January 26, 2015 (5 MONTHS!)

Guess who's back?  Back again. 

Hannah's back.  Tell a friend!!!!!

How was your week?

My week has actually been really good. I feel happy even when I am mad so that is great. I feel like I am finally getting back to my old self and that puts me in much better spirits. 

I've actually been feeling great since last Monday. My district had an intervention for me and that put me in much better spirits. They asked me how they could help and I have been great since then. 

We had a lesson with a less active who is an alcoholic and he said he wanted to start going to AA classes with us! WIN. we are super excited about that! ha-ha

Had a lesson with a man named Wilbert. He told me never to say the phrase "I wish" because I could be in the presence of a Genie and if that is true then I will be bound by a contract to that wish forever. That contract is bound by my soul. Wilbert was a kook but it was really funny! 

Did you meet with the counselor again?  How did that go?

I did. It went really well. She talked to me about expressing myself. I told her that when someone does something to make me mad I choose to keep it in because it isn't worth the argument to me. She told me about I statements, yuck, and how those should help me. I've actually been trying it and it helps quite a bit. She told me that when we assume things, which I do a lot, I make an "ass out of 'u' and 'me'" Words of Nancy, mom, not me. Ha-ha That piece of advice really helped. I assume a lot and that put an end to it quickly. 

How much mail did you get this week and who was it from?

I received 2 letters from mom.

Jessica, Brad, James, Karen Stamp, Laura Faulstick (emails and dearelder), a package from Aunt Gwen, and I think I am missing someone but I'm not sure. The one I'm missing is Diana!!!!

 

How was church?  Who spoke and what was the topics?

Ha ha. Church was okay. We have been in primary for the last month and it is so much fun. Mostly because it is in English and I understand English. The kids are SO smart and I think it is good for us to be developing relationships with them. They come up to us in the hallways and tell us they miss us and what not (because we sub for a different class every week.) I love those kids so much. Sacrament meeting was on Priesthood? I have no clue actually but I'm going to tell you that. 

What does a missionary do for FHE?

Tonight we are visiting less actives. That is what we try to do. We spend 8:00 with the Rodriguez family and that is about it. We are also going to a less actives house for dinner. We are going to teach the Rodriguezes about Alma 47 and the king who got poisoned by degrees. We are going to try to reenact it with them. We shall see how it goes. 

How was it talking (face time) with Diana?

So great. I miss that kid. She is literally the best. One day I will get to be her room mate and it shall be the best time of my life! How did you know I face timed with her? I really miss her but her mom says she's doing great at college and is looking up all the cool places for us to hang when I get there. :)

What is a lesson you learned this week?

Just be yourself. If I would have been that from the start of the transfer then this wouldn't have happened. I let other people influence how I was feeling and that wasn't good. I need to be me, Hermana Porter, so everyone has a fair chance. I also learned not to assume. also, not everything is my fault. I need to learn to distribute the blame evenly. 

How is your t-shirt quilt holding up?

Great! I love it. It keeps me warm and will be great for summer when my down is too thick. Speaking of down comforter, could you send me the cover you made for mine a few years ago? I don't want it to get dingy and I need something to protect it!!! 

Did you get your February Pillowcases?  (I think they are the cutest!)

I did! Hna Gigger was sad that both of our names were not on them but I loved them. They are so adorable and I love it. Not to romantic either! ha ha. I cant wait for next months!!

What is the most interesting meal you have had this week?

None of my meals were interesting this week....wow. 

Have you been asked a confusing question? if so, what was it?

I feel bad because I can remember anything.

How is your tooth?  Is it permanent? 

My tooth is great! As of Thursday it is permanent. I can not even tell that it is not the real tooth! He did such a great job. Okay, here is a bit of depressing news. The whole thing cost about $1,806.00 and insurance only paid $425.00. He lost $1,360 ish for fixing my tooth. I felt so bad. Hopefully I will be able to repay him one day!

Dad wants to know if you liked the photos he sent you?Loved them! I miss those people! When does Morgan leave for his mission? 

Alright, 

That is a summary of my week! It was great! The old Hna Porter is back and she is new and improved! This week is going to be great! I love you all!

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

 

 That's Jose.  He always sends you pictures of me.

 Hermana Kaaa!  I love her!!

 Lixey

 Our fearless Elders.  They are so funny.  They bring so much joy to my life!

