April 28, 2010

Hi there!

So this week has been good....Well, it was actually really hectic, but life goes on, eh?

A kid in my ward and his science something team won a competition and are going to nationals. It is in UC at the UI. I said, "crazy, my sister works there." So you should recruit them all Ames. He is a smart kid.... The competition is May 21 and 22 and they are in the Riverwood Middle School. So if you see that team, MC and his mom MC will be there. They are in my ward. They are great. We found out because we found a chinese woman tracting so we asked Sister C to talk to her and we might be able to teach her the gospel. Well, be there while Sister C teaches her the gospel. We'll just have to see how that all works out....

Sister W and I ended up staying in A! We are pretty excited. Sister M. got transferred so H has been flushed. The new sisters are really fun. Sister B and Sister H. Sister B came into the area earlier than Sister H so we took her with us for a few hours. She told me I was talked about...It was funny. She said, "I'm excited to serve around you Sister Fuller. You trained after 3 months and then you flush trained. You must be the best missionary ever." I was really surprised by that. I don't think I am but apparently other people do! haha. I told her, "just wait til you are around me a little bit longer." Then she'll wonder why I was called to train! ;)

The situation with the B family is a little intense. J seemed to be avoiding us a little when we dropped in yesterday. We have an appointment with them Thursday. He is supposed to be baptized on Saturday but we haven't taught him the Word of Wisdom or the Tithing among other things and he hasn't had the interview. With the schedules and K being in the hospital for a few days it threw everything off. We will talk to him on Thursday and maybe see if next weekend would be ok. The family is being split and torn because of this decision. It is hard to see. We pray continuously for the Spirit to touch their hearts and help them.

The P family is still amazing. They asked us to come over on Saturday because his brother and the girlfriend were going to be there from Canada. It was supposed to be a "surprise visit" but the kids were too excited. We got there and N started screaming, "the missionaries are here! They are finally here!" She'd been waiting all week. Plus, A and C came to us and said, "you are late! you are never late!" (We were 10 minutes late....) No surprise....haha. We taught them about the Holy Ghost. I loved it! We had so much fun! The spirit was strong.

Sister M got moved to LP. The air quality there is worse than in PA so I am hoping I don't go there....but let's be serious. I've been thinking that the whole 9 months so I will probably go there next transfer. They also had to close LC because we don't have enough sister missionaries.

The past week I haven't been feeling good at all. I think I have an ear infection. Well, let's be serious. I think I've had an ear infection for the past 6 weeks.... It had finally got to the point where I was really dizzy and lightheaded (or I get that way from something else, I'm not sure yet). Anyway, The Elders gave me a blessing on Sunday. It was cool. I know that my ear still has its pangs but I don't feel them. I just know they are there....It is weird but I know that it is the Priesthood power! I love it! I am still a little dizzy and lightheaded so I'll probably talk to Sister M again but I don't know why. If I survived through the roughest part I should be able to survive the ending....haha. Anywho, the Priesthood is real and is a real blessing. I guess my faith is getting stronger.

We asked H last night if he would be baptized and he said yes. He hasn't been to church yet because his schedule was already fixed for Sundays for the first month after we met him but he said that he won't schedule any flights on Sundays for the next month. He told us he has noticed a difference in his family since we've been coming over and he's read from the Book of Mormon. He told us he just needs to get his wife on board. She has a Pentecostal sister and a Catholic mother that haven't really been telling her good things about mormons. Everytime we go she asks us about plural marriage and other untrue things but I think she'll come around. She just needs to read and pray (as we all do about the Book of Mormon). I am excited for them though.

NR also told us that she wanted to learn more about some of the traditions that we do in the home and that the Prophets have asked us to do to strenghten families. She said that if she puts them in practice (and they help the family) that it will slowly soften her husband's heart and she can tell him that the mormons do these things....We told her about Family Home Evening and we'll see how that goes. She really does want to learn but wants it to be a family thing and T wouldn't be open to us. She is also sharing it with her mom. We give her info about the Single Adult Program for her mom. The whole family will come one day, whether I'm here or not. I love them!

We were able to see an inactive member the bishop asked us to find. We've been working with her for about a month now and she is getting her schedule changed so that she will be able to come to church. She tells us that every time we go it is exactly what she needs to hear. I love it. Praying specifically for people and their situations helps so much to allow the spirit to come in and teach them. I love it!

