Hi there!
It was so fun to talk to all of you on Christmas. I enjoyed it. Thanks for your words!
This week has been kinda crazy. Elder J. and I pretty much saved the church from burning down. Someone left the oven on "self clean" and it was super hot and there was smoke everywhere in the kitchen and it was spilling out to the halls. I went in and saw the oven so I quickly shut it off and he opened the doors. It was pretty intense. I am glad that we ended up going to the KW building instead of the other building!
We were tracting on Christmas Eve before it got dark and we met a man who instantly asked where the church was and what time and such. He's been searching for a church and seemed really excited about ours. He told us one of the issues was that his wife doesn't speak English. I erased the map to our building and drew a map to the A. building. He was really cool so I'll have to keep up on that story! The sun was shining earlier, then after our dinner it started downpouring rain. It caused our plans of carolling to be canceled so we went to the KW1 Elder's dinner appointment and spent the rest of Christmas Eve with that family.
After talking to ya'll we went to a member's home and we went to see the lights with them and Pres and Sis. M. It was pretty fun. It seemed kind of random, but it was fun.
We went and played frisbee golf at a course in the woods here. It was pretty fun. I'm not that great at it, but I had fun. In Utah, they have the courses on open fields generally. Ours had so many trees it was crazy! You'd throw it, it would hit a tree....but it was so funny. I loved it. Luckily the sun is shining or it would be cold.
I don't know how you all do that whole marriage thing. I feel ready for a companion change after a few months....We find out this Saturday what is going to happen for the next six weeks. I'll keep you posted....as in let you know next week where I am and where everyone is.....haha....
I didn't bring my camera cord so I can't send any pictures...sorry about that....
I love you all though! have a great week!
Jackie
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
December 20, 2010
Hello familia!
This week has been pretty good. We had our mission conference as well as we went on 2 exchanges. You'd think we'd be less productive, but we actually had better numbers this week than the week before....Oh, and I was sick, but I'm better now....Stinking flu.....Anyway....
We had an amazingly fun conference. They had the departing missionaries give their testimonies and all of us leaving in February had to do it too. I thought that was pretty not fun. I'm not a cryer, so I didn't....some people did though. I'm just not like that. I will still have a Zone Conference but they had us do it this time. Anyway....that is so boring too. You didn't really need to know that. I loved the conference though. We learned the new goal for next year. 698 baptisms. I'm excited. It is plausible and WILL happen! I love it! It takes a lot of faith, but if missionaries don't have faith, what do we have? nada enchilada!
Last pday after emailing we spent WAY TOO much time in Walmart....while the elders were in there, this man was outside so I totally got a picture with him. He was interesting. I'm glad I was able to record this in time though! haha....I love it! We meet lots of people like this/who are very avid that the bible is the only thing and that they try to scare people into following Jesus. I don't know. I find it interesting. I thought you'd like the picture.
The second picture is me with Elder F. He is going home in January. He is really funny. He told me he forgives me for schooling him in soccer....It made me laugh...and it is a funny picture...so there ya go!
As you can probably tell, I'm not really in the mood to email....I don't really know how to express all the stories and such that is going on....
Oh! P.S. The Elders in Port Arthur told Sis. R. who told me, that K.D. (the first person I ever contacted out here) is getting baptized on Christmas day! I'm super excited! It makes me think of how the Lord allows people to be touched....When we were talking to her we were in the clearance rack at walmart and she was in the baby clothes and they were randomly right next to each other....AND....because her son is named Jadon and so we connected on how I have a nephew Jaiden face....So thanks Nick and Kel for having a Jaiden face... Hence and therefore, the gospel is true and the Lord puts us where we need to be and with the circumstances that we are in!
I.'s boys have decided that they want to be baptized as well. They are super excited. Now we are working on getting her husband on board too. The ward is pretty excited. Our number hungry bishop is excited that we will be halfway to reaching the ward's baptismal by January..... I'm excited to have that happiness for I. and the boys.....It is exciting.
The last picture is after exchanges. There is me, Sister B., Sister W., and Sister K.. Sis. W. trained both of them and I trained her so it is like my grandchildren! jk...I think that is the weirdest language ever.....but they are so fun and all such awesome missionaries. I love being out here and having the opportunity to know all these wonderful sisters and elders!
Well, I'm excited to talk to ya'll on Christmas. Don't make fun of my accent. I know I say ya'll.....it is so much easier to address a group! lol..... and remember....I only have 30 minutes...... :S
Jackie
This week has been pretty good. We had our mission conference as well as we went on 2 exchanges. You'd think we'd be less productive, but we actually had better numbers this week than the week before....Oh, and I was sick, but I'm better now....Stinking flu.....Anyway....
We had an amazingly fun conference. They had the departing missionaries give their testimonies and all of us leaving in February had to do it too. I thought that was pretty not fun. I'm not a cryer, so I didn't....some people did though. I'm just not like that. I will still have a Zone Conference but they had us do it this time. Anyway....that is so boring too. You didn't really need to know that. I loved the conference though. We learned the new goal for next year. 698 baptisms. I'm excited. It is plausible and WILL happen! I love it! It takes a lot of faith, but if missionaries don't have faith, what do we have? nada enchilada!
Last pday after emailing we spent WAY TOO much time in Walmart....while the elders were in there, this man was outside so I totally got a picture with him. He was interesting. I'm glad I was able to record this in time though! haha....I love it! We meet lots of people like this/who are very avid that the bible is the only thing and that they try to scare people into following Jesus. I don't know. I find it interesting. I thought you'd like the picture.
The second picture is me with Elder F. He is going home in January. He is really funny. He told me he forgives me for schooling him in soccer....It made me laugh...and it is a funny picture...so there ya go!
As you can probably tell, I'm not really in the mood to email....I don't really know how to express all the stories and such that is going on....
Oh! P.S. The Elders in Port Arthur told Sis. R. who told me, that K.D. (the first person I ever contacted out here) is getting baptized on Christmas day! I'm super excited! It makes me think of how the Lord allows people to be touched....When we were talking to her we were in the clearance rack at walmart and she was in the baby clothes and they were randomly right next to each other....AND....because her son is named Jadon and so we connected on how I have a nephew Jaiden face....So thanks Nick and Kel for having a Jaiden face... Hence and therefore, the gospel is true and the Lord puts us where we need to be and with the circumstances that we are in!
I.'s boys have decided that they want to be baptized as well. They are super excited. Now we are working on getting her husband on board too. The ward is pretty excited. Our number hungry bishop is excited that we will be halfway to reaching the ward's baptismal by January..... I'm excited to have that happiness for I. and the boys.....It is exciting.
The last picture is after exchanges. There is me, Sister B., Sister W., and Sister K.. Sis. W. trained both of them and I trained her so it is like my grandchildren! jk...I think that is the weirdest language ever.....but they are so fun and all such awesome missionaries. I love being out here and having the opportunity to know all these wonderful sisters and elders!
Well, I'm excited to talk to ya'll on Christmas. Don't make fun of my accent. I know I say ya'll.....it is so much easier to address a group! lol..... and remember....I only have 30 minutes...... :S
Jackie
Monday, December 13, 2010
December 13, 2010
Hi! How are ya?
So...we had a pretty exciting week. On Tuesday we were knocking on doors and we met a family that just moved in from Oklahoma (well, 4 months ago=just). They told us if we went to their church that they'd come to ours. Well, we had a night to fill and so we made arrangements and asked President. It was quite the experience!
It was a non-denominational. First thing I noticed was that I was the only white person. It was all African Americans, a Tongan (Sis. K.) and me.....yep....
The prayer lasted 5-10 minutes and was being screamed into a microphone as the drummer and pianist were playing randomly. The "prophet" talked to us about extortion and how if we didn't give everything to the church that we were holding back. We shouldn't by gaming systems we should give the money to the church....and him, consequently....Him and his big ole diamond cuff links.... It was intense.
While sitting there for the 3.5 hours that it was....yeah....he kept telling us to praise god and repent. They were doing it with their hands up, but I was praying! I prayed that I could feel the spirit, even a little inkling of it. I felt so void of Spiritual truth. I wanted to cry (but I don't do that). It made me truly appreciate the spirit. Even though there are always tons of little kids screaming and crying it church, the spirit is still there. There is a calm, a peace about the church. I was longing for it but for three and a half hours, there wasn't that. I never want to feel that again!
So at the end, the last 30-40 minutes was him prophesying that we needed to tithe. He MADE all of us do it...he didn't stop his sermon. There were three of us sitting there while everyone else was in a line to tithe. He told us that we only needed to donate $22. I thought, "1-$22.00 is a ton of money! I have none...especially as a missionary! I've giving my life to God right now. 2- Stop your sermon...I'm not going to donate. 3- Stop telling us that you are a prophet and we are being disobedient to God by not giving you money right now" Finally, he told the members of the congregation to "move" and help us out....the lady that brought us paid mine because I was not going to tithe. Sis. K. gave $20.00 bc she felt bad. I felt bad that my lady had to pay, but I was not going to help out that ministry.
It was one of the worst and best experiences of my life. It was good because I was able to realize a lot of things that I didn't truly appreciate about our religion before. We don't treat the church as a business. The main purpose is to uplift and teach about Christ. He is the focus of what we do....not manipulating people to get money. It was bad because I felt so sad that the people were being manipulated. He was reading scriptures out of context and telling them they weren't good enough to be around him.
We've been having some amazing experiences. Oh! Good news! I. has decided that she wants to be baptized. Her date is January 8. We are going over Thursday night to see if her whole family wants to investigate. She has three kids, 14, 13, and 9, and her husband G. The YM program is stoked. The kids are coming sometimes to the Wed activities and it is strengthening their numbers...they only have 8 young men right now, so these 2 are helping them all have more fun. Things that used to be hanging I. up are now ok. Everything is ok...It is amazing. I love her and am excited to continue to teach her.
Hmm...what else? Thanks for everything ya'll do. I really do appreciate it. My family is so great! I love you all! I hope that you have a good week and I will talk to you later! Bye!
OH! JK....I'm thinking that we will call at night after our dinner on Christmas....is that kosher? We are eating dinner around 5 on Christmas night, so probably around 7 our time so six Utah time and I don't know what time in Iowa and Illinois.....We still have to ask...but I'm thinking that will work...OR....early in the AM. We are eating breakfast at another members home so that might work too.....basically....let's plan on me calling you, ok? Oh, and I only have 30 minutes.....fyi....
I love you!
Jackie
p.s. the picture is of P.M.'s family (her mother, and the two girls--I. and L.). We made a gingerbread house with them. It is fun. They want to be baptized but they have an interesting situation...so we teach them and we love them....
Do you like my socks? haha...too bad they were patterned or I'd be able to wear them tracting! ;)
This picture is of a Sisters Training Day....There is Sister B., me, Sister W., and Sister R.... They are so fun!
We went to decorate the office last Monday. I put a huge ole bag of ornaments on that tree. I got everyone on! It was great. We ate sandwiches, had some fun, and I got to climb in the attic...that was fun. I guess E. S. tried to climb in it later and he broke the ceiling a bit....I guess I was just the right size! haha....aka...I was the smallest one in the office.
So...we had a pretty exciting week. On Tuesday we were knocking on doors and we met a family that just moved in from Oklahoma (well, 4 months ago=just). They told us if we went to their church that they'd come to ours. Well, we had a night to fill and so we made arrangements and asked President. It was quite the experience!
It was a non-denominational. First thing I noticed was that I was the only white person. It was all African Americans, a Tongan (Sis. K.) and me.....yep....
The prayer lasted 5-10 minutes and was being screamed into a microphone as the drummer and pianist were playing randomly. The "prophet" talked to us about extortion and how if we didn't give everything to the church that we were holding back. We shouldn't by gaming systems we should give the money to the church....and him, consequently....Him and his big ole diamond cuff links.... It was intense.
While sitting there for the 3.5 hours that it was....yeah....he kept telling us to praise god and repent. They were doing it with their hands up, but I was praying! I prayed that I could feel the spirit, even a little inkling of it. I felt so void of Spiritual truth. I wanted to cry (but I don't do that). It made me truly appreciate the spirit. Even though there are always tons of little kids screaming and crying it church, the spirit is still there. There is a calm, a peace about the church. I was longing for it but for three and a half hours, there wasn't that. I never want to feel that again!
So at the end, the last 30-40 minutes was him prophesying that we needed to tithe. He MADE all of us do it...he didn't stop his sermon. There were three of us sitting there while everyone else was in a line to tithe. He told us that we only needed to donate $22. I thought, "1-$22.00 is a ton of money! I have none...especially as a missionary! I've giving my life to God right now. 2- Stop your sermon...I'm not going to donate. 3- Stop telling us that you are a prophet and we are being disobedient to God by not giving you money right now" Finally, he told the members of the congregation to "move" and help us out....the lady that brought us paid mine because I was not going to tithe. Sis. K. gave $20.00 bc she felt bad. I felt bad that my lady had to pay, but I was not going to help out that ministry.
It was one of the worst and best experiences of my life. It was good because I was able to realize a lot of things that I didn't truly appreciate about our religion before. We don't treat the church as a business. The main purpose is to uplift and teach about Christ. He is the focus of what we do....not manipulating people to get money. It was bad because I felt so sad that the people were being manipulated. He was reading scriptures out of context and telling them they weren't good enough to be around him.
We've been having some amazing experiences. Oh! Good news! I. has decided that she wants to be baptized. Her date is January 8. We are going over Thursday night to see if her whole family wants to investigate. She has three kids, 14, 13, and 9, and her husband G. The YM program is stoked. The kids are coming sometimes to the Wed activities and it is strengthening their numbers...they only have 8 young men right now, so these 2 are helping them all have more fun. Things that used to be hanging I. up are now ok. Everything is ok...It is amazing. I love her and am excited to continue to teach her.
Hmm...what else? Thanks for everything ya'll do. I really do appreciate it. My family is so great! I love you all! I hope that you have a good week and I will talk to you later! Bye!
OH! JK....I'm thinking that we will call at night after our dinner on Christmas....is that kosher? We are eating dinner around 5 on Christmas night, so probably around 7 our time so six Utah time and I don't know what time in Iowa and Illinois.....We still have to ask...but I'm thinking that will work...OR....early in the AM. We are eating breakfast at another members home so that might work too.....basically....let's plan on me calling you, ok? Oh, and I only have 30 minutes.....fyi....
I love you!
Jackie
p.s. the picture is of P.M.'s family (her mother, and the two girls--I. and L.). We made a gingerbread house with them. It is fun. They want to be baptized but they have an interesting situation...so we teach them and we love them....
