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.

 

December 8

                               

Stuck in Traffic

  

 
 December 8, 2014

Alright, so I've decided to do my email a little different this week considering I feel like my emails have been really lame lately. So here is my best shot.

This week we taught Elizabeth and Lula twice. They are progressing but we can't seem to get them to church. They keep all of their reading commitments and always have a lot to talk about. I love them and their children are adorable. We taught them the plan of salvation over two lessons. The first one was great although they had a lot to say about Adam and Eve. Catholics think crazy things about the whole Adam and Eve situation. The rest of the plan of salvation we had Hna. Perez there. She is a miracle worker I tell you. She knows what to say and when to say it. She brings the spirit so strong and you could tell that they felt it. We asked them to come to church but they said no. Hispanics have this huge fear of the freeway for some reason. That makes it really hard to get people who are in our area to church, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE FREEWAY.

I had my first heartbreak this week. We have stopped by to talk to this guy named Ivan (pronounced eevaaan) a few times. We finally made an appointment with him but didn't make it due to being stuck in traffic all day. (that is another story that I will tell in a minute.) I finally convinced Hna Hurley to go visit him after 3 hours of service the next day. We stopped by and he dropped us hard. He was like," I don't understand why you would want to come. I already have a church and I don't think you have anything to say that I need to know." I was so heartbroken. We walked back to the car, more like sulked back to the car, and when we got in I put on Hilary Weeks, "Just let me cry" and sobbed for a good 10-15 minutes. I had never been so sure that someone needed the gospel as I was about Ivan. He just had this gloom about him and he said he was looking but hadn't found anything. I know this is what he needs but unfortunately we all have our agency. I think I am going to go drop a Book of Mormon off at his house for Christmas, after all this is the best gift I can give someone. 

I had my first big break down this week. We had a Christmas dinner this week with our ward and the English ward. It went okay except for the fact that everyone decided to talk to me and not speak slowly. A lady named Olga was there and she needed a lot of help too. It was just really overwhelming. Afterwards I had to take a language assessment and I just didn't have the patience to do it. I stood up and stormed out of the room. Hna Hurley was like...uhhhh. We talked about it the next day through and everything is getting better. I just have really been letting my emotions build up lately and it doesn't help anything. I've got to find a better outlet. Maybe I'll take up running? 

We had an English dinner this week as well. It was so different than anything I'd experienced. For one thing I could understand the conversation which was really nice. I feel I was in with the cool kids. It was just really funny. They are a great family. I'll tell you more about this in my hand written letter. 

So my crazy thing for this week...WE GOT STUCK IN TRAFFIC ALL DAY. We had to plan for zone training since Hna. Hurley is STL and we didn't get done until 4. WE were stuck in traffic until 6:00 trying to get to our area. We never arrived. We had to turn around and go to dinner. Then we got stuck in traffic on the way to dinner. It was crazy. 

Funny things. 

1. We have a super stylish elder in the zone named Elder Gove. He always says "Hna. Porter that skirt would make a great tie." Yesterday he saw Hna Hurley, who had worn the same skirt 2 days in a row. Elder Gove looked at me and said "Hna. Porter, you better not wear the same skirt 2 days in a row. I'll notice. See how Hna Hurley is wearing the same skirt." I about died laughing. I then told Hna Hurley this and she said "Dang it, I even though of Elder Gove when I put this skirt on this morning." It was so funny. 

2. We got a really funny miracle call last night. The elders stopped to contact this drunk lady. They described the whole thing in a British accent and then at the end, the lady tried to kiss one of the elders in the end. The miracle was "Elder Durstchi dodged the kiss and held strong."

That might just be missionary humor but I loved it. 

SHOUTOUTS 

Momma Misty

Sarah F

Bishop

Amanda

Dad

Mom

 

QUESTIONS

How goes THE WORK?
The work is great. Moving a little slow. Let's just say there won't be any baptisms anytime soon. That is okay though. Just spending a lot of time planting seeds. 

What is the funniest thing that happened this week?

Elder Durtchi almost getting kissed.

When are transfers?
The week after Christmas. I think it is the 27 or something like that.

Where are you going for Christmas?
I think we are going to Obispo house. We don't really plan that far in advance to be honest. We will probably know Christmas eve. 

What are you doing for P-day?
We have temple conference this week, where we go to the temple as a zone (keep you eyes down, if you know what I mean.) So we are practicing a song that we are singing for that. We also will be playing soccer and going shopping for food.

What was the best lesson you taught this week?
Lula and Elizabeth's. It was really the only lesson we taught this week. Not only lesson but only lesson with an investigator.

Do you ever teach at church?
No. We cant get anyone to come to church. But if you mean teach RS or SS the answer is still no.

