December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas! Well, I guess....

I am very ready to talk to you on Sunday....
How are you doing? I wish I could be there for you! I feel so bad that I am here so far away. My goal in life was to be a "be there" person like you mom....

On Tuesday we got a call from Sister C. saying they wanted to set an appt. to see us. We thought it was because we were visiting the same people as them and we needed to devise a plan not to do that. We thought she was really mad because she wanted to meet as soon as possible and we weren't planning on coming in until much later but we set the time.

They walked into the apt and said, "President M. asked us to come and tell you about your grandma...." Luckily Sister C. was there with a big hug. I cried a lot and showed them pictures from my book. They had a dinner appt. and we had to get back to work. It was really hard. I don't think I really stopped crying that night. I had stopped long enough to go to sleep and to study and such this morning but after reading the email I have been crying again. The library people probably think I'm crazy.

After finding out we went back out to work and decided to go to the D.'s. (They ended up feeding us....:D) Before we went in, we had to decide what to share. The first scripture that I opened up to (as we were preparing to go to a member's house) was Alma 31:31 which says:
"O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people."

I lost it at that point, but it was also kind of comforting I guess. My heart is exceedingly sorrowful but I know the comfort that comes in the Plan of Salvation. I will be fine, as we all will be. All our pain can be swallowed up in the joy of Christ. I know that we will be able to see Grandma Lizzie again and I'll be able to sit and listen to her stories again, just like when I was younger.

She was one of my best friends. I told her all sorts of things and she would always listen to me and give me advice. I want to remember the house as it was. Can you take a picture for me before it all gets changed?

Grandma Lizzie was busy on Tuesday. We were in a not super safe area with an older woman and the apartment complex was busy....lots of people. They changed the gate code on us so we had to walk clear to the back building. We go to the complex during the day, but I wouldn't dare go there at night. Anyway, on our way back from the appt (which canceled on us), there were some men (african american....younger) that started walking towards us. I had more cash than I normally carry because I got some out to mail Sister S.'s package and never took it out of my pack. I was saying some mighty prayers in my head. We had to walk slow because we were with Alice. They were only like 20 feet from us when they just stopped. They didn't get off their sidewalk. They kept looking at us and talking but they didn't come to us. We still had another 100 yards or more to get back to our car so we kept an eye on them but they disappeared. Grandma Lizzie and Grandpa Wood were probably there stopping them. There isn't a reason I could see that they didn't pursue it. We were an easy target. This was about 10:30 on Tuesday morning.

Will you please send me a copy of the funeral CD if Joe makes one for you?

I am glad Grandma didn't suffer for a really long time. I am so grateful for your (mom and dad) example of how much you took care of Grandma. You are such a blessing in my life and I'm grateful for you!

Don't worry about me. I'll be ok. It is really hard but I can do it. I can have some alone time today hopefully....

So.... as for the area....we have six people with baptismal dates for January. We need to be teaching them a lot! It is exciting. I have more faith with some than with others, but it will be a good time. :D

Also, a random fact, a TON of oil comes into P.A.. There is a lot of oil in W. too. Well, the first oil spig or whatever those big machines are, was in B. (about 20 miles away) and there is so so much oil here! Sister C. was telling us that P.A. is watched pretty well because the terrorists would want to bomb here because it would be really bad for the US in the oil dept. I don't know much about that, but it is kind of cool.

So this is pretty long....Sorry if I just rambled. I think I needed to get it out. Don't worry about me though. I will do my best to be safe. Plus now Grandma is here with me.

I am glad that I was able to take the opportunity to see her a lot when she was alive because we all know Grandma's thoughts of seeing her alive vs. dead.

I love you!

Jackie

p.s. I'm sending a package. Sorry nothing is wrapped....I can't remember all that is in there. :S The thing that there are four of, one for mom, dad, kelly and amy. I still have to make jeffs, nicks, ewas...it isn't easy!

December 22, 2009

Grandma Lizzie died this morning at 12:30 AM in her home with my mom and Uncle Joel by her side.

December 16, 2009

Hi there!

I love all the fun stories about what is going on at home! I wish I had more exciting stories for you all!

The news about Grandma Liz is a little hard to take. It makes me cry, but I do want to know what is going on. Always keep me posted please!

Thanks for the package! When Sister R. brought it she said that it had been opened (probably from rough handling) but there was still a lot of stuff in it. We are pretty stoked about the cookies. We had some today for breakfast (along with hot chocolate). It is cold here today....44 degrees! brrrr....haha ;)

We got a referral sheet with the names of all those people who have ordered things but haven't been updated on the system (if that makes sense) and I called a man on the sheet. He said he was interested in learning more so we set up a time to meet with him. I was looking on our map and realized that the street he lived on didn't exist so I had to call him back. He gave me instructions.

"Sir, where is Fort Street?"
"It is off of xxxxxx road. You go down xxxxx road then turn on Fort."
"I have that there isn't a Fort Street...."
"Its right after third street."
"Oh....."
His accent was such that instead of Fourth Street (when he called into get his DVD) they put down Fort Street....I didn't even understand fourth until after he explained that it was after 3rd street! Even then, his accent was way thick! I should've looked at my Texas lingo book a little closer I'm 'fraid.

That was probably the most funny thing that happened.

I got the package from the ward. That was so sweet of them! I loved it!

Oh! I was going to say the skype account of the woman who said we could use her account, but Ames set one up so I guess I'll be using that one...haha.....Isn't she so so nice? Thanks Ames! (it is xxxxxx@yahoo.com....in case I'm too much of a spaz, but I should be able to figure it out! haha)

I love you all so much and am grateful for all the sacrifices so I can be here! Thank you!

Jackie

Sister's Picture - December 9, 2009

Here is a picture of all of the sisters in Jackie's mission.

December 9, 2009

Hi there!

This week has been pretty good. I don't really know what to say. I haven't been very good at keeping track of things that go on in the week anymore.

Sister R. and I haven't been feeling the greatest lately. I was thinking it may have been from something that we ate one day, but then we pulled the couch out from the wall and noticed tons of mold on our wall....it is also underneath our carpet...then we noticed it underneath the window in our room. There is a lot of it but it will hopefully be taken care of soon. We may have to change apartments but we will find out sometime soon I'm sure. Hopefully after it gets taken care of we won't get sick as much or at all....

Happy birthday to Kelly! I should've sent a card, but I didn't think about it until it was Monday and then I can't write...only on Wednesdays....the whole obedience thing. crazy.....

I saw Mrs. Brower again on Motab....I think you all should join MOTAB so I can see you! It brings a slice of home...

At church this Sunday, R. and her 4 kids came to church...that was cool. M. came to the Christmas Devotional that night. She is still planning on getting baptized on Dec. 19th...I'm not sure if that will work or not, but we are aiming for it. We went to an appt with her and she started confessing things to her mother about what happened when her grandma died....it was not a good situation, but we were able to be there helping her through it...haha. weird!

So I don't really know how SKYPE works....do I call the phone or do I call to an email address? I'm not really sure, but maybe you can talk to Ames about it and we can figure it out before....I hate waiting til the last minute.

We didn't get any snow in Mid-county. Baytown got an inch or two, LaPorte got some, Houston/Kingwood got some. Mid county....sleet. Lame! It was cold cold rain! I was busting out all the sweaters and such I could. The other day it looked nasty and cold outside, but then I went out and the humid 70 degree weather hit me....it was hot, but then the wind blew and it was colder....Today is sunny and 60s.... I can get used to days like today! Everyone says its been a cold winter so far. I hope it stays like this....it rains a little, but it is pretty much ok for the most part.

I drove all the way to "Yueston" today. I was following Meredith's directions (our GPS--Meredith Magellan) and she took us the long way! It was a little ridiculous but then the Assistants and President told me how to get there the quicker way. It was also about 20-30 miles less of a distance. I don't like driving so much anymore so I am so excited for the time that Sis. R. can drive! Only a week and a half now!
The Malibu isn't so comfortable for the long distance drives so I have a pretty good headache now, but I will survive....Sis. S. used to have this lotion that was awesome for my neck because it was natural and relieved tension....she took it with her. I've been looking for it and hopefully I'll be able to find it one day. I bet it will help.

Sorry this was so sporadic. I am hoping that we can leave at a decent time today. I have laundry going....haha

Well, I love you all and am so excited to get to talk to you soon!

Love,

Jackie

December 2, 2009

Hi there!

I was hoping you were online, but maybe next time!

We went to K today for "Sister's Day." We went to decorate the mission home and spend a day with the other sister's in the mission. There are 24 of us or something like that. We had a lot of fun. I was definitely ready to come home though! It took 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get back so we didn't really have a P-day. Sister R. called President and asked if we could still email and go to the store and he told us that would be alright....hence, I am emailing late, but am not apostate! (it rhymed....cool!)

I got the packages today! I was so excited....They came a little unwrapped though....well, when I was pulling them out of the box the one with the sweater in it ripped open so I know what it is...I wanted to just take it out all the way because I could wear it for 20 extra days! That's half the winter here! ;) I'll leave it in until I hear that I can open it all the way....but thanks. :) ;)

I was writing all the things that I could think of to have you send me, but you are so speedy with that whole Christmas thing that I am so impressed! I was going to say some things that I already had like long sleeve shirts (undershirts) and my cuddleduds....

So...Thanksgiving was intense! We ate a thanksgiving lunch at the church with an amazing family and a thanksgiving dinner at an investigator type person's house. They had jello shots (people have now polluted jello!)....and lots and lots of alcohol. It was intense. I've never been around so many drunk people! It was funny though. M. asked me to say the prayer. I was honored! Though, her family started chowing down as soon as everyone got there and I was praying while everyone but Sis R., M., and one of her daughters was dishing up their plates. It was still nice though.

