Texas A&M Week 44

I have been isolated! haha i am in Bryan which is about 2 hours away from the rest of the mission. It's so pretty over here. And there are hills while driving! I was so happy when we were driving up here. It's so green and so pretty! I'm sad that most of the wild flowers have died...about a month ago they found a field of blue bonnets but they are all gone now :( sad day. Anyways I am trying to learn 100 new names and 100 new stories and I have to learn a whole new area in 6 weeks...that will be fun. I know that as long as i try my best everything will be ok.

 My companion is on her last transfer and she is STL so we will get to go on exchanges a couple times this transfers, I think there is only 1 other set of sisters in our zone. We have a really cute apartment and it's sweet and it's by a swamp and we found fireflies the other night! It was the coolest thing ever! We ran into the apartment and grabbed a jar but when we came back out they were on the other side of the swamp.

We go walking or we stretch most of the mornings, but on Thursdays there is a lady in the English ward who basically does a boot camp and oh my, it is so crazy! I was so sore the next day. But it was a ton of fun.

We had a missionary farewell on Tuesday night and we had English class. So on Thursday we had to save the elders because they went with a member to a lesson but the member accidentally locked the keys in his car so we were going to drive the 3 of them to the elders car and then have them wait for the member's friend to help out but then she was on her way when we got there we tried to help them unlock the door but we did not win.

We met 2 baptist who were super nice on Thursday night and they had had some bad impressions from missionaries before but they said that we helped clear up those impressions. Friday we had district meeting and i made crepes for my district, it was super fun. I'm back with the same district leader I had for my first transfer in oakcrest and I have my same zone leader that i had for a little while when i was in my last zone. So it's pretty fun. I'm pretty sure we hit a bird the other day while driving. It was super sad. It might have barely missed our car but I'm pretty sure that we hit it.

Also on Saturday we had an open house, we had a couple non members show up and we did a tour of the church and then we ate dinner. There was a lot of support from the members. It was really great. We went into the relief society room, the primary room and then by the baptismal font and we ended in the chapel. I played a hymn and everyone sang a song. It was so good. So i guess our ward is doing an integration thing and we are combining with the English ward slowly. They are going to start by combining primary and Sunday school/ ym, yw, relief society and priesthood with the English and then we will still have our separate sacrament meetings. It's really cool because we get to teach the people who speak English! we don't' have to give them to the English missionaries. That makes me super happy because we found a really great person the other day but he speaks more English than Spanish. But anyways it will be interesting to see how this all goes down. They are announcing it on Sunday during ward conference.

Our bishop looks like voldemort with a nose haha, he is this old white man and he made a face the other day that reminding me of voldemort haha. anyways he tells me I'm an answer to fasting and many prayers because they haven't had anyone to play the piano for a long time and now they have me to play for them. So I'll be playing almost every Sunday in sacrament meeting and in primary. It's really fun. We had the most other lessons that I've ever had in one week. We had 20 other lessons! I'm learning a lot on how to be better at contacting and stuff like that. it's really neat. Anyways i have to write the mission president and we have a lesson in about 25 minutes so I'll just wrap this up. It's going to be a good transfer. I'm super excited! We have made a promise to have 1 baptism for McOmbers last transfer! I'll take more fun pictures this week!

If we lose power I'm sorry!  Some elders just came and told us it looks super nasty. I guess there are flood and tornado warnings in our area. 

So i just wanted to share a quick little miracle with you guys that happened to me this week. It happened on Saturday.   It had been a little bit of a rough day and i was just getting frustrated because there is so much that i want to do and i just feel that when i feel lower that i can't do it. So as i was backing up our car and i thought in my head "god if you're really there let me find a penny on the ground." (little side note. I have started a collection of coins that i find on the street. You find so many. I at least get 1 once a day and it's always been just a little "keep on going" sign for me) but anyways i backed up the car and i looked over  my right shoulder and there half buried in the dirt was a penny. the edges were broken off a little bit so it was a broken penny but it was still a penny. It literally took my breath away. I'm going to keep that penny for ever. God is always looking out for us. Even though a penny really isn't a big deal it made a difference for me. I will always be grateful for that penny that i found. 

and just to let y'all know my address has changed and i love letters ;) so i mean if you want to write here it is 4475 Carter Creek Parkway #714 Bryan, Tx 77802

I love you all and i hope ya'll have a great week!