How's the Spanish going? 
Maaaaaaaaa. I just wish I was fluent already. It is slowly chugging a long. I'm not sure what the best way to learn it is. James, if you have any suggestions please chime in. You too Casey.

Do you speak Spanish more than half the time?
No. ALL of our contacts are English. But at church and our investigators are all Spanish. So I guess it actually depends on which day of the week you are talking about.

 

  

My first pupusas

 

 

December 1, 2014

 The skirt someone made for me. I love it.

 

What is this??

So, I'm not really 100% positive what to write about because I was just writing the other day, so pardon the lame email. It has been a great 4 days though and it has gone really fast.

We had thanksgiving at the Ochoa house and it was a blast. Their family makes up like 90% of our ward and it was packed. Hna Skidmore and her family was there as well and we had a good time. Our ward is so great. They really take care of us. 

We spent most of Thanksgiving at the church playing soccer. I don't think my body has seen that much exercise in a LONG time, actually ever. It was a lot of fun even through I don't have very good feet eye coordination. It makes it a bit challenging. I make a mean goalie though. I think Morgan Halverson would be proud of me. I did learn everything I know about goalying from him ya know. 

We also played thimble full of water. Everyone had a blast. I know you hate that game, mom, but everyone loves it. Maybe you should give it another shot. 

The next day was Hna Cuestas birthday and we had a surprise party for her at the Ochoas. But it was Elena Ochoa not grandma Ochoa. There is this fun tradition that Hispanic people have and what they do is start chanting "take a bit take a bite" and then when you go down to, they push your head in the cake. It is so funny and fun. Hna. Skidmore and her family surprised us there as well. They are sneaky little guys.

On Saturday night we had a soccer game at the church. We invited all of our investigators and less actives. We had such a great time. Only one family really came but they brought an army with them. We had a great time and watched "He is the Gift" at the end. It was so much fun. It is a great way to get people in the church and also have a great time as well. The teenagers that came really enjoyed themselves as well. We are thinking about making it a tradition here. I hope it catches on.

We didn't have a lot of lessons because it was the holidays and everyone was super busy so I don't have a lot of that to write about. Sorry. We did have lessons just not ones that were life changing. (maybe all of them should be...so I should work on it...)

 

And do I have money to buy some clothes today because I don't have enough cardigans to keep me warm and a little girl drew all over my white cardigan in marker...devil child. Also here are some ideas for Christmas. 

 

Straight up money 

Paper mate pens

gift cards

a bigger purse like my little one

MINI PMG

My little black scriptures. 

A little case like my chevron one that you made for my regular scriptures for my Spanish. But Spanish is a little bigger than normal scriptures. Just for my Spanish BOM though. 

OLD ENGLISH CHEESE

 

Mom. You are the best lady I have ever met. You seriously are the reason I am so great. If you think I am awesome just look in the mirror because you are 300x cooler than me. Plus I just copy everything you do! haha. But I am so grateful for you. You are my hero and I hope I can be as good of a woman as you are one day. 

Who did you spend Thanksgiving with?

Already answered that. But we didn't have turkey. 

Did you have a testimony building experience this week?

But I don't have time to type it right now. I will write it in a letter home. 

What is it with you and everyone's dogs?  They love you
I LOVE dogs. I really miss Cincy so I make friends with other dogs to fill the void in my heart. 

 

What did you think of your November Pillowcases?

LOVED THEM. I put mine right on my pillow case! I couldn't even take a picture. I will try to remember when I get home tonight

 

Make sure to have fun but remember to take your calling seriously.

Isn't that my middle name? Hannah "have fun but take my calling seriously" Porter?

 

 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

 

 

 

 

 

November 27, 2014

You're welcome (;

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

This week I want to focus my letter on all that I am thankful for. I was thinking about it today during study time and there is a ton of things that I am so blessed to have in my life. 

One thing that I am so blessed to have is a wonderful family. I am amazed every day by how wonderful ya'll are. I am just so blessed to have a family that supports me in whatever I want to do. You were 100% behind me when I wanted to serve a mission are you are still back there supporting me even when I am gone. God has truly blessed me with the most wonderful family in the world. We have our struggles but we get through them and usually with a smile on our faces. I am glad we are all friends and we take the time to help one another out. You are my best friends and I love you. I am so thankful to Heavenly Father that we get to spend Eternity together. 

I am also thankful for this opportunity to serve a mission. I know that I have the ability to do great things out here in Cali. The Lord has blessed me greatly with a mission call that is specifically for me and also great companions and great house mates. Everything, in time, works out to be perfect for me. He is giving me the challenges I need to learn and grow he is also helping me help others. If I listen to him, I have the chance to serve other and change their lives forever. 