So we were reading with T in the BoM the other day. They were trying to say "Ye Shall" and she couldn't do it. It was all I could do not to laugh since it came out "ye'll shall." I wonder if they make a Texas translation of the Bible...It would say "ya'll'll" Ya'll'll have eternal life! ;) Just saying. I'm excited because we are going to the Christian bookstore. They have fun pens, guitar picks, and other really fun things. I think in Utah they'd be considered sacreligious, but everyone has them here so I've become accustomed and think it is funny....that's all.

Basically life is good. I love it. I love the work and it is going well. One day I asked President, why we weren't having anyone come to church and no progress. (a few months ago) and I told him I was doing everything I knew I should to be obedient. He said that if I was doing all I could to be obedient and trying to help PEOPLE then nothing could hold back the blessings that are promised by Heavenly Father. Well, it is true! If we are doing everything that we know to be right and not doing what we know is wrong then the floodgates can be opened. Satan can still work on others because they have their agency, but I know that at least I won't be disappointed.

I love you all. Oh, I think I am going to have to use just a regular phone next next Sunday so..what phone should I call and what time do you have church so I can not call during that time. Sister W's family is 4 or 5 hours ahead so we might be calling more in the afternoon but I really don't know. I don't know how it all works out. I've not been here for a mother's day before.

Again, I love you!

Jackie

April 21, 2010

Hi there! How is it going?

So this week has been super awesome and cool. Remember last week (well, maybe I didn't tell you) but we had 7 of our investigators come to church. We were super stoked. This week we had 6. We have been patiently working with faith and obedience for the last 10 weeks and now the blessings are coming.

We went to the B. family last Friday. The High Priests had a fast for them on Thursday. When we went we found out that K's CT scan shows that she doesn't have cancer anymore so the blessings of healing and the fasts and such have worked! It is great! They told us after dinner. Brother B told us that they had a message that they wanted to share so he told us about K. We were so excited! I almost cried, which doesn't happen, as you all know....Then he told us that wasn't it. He said that after the blessing 6 months ago he knew. He had prayed for someone to come and Bro. M came and gave her a blessing and answered a lot of questions. Anyway, he said that since then he knew that it was true and with the confirmation that K is healed he told us that he wants to get baptized! He is on fire and is so excited. We know that Sister B and K will follow but we are praying and trying to work with their son. It was funny because after the exciting news, Brother B put his elbows on the table and said, "now the real challenge will be to get N. We need to all start working on that." It is true! But as for now he will be baptized on May 1st, along with C. Hopefully M and K will be baptized that day as well. Our goal for May was 5 baptisms. That seemed so far fetched before, but that was what was confirmed to us from fasting and prayer and now I know that we can do it! The lord is blessing the people and allowing us to be a part of it.

The ward is so great! They are all getting involved with everyone that we see. We have members coming out with a few nights this week and hopefully they will continue. They are trusting us with their friends. We have so much to do and so little time! We are both hoping that we don't get transferred. That would be so sad!

Brother P is going home teaching. They told us they would be so sad if we got transferred. They are so grateful and I am so grateful that we were able to meet. The mish is great! I am so glad that I chose to come on one so I could be here experiencing gospel joy with people. We all have what people need! That is the peace and comfort of the gospel. It is true! It really does bless lives and families! I love it! Hmm....can you tell it has been a good week? haha. I love "ya'll" too! ;)

S. G. still wants to be baptized. We heard from them on Sunday that her and B. will be getting married so we were reallly excited. We went in with a few scriptures about baptism and we were going to help them choose a date for her to be baptized but when we got there it wasn't right. We ended up talking about the golden rule and service for the other without selfishness. I am really sad about their situtation and I wish that I could just fix it, but that isn't what I am here to do. I am here to help them feel the spirit and help motivate them to make the changes themselves. she just called and said she needed to talk so we will call her after emailing and see what is next in the saga. Hopefully some sort of good news, but really, whatever news there is, it is usually a catch 22.

I am sending home two packages. I wish they were more exciting but they aren't. They are full of clothes, letters, CDs, DVDs, and such. Although, I did include some "slap yo mama" seasoning. It is hotter than Tony Sacheres but you may like it. Just put a little on at first. I also am sending a tape! Yay! I finally finished one! Well, ok, it isn't finished completely, but it is finished as much as it is going to be and it is going to the mail in half an hour so it is what it is....haha

The dentist was good. Remember how my teeth shifted when the retainer broke loose? Well, It was bugging me and I kept getting food stuck underneath it and I thought it was going to break off but the lady reassured me that it was CEMENTED to my teeth and the reason it popped off before was because it was weak. I have more confidence in it now. She cleaned them so I could have a fresh start on cleaning them and I will do betetr about taking care of them. It feels so nice to have clean teeth! I love that feeling! My bottom retainer doesn't fit anymore but she said tha when I go back to talk to the Ortho and see about taking off the permanent retainer and then working back on aligners to where my teeth are straight again. I doubt Dr. Anderson will do that because he wouldn't the last time, but for now I can live with it and we'll see what happens.
(p.s. The office sister is Sister H...I love her so much! :D )