Exchanges this week.  The other Hermanas are Hna Burke and Hna Kaaa (Hna Kaaa came out with me.  I love that lady so much!)

 

January 19, 2015

SO this week has been really hard again.

On Wednesday I had a meeting with the mission President. We talked about my feelings for a good 45 minutes and he told me some ways I can improve. He gave me a blessing. After the blessing I felt so peaceful. It is the most peaceful and content I have felt in a really long time. I'm so glad I finally asked to get a blessing. He then told me he wanted me to see a counselor and  talk with the mission nurse and take a stress test so that is what I did. The mission nurse told me that I need to see the counselor and so they signed up with the people from LDS Social Services. 

Friday was my appointment with Nancy (the name of my counselor) and boy do I like that lady. (can you tell I was read Junie B Jones too much as a child?) She helped me learn a lot from what I was feeling. She gave me some really good ways to change my way of thinking and make me see positively. She said that it isn't a chemical depression which is good. She said it is situational and that I've met a force that is oppressing me. I just need to figure out a way that I can feel like I can be myself again and that should increase the process of making me happy. 

We taught a few lessons this week. We still have no solid investigators and the work is extremely hard. My companion and I have some different views on missionary work and that causes some conflicts. I'm working on my communication skills so I can learn to express to her the things that I think are important. We are working out our problems one step at a time. 

She is really teaching me how to work super hard and I'm grateful for that. That is really something I can use my entire mission. 

QUESTIONS
I want to know what your counselor told you to do to be happy. 

She told me to think "Is this in my circle of influence or my circle of concern." Circle of influence is things I can control and circle of concern is things I cannot control. Good advice huh? 

Also, she told me to feed the white dog, not the black dog. Feed the positive feelings not the negative feelings. 

Lessons taught this week. 

Not a lot. We just got a lot of door step lessons which didn't really get us anywhere. 

We had a really good lesson with a lady named Claudia and her husband Frederico. The whole family wants to come to the lesson on Saturday and they are really excited for us to return. We are really hoping something becomes of them. 

I saw pictures of a wedding. Who got married and how was it? Is it different from a reception/wedding here?

A family that the Hermanas married and baptized this week. A family of 4. Kind of a sore subject to me and I will tell you about it when I am not so sensitive. 

Who did you get letters from this week?

I got a letter from Porter Elmer, Diana, Kim Stephenson, Lisa Sodders, and I got a package from Sarah Harward, Lacey, and MOM. 

What are some things you need?

Toothpaste, floss, new tooth, deodorant, little socks, Joseph and the technicolored dream coat (Donnie Osmond version please). Also those EFY CD's I asked you about at Christmas time. A down east skirt just like the green and pink one that you have. I love that skirt and I want as many of them as possible. 

Did you do any splits this week?

No. We don't really have the appointments for splits....soooo. 

What are you doing to convert yourself?

Reading the scriptures and saying my prayers. I know I am doing something but that is a lot of pressure to put me under. 

How is your personal study going?

Great. I love personal study. My favorite time of the day. 

Love you all, 

Hermana POrter.

January 12, 2015

Debbie Downer

 

So this email is really depressing for the most part and I'm sorry. This week has just been extremely hard. I'm having a hard time seeing the miracles but and the same time I still love the work. I decided I didn't want to make it seem like I was doing really well I haven't been doing really well. Don't worry, because somethings got to give and I feel a miracle in our near future! 

This week has been the worst week of my mission thus far. That sounds really depressing but that is how my week has gone. I've been really sad and depressed all week and I couldn't change it. All the Hermanas in the apartment were super worried about me and they'd give me advice on how to be better and how to be happier but in all honestly, it just made me more angry. I knew everything they were telling me to do would help but I didn't have the desire to do anything. I would try and I would just get sadder and sadder. 

It has been a really long time since I had been that sad, years I would say. I had made up my mind a long time ago that I wanted to be a happier person and I have been since I have been on my mission. I smile all the time and I laugh and I'm so happy but to have that hit me, it was really hard. I didn't know what to do or how to handle it. I was angry at Hna Cuesta and Hna Hurley for being happy with their companionship and I felt the same way towards Elder Ward and Elder Poulton because of their happiness. Everyone was so happy and I was mad and sad. Then I'd get even more sad because I didn't feel that anyone was noticing how sad and unhappy I was. I realized I was being really selfish. 