Saying goodbye to my baby​

I can never get a normal picture witht his family haha :)

Good thing i love them

almost every family has a dog...

saying goodbye to one of the trees i planted

My ward mission leader and his family took us out to dinner :)

I love my mission mom!

My new district

for my 10 month treat we went to freddys!

We went to a birthday party :)

piano and my name tag...i got board during primary

Week 43

Wow it makes me so happy to hear about your week! God is definitely looking out for you guys. All those tender mercies really are so wonderful. It comforts me to know that things are going well at home and that my family is being blessed. I feel so bad...i forgot to send zurgy his letter and so i didn't send it till i think Thursday...sorry bub! i hope you get it soon!!

This week...i can't believe this transfer is over...this week went by so fast! We got to do some service on Tuesday. We went over to a members house and helped put tape all over the walls so that they could pain. I got to do the top wall so i stood on the bed, desks, and on a ladder. I also did the high spots in one of the bathrooms, don't' know how i did it...i put a chair in the bathtub and it magically didn't fall haha my shoulders were sore later because i was stretching the whole time. They gave us donuts for breakfast and then pizza for lunch. The elders were with us and so that was really fun. I love when we get to do service. 

We had a meet the Mormon's activity on Friday as a ward. We had a total of about 6 non members who were there and it was pretty awesome. It was different watching it in Spanish. There were English subtitles and i found my self just looking at those but i tried to focus on just listening to see what i could understand. I love all the stories in that movie, they are really awesome. It made me happy to see the Utah mountains ;)

We went to magnolia on Saturday for a little bit and it was so pretty, we got stuck in traffic on our way to see another person and we literally were not moving. so we took pictures and we made a music video and did some more personal study because we were so bored. Found out that there was an iron man race going on and that was why we were stopped, we finally started moving and we followed the racers for a while. they were on the biking part then we thought we got away from them because they turned somewhere but then we got stuck in traffic again for a while because they were coming across the street. So in total we were stuck in traffic for about 2 hours. We read our scriptures and took lots of pictures. 

Sunday we had temple tours again and we called about everyone we could think of and no one answered or they were busy so we ended up not going. So we went home and i started packing and Bohn started figuring our some things she wanted to have figured out. I've got most my stuff packed, i have all my pictures off the wall and have my desk packed up now i just need to work on my clothes and all those other things. trying to find the things that i don't need, it's really annoying taking so much all the time sometimes. Try cutting out anything i don't really need. I have a lot of things that i can throw away. 

I'm really sad to leave oakcrest, this has been a great ward and i love the people here but i know that being moved will be a good thing. If it's where we are guessing i will only have 1 transfer and then i will take over the area because she is leaving next transfer. Everything happens for a reason and we just need to trust in God. I'm excited for a new adventure and i know that good things are heading my way. I can't wait to serve in a new ward and meet new investigators who are being prepared. 

We had a lot of tender mercies this week and even though this transfer has been rough God has given me a ton of tender mercies. Remember to be like Peter the moment you feel yourself starting to sink beg to be saved and put your hand up in the air so god can save you. 

So this week we had a really cool miracle. we went to go see an investigator and we asked a member to come with us and she got there a little before us and another car ended up hitting her car on the side and made a dent. When we got there they were trying to figure things out with the insurance and so she apologized and told us she couldn't come into the lesson with us. We understood completely. so we went in and when ever we go over to someone's house i try to find something to complement them on and i liked this investigators shirt. it was really pretty so i told her that. She really appreciated it and we went on talking with her, she opened up to us a lot and the lesson was really great, the spirit was so strong. We were about to leave and she said "i'll be right back' she walked out of the room for a few minutes and then she came back holding the shirt that she had been wearing and she was wearing a different shirt and she told me that since i liked it i could have it. I almost started crying it was the sweetest thing ever. She literally gave me the shirt off her back! She then told us that when we had come by and left a pass a long card on her door when she wasn't there for an appointment that when she walked onto her porch and saw a picture of Christ it comforted her and it helped her through a hard day. She then told us that her friend (next door neighbor who we had tried knocking on but didn't answer so we just left a pass a long card) she told her that she got a really good feeling form it. our investigator told us to go pass by her house sometime.  Bohn and i were so happy. We walked out and we saw the member walking out of the other ladies house and they were talking and laughing the member said 'i told her a little about our church and she wants you to come over and talk with her some more.' all within an hour we had so many miracles it was the greatest!

