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!)