Do you like my socks? haha...too bad they were patterned or I'd be able to wear them tracting! ;)
This picture is of a Sisters Training Day....There is Sister B., me, Sister W., and Sister R.... They are so fun!
We went to decorate the office last Monday. I put a huge ole bag of ornaments on that tree. I got everyone on! It was great. We ate sandwiches, had some fun, and I got to climb in the attic...that was fun. I guess E. S. tried to climb in it later and he broke the ceiling a bit....I guess I was just the right size! haha....aka...I was the smallest one in the office.
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 6, 2010
Hi All!
So this week was the grande Nativity Exhibit of the K. Stake. It was pretty awesome. Here is a picture of Sister M., Sister K., Elders D. and J., and I being in the live nativity. Don't worry that the costume I was wearing was for little girls....I think a twelve year old could've fit into it and it would've looked the same. No wonder people ask me what High School I go to.... Hm....
There were hundreds of Nativities set up all over. We gave up part of our Pday last time to help set up...hence we emailed on Tuesday last week. Attached is also a picture of one side of the gym. It was pretty awesome. It was pretty tiresome as well. I enjoyed it though. We had a lot of people come and we were able to meet a lot of people. We weren't allowed to proselyte at the event but if people asked us questions it was all good. We also had a lot of members tell us when they were going to be there with friends so we could meet them. It was awesome.
Missionary work is so fun. It is especially fun during the holidays. Partly because of the wonderful services we get to help with as well as the kindness of people. It is a bit hard to get the traditional lessons though because people are so busy. It is funny. People are busy all the time. They think their lives are going to slow down at some point, but they aren't. They need to make time. We all need to make time for the things that are important.
So how about Elder Uchtdorf's words for the Christmas Devotional? He talked about little Grinches like me with their hearts two sizes too small. I thought that was really good. I was thinking about it and 2 Christmas's ago I would've been bugged because of Christmas and because I wouldn't want to listen. Now, I just love everything the Prophet and Apostles say. I know that it comes from God, even when it is hard to follow, it is what God wants.
Let's see....the week....
We had a woman flag us down the other day....we were able to help her. She had just driven from Alabama (18 hour drive) and it was 9:30 at night. she was renting an apt from the same complex but the answering service wasn't connecting her to the manager so she wasn't able to find her place or get in or anything. Anyway, we helped her, then helped them move their beds in and what not. She and her 3 year old daughter are moving in. The daughter kept calling me Princess and was just wanting to stay right with me. I didn't quite know what to do...It was pretty funny. Needless to say, we got in late, but we were able to do the things that the Savior would do if he were there. We went to bed late and were exhausted. We got up early the next day and had to rush out....our apt was inspected that day so we didn't get the best ratings, but hey, we were being Christlike!
I got a package from the ward today and from Grandma Wood. It is a good thing we were helping at the office. We were putting up trees and decorations and such. I was able to climb into the attic to get everything down. I was elected because I'm the smallest....shocker, eh?
Well, life is good. Sorry I don't have much to say. The gospel is still true. I do know that.
Have a great week! Enjoy your snow and I'll enjoy my 60s....pray it doesn't get any colder for me....I'm already freezing sometimes! ;)
Jackie
1: Take note of the socks...Sister M. gave them to me. I wanted to wear them for the day but decided that might be considered a patterned sock....it just says ho ho ho!
2: More Nativity Fun (Elders O. and J., Sis. K. and I)
3: Elder D. and Elder J. rocking out as shepherds....
Well, I think that's about all that will fit....
Adios for now!
So this week was the grande Nativity Exhibit of the K. Stake. It was pretty awesome. Here is a picture of Sister M., Sister K., Elders D. and J., and I being in the live nativity. Don't worry that the costume I was wearing was for little girls....I think a twelve year old could've fit into it and it would've looked the same. No wonder people ask me what High School I go to.... Hm....
There were hundreds of Nativities set up all over. We gave up part of our Pday last time to help set up...hence we emailed on Tuesday last week. Attached is also a picture of one side of the gym. It was pretty awesome. It was pretty tiresome as well. I enjoyed it though. We had a lot of people come and we were able to meet a lot of people. We weren't allowed to proselyte at the event but if people asked us questions it was all good. We also had a lot of members tell us when they were going to be there with friends so we could meet them. It was awesome.
Missionary work is so fun. It is especially fun during the holidays. Partly because of the wonderful services we get to help with as well as the kindness of people. It is a bit hard to get the traditional lessons though because people are so busy. It is funny. People are busy all the time. They think their lives are going to slow down at some point, but they aren't. They need to make time. We all need to make time for the things that are important.
So how about Elder Uchtdorf's words for the Christmas Devotional? He talked about little Grinches like me with their hearts two sizes too small. I thought that was really good. I was thinking about it and 2 Christmas's ago I would've been bugged because of Christmas and because I wouldn't want to listen. Now, I just love everything the Prophet and Apostles say. I know that it comes from God, even when it is hard to follow, it is what God wants.
Let's see....the week....
We had a woman flag us down the other day....we were able to help her. She had just driven from Alabama (18 hour drive) and it was 9:30 at night. she was renting an apt from the same complex but the answering service wasn't connecting her to the manager so she wasn't able to find her place or get in or anything. Anyway, we helped her, then helped them move their beds in and what not. She and her 3 year old daughter are moving in. The daughter kept calling me Princess and was just wanting to stay right with me. I didn't quite know what to do...It was pretty funny. Needless to say, we got in late, but we were able to do the things that the Savior would do if he were there. We went to bed late and were exhausted. We got up early the next day and had to rush out....our apt was inspected that day so we didn't get the best ratings, but hey, we were being Christlike!
I got a package from the ward today and from Grandma Wood. It is a good thing we were helping at the office. We were putting up trees and decorations and such. I was able to climb into the attic to get everything down. I was elected because I'm the smallest....shocker, eh?
Well, life is good. Sorry I don't have much to say. The gospel is still true. I do know that.
Have a great week! Enjoy your snow and I'll enjoy my 60s....pray it doesn't get any colder for me....I'm already freezing sometimes! ;)
Jackie
1: Take note of the socks...Sister M. gave them to me. I wanted to wear them for the day but decided that might be considered a patterned sock....it just says ho ho ho!
2: More Nativity Fun (Elders O. and J., Sis. K. and I)
3: Elder D. and Elder J. rocking out as shepherds....
Well, I think that's about all that will fit....
Adios for now!
November 30, 2010
Hi!
How are ya?
Things are good here.....as you can see we put up the Christmas tree.....It sickens me a little, but I'm actually kind of excited for the holiday season....Weird, right? I like it because I get to talk to ya'll, but I think I'm actually liking the decorations and fun of it....bleh...I still can't even believe it. I liked not liking it, but again, that is changing.
Things have been going pretty well. Yesterday we helped set up the big Nativity Exhibit at the church so that is why I didn't email. 4 hours of stacking chairs and hauling stables....it wasn't too bad though. I'm pretty sore though. Pretty sure I moved over a hundred chairs.....intense!
The Nativity is a big deal. It is a huge community event that the K. stake puts on every year. I'm glad that I get to be here for it since I've been hearing about it since I came to the stake in February....By the end of this transfer I will have spent 11 months within a 20 mile radius.....Other than temple trips and one conference in B., I've been here.....it is pretty weird when I think about it like that.
The second picture is Hermana C. and I. She made us one of the Thanksgiving meals....funny story about that. ok...first of all, the fried turkey was amazing! If ya'll dont' have Louanna Peanut oil there, let me know. I will ship some. That with the cajun seasonings is so so so so good! I don't think I ever want another turkey not fried....ok. Now, at the C.'s home I was already pretty full, but I was sipping at the juice they had. I got really hot and red....I asked what was in it....it had citric acid. It was pretty intense because they were all worried. I just went out to the car and got a benedryl pill and waited for it to be ok. It was funny. It was a blessing though because I had my bag with the pills in it and normally I have my other one.....so that was cool. Anyway, then when we went for dessert the fam was very excited to give me Lemon Meringue pie...they thought they were so funny (they knew I was allergic).
Then, we went to the M.s for games.....It was ok to go so I was really glad. It was good to see them all again. I heart A....that's all....
So there is this man in P. that walks around with a Trust Jesus sign on him...I think it is funny, so I thought to take a picture. If he is there next Monday, Sis. K. and I are going to take a picture with him...I'm pretty excited.
Well, we are going to go see K.. I'm pretty excited. We have a full day ahead of us. It is a bit chilly (60s) so pray for me that I don't get sick in this cold weather! ;)
If it helps, it was 80 and super super humid yesterday.....aren't you glad you don't have to deal with that? ;)
I love ya'll!
Jackie
How are ya?
Things are good here.....as you can see we put up the Christmas tree.....It sickens me a little, but I'm actually kind of excited for the holiday season....Weird, right? I like it because I get to talk to ya'll, but I think I'm actually liking the decorations and fun of it....bleh...I still can't even believe it. I liked not liking it, but again, that is changing.
Things have been going pretty well. Yesterday we helped set up the big Nativity Exhibit at the church so that is why I didn't email. 4 hours of stacking chairs and hauling stables....it wasn't too bad though. I'm pretty sore though. Pretty sure I moved over a hundred chairs.....intense!
The Nativity is a big deal. It is a huge community event that the K. stake puts on every year. I'm glad that I get to be here for it since I've been hearing about it since I came to the stake in February....By the end of this transfer I will have spent 11 months within a 20 mile radius.....Other than temple trips and one conference in B., I've been here.....it is pretty weird when I think about it like that.
The second picture is Hermana C. and I. She made us one of the Thanksgiving meals....funny story about that. ok...first of all, the fried turkey was amazing! If ya'll dont' have Louanna Peanut oil there, let me know. I will ship some. That with the cajun seasonings is so so so so good! I don't think I ever want another turkey not fried....ok. Now, at the C.'s home I was already pretty full, but I was sipping at the juice they had. I got really hot and red....I asked what was in it....it had citric acid. It was pretty intense because they were all worried. I just went out to the car and got a benedryl pill and waited for it to be ok. It was funny. It was a blessing though because I had my bag with the pills in it and normally I have my other one.....so that was cool. Anyway, then when we went for dessert the fam was very excited to give me Lemon Meringue pie...they thought they were so funny (they knew I was allergic).
Then, we went to the M.s for games.....It was ok to go so I was really glad. It was good to see them all again. I heart A....that's all....
So there is this man in P. that walks around with a Trust Jesus sign on him...I think it is funny, so I thought to take a picture. If he is there next Monday, Sis. K. and I are going to take a picture with him...I'm pretty excited.
Well, we are going to go see K.. I'm pretty excited. We have a full day ahead of us. It is a bit chilly (60s) so pray for me that I don't get sick in this cold weather! ;)
If it helps, it was 80 and super super humid yesterday.....aren't you glad you don't have to deal with that? ;)
I love ya'll!
Jackie
Monday, November 22, 2010
November 22, 2010
Aloha!
How are you all doing? Things are going well here. I survived Transfers...I'm still in KW2 with Sister K.. This is a small transfer....Only 3 people in our whole zone moved so I'm pretty happy.
The nativity exhibit at the church is a pretty big community deal so I'm pretty excited to be able to see everyone there. Christmas decorations are up everywhere.....you know me. I'm overjoyed that the season is started.....woot. I get to listen to Christmas music for the next month...another favorite....haha
Aside from Christmas though, things are pretty awesome. We only have 2 dinner appts on Thanksgiving and a dessert. It is working out that we are able to go to all of them...Pray that I don't get stuffed.
I had legitimate chicken fried stake the other day. I think I have about a half pound of grease sitting in my stomache right now. Southern cooking is good, but it is so bad for you. I'm going to be running that one off....haha....but it was good.
We've been experiencing many miracles. I love miracles. I'm learning to be a better person. I'm working on not overdoing it....I have a tendency to work harder than my body wants to allow...
I was able to get a blessing the other day. I was feeling a bit dizzy again, but it wasn't too bad, just getting there. I feel a lot better now...plus transfers are over....One day I will learn to control stress.... ;) Anywho, the blessing was amazing. The Priesthood power is real. I love it.
Oh, did Justin serve in Brampton? I forgot...but I met someone from there. He said it was joked to be "Bramladesh" now.....but I don't know. If he served there, he may get that.
The Temple was amazing! I was able to feel the spirit so strongly. I was doing a family name of someone sitting next to me. She thanked me. It was pretty amazing. I'm excited to attempt to do family history to help my family get through the Temple too. The picture is of the sisters in the zone in front of the temple. If I had more than three minutes I'd write their names...but I don't have that much time.
Since I'm in KW, I can pick up my package the day that it gets here....they don't have to haul it all around the mission....so if it comes a little later, I'm sure that would be ok....
Hm....I don't know what else to say....I love you all and I hope that things are going fantastically....I'd tell you more stories but I can't think of any...
I'd just say....you should call M....I'd love for ya'll to meet them.
Oh! And I heard that Sister M. called. I was super excited to hear that. I love her so much too.
I didn't know that I could love people that weren't my family so much, but I totally do! They are so so amazing! Everyone is! I love you my family too!
Have a great week!
Jackie
How are you all doing? Things are going well here. I survived Transfers...I'm still in KW2 with Sister K.. This is a small transfer....Only 3 people in our whole zone moved so I'm pretty happy.
The nativity exhibit at the church is a pretty big community deal so I'm pretty excited to be able to see everyone there. Christmas decorations are up everywhere.....you know me. I'm overjoyed that the season is started.....woot. I get to listen to Christmas music for the next month...another favorite....haha
Aside from Christmas though, things are pretty awesome. We only have 2 dinner appts on Thanksgiving and a dessert. It is working out that we are able to go to all of them...Pray that I don't get stuffed.
I had legitimate chicken fried stake the other day. I think I have about a half pound of grease sitting in my stomache right now. Southern cooking is good, but it is so bad for you. I'm going to be running that one off....haha....but it was good.
We've been experiencing many miracles. I love miracles. I'm learning to be a better person. I'm working on not overdoing it....I have a tendency to work harder than my body wants to allow...
I was able to get a blessing the other day. I was feeling a bit dizzy again, but it wasn't too bad, just getting there. I feel a lot better now...plus transfers are over....One day I will learn to control stress.... ;) Anywho, the blessing was amazing. The Priesthood power is real. I love it.
Oh, did Justin serve in Brampton? I forgot...but I met someone from there. He said it was joked to be "Bramladesh" now.....but I don't know. If he served there, he may get that.
The Temple was amazing! I was able to feel the spirit so strongly. I was doing a family name of someone sitting next to me. She thanked me. It was pretty amazing. I'm excited to attempt to do family history to help my family get through the Temple too. The picture is of the sisters in the zone in front of the temple. If I had more than three minutes I'd write their names...but I don't have that much time.
