It was an incredibly long week. You would think that would result in more awkward and awesome moments, but alas it did not. Anyway here is the latest.
Awkward:
- Traegan Murdock doesn't understand why I'm not married to Sister Henry.
- I said 'hate' in front of Traegan and he said, "That's a bad word. We don't say that word." He's right. Corrected by a 3 year old.
- Everyone keeps giving us so many treats!! I'm can't even eat them. Just looking at them makes me sick. And on top of that the Elders are trying to pawn their treats off on us. Elder Edwards tried to guilt us into taking the cookies mama Edwards made. And when I wouldn't take them he threw them at me and ran away.
- Bro. Steiner offered to buy me vitamins because apparently I always look tired and unhealthy.
- I got so nervous in Daniel's lesson that I sweated a lot, so I had to come home and change.
Awesome:
- Skyping with my family. Boy do I love you guys!!
- Sister Henry said she can't imagine having a different companion than me. I think that must mean she doesn't think I'm so bad.
- I invented a new word. Burgle. Verb. What a burglar does. In a sentence: "I wouldn't want to burgle that house."
- Picked up a new investigator named Daniel and he is golden.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A&A
Awkward:
- I fail at math when it comes time to add up miles and I'm tired.
- I had to plunge a clogged poopy toilet in the men's bathroom after the ward Christmas party.
- My comb fell in the toilet. Not the poopy plunged one. Actually a just barely cleaned one, so it was ok. But still too many awkward toilet moments in one weekend.
- I couldn't get the computer to work and after fighting with it for almost 20 minutes, Elder Sivley showed up and as soon as he touched it, it worked.
- Sister Henry informed me that we have leprosy. As in, people cross the street to avoid us when they see us coming.
- Sister Henry was joking about how funny it would be if the Jehovah's Witnesses knocked on our door and literally as soon as she said that our doorbell rang. We got all excited, but it turned out to be a lady selling "homemade" cheesecake, except that we already saw those cheesecakes at the store. Some people...
- Jimmie is a girl. And she tends to answer the door without pants on. Twice.
- Waking up in the middle of the night to my lamb saying I'm her new best friend. Jack gave it to me and when you squeeze her hoof she says charming things.
- We went to see a potential named Steve, but Steve wasn't there because his house was covered in a termite tent.
- Dog jumping up against my window while we were in the car praying before a lesson. I was saying it and I squealed.
- San Rafael Spanish Branch President getting into the car with me while Hermana Witt was backing me. I went into panic mode and before I could even think I opened the door and yelled, "Hermana Witt! Help! I'm alone in the car with a boy!" Yeah, my first date when I get home is likely to be a disaster...
- Elder Sivley is my District Leader and he told me that a few months ago he prayed for patience and Heavenly Father sent him me. Ouch, but it wasn't entirely uncalled for because I was being a little sassy and he was joking.
- The gas station attendant wouldn't believe that work at the pump even though I tried it 3 times. So he tried it and it didn't work. Told ya.
- The umbrella broke and we were locked out standing in the rain.
Awesome:
- Colton has been home from his mission for a few weeks and he still has to live by his planner.
- Elder Edwards started an Elder Judd quote wall and carries around sticky notes so he can write down the funny things that Elder Judd says.
- The Bodons sent me Bernard chocolates. Yum! Thank you!
- 3 miracle appointments the day that the Bilals dropped us. God does love His missionaries.
- When I was sad about the Bilals, Sister Henry started serenading me with "Count your many blessings."
- We knocked on a door that had unicorns etched in the glass. I was so excited!
- Brother le Brett thinks I'm an angel and said he wants to adopt me. Its a good feeling to be loved.
- We saw this double decker layer bus with Christmas lights on it and a wreath on the front and it drives around town to see all the lights in Petaluma.
- We discovered a new and happy CD. The Strength of Youth CD. Lovin it.
- A scarf in Spanish is called a bufanda. That's totally a black girl name and makes me want to wear a bufanda every day!
- My happy song by Hall and Oats, "You Make my Dreams Come True" was playing in the store following the broken umbrella soaking wet incident.
- I fail at math when it comes time to add up miles and I'm tired.
- I had to plunge a clogged poopy toilet in the men's bathroom after the ward Christmas party.
- My comb fell in the toilet. Not the poopy plunged one. Actually a just barely cleaned one, so it was ok. But still too many awkward toilet moments in one weekend.