Oh, another bit of news is that Sister W. had to go home because she wasn't getting any better from her illness. We are working with Sister M. and are having to cover a HUGE area....H and A wards. We have more progressing investigators and more people with baptism dates so our ward mission leader isn't very happy with sharing but we are doing well. We are getting a lot of member involvement to help our wonderful friends progress in the gospel. (I just realized that I type my "P's" with the wrong finger. That is a habit that I need to break! It is going to cause me some health issues in the future, I just know it!)

Anyway, right now we are in the H library and watching all the people. There are so many people in the cities and it freaks me out but I am trying to get used to it. I drive like a pansy here....Well, I drive really defensively. Though, when I'm not driving I think it is more scary because I have no control. Though, there are more people in the cities so we are able to talk to many many people about the gospel.

I'm sure I'll keep you updated more on what is going on in my life....I just don't know what else there is! There is so much going on! I love it!

This week is Stake Conference. I'm pretty excited about that although it is hard to keep track of everyone that we need to keep track of.....That is ok though, it will be a very spiritually uplifting experience, I'm sure.

Also....I love you! I don't know if I mentioned that yet or not...haha. just kidding, I know I did!

Are you so proud of me, I wrote you a super long email! I don't know if this can be regular, but I was in the mood to type today....haha...gotta love that!

Oh, I was going to say, you should tell Justin that you don't make lesson plans for yourselves, but you make lesson plans so the Spirit can go before and prepare the hearts of the people....Well, ok, you don't have to tell him that, but it is true.....really...

Love you all so so so so much! I will try to get on my Texas accent for when I talk to you soon....I don't even know when but it is coming up they tell me....

Adios!

Jackie

oh, p.s. Transfers are this weekend so by next wednesday everything in my life could be changed! ;)

How to Train a Dragon

This is a really cute movie! It has action, adventure, and a cute plot! You'll love it!

Ryan's Park

This park is amazing!! It is a bit tricky to find, but there is so much to do, especially if you are a little monkey! And more especially if you are a smaller than little monkey! It is in River Heights (in Logan) on 6th South and 6th East... I think.

Fireflies by Owl City

This is another great song that you will enjoy!

Everybody by Ingrid Michealson

I just absolutely love this song! It is so catchy and will have you up and dancing, and more importantly singing after just seconds!

The Ultimate Gift

This movie was so cute! It shows how a person can grow and become their full potential! It is a must see with fun and action for the whole family! Pam recommended it to me, I think you'll love it!

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

Another fabulously tasty recipe! Who knew that cream cheese was so wonderful?! But, to be fair, it needs the aid of chocolate!

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

Beat until fluffy:

8 oz. cream cheese

1 cube butter

1/4 tsp. vanilla

Then blend in:

3/4 c. sugar

2 Tbs. brown sugar

Finally add:

3/4 c. (heaping) mini chocolate chips.

Chill in the refrigerator for an hour then serve on graham crackers (I only like it with the chocolate graham crackers!) You can roll it into a ball, but let's be realistic, you are just going to eat it, so why go to the added trouble?

Oreo Truffles

The Ultimate Chocoately Gooey Goodness! This is a must try asap! They will leave your taste buds aching for more!

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg. Oreos

1 8oz. Cream Cheese softened

Chocolate for melting (you can use any, but I prefer milk chocolate)

Finely crush oreos, mix with cream cheese. Refrigerate the mixture for an hour or so. Roll the mixture into balls and dip or roll (depending if you are a Nick or a Kelly) into melted chocolate, place on wax paper to allow them to set up. You can get fancy, since I know you like to and drizzle chocolate over the tops! Enjoy... over and over again!

Old Spice Commercial

This is the most random commercial ever! I am sure you will enjoy the randomness and definitely the quotability!

April 14, 2010

Hello familia!

This has been a super eventful week so I am excited to try and type it all out for you!

So I got to go to the Temple for M and B's sealing and it worked out that B.T. was getting out her endownment that day as well. I was so happy to see all of them and the many familiar faces it brought! Sister F. picked me up. she was a little late so we got to the Temple and I had 7 minutes until the session started. Well, we barely made it! They took us a back way after we got our names so that we could make it. It was so so so so close....but I saw it! Sister S. made it down for it too. Her trainer was here so we took a "generation" picture with Sister O., Sister .S., me, and Sister R. Sister W. didn't get to go to the temple. She worked in H. with Sister M. It was so amazing though. I was so so happy! (and I have pictures! woo hoo!)