I am just so grateful. We have great lives and sometimes we take that for granted. I am so grateful for ALL that I have. 

Funny Moment this week. 

We FINALLY got the Mom from the Ramirez family to come to church this week. We showed up around 8:30 to help her get the kids to church. We showed up 40 minutes late to church but that was okay because we had her there. We listened to the last 20 minutes of sacrament meeting but that was okay because we still has the last 2 meetings left. Well, her son started to cry and throw a fit on the way to primary. We made it into the primary room when he then start to cry so hard he made himself throw up. We were laughing SO hard and so was Hna Baltazar, the primary president. Hna Ramirez was so calm about it as well. It was crazy and really funny. 

I love you all and I hope you have a great holiday season. 

Hna Porter. 

SHOUTOUTS

Sarah Faulstick

Hno Solomon

Hna Skidmore

Dad

Mom

Ashley

Diana Ochoa

Hna. Baltazar.
Gloria Nelly

 

 

How's the new roommate?

She is great. Her name is Hna. Cuesta and she is so funny. There was a bit of an adjusting period because we all missed Hna. Skidmore so much. Hna Skidmore is back in town through so we will see her and meet her family tonight at dinner. We are really excited to see her again. Hna Cuesta is really funny and super great. 

Did you get the package with your IPod?

I did! Thank you SO much. You didn't have to send all you did until Christmas. But I know you are a bit of an over achiever. We LOVE listening to David Archuleta (Glorious). We basically only listen to him, haha. 

What are some things you need?

I don't NEED anything. Some things I'd like are Mini PMG both Spanish and English. And if you could some how find a Spanish scripture case that would also be great. I really only need one for my Book of Mormon. I would also like my tiny black scriptures. I think I am pretty much good. I'll make a list and send it next Monday if I think of anything else. 

 

What makes you the happiest?

Everything. I am basically happy all the time, shocking, I know. haha I love being home at night with the other sister. I also enjoy long walks on the beach and Chinese food. haha Just kidding. I love getting to talk to Hna Sheffer also. She is so great and it is just so chill. I also love teaching English lesson so I know what is going on. 

Did you ever get your skirt from that lady who was making it?

I did. I'm wearing it now actually. I will send a picture. It is SO cute. I love it. 

How's it going with your companion?

Good. I've been struggling a lot this week. Patience is so hard. I'll tell you more in my letter home. 

Do you ever do splits?

Yeah. Had one yesterday. We can only do it twice because there is only one set of sister missionaries. Yesterday I was with Hna Sheffer. Is was so great to get a break. We both got some things off our chest that we've been needing to talk about. She is such a GREAT missionary. She inspires me so much. It is nice to just change it up every once in a while as well. Miracles also happen on splits.

Do ward members go out with you?

Sometimes. It is really hard because we don't know about our lesson until last minute. They are really good about coming to the lessons we do have. The members support us in so many ways it is crazy. 

Any new investigators?
I can't remember who I have told you about. There is Lula and Elizabeth. They are neighbors and they listen together. Lula has 2 sons and Elizabeth has 1 daughter. They are awesome. We had a lesson with Lula last week and it went SO well. She told us that she believes in Joseph Smith because she said that it would make sense that God would call a prophet in these days too. We extended the invitation to be baptized and she said maybe. She has already been baptized and that is hard for her to understand. She is out of town for a week through so it is hard to see her. 

Also, Ramiro and his girlfriend Marina. I am not allowed to tell details because it could get into trouble. But he has had a REALLY rough past. A lot of things had happened to him and he really wants to change his life around. We had 2 lessons with them and they went GREAT! One was a member present as well. YAY They accepted a baptism date for Dec 27 but it is super conditional. They have some things that they will need to work out first. We love them so much. They are fantastic. 

 

November 18, 2014

I felt exceptionally cute, so I took a missionary selfie

1.  Did you get the package with your IPod yet?  I insured it for more so I want to make sure it gets to you.

I haven't gotten it yet. They put the mail on hold at the mission office because of transfers. I should get it sometime this week! (P.s I'm saying put. Hna. Hurley was made Sister Training Leader but that was the only change.)

2.  If so, what did you think of all the stuff?
3.  Are you getting transferred? 

Nope. Staying in the same place. :)

4.  Is anyone in your apartment getting transferred?

Hna. Skidmore is going home :( So we are getting a new missionary. Her name is Hna. Cuesta and she will be Hna Sheffers new companion and will follow up train her. 