- I couldn't get the computer to work and after fighting with it for almost 20 minutes, Elder Sivley showed up and as soon as he touched it, it worked.
- Sister Henry informed me that we have leprosy. As in, people cross the street to avoid us when they see us coming.
- Sister Henry was joking about how funny it would be if the Jehovah's Witnesses knocked on our door and literally as soon as she said that our doorbell rang. We got all excited, but it turned out to be a lady selling "homemade" cheesecake, except that we already saw those cheesecakes at the store. Some people...
- Jimmie is a girl. And she tends to answer the door without pants on. Twice.
- Waking up in the middle of the night to my lamb saying I'm her new best friend. Jack gave it to me and when you squeeze her hoof she says charming things.
- We went to see a potential named Steve, but Steve wasn't there because his house was covered in a termite tent.
- Dog jumping up against my window while we were in the car praying before a lesson. I was saying it and I squealed.
- San Rafael Spanish Branch President getting into the car with me while Hermana Witt was backing me. I went into panic mode and before I could even think I opened the door and yelled, "Hermana Witt! Help! I'm alone in the car with a boy!" Yeah, my first date when I get home is likely to be a disaster...
- Elder Sivley is my District Leader and he told me that a few months ago he prayed for patience and Heavenly Father sent him me. Ouch, but it wasn't entirely uncalled for because I was being a little sassy and he was joking.
- The gas station attendant wouldn't believe that work at the pump even though I tried it 3 times. So he tried it and it didn't work. Told ya.
- The umbrella broke and we were locked out standing in the rain.
Awesome:
- Colton has been home from his mission for a few weeks and he still has to live by his planner.
- Elder Edwards started an Elder Judd quote wall and carries around sticky notes so he can write down the funny things that Elder Judd says.
- The Bodons sent me Bernard chocolates. Yum! Thank you!
- 3 miracle appointments the day that the Bilals dropped us. God does love His missionaries.
- When I was sad about the Bilals, Sister Henry started serenading me with "Count your many blessings."
- We knocked on a door that had unicorns etched in the glass. I was so excited!
- Brother le Brett thinks I'm an angel and said he wants to adopt me. Its a good feeling to be loved.
- We saw this double decker layer bus with Christmas lights on it and a wreath on the front and it drives around town to see all the lights in Petaluma.
- We discovered a new and happy CD. The Strength of Youth CD. Lovin it.
- A scarf in Spanish is called a bufanda. That's totally a black girl name and makes me want to wear a bufanda every day!
- My happy song by Hall and Oats, "You Make my Dreams Come True" was playing in the store following the broken umbrella soaking wet incident.
Monday, December 10, 2012
She's training!
Here's a little snippet (more like half the e-mail....this week was so short!) but anyway, a little bit about her new companion and Christmas!
Who is excited to Skype me on Christmas? What?! Skype?! Yeah I know. This is why we love President Alba. I can't believe it is almost Christmas! I don't like Christmas on a mission. It makes me miss home, but I love being here. Training is hard. Harder than I expected. My greenie's name is Sister Henry. She's from Yakima, Washington. So far we've gotten along well. It is a lot different than with Sister Facer because we were just 2 peas in a pod, but I'm trying not to compare. I was blessed to be able to serve with someone who is now one of my best friends and now I have the opportunity to learn how to work with someone new. We'll see how it goes.
Who is excited to Skype me on Christmas? What?! Skype?! Yeah I know. This is why we love President Alba. I can't believe it is almost Christmas! I don't like Christmas on a mission. It makes me miss home, but I love being here. Training is hard. Harder than I expected. My greenie's name is Sister Henry. She's from Yakima, Washington. So far we've gotten along well. It is a lot different than with Sister Facer because we were just 2 peas in a pod, but I'm trying not to compare. I was blessed to be able to serve with someone who is now one of my best friends and now I have the opportunity to learn how to work with someone new. We'll see how it goes.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Lack of A&A
I just realized that A&A is kind of like AA. You know like for Alcoholics Ananymous. That's bad news bears. But it is actually nothing like Alcoholics Anonymous except that I fell off the wagon and have sucked at Awkward and Awesomes the last few weeks. Please forgive me. It has been a berry berry busy couple of weeks. So here we go.
Awkward:
- That I just compared A&A to AA. Don't mind me.
- Elder Judd comparing the Atonement to Buzz Lightyear in a role play. To infinity and beyond!