I saw that Poland lost its President and some counselors.... thought of Ewa....hope that is going ok with her fam and such.

Padre, remember that 5 lb steak you were talking about? It is in Amarillo, Texas. I heard about it. When you come to pick me up we can go there....Maybe by then I will be able to eat it all. As preparation for coming to Texas, start injecting straight butter into your veins....It will help with the preparation. (dont put that in the blog, but it is true! haha)

So we were teaching a family yesterday. The woman wants to get baptized but she can't because she is not married to the man (the member) she is living with. They have been fighting more lately and she asked us a question about it. We aren't allowed to counsel. It was pretty messed up. We are sitting there and they were fighting. The little girl (6) came and sat on the same kitchen chair as me and was trying to distract her. She ripped a page in my scriptures....no bueno. I wasn't a fan of that but it wasn't on purpose. I used the "mom" solution...." Did you mean to do it? Ok, then it is ok...if you meant to do it, then I would be mad, but it was an accident." :D You'd be so proud.

The good thing is while we were in the domestic I received some answers to the things that have been bothering me. iwouldn't say it was great, but it was a good thing. Then, she asked for a comfort blessing so we set off to find that. We talked to Brother M., and he was not so happy that we were involved (not that we could be out of it at that point) but we set out to make that straight. He called the people and we talked to S again. She called us at 1:45 this morning and told us that her newborn baby might have a heart condition and that her "husband" asked to be admitted into the hospital and he is in a psych ward right now....The Home Teachers are working on a blessing and such, but that is this week's episode of "As the world turns." It is pretty messed up...

B. came to church! It was awesome! They enjoyed it and are planning on coming next week as well. The High Priests in the ward are going to have a special fast for them on Thursday. We are seeing them again on Friday and hope that we can uncover more concerns. They are opening up to us. We are hoping they will want to be baptized soon. I love them and am so excited!

Church was awesome. We had 7 investigators come. (B, AP, CH, and SG). I was so happy! We were on cloud eight (I'm so funny, right?) and then the ward council talked on how they could get everyone excited about missionary work. The spirit of the work is here and things are happening! We are working so hard and striving to be EXACTLY obedient. I promise you I have been doing my best. I don't want to live with any regrets and I don't have the regrets of being disobedient. I am trying to live life to the fullest each and every day.

I am getting to use my spanish a lot more and it is becoming better. I was working in a little book with HJ yesterday (he is in a spanish immersion school) and I was conversing with him while S.W. taught the lesson. Little kids can be so distracting! haha. Well, I also got to talk to a lady from El Salvador who was studying to become LDS but then moved to be a nanny here and hasn't heard anything about it since. We talked for a good 20 minutes in Spanish and I gave her a Book of Mormon in Spanish and also a pamphlet. It is exciting. If I keep using it this much maybe I will be able to speak somewhat when I come home. ;)

We've been hearing from a lot of people that we are sharing just what they needed to hear. It is really cool because we pray about it and live worthily to receive the answers to help people. I have been praying for a greater receptiveness to the spiritual promptings and I have noticed a huge difference. We are working on going "spiritual tracting" because when you are in tune to the spirit you can do that. This week we haven't been talking to as many people but the people that have been placed in our path have been interested. I love it!

April 7, 2010

Hola familia!

Sorry that I haven’t been able to email you all individually. I get lots of emails and then have a short time to write back.

Last week we were trying some potential investigators. After leaving their house we got in the car and were going to pull away. I saw a man sitting in a hammock. I wasn't going to stop the car, then I thought, I really do need to see him. We ended up reparking the car and going to talk to him. He pointed us to the house. The family let us in. We were able to teach the whole family about the Book of Mormon. The father had received a Book of Mormon in Houston about ten years earlier. They seem super interested so I am really excited to see how things go with them. The whole experience was really awesome. The lesson was in Spanish so it was difficult but I think they understood me well enough.

I feel like a successful missionary because I have been listening to the promptings of the Spirit. I am so grateful because that is something that I have been praying for. I am more of a logical brained person but I have been trying to ponder and listen for the promptings of the Spirit. I have noticed a difference and am excited to keep going with that!

Well, I haven’t been pulled over lately. That is good, right? Not since the first time.

I am so excited to go to the Temple with the L's. We definitely need to go to a higher spiritual ground sometimes and feel that presence. Ya’ll should go to the Temple sometime this month. It will be so fun.