Since I'm in KW, I can pick up my package the day that it gets here....they don't have to haul it all around the mission....so if it comes a little later, I'm sure that would be ok....
Hm....I don't know what else to say....I love you all and I hope that things are going fantastically....I'd tell you more stories but I can't think of any...
I'd just say....you should call M....I'd love for ya'll to meet them.
Oh! And I heard that Sister M. called. I was super excited to hear that. I love her so much too.
I didn't know that I could love people that weren't my family so much, but I totally do! They are so so amazing! Everyone is! I love you my family too!
Have a great week!
Jackie
Monday, November 15, 2010
November 15, 2010
Hi! How are you all doing!?
This picture is of me and K.V. She is so cute! The day was great! The service started an hour late...Spanish time. She was there on time. They started filling the font when it was supposed to start. No worries though. It happened.
She actually asked Sister K. and I to speak on Baptism. she wanted us to speak in Spanish so everyone else could understand. We told her that may not help them to understand, but we did it. The Elders translated the talks and we read them. I'm not brave enough to write my own in Spanish. Anyway, it was quite the adventure. I liked it. K. told me I needed to come back after the mish and she'd help me with my Spanish. I think it sounds fun! I may just not come home until June or July of next year....I'll let you know. :) Anyway....the baptism was awesome. She was so happy! The Spanish branch loves us and they want us to come to their Thanksgiving dinner party. I think it would be fun, but we will see....actually, that would probably be the beginning of our stuffing, if you will.
For Thanksgiving, we already have 2 meals and a dessert planned. We had the first planned a long time ago. Then, at church, one of the ladies said, "cancel that one and come to mine." I told her we couldn't do that. She just kind of assumed that we would go to hers. She asked me a couple days ago if I canceled the other dinner. I told her no because it was scheduled way far in advance and it is a family we love too. Hopefully she doesn't get offended. She wouldn't want me to do that to someone else! President said it was just going to be a day of eating....This is true. The other missionaries are coming to that second dinner appt. Apparently it is also a free for all...
Wow, I have three random stories about food.... The second is....our dinner calendar is already over half full for December too. We have people feeding us all the time. It is nice, but I'm also going to need to exercise harder or ride the bike more...We already have Christmas breakfast and Christmas dinner....I'll inform you of Christmas lunch....probably next time the calendar goes around! It is great though. The ward loves us and we love them so much! I get excited to see who we get to go visit and experience the spirit in their homes.
The third food story is that I talked to someone who has hypoglycemia and explained it out to me. It totally makes sense....my pancreas is apparently "overworked and underpaid" as B. would say....jk....it is just overworked so my blood sugar runs low and I get weak. I told her I always carry around something to eat....It works well....hence...I'm constantly eating it seems like... Every morning I eat a few dried peaches or a few dried strawberries or apples (not the pineapple....I'm unfortunately allergic) and then I'm good to go for a while. Hence, THANKS for sending them mom! I appreciate it mucho!
The second picture is a sign on an inactive member's house. They didn't answer when we knocked. We may have to just drive by until they are outside one day. It'll be an adventure.
We get to go to the Temple on Thursday. I'm pretty excited. We get to go to the bookstore too so I can get my own conference ensign to mark. It will be great. I really love reading through the ensign and hearing the words of prophets. The ensign is scripture! I heart it.
The weather is getting cold. I forgot how dreary the winters are.
Basically, the sum of the week, K. is awesome, the weather is bleh, and we are working hard to bring this area up to where the Lord wants it to be. It is difficult and sometimes depressing, but I am striving to do my best....that's all I can do!
I love ya'll so much! Keep me posted with where everyone is going to be for Christmas and addresses and phone numbers....I've lost some of the phone numbers and addresses I once carried around in my brain.
Have a good week!
Jackie
This picture is of me and K.V. She is so cute! The day was great! The service started an hour late...Spanish time. She was there on time. They started filling the font when it was supposed to start. No worries though. It happened.
She actually asked Sister K. and I to speak on Baptism. she wanted us to speak in Spanish so everyone else could understand. We told her that may not help them to understand, but we did it. The Elders translated the talks and we read them. I'm not brave enough to write my own in Spanish. Anyway, it was quite the adventure. I liked it. K. told me I needed to come back after the mish and she'd help me with my Spanish. I think it sounds fun! I may just not come home until June or July of next year....I'll let you know. :) Anyway....the baptism was awesome. She was so happy! The Spanish branch loves us and they want us to come to their Thanksgiving dinner party. I think it would be fun, but we will see....actually, that would probably be the beginning of our stuffing, if you will.
For Thanksgiving, we already have 2 meals and a dessert planned. We had the first planned a long time ago. Then, at church, one of the ladies said, "cancel that one and come to mine." I told her we couldn't do that. She just kind of assumed that we would go to hers. She asked me a couple days ago if I canceled the other dinner. I told her no because it was scheduled way far in advance and it is a family we love too. Hopefully she doesn't get offended. She wouldn't want me to do that to someone else! President said it was just going to be a day of eating....This is true. The other missionaries are coming to that second dinner appt. Apparently it is also a free for all...
Wow, I have three random stories about food.... The second is....our dinner calendar is already over half full for December too. We have people feeding us all the time. It is nice, but I'm also going to need to exercise harder or ride the bike more...We already have Christmas breakfast and Christmas dinner....I'll inform you of Christmas lunch....probably next time the calendar goes around! It is great though. The ward loves us and we love them so much! I get excited to see who we get to go visit and experience the spirit in their homes.
The third food story is that I talked to someone who has hypoglycemia and explained it out to me. It totally makes sense....my pancreas is apparently "overworked and underpaid" as B. would say....jk....it is just overworked so my blood sugar runs low and I get weak. I told her I always carry around something to eat....It works well....hence...I'm constantly eating it seems like... Every morning I eat a few dried peaches or a few dried strawberries or apples (not the pineapple....I'm unfortunately allergic) and then I'm good to go for a while. Hence, THANKS for sending them mom! I appreciate it mucho!
The second picture is a sign on an inactive member's house. They didn't answer when we knocked. We may have to just drive by until they are outside one day. It'll be an adventure.
We get to go to the Temple on Thursday. I'm pretty excited. We get to go to the bookstore too so I can get my own conference ensign to mark. It will be great. I really love reading through the ensign and hearing the words of prophets. The ensign is scripture! I heart it.
The weather is getting cold. I forgot how dreary the winters are.
Basically, the sum of the week, K. is awesome, the weather is bleh, and we are working hard to bring this area up to where the Lord wants it to be. It is difficult and sometimes depressing, but I am striving to do my best....that's all I can do!
I love ya'll so much! Keep me posted with where everyone is going to be for Christmas and addresses and phone numbers....I've lost some of the phone numbers and addresses I once carried around in my brain.
Have a good week!
Jackie
Monday, November 8, 2010
November 8, 2010
Hi There!
Wow....can you believe how quickly time flies? I can't! I am still shocked that it is another preparation day!
This week has been pretty amazing! We are exceeding the goals for the area by a mile. I love it. We are working hard and the lord is blessing us a lot. Awesomely, we've been running into a lot of different types of people. We are finding some who are prepared but we are still looking for those who are ready and willing to commit.
We met this lady the other day tracting, L., and she was at first seeming like, "What in the world are ya'll doing here?" but then I asked her a question and we started a good conversation. We showed her pictures from the pamphlet about the Restoration. Then, when we got to the picture of Joseph Smith and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ standing above him in the air, she started crying. She told us that she knew that it was true. She said that she knew everything we were telling her was true. Keep in mind we are standing on the doorstep as this is all going down. It really testified to me that THESE THINGS ARE TRUE! Even though we don't have angels appearing to us or HF of JC, we are able to feel the converting power of the Spirit.
I am continuing to change and learn and progress. Sometimes I feel like such a spaz, but as long as I'm trying my best it all works out and the meaning goes on.
C. is going to be baptized on either Friday or Saturday. We are pretty excited. The Spanish elders came with us to our last appt (she will be going to their ward--we were teaching her bc of the convenience) and they thought this whole time that we were teaching someone else. It was pretty funny. She is so prepared for the gospel. I love visiting her and teaching her more about this happiness.
I am doing just fine health wise. I have no major ailments or anything. The only thing I could complain about is the fact that I'm freezing! Blasted 60s make me so cold! Sis. K. and I are going to look for sweaters at the goodwill today. I'm pretty excited. We are going to drop the elders off at Walmart and then go look at clothes for a little bit then pick them up.
My wish list for Christmas.....I don't have one. I've got tons of stuff and I already have a hard enough time fitting everything into my suitcases. I can purchase sweaters and nylons here, so I don't know what else I would need or want....
I'm glad Brian made it home safely. The pictures look oh so fun. He looks good and happy! Pam looked like she was beaming just a bit...just saying.
I don't know what is going to happen with transfers and it is a bit unnerving.....I hate that! I'll know in 2 Mondays....
We passed around our dinner calendar and it is completely full for November. I'm going to gain weight and hate lasagna....that is my conclusion on that.
Well, I hope all is well for ya'll. Things are good here. We are working hard and striving to find those who are ready to receive this message. Taking names and ...what is that phrase? kicking butt and taking names? Man, I can't think.
I've really not got a lot of things to say! Things are going well. We just need to keep working hard so the Lord will continue to bless the people here.
Have a fabuloso week!
Jackie
Wow....can you believe how quickly time flies? I can't! I am still shocked that it is another preparation day!
This week has been pretty amazing! We are exceeding the goals for the area by a mile. I love it. We are working hard and the lord is blessing us a lot. Awesomely, we've been running into a lot of different types of people. We are finding some who are prepared but we are still looking for those who are ready and willing to commit.
We met this lady the other day tracting, L., and she was at first seeming like, "What in the world are ya'll doing here?" but then I asked her a question and we started a good conversation. We showed her pictures from the pamphlet about the Restoration. Then, when we got to the picture of Joseph Smith and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ standing above him in the air, she started crying. She told us that she knew that it was true. She said that she knew everything we were telling her was true. Keep in mind we are standing on the doorstep as this is all going down. It really testified to me that THESE THINGS ARE TRUE! Even though we don't have angels appearing to us or HF of JC, we are able to feel the converting power of the Spirit.
I am continuing to change and learn and progress. Sometimes I feel like such a spaz, but as long as I'm trying my best it all works out and the meaning goes on.
C. is going to be baptized on either Friday or Saturday. We are pretty excited. The Spanish elders came with us to our last appt (she will be going to their ward--we were teaching her bc of the convenience) and they thought this whole time that we were teaching someone else. It was pretty funny. She is so prepared for the gospel. I love visiting her and teaching her more about this happiness.
I am doing just fine health wise. I have no major ailments or anything. The only thing I could complain about is the fact that I'm freezing! Blasted 60s make me so cold! Sis. K. and I are going to look for sweaters at the goodwill today. I'm pretty excited. We are going to drop the elders off at Walmart and then go look at clothes for a little bit then pick them up.
My wish list for Christmas.....I don't have one. I've got tons of stuff and I already have a hard enough time fitting everything into my suitcases. I can purchase sweaters and nylons here, so I don't know what else I would need or want....
I'm glad Brian made it home safely. The pictures look oh so fun. He looks good and happy! Pam looked like she was beaming just a bit...just saying.
I don't know what is going to happen with transfers and it is a bit unnerving.....I hate that! I'll know in 2 Mondays....
We passed around our dinner calendar and it is completely full for November. I'm going to gain weight and hate lasagna....that is my conclusion on that.
Well, I hope all is well for ya'll. Things are good here. We are working hard and striving to find those who are ready to receive this message. Taking names and ...what is that phrase? kicking butt and taking names? Man, I can't think.
I've really not got a lot of things to say! Things are going well. We just need to keep working hard so the Lord will continue to bless the people here.
Have a fabuloso week!
Jackie
Monday, November 1, 2010
November 1, 2010
Hi There familia!
How are things going? Well....I must say, they are going here! They are going super fast. I can't even believe that it is week 4 of this transfer (out of 6 weeks). It seems like Sister K. just came to K..
Well, there have been many experiences this week that have really and truly strengthened my testimony. I love it so much! There was a woman that we tracted into about a month ago (Sis F. and I) and she seemed like she had good potential. Well, last time we went over there her fiance saw us at the door and just walked away (we talked to him once, but never sat down and met with either one of them...e.ver! I just felt like we needed to keep trying). Well, she called us at 2:22 in the AM on Sunday and told me that she needed help. She wanted to be saved. She said that she read the pamphlet that we gave her and she believed it all. She told her fiance and he broke off the wedding and told her to leave. She is living with a sister now somewhere in Houston (from what I remember...this was super early! and random!). She was just sobbing. I was trying to teach her about how it was for the better if he wasn't ok with her spiritual journey and getting closer to God. She agreed but it is so hard. I get that.....
I told her to kneel down and I said a prayer with her over the phone. The Spirit was so strong as we kneeled there and talked to Heavenly Father about the things that were going on. I felt that peace. I was in awe.
Also....someone randomly called us up last week and said that someone they Home Teach had two kids. One was 9 almost 10 and the other was 7 almost 8. They needed to be baptized. So...we set up an appt., went over and taught them. They were asking us...."when can we be baptized?" We set a date of Dec. 10 so they can both be baptized. They are super cute. I'm excited for them. I'm excited to keep teaching them.
We had stake conference on Sunday. It was the best ever! 1 because I get to see A. again and 2 because of the powerhouseness of everything! Because I can "choristrate" as Kelly would probably say, Sis. K. and I got to go into the Recent Convert meeting. Well, in that meeting, they all bare their testimony and meet the stake leaders. I was able to hear the testimonies of the B. family, A., D.B., and S.. I felt so much love! I was so so happy! Bro. M.(I mean Bishop M. now) was sitting behind me and we were both just in Heaven! It really taught me a lot about why I am here. It isn't just to get people "dunked" or whatever. It is because of the happiness that the gospel brings. It is because of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and the amazingness of that! I was in heaven on Sunday...just saying!
I was also able to see the P. family. Sis. P. came and found me and said, "stay right there! I'm going to go grab everyone!" They all came and I was able to talk to them. Bro. P. was making sure I was taken care of. Sis P. and I had a good conversation. I was so happy....they are planning on coming to Utah....Probably Summer 2011....I'm way excited. She told me to make sure I told them if I was getting transferred so they could come say goodbye....I hopefully will be in K. for quite some time. Cross your fingers and pray for me!