One day, during personal study I had the thought that I needed to pray. Not just a silent prayer in my head but a real out loud prayer. I went into the bathroom and just started to pray. I spent the rest of personal study in there. The spirit was so strong in that bathroom (that doesn't really have a ring to it but it is the truth.) So that's what I've been doing. I've been praying in the bathroom and it helps. For a little while I feel a lot of peace. 

It was still really bad until we did service. It was super hard and I was not happy. But we did a lot of service on Saturday and we cleaned for a lady and I felt so good after that. I have been a lot happier. I'm not back to normal but I feel a lot happier. I've been smiling a lot the last couple of days and it has been easier. 

I hope this week starts to look up and I start to feel a lot better. I've started a gratitude journal and I really hope that helps. I'm also going to stop focusing on my and start focusing on those around me. i think that could help a lot. 

QUESTIONS

Did you get your pillowcases?

I did. It stressed me out a little bit to have those bills in there. Sorry I spent so much money. I was also a little sad that there wasn't a note from you in there :( But I loved them. It makes me so happy to get pillow cases. Hna Hurley was really sad not to get one this month! Haha. 

What do you like best about your companion?

She is a really hard worker. She just always wants to work and I really needed it this week. The times I felt the best is when we were out talking to people and working. I'd forget about myself and that'd help a lot. 

How's the chemistry in your apartment with the changes?

I feel off but it seems to be okay. We didn't realize how much Hna Sheffer balanced us all out until she left. We really really miss her. But we are getting into the swing of things with the new companion. 

What is the best thing that happened this week?

We had a lesson with Jonathan Perez. We talked about prayer and he sat in on gospel conversation. He talks to us with out a fight now! We were so happy! we are making so much progress with him even if it is really slow!

What is the funniest thing that happened?

Last night we went to see Hno Allan and he make some of this really nasty soup. It was so bad. He was so proud of it thought. I took a bite of it and I was for sure I was going to throw up. It tasted like strait up fish. It was so bad. It was a blessing that we have to sit outside with him. He went into the house to make us some cool aid and so hna Gigger started to put spoonful's of the soup into his yard. I felt bad doing that so I said. "Hno I forgot something in the car." and I went and I dumped the soup out bye the car. He thought we loved it and so he gave us more to take home. The funny thing is that we got some of the soup on us trying to dispose of it and so the rest of the night we smelt horrible. When we went to Hna Perez she kept saying "What's that smell." Finally we were like it was us. She just started dying laughing. 

Who are some of your favorite ward members?

Hna Perez. Hna Baltazar, Brenda, Jose, Hna Ochoa. I love all of them so much!! 

What are some of the activities the ward has planned?

None that I know of.

What was the favorite lesson you taught this week?

Jonathan Perez. Or a lesson we taught on exchanges. The Hnas have a family getting baptized this Saturday and I taught them with Hna Cuesta. I didn't say a whole lot but it was amazing to see people who actually wanted to get baptized and see actual investigators. The spirit was so strong in that room!! 

I hope this week didn't seem to horrible. We got to do some service and clean a lady's house that was cockroach infested. It was so nasty. Mom you would have been so proud of me! I only gagged once (or 20) times! We spent 5 hours there and it still wasn't close to clean but it looked a lot better! I felt so good after that service! 

Also, my camera died this week and I never charged it so I have no pictures...Sorry. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

January 5, 2015

INTRODUCING HNA GIGGER!!!!

I lost my tooth again at a member dinner. Luckily I have no feeling in it because we cannot superglue it back on. It doesn't line up right. I did, however, receive revelation through dream that I should put my tooth in my retainer and wear it like that! Guess what, IT WORKS!! haha. This picture is mostly for Jessica.

Dear Family,

Questions first,

1)  How was your first week with the new companion?

Good. It is really hard for me to adjust to having a new companion. A lot harder than I thought it would be. I have to get used to the way she breath, sleeps, and walks and talks. I have to get used to where she puts things in the bathroom etc.. It is really hard. We do things way different than me and Hna Hurley did them so it is a really weird adjustment. Some of the things that we changed, I like, others I don't like so much. The adjustment has been harder than expected but it isn't unmanageable. It just wasn't what I was imagining it to be, if you know what I mean. 

2)  Most of us fasted for your Spanish to come quicker and for people for you to teach.  Amanda fasted the 28th and the Harward's and Dad and I fasted this week.  Any results yet?

