January 24, 2011

Aloha!

Things are going well this week. The baptism on Saturday was so awesome! Here is a picture of J. and J. P., their sons J.D. and J., and all the missionaries that ever taught him....It was pretty sweet. I played the piano for it. Right before they baptized him, I thought, "I wonder what they are planning on doing while he changes..." well, I asked E. M. and he had a deer in the headlights look for a minute.....they didn't plan anything. So, I ended up playing middlelude music, if you will, until he came back out. It is a good thing that I can play all 10 songs in the hymn book....haha....well, it wasn't too terribly bad. too bad I already packed up my giant song book....

So this other picture is of me in front of the green belt trail sign by our apartment. The green belt runs all through K. and there are 72 miles of trails within the city. It is pretty sweet. What do you notice about the picture? Well, I'll tell you....It is pretty funny that they misspelled alchoholic! I laughed pretty hard. I finally got a picture with it. I'm finding lots of funny misspelled things. I laugh all the time! That's all...

We've been able to find some searchers this week! I. and her "husband" G. have both said they want to be baptized now. Apparently they came to church on Sunday, but they didn't open up the accordian doors so there wasn't room in the chapel....We didn't get to see them, but a member did and told us about it....They are pretty cool. The date is for February 26 so I'll just get pictures....That's ok though. It'll work.

We also were able to meet another couple. They too are not married, but at least they currently have some kind of plans to get married. Anyway, he is really into it and she grew up Pentacostal. We will continue to teach them and prepare them for Feb. 22. Pretty exciting.

YAY for NASA next week! We are pretty excited. We have to find a ride still, but we'll get on that. It'll be great.

Well, I sucked it up and looked into my going home packet again so I could get ya'll accurate info for my plane ride home.... The flight arrives at 4:23pm. Hmmmm...I don't know if there is more information that is important or what.....if you need more info, you can let me know....or just call Sister H. She is great. I love her.

People have been asking about me going home. Bleh. Sister C. talks about it all the time. It was pretty funny because we were at church yesterday and I didn't go say hi to her, they followed us home after church and she asked me, "why didn't you say hi to me at church?" Well, I didn't see her...I had my glasses on so I wasn't focusing the best far away. Anyway, the next thing out of her mouth was, "so two more weeks?" and I said, "No, I have three..." .... I don't want to hear about home..." I'll be there soon enough. I love you guys, don't get me wrong, I just love it here too and know that this won't be much longer, but ya'll'll be there for a while..... ;0

Anyway, Bishop asked me last week so hopefully I don't have to speak here too. Bleh....haha.....I could see him doing that....I'll keep you posted.... p.s. What is my talk on? That way I can at least be thinking a topic. I'm not much of a public speaker, as you know, and it hasn't gotten any better. I'm still just attrocious to listen to! ;)

We went shopping today. I bought some Texas stuff and some Christian bookstore stuff....Ya'll don't have the same kind of bookstores. These ones have funny things..... There was a bumper sticker that said, "God doesn't like Atheists Romans 1:..... (I can't remember the reference). Well, It was a bit ridiculous, but they have all sorts of stuff. I got a shirt and some buttons....I probably should've been more thoughtful. I'm sorry. I'm kind of random....

Well, again, I don't know what to say. I'm getting a headache from this screen and also not eating yet. I'm a starvin girl! We are going to the stake president's house for dinner tonight. I'm excited. They are really cool people. :) Hmmm....Well, I love you!

Jackie

January 18, 2011

Aloha!

Things are going well this week. It was a holiday yesterday, as you know. Today we had some new missionary training and then we decided to come email and look at mormon.org since we can do that now. It is pretty sweet. ya'll should check it out. I like it. I love the videos.