We also had a thanksgiving dinner on Friday night and on Saturday we were taken to a chinese buffet. I don't even want to look at food for the next week! I seriously get sick just thinking about food....that might be a problem eventually....

Random question....did I get a check in the mail from opinionoutpost.com? I had about 20 dollars saved up in survey money that I cashed out before I came and I haven't heard....just wondering. I worked hard for that 20 dollars! ;)

The other day when we were tracting the biggest dog I've ever seen in my life ALMOST jumped the fence! I was done at that point. It was a bit of a random day because our first lesson of the day, the whole apartment smelled like Marijuana (Sis. R. said it did....I learned what pot smelled like!) then the next appt. the people were smoking. We were a little sick that day. It was definitely an adventure!

Things are going much better, though they are still rocky. It is good to hear that Pammy had a similar experience....hers sounds much worse though! I am still considering it the transfer from Hell, but it isn't as bad as it was and I'm not really anticipating it getting worse, but it is still the worst transfer I've had on my mission so far....(not that there is much to compare!)

We are going over to the T.'s house at noon on Christmas day for our Christmas lunch/dinner....she is the one that said we could use her computer for the SKYPE thing so it will be sometime Christmas afternoon I believe....is that going to be ok for ya'll? Do you want me to bust out my Texas accent? I can.....haha Well, I don't know if I really could.

Well, I don't really know what else to say. We are working hard but the holidays are making it pretty weird. Oh, I'm playing the piano at a Spanish baptism on Saturday. That will be exciting. People here think I'm talented in that or something....weird!

Anywho....I love you all! Keep me posted!

P.S. How's Grandma Liz?

Jackie

November 25, 2009

Hello!

So I liked Brian's letter/advice to practice moving people in and out of homes....it is so true! My very first day we went to BC and we helped a family move across the street into a bigger apartment....It was hot, there were TONS of nasty big bugs and roaches and such and yes...you use those skills....

That will be interesting going someplace cold! It is a good thing you were on the snowshoveling crew at BYU! That will probably help a lot too Justin!

So that was a random call I got about the credit card! Thanks for taking care of it! I tried to use my debit card yesterday but it didn't work. Luckily I have some cash....The whole situation is quite interesting. I still have my credit card, but my old one is still in the house in my purse like scripture bag....it probably should be destroyed as well... :S
Thanks again for taking care of it! :D

We went to the temple yesterday. It was a good two and a half or so hour drive from my area. We rode to B. with the C. couple and then took the temple bus. I learned a lot about the adventures of Elder G. in PA when he served here....He actually got shot at once, but it is because he had a crazy companion that went to places they probably shouldn't have been. We are learning what those areas are and staying out of them. Unfortunately, it is costing us a couple of investigators, but we are working on having them in members homes....(Interestingly, I learned that one of the places we went to has a murder 2-4 times a week....hmm....I felt safe there though, don't worry....) We don't go back there....Bishop was pretty clear on that.

At the Temple Zone Conference I played The Olive Tree and 8 or so elders sang it. It was awesome! One of my pages fell down, but I played top hand until I figured it out again. Sister M. has a piano piece she wants me to play for the Christmas mission conference. I am going to try, but it is a little intense without being able to practice it really. Out of the 4 times I've played in public/with people, three have been on my mission. It is a little intense, but I am trying to play better! It’s a good thing I love playing! (just not lessons....imagine how good I'd've been without those piano lessons for a few years.... but I forgive you mom) Just kidding! Don't listen to that! I just wanted to pick at you...

Oh, people say "pick at you" instead of tease....that is weird that I said it. I am trying not to catch a lot of this Texan stuff, but some I like better...."loving on" instead of "cuddling" will not be said by me though...When people say they love on their cat....it is just weird....

anyway....haha

We do have a baptism coming up...We may move it so we can teach her whole family, but M. is an amazing person! She joined the choir and signed up to bring gumbo for the Christmas party and everything...her first week! We are super excited for her! Her family will be great as well I'm sure.

K. B. just came home from his mission in Ogden Utah. On his homecoming speech day he randomly picked up a lady walking to "a church" and brought her. Well, we taught her a lesson and the spirit was so strong (K. and another RM were there too) that we almost committed her to baptism, but we have to figure out how we could get her baptized since she said she cant be immersed....Figure out...well, basically just talk to the bishop. She is great though! Her name is A.. It is cool....Listen to the Spirit...Invite people to act! It is amazing what happens!

I don't know what else to say....I got Kel's tape in the mail yesterday. I started listening to it and thought it was so funny! Anyone can send me a tape anytime. I'd love it! ;)

I love the sunset pictures dad sends. They are so beautiful! I was going to try to send some pics here, but it isn't working so much....I haven't tried to figure it out really, which is the biggest problem.

Sister R. and I are doing fine now. The first week was really rocky, but now we talked and are working really well together. Exceeding goals, working hard, doing the best we can! It is great, actually....I'd never guess it based on our first week, but there were things that we both needed to work on. I am grateful President was inspired to put us together...and in PA! The Greenie Fire is strong and we are burning through this transfer!

Well, I love you all so much! Thanks for your prayers and your continued support! It has been amazing!

Love,

Jackie

November 18, 2009

Hello Parentals!

I loved the emails. They make me laugh. It only took me 14 minutes to read through all my emails! I am getting better!

This transfer is going to be really hard. My companion is hard. Well, I can officially say that I have been called 'selfish' and 'bossy.' Those are not verbs I generally hear. We've had some words....

My first three months went by super fast. Sister S. was amazing and we taught well together. She was caring and generous (though narcoleptic). Training generally lasts for 3 months, so I am counting down. Hopefully only 11 more weeks with Sister R.! Though, President does random things (like having me train after 3 months) so pray for her (or me....preferably her) to get moved....

Well, other than that, I guess things have been going well. We are hoping to extend the baptismal commitment to a few people, but we are working on getting them to church. Last week, no investigators came and President and Sister M. were there.....and they came to the Sunday school class we were teaching....so they saw that I am a bad teacher....haha. Luckily they have patience with me.

For Thanksgiving we are going to the church and having it with the H., J., H., S., anyone else that is related to them....apparently it is a huge deal and I'm excited. I don't know how Sister R. will feel about it, but I'm sure I'll hear about it. :S

I don't take well to people taking over and not knowing what they are doing, but I am trying to be patient. She is here for a reason, as am I and we will make the best of it.

While I was waiting for her and was in Humble I had fun with Sister M. and Sister M.. They are both powerhouses and I was hoping my greenie would be more like all the other missionaries I've served with now, but not so. Hopefully we will learn to work together. Give it time....

Well, I will try to think of more things, but as of now, that's all I got.

Jackie

November 10, 2009

Well Hi there!

I am glad that you wanted me to have something early because alas.....pday is early this week. Well, not really pday, but emailing because the libraries will be closed tomorrow so we are doing it today.

So this week has been super interesting! It was Sister Shull's last week. Saying goodbye is hard! I am glad I didn't have to do it.

We had Japanese Salmon for dinner on Sunday night. Legit Japanese food! Sister A is from Japan....she is also so nice! I love her so much and her food is amazing! Heck, I have the recipe for Teriyaki sauce....is there an Asian isle in Kents? If so, I'll send you the recipe. ;)

Also, I learned how to clean a crab. It is a little disgusting when they are alive, but I tried to find the dead ones....I kept calling it 'shucking' and they laughed, but really, it is like shucking an ear of corn. Sister Shull took a video of me and Butch shucking them, so you'll get to see it (and you know me, I was a little jumpy about it! haha).

Right now I am with Sister M and Sister M. They are so fun! Teaching in a trio is pretty hard, but it is only for a few days.

Oh, don't worry, I didn't get transferred...I'm here waiting for my new companion. So funny story....President called me on Thursday and told me I was training....So my trainer left and I am getting a greenie. I'm a little/a lot freaking out, but it will be ok. President knows what he is doing....not me. I will just have to do my best!

Anywho...I like it here for the time. There are actually spanish people and I am getting to use my spanish. It is pretty fun. You don't see a lot of spanish people in some parts, so it is a nice change.

I am super sad that Sister Shull is going home! She was awesome! I found a note from her in my scriptures today. I am excited to go back to the apartment and see what other fun notes she left for me.

Anyway....I'll tell you more about my companion when I get her. It will be tomorrow night, but you won't hear from me until next Wednesday (I don't think we are having an early pday again....but really, I never know).

Well, I love you all! Thanks for the prayers and the love!


So I think Cajun spelling is super funny. It is always 'eaux' spells O.....(You should teach that to your kids!) "The 'eaux' spells O, the 'eaux' spells O. Every ending makes a sound, the 'eaux' spells O!"

I was going to spell "throw" and I thought about spelling it "threaux" so it would make sense...;)

Oh, p.s. if you are randomly going to send me a package or something, if you would like to send my camera cord so I can email pictures and such, I wouldn't mind. :)
It should be one of the drawers of the plastic tote next to my computer desk in my room. That is my technology tote....:D

I am glad you use my computer...It makes me happy it is getting some use. just don't break it. ;)

Do you know what skype is? Sister T said we could use her computer and skype for Christmas.....If I am still here at Christmas time (but I should be since I'm training and that is usually at least 2 transfers)....

Oh, and now I have to drive for 6 straight weeks! I don't like driving....plus I have to find my way around on my own, in the dark! AhHhh! Pray for me. ;)

I love you!
Jack Attack ;)

Oh, Jeff told M about the whole "word" thing. She will always say, "word Jackie, Word! I mean...Sister Fuller! Word!" haha....it makes me laugh!

November 4, 2009

Hey Hey Hey!