5.  What is the weather like?

It is pretty cold here. By cold I mean 50's. I am starting to need tights through, which I don't have, and a jacket. I think I will need my green winter coat! haha

6.  What do you love most about being a missionary?

I love interacting with the members and learning about their lives. Strengthening the ward really brings me comfort and I know as I strengthen them it will prepare more people to come into the church and stay active. 

7.  Did you like riding your bike last week?

Yeah, but I broke it. So the Elders are going to fix it for me. I somehow broke the seat off. Elder Wright said that, that it happens a lot with new bikes. 

8.  What do you do for exercise each morning?

We go to the park and walk around. The past couple of day we have been playing basketball with the Elders. 

9.  How much do you walk every day? (are you still wearing your fit bit?)

I am wearing my fit bit but I have no clue because it refreshes before I get home every night. My guess is about 10000. 

10. How hard is it to get up in the mornings?

Not that hard at all. It is hard not taking my time to get up. But its almost like second nature now. 

11.  Are you cooking much?
Not really. The members feed us a lot. I make a sandwich for lunch every day and have a bowl of cereal for breakfast. 

 

 Sunday.  We sang a song in church as we all matched.

 Diana, me, and Hna. Gomez at the RS Activity

 

MONDAY

We had FHE with the Ramirez family. They are slowly progressing. Hna said that she would come to church this week. We were so stoked. Her commitment was to pray this week. Yesterday she came to the Villalobos for FHE and Hno. V said to her that she had to set the example and start going and her husband would follow. Latinos are so bold but it isn't offensive. IT is crazy.

TUESDAY 

I met a guy named Ivan today. He was so great. We didn't add him but that is okay. He is one of those people who you can see the burden in his face. You know they are searching for something but they don't know what. He asked us to pray with him. He is going through some family things but said that we could come back soon. 

WED

We had a R.S. activity tonight and it was so great. We gave the spiritual thought. I spoke in Spanish in front of the whole ward. It was crazy. They all said they could understand me too. WOW 

THUR

We met Ramiro today. He said that he had lost everything. He had to move into his girlfriend's parents house and everything. He is getting his feet on the ground. His mom kicked him out and he lost the job he had. He said that we were an answer to his prayers. 

We also met Ricardo and his family. We were super excited for them but when we went back for the return appointment they didn't want much to do with us. They said that they decided they were catholic and they didn't think they'd change. 

FRI

We got told by the dad of this girl named Tiare. He came out and was like, my daughter feels pressured that you are making her go to church and want her to be baptized and all this stuff. We are catholic and we don't mind sharing stuff peacefully but we don't force stuff. 

Weird things was that was our first stop by. 

We started teaching someone in a nursing home. It is pretty weird. We are surrounded by a bunch of people the whole time because she shares the room with 3 other girls. It is so weird. 

SAT

We had the ward party. It was a blast. There were tons of investigators there and it was a major success. We had a great time dancing and eating food. Spanish Ward Parties are so different than English ward parties. 

We also had a lesson with a lady named Selena. She babysits a lot of kids and the kids love us. These two little girls are SO cute. Selena isn't really interested but she is great. She has a lazy arm and leg but she also takes care of birds as well. She does so many crazy weird hobbies. 

SUN

Like none of our ward was there because they were all sick from the ward party. Hna Hurley had to leave church early she was so sick. Not much happened during this day. 

Sunday night we had a FHE with the Rodriguez family. We had the kids plan the lesson and then we did the game. We played the thimble game and it was a major success. ALL the kids loved it including the too-cool-for-school 15 year old boy. The dad was just cracking up the whole time. Thanks for teaching me that game mom! haha

MON

Just FHE with the Villalobos and the Ramirez. 

I am kind of having writers block. I'm sorry. 

FUNNY STORY

Last night we saw a really bad accident and we asked if they needed help. This black lady said no. I asked if anyone had called the cops. She then responded with "I didn't call the cops, they didn't call the cops, hecka (a cali slang word) people didn't call the cops." she said for us to keep going. SO we then left. We were so confused and wondered if we should call the cops. We then realized, after the cops showed up that she was saying "I done called the cops, they done called the cops, hecka people done called the cops."

We were cracking up. It was SO funny. 

SHOUT OUTS

Mommy

Daddy  (How is daddy doing? I miss that guy)

Brad

Sarah

Ashley

James

McKenna Fielding

Sarah Faulstick

Jozi (handwritten.)

Love you all, and have a great week

Hermana Porter. 

 

 I saw One Direction's new CD and I was so sad I couldn't buy it.

 

The bishop's dogs.  Paco and Diego.  Diego bites everyone except me!

The kids at Selena's house

The Ramirez kids

 

More Christmas gift ideas:

sweatshirts, I have none

socks,

more recipes

post it notes

photo album

ice breakers