It was pretty sweet. The other day we had about 20 minutes before an appt. I felt like we should go see L. J.. She manages 7 Sonics in downtown Houston so she is super busy. We found her in the area book and she was super amazing! We just weren't able to get in to see her again. Anyway, we went. She let us right in and unloaded some info on us. It was cool because she said, "I don't know why I like you guys, but I do. You've started me on this journey (of forgiveness, repentance, etc). I didn't feel that there was hope before, but now I feel there is hope." It was way sweet! She said she always drives by the church and thinks, "I need to go there." So she'll come in one day. We are planning on giving her a tour of the church and committing her to baptism. It would help her a lot.

S. B. came to church again! We've been reading the Book of Mormon with him at his home and he gets so excited every time. He joined the church about 11 years ago in Florida but hasn't been active in like 11 years....well, he's come to church 2 out of the last 3 weeks. He likes it. It makes me so happy since that was one of my goals....to see him in church. He is pretty cool.

J. P. (from A. ward) called me Sunday night...I was super surprised. She told me that J. (her husband) was planning on getting baptized at 3 on Saturday and asked if I would be coming and if I could sing in the special musical number. I was so happy! Sister W. and I started teaching him. They've come to church every Sunday since May. Her parents are super active in south Houston and I'm so excited. They have such a cute family! So anyway, the gospel is still true!

Hmmm...what else? I don't even know. Things are good here. I am planning on sending a box home next week....it has random stuff in it.

Oh..did I tell you about NASA and how we get to go? Well, if I didn't....we get to go on the 31st....if I did tell you...I'm still way excited about it. :)

I've finally memorized The Living Christ document. I've got it down pretty well now. I'm really excited. It is full of doctrine and awesomeness about the Savior. I heart it.

I love being a missionary, as you all know. It is the best thing ever! Even when the tag comes off, I will still get to be a missionary. Just not full time, which will be sad. That is why I just won't do it for another little while.

I love all of you! I hope that you have a good week and I look forward to hearing from you next week.....OH! Except that we are talking about not emailing next week so we can go play volleyball/have some fun...if we do that, I will write you a letter....deal? :D

Love,

Jackie

January 10, 2011

Hola familia!

Things are going well here....yes, you have figured right....Sister K. and I are both with Sister B.....They are my assassins if you will, and will "kill" me off....according to mission lingo....it is quite crazy. I got my trunky papers in the mail on Saturday. My flight gets in around 4:30 on the 15th....it is pretty messed up.....just saying.

Things were going really well....the ward is really picking up and the work is going so quickly.

Well, the week was good other than that. I. finally came back from Mexico. The first time we were able to see her we told her that she would have to move out or get married to be able to be baptized. She was crying. Her and G. had words and she told him she was going to be moving out when she could....so she is working on the repentance process of being able to get out. Meaning, she can't be baptized until March or after because that is when the lease is up on her house and she will have money to get out. Though, awesomeness....she is still gungho and wants it so bad! She got a blessing from the Elders, the same day went out, was interviewed for a job she hadn't even applied for and was hired.....best ever! AND one of our members told her to go to the place so she is working with Sister L....even better! an RM! The boys could still be baptized so we will find out tomorrow night if that will work for her....

We are able to go on splits with ward members all the time because there are three of us and we can have 2 go to a set appointment and 2 go out and try people......We are rocking on our lessons and able to get so much done.

I am learning a lot as I continue to search the scriptures and search myself to become who the Lord would have me become. It is quite a fun experience...I heart it....

Well, familia, I love ya'll so much! I want you to know that! ;)

Have a great week and I'll talk to you later!

Jackie

Oh...p.s. the photos are of me, sis K, and sis B. at J.R.'s house....we were watching him feed his animals before we could teach him a lesson....haha....His cow Anabel didn't like us....haha....



The second is of J.R. and I and his dog Apache....which I call my Zip substitute....because he is a cute little heeler....

January 2, 2011

Aloha from........J? LP? H? B?