Lasagna sounds good! mmmm....
So that is funny that you went to get squeaky cheese. Sister Shull and I have been talking about that a bit lately. Randomly, Texas doesn't have squeaky cheese and the people haven't ever seen it....Describing squeaky cheese is not that easy I've learned! I can teach them about the plan of salvation but not about squeaky cheese....weird....

How have the grandparents Fuller been doing? I haven't heard about them/from them since I left.....Wow, I just realized how much I leave my sentences in elipses....I will work on that!

Sister Shull and I went to a R.S. Activity on food storage yesterday night. It was very interesting. There were many questions and many people getting involved. Sister Fox asked a question about Bacon Powder. She asked how to keep that fresh since it goes bad easily. How come we never had bacon powder growing up? I was so confused by that and the fact that it went rancid and what not that I didn't know what was going on. Finally, sister Shull turned to me and said, "Oh, they are talking about Baking Powder." That made much more sense!
Moral of the story is that I need to learn that "ing" makes and "on" sound and not just a "in" sound like in Utah.
We went out to lunch with three crazy women the other day. We went to Cheddars (really good!) and had a ball because they are so funny! Sister Craigen, Sister Miller, and Sister Fox are so funny! They are all a hoot and a half. Luckily we laughed off a lot of the food!
So many people have been feeding us lately because Sister Shull is leaving. We have lunch and dinner planned for Thursday, Friday, Saturday so far. We will probably have breakfast with Bro. Hargraves on Saturday too....Its weeks like this I wish we were on a bike or walking or something.
It is really weird that Sister Shull is leaving but I know that she will have so much fun at home. I am excited for her. I am also excited to see who my new companion is. I need to learn the area a bit better before she leaves though. I am pretty good at Port Neches, Bridge City, and Nederland but Port Arthur, Groves, and Port Acres are a little more foreign because we don't go there as often.
So Elder Elkins just told me the refinery in Salt Lake blew up....that is no fun.
We had a Fall Festival and Sister Shull dressed up as an Elder. I don't know how legal that is in mission rules, but it is done with and I didn't dress up....I'm glad I didn't. I'm the lame missionary....or something....haha

Well, I don't know what else has happened.....
I got your package and THANK YOU! I loved it. :D

I hope you all have a fabulous week and I love you!

October 28, 2009

Hola!

I am glad Grandma Lizzie's ok. That is scary. I am so so glad you go and see her in the mornings! You are amazing Madre!

Snow flakes? We'll be talking to people here and tell them we are from up north and they say, "I've seen snow once. It snowed last year!" They say they like the way that it looks on TV...It is really funny.

Kaylee is marrying Roholt? That is funny. He is a fun kid and I bet they have a good time together (obviously, or they wouldn't be getting married).

Happy Birthday to Justin and Jason and to Telle! That is so fun! Isn't it weird how people get older? Man!

Hold out strong till after Halloween at school Mom and Kelly! You can do it!

I'd like to point out how mom called me her "dear sweet favorite daughter".....The end.

So Bobbie got baptized on Saturday....that was cool....and she got confirmed on Sunday....that was sweet....
It is funny how I played the piano for the baptism. I didn't do so hot...haha. Then I played in church for a special musical number with Sister Shull and Sister Curtis. Luckily no one listens to the piano....just the singing....Oh, and I get to play it at a fireside on Sunday. The spirit probably gets frustrated trying to touch people as I'm plunking away missing notes, but I try!

So in Sacrament we had some good speakers and while they were giving messages I was thinking about reaching our full potential. We can't do it on our own. That is one of the reasons that we are in families. Families are so important for learning and loving in all aspects of life! I am so glad that I have such an amazing family to learn from on the earth. I am also so greatful that I get to be with them forever and ever! The catch is that we all have to do our part and endure to the end, but I know we can do it!

So.....I ate alligator this week. It was good, though slightly rubbery. Maggie called us 4 times on Sunday night (I think) and left us messages that they were looking for us. Apparently her and Butch were driving around Nederland looking for us (for the car and also going by member's houses or by those we teach) and couldn't find us. We called her and told her we when we would be in the apartment. She and Butch came and brought alligator coubillon (coubiyo (very light n at the end)). She said it was made by a firefighter that works with her son and she just had to bring us some! She's been in Texas 40 years and only had alligator a couple of times. Apparently it is illegal to kill them in Texas but you can get a permit. They do a drawing for alligator like we do a drawing for deer or elk or something. Apparently you can also go to Looseyanna and kill one and bring it back....
Anyway, it was good. Coubillon is a fishy sauce that is tomato based and then there were chunks of alligator in it. I'm sure they stuck some Tonys in it too because they do that. Anyway, we got it, ate it, and loved it!

They eat catfish here too. Sister Craigen said she was going to take us to the new chicken express and we were going to have some fried catfish....along with some fried pickles and fried whatever else. You can fry everything and anything and they do!
hm....what else....nada I guess....

p.s. Something that helps me to not be homesick is to only look at my scrapbook/pictures from home on P-day....When I start getting homesick, I look at them a little, but then if I can, I make calls and set up appointments and such. Staying busy really helps homesickness....

I love you all and will talk to you later skaters!

Jackie

October 21, 2009

Hi! How are ya?!

How is your weeks going? Mine are going by so quickly! Yet, so slowly in the same sense. It is weird.

So I get to go to the Gulf Museum today. I am excited. It has a lot of artifacts about the area and famous people who came from the area. One of my favorite archaeologists/smart history buffs I know is going to take us. I am excited!

So the other day we were in Bridge City and there was a man on an excavator demolishing a house. We stopped to watch (in the car) and he saw that we had stopped on the road and started moving things with his excavator so that we could get through. He moved a mini van, a pile of junk, and he moved the trailer that was attached to his truck. He just pushed it all with the excavator. Then, sat back and motioned us on. He was so proud of the piles he'd moved for us....It was funny....We saw the Texas chivalry.....our friend Alex said that it was probably Texas Shovenry....He wanted to show us what he could do. We laughed again about the situation....
We also were hit on by an 80 year old man who was drunk as a skunk in Bridge City that day. That was probably the funniest thing....Well, that whole day was filled with funny things happening....

So funny story....Sister Shull's head has been itching for a month or so now. We finally called Sister Moldenhauer about it. We checked it for bugs but I didn't see any. We went to the store the next day and the lady told us she had lice. We bought the shampoo and spent a day delicing. It was intense. Sister Shull has long hair and I had to go through it with a tiny pick. We did my hair too just to make sure, but I was good. We also sprayed stuff all over the couches and the car and we washed all the sheets and clothing in the house. It was a day project. We were going to keep it on the Down Low, but then Sis. Moldenhauer called and left a message on our phone about it and Sister Stott listened to it (we were on exchanges). Sister Stott turned to me and said, "Sister Moldenhauer was wondering if the lice thing was taken care of." Well, then I had to tell her the story.

So the last ensign talked about blog and internet safety.....are the names being changed or withheld on the blog? or is it a private blog? I'm just wondering....

Bobbie is still good to be baptized on Saturday. She passed her interview and she is ready to go. I'm so excited! I am playing the piano for her baptism. We'll see how that goes. Apparently I'm playing for sister Shull and Sister Curtis in church on Sunday too. Its a little random since I'm not that good, but I like to do it....I totally should've brought my big piano book, but I don't know how that would've worked. I love playing too much.

I really like the members here and I am having fun. We are teaching a man that is from Vietnam. That is cool. Our neighbor is from Vietnam too. When we do our walking exercising in the morning she will come out and walk with us. She doesn't speak a lick of English, but she smiles and walks with us. I laugh EVERY TIME! We are trying to figure out how to give her a 'SAC MAC MON' but the language barrier would prevent us from explaining it....but we could give it to her....haha. I'll keep you updated.

How cool is it that Amy has her PhD now? Way to go! That is awesome! I am jealous! I wish I was done with a degree. Luckily, Amy looks like me so I think that she should go to BYU or UVU for me and finish one out. I don't care which.... Science would be good though. It would help me be a forest ranger or a conservation lawyer! Sister Cummings (my archaeologist friend) says I should go into Ecology because it is a more broad degree. I tell her I'd have to take Chemistry if I did that....She says I need to anyway....haha We'll see....:S

Kel, that was so thoughtful! You are such an amazing person! I love you how do little things for others so that they can be happy. Remember the scavenger hunt that you and Ames put together? haha. That was funny....

And...Kelly is such a sweetheart. Amy got the over brains, Kelly got the over thoughtfulness, Jeff got the over amazing techiness, and I am still trying to figure out what I have, but I love all of my amazing siblings! We have amazing parentals too! I love it all!
So it is snowing there? We are finally getting into decent temperatures. IT is funny because we will see people go outside with sweaters and jackets and sweatpants because it is 70 degrees outside. We are loving it! Bobbie always asks us where are jackets are because it is so cold outside! We tell her it is just right! It is too! I finally like this Texas heat....Now all I need is a mountain!

We did exchanges this week and it was exciting. Sister Stott came here and we got 6 lessons on a Tuesday! That is intense! It is because we both worked hard and didn't waste any time. She was born here like me so she knew a lot of people. there were some she was working with who still haven't progressed to membership, but with her help yesterday we were able to see what some of the barriers were. It is great and I am excited to see what comes of it!

I tried to get us a full day, but no one wanted us to come on Tuesday. We set appts as we went. I was able to fill up the rest of the week. We have tons of lessons planned. I would ask if we could meet with people on Tuesday and they would say, "no, but Thursday works" or something. Hence, Wed, Thurs, Fri., and Sat. are completely filled, but we were dropping in on people on Tuesday. It worked out though.

We are teaching a lot of wonderful people. I am so excited to see them grow in the gospel. I've been able to see a big change in Bobbie over this month, and I am excited to see that with others. It has been a cool experience.