Halloween was fun. I held a giant snake. I don't know why you don't like them dad, they are so soft! ;) I thought I'd send a picture. This kind can get to be 30 feet long. When they get that long they are dangerous to handle because they could eat you at that point. This one was 10 feet long. Because of my growing up with a fear of snakes I was a little nervous. When it was wrapped all the way around me and tightened a little to get its grip I almost freaked out, but at the point that a 10 foot snake is wrapped around you, it is a little late to pull the afraid card! Just saying....
E.A. from A. was baptized this weekend. I talked about her a while ago because she was going to get baptized while I was there but wasn't able to because her family wasn't coming but apparently they are coming to church again. For the intermission part, Brother M. called on me to give my testimony. I was freaking out a bit because it was on the spot but it was short....and good, right!? haha.... I was really happy. Their family was so happy and I'm glad they are back at church!
Well, that is quite the novel, but this week I guess I felt like typing. Next week may be this long, but then it also could be very short....It all depends on how I feel I guess.
I heart you all and hope that you have an amazing week! Prayer is vital and really will help calm the troubled soul. I know it!
Jackie
How are things going? Well....I must say, they are going here! They are going super fast. I can't even believe that it is week 4 of this transfer (out of 6 weeks). It seems like Sister K. just came to K..
Well, there have been many experiences this week that have really and truly strengthened my testimony. I love it so much! There was a woman that we tracted into about a month ago (Sis F. and I) and she seemed like she had good potential. Well, last time we went over there her fiance saw us at the door and just walked away (we talked to him once, but never sat down and met with either one of them...e.ver! I just felt like we needed to keep trying). Well, she called us at 2:22 in the AM on Sunday and told me that she needed help. She wanted to be saved. She said that she read the pamphlet that we gave her and she believed it all. She told her fiance and he broke off the wedding and told her to leave. She is living with a sister now somewhere in Houston (from what I remember...this was super early! and random!). She was just sobbing. I was trying to teach her about how it was for the better if he wasn't ok with her spiritual journey and getting closer to God. She agreed but it is so hard. I get that.....
I told her to kneel down and I said a prayer with her over the phone. The Spirit was so strong as we kneeled there and talked to Heavenly Father about the things that were going on. I felt that peace. I was in awe.
Also....someone randomly called us up last week and said that someone they Home Teach had two kids. One was 9 almost 10 and the other was 7 almost 8. They needed to be baptized. So...we set up an appt., went over and taught them. They were asking us...."when can we be baptized?" We set a date of Dec. 10 so they can both be baptized. They are super cute. I'm excited for them. I'm excited to keep teaching them.
We had stake conference on Sunday. It was the best ever! 1 because I get to see A. again and 2 because of the powerhouseness of everything! Because I can "choristrate" as Kelly would probably say, Sis. K. and I got to go into the Recent Convert meeting. Well, in that meeting, they all bare their testimony and meet the stake leaders. I was able to hear the testimonies of the B. family, A., D.B., and S.. I felt so much love! I was so so happy! Bro. M.(I mean Bishop M. now) was sitting behind me and we were both just in Heaven! It really taught me a lot about why I am here. It isn't just to get people "dunked" or whatever. It is because of the happiness that the gospel brings. It is because of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and the amazingness of that! I was in heaven on Sunday...just saying!
I was also able to see the P. family. Sis. P. came and found me and said, "stay right there! I'm going to go grab everyone!" They all came and I was able to talk to them. Bro. P. was making sure I was taken care of. Sis P. and I had a good conversation. I was so happy....they are planning on coming to Utah....Probably Summer 2011....I'm way excited. She told me to make sure I told them if I was getting transferred so they could come say goodbye....I hopefully will be in K. for quite some time. Cross your fingers and pray for me!
Halloween was fun. I held a giant snake. I don't know why you don't like them dad, they are so soft! ;) I thought I'd send a picture. This kind can get to be 30 feet long. When they get that long they are dangerous to handle because they could eat you at that point. This one was 10 feet long. Because of my growing up with a fear of snakes I was a little nervous. When it was wrapped all the way around me and tightened a little to get its grip I almost freaked out, but at the point that a 10 foot snake is wrapped around you, it is a little late to pull the afraid card! Just saying....
E.A. from A. was baptized this weekend. I talked about her a while ago because she was going to get baptized while I was there but wasn't able to because her family wasn't coming but apparently they are coming to church again. For the intermission part, Brother M. called on me to give my testimony. I was freaking out a bit because it was on the spot but it was short....and good, right!? haha.... I was really happy. Their family was so happy and I'm glad they are back at church!
Well, that is quite the novel, but this week I guess I felt like typing. Next week may be this long, but then it also could be very short....It all depends on how I feel I guess.
I heart you all and hope that you have an amazing week! Prayer is vital and really will help calm the troubled soul. I know it!
Jackie
Monday, October 25, 2010
October 25, 2010
Hi!
Tell everyone happy birthday for me. If I remembered and cared enough I'd knit hats, but that takes a long time and I haven't done it forever!
Things here are going amazingly well. I can't believe that it is Monday already! Time is going by so quickly! Sister K. and I are having a blast and teaching many about the gospel. We have a lot of commitments from people and a couple are planning on being baptized.
We got a call the other day that there is a woman who wants her 9 year old daughter and 8 year old daughter taught the lessons....bonus! She lives really close to us....as in 500 ft away I'm sure. The Lord blesses us for our diligent work.
Last Sunday Sister C. asked us to come teach her caregiver's daughter. The caregiver and her husband both just recently got baptized and the 20 something year old daughter was going to be over to her house. Well, we taught her about the restoration and invited her to be baptized. She accepted. We've been teaching her. She accepts everything and is doing well. She will be going to the Spanish ward but it is easier for us to teach her since during the day there isn't a man in the house so the Elders wouldn't be able to teach. We've worked it out with them. I love it! I think it is especially cool since I talked to Bro C. about the caregiver's family in the first place and helped them get in contact with the missionaries a few months ago. I feel really connected to this family yet, I don't know them personally really. Anyway, C. is her name. She has a cute little family, but CPS is being lame and because of random things the family is separated right now. It is sad, but we are praying for them.
Things have been going just all too well. There are so many people prepared and we are finding them! It is amazing! The Lord can and will put us where we need to be if we are willing to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Sometimes we will be praying before tracting and we will feel prompted to go somewhere else and we will find people who are searching. It happened yesterday. It was awesome.
I'm finding that as I listen to the promptings and act on them quickly I'm given more. If we just do the things that we know we should and if we pray for promptings we will have them....they will continue to grow....it is awesome!
I know the gospel is true. I love the message that we share of eternal families. It is true. We can be bound together. Life isn't full of trials to make us hate everything, but to help us grow.
Thanks for all ya'll do! I love you!
Have a great week!
Jackie
Tell everyone happy birthday for me. If I remembered and cared enough I'd knit hats, but that takes a long time and I haven't done it forever!
Things here are going amazingly well. I can't believe that it is Monday already! Time is going by so quickly! Sister K. and I are having a blast and teaching many about the gospel. We have a lot of commitments from people and a couple are planning on being baptized.
We got a call the other day that there is a woman who wants her 9 year old daughter and 8 year old daughter taught the lessons....bonus! She lives really close to us....as in 500 ft away I'm sure. The Lord blesses us for our diligent work.
Last Sunday Sister C. asked us to come teach her caregiver's daughter. The caregiver and her husband both just recently got baptized and the 20 something year old daughter was going to be over to her house. Well, we taught her about the restoration and invited her to be baptized. She accepted. We've been teaching her. She accepts everything and is doing well. She will be going to the Spanish ward but it is easier for us to teach her since during the day there isn't a man in the house so the Elders wouldn't be able to teach. We've worked it out with them. I love it! I think it is especially cool since I talked to Bro C. about the caregiver's family in the first place and helped them get in contact with the missionaries a few months ago. I feel really connected to this family yet, I don't know them personally really. Anyway, C. is her name. She has a cute little family, but CPS is being lame and because of random things the family is separated right now. It is sad, but we are praying for them.
Things have been going just all too well. There are so many people prepared and we are finding them! It is amazing! The Lord can and will put us where we need to be if we are willing to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Sometimes we will be praying before tracting and we will feel prompted to go somewhere else and we will find people who are searching. It happened yesterday. It was awesome.
I'm finding that as I listen to the promptings and act on them quickly I'm given more. If we just do the things that we know we should and if we pray for promptings we will have them....they will continue to grow....it is awesome!
I know the gospel is true. I love the message that we share of eternal families. It is true. We can be bound together. Life isn't full of trials to make us hate everything, but to help us grow.
Thanks for all ya'll do! I love you!
Have a great week!
Jackie
Monday, October 18, 2010
October 18, 2010
Aloha!
So....best week ever! That's all.....
My companion is Sister K. She is so awesome. The spirit in the area is changing. We are finding so many people who are prepared. It is amazing! We are biking to appts, running in the mornings, and getting people to make commitments. It is the best. We had 4 people come to church....13 lessons for those we've found....amazing! haha....Anyway, we are doing really well.
Taking over P. is a fun/interesting thing. Most of the people that we've met out there speak Spanish. I've been trying to teach a little in Spanish. It isn't working the best, but I'm learning some gospel vocabulary that is helping. The family we are going to see tonight asked if I could come teach their friend in Spanish because she would respond to me better than to the Elders. They are coming too so we will see how that all works out.
I keep getting bit by fireants....they are the worst things ever! I most definitely have the bites swelling and getting all nasty....I'm so so so so grateful we don't have fireants in Utah. I'm just saying....
We spoke in church yesterday. That was fun. They called us either Wednesday or Tuesday night. I think the other speakers canceled, but it worked out. Sister K. did great. They did a standing song after I spoke so it must've been boring. Ya'll know how I speak....I'd want to be standing after too!
Everything is going so well. I don't even know what to say. The week just flew by! I can't even believe it is Monday already.
Oh! Rumor last week was true. We are getting a van. I've gone through three cars in three months here and none have been from wrecks or anything.
Elder T. S. is serving in KW1. His mom is S. S....if grandma knows them. He said that he remembered going and visiting with grandma with his mom. I just think that is so funny. Our district, 6 missionaries, is quite random. Two are from Idaho Falls, two are from Kearns, and two are from Tremonton....weird! We have some good conversations.
Anyway, I don't even know what to say to all of you this week other than things are so great. Oh! I did get lots of clothes because the other sisters left. It is a bit ridiculous. We have a huge pile in our living room, but we are waiting for the other sisters to look through it.
My favorite quote of the week:
"What do trumpets have to do with God?" --R.
R. is this 60 yr old woman who smokes a ton. She lives in a trailer with her two kids and they don't have an easy life, you can tell. The other sisters were teaching her so we stopped by. We were teaching her about the restoration again because her understanding wasn't there. I told her that a prophet is like a mouthpiece. I told her that just like trumpets have mouthpieces, prophets are mouthpieces for the Lord. Then, she asked that question. She was looking at me so Sis. K. busted up (silently laughing of course). I had to maintain my composure. That was hard!
Hmm....I don't even know what to say! Things are just going fantastically and I'll probably have more to say next week. Our goal is to have a baptism every weekend in November, so if you want to pray for that, we will be doing the same! I know it can happen. There is good potential everywhere we look!
Well, I know ya'll are sick of reading this and hearing me babble on with my fingers so I'll let you go. I hope that you all have a fabuloso week and I'll talk to you later skater!
Love,
Jackie
So....best week ever! That's all.....
My companion is Sister K. She is so awesome. The spirit in the area is changing. We are finding so many people who are prepared. It is amazing! We are biking to appts, running in the mornings, and getting people to make commitments. It is the best. We had 4 people come to church....13 lessons for those we've found....amazing! haha....Anyway, we are doing really well.
Taking over P. is a fun/interesting thing. Most of the people that we've met out there speak Spanish. I've been trying to teach a little in Spanish. It isn't working the best, but I'm learning some gospel vocabulary that is helping. The family we are going to see tonight asked if I could come teach their friend in Spanish because she would respond to me better than to the Elders. They are coming too so we will see how that all works out.
I keep getting bit by fireants....they are the worst things ever! I most definitely have the bites swelling and getting all nasty....I'm so so so so grateful we don't have fireants in Utah. I'm just saying....
We spoke in church yesterday. That was fun. They called us either Wednesday or Tuesday night. I think the other speakers canceled, but it worked out. Sister K. did great. They did a standing song after I spoke so it must've been boring. Ya'll know how I speak....I'd want to be standing after too!
Everything is going so well. I don't even know what to say. The week just flew by! I can't even believe it is Monday already.
Oh! Rumor last week was true. We are getting a van. I've gone through three cars in three months here and none have been from wrecks or anything.
Elder T. S. is serving in KW1. His mom is S. S....if grandma knows them. He said that he remembered going and visiting with grandma with his mom. I just think that is so funny. Our district, 6 missionaries, is quite random. Two are from Idaho Falls, two are from Kearns, and two are from Tremonton....weird! We have some good conversations.
Anyway, I don't even know what to say to all of you this week other than things are so great. Oh! I did get lots of clothes because the other sisters left. It is a bit ridiculous. We have a huge pile in our living room, but we are waiting for the other sisters to look through it.
My favorite quote of the week:
"What do trumpets have to do with God?" --R.
R. is this 60 yr old woman who smokes a ton. She lives in a trailer with her two kids and they don't have an easy life, you can tell. The other sisters were teaching her so we stopped by. We were teaching her about the restoration again because her understanding wasn't there. I told her that a prophet is like a mouthpiece. I told her that just like trumpets have mouthpieces, prophets are mouthpieces for the Lord. Then, she asked that question. She was looking at me so Sis. K. busted up (silently laughing of course). I had to maintain my composure. That was hard!
Hmm....I don't even know what to say! Things are just going fantastically and I'll probably have more to say next week. Our goal is to have a baptism every weekend in November, so if you want to pray for that, we will be doing the same! I know it can happen. There is good potential everywhere we look!
Well, I know ya'll are sick of reading this and hearing me babble on with my fingers so I'll let you go. I hope that you all have a fabuloso week and I'll talk to you later skater!
Love,
Jackie
Monday, October 11, 2010
October 11, 2010
Hi!
so....everything changed...but nothing at the same time. It is quite weird. I dropped off Sister F. today, Sister H. and Sister M. were there too. I will miss them. Now I'm hanging out with Sis. S. and Sis. P. until my comp gets here. She is coming later on the bus. I'm thinking I will get Sis. K., but I could be wrong. She was just trained by Sister W.....She is my "granddaughter" lol....Sis. W. is training again. She is powerhouse. I'm a fan.
They decided to close the other Sister's area in P., so now I will be covering the whole KW2 Ward. That should be fun. Well, now I'll get to go out of the triangle. Elder S. from Tremonton is in KW1 now so we have some BRV power I guess.
