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
Monday, August 30, 2010
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!"
August 2, 2010
Hi There!
How are things around the country? Texas is pretty good. It is just blasted hot still. I don't know how I feel about that really, but hey, not much I can do.
We were trying to tract on Saturday morning, but even that is too hot so we may just have to resort to tracting at night when it cools off to 90....
I had such a happy church experience yesterday! The B's came back and J. bore his testimony about how the gospel has blessed his family and his life--even with the short time he's been a member. He gave such a powerful witness that Christ lives and loves him and his family. Amazing! I was so happy! I'm glad I was part of their lives. Also, all the P's got up and bore their testimonies. I love them! It was sincere and from the heart. E. had been practicing hers/she wasn't as scared this time and was able to tell everyone Jesus loves her. Bro. P. held her up and whispered to her what to say.
The P. boys are so excited to be baptized. They keep askin if we are going to be able to be there. I tell them I wouldn't miss it for the world! I'm stoked! We are going to sing a song at it too...we are thinking Come Thou Fount....we'll see how that goes. Sis. W. will be back for it. I'm so excited!
We've been tracting a lot and finding searchers.
Oh! We got a text message referral last week and he lives in I.S. in C., so it is a bit of a drive, but we went and he wasn't home. We left a sticky note on his door that we would come the next day. He changed his schedule so he could be there. We taught him a brief lesson then said we'd come back. He is a single man so we brought a husband and wife duo (the S.s). We taught him the Restoration yesterday and committed him to being baptized on August 28th. His name is R.V. He is a pretty cool guy. There is a lot going on in his life. A friend of his at work *R.H.* asked him if he would be ok with missionaries coming over. He said yes, and we have the privilege of teaching him.
The gospel is true. The work is fun, hard, and sweaty, but so worth it! I love it! (the work part)
Have a great week!
Jackie
How are things around the country? Texas is pretty good. It is just blasted hot still. I don't know how I feel about that really, but hey, not much I can do.
We were trying to tract on Saturday morning, but even that is too hot so we may just have to resort to tracting at night when it cools off to 90....
I had such a happy church experience yesterday! The B's came back and J. bore his testimony about how the gospel has blessed his family and his life--even with the short time he's been a member. He gave such a powerful witness that Christ lives and loves him and his family. Amazing! I was so happy! I'm glad I was part of their lives. Also, all the P's got up and bore their testimonies. I love them! It was sincere and from the heart. E. had been practicing hers/she wasn't as scared this time and was able to tell everyone Jesus loves her. Bro. P. held her up and whispered to her what to say.
The P. boys are so excited to be baptized. They keep askin if we are going to be able to be there. I tell them I wouldn't miss it for the world! I'm stoked! We are going to sing a song at it too...we are thinking Come Thou Fount....we'll see how that goes. Sis. W. will be back for it. I'm so excited!
We've been tracting a lot and finding searchers.
Oh! We got a text message referral last week and he lives in I.S. in C., so it is a bit of a drive, but we went and he wasn't home. We left a sticky note on his door that we would come the next day. He changed his schedule so he could be there. We taught him a brief lesson then said we'd come back. He is a single man so we brought a husband and wife duo (the S.s). We taught him the Restoration yesterday and committed him to being baptized on August 28th. His name is R.V. He is a pretty cool guy. There is a lot going on in his life. A friend of his at work *R.H.* asked him if he would be ok with missionaries coming over. He said yes, and we have the privilege of teaching him.
The gospel is true. The work is fun, hard, and sweaty, but so worth it! I love it! (the work part)
Have a great week!
Jackie
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