I don't know what else to say but I am just typing because i didn't bring things to do besides email and Sister Shull is still on emails.

Well, I will try to pull up more of dad's pictures. I love you all and hope that you have a fabulous week! p.s. You should ask Kelly about what i said to her...it is funny....

Well, love you!

Jackie

Jeff's Letter - October 17, 2009

So a few weeks ago, well closer to a month, I received a phone call from someone in Texas. I thought it rather weird as the only person I know in Texas is Sister Fuller. Well it was a lady that Sister Fuller was eating dinner with. They had Utah Mashed Potato's (She got Dad's Package) It was a rather interesting phone call. It turns out that this person who Jackie was helping was having trouble with her computer. So I was doing Tech Support for some random person who Jackie was visiting in Texas. After about a hour on the phone I took control of her computer. It took about two hours of repair approximately. I can not recall the exact time. I was speaking to this lady, I am sure Sister Fuller can tell you her name, I can not recall, and she was instructing Jackie what to do. Once we got the computer working, and after a few embarrassing stories for Jackie. (I told how when she was little I had her bite her arm, and blame it on Kelly, and how when Dad would pick on Mom in bed, Mom would yell Word and Jackie would come flying to the rescue. There was quite a bit of time while things were being configured and the such.) I went to bed.

So back to the future, LOL I mean today I was wandering around Wal-Mart when I received a phone call from someone in Texas. It just happened to be the same Lady. Her computer was not connecting to the Internet. I spent a few minutes on the phone with her, I was having her reboot her modem and her router to see if that would fix the problem. I had her navigate her way to the back of the modem, and she unplugged it..... The phone went dead. Then I remembered that she had the Internet, Cable, and Phone all bundled together. After about 10 minutes, I received a second call. It was the same lady, who was laughing that she unplugged the phone. I thought it was amusing. So as I wandered around Wal-Mart, the lady told me that she called Sister Fuller and left a message. It was short and sweet and I bet Mom will get a Kick out of this the message was simply "word". I was advised that Sister Fuller called her back and asked what she could do for her. She told Sister Fuller that she was having computer problems and Jackie recommended me. The Lady was going to wait until Jackie came over for dinner tonight, but Jackie advised that she would rather have the lady call me before as Jackie wanted to talk to me, but could not. So Sister Fuller Gave the lady my Phone number and she called me. We went through several troubleshooting steps before I thought I determined the problem. I advised the lady to install an update, and she began the process. She asked me how long it could take. I said anywhere from 20-30 Minutes. So we determined that after the computer had installed the update if she was still having problems she could call me back and we would go from there. I never received a call back from the lady, so I figure that her computer problems were solved. Hopefully all is well with her in Texas. Though I must admit it is nice to hear from someone who sees Jackie regularly, It is nice to hear how she is doing, and how much she means to people down there. I feel that my time helping repair a computer in Texas is a small price to pay to hear how Jackie is doing between days that we get the Mass Email. The lady told me that they love Sister Fuller, and she is so patient. They enjoy her company, and she told me that Sister Fuller is doing really well.

I did not think of it at the time, but I figured this would be a good story to share and Jackie might want to remember this as part of her Mission. I figured it would be a good story to share with the fam, and maybe make it onto the famous BLOG. Well you may want to edit the story, and possibly run it past Jackie.

Jeff

October 13, 2009

Well Hi!

Sorry I missed everyone! I didn’tt know Tuesday was going to be Preparation Day until it was Saturday or something, so I wasn't able to let anyone know. Luckily though, Dad sent me some pictures and I got Brian's weekly email so I had something to look at....haha

Remember that time that we went to Jenny Lake and it was a complete and random downpour? Well, when it rains here, that is what it is like! On Friday it rained the whole day like that and I was really surprised that things weren't more flooded than they actually were.
And yes, I still hate rain....especially torrential downpour rain! Though, I am getting to the point where it doesn't bother me AS BAD....but it still does....a lot! :S

So I have two random questions:
1. When is daylight savings time?
2. How do you make pumpkin pie with the insides of a real pumpkin? Sister Shull and I want to carve pumpkins and we are going to roast the seeds (can you include how to do that in the next email too?) and want to do something with the insides! Please madre, share your knowledge! ;)

Alright...so we were in the health food store last week and this random lady came up to us and started talking to us. By random I mean she worked there.... Anywho, she asked us so we told her who we were. She said, "oh, I'm Christian"
I said, "Hey! So are we!"
Random lady: "Oh, no....you aren't....We believe in Christ"
Me: "the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does believe in Christ" (as I hold up my tag)
RL: "Oh no...you are considered a cult"
Sister Shull: "We aren't a cult ma'am"
RL: "Oh, Jill here goes to your church"
Then the random lady left and we didn't recognize the person she said was a member of the church.....and upon her return:

RL: "I'm sorry, Jill is a Jehovah's Witness"
And she walks off.....

So apparently (but not really) Jehovah's witnesses are a cult and they don't believe in God....luckily this random lady in the health food store told us what we believed because Sister Shull and I were apparently way off the mark! Maybe we missed the memo.... ;)

So high school football is the most intense thing ever here and the cross town rivalry game had 16000+ spectators....yes sixteen thousand....I didn't add one too many zeros....ridiculous, right? Nederland was only 7 students away from closing the school down (because so many were sick) but they kept it open to play that game, according to townsfolk.

Port Neches-Groves High school has the record for the most spectators attending a high school football game,. Guess how many? 54000! They have a joke here that is, "last one out of town shut the lights off" because everyone goes to the games. Tracting on Friday nights is useless.... and if we do go, it has to be before the game. Everyone wears their colors....

I'm pretty sure that half of this area is sick....It is going around. President Moldenhauer has asked that all members not shake our hands or give us hugs any more....It is a little weird and we don't know how to leave their houses and whatnot without that closure, but it is safer that way I guess.

Anywho....We have a dinner appointment and it starts right now so I am going to go.....

Love you mucho! I'll talk to you in 8 days!

Jackie

October 7, 2009

Well Hi there!

So before I even begin I must say that the mouse I am using doesn't have a scroller in the middle and i think it is the most annoying thing ever. I am so glad that technology is past that! Shoot, it is even a roller ball!

It didn't make it in one piece? Sister Shull and I worked so hard to pack it. Dang. Maybe the next one will be better....(no, I don't have another cookie jar for you yet, but shoot, give me some time!)

This week has been exciting....ish. Well, Conference was awesome! We missed the announcement of the Brigham Temple though! That is pretty cool, though it means that the city is going to get bigger and then all the city folk will want to move to the country. I am praying that we still won't have neighbors by the time I get back! If I pray continually, it will be sure to happen! ;)
We also missed the last hour of conference because of Technical Difficulties....lame! We will get to read about it in a month or two though, so I guess that isn't too bad....

I saw Mrs. Brower in the Choir like 4 times! That was exciting...I thought she wasn't doing it anymore, but apparently she is!

I saw a Nissan Cube and I must say, they are the ugliest vehicles I've ever seen! EVER! They have bubble butts and a rounded window....who made that? Anyway, I had my planner open when I saw it so it went on the list of things to tell the fam.

Bobbie is still on track to get baptized. She went to two out of four sessions of conference and has been to every activity we've invited her to. We are dang excited! Though, she doesn't have the greatest memory, so we have to remind her a lot, but she is gung-ho!

We are also starting to teach a couple of families. I'll let you know if it goes anywhere next week. It should though! The lord has prepared people and we just have to find them! It is as simple and as hard as that.

On the way over to the library, it was 93 degrees and the humidity is pretty bad today. I think that it will eventually corrode my watch battery...no joke! This morning as we were exercising, my watch was pretty wet with the air (as was my body!) and the paper that we were getting the exercise routine off of was soaked (and not from sweat....). Sister Shull reminded me that it was October....wish me luck for next summer!
Sister Shull told me that she can't even remember what the summer heat is like. She says it fries your brain and then you can't remember how hot it was. We figured that is why people live in this heat.....it is a good hypothesis. I'll ask around and let you know what we come up with.

Because of the jargon here I'm in need of some grammar assistance....When is it proper to use the word "whenever" and when is it proper to use the word "when"? We hear "whenever I picked my kids up from school" (meaning only one time...aka this day when I picked my kids up). I get so confused that I just don't know when to use "whenever" anymore. If I start saying that in the tapes and such, it is part of the language here.... but if someone could inform me of the proper uses I'd appreciate it! :D

We were going to go crabbing today, but Maggie called this morning and said that she got the flu and was so so sick. I cleaned the apartment and made some mashed potatoes (:D) and chicken dinner instead and wrote just a couple of letters.... I hear you get the biggest crabs when it is closest to the full moon so we may have to wait another month so I can get me a big crab! Or....next week....who knows? I'd be fine with just a little crab. :)

When we have companionship study Sister Shull makes me laugh as she tries soo hard to stay awake. The other day she was half asleep and half awake and she was dreaming that we were in the church and people were coming by us but then her eyes would be open too....It was weird, but I laughed really hard about it.
The other day, after a lunch nap She said, "I had the most unique and long lasting dream last night" and as I turned to respond to her she was back asleep and she didn't remember saying it. I laugh a lot about the sleeping thing. We are working on it though! She is a really good companion and we do well together.

Have you started counting down for me too? Or are you going to wait until my 9 month mark? Maybe we can get Pam in charge of that one.... Brian says she's started his! Crazy it has been a year! I've been out two months though! That is a long time....haha

Well, I can't think of anything else right now, but that is it.....I love you mucho and hope that you have a good week!


Jackie

September 30, 2009

Well hello!

So...exciting news....I get to kill off my trainer. She is leaving after this transfer, so in mission jargon, she will die, so I am killing her...haha. It is weird, but I thought it would be a fun title.

