise to one of the sisters that left the ward that I would just love them! And the Lord is helping me do that!

 

As for the area - Lourdes is doing really well! She came to that RS activity...but then she missed church :/ Satan works in really mysterious ways and for her, he just gets people to ask her for help, and being the kindest person I've ever met - she just can't say no. and so then church was missed...but she hated that feeling and she still wants to be baptized. Yesterday we taught her about the importance of church and all 3 of us just testified with the words the Holy Ghost put into our mouths! Oh, the Spirit was so strong! Even Lourdes bore her testimony to us of all the changes she is making! She really understands the commandments and is ready to apply them throughout all of her life!

 

Well - little notes of Love

-Aunt Joy and Uncle Phil - you too are amazing! Thank you so much for all the birthday love!

-Sis. Marrott - You make me smile :D I love getting cards from you!

-Brother and Sister Simper! - That was the coolest card and sweetest note! Thanks for thinking about me! Also - loved the new painting "I Am"...really speaks!

-B-man = way to be a stud out there! And I can't wait to hear about that talk you gave!

-SMash - i got your letter! Thanks for all the updates! I will getting back to you soon!

-Mommy and Daddy - I LOVE YOU BOTH!

-Kaity and Andrew - Love you both too!

-Hailee Richards!!!  - You start your mission next week!!! WOOHOO! you are so set to go and I can't wait to see you and speak Spanish and Portugese together!

vi una columna de luz

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

...and it was called the SUN!!! I have gone to take sunrise pictures 4 times and this was the first time I have actually seen the SUN!! like full on sunrise with no clouds in the sky :D it was amazing!!!

 

but onto the work! This week was pretty crazy! Lourdes was going to get baptized on Sunday but she told us that morning that she wasn't ready which was sad, but it is okay. She is REALLY SEARCHING for her answers. She wants to really know that there is a living prophet today and that the Book of Mormon is true...and if she wants to feel like she knows that, it is okay. She still wants to get baptized, and knows the blessings it will bring but also knows that it is a real promise with God and she is taking one step at  a time to get there. That is what the Lord ask, "Come unto me." But he didn't say  do it full forced, like running into a train! no, just do it. He has a time frame, he will help you and you will be prepared when you are supposed to be.

 

Other than that - our investigators Carmen and Salomon...who have been meeting with us for a while now, are finally getting their answers and want to be baptized. They are really trying to make changes! And want to get married so that is wonderful! We are trying to keep them on the right track, it is just sometimes hard to get ahold of them.

 

What more?! OH YEAH - Hna Shaw is AWESOME! She is the cutest girly girl tomboy I've ever met and she is willing to do anything! She is kicking out her training in the Visitor's Center like now other and just have a great time. Last night we went on splits because they needed a little extra help at the VC so I stayed here and her and Hna Clement went to the area and when they got back Hna Shaw was so happy! She said she used an analogy about how the Book of Mormon and the Bible work together, they cannot replace one another but they can strengthen one another and do...just like her and Hna Clement teach together but can't replace one another :D I'm so proud! She's awesome! And Hna Clement is a great missionary too! We just all have a lot of fun together! ANd we have a bunkbed! good night sleep right there :D

 

 

Well - thank yous...

Sis.Marrott - you are always so sweet! I'm sorry I don't write you as much as I should

Auntie Joy and Uncle Phil! - thank you for the box of snacks! I love snacks..and I'm sorry i opened it before my birthday (I'm bad...if it's not wrapped, I can't wait or it gets too distracting :P)

Mommy- thanks for all your awesome letters!

 

 

I love you all!! This gospel is the best, and it will help you all BE happy, not just fleeting but really happy!

-Hermana Word (2)

 

9260- mi hija, yo, y mi hermana!

9194 - the falling effect...

9233 - i took this with my friends cannon...BIRDS :D

9307 - sweet...i love plaques!

la vida loca....