This week has been fun. Sis. F. has been ready to go I think. The ward just found out on Sunday that the three of them were leaving. They kept it under wraps pretty good. I laughed. We had to do a lot of "goodbye" visits....
Oh! So there is this kid in KW1 that has a bit of a crush on me....don't worry that he remembered my name from when I told him 4 months ago. I didn't think I'd ever see him again. Remember the YSA crawfish boil boy story? Well, we saw him in KW at the pizza place after a meeting. He came over and talked to me and was excited to hear that I didn't have a LONG time left. I think it is pretty messed up. As long as he doesn't find out that we are in the same building at church I think I'll be ok. It will be really funny...Don't worry, it is a story you almost have to hear in person because I can't really explain the way he was dancing and I just don't have time to even explain what I mean by that. BUT!!!! Remind me and I'll tell you later skaters!
Elder C. from the Presidency of the Seventy came and talked to us on Saturday. It was awesome! I learned so much. He wanted to shake all of our hands before the meeting. Well, there were three missions worth of missionaries there so it took about a half an hour. We were wondering why we were supposed to do that. He told us that the authorities have a special power to be able to discern our spirits and he said that a few of the missionaries needed interviews with the President! He didn't single them out, it was just funny. He taught us from on high for quite some time....well, an hour. He was the one in conference with the heavy accent that said he was a convert. He told us more of the story of his conversion. It is a pretty awesome story. He is a cool guy. He is in charge of the southwest area and he told us that we are a pretty big deal. Well, he didn't say that exact thing, but I did.
He did tell us that something special was happening in the area. We are all experiencing miracles. Texas is on fire. He told us more about listening to the spirit.
There is a section in PMG about being a successful missionary. One of the bullet points is that we listen to the Spirit. I have been working so hard on being able to do that always. We had a cool experience the other day, where we were able to go to someone's house that was in real need. We got them a blessing from their neighbor. The look on their faces were priceless! I never realized what a blessing it was to have the power of the Priesthood in the home. The power is real. Through blessings, the lord speaks to us. He tells us things pertaining to us. I love it so much. I need to write that one in the journal so I don't forget it!
I've been trying to be really good about writing in my journal every night. Well, this week has been slacking a bit so I am going to go back and write. I'm going to fill up the journal. It will be great. It is such a cute one. Thanks for it! :D
Well, I love ya'll so much. I can't really think of anything else to say. Have a blessed week and I'll talk to you later!
Jackie
The C. family. We play soccer with them on Saturday mornings.
Sister H., Me, Sister M.
Sister F. and Me
Oh! And I may get to go to an airplane hangar in C., TX and watch other people fly in a private airplane while I play ping pong with possibly interested people and eat hot dogs....so fun, right?
Love ya'll!
so....everything changed...but nothing at the same time. It is quite weird. I dropped off Sister F. today, Sister H. and Sister M. were there too. I will miss them. Now I'm hanging out with Sis. S. and Sis. P. until my comp gets here. She is coming later on the bus. I'm thinking I will get Sis. K., but I could be wrong. She was just trained by Sister W.....She is my "granddaughter" lol....Sis. W. is training again. She is powerhouse. I'm a fan.
They decided to close the other Sister's area in P., so now I will be covering the whole KW2 Ward. That should be fun. Well, now I'll get to go out of the triangle. Elder S. from Tremonton is in KW1 now so we have some BRV power I guess.
This week has been fun. Sis. F. has been ready to go I think. The ward just found out on Sunday that the three of them were leaving. They kept it under wraps pretty good. I laughed. We had to do a lot of "goodbye" visits....
Oh! So there is this kid in KW1 that has a bit of a crush on me....don't worry that he remembered my name from when I told him 4 months ago. I didn't think I'd ever see him again. Remember the YSA crawfish boil boy story? Well, we saw him in KW at the pizza place after a meeting. He came over and talked to me and was excited to hear that I didn't have a LONG time left. I think it is pretty messed up. As long as he doesn't find out that we are in the same building at church I think I'll be ok. It will be really funny...Don't worry, it is a story you almost have to hear in person because I can't really explain the way he was dancing and I just don't have time to even explain what I mean by that. BUT!!!! Remind me and I'll tell you later skaters!
Elder C. from the Presidency of the Seventy came and talked to us on Saturday. It was awesome! I learned so much. He wanted to shake all of our hands before the meeting. Well, there were three missions worth of missionaries there so it took about a half an hour. We were wondering why we were supposed to do that. He told us that the authorities have a special power to be able to discern our spirits and he said that a few of the missionaries needed interviews with the President! He didn't single them out, it was just funny. He taught us from on high for quite some time....well, an hour. He was the one in conference with the heavy accent that said he was a convert. He told us more of the story of his conversion. It is a pretty awesome story. He is a cool guy. He is in charge of the southwest area and he told us that we are a pretty big deal. Well, he didn't say that exact thing, but I did.
He did tell us that something special was happening in the area. We are all experiencing miracles. Texas is on fire. He told us more about listening to the spirit.
There is a section in PMG about being a successful missionary. One of the bullet points is that we listen to the Spirit. I have been working so hard on being able to do that always. We had a cool experience the other day, where we were able to go to someone's house that was in real need. We got them a blessing from their neighbor. The look on their faces were priceless! I never realized what a blessing it was to have the power of the Priesthood in the home. The power is real. Through blessings, the lord speaks to us. He tells us things pertaining to us. I love it so much. I need to write that one in the journal so I don't forget it!
I've been trying to be really good about writing in my journal every night. Well, this week has been slacking a bit so I am going to go back and write. I'm going to fill up the journal. It will be great. It is such a cute one. Thanks for it! :D
Well, I love ya'll so much. I can't really think of anything else to say. Have a blessed week and I'll talk to you later!
Jackie
The C. family. We play soccer with them on Saturday mornings.
Sister H., Me, Sister M.
Sister F. and Me
Oh! And I may get to go to an airplane hangar in C., TX and watch other people fly in a private airplane while I play ping pong with possibly interested people and eat hot dogs....so fun, right?
Love ya'll!
Monday, October 4, 2010
October 4, 2010
Hi There!
Transfers are next week. We've been playing around and not really doing anything today. It has been interesting and fun.... It is weird that there is only a week left until the three Sisters in the ward go home. The Zone Leaders just keep telling them they are trunky and it doesn't matter what they do. I get so annoyed.
We've been working like crazy! We were tracting a few weeks ago and found a man that said we could go to his house sometime (he was at a friend's house). He said if his truck was home, he was home. We had a member-E. with us and an appointment fell through. I felt like we should visit this man G. Well, when we got there, he wasn't home, but his wife/girlfriend figure was there. She'd met with missionaries before and had gone to church for a long time. She wasn't ever baptized because she didn't want to change the religion that her parents chose for her.
Well, after an awesome lesson, we found out that her and E. were in the same class at college. They were able to make arrangements to study together. We see I. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and her classes with E. are on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays. Perfect.....
It is really cool how the Lord works through us to allow the blessing of others. We randomly were able to make that work. I'm grateful I was able to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. AND....they came to Conference! I., G. (her husband), and C., her nine year old son. I was so happy to see them!
Conference was definitely a highlight. We had 5 investigators come. We haven't had a single person at church until this week. I'm pretty sure they liked what they saw, so they will be there next week for a regular service....It will be great!
We finally met the ward mission leader last Tuesday. It has only been a month here....haha. He has a cool alligator snapping turtle. It would eat my hand if I let it. Maybe I said that.
Between conference sessions on Saturday we were able to go tracting. We met a woman that told us she was searching. We also met a lady who had a giant boa python and we watched her feed it mice. It was crazy. We sat in the snake's (yes, the snake's) room and taught her a lesson. It was exciting...I could've died (jk...it was gentle, I'm sure).
I thought of the best idea ever.....ready? Who is going to help me do it fam? It is a quit smoking ashtray. How this works is that we have an ashtray where at the bottom you can insert a picture. i.e. a picture of Christ or a picture of your family. By so doing, it helps people to remember the loved ones that want them to quit....enabling them to have more willpower....what do you think? This is going to be a winner. Maybe you can tell T. and she can start making the ashtrays out of her pots or however that works....
So again...Conference was amazing! I got so many answers to all my questions. It was great!
A.'s baptism was amazing! I was so happy. I was able to see all of A. again. D., our neighbor went. We knocked on his door about an hour before the baptism and said, "Hey, there is a baptism in an hour, get on your church clothes, get your bike and let's go!" He totally came! We biked over to the church and watched it. It was a little weird biking back at 9:30pm but we have lights...don't worry.
Speaking of which, we have been biking lots. Our area was a bike area but we have a car. It is so fun to bike. The weather is perfect for it now...70s.....so we go. I highly enjoy it though the helmets are nerdy. I like the greenbelt trails that are all around K. so we don't have to go mainroading it all the time. And, unlike Brian's area, mine is completely flat. We do have one bridge...the altitude gets to me, but hey, I'm turning into a pansy....with really tough legs....
Soccer is still super fun. Brother C. has me considering playing college ball, though, I'd have to run a lot....and I couldn't go to a Junior College because I have my associates...I'd have to play with the big kids....lol. Maybe.
So...the pictures. One is of S. O. and I. She is the one that I talked to about her dogs at the mailbox for a while, then while tracting we got a phone call from a member whose husband worked with S.'s sister and said S. was interested. We taught her once, she accepted baptism, and there she was. :D
The other is A. H. and A. L.'s baptism. A. we taught for a while, and A. we gave the Elders the heads up he wasn't baptized but comes to everything....these boys are definitely converted to the gospel and not just to the elders pushing them into baptism. It is great.
The last one is of Sister F. and I after District Meeting. Lunch at Quiznos....it was good.
Wow, sorry this is so long. I actually wrote down what I was going to say. That is probably the key.
How is the baby news going? More info? Less? What do we have.....haha
I love you all so much! I'm grateful to be able to be here in Texas. The people are great and the work is really picking up. It just takes focus and concentration, right padre?
Have a great week! I know I will!
Jackie
Transfers are next week. We've been playing around and not really doing anything today. It has been interesting and fun.... It is weird that there is only a week left until the three Sisters in the ward go home. The Zone Leaders just keep telling them they are trunky and it doesn't matter what they do. I get so annoyed.
We've been working like crazy! We were tracting a few weeks ago and found a man that said we could go to his house sometime (he was at a friend's house). He said if his truck was home, he was home. We had a member-E. with us and an appointment fell through. I felt like we should visit this man G. Well, when we got there, he wasn't home, but his wife/girlfriend figure was there. She'd met with missionaries before and had gone to church for a long time. She wasn't ever baptized because she didn't want to change the religion that her parents chose for her.
Well, after an awesome lesson, we found out that her and E. were in the same class at college. They were able to make arrangements to study together. We see I. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and her classes with E. are on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays. Perfect.....
It is really cool how the Lord works through us to allow the blessing of others. We randomly were able to make that work. I'm grateful I was able to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. AND....they came to Conference! I., G. (her husband), and C., her nine year old son. I was so happy to see them!
Conference was definitely a highlight. We had 5 investigators come. We haven't had a single person at church until this week. I'm pretty sure they liked what they saw, so they will be there next week for a regular service....It will be great!
We finally met the ward mission leader last Tuesday. It has only been a month here....haha. He has a cool alligator snapping turtle. It would eat my hand if I let it. Maybe I said that.
Between conference sessions on Saturday we were able to go tracting. We met a woman that told us she was searching. We also met a lady who had a giant boa python and we watched her feed it mice. It was crazy. We sat in the snake's (yes, the snake's) room and taught her a lesson. It was exciting...I could've died (jk...it was gentle, I'm sure).
I thought of the best idea ever.....ready? Who is going to help me do it fam? It is a quit smoking ashtray. How this works is that we have an ashtray where at the bottom you can insert a picture. i.e. a picture of Christ or a picture of your family. By so doing, it helps people to remember the loved ones that want them to quit....enabling them to have more willpower....what do you think? This is going to be a winner. Maybe you can tell T. and she can start making the ashtrays out of her pots or however that works....
So again...Conference was amazing! I got so many answers to all my questions. It was great!
A.'s baptism was amazing! I was so happy. I was able to see all of A. again. D., our neighbor went. We knocked on his door about an hour before the baptism and said, "Hey, there is a baptism in an hour, get on your church clothes, get your bike and let's go!" He totally came! We biked over to the church and watched it. It was a little weird biking back at 9:30pm but we have lights...don't worry.
Speaking of which, we have been biking lots. Our area was a bike area but we have a car. It is so fun to bike. The weather is perfect for it now...70s.....so we go. I highly enjoy it though the helmets are nerdy. I like the greenbelt trails that are all around K. so we don't have to go mainroading it all the time. And, unlike Brian's area, mine is completely flat. We do have one bridge...the altitude gets to me, but hey, I'm turning into a pansy....with really tough legs....
Soccer is still super fun. Brother C. has me considering playing college ball, though, I'd have to run a lot....and I couldn't go to a Junior College because I have my associates...I'd have to play with the big kids....lol. Maybe.
So...the pictures. One is of S. O. and I. She is the one that I talked to about her dogs at the mailbox for a while, then while tracting we got a phone call from a member whose husband worked with S.'s sister and said S. was interested. We taught her once, she accepted baptism, and there she was. :D
The other is A. H. and A. L.'s baptism. A. we taught for a while, and A. we gave the Elders the heads up he wasn't baptized but comes to everything....these boys are definitely converted to the gospel and not just to the elders pushing them into baptism. It is great.
The last one is of Sister F. and I after District Meeting. Lunch at Quiznos....it was good.
Wow, sorry this is so long. I actually wrote down what I was going to say. That is probably the key.
How is the baby news going? More info? Less? What do we have.....haha
I love you all so much! I'm grateful to be able to be here in Texas. The people are great and the work is really picking up. It just takes focus and concentration, right padre?
Have a great week! I know I will!
Jackie
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 27, 2010
Hi There!
So....this week went a lot better! I had personal goals that I had set and made sure that I accomplished them. I am working hard and doing my best.
We didn't do so well with our numbers this week, but we did do a lot of good. I witnessed many miracles this week. Every week is a week of miracles, eh?
My companion is great. We have fun. Sometimes it is a bit stressful since we aren't anything alike, but we definitely have the same goal. It creates a great sense of unity and love. I am grateful that I get to learn from her. Really, there are problems everywhere, but it is the attitude that we have about them that makes the difference....I am working on my attitude. As you all know I start to get opinionated when I start to get a feel for what is going on and I'm getting opinionated more about KW2....