I am lovin' the pictures of the sunsets and sunrises and such. They are amazing! I am jealous. I don't know if I said it last week, but I know that I get to sacrifice beautiful sunsets and sunrises, because I've only seen one amazing one here, though when the shadows and the orange sky time is cool....if that makes sense. I can't remember what it is called right now.,...weird!

So apparently I talk in my sleep....and sometime last week I had a dream in Spanish and I was speaking Spanish and woke sister Shull up. Then, I sat straight up in bed and said, "and that's baptism. The end." and sat back down....weird I tell ya! Apparently I shouldn't talk in Spanish to people close to bedtime....or eat....haha

Well, I got driving privileges on Monday. I am not as directionally challenged here as I thought. I am able to find places in Port Naches and in Nederland, but Groves and Port Arthur are still super difficult. It is sixes on how much I remember in Bridge City though....We'll see. We've not been out there this week so far.
So yes....driving privileges on Monday....so I drove Monday and Tuesday all up until when someone crashed into our parked car (we weren't in it) and then I haven't driven today. Would you like me to explain it? I will.... ;)

Well, the roads here aren't very big, but I'd parked the car about halfway off the road (as is customary) and we went into the apt. We were there for about an hour when we heard the crash. I asked what it was, and the Sister Thibideaux (tib-id-oh) said, "I think someone crashed their car, but don't worry, it sounded like it was across the street)." We said, "uh....we parked across the street," but by that time we'd already felt our hearts sink into our stomaches. So we went outside and heard the groaning. We went over to their car and asked if everyone were conscious. We heard a few yes responses and someone asked if we'd call the ambulance. Bro. Thibideaux called the ambulance and they came within 7 minutes.
There were four people in their car and they were all hurting pretty bad. One of them was having spasms and his neck was in a brace (as the medics were getting him out of the car) and the driver was hardly moving. The ones in the back thought they broke some ribs and they weren't moving either. Though, I'm pretty sure that is a good thing because you don't want to move. Three in their 30s, one in his 20s. The speed limit on the road is 30, so they were going at least that. They said they swerved to miss something and they hit our car. It wasn't from the back, but it wasn't from the side. They hit the tire area on the back driver's side.
The police report says I was legally parked and they have insurance, so we should be good.
We called Elder Stelse last night and he and Elder Rigby brought us a car this morning and looked/took pictures of the damage on our car. We have a 2010 Malibu with under 900 miles on it. Fancy living! It smells new still. We will have it for probably 2-4 weeks while our Malibu is fixed. Ours had around 7000 miles on it....but that is just random. We are just getting back from the police station so that is why that is mostly about it.
So yes...I'm safe.....It wasn't my fault.....and we were able to meet a lot of people..... I sure hope the others are ok. They weren't looking so good, and neither was their car.

Early last week, sister Shull and I went to Sister Alexander's nursing home (she is only 55....its sad....but she is really nice!) and she sung while I played the piano. The old folks loved it! I had fun because I could sit behind the piano where no one could see me and I could just go for it. My piano skills have definitely improved (and got worse at the same time...I don't get it) and we have fun. She has had lots of training to be a singer and I've trained to play the piano, so it all works out!

Sister Shull and I are going to go crabbing with Maggie next week for P-Day. I'm super excited.
Sister Cummings told us about a place in Chaco, New Mexico where there are Indian ruins and it appears to be a Nephite Temple, so that is cool and I definitely want to check that out after I get home. We can have a family vacation and get out of the cold Utah February (or March) and go to New Mexico! Who is with me?!!?!?

I'm glad the walk for diabetes went well. I was going to ask....I don't doubt that anyone had a bad time....so that is good. I take it Dad didn't go? ;) How much did he make on the accordion? Buy Low, Sell High! That's my padre!

We are still getting some hard/mean people, but I shouldn't expect everyone to listen to what I have to say and be nice. The other day, there was a Southern Baptist man who his wife asked us to go around the back of the house to see. He was watching the plumber. We walked up, and he said, "What are the chances that I will convert you to Southern Baptist?" Before I could answer(and I had a good answer for it!), the plumber came out of his hole and started rambling about how Mormons are his favorite people and how we don't believe in the trinity and how we were right about that. Then he said he had a question for us, but he did so much random talking about nothing that I guess we both missed the question, because then he looked at us smugly and went back into his hole before we could answer. Then I tried to give the man a card with the articles of faith on it, but he was rude and said I could give it to someone else and said, 'have a nice day" (.S. Did you get the package I sent? I didn't ask for a confirmation, so hopefully you tell me when it comes!
It doesn't sound rude, but it was. He wouldn't let me finish a sentence. I was ragin in the cajun!) They both looked so smug and I was bugged because they hadn't proved a thing, but you wouldn't know it by the way they were talking and acting. My advice for the week: Don't ask a question if you aren't willing to listen to the answer....

Well, I think that is about all. I'm pretty sure I've talked your ear off. This has been a super long time in the making, but that is ok.

Can you send my memory card back when you get a chance? That way, I can have the one as a spare in case I do fill this one up crabbing! Haha

Well, Love you all and hope that you have a fabulous week!

Jackie

September 23, 2009

There was a screw in the tire of my car? What? Who put it there? It couldn't have been me! haha...

Fire drills are no bueno. I always hated them growing up. I just wanted to get back in to work, so I started taking out a notebook and continued to work. But that was me....a little over the top in high school...;) ( Connie---There was a fire drill at school this week)

Can you send me "The Olive Tree" song in a letter (if you make a copy) or something? Or the whole book? Well, maybe not the whole book, but Away in a Manger and The Olive Tree...that should get me through for a while. They only have interim hymns in sacrament, and my comp can really sing, so I think that would be fun to play the Olive Tree and have her sing to have a musical number....

So Bobbie, the one I talked about last week, we met with her on Thursday and she said she wanted to get baptized! Woo hoo! I am so excited for her. She is wanting to be involved with everything! We get to talk to her about the Word of Wisdom this week, so that will be a fun adventure!

The mosquitoes here are huge and plentiful! Every time we took a step on the grass in Bridge City yesterday, six or more mosquitoes would come up from the grass....each step! I'm not lying or exaggerating, I promise! If anything, I am saying a little less so that people won't think I'm lying!

We had some intense rain the other day and some intense thunder. I think a lot of streets were flooded, but it was ok. We had 6 appts so we didn't have to be out in the water, but then when 3 of them canceled or weren't living in the house, we ended up being in the water a little....The weather here is a little messed up. Anyway....

Thanks for my teeth! They are beautiful!

Jackie

Sorry, I ended that last one abruptly. I love you though! I will write next week. Maybe something really cool will happen...I don't know. I am sending a package! Exciting! It has a tape in it. Sister Shull taught me how to use tapes. Anyway, I love you mucho!
-

Jackie

September 16, 2009

Last week, Sister Fuller wrote a letter, but it was deleted. So we got a "Hello, I am fine, everything was deleted" email. This week was much better. Here is the news from the field:

Did you know armadillos can carry leprosy? Well, they can! Apparently there was a leper colony in Louisiana and armadillos were around...they found that people that touched armadillos were getting leprosy. So be careful around armadillos! Also, armadillos have a nerve reaction that make them jump when they are afraid or in danger. When alligators come to eat them, they jump and mostly narrowly escape the jaws of death! But when cars come, they jump into the car and die. That is why there are dead armadillos on the road! I haven't seen one, but there are members here that are big into ecology and wildlife, so I hear all about cool stuff like this! I am waiting til I get to see, maybe touch an armadillo, though, I will have to be careful because I'd rather not get leprosy!

So they have really weird street names here. There is one that is Fernwood and I think of grandma Fern, though, she is a Schenk and not a Wood. Then, along the road we jog there is a Sherylwood, a Jasonwood, and a Markwood all in a row. It makes me think of Orem and I'm waiting to see a Justinwood or a Gangsterwood or a Pamwood....give it time, I'm sure.

So exciting! At Walgreens, we found tapes for 1.79 instead of more expensive so I bought two packs- 20 tapes and there is a tape recorder in the cupboard, so I can send you tapes! I am super stoked about it.

Happy birthday last week to Pam and Paul! I didn't even think about it! I am sorry....Maybe next week when I go to Walmart I can find a card, but we've already made that trip for today.

Happy Birthday Padre too! That is so so exciting! Not everyone gets to be 52 this year!

Well, I can't think of anything else to say....how sad....but I love you mucho!

Jack

September 2, 3009

Hola!

So...hopefully you aren't missing me too much...I'd feel bad. There isn't much time to miss ya'll, but I try to miss you once a week at least so you don't feel bad. ;)

Luckily, I keep a sticky note in my planner each week so I can write down all the things I want to tell ya'll in the email. :D

(notice the ya'll...its working! ;)

Ok...first off, I need my memory card for my camera if you will. :D Thank you kindly!

Happy Birthday Grandma Lizzie! Woo! 100 is pretty fantastic, and I must say, that blue shirt is one of my favorites on Grandma....

So I learned something new this week. Sister Missionaries, for their 18 month mark, it is in the middle of a transfer, so I am actually out for 18 months and three weeks....so really, it is like I have only been out 2 weeks. I only have 76 left to go. Hopefully I use them wisely!

Our district consists of 2 spanish speaking elders, a senior couple, and us. It is rather a strange district (apparently) but I love it! The spanish elders are super funny and we are going to the park today. The senior couple, from Soda Springs, ID are my favorite! They are the Curtis Couple. They served in the Cove Fort mission a few years back....it was when I was in high school, so sister curtis may have given me that little wooden button that is on the string. (Hopefully you know what I'm talking about). Anyway...They are amazing! I love living close to them and we visit them and see them all around. I love it! They are like a third set of grandparents. We would do anything for them and they would do anything for us.