The grandparentals are in Florida? Why? What brought that about? I wonder why they didn’t visit me….I’m right off the 1960! ;) (Floyd’s parents are on a cruise out of Florida)

The Cs’ homecoming is this Sunday. B. H. is going to get me more info on it but by then I won’t be able to tell you about it. I think their number is in one of my old planners somewhere. Have you looked through them? That is what I do everyday…haha. Lots! I love it!

I did see someone I knew in the choir from the Orem Institute of Religion. He is in CAL. I just can’t remember his last name….

It is interesting when we go to people’s homes. There is such a stark contrast! Especially as a missionary I am feeling the spiritual gift of discernment. I can feel a strong spirit when the home is filled with love and where there is contention I can’t hardly breathe. It is pretty cool I think.

You know how I’m hard on myself a lot? Even though we aren’t getting a lot of baptisms I still feel like a successful missionary because I am able to recognize the spirit and I am working on letting the Spirit guide us to people. I pray for the searchers! That is what we need.

Brother M. (the Ward Mission Leader) called the other day and said, “You guys are starting to have some success.” And I said, “It is because the Lord promises us that! When we do what we are supposed to He is bound to give us the blessings. We’ve been doing our best this whole time and now it is starting to happen.” Patience is something else I’m learning….haha

We have a woman who wants to get baptized and has for 4 years but she is living with an inactive member of the church so she can’t. She was pretty mad/disheartened about it. I told her to talk to the bishop because I didn’t have the answers that would soothe her heart about it. If she would get married or move she could be baptized but they have 2 children together and one other. She is great…I love her.

We’ve been spending some time in H. as well as A. S W is sick so we have been working with S. M. It is hard because we are area hopping and doing some of her stuff and some of ours but it is working out ok. It is working out great this Saturday since S. W. will stay with a ward member, S. M. and S. W. will work together, and I will go to the Temple.

Our District is great because there are 4 Sister Missionaries and only 2 Elders. That is super unique I’m pretty sure.

We keep hearing about all these earthquakes. I hope you all are safe. I don’t know what is going on in the world but from what I do hear it doesn’t sound very fun. It sounds like we better be preparing ourselves.

What do you guys need? I think I’ll send home some Tony Sacheres for you to try and maybe some dirty rice mix. That stuff is good too. I wish I could send gumbo or something. Everyone needs to try some gumbo! Haha

In the city we have pretty normal foods. I haven’t had gumbo since I’ve been here and I’ve only had crawfish once. I think Brian should’ve come to Texas. He would love the crawfish boils!

When are you all going to Scotland? I think that is so fun! Did you get my plane ticket or are you going before March 2011?

I worked in a “garden” the other day and I think I lost my awesome watch line. They called it a garden so I was excited but then we worked in their flower patch. I pulled out weeds with my hands for a while. The roots were fascinating. Because there was only an inch or two of dirt and clay underneath the roots were growing to the sides. It was crazy. I’ve never seen anything like it. This clay ground surprises me. That is probably why most people have crab grass.

Today we were in the store and I heard a song I love from Rascal Flatts and then another store I heard another song I absolutely love. I felt a little apostate because I liked them….haha. I was singing along (but mostly in my head).

Thanks for the Come thou Font CD. We love it! We listen to it all the time. J. It is the only MOTAB I think I like. It is amazing! Thanks again!

I am glad that madre was online so I could talk to her. It chippered my spirits….they were a bit low but now they are good.

This super long email was written while email chatting. That is so exciting. I am so glad that I was a secretary type person and can type really fast so I can get a lot done in my hour. Happy day!

I think I am going to go now, but I want ya’ll to know that I love the lord. I love this work and I am so glad that I was able to come on a mish. The people are amazing. I am learning so much about the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I know that as we pray and study our scriptures and the words of the living prophets that we can receive answers to our prayers and our questions.

The gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior. Only He knows what we are going through. As we have mighty and sincere prayers He can speak to our hearts. We must ponder and listen. If we do these things we will feel His hand more abundantly in our lives. He is the Rock and the sure foundation. I am excited for this coming week because we can and will find those who are searching. Of this I am certain.

Thanks for your prayers! They mean a lot to me. I know that I am being protected and blessed through your valiant prayers. Thanks for the letters and the cards. I haven’t gotten any yet this week but I am excited to hear from ya’ll later in the week. ;)

As we say in Texas, God Bless!

Jackie

p.s. Sorry I didn't write any individually. I don't have time. I keep meaning to, but then nothing....lame. I'm sorry I'm lame....luckily you already knew that! ;)