 

I feel like I can speak a lot more Spanish and I understand a lot more. I think it is because of the fast! Specially the one on the 28th. Once I had Hna Gigger as a companion it just started to flow. I think it also had something to do with she didn't know how bad my Spanish was or how good it was so I could just start over. Hna. Perez said I am speaking a lot better. I fasted for it yesterday as well and last night in our lesson I don't think I've ever spoke that much good Spanish! I also understood almost everything!  The fasting has worked!! What a miracle! 

3)  What has changed the most since getting the new comp?

We have a huge new area with tons of new investigators. SO that part of the fast was answered as well. Hna Gigger and I decided we wanted a baptism on the 31 of January and so we've started fasting and praying for that. One way that was answered was by the adoption of this new area! We've gained 5 or 6 new investigators from it! 2 are REALLY solid. There is just a few things holding them back but they said they really want to be baptized. WE haven't met all of our new investigators yet but we hope to soon!

4)  How is the re-activation work going?  Is the one guy still going to Seminary?

Reactivation is going great! I'm not sure if Rafael went to seminary today. It was the first day back from winter break so there hasn't been seminary in almost a month. We are going over to their house tonight for FHE and we're going to talk about it then. We are seeing miracles with Hna Perez's son Jonathan. He sat down with us again last night and ate dinner with us! WOW and then he participated in the spiritual thought, again! Two weeks in a row...how amazing! We hope to see him as well. This is a lot of progress considering 3 weeks ago he would barely talk to us! We are so thankful for him. 

5)  What is the weather like out there?

Not to bad. It is chilly. I have to wear tights and when the sun goes down a winter coat. It gets really windy and those days are bad. But other than that, not too shabby. The low has been 48 and high 60.

6)  Can you give a few examples of how you see the hand of the Lord in your life?

Literally, in every single way possible. It is crazy how He just guides us to people daily. We met a guy named Jesus a few weeks ago and now we are teaching his WHOLE family! He lives with his wife and then there is his son and his wife. We are teaching both families and I know that I because of the lord. The Wife of the son was not interested when we stopped by a few weeks ago but she is now. MIRACLES I TELL YOU!!!  

Also he helps me feel a lot of comfort when I make mistakes. I know that before my mission when I would do something wrong I'd beat myself up about it for a long time. Now I just think, whelp it is something to learn from and I try to make it better. Plus, I hardly cry anymore when people correct me! also, what a miracle. 

Also, I really like people now. I thought I'd have a hard time adjusting to being around people 24/7 but I'm not. I actually miss people when there aren't people around me. 

Is that enough? 

7)  Who is in your apartment now?

It is Hna Gigger and myself and then Hna Cuesta and Hna Hurley.  Hna Gigger is the only new one! 

I actually covered everything I wanted to cover in the email in answering my questions...SO that's awkward. But it has been a great week and I am learning a lot. I love this opportunity to serve the Lord. The more I am out here the more I love it. Everyday I find something I love and it makes me sad that everyday I am getting closer to leaving. This is the last thing I wanted to add before I'm done...copied and pasted from my letter to President. 

I love you all! I hope you are doing well! 

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

 

I've been having a hard time this week just adjusting to everything and one thing I thought last night, while on follow up call, is that I just need to forgive myself and then forget myself. Elder Ward asked me how it was going in our area and Hna Gigger said "Great!" I thought, "No it isn't, this is wrong and this is wrong...everything is wrong."

I expressed that to elder ward and he had some really great responses that I can't remember but what I remember thinking to myself is "Forget yourself, Hna Porter. Think about those in your area and your companion but not how you're feeling. " Talk about a slap to the face...but it actually helped me a lot. I feel like I was focusing a lot on myself and not on helping those around me. I was thinking about how comfortable I was not how others were. I was not being Christ like. I need to forgive myself and then forget myself

 

Hna Hurley, Elder Harris, me.  Before Elder Harris left to go to Stockton.  I miss this Elder (I took over his area)

Hna Hurley, Elder Echanique, and me before he went home, to Dubai!

       



 Last selfie as a companionship!                                      Hna Sheffer!  I miss her so much! She                                                                                           went to Stockton as well.

The Last District Photo.... goofy, of course.

The Good Last District Photo.... serious, of course.

Elder Ross, he left too but I am not sure where he went.  El Dorado, I think?

Elder Packer left!  We cried when we found out.  We LOVE him!  He also went to Stockton.

 

Our awkward pic with Elder Packer.