Sister Shull and I went down to the lower Port Arthur this week. She prefaced the trip with, "As long as we aren't doing anything stupid, the Lord will protect us." I was a little worried at that preface, but I could see why the warning. We went because we had a set appointment and a set place to be so we walked with purpose and we didn't go tracting. It isn't a place we are allowed to go tracting (don't worry, I was totally safe the whole time. I just thought it was funny).
In Port Arthur, we visited the Foreman family. They are super funny! Sister Foreman has a louder voice and personality. We went in, sat on the couch and said, "Oh honey, why you look so scared?" Apparently I looked afraid, but I have seen black people before....I wanted to explain that...;) We had a good visit and she came to stake conference on Sunday with 3 of her sons. We are going to go back before her son goes back to Baltimore (where he plays basketball for a college there). They are super nice...anyway...

The food here is amazing! I really like it. They put a lot of spices in everything. Its mostly cajun stuff. They have a whole section of Walmart dedicated to spices that I'd never seen before in Utah (and probably won't ever see in Utah). I should take a picture for ya'll. Oh, and chicken and dumplings...you cook the dumplings in with the chicken broth! Who knew? It is good. Oh, and instead of putting gravy over potatoes and such, they put stuff over rice. Its a new concept for me, but luckily Pam fed me for a while, and they used rice, so I knew that it is used for things.... (if that makes sense).

So...we have a baptismal date! Things were going real rough for the first two weeks. We didn't have anyone to teach. Well, we caught this lady that they've been working with for a couple of months (but never taught a lesson to) and we taught her the first lesson and she asked us when she could be baptized. The only catch: her husband is a jerkface and we don't know if he will consent to her being baptized. We'll have to see what comes of it, but she is set to be baptized on October 1st. We are stoked. Last week, I wanted to set a goal of having a family of 4 come to church. Well, Joanne's family has 3 kids of age to be baptized and her, making it a family of 4....so if she brings them to church, then we are golden and reached the goal that seemed so unfathomable. :D I love goal setting....and positive thinking and such. It is great!

So....I can't relate to a lot of people we've been talking to. There are a lot of people with rough home lifes, and my companion talks to them and they talk about how to grow up righteously and live beyond what is going on, but I just sit there and smile. So thank you for making it so I don't relate, because I am so glad and grateful for the life I enjoyed! It was amazing and I am blessed for it. Thanks Parentals!

So here, when you don't hear what someone is saying to you, instead of saying, "excuse me?," or "what?" You say, "ma'am?" It is the weirdest thing and I didn't understand what they were saying for a while, but I got it now. Well, I get what they are saying, but I haven't started saying 'ma'am' yet. That is just too much for me at this time. But yes, I would say something, they would say "ma'am" and I would say, "what?" and they would say "ma'am" again. It would last until Sister Shull would say what I had said again. It was confusing! haha.
Something else that confused me was when they would say "ya'll." Apparently, "ya'll" can mean just you, instead of a group of yous!
A lot of the dinner appointments we go to, they ask, "have ya'll had this before? (or something similar), and I would answer that Sister Shull may have, but I haven't...or something to that effect. But even when they are clearly only talking to me, or someone else, they will say "ya'll." I don't get it, but I, again, am working on it.

There are some thick accents I can't understand yet, but I am definitely getting better....Plus, there are some that will speak without hardly moving their mouths. I didn't realize that one could talk without barely moving, but it is possible! I am one that is very animated in my speech, so yes....difficult times! :D
I say "they" like it encompasses the whole of Texas, but it doesn't....but it does cover most of the people that I have been in contact with....(that is my disclaimer)

So I lost my clothes in the MTC, not at the mission home....but that is just a trivia side note.

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Jaiden Face! Man, he isn't old enough....but now at least he gets chocolate....and does he get ice cream now? hm....its too much to keep track of.

Speaking of ice cream....Texas has the best kind of ice cream ever! It is called Blue Bell. I've NEVER tasted anything so good! (And I don't think that is because it is so darn hot here that ice cream tastes better). I think Kelly would be in Heaven. They have many different flavors....You could probably google it....I can't though.

I had to try and fix a computer myself...without the support of my tech support. I wanted to call Jeff F. at least 10 times! but I couldn't. I put on the virus software, then had to disable it all to get on the internet, then I couldn't get the printer to work for this sweetest lady (named Maggie...newman knows her)...but alas, it is going to be another day project we decided, and Maggie will call Jeff and will talk through the phone as I am fixing the computer....;) How about it Jeff? ;)

Anyway, I think that is all that I have to say. Oh, did I tell you how I almost died last week? It might be in the letter... And I got to see the largest firehydrant in the world. It is in Beaumont and Sister Jolly took us there. You'll see pictures. I enjoyed it. My favorite sign was one that said, "smoking in bed is stupid." Then it went on, but I can't remember the fine print.

So....let me know how life is. It sounds like you are all having a rip roaring good time. I am too....teaching, talking, and soon I'll go crabbing! :D

Love you all! Hasta la pasta until next time!

Jack

P.S. I just wanted to add a little side note....

Don't worry about me. I'm safe. The lord is protecting us. As long as we don't do anything stupid, we will be safe....and I don't like doing stupid things....

　

P.P.S. I forgot to mention the mosquitoes. They are the worst creatures ever! I have 26 bites on my left ANKLe alone.... All the skito spray in the world won't keep them away....and yes, being allergic is having its moments, but luckily only a few have swelled up to a big size, and even those aren't as bad as Kelly and Haylee get them, so don't worry, I just thought I would let you know they are the devils!

And they have these locusts down here that sit in the trees and make so much noise. I don't know how they do it. Apparently, one day, they will all just die....so one day, there is noise, the next day...silence! I think that will be weird....haha...

Just thought I would add that! Love you!

August 26, 2009

Hi all!

All is well here! It is so blastedly hot though! I'll have more on that later...I'll go in chronological order of the week. :)

The flight was good. My escorts were great! I love them all so much! One of them, Elder Oman had too heavy of a bag at the airport and I took some of his stuff in my bag. Well, he forgot to get one of his bags so I think I have all his shaving supplies...I'm going to give it to President this weekend and he said he'd figure something out for me...haha woops!

On the flight I kept having a feeling to talk to a lady. Finally, with about an hour to go, I busted into her conversation with the lady next to her. The lady, Laura Tanner, was from Liberty, TX and was on her way home from a funeral. She was a very religious lady and we had good talk. She believed that one could be saved by merely saying they were saved and staying faithful and good to the end, but yes, "I'm saved"...it was fun. She invited me to a festival in her town, but I didn't know where I would be so I couldn't. (turns out I can't)...She wanted to see me again so she gave me her information. I gave it to the missionaries that were opening that area (just opened on Wednesday...Elder Wilde was sent there!). Hopefully they will talk to her and share the gospel. She was so nice!

Sister Dupaix and Sister Mazza are so sweet. Sister Dupaix is a convert that helps in the office and sister Mazza is on a mission and is from Soda Springs (as is Elder and Sster Stelse, Elder and sister Rigby and President and Sis. Moldenhauer). I guess when you are a senior couple, the mission president calls you and then you put in your paperwork, so they are all from his hometown. They are great though!

So...my companion is Sister Shull from Missoula Montana. She is super funny. When she was introduced to me she had on fake teeth. She is a hoot...I don't even know who to compare her too. I could see Matt Edrington being closest to her in temperance and funness, but also very spiritual! She is also a theater major.... We get along really well. She isn't a morning person, and I'm not a night person so we compliment each other in that aspect.

So...for the big news....I'm in Port Arthur! It is about 20 miles from Beaumont, though, I can't tell you which direction. The town's roads are built facing northeast and southwest, so I am always so lost as to which direction I am going. We cover Port Arthur, Port Neches (naychez), Groves, Bridge City, and Nederland. I am in the Twin City Ward. It is pretty exciting. Our apartment has a huge map of the area and also a warning... Apparently, Sisters were flushed out in 2006 because there was a man stalking one of the sisters....we aren't allowed to proselyte near where the man and his wife live. It is dangerous to us and the Sister he was stalking. So anyway...

Oh man, there is some crazy weather here! One moment it could be clear skies and blazing hot, and the next it is storming! The lightening is pretty sweet! Sat. night it was thundering so bad that I couldn't sleep. I was a little scared, but only because in Utah that means that the lightening is close to you. Here, it thunders and quakes for miles! It is odd....But yes, super loud.

I got my request to not be where there are sidewalks! I thought that would send me to Chile or something, but nope, Port Arthur Texas! There aren't sidewalks! There are two lanes going each direction and if there is a parked car or someone walking in the lane, it becomes a sidewalk or something apparently. It is weird, but ok...I will survive....

Everyone here has either a cat or a dog it seems. They are mostly inside dogs and they like to lick a lot! I'm not a fan of dogs that lick (I was talking with Sis. Shull one day and said, "I'm not a fan of licking dogs" and she thought I was meaning that I lick dogs so I'm careful not to say that anymore. It was super funny.) The dogs are cute though for the most part.

In Hurricane Ike, all but 14 houses in Bridge City suffered water damage if nothing more (water damage is way way bad though). There are a lot of FEMA trailers there. They have a room on either side of them, a kitchen/laundry room/living room area and a bathroom. I wish people could get the help needed there...I mean, a year in a FEMA trailer, I wouldn't be able to handle it. Though, everyone is so humble and they realize the important things in life. It isn't about materialistic things, but about family, heirlooms, the gospel. Those are the things that will get you through this life! Not the appliances, the TVs, etc. Those are fleeting. The testimonies of the people are hitting me hard in this area.