We still haven't met our ward mission leader. Don't worry that we've been here a month. It has been making the work interesting since we still don't have a completely clear view of the ward and what they would like us to do (other than baptize...that is a given). We met with the Bishop and his wife for dinner. They are going to Brigham City next week....random, eh?
We have this new neighbor that moved in. He is funny. He is 48 and told us he is going through a mid-life crisis. We told him he should come to church. He was going to come to the baptisms on Saturday, but later told us he didn't have any clothes. We took down his sizes and got him some church clothes in an hour and a half...we are speedy. Well, he didn't come to church but he does know that he can't give us lame excuses anymore! ;)
OH! So coolest thing ever! S.O. got baptized on Saturday. It was great. Well, the A. missionaries didn't really call to schedule the building and assumed they could use it (but found out that they couldn't because other people actually scheduled it) so they were kind of scattered. They showed up later than the three people getting baptized so that was annoying. People kept coming and asking me what was going on. I told them I was just there for the ride....I wasn't in charge of the shindig. It was crazy, but it all worked out to the fact that she is awesome! I wish I was more involved in teaching, but its ok. I was transferred.
Two other people I'd taught got baptized as well. Sis. P. and I wrote on their record that they don't come to church and they should wait a few months before being baptized. Well, the Elders didn't think so, so they were baptized. I talked to the YW president that night and said that the girl had never once stayed past sacrament and had only been to church twice. Well, it isn't on my head. Hopefully they stay active. I choose to help people see that it is more than just going to church twice and being dunked...it is living the covenants and staying active. Being baptized only helps you as much as you allow it. The covenant is to do your best and be your best for the Savior....
The gospel is true. The Lord loves us all so much! With Him we have hope for the future--here and in the eternities.
So the Relief Society broadcast was awesome! I loved it! Pres. Monson is so stinkin cute! Conference will be super awesome too! I've been formulating my questions. It is amazing how questions will ALWAYS be answered by what they say. I encourage ya'll to have questions written down for Conference. And, as you take notes, you will see the answers come. It is so cool. It is the gospel in action!
I love all of you so very much! Maybe next week I'll actually bring my camera cord so I can show you pictures....only if you want...haha
Love,
Jackie
So....this week went a lot better! I had personal goals that I had set and made sure that I accomplished them. I am working hard and doing my best.
We didn't do so well with our numbers this week, but we did do a lot of good. I witnessed many miracles this week. Every week is a week of miracles, eh?
My companion is great. We have fun. Sometimes it is a bit stressful since we aren't anything alike, but we definitely have the same goal. It creates a great sense of unity and love. I am grateful that I get to learn from her. Really, there are problems everywhere, but it is the attitude that we have about them that makes the difference....I am working on my attitude. As you all know I start to get opinionated when I start to get a feel for what is going on and I'm getting opinionated more about KW2....
We still haven't met our ward mission leader. Don't worry that we've been here a month. It has been making the work interesting since we still don't have a completely clear view of the ward and what they would like us to do (other than baptize...that is a given). We met with the Bishop and his wife for dinner. They are going to Brigham City next week....random, eh?
We have this new neighbor that moved in. He is funny. He is 48 and told us he is going through a mid-life crisis. We told him he should come to church. He was going to come to the baptisms on Saturday, but later told us he didn't have any clothes. We took down his sizes and got him some church clothes in an hour and a half...we are speedy. Well, he didn't come to church but he does know that he can't give us lame excuses anymore! ;)
OH! So coolest thing ever! S.O. got baptized on Saturday. It was great. Well, the A. missionaries didn't really call to schedule the building and assumed they could use it (but found out that they couldn't because other people actually scheduled it) so they were kind of scattered. They showed up later than the three people getting baptized so that was annoying. People kept coming and asking me what was going on. I told them I was just there for the ride....I wasn't in charge of the shindig. It was crazy, but it all worked out to the fact that she is awesome! I wish I was more involved in teaching, but its ok. I was transferred.
Two other people I'd taught got baptized as well. Sis. P. and I wrote on their record that they don't come to church and they should wait a few months before being baptized. Well, the Elders didn't think so, so they were baptized. I talked to the YW president that night and said that the girl had never once stayed past sacrament and had only been to church twice. Well, it isn't on my head. Hopefully they stay active. I choose to help people see that it is more than just going to church twice and being dunked...it is living the covenants and staying active. Being baptized only helps you as much as you allow it. The covenant is to do your best and be your best for the Savior....
The gospel is true. The Lord loves us all so much! With Him we have hope for the future--here and in the eternities.
So the Relief Society broadcast was awesome! I loved it! Pres. Monson is so stinkin cute! Conference will be super awesome too! I've been formulating my questions. It is amazing how questions will ALWAYS be answered by what they say. I encourage ya'll to have questions written down for Conference. And, as you take notes, you will see the answers come. It is so cool. It is the gospel in action!
I love all of you so very much! Maybe next week I'll actually bring my camera cord so I can show you pictures....only if you want...haha
Love,
Jackie
September 20, 2010
Hi there!
So...this week has been interesting. I'm not going to lie, this week, I felt that if I were a member that I wouldn't give me the names of my friends and family. As you know, I'm strongly influenced by my companions. We haven't been working as hard as I know we can.
Anyway, so after all this, I made a declaration in my journal of the things that I want to do. I will work as hard as I am able. I will do work in the apartment if I need to (updating sheets and records and such). I will exercise everyday (I totally ran in place for 20 minutes today....it was fun). Anyway, I still must do my best to be ready for the explosion of investigators after she leaves.
It has been a bit discouraging, but its ok. We will find people. I haven't even met the ward mission leader yet. It has been three weeks and we've only talked to him on the phone a couple of times. The Bishop has been gone a lot too and doesn't seem to have a real clear idea of what he wants the missionaries to do. It seems so disorganized.
We were tracting yesterday and we got this random phone call. Sis. F. talked to the man for a while and he said that he wanted to set up a time to meet with us. He could only do it in the middle of the day on Monday. After a while she finally got his name. He said, "M. M.." I started laughing so hard. She was really confused. She gave the phone to me. I started talking to Bro. M.
I was grateful that he called because he told me, "hey, remember who you are and why you were sent there." He told me that I was there to figure things out and get the work moving. I hadn't really thought about that. I'd just been stuck on the fact that there was NOTHING and I had just left everything. He gave me the perspective that I needed to just go hit it out. I told him to give me three months. He told me the story about how on his mission there was a bishop that was a little apostate and doing things not the right way. He told me the bishop was ousted in three months. I told him that wasn't my goal but I was going to get things going.
One day you should meet him because he has helped me more than any mission meeting or anyone on the mish. I've learned so much from him.
So...there you go. I will be a much better missionary this week. No more allowing discouragement or complaining get in my way. I will do what I've been asked to do and I will do it well! I'll give a reporting next week.
sorry this has been such a word vomit....I'm just throwing it all out there.
Oh! So funny story. Well, you know how I'm allergic to oranges? Well, the food allergy is getting worse. I can't have citrus things pretty much at all.It is amazing how that is in everything. Well, there was a man in the ward who found out about this allergy, then has been asking me questions about it. He pulled me aside on sunday and said, "I'm really concerned with your allergy. It isn't really an allergy. I think it is an autonucleus condition." Anyway, he totally went off on how he thinks I might have lupus and that I need to get it checked when I get back. Apparently my symptoms are more to that than allergies. Well, don't worry, he isn't a doctor or anything. I saw the M.s in church so I told them because I thought it was funny. Sis. M. said she'd look it up if I wanted, but I'm pretty sure I'm fine. I just laughed....so when I get home, we need to go to the doctor ASAP! Just kidding. but isn't that so random? It is funny how people will try to diagnose us. Like with the dizziness, there were so many people giving me different remedies and such. I just kept thinking, seriously?
I don't have dizziness anymore. I'm pretty much fine in that respect. I was getting heart aches again, but I think if I just focus on what I can do better and not worry about my comp I'll be fine in that respect too. Plus, I'm avoiding citrus and have benedryll in my bag just in case (but I've never had to use it). See, I'm all figured out. :)
Another funny story is that we had this giant car, well, the '09 Malibu. Someone keyed the car in our apt. complex. When we went to show Elder S. I asked him about the other cars in the lot. I said, "Elder S., can we have a new car? Ours is just too big." He said that was ok and we switched cars. I've never even heard of that being done so we were pretty excited. It was way dirty becasue they were going to sell it and Elders had it last so we cleaned it up pretty good. It is a red '07 corolla. I heart it mucho. It is louder and squeaks, but I like it. It is a little princess car....haha. I laugh anyway.
So also yesterday while tracting we met this man named C. He was pretty funny. He was from C. TX. He accepted a book of mormon (He and his friend were sitting outside another man's house drinking and smoking so we sat and talked to them a while). I made him promise me that he would call me and let me know when he got baptized. I told him he would want to and I testified about it and made him promise.... It was funny. He told me he would. I think he will. He says he'll come to church next Sunday. He isn't even in our mission boundaries but he is a cool guy.
I'm really grateful I had Sis. R. as my comp. It makes everything else seem bearable. I'm pretty sure I would've freaked out on F. if I didn't have Sis. R. before her.
Anyway, sorry this is so long and boring.
Have a great week!
Jackie
ok. One of these pictures is Sis F. and a huge moth.
The other is a funny marquee sign....one of my favorites that I actually got a picture of...
The other is the largest spider I've ever seen It was out in Huffman. they are called banana spiders.
Well, peace out! I love ya'll!
So...this week has been interesting. I'm not going to lie, this week, I felt that if I were a member that I wouldn't give me the names of my friends and family. As you know, I'm strongly influenced by my companions. We haven't been working as hard as I know we can.
Anyway, so after all this, I made a declaration in my journal of the things that I want to do. I will work as hard as I am able. I will do work in the apartment if I need to (updating sheets and records and such). I will exercise everyday (I totally ran in place for 20 minutes today....it was fun). Anyway, I still must do my best to be ready for the explosion of investigators after she leaves.
It has been a bit discouraging, but its ok. We will find people. I haven't even met the ward mission leader yet. It has been three weeks and we've only talked to him on the phone a couple of times. The Bishop has been gone a lot too and doesn't seem to have a real clear idea of what he wants the missionaries to do. It seems so disorganized.
We were tracting yesterday and we got this random phone call. Sis. F. talked to the man for a while and he said that he wanted to set up a time to meet with us. He could only do it in the middle of the day on Monday. After a while she finally got his name. He said, "M. M.." I started laughing so hard. She was really confused. She gave the phone to me. I started talking to Bro. M.
I was grateful that he called because he told me, "hey, remember who you are and why you were sent there." He told me that I was there to figure things out and get the work moving. I hadn't really thought about that. I'd just been stuck on the fact that there was NOTHING and I had just left everything. He gave me the perspective that I needed to just go hit it out. I told him to give me three months. He told me the story about how on his mission there was a bishop that was a little apostate and doing things not the right way. He told me the bishop was ousted in three months. I told him that wasn't my goal but I was going to get things going.
One day you should meet him because he has helped me more than any mission meeting or anyone on the mish. I've learned so much from him.
So...there you go. I will be a much better missionary this week. No more allowing discouragement or complaining get in my way. I will do what I've been asked to do and I will do it well! I'll give a reporting next week.
sorry this has been such a word vomit....I'm just throwing it all out there.
Oh! So funny story. Well, you know how I'm allergic to oranges? Well, the food allergy is getting worse. I can't have citrus things pretty much at all.It is amazing how that is in everything. Well, there was a man in the ward who found out about this allergy, then has been asking me questions about it. He pulled me aside on sunday and said, "I'm really concerned with your allergy. It isn't really an allergy. I think it is an autonucleus condition." Anyway, he totally went off on how he thinks I might have lupus and that I need to get it checked when I get back. Apparently my symptoms are more to that than allergies. Well, don't worry, he isn't a doctor or anything. I saw the M.s in church so I told them because I thought it was funny. Sis. M. said she'd look it up if I wanted, but I'm pretty sure I'm fine. I just laughed....so when I get home, we need to go to the doctor ASAP! Just kidding. but isn't that so random? It is funny how people will try to diagnose us. Like with the dizziness, there were so many people giving me different remedies and such. I just kept thinking, seriously?
I don't have dizziness anymore. I'm pretty much fine in that respect. I was getting heart aches again, but I think if I just focus on what I can do better and not worry about my comp I'll be fine in that respect too. Plus, I'm avoiding citrus and have benedryll in my bag just in case (but I've never had to use it). See, I'm all figured out. :)
Another funny story is that we had this giant car, well, the '09 Malibu. Someone keyed the car in our apt. complex. When we went to show Elder S. I asked him about the other cars in the lot. I said, "Elder S., can we have a new car? Ours is just too big." He said that was ok and we switched cars. I've never even heard of that being done so we were pretty excited. It was way dirty becasue they were going to sell it and Elders had it last so we cleaned it up pretty good. It is a red '07 corolla. I heart it mucho. It is louder and squeaks, but I like it. It is a little princess car....haha. I laugh anyway.
So also yesterday while tracting we met this man named C. He was pretty funny. He was from C. TX. He accepted a book of mormon (He and his friend were sitting outside another man's house drinking and smoking so we sat and talked to them a while). I made him promise me that he would call me and let me know when he got baptized. I told him he would want to and I testified about it and made him promise.... It was funny. He told me he would. I think he will. He says he'll come to church next Sunday. He isn't even in our mission boundaries but he is a cool guy.
I'm really grateful I had Sis. R. as my comp. It makes everything else seem bearable. I'm pretty sure I would've freaked out on F. if I didn't have Sis. R. before her.
Anyway, sorry this is so long and boring.
Have a great week!
Jackie
ok. One of these pictures is Sis F. and a huge moth.
The other is a funny marquee sign....one of my favorites that I actually got a picture of...
The other is the largest spider I've ever seen It was out in Huffman. they are called banana spiders.
Well, peace out! I love ya'll!
Monday, September 13, 2010
September 13, 2010
Aloha!
So guess what? This area is quite different from A....mainly in the fact that absolutely NOTHING is going on.... It is abit frustrating, but I will not let KW2 beat me.
My excitingness on Sunday is that I saw the W. family with N. and G. (J. and L. R.'s kids). I was so excited so I walked quickly and reverently ;) to talk to them. They want us over for dinner but it won't be until the middle of October but they said they were going to invite J. and L. I'm way excited. (He was the one who was baptized in July.)
