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! ;)