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!