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

jaja, pues la vida de una misionera como yo! well, for starters. Let's just say that I have kid!! What?!!! This past Saturday the Asistentes to the President wanted to meet with Hna. Clement and I to talk about something "highly confidencial". well, we went with that and met them at the VC. They walk in with the Training book we have as missionaries and said I would be training, in a trio, and that she would be here on Tuesday  "so we need to put a bunkbed in your apartment today." After they did that we had an intense moving day because we had to get the bigger bedroom and room for more desks. It was good! And my "daughter" is now here. I'm raising her for at least the next two weeks with my "sister" until transfer is over...then we shall see! Her name is Hermana Shaw. from Kaysville, Utah. really tall. Super FUN. Always smiling. And is not 19,  but just turned 21. and she says that life was never said to be easy but that it would always be worth it! She's awesome! Oh and she sings, so we're doing a trio this Friday in Training :D that's the craziness of my mission. I can never do anything normal.

 

 

So - 4 mins on missionary work. Well, Lourdes is doing awesome. Her niece keeps bringing her false doctrine she hears on the internet and it is not cool. but it's okay because we gave her Mormon. org and she knows she can ask us anything. She trusts us and that is a blessing. As we act as representatives of the Lord, as we are, he blesses us to know what to say to help his Children. It is truly amazing! SO she is going to let us know Thursday if she wants to still be baptized this Sunday or next, but she assured us that she wants to be baptized. And we had a really powerful lesson on ASKING SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. Often times, we don't want to pray cause we think, "God knows what is going on and he will help me." OR  when we do pray we just say what we need but not ask what we want to know or how we came to the conclusion that we want to know. WHY? we can JUST ASK! Our all-knowing, Heavenly Father, who will stay up all night or talk with us at anytime of the day just holds answers in his hands ready to shower them upon each and everyone of us and if we don't ask he  wont give it. Yes, he knows. Just like we can tell when one of our loved ones needs something...but you don't want to give them something they can't admit to themselves that they don't want. Well - it was a powerful lesson! The Spirit testified of truth as always. And I challenge you all to do the same. If you invite the missionaries over that is all they will ask you to do - Ask God if what they teach is true. That is how the Church was Restored, because Joseph Smith listened to what it said in James 1:5 and asked God.

 

Well...my time is up. sorry. I read really good letters instead of writing this week :D BUT I love you! I know you can each receive and answer to anything. Ask. Wait. Receive. Your Heavenly Father LOVES YOU!

 

Cuidense!

LES Amo!

-Hermana Word (2)

 

ps ( i like laser tag...we did that today for a zone activity) :D

 

6793-this is us waiting for Hna Shaw to come :D

6794 - she came in the back door and we almost missed her :/

6795 - sisters before laser tag :D

6806 - we went to lunch after -pollo a la brasa (charbroiled chicken) the best!

los bendiciones de tomar siestas!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

pues, yo he estado demaciado cansada pero Dios me ha dado la bendicion de Siestas y yo tome una siesta :D yay!! sera algo genial!

 

So, its pday right. I love pday but i hate it cause it stresses me out because of all the things that have to be done. So if letters are again slow, this is why! I love getting them but it is the last thing I'm allowed to do on pday and i can only write them on pday. so i apologize.

 

This week has been pretty great. so the other day we went to go see a former investigator because the Elders that served here before wanted us to go and see her. We quickly figured out that when we went to visit this 17 year old at 1pm that she was still in school probably. BUT the Lord provides miracles. There was a couple laying mulch on the ground a few houses down and so we went to see if they needed help. They said no, but that was the beginning of the conversation - MULCH. haha. We somehow made it to the gospel and she told us that she has been thinking about what she wants to do within the next couple of years because she has two little kids and doesn't know what to teach them. WOW! she wants to learn for her kids, eventhough she told us that she is not really sure what religion she is. Well in the mean time her husband had come back out of the house and so as we explained a little bit about the Book of Mormon to him, i asked her about where she got the mulch and she couldn't remember what it was called but that they basically dumb a big scoop in the back of your truck and if anything falls, you can pick it up and take it. Well, this week they were nice and gave them 1 and 1/2 SCOOPS!! what?! that's cool...it only made Hna Clement and I think after that that was a blessing from the Lord. because if they only had 1 scoop we would have missed them because they were just finishing with there1 and1/2 when we got there.