Also, the testimony of prayer. The fact that we can ask our Heavenly Father and know of a surety that He is listening is something that a lot of people wish, but don't know about. I know that as we sincerely pray and share our hearts with Heavenly Father that He is listening and as we act in Faith to do the things He asks then we can be strengthened. It is such a real promise he gives us! I love it!

In my study journal I've learned that I can't abbreviate everything....for example, the Plan of Salvation cannot be abbreviated into the P.O.S....It is just not right! :S ;).

There are so many churches down here! There are seven as we go from one of the main freeways to our home. and they are all different! People wear clothes that would be frowned upon in Utah, but they aren't bad. My companion has one that is a Jesus Wii character that says, "Hii saved me" It makes me laugh real hard actually...and those types of things are everywhere. She has a folder that has a word search on it and Jesus is circled in the middle and it says, "I found Jesus!" I'll have to send some stuff home....

We don't have any investigators right now, but we are focusing on the members. There are like 550 members in our ward apparently, but the average attendance is about 150. So we are visiting a lot of Less Active families and helping them remember the feelings as to why they joined the church. It has been rewarding, but we have to wait a little longer...

I'm in the apt where Ben Newman served last.

Don't worry about us. The ward is taking care of us. Sis. Jolly just gave us a bunch of food....home canned jelly and such! Mmm.... She is making sure we are ok in everything. (as well as everyone else).

One of the ward missionaries is taking us to Beaumont so we can go to a museum. Beaumont is just out of reach. On Pday we can only drive 20 miles.. I am excited. I have the camera and all!

The place where we do service is like the DI and we hang shirts and clean up, so I got some shirts and sweaters and all 7 of my items only cost 7.56. It is really good how everything is cheap. They have a base price. It is the idea of the DI but better! :D

Anyway, my companion is ready to go, so I am going to head off...love you all so much!

Jackie

A Call From Texas...

Today, Jackie's Mission Home people called. They wanted to get some info on a Newsletter that my mom does. My mom emailed them the info, but we heard a few stories about Jackie, so Mom was in seventh heaven.

They said Jackie arrived and she has a great companion. (They have never lived with her, so we will see what Jackie says...)

They said that they are teasing Jackie. He told Mom that Jackie would be talking normal in 2 weeks. she would be saying you all or ya all instead of you guys. (This is true, I have a friend from Texas that says "Ya all" ALL of the time!

He also told my mom that when he told Jackie he was going to call her mother, Jackie gave him a funny look... "Hey, I can call her, you can't, but I can!" was his reply!

We haven't received a letter or email for a bit, but when we do, don't worry, it will be posted!

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Jackie called us today from the airport to say she was leaving for Texas. She sounds SUPER excited. She was telling us stories about a mile a minute. I will try to summarize a few highlights!

Today she is a solo sister. So her mission president assigned 4 (that's right FOUR) Elders to escort her to Texas. Even in the mission Jackie can't keep the boys away! (We always tease her about that!)

She went up to a sister missionary going to Peru and told her how she was going to miss Utah, the mountains, and ..... (fill in everything else you can miss about Utah). Well, the other sister started freaking out because it just started sinking in that she was going to miss Utah and that she was really going. Jackie just laughed. Whoops!

She also said it was a little weird to see people in street clothes after being in the MTC for 3 weeks and being around missionaries only in dress clothes!

She is super excited and is probably roasting in Texas right now. Good Luck Jack!

August 17, 2009

Hi all! I'm on my way! I don't know where I'm goin', I'm on my way! jk...I do know! but I love that song. Oh babylon. ;) JK. That is the joke here...that the outside world is Babylon....anyway, its almost a zoobie like behavior, but I joke about it more than believe it. Anyway....

ok...so the RC. I had a progressing investigator! I taught her the whole first lesson, then about the Holy Ghost. She committed to going to church, but then apparently on Saturday she decded not to. I am going to call her tongiht to see what happened (I’m not fixing errors because time is precious and you know what I mean). I wanted to commit her to baptism last time, but as I was saying it I couldn't! I knew exactly how I was going to say it, but I seriously believe that my tongue was being held. because as you all know, I don't hold my tongue often. ;)
I have three other call backs today. I love the RC because I am talking to real people. I love calling them back and giving them more lessons. It is the closest thing to the field that I have here.

So Jason: I have a friend who might be selling his contract at the Branbury, but it might be a little late. The phone number is in my phone under "Johnathan ward"....
Jairen: I wouldn't buy the books in the missionary library until you get here. The pack is only 6 dollars and you get a 20 percent discount on it. Scriptures are cheaper here too....I'm just saying....oh, and I wouldn't bring a lot of paper to take notes because they show you a sweet way to keep track of your notes...anyway.... just saying. Way cool on your call though! I am so excited for you!

So random....my ear was bugging me the other day and I said something to sister Robinson (she is in the branch presidency so like the first counselor's wife type thing) and she is a nurse. She looked at it and apparently I have a swollen lymph node on my ear and there is a random mole there that wasn't there before (on my right ear) so I am going to go check it out today if Sister Hallett decides that would be an ok thing to do. We set goals and make plans, but a lot of times she decides that she doesn't want to and we never accomplish our companionship goals, though, don't worry, I still study hard when that happens.
We were in the RC last week and Sister Jordan got her finger stuck in a random hole in the desk. our teacher, brother Melton, was laughing inside and shaking his head. He has such a meek appearance and he doesn't laugh out loud boisterously, but he tends to shake his head a lot at sister Jordan and sister Graves. They do a lot of funny things. :D

So the bag we got at the sister missionary mall is not doing so well. I was carrying it last week and the handle randomly came off....it was ridiculous. Then, the strap connectors are plastic and have a weak metal thing....(if that makes sense) and the metal thing is gone on one of the connectors.

I have a solo sticker because my comp leaves before me. I get about 13 companions for Tuesday. They are the next district and they are all elders. I will be the only sister in the zone, so I get quite the escorts! They are super funny, so it will be good.

Everyone is packing and it is pretty weird. I don't like that....I am leaving a day later, but because there is only one of me and Elder Wilde, we have to do our laundry and preparations with them, so I have to keep out four pairs of clothes.

I leave on Wednesday! Woo hoo! I have to be out at the curb at 5:00 am. I am super excited and hopefully I can sleep the night before and wake up on time to be out there! I go with 2 Spanish elders and elder Wilde. We are going to rock the whole airport/Texas thing!

I've been trying to write everyone back and tell them about my blog. I hear it is super sweet! Thanks Ames! Also, I can't really remember my address at the mission home, so I send them to the blog! lol. It is great.

I saw Facebook today. The old lady in the clothing store was on facebook and wanted to show me a picture of some guy in Bear River City to see if I knew him. I thought it was funny. I didn't even feel tempted to sign in! LOL

So let's see...a typical day in the MTC:
6:30 AM: Wake up! Pray, make my bed. Get ready...we have half an hour to get beautiful for the day!
7 am: BREAKFAST. they have a line for fruit, lots of cereal times, and a line with eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage...guess my line? lol
7:30 MDT Missionary Directed Time...anything that we as a companionship thinks will make us a better missionary..
COMP study an hour
Personal study an hour
Lots of MDT time
Class time: We go to class and discuss doctrine, lessons, etc.
TE: Teaching evaluations: we can go practice teaching and the teachers give us feedback..

So I realized I can't really give a day because they are all different, yet all the same. We have a meaningful activity planned for every hour of the day. It is great! Planners dream! lol

On Pdays we get to go to the temple in the morning, have personal time, eat lunch, then laundry (when I write) then dinner, then classes again. Tonight is my last class with Brother Williams. It makes me sad because he is so funny! E. Wilde and I get one more class with Bro. Melton. Then we are done too!

So there you have it....a normal day, but not really in the MTC. Oh, and I forgot, we have gym four times a week too. I played basketball last time. It was fun. Sisters can only guard Sisters and Elders can only guard Elders, but I was schooling them all and had a perfect shot (thanks to Amy and that little plastic hand!)haha..

So..,.yes...How is everything going with you all?

I am so excited to go to the field. In the MTC we bear testimony all the time, and I am excited to share that with the people of Texas! They are all amazing I'm sure!

Here is my last MTC Testimony:

I love this work! Moses 1:39 tells us what the Father delights in: He wants to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. He wants to see us happy and see us join him in Heaven by living honorable lives and keeping the commandments here on earth. By doing the things we know we should be doing, we too can live with the Father.

I know Joseph Smith is a prophet. He received Heavenly Messengers and saw God the father in the flesh. He was given the necessary priesthood to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. We are so fortunate to have the priesthood! It is such a blessing in our lives! I took it for granted, but I understand the importance of it now.
Through Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon was translated. We have this ancient record of the people of the Americas and God's dealings with them. We can get closer to God by reading it than any other book. It s so powerful! I know that as I read it I feel His love for me. It is powerful. I have grown so much in my testimony by reading it. I read the stories and study it by subject. I get so much out of it!

I want to challenge all to not just read the BoM, but ponder its words, apply them, do them! Your life will change, in small ways or large ways, they will be changed and I can promise you will be happier. Even in trials because the scriptures help us learn to cope. They tell us why we have trials in this life, they help us through them.

I love you all and will see you in 17 months and a week (or so)...
:D

August 10, 2009

Hello All!

I have loved reading all the emails and all the letters sent! You are all amazing and I love to hear from EVERYONE! I love hearing all the stories, even if they make me homesick, so sorry if I gave the impression that I didn't want to hear anything that would make me homesick. I love it all!

I have some pretty awesome stories this week. I have a sticky note with them all so I can remember them all!