So Sister F. and I have what I like to call the "fourth verse curse." We went to dinner at a family's house and the wife has been super sick for seven years so we sang her a song. We sang "oh my father" and it was really hard to sing. Neither of us claim to be singers in any way shape or form. We both started laughing so hard on the final verse and couldn't keep going. It was kind of a Spirit killer, but we couldn't help it. The miracle was that the woman seemed to come alive afterward and even got up to say a kneeling prayer with us and walked us to the door. Anyway....so we tracted into this lady and for the approach I asked if we could sing a song. Well, she let us in to talk because she wanted to know what we believed.
At the end of a powerhouse lesson with this 87 year old, we sang her a song (I know that my redeemer lives). Well, throughout the first verses I was coaching myself to not laugh. When the fourth verse came Sister F. and I started busting up. I pulled some tears and said that it was just too emotional to sing.... I grabbed a tissue for the effect so she wouldn't think I was just laughing. Sister F. ended up reading the final verse because we couldn't do it. Hence, the fourth verse curse. Hopefully it stops one day.... haha
Our area is so stinking little. If I make good plans we only drive like 6 miles (so we totally could bike) and if I don't plan well then we go 26 miles.... but it really is just a little thing.
So I learned that A. Elders changed S.'s baptism date but she is getting baptized on Sept 25th....I'm hoping President will let me go since it is so close. The Elders I'm sure are having a hayday with all that was left for them. I told them at the beginning if they didn't baptize 10 people it would be their own fault since we lined them all up for them.... That'll happen here.... give me a few months....Things will change here. I know it....well, it has to, especially if I might have to finish up my mission here...hopefully I don't because it isn't so fun but it may happen.
Hmmm....I don't know what else is exciting so I'm going to go!
I love you all! Have a great week!
Jackie
So guess what? This area is quite different from A....mainly in the fact that absolutely NOTHING is going on.... It is abit frustrating, but I will not let KW2 beat me.
My excitingness on Sunday is that I saw the W. family with N. and G. (J. and L. R.'s kids). I was so excited so I walked quickly and reverently ;) to talk to them. They want us over for dinner but it won't be until the middle of October but they said they were going to invite J. and L. I'm way excited. (He was the one who was baptized in July.)
So Sister F. and I have what I like to call the "fourth verse curse." We went to dinner at a family's house and the wife has been super sick for seven years so we sang her a song. We sang "oh my father" and it was really hard to sing. Neither of us claim to be singers in any way shape or form. We both started laughing so hard on the final verse and couldn't keep going. It was kind of a Spirit killer, but we couldn't help it. The miracle was that the woman seemed to come alive afterward and even got up to say a kneeling prayer with us and walked us to the door. Anyway....so we tracted into this lady and for the approach I asked if we could sing a song. Well, she let us in to talk because she wanted to know what we believed.
At the end of a powerhouse lesson with this 87 year old, we sang her a song (I know that my redeemer lives). Well, throughout the first verses I was coaching myself to not laugh. When the fourth verse came Sister F. and I started busting up. I pulled some tears and said that it was just too emotional to sing.... I grabbed a tissue for the effect so she wouldn't think I was just laughing. Sister F. ended up reading the final verse because we couldn't do it. Hence, the fourth verse curse. Hopefully it stops one day.... haha
Our area is so stinking little. If I make good plans we only drive like 6 miles (so we totally could bike) and if I don't plan well then we go 26 miles.... but it really is just a little thing.
So I learned that A. Elders changed S.'s baptism date but she is getting baptized on Sept 25th....I'm hoping President will let me go since it is so close. The Elders I'm sure are having a hayday with all that was left for them. I told them at the beginning if they didn't baptize 10 people it would be their own fault since we lined them all up for them.... That'll happen here.... give me a few months....Things will change here. I know it....well, it has to, especially if I might have to finish up my mission here...hopefully I don't because it isn't so fun but it may happen.
Hmmm....I don't know what else is exciting so I'm going to go!
I love you all! Have a great week!
Jackie
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
September 7, 2010
Hi familia!
So....remember what I said last time? Well, apparently I'm not in the really rich part of K. That is the other two wards. I am however, in the ward that we were having trouble with in A. I'm not too excited about that. I'm not gonna lie, the Lord has a funny sense of humor. I'm excited to learn and grow. This is probably the only place in the mish that I wouldn't have ever wanted to go....hence I get to learn and grow.
Sister F. can't drive so I've been driving all over the place. Our area is super small but I'm still having a hard time figuring it out. It is pretty windy, but I am going to love it. We are meeting some potential investigators that were left and weeding out all the lists. The place is color coated so I am trying to match all the potentials sheets with that.
The ward members are really doing missionary work it seems. I'm excited about that.
We are going to have two dinners this coming Friday. We had one scheduled and then we talked to an inactive with lots of nonmember friends living with her to have a game night. She is super excited and her nephew said he'd cook steaks for us. 5:30 dinner, and for the second dessert (because there is ALWAYS dessert for the missionaries), steak. Yum.....I may gain some weight here....haha.
Well, I wish I had some exciting stories. I am going to Zone Leader Council today. President is letting me email on his computer. That is fun. I feel so official! We are presenting on how to plan because apparently they think I know how to plan effectively. I learned yesterday that the A. Elders had 8 lessons with members there....we set those up for them. It was going to be a rocking week and I was excited for it. Instead, they enjoyed that. I'll still get to go to the baptisms.... haha
Oh! Fun story, then I'm going to go.
In this ward, we play soccer on Saturdays. That was fun. I was having so much fun! AND the weather is cooling off so it was only in the 80s and super humid....perfect weather, eh? Well, 80 seems cold now, so I was loving it. They kept saying, "we have to watch this one" because I was playing the middle and creating some sweet passing triangles.
On Monday we played bball with the Elders. They were all trying to stuff me because I kept scoring. Elder J. said it was going to be the last thing he did....He didn't get the chance. I was smack talking a little but only because they were being so funny about it. I had fun. Elder OC. did get me pretty good though because he jumped straight from behind me. The ball barely left my hand and then BAM! It was so funny. It was all in fun though. If I wasn't good then it wouldn't happen. Like my companion....haha. She'd get the ball and I'd let her shoot....she tries though.
Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful week!
I love you!
Jackie
So....remember what I said last time? Well, apparently I'm not in the really rich part of K. That is the other two wards. I am however, in the ward that we were having trouble with in A. I'm not too excited about that. I'm not gonna lie, the Lord has a funny sense of humor. I'm excited to learn and grow. This is probably the only place in the mish that I wouldn't have ever wanted to go....hence I get to learn and grow.
Sister F. can't drive so I've been driving all over the place. Our area is super small but I'm still having a hard time figuring it out. It is pretty windy, but I am going to love it. We are meeting some potential investigators that were left and weeding out all the lists. The place is color coated so I am trying to match all the potentials sheets with that.
The ward members are really doing missionary work it seems. I'm excited about that.
We are going to have two dinners this coming Friday. We had one scheduled and then we talked to an inactive with lots of nonmember friends living with her to have a game night. She is super excited and her nephew said he'd cook steaks for us. 5:30 dinner, and for the second dessert (because there is ALWAYS dessert for the missionaries), steak. Yum.....I may gain some weight here....haha.
Well, I wish I had some exciting stories. I am going to Zone Leader Council today. President is letting me email on his computer. That is fun. I feel so official! We are presenting on how to plan because apparently they think I know how to plan effectively. I learned yesterday that the A. Elders had 8 lessons with members there....we set those up for them. It was going to be a rocking week and I was excited for it. Instead, they enjoyed that. I'll still get to go to the baptisms.... haha
Oh! Fun story, then I'm going to go.
In this ward, we play soccer on Saturdays. That was fun. I was having so much fun! AND the weather is cooling off so it was only in the 80s and super humid....perfect weather, eh? Well, 80 seems cold now, so I was loving it. They kept saying, "we have to watch this one" because I was playing the middle and creating some sweet passing triangles.
On Monday we played bball with the Elders. They were all trying to stuff me because I kept scoring. Elder J. said it was going to be the last thing he did....He didn't get the chance. I was smack talking a little but only because they were being so funny about it. I had fun. Elder OC. did get me pretty good though because he jumped straight from behind me. The ball barely left my hand and then BAM! It was so funny. It was all in fun though. If I wasn't good then it wouldn't happen. Like my companion....haha. She'd get the ball and I'd let her shoot....she tries though.
Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful week!
I love you!
Jackie
Monday, August 30, 2010
August 30, 2010
Hi There!
So....Transfers....Sister P. and I went so so far away from where we were at.....I am in K. 2.....flushing/whitewashing with Sister F. and Sister P. went to H. (it borders A.....same building...) I'm glad I didn't go to H., though I already know half of their ward from exchanges and adventures there with all the Sisters....
I am basically trading areas with the Zone Leaders. Yep...they are putting Elders back into A.....Our ward is pretty sad, not going to lie. We were getting the sisters in the Relief Society to come out to appointments with us and we have splits set up for them....We just got a baptismal date on Saturday so they are going to have a baptism and a bunch of others to come...if they don't screw it up. ;) They will be great though. Our ward only had sisters for 10 months...I was there for 7 of them. I heart them mucho but will get to see them at Stake activities and such.
My area is a rich kid neighborhood. If they were in Utah they'd probably be 500,000 dollar plus homes.....It should be fun. There is another set of Sister Misisonaries in the ward, so they are going to get 4 of us! I'm the only one that isn't going home next transfer...That will be interesting. I just picked up sis F. so I don't really know anything about her.
It was really really hard leaving the ward. I love them so much! I wasn't ready to go....but I'd tracted over half the area and did a lot.... Sister P. wasn't ready to go. She was real surprised that she was leaving. I was super stressed to leave her with everything, but I guess I got the answer...they'd just throw in new kids...haha
That is so fun about the fair. I always miss that....
The other day, M.S. called us while we were tracting (hence, a blessing from tracting). She told us that a friend of her husband's sister was interested in learning more about the church. She knew that C.S. was a member and that his wife was active so they got in contact. It eventually wound its way to us.
Well, Sister S.O. lives in our complex. I'd talked to her a couple of times when we'd happenstance at the mail at the same time. It ended up being her! We set an appointment. We BEGAN teaching, talked about baptism and authority throughout, and committed her at the end. She accepted a date. We told her she could follow us to church....she came to church....all three meetings...and loved it!
The ward really wrapped their arms around her. Sister S., who'd never met her before, came right up and was her buddy through church. Brother and Sister B. offered their home to her teaching. Sister B. and Sister W. gave her the 'single support.' She had a great experience. For her appt next Wednesday, it will be in the B.'s home with Sister S. there. It it so important to get the ward involved!
It is amazing how the Lord blesses us when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. When we strive to do what is right and exercise our power, we can't go wrong!
I am so so sad to leave A., but I am excited for the new part of the adventure. I'm excited to meet new friends and baptize families!
Well, I love ya'll....
Jackie
So....Transfers....Sister P. and I went so so far away from where we were at.....I am in K. 2.....flushing/whitewashing with Sister F. and Sister P. went to H. (it borders A.....same building...) I'm glad I didn't go to H., though I already know half of their ward from exchanges and adventures there with all the Sisters....
I am basically trading areas with the Zone Leaders. Yep...they are putting Elders back into A.....Our ward is pretty sad, not going to lie. We were getting the sisters in the Relief Society to come out to appointments with us and we have splits set up for them....We just got a baptismal date on Saturday so they are going to have a baptism and a bunch of others to come...if they don't screw it up. ;) They will be great though. Our ward only had sisters for 10 months...I was there for 7 of them. I heart them mucho but will get to see them at Stake activities and such.
My area is a rich kid neighborhood. If they were in Utah they'd probably be 500,000 dollar plus homes.....It should be fun. There is another set of Sister Misisonaries in the ward, so they are going to get 4 of us! I'm the only one that isn't going home next transfer...That will be interesting. I just picked up sis F. so I don't really know anything about her.
It was really really hard leaving the ward. I love them so much! I wasn't ready to go....but I'd tracted over half the area and did a lot.... Sister P. wasn't ready to go. She was real surprised that she was leaving. I was super stressed to leave her with everything, but I guess I got the answer...they'd just throw in new kids...haha
That is so fun about the fair. I always miss that....
The other day, M.S. called us while we were tracting (hence, a blessing from tracting). She told us that a friend of her husband's sister was interested in learning more about the church. She knew that C.S. was a member and that his wife was active so they got in contact. It eventually wound its way to us.
Well, Sister S.O. lives in our complex. I'd talked to her a couple of times when we'd happenstance at the mail at the same time. It ended up being her! We set an appointment. We BEGAN teaching, talked about baptism and authority throughout, and committed her at the end. She accepted a date. We told her she could follow us to church....she came to church....all three meetings...and loved it!
The ward really wrapped their arms around her. Sister S., who'd never met her before, came right up and was her buddy through church. Brother and Sister B. offered their home to her teaching. Sister B. and Sister W. gave her the 'single support.' She had a great experience. For her appt next Wednesday, it will be in the B.'s home with Sister S. there. It it so important to get the ward involved!
It is amazing how the Lord blesses us when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. When we strive to do what is right and exercise our power, we can't go wrong!
I am so so sad to leave A., but I am excited for the new part of the adventure. I'm excited to meet new friends and baptize families!
Well, I love ya'll....
Jackie
Monday, August 23, 2010
August 23, 2010
Hi There!
Not going to lie..I really don't have much to say.....
My talk went well. It was 10 minutes exactly. Then, Bro. E. (his first talk) spoke for a few minutes, but it was super profound. He was really nervous and you could tell. When we took him to an appt for the first time, he was real quiet but then he got into it a ton, so I think his next talk will be a sermon like his granddads gave in the Baptist churches they preached at.... yeah....He is one of the only Baptist converts so we try to take him. The family we took him to (the F.) dropped us. They are avoiding us right now, but we have members and another searcher, T., on the street so we see them occasionally. Their time will come. :)
I purchased new shoes today. I figured since mine all have holes in them that I should probably buy shoes before I'm banished to the outer reaches of the mish. I know I'm not going to H., or P., so I didn't want to not have a place where I could buy shoes. They are called "Wendi" from Born if you want to see them....they are cute. I have them on now....hence, the 50 dollar purchase from DSW....
M., a member referral interested in BSA, came to meet with us before church yesterday, but then she left before sacrament...she said she'd come next week. It was sad because church started in 4 minutes, she left! AHHH! haha....but she is really cool and is so excited to bring her family next week. A husband, 8 yr, 6yr, and 4yr old....we showed her primary. She was really impressed by everything she heard and saw. They came here after Katrina and are still trying to recoup. We have a lot of Katrina evacuees that loved Houston so much that they stayed....I like it.
Transfers are next Monday...I find out Saturday if I am moving. Chances are I am....I have been here 30 weeks now. I love the place but I think it is time for me to move since most of the people I've been working with have been baptized. There are a couple that haven't, but they might just need another touch....I feel that I have done what I've been sent to do. Though, if I stayed, there is still a lot I could do!