Elder Gove before he left.  I believe he went to Tracy.  Also, another reason we didn't glue my tooth back in is because he is gone..... just joking. jaja

 

My root canal.

President/Doctor Moser

She caught me off guard!!!

I can't remember if I sent these...... my last pic with Diana.  She left for college on Thursday!!  I'm so depressed.  Only 15 months until I'm out there and being her roommate at BYUI!

Jose!  Luckily he stayed!  He is so awesome!

The Rodrigues Family!! 

 

Jonathan LOVES Thimble Full of Water!

They try to act like they are too cool for Thimble Full of Water.... but the love it!!!

 

January 1, 2015

Alright, so I had my first transfer here in the mission. That means that I am officially done training!! Yah Bay Be!

So we all went to Chili's to get our transfer calls. We were sitting around the table and waiting for our phone to ring. I think I should clarify everyone...it was me, Hna Hurley, Hna Cuesta, and Hna Sheffer. Our phone started to ring and I started dying inside. I thought for sure something terrible was going to happen...and it kind of did. 

The good news is that I am still in Rio Tierra East aka I am staying in the same area. The bad news is, they are combining our area back to how it used to be. We are now covering twice what we used to. Also, Hna Hurley got transferred. She just went to Rio Tierra West (so we live in the same apartment still and go to the same ward. It is actually really weird to still have her around.) Also, my new companion is Hna Gigger. She is from Idaho. She has 6 other siblings. Also, she is a lot like James. She likes Political Science and to debate. I will let you all decide if that is a good thing or not. I love her so far and I think we are going to have a good time. This will be our only transfer together because she goes home after this transfer. 

This week hasn't been too crazy. I feel like my letters have gone really downhill and lack the usual pizzazz that they typically do. I've started having a lot of brain farts when I sit down to write and yes mom, I do have my planner with me. 

 

Questions:

Did you or your companion get transferred?

Hna Hurley did. I think I have 2 more transfers here. This one and then one more because Hna Gigger goes home at the end of this transfer and I don't think that they will shotgun it again. 

How's the broken tooth? could they save the little piece?  What did they have to do to fix it?

So the dentist is actually a member of the mission presidency. They did a root canal on Monday and are just going to leave the tooth glued on as Elder Gove did it....

Then I got back on the 14 Jan (Happy Birthday Jessica) and they are going to start the new tooth process. It is a little unclear to me if I will actually get the new tooth on that day or if they will just start sculpting it. They are going to shave the original tooth down and then just put a cap on top of the old tooth. We shall see how this all goes. President Moser is a champ though. He is just going to accept whatever our insurance pays and then wave everything else. What a sweet guy!

What did you do for New Years Eve?

We just came to the church. Elder Fernandez refused to let me play games this time because of what happened on Christmas Eve. So we played signs and thimble full of water (you seem to be the only person who hates that game, mom.) and I also taught them Happy Family. They loved it. We stayed at the church until 8:45 and then went home so we could be in by 9:00.

What are you going to do this week to improve your Spanish?

Hna Gigger wants to speak in hardcore Spanish this week. It is really hard to understand what she says. She has a weird accent and her voice cracks a lot. I have seen it improve just a little since being with her. We speak in a lot more Spanish than me and Hna Hurley. 

What are you going to do different this week to get some people to teach?

I'll tell you on Monday. This whole "shot gunning again" thing is really throwing a cramp in my style. Sometimes I really doubt if president knows what he is doing. (that was a joke, i hope everyone is laughing. ) We are probably going to trying to get to know some of the new people in our new area. We also have a lot of appointments in our old area that we need to keep. 

What day and time will you be emailing now?

We will be emailing on Monday. What I'm I have no idea. We do not find out until the night before...I'm sorry. 

Transfers here in the mission are a lot harder than I thought they would be. I had to say goodbye to a lot of my favorite elders. Elder Harris and Elder Gove and Elder Packer and Elder Ross left to different areas. Elder Espiritu when home...I loved that fella. and so did elder Echanique, he was my district leader. Elder Ward is the new District leader and I am covering his old area. It is really hard to say goodbye to everyone. It breaks my heart to pieces. Also, Diana left to college this week.So needless to say, it has been a really hard week. 

We added a few people this week. It is a Dad and a daughter. They have accepted a baptismal date for the 31 of January. Me and Hna Gigger are going to be fasting for a baptism on the 31. That is our goal/vision. 

I love you family and friends. Keep going strong. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

December 25, 2014

Christmas!!