First: Business
Nick, how did the job interview go? Well?
I'm glad Kelly and I think alike. I sent the email about the tree of life, then Kel talked about it in the letter. Fate I tell ya! I hope we still think alike after 17 and a half more months!.
The bag from Amy was a blue one that she bought in Scotland. It was only like 2 dollars or something...I remember her telling me that.
I got my flight plans....I leave on August 19th at 5:00 AM from the MTC. Flight at 8:45 on Delta so hopefully I get to see Bishop Oliver as my pilot! How cool would that be?
I can only check the LDS mail account, so send things here. :)
Good tractor purchases dad! I loved the pictures, and I'm excited that there are deer around our house! :)
What is Amy's Address? and Jeff's Address?
DEARELDER.COM is a site that you can send letters to missionaries in the MTC for free. You can donate to the site, but don't have to, and send packages (but I wouldn't recommend that. It is overpriced and not worth it). So....if you have a cute little story, dearelder is where it is at! :D

There is an Elder Wolfert that played basketball at Mountain View and said he knew Jason and Justin. He just left yesterday for the field. Lucky him!

Ok....now my really cool story:
We spend some time on the phones in the referral center. When people order media from the church we make sure they get it and testify and teach them and talk to them in general on the phone. I spoke with a lady from the BRONX. She was so sweet! She was confused about religion and I started telling her about the LDS church. She has researched it and researched a lot of other religions, but didn't feel anything. She'd never been in an LDS church though. I challenged her three times to go to church, but wasn't ready for that. We talked for over an hour! It was great! I committed her to reading a few chapters from the BoM and she was going to order some of the videos and accept the missionaries to come teach her in 30 days! I am going to have to check up on that one when I get back from the mish, but I was so excited! I shared some scriptures with her that applied to her life and we talked about a lot of good things. I loved it! My one and only positive experience in the RC as of yet, but I do have a testimony of the good of it now!

so...my companion....Her name is Sister Hallett. She is from Florida. She is a very nice sister. She is talking more now that we've been together for 11 days, but still...not much. Sometimes I can't take it, but I have been really good. It is teaching me a LOT! I also need to work on planning as a companionship. We go to plan lessons, but she won't say anything so I just plan it and then let her know what the plan is. She seems to actually like that system a lot so I don't think it is going to change unless I give up completely, but you all know me and I can't let things go to chance that it might not happen just right (if that even makes sense).

I was excited to see Brian's letter today! I am glad he is doing well. I read it quickly though because I don't have much time. I am waiting for laundry and there are some crazy elders making lots of noise and having lots of fun in the laundry room. between that and the heat of the dryers and the amount of people and such, I can't think correctly, so if this last part doesn't make as much sense, that is why.

I am sad that all my older districts are leaving. Beginnings of the week are sad times because those you come to love are leaving. It makes it hard, but then I am so excited for them all that it is ok. Wow. I've only been typing for 13 minutes! I don't even know what else to say and I thought I would run out of time. Did I already talk about teachers and my district and such?

Elder Wilde is from Idaho. He is so funny and considerate!
Elder Pierce is from Maryland. He is the District Leader and the bringer of the mail~! He is a funny guy.
Elder Clayton...well, let's just say I'm really excited for how the mission will help him grow up~!

Sister Hallett, the companion. She has a strong testimony.
Sister Graves....super funny! She always makes me laugh, but can bring in the Spirit like nobodies business!
Sister Jordan...Sweet, sweet girl! I love her so much and she always has a tendency to make me laugh, but always compliments me and makes me feel so good! She is amazing as well!

Teachers: Brother Williams...he served in Jamaica and knew Johnathan Crawley! Brother Melton...He served in Las Vegas and knew my friend Doug Jacox. They are both powerhouses and bring different spirits! I love them both so much!

I am so excited for when I get back off my mission I could work at the MTC because I will be going to BYU! I would love to see the massive change that occurs in people in three weeks....That would be phenomenal.

Well, I have three minutes so I am going to close.

I am used to bearing my testimony about everything and at every moment that I can. I know that this gospel is true! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here! There were a lot of people and instances before my mission that made me question going or staying, but I know that I am where I am meant to be, no matter how difficult things get, I know that this is right! That is definitely bringing me the power to go on! I am so excited to be leaving to the field in 8 days! Wow, how quickly it came! In the MTC, days go by like weeks, and weeks go by like days! That is true! haha

I love you all and am excited to hear from you! Have a great week and know that I'm praying for you!

Jackie (Sister Fuller)

Oh, p.s. I saw Ethan Dodge, one of my favorite people from UVU. He is so funny and I see him all the time! Good ole' CAL and PLP to get to know him!

August 3, 2009

Hello Familia!

So....things have been going pretty good. Wednesday went by really quick, as did the other days. I can't believe that I have been here for 5 days already! We get to write our letters while waiting for the mail to be done, so I have a little bit of time. Not any longer than 27 minutes though!

My district is comprised of 3 elders and 4 sisters. Elder Wilde and I are going to Houston East and the other 5 are going to Ogden Utah. If you see any of them, please feed them and let them do laundry. ;) They are great and I love them all!

Sunday here was phenomenal! We had lots of devotionals and singing. I had to play the piano in our branch sacrament meeting, but it wasn't too terrible because I knew them all. They are super awesome! I am sad that the group we are just getting to know are being shipped off to Fort Worth Texas, but Texas will be a better place because of them! I like to think so anyway....;)

Sunday was Fast Sunday. I didn't know that they didn't serve Breakfast and Lunch on Fast Sunday, so I fasted from Lunch on Saturday. I was quite hungry when it was time to eat Sunday night, that's for sure! I was definitely grateful for the dinner. I am glad that I was so hungry because their pot roast and potatoes weren't as good as the ones from home and I didn't get to have homegrown corn....

I saw Dane Rigdon in the lunch room. He works in the maintenance here. It was quite shocking. Also, Suzy Smith and I are a few doors down so I see her a lot. Her companions are super funny and I enjoy talking to them all. I haven't had a really great conversation with her because I haven't had a lot of time!

That is the greatest thing about the MTC. There is no time to think about all the things that I am missing from home so I am not too homesick, except for when I hear of ways that you all miss me and such. ;0

I have been using the bag that Amy gave me from Scotland. It is the perfect size for me to carry around all that I need minus my scriptures. I need to get out my bag for that, but the bag works great! I've used it enough that it already has a hole in it. :D

Through Fast Sunday I was getting drinks and my companion kept commenting and I had to say, "I'm sorry that we fast in different ways. You don't have to tell me how to do it." Then I didn't hear more on it. We usually do pretty well, but there are times that we get annoyed with each other. She is great and I love her, but I am not afraid to say what I think about it.

My teachers are brother Melton and Brother Williams. Bro. Williams served in Jamaica and knows Johnathan (the one who came to my farewell) and Bro. Melton knows Doug Jacox (a good friend from UVU). Bro. Melton served in Las Vegas.

So...I still have 20 minutes, but I can't think of what else to write! I guess that is the problem with being a fast typer....You run out of things to say, but not run out of time. I was thinking about buying me another set of scriptures that weren't marked like crazy so I could have a mission set, but I haven't decided.

I have learned the secret of the MTC! It is to learn to teach and recognize the spirit. It isn't just to learn the lessons. Once I learned that, I haven't been worried about being nervous and not teaching. I have been so scared because I haven't been able to be a perfect teacher, but when I forget and let the spirit guide I do so much better! I love it!

So,....The Tree of Life....It isn't quite the same in the sister's residence halls as it is in the Men's department....We have stalls and there are three women stalls instead of the 8 or so on the tree of life. It makes me laugh. I am glad that I have a stall and a curtain. It makes changing clothes a lot easier and such.

Well, I love you all and I can't think of anything else to say, so let me know what questions you have and I can have more to type the next time! Oh, except I do have one thing to say....If you feel like sending me a package with a few sticky notes, a notebook, cookies, or something, I wouldn't mind I'm sure. Also, I love to hear from you all! just not things that you miss, because then I miss them too. oh, and dad, go get those tractors! :D I want to see some pictures, or let me know how much you sell them for. Or....you could tell me what other really random purchases you have made.

I love you all and I'll talk to you next week! My P-Days are Mondays and my laundry time is at 1:45 so I think as long as you email me before that time I will be able to get it! Love you mucho!

Jackie/Sister Fuller

Sister Fuller's Missionary Pictures

And Another...

Hola Familia!

Hi, how are ya? So...things are going great! I was all registered and settled by 12:54pm.

There has been so much going on today! People say things are crazy when you get to the MTC, but I’m not frazzled. I have been going with the flow and hanging out. There was more down time than I expected, but I think its because I’m a light packer. :) I probably should be studying though...

They offered food from 11-2 for us, so I got a banana before our first welcome. We sat on the front row and the four of us sisters in my district were asked to say a prayer. I volunteered Sister Graves. I don’t know why but I was shy today. Not again though!

My branch President is a descendant of Hyrum Smith (randomly...) He’s a nice guy. On our first one-on-one, he started off by telling me that I shine. He told me how the Holy Ghost was working real hard to get me there. No wonder I like him. Ha ha!

The feeling here is totally awesome! There is lots of singing and bearing of testimonies which is awesome! I love it here! And I love the people! Ask me after 12 hours, but so far...awesome!

All but 2 from my district are going to the Ogden Mission. I think it is pretty funny.

Thank you for the opportunity to come. I can already feel a change in myself and know that if I obey the rules and commandments with EXACTNESS and don’t quit, I will be blessed. So thanks for giving me that. :)

Suzy Smith came up to see me. She’s just down the hall. I’ll probably go find her tomorrow to say hi. It’s good to see a familiar face.

Oh, and I’m the music coordinator for the district so I’m the piano player for sacrament and such. How Awesome! They asked about piano skills and my hand shot up... I don’t think it was me controlling the arm! :)

I love you so much! See you in 18 months minus 1 day! :)

Sister Fuller