When you do all you can God provides!!!! Never give up on him cause he will never give up on you! trust in him with all your heart. He loves you and is looking out for you and your investigators!

Never forget who you are and what you stand for. 

I know that this church is true. My testimony has grown so much on my mission. I have had so many ups and so many downs but in the end everything has been in my favor. I'm so grateful for the atonement and for the chance that i have to study it and teach it and really learn how to apply the atonement into my life. And to know that it's not just for sins but it's for all that we feel in this life. The good, the bad, everything. I know God is my father and your father. He loves all of us so much. We are his children and he put us on this earth for this time and place for a reason. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and i am so grateful that i can study it and learn so much each day. I love teaching people the gospel and the things that i have found out to be true. When life gets to hard to stand, get on your knees and pray. God is always there and he hears every prayer.

another day with no letters :(

yummy treat at a members house

one of my favorite girls!! She's so cute!

flowers in magnolia

why were we stuck in traffic for almost 2 hours? there was an iron man race going on!

saying goodbye to members :(

Week 42--Day after Mother's Day

2 skypings down, 1 to go. It's so weird to think that the next time i skype will be about 1 month before i go home! that is so crazy to me! After we skyped we went home, planned, and then we moved our beds into the living room and we watched bible videos. And then we went to sleep. It was a lot of fun. It was nice to just relax and have a easy night. Yeah hermana Bohn had a good talk with her family, she liked that we did a family prayer and so she re called her family and did a prayer with them. Well for us we were both pretty sad last night after getting off the phone. it's always hard to hit the end button. But we know that it's just a small sacrifice that we make for these 18 months. And it's a long way to December but it's going to be here before we know it.  

That is so fun! I'm sending him a card today so it will be there for his birthday! He's getting so big and he looks so handsome in his glasses!

how are you feeling? I'm feeling fine, I'm just done coughing, and not being able to breathe or talk. I just want it gone it's been almost 2 weeks and it's just annoying now. 

Yeah the baby was due in January and I've tried emailing him to see how he is and how his family is but he hasn't responded back yet. So idk. 

How do you like the Houston area?  Where i am it is so pretty. I've heard not everywhere is as pretty as it is in tomball and in the woodlands, but so far i wouldn't mind living in one of these cities when I'm older. I just don't like the bugs haha. We can do touristy stuff, after the cruise when are we going back to Utah? I was just curious because with all the driving and with how much these people talk 2 days would probably be enough for 1 ward...so i think when we come before we can just do some fun stuff and then after maybe we could spend a couple more days doing some things or i could stay with some members and then fly home or something, but idk it all just depends on what the plans are and everything. Because I'm really good with what ever! 

This week we are just going to work, work work, and do our best every single day! on Friday we have a ward activity that we are inviting everyone to. we are going to watch meet the Mormons. and Saturday night might be a sport night...not sure exactly. Then on Sunday we have temple tours again and it's transfer calls! So that will be a pretty busy weekend!

 

When is the Spanish mission conference when you get to be the star accompanist?  It's may 31st i believe  

This week we went on a lot of exchanges. On Tuesday night hermana Buno called us and said she felt like she needed to go on an exchange with us the next day so we did. I got to learn how to make gorditas and Mexican rice. It was so much fun! The exchange was so much fun, then Thursday morning we went on another little exchange when i was switch buno, she had to go with one of the other louetta sisters somewhere so hermana reese and i went to the library and taught English class. That was fun, then we went to panda express and then met up with my companion and hermana mcnabb. We planted about 150 trees at a members house, we found out that a lot of them have died :( so sad but w are going to help them again on Wednesday to plant some more. It was so hot but it was so much fun! We had the ward mothers day activity and a mariachi band came and it was legit. I played the piano for hermana bohn as she played her violin and i also played for mitchell as he sang. It was fun. Then on Friday we had zone conference and that was pretty great! Learned a lot and it was well needed. Then i went on an exchange to the woodlands and hung out with my sister Gayler. We had a lot of fun. Saturday we were going to help someone paint a house but they told me to go home once they found out i was sick :P Sunday we had church and spent some time at home to relax and then we taught a lesson and then we got to skype it was pretty great!

Can't believe my baby is almost done with her first transfer!! It's so crazy!!!!!!! i wonder what's going to be happening this next transfer. So far there is no Spanish speaking missionaries coming in i think. 