 

(Since we were able to talk, she sent us her letter to her President)

President Jardine!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I absolutely love this day! The spirit is so strong it kills me! I loved having the opportunity to talk to my parents, everything is going so good! I got to talk to everyone and it was so nice. Dad told me some bad new about grandpa Porter and it looks like things aren't going to good with him right now. He has cancer and it has rapidly spread. It doesn't look like he has much time left. I got to talk to him for probably the last time which was really special. I'm glad I had the chance to say goodbye. Closure is always good. 

My parents really gave me the boost I needed to continue on. They kept saying how impressed they were that I was coping well to missionary life. They expected me to be home already (endearing, I know.) I'm just glad this was something I am able to do and I love it as much as I thought I would. 

I've realized this Christmas season how IMPORTANT family is. They are everything. They are the one of the many way that Heavenly Father has provided to us to help us return back to Him. Whenever I think about making a bad decision I think, what would my family say and then automatically think, "What would my Heavenly Father say?" If that doesn't keep me on the straight and narrow I'm not sure what will. They are such a blessing to me and I only wish they could know how much they mean to me. My word lack to express the gratitude I feel towards them. I love them and the spirit I feel when I am with them! 

I would also like to inform you that my tooth is doing great! We decided the super glue route and my family didn't seem to notice at all. You and sister Jardine gave me some great advice. Thank you. 

Love you and praying for you, 
Hermana Porter

This is my message to my president this week. I thought it was fitting to send it home since we just talked over skype! (btw, best hour and blah blah blah of my life!) The only thing I'd like to add is our MIRACLE this week! We have been really down. The work has been hard and we have been really stuck lately. But we found a guy named Felix! He has been to church before...FOR A YEAR!!! He went to the ward in the other and then lost contact with the missionaries. We extended him a conditional date for Jan 28 and he accepted it! He said that he realized that baptism was a serious commitment and that if we helped him he could be ready! We were so enthused. It was the best news we could have received at that time! We were so happy.

I love you family. You are the best! Thanks for talking to me today!  I'm sorry that I didn't see Brad but I"m so happy that I got to talk to him and Jess. I hope they had a good Christmas with Brian and Roxanne! 

I love you family and friends and everyone in-between! 

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

P.s Crazying thing that happened this week is that I cracked my tooth in half. Playing sports none the less...I knew there was a reason that I didn't play sports. I was running to get a ball when I was tagged and got out. I continued running and I hit my companion which then forced my face into the floor. Ouch, I know. I then felt a vital part of my mouth missing. Half of my tooth! haha But don't you worry your pretty little minds, Elder Gove glued it right back in for me. (Pictures will be attached.) 

 

 Elder Gove after my tooth was super-glued back in!  He did it backwards, but that is okay.

My Favorite Christmas Presents!!!! 

(up) Tongan Christmas (and down)

 

December 24, 2014

Mother, I would like to inform you that I chipped my tooth. It is pretty bad. When I get on tomorrow, lets not make a big deal out of it, okay? I will send an attached picture in a few minutes. I love you. I will talk with you tomorrow.

Love, 

Hermana Porter

December 15, 2014

Hno Allan

 

A Week of Crazies

Literally everything crazy that could have happened, happened this week. We received news this week, and here is what it is.

A new mission is being formed here. WE are loosing most of our mission. It is the Modesto California Mission. It takes most of the southern part of our mission. We received this news last night. We were all shocked. Some of the missionaries will be transferred over to that mission. We will find out more information in January about who leaves and what not. The switch/mission change isn't until July 15,2015 so we still have a while. The whole mission is in a little bit of a shock. We were all expecting the news to be IPads, it wasn't IPads...

Anyways, in other news. We had another lesson with Ramiro and Marina this week. Ramiro is super sick so we kept it short. We taught about the importance to read the scriptures and pray about what we are learning. It is only when we pray that we can receive the spiritual confirmation that we are learning is true. That is one step in becoming truly converted. We are really sad that we didn't get to see them for the rest of the week but we are going to make them number one priority because they are ready. 