 

Well, Lourdes came to church this week!! WOOHOO! it was amazing! well, it was a little weird cause we did church backwards, without Sunday School because of Ward Conference but it all worked out okay :D and she is just wonderful! She told us this amazing testimony that just recently grew of fasting and it was before we even taught fasting to her :D she is so good and we are sooo excited for her to be baptized!! She is too, and keeps asking about it :D so that is definitely a good thing. She wants to follow Jesus Christ and is just now ready to do so.

 

Last week we had interviews with President Matsumori and Sister Matsumori...that happens like every other transfer. It was really good. I told Sis. Matsumori of magical sleep remindy =icyhot :D try it sometime if your back is ever killing or your muscles are tense, helps you relax so then your mind will just follow suit and you can sleep just a little bit better. And as I was talking with President Matusmori, I had been wondering about language study, because as a VC missionary you basically get personal and comp study if you're lucky and language study goes out the door.  well, he brought up the fact that that needs to be our focus now - the Lord answers prayers. So we have had some pretty good language studies just learning together. and I'm learning concepts that I never got before. It's good cause now I know they will stick.

 

That's been my week. I want to get some pictures out to yall! But know that I love you all soo much and am grateful for the prayers, the support and everything else you give me. If you think you want to write me, please DO! I love letters...and I will write back (just may take a few weeks or so :P) like my dad always says, "the church is true." I know that to be true. it blesses lives, it strengthens faith in ways never before thought possible. it is a true blessing. if you need anything, turn to your Father in Heaven, he will tell you what to do!

 

Les Amo!

-Hermana Word

 

6684 - courtesy of Smash and my companion for Valentine's day :D

6712 - Hna Clement and I :D

6714 - this is Sister Dougall - she has been our coordinate everything missionary from the mission office...they went home yesterday :/

6727 - we're new candle fans in our apartment

a mi me encanta a ser una misionera!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

I just love my mission! So everyday we are in the Visitor's Center now ( i think I've said that) and it is really awesome! I feel like i never knew how to prioritize before because i had "soo much time" to get things done. and now - I have such limited time in the area that we are just doing our best to talk to everyone and really find those out there who are ready to hear the gospel! And in the VC I'm more effective with my time as well because I have the time to get everything done instead of stressing out cause I only have like 3 days in the vc instead of 5 or 6. The bonus about our area is we actually have two days free out of the VC. We don't serve in there on Tuesdays because we have a meeting when we would be on Shift at the VC and we also don't have to go on Sunday because we go on wednesday nights after P-Day is over :D It's really great!

So this week. We have an investigator named Lourdes and she is fantastic! We met her on Thursday night last week and I loved it! She is the nicest person ever with PURE intentions. She knows why she needs to be baptized and says she has wanted to be baptized for 3 weeks. She even was said," I noticed you don't drink coffee- i don't either and i'm good with not drinking that. With tea, if it's healthier just to have Herbal, thats good with me." Then she pulled out a pamphlet from one time she was at the doctor's office that talks about how cigarettes and alcohol are bad for you. So she basically taught the whole lesson we had except the blessings that come from leaving all that stuff behind. The GOSPEL IS TRUE!!! There are blessings that come with each commandment and If there are bad things in this world i shouldn't drink so that i can have more strength - I'll do it. Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21; http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng (yep..theres the link :P)

we didn't have investigators at church cause Satan is working really hard but we are going to win, he just hasn't realized it yet! When they want to learn, they will come! It is truly amazing how the Lord prepares everyone for us! okay, maybe not everyone is prepared but those who are ready were prepared for him. 

Well...I'm out of time. But i love you all! Sorry this was soo short but the area is still growing so not many stories yet! But my companion is awesome! I'm grateful for her amazing faith! Miracles will happen this transfer :D Guaranteed! 

(and eventually letters will be written - esp to my fam bam, sorry I'm slacking!)

Con todo mi amor!

-Hermana Word (2)

6629 - Temple sunset

6652-my recent converts that i left in Gaithersburg! Like my 2nd family right there!!

6608 - We got ice cream...mine tasted like confetti cake! BEST!

6650 - i made fried apples for Hna. Tufts Bday last week! They were DELCIOUS!! Thanks Grandma!

6683- This is Hna. Clement! She loves to decorate people's doors for valentines day (so good!)