K2! Yep....that's right. Did I trick you into thinking I was transferred? I am going to stay in this area until the end....weird! haha....I am a three area sister, which is becoming increasingly rare. President likes to move everyone around, but I am a slow learner and it takes me a while to really gain the trust of the ward....so I'm here! I have only ridden the transfer bus one time....I'm thinking that might be a record! ;)

It was pretty amazing on Sunday. We had investigators come and many members of the ward came over. They were so excited to see the people. The testimonies were so good and our investigators told everyone they were planning on coming back! Best ever! The ward is continuing to change. The spirit of missionary work is becoming a big deal to them once more and we are striving to do our best to bring it back! If we continue to "sprint" with missionary work, the ward will start to run, then jog, then sprint and it will be wild fire! That is how A was before the Elders came back in....

Last night we got a call at 2:45 in the morning. It was weird because I seemed to wake up right before and I was reaching for the phone before it even rang. I was surprised when I answered. Brother P. had called us and his wife had fallen and couldn't get up. We live really close and told them if they ever needed anything that they should call. We were able to go and help her. It was pretty amazing. I'm grateful we were there. He said that he had been praying as to who he should call. After 10 minutes our names came to his mind and he called. I think the Spirit knew that He'd need to nudge us awake a little bit. Sister Kinikini expressed that she felt the same prompting/waking up experience.
I love the P.s and pray for her health. They were both so grateful we were there. I was pretty grateful for that experience as well!

So....randomly, my allergy is getting worse. I can't even believe it! It is so messed up....well...you know how I was just allergic to orange juice before? Well, I'm allergic to anything with citric acid (it seems from our observations) and I can't even smell it or I will get really red and get hives and itch like crazy. Pretty messed up. I'm planning on talking to Sister M. about it, but don't worry. I carry benadryl with me wherever I go....I'm sure I'll be able to give you some kind of update one day....haha

So guess what? Sister K. and I got a call last Wednesday. 4 missionaries awaiting visas to go to different countries came to our mission. We have the opportunity to train Sister B., who is going to Brazil when she gets her visa. They are tentatively planning on her being in Texas for 2-3 months....so....I'm pretty jealous. I wish I were staying that long.

I'm so grateful for this mission experience. Best Ever! I truly feel the Lord's blessings and protection here. I know that He is watching over each and everyone of His children at all times. He loves hearing from all of us! I love the scriptures. I didn't know it was possible to love reading them as much as I do! I was reading in Luke 22-24 about Christ's final days last week. It was super powerful and touching! At His hardest time, Heavenly Father sent an angel to strengthen and support Him. We have angels surrounding us all the time. We shouldn't ever feel alone because He is there and so are His wonderful angels!

I love ya'll!

Jackie

Other messages written:

Sister H. hasn't even said anything to me about going home. I think she is avoiding it... Well, she has been pretty busy. I told her I'd cut her a deal. I'd give her some apple chips if she didn't process my going home paperwork. She laughed....She reminds me of you madre.....I like her. She's cool. Cross your fingers for me. So far she hasn't done it.... :D

I don't care when I speak as long as I have a good topic. The last (and only two times) I've spoken in the home ward I've had to give talks on Family History...Can we please not have a threepeat on that one...??

Well, other than that, I think all the "home" stuff can wait 6 weeks. Let me know if it can't.... It is hard to stay focused when everyone brings it up. Only a few people in the ward remember I'm going home soon. I was trying to keep the exact time from Sister B. so we all didn't have to talk about it. It was funny because we were at a dinner and the member, sister C., brought it up. Then someone asked who was the closest to go home and they all pointed at me and an elder who goes home in march. Then it came out in the middle of February. I told everyone thanks.....It was pretty funny/not! I think they'd all do the same keeping it too....

Anyway, sorry, my pinky that does the capital letters on my right hand hurts from all the exclamation in my typing voice so I stopped using it....hence, nothing is capitalized....

well, I'm off to go play tennis! I love you mucho! Let me know if I can do anything for you or if you want any cajun spices....did you see if you could get tony sacheres in utah? I sure hope so..... if not I'm taking a whole suitcase of that!

Love you!