R. still hasn't come to church. He doesn't want to leave his troubled 16 year old son home by himself. He is afraid of what would happen if he did. Unfortunately, we can't really do much about that other than pray.
Well, the office is going to close. I love you!
Have a blessed week!
Jackie
Not going to lie..I really don't have much to say.....
My talk went well. It was 10 minutes exactly. Then, Bro. E. (his first talk) spoke for a few minutes, but it was super profound. He was really nervous and you could tell. When we took him to an appt for the first time, he was real quiet but then he got into it a ton, so I think his next talk will be a sermon like his granddads gave in the Baptist churches they preached at.... yeah....He is one of the only Baptist converts so we try to take him. The family we took him to (the F.) dropped us. They are avoiding us right now, but we have members and another searcher, T., on the street so we see them occasionally. Their time will come. :)
I purchased new shoes today. I figured since mine all have holes in them that I should probably buy shoes before I'm banished to the outer reaches of the mish. I know I'm not going to H., or P., so I didn't want to not have a place where I could buy shoes. They are called "Wendi" from Born if you want to see them....they are cute. I have them on now....hence, the 50 dollar purchase from DSW....
M., a member referral interested in BSA, came to meet with us before church yesterday, but then she left before sacrament...she said she'd come next week. It was sad because church started in 4 minutes, she left! AHHH! haha....but she is really cool and is so excited to bring her family next week. A husband, 8 yr, 6yr, and 4yr old....we showed her primary. She was really impressed by everything she heard and saw. They came here after Katrina and are still trying to recoup. We have a lot of Katrina evacuees that loved Houston so much that they stayed....I like it.
Transfers are next Monday...I find out Saturday if I am moving. Chances are I am....I have been here 30 weeks now. I love the place but I think it is time for me to move since most of the people I've been working with have been baptized. There are a couple that haven't, but they might just need another touch....I feel that I have done what I've been sent to do. Though, if I stayed, there is still a lot I could do!
R. still hasn't come to church. He doesn't want to leave his troubled 16 year old son home by himself. He is afraid of what would happen if he did. Unfortunately, we can't really do much about that other than pray.
Well, the office is going to close. I love you!
Have a blessed week!
Jackie
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 16, 2010
Hi There!
Things have been going pretty well here....well, you know...haha. We atually reached our teaching lessons goal this week..first time in 2 transfers....We taught 22 lessons. Mostly to members (whether old or new members) but that is also how you find their friends to teach....
I got a blessing from a Roman Catholic man yesterday. His name is J. We were about to leave his house and he asked if he could give us something. Then, he did the little cross thing on our foreheads and said a prayer....We weren't quite sure what to think. We did find it a little funny/disgusting/odd/Texas that we were both dripping sweat and with his blessing thing he was touching our sweaty foreheads....haha nast.
Also yesterday, we had a baptist preacher try to bash with us. We were trying to get out and he just kept asking these questions to us, we'd answer with a testimony and I'd try to leave....then he'd tell us, "It is my duty and obligation to let you know that your religion is false." and such like that....not that exact wording every time, but he did say that. It was pretty messed up. He questioned, "If Joseph Smith is such an important figure, why wasn't he mentioned in the Bible?" Well, we know the scriptures and the prophesies where he was, but we weren't going to bash. It wasn't in the Spirit and if you don't have the Spirit in your teaching, you are teaching false doctrine... It was a fairly messed up situation. We finally got out of it....I hate not having the last word...especially when I do! ;)
We've baptized most of our investigators so the church attendance has been low (on the investigator side....Recent Convert side is great!). We are working on it.
We haven't found anyone ready to change in the K.R. division yet, but there is a cute little family that the boy keeps kissing me on the arms when we go so I think they'll come soon....They are Methodist.
So yesterday in church, Y. (in the S.J.R.S. Branch) came and got me out of Relief Society. She said, "are you the sister that plays the piano?" I said, "yes...", questioningly....then she said, "I need you to come play the piano. We are waiting." So I went and played the piano for the Spanish Branch's Sacrament Meeting....I didn't know the first song because it is only found in the Spanish book. It was funny.
I am giving a talk next Sunday in church. 10 minutes long about how EVERYTHING we do in the church revolves around Christ....I'm excited/nervous. I tell all my friends that I'm speaking and they need to come to church. It's working. ;)
Um....It is ridiculously hot....have I mentioned that? It will get to 100 degrees and then the humidity on top of that.
Sister P. and I were joking that I shouldn't wear the necklace/locket I was given because I'm going to tarnish it with my sweat.... It is happening...haha. Tracting is not very fruitful, but the blessings that come from it are people to teach that drop into our laps...I'll keep doing it! ;)
well, I'm going to go so I can continue chatting....I love you all! Have a great week!
Jackie
Things have been going pretty well here....well, you know...haha. We atually reached our teaching lessons goal this week..first time in 2 transfers....We taught 22 lessons. Mostly to members (whether old or new members) but that is also how you find their friends to teach....
I got a blessing from a Roman Catholic man yesterday. His name is J. We were about to leave his house and he asked if he could give us something. Then, he did the little cross thing on our foreheads and said a prayer....We weren't quite sure what to think. We did find it a little funny/disgusting/odd/Texas that we were both dripping sweat and with his blessing thing he was touching our sweaty foreheads....haha nast.
Also yesterday, we had a baptist preacher try to bash with us. We were trying to get out and he just kept asking these questions to us, we'd answer with a testimony and I'd try to leave....then he'd tell us, "It is my duty and obligation to let you know that your religion is false." and such like that....not that exact wording every time, but he did say that. It was pretty messed up. He questioned, "If Joseph Smith is such an important figure, why wasn't he mentioned in the Bible?" Well, we know the scriptures and the prophesies where he was, but we weren't going to bash. It wasn't in the Spirit and if you don't have the Spirit in your teaching, you are teaching false doctrine... It was a fairly messed up situation. We finally got out of it....I hate not having the last word...especially when I do! ;)
We've baptized most of our investigators so the church attendance has been low (on the investigator side....Recent Convert side is great!). We are working on it.
We haven't found anyone ready to change in the K.R. division yet, but there is a cute little family that the boy keeps kissing me on the arms when we go so I think they'll come soon....They are Methodist.
So yesterday in church, Y. (in the S.J.R.S. Branch) came and got me out of Relief Society. She said, "are you the sister that plays the piano?" I said, "yes...", questioningly....then she said, "I need you to come play the piano. We are waiting." So I went and played the piano for the Spanish Branch's Sacrament Meeting....I didn't know the first song because it is only found in the Spanish book. It was funny.
I am giving a talk next Sunday in church. 10 minutes long about how EVERYTHING we do in the church revolves around Christ....I'm excited/nervous. I tell all my friends that I'm speaking and they need to come to church. It's working. ;)
Um....It is ridiculously hot....have I mentioned that? It will get to 100 degrees and then the humidity on top of that.
Sister P. and I were joking that I shouldn't wear the necklace/locket I was given because I'm going to tarnish it with my sweat.... It is happening...haha. Tracting is not very fruitful, but the blessings that come from it are people to teach that drop into our laps...I'll keep doing it! ;)
well, I'm going to go so I can continue chatting....I love you all! Have a great week!
Jackie
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
August 9, 2010
Hi Familia!
This week was pretty awesome....well...ok. Let's be serious. This was one of the hardest weeks of my life. I was so frustrated and upset. It is funny. We tell people all the time to be patient in their trials and to have hope. When it came to my trials, I was doing my best to have hope and patience. It was super frustrating, but hopefully I handled things okayly (ok lee, that's what they call me! Who says that? lol)
Well, we had planned splits with ward members two different times last week and 3 out of 4 appointments bailed on us. It was pretty frustrating. We tracted for 2 and a half hours on Saturday and only talked to 11 people (it should be upwards of 20 really). I am determined to find someone in the rich neighborhood which hasn't had a baptism (except this past weekend) in years.... I will find a family there....I'm working on it. I may only have 3 weeks to do so.
Well, the end of the week went better. We had the baptism on Saturday...It was phenomenal! Brother P. gave them such powerful blessings during their confirmations. The boys were so excited. Sunday in church they stood up proudly as the newest members of the A. ward. I was beaming. :D
Things are coming along nicely with R. He didn't come to church this Sunday because he wanted his son to come and he couldn't get him to get out of bed. He said he didn't want to sit by himself. All the fellowshippers we've taken to him have gone out of town for the next two weeks....Hopefully we can find someone that he will come and sit by so the baptism can still happen on the 28th.
There is a Polish community close to S.A...I thought that was interesting. They have a picnic there every year. It is called Kosciusko or something...it is by F. if you feel like looking it up. It has been in the bucket list of things to tell you all for a few weeks.
So whilst tracting I saw this really cool bird that someone made. They didn't answer the door so I took a picture of it for you dad. I hope you like it. I thought it was interesting how they had the shovel the other way....
I got the package and loved it! Thank you so much! I love the necklace, the journal, and the fruit! The CDs are pretty good too. It is good to have a legit copy of Love is Spoken Here....Requiem....that is a bit odd...haha. Have you listened to it? I think you should listen to it. It is pretty funny...We laugh as we listen for a minute...then change it...haha
So Brother T. passed around our dinner calendar on Sunday...He made sure EVERYONE got it. I think more people signed up because they announced another baptism. They kinda like that sort of thing. Everyday this month is signed up (except Aug 26th....) There are a few familiar families, but for the most part it is people that I've only visited with a time or two.
Word is getting around that transfers are "soon." Bro. P. came to me at the baptism and said that he may not see me again. I made sure I got a picture. He is out flying and test flying airplanes and such... The R.s told me that they decided that I should just finish out my mission here. I told them that I would love that! Only six more months and 4 transfers to talk president M. into that....haha. We'll see.
I do think I might be going....I knew I was here for the P. family. If there is still more people for me to find, I have at least three weeks to do as much finding and baptizing as I can! I will do my best and keep working hard. It has been such an amazing experience to be here. I am glad that I was sent to the best place ever! Not gonna lie, missionaries now want A. as much as L.C. (L.C. because they get to serve in L.--A. because they baptize!). I have worked my tail off and I'm glad the Lord is blessing us with wonderful people to teach. There are many prepared everywhere we go! Everyone can be a missionary and share the gospel.
I made you a tape....It isn't that exciting, but I will send it with the memory card from my camera. I bought a flash drive so I could keep the pictures and still print them off whilst letting you see what was going on in Tejas.
Thanks for all you do!
Jackie
Here is another fun picture at the baptism....
Oh, and bonus of the week....we get to go to the temple on Wednesday....and we get to eat with the B.s!
Oh! Did I tell you? Last week as we were going into do our service, Sister B. called. She said that they did more tests on K. and that the mass in her lungs shrunk 25% and that they appeared to be dead. YAY! I was so so happy! I was glad they called me. Right now she is good. We just have to keep praying for her!
I love "ya'all!"
This week was pretty awesome....well...ok. Let's be serious. This was one of the hardest weeks of my life. I was so frustrated and upset. It is funny. We tell people all the time to be patient in their trials and to have hope. When it came to my trials, I was doing my best to have hope and patience. It was super frustrating, but hopefully I handled things okayly (ok lee, that's what they call me! Who says that? lol)
Well, we had planned splits with ward members two different times last week and 3 out of 4 appointments bailed on us. It was pretty frustrating. We tracted for 2 and a half hours on Saturday and only talked to 11 people (it should be upwards of 20 really). I am determined to find someone in the rich neighborhood which hasn't had a baptism (except this past weekend) in years.... I will find a family there....I'm working on it. I may only have 3 weeks to do so.
Well, the end of the week went better. We had the baptism on Saturday...It was phenomenal! Brother P. gave them such powerful blessings during their confirmations. The boys were so excited. Sunday in church they stood up proudly as the newest members of the A. ward. I was beaming. :D
Things are coming along nicely with R. He didn't come to church this Sunday because he wanted his son to come and he couldn't get him to get out of bed. He said he didn't want to sit by himself. All the fellowshippers we've taken to him have gone out of town for the next two weeks....Hopefully we can find someone that he will come and sit by so the baptism can still happen on the 28th.
There is a Polish community close to S.A...I thought that was interesting. They have a picnic there every year. It is called Kosciusko or something...it is by F. if you feel like looking it up. It has been in the bucket list of things to tell you all for a few weeks.
So whilst tracting I saw this really cool bird that someone made. They didn't answer the door so I took a picture of it for you dad. I hope you like it. I thought it was interesting how they had the shovel the other way....
I got the package and loved it! Thank you so much! I love the necklace, the journal, and the fruit! The CDs are pretty good too. It is good to have a legit copy of Love is Spoken Here....Requiem....that is a bit odd...haha. Have you listened to it? I think you should listen to it. It is pretty funny...We laugh as we listen for a minute...then change it...haha
So Brother T. passed around our dinner calendar on Sunday...He made sure EVERYONE got it. I think more people signed up because they announced another baptism. They kinda like that sort of thing. Everyday this month is signed up (except Aug 26th....) There are a few familiar families, but for the most part it is people that I've only visited with a time or two.
Word is getting around that transfers are "soon." Bro. P. came to me at the baptism and said that he may not see me again. I made sure I got a picture. He is out flying and test flying airplanes and such... The R.s told me that they decided that I should just finish out my mission here. I told them that I would love that! Only six more months and 4 transfers to talk president M. into that....haha. We'll see.
I do think I might be going....I knew I was here for the P. family. If there is still more people for me to find, I have at least three weeks to do as much finding and baptizing as I can! I will do my best and keep working hard. It has been such an amazing experience to be here. I am glad that I was sent to the best place ever! Not gonna lie, missionaries now want A. as much as L.C. (L.C. because they get to serve in L.--A. because they baptize!). I have worked my tail off and I'm glad the Lord is blessing us with wonderful people to teach. There are many prepared everywhere we go! Everyone can be a missionary and share the gospel.
I made you a tape....It isn't that exciting, but I will send it with the memory card from my camera. I bought a flash drive so I could keep the pictures and still print them off whilst letting you see what was going on in Tejas.
Thanks for all you do!
Jackie
Here is another fun picture at the baptism....
Oh, and bonus of the week....we get to go to the temple on Wednesday....and we get to eat with the B.s!
Oh! Did I tell you? Last week as we were going into do our service, Sister B. called. She said that they did more tests on K. and that the mass in her lungs shrunk 25% and that they appeared to be dead. YAY! I was so so happy! I was glad they called me. Right now she is good. We just have to keep praying for her!
I love "ya'all!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)