 

Remember that things of the future are all based on the choices that we make on this earth at this time. always have faith and be hopeful and never give up! The lord loves you more than you can ever imagine!! one of my favorite faith stories to read is the story of peter walking on water. If we can be more like peter and have the faith to climb out of our boats and have the faith to reach out our hand if we start to sink things will be ok. God will always be there to save us and he will always lift us when we need him!

 

i love y'all!! have a great week!!.

 

My Zone

 

Service

"we planted about 150 trees on Thursday"

mothers day ward party Spanish style!

we had a luau party

Our Mission Mom

Texas is so pretty!

The louetta hermanas and I

Week 41

Well well well this is already another week gone...that is crazy!! Time is going by so fast!!! This week was pretty good, it was a little slow because i got a really bad cold which sucked because it was the first time i have gotten sick on my mission. I'm still recovering a little bit but I'm definitely a lot better than i was. because i actually have a voice again! And I'm not having to take an hour nap once or twice during the day like i did for 3 days. We still went out every day and did stuff but the mornings were a little slow because i literally couldn't do anything. I'm just glad that it's passed.

Well as of right now we have no baptismal dates. We dropped the 5 investigators who had baptismal dates. It really sucks but oh well. it just means that there are other people who are ready and who need us to see them. 

We had a lesson this week that I really liked. We are more sharing it right now with less actives and it's where we share the story of lehi's dream of the tree of life. We talk about the 3 different types of group who are in his dream. It's a really good lesson and we taught it for the first time this week. I can't wait to study it more and learning different ways to present it to the people we are teaching. 

We've really been trying to focus on figuring out who of our investigators is ready and who really isn't and so we've been giving a ton of investigators a break. It really sucks sometimes but if it's what we have to do then that's what we will do so that we can really help the people who are actually ready. We've been giving a lot of people a break but we've also been blessed because we have been finding like crazy. We are just praying that some of these people will work out and they will really want to 

listen to the message that we have to share. 

Becoming a trainer was definitely something God wanted me to do at this time to help me develop certain things in my life so that i can become better. I hate being bold and I've had to be really bold and really stand up and be the trainer. it's been hard and i hate it but i mean the ccm is so different from real mission life and sometimes missionaries think what you learn from the ccm is all you need to know but really it's like a different world. So we've had to work on a lot of things but i know that God has given me this opportunity to let me grow and become even better in everything i do. I'm really hoping to keep growing from these experiences and to become the missionary that God would have me become. Because that is my goal to make the changes i need to in my life to become better and become the missionary i need to be.

A lot of our appointments cancelled this week but we were able to use that time to go contacting and knock some doors. We've had some miracles that have happened. yesterday (Sunday) was pretty interesting with contacting, we had a lot of people when we started a street who either weren't home, shut the door after opening, or told us they didn't want to hear anything that we had to say but as we kept going we found people who would be golden if they will just listen. We just need to go and see them again and really teach them the first lesson and then we will be able to see.  But miracles really are happening in this area and i love it so much. I am so grateful for all the things that are happening right now. Yeah sometimes the situation sucks but that just gives time to grow and time to become better. 

We had zone meeting on Friday and it was really good, we learned new ways to contact and new ways to start teaching people to really get to know them and to teach to their needs. It was really good and really insightful. I'm really looking forward to using the new tools that we learned and applying them into our daily teaching. 

Most days we have food appointments, if someone doesn't sign up we call people and if not, yeah we will just eat something at home. but a lot of the time I'm not really hungry so I'll just eat something small. once in a while we go out but i hate eating out ever since i was with coronado so i try to avoid it as much as we can. 

I will be mailing you something today for mothers day! I just have to finish putting it together! I can't wait to talk to you on Sunday! i can't believe it's already may it is so crazy!! We will be going over to the persons house around 7 my time and hopefully they will find a way to have 2 tablets or something but i will let you know what is going on when we get there. I'm so excited and i can't wait!!! It's going to be so great! Hopefully we'll have like an hour to talk :) 

Yesterday at church we didn't have any investigators but we had 3 less active families show up...well now 2 because 1 of them is reactivated! Hopefully they will all continue to come back to church! We are so excited!! 

I love you all so much! i hope you have a great week!! 

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Sometimes when we go to pick up our laundry at night we come back with clean laundry and a ton of left overs haha

I love this hermana so much!!

skies here are so pretty!! more to come...

the skies are so gorgeous!!

I love them!

the moon

wo birdies came and visited us this morning

and then they flew away