We went caroling to Jozi this week. She's had a lot of people die lately and we wanted to help her out. We were going to go with the whole relief society but there was a storm (which was simply rain, if the Californians saw what a real storm was, I'd think they'd die. Like, school was even canceled.) and so they didn't feel like they could make it up to our area. We knocked on her door and sang to her ourselves. It was a little awkward. We gave her Finding Faith In Christ because it was the only DVD we had in the back of our car. Talk about lame missionaries. haha

Also, we had another lesson with Clemen. She basically bashed us in the nicest way possible. It was really weird. She wanted us to come worship the Virgin Guadalupe with her at 3:00 in the morning, of course we politely declined her invitation. However we did say we'd go to catholic church with her when she came to Mormon church with us. To be honest, I am not looking forward to catholic church. But she has also yet to come to church with us so that is a tender mercy from the Lord if I have ever seen one. She did, however, invite us to her daughters birthday party. We did attend and we had some delicious pasta. (but we also had 3 dinners that day. It was extreme and our stomachs haven't been the same since. )

This Thursday was our Mission Temple Conference. It was so great. The peace I felt in the temple was like no other. At first, I was really aggravated because I felt like I wasn't receiving my answer to all of my questions. But then, I just felt all of this peace and I was fine. The Lord works in mysterious way, I tell ya. Afterward we had a Christmas devotional and it was really comforting to take some time and just reflect on the Savior. I LOVE this time of year and I'm glad I get to be a missionary during it. People are so receptive and hearts are being softened. It is so amazing to be able to see it up close. 

This week we had another FHE with the Rodriguezes. They signed Rafael up for seminary on Sunday and he missed Monday. We told him he HAD to go on Tuesday, even if that meant we would drive over at 5:00 in the morning and wake him up. He said he would go but he is shy because he doesn't know what to expect and he doesn't know anyone there. We asked if he would be more comfortable if the Missionaries went with him. He said yes. So Elders Espiritu and Wilkins woke up at 5:00 am and biked to that church building to go to seminary with him. We owe them our lives considering sleep is the most important thing to missionaries. (We would have gone with him but that building is out of our MISSION and they are the only ones who have permission to go there.) We did call Rafa at 5:00 to wake him up. We sang "Get your head, out of the bed." He got a pretty good chuckle out of that. The seminary teacher gave them permission to bring Christian (Rafa's little brother) to seminary even though he isn't suppose to go till next year. The Lord struck again when Rafa and Christian came to soccer on Saturday night. They usually don't do things out side of church on Sundays. We were stoked. They even got the Ramirez son to come with them. He hasn't been to church in 2 years. We were on cloud 9. Jonathan came to church on Sunday as well. We are making a lot of progress with the less actives here. 

 

Woohoo! Thanks for the package this week. Well,

whatever Laura gave me! Black scriptures yay! and money and gift cards! Momma loves this girl! I was able to go to lunch with Laura and it was so great.  She is really like a mom #2!!  It was uber great to see her and I was only a little homesick but that ended as soon as we started working again!

So funny moment from this week. 

1. Bishops daughter backed into our car. We had to switch cars because of the damage but before we could do that we had to wash it. We couldn't get the bike rack off the back so we asked the Zone Leaders to help us. E. Soper and E. Fernandez live with E. Baker (also know as babybakes) and E. Owusu. E Baker was watching the ZL work on our car and was also eating a banana. Once they had finished E Baker came down and said hi but then ran into the garbage place where they keep the dumpster. He then proceeded to perch himself on the wall and swat at the tree. He look like a little kitten. We were dying laughing. When he realized we were laughing at him he said " What? I got my banana peel stuck in a tree. I thought it would be rude to leave it for my neighbors to see first thing in the morning. "

It had to be one of the funniest things I've ever seen. 

2. We went caroling with the foothill elders this week. E Rentz and E Durtchi. While doing that they were being really sassy. E Rentz is super tall and E Durtchi is really short. So I said "E Durtchi you are little sass and E Rentz you are big sass." E Rentz turned around looked me dead in the eye and said "Did you just say, I have a big sass?" and then continued walking with no further comment. It was SO FUNNY. (Sorry mom, you probably didn't like that one, but i did.)

Shoutouts

Mom

Dad

Misty

Diana

Amanda (for a handwritten letter that contained a christmas card)

Brad

 

Saturday Night Soccer

 Elders Wilkens, Gove, and Rentz

 

Elders Baker and Gove

Elder Fernadez

Hna Cuesta, Sheffer, Porter, and Hurley

Me and Sister and Elder Marston.  They deal with all things cars.

They feel really bad for me and Hna Hurley.

Yo y Hna Cuesta at temple conference.

A Falcon

 

Our PILLOWCASES!  We LOVE them.