- Brother Steiner keeps calling me Ann Marie. Darn facebook reveals my identity.
- Made a fool of myself at the Steiners because I was so tired and had a cold. They told us to just go home and sleep. We didn't even teach them a lesson.
- When we invited Bill to come watch a baptismal service with us he thought we were inviting him to a boxing match.
- Almost falling asleep during a lesson while on exchanges. I guess Spanish is kind of soothing, and I had no idea what was going on.
- Elder Richins ended District Meeting earlier than planned because my stomach growled really loud and reminded him that he was hungry.
- We caught a praying mantis and a spider so they could fight, but they wouldn't and it was lame so we let them go.
- We went to sushi as our last district hurrah and I still suck at chopsticks.
Awesome:
- Sister Facer is so punny! She said we had to go to the dentist at "tooth hurty" (2:30) Baha!
- We picked up Larry as an investigator and he wants to get baptized!
- Surprise visit from the Le Bretts (they're from the Healdsburg ward and the sweetest) and they took us out to dinner.
- Sister Facer's mom sent us 25 Days of Christmas presents.
- Bill has a Peter Pan poster on his wall.
- Picture with Celeste Kitcen and she sent it to Kris.
- Hermana Merkley is real life Rapunzel. Her hair is 4 ft long!
- Jack got me a Build-a-Bear that is a lamb because I'm his sister in the fold.
- Sister Facer and I got Best Friend bracelets. Don't worry that we're 21 and 22 years old.
- When we learn a new word and later that day someone says it and we know what they're talking about. Like Eucharyst. I'm smart now.
- Sister Erlebach gave me a pity gift. It is an owl pillow. It's been like Christmas for me the last couple of weeks.
Awkward:
- That I just compared A&A to AA. Don't mind me.
- Elder Judd comparing the Atonement to Buzz Lightyear in a role play. To infinity and beyond!
- Brother Steiner keeps calling me Ann Marie. Darn facebook reveals my identity.
- Made a fool of myself at the Steiners because I was so tired and had a cold. They told us to just go home and sleep. We didn't even teach them a lesson.
- When we invited Bill to come watch a baptismal service with us he thought we were inviting him to a boxing match.
- Almost falling asleep during a lesson while on exchanges. I guess Spanish is kind of soothing, and I had no idea what was going on.
- Elder Richins ended District Meeting earlier than planned because my stomach growled really loud and reminded him that he was hungry.
- We caught a praying mantis and a spider so they could fight, but they wouldn't and it was lame so we let them go.
- We went to sushi as our last district hurrah and I still suck at chopsticks.
Awesome:
- Sister Facer is so punny! She said we had to go to the dentist at "tooth hurty" (2:30) Baha!
- We picked up Larry as an investigator and he wants to get baptized!
- Surprise visit from the Le Bretts (they're from the Healdsburg ward and the sweetest) and they took us out to dinner.
- Sister Facer's mom sent us 25 Days of Christmas presents.
- Bill has a Peter Pan poster on his wall.
- Picture with Celeste Kitcen and she sent it to Kris.
- Hermana Merkley is real life Rapunzel. Her hair is 4 ft long!
- Jack got me a Build-a-Bear that is a lamb because I'm his sister in the fold.
- Sister Facer and I got Best Friend bracelets. Don't worry that we're 21 and 22 years old.
- When we learn a new word and later that day someone says it and we know what they're talking about. Like Eucharyst. I'm smart now.
- Sister Erlebach gave me a pity gift. It is an owl pillow. It's been like Christmas for me the last couple of weeks.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Thanksgiving in the field
Look at this awesome thing we got in our e-mails! -------->
Dear Hyde and Facer Families,
We hosted your daughters as part of our family's Thanksgiving day festivities, and then again the next evening, Friday night. We are long overdue in sending you both a note of thanks for having raised daughters of such remarkable spiritual quality; their work in our ward has been both inspiring and a revelation. We cannot take the place of home and family during the holiday season, but we'll do our best to help them know that they are appreciated and loved beyond mere words.
At a zone conference many years ago, a mission president acquaintance admonished the missionaries to "Go out and be the missionary that your mother thinks you are." To some, this might seem like a light-hearted statement but when I heard this I knew exactly what he meant: mothers think that their missionary children are exceedingly righteous, hardest-working, diligent and wonderfully obedient. To be the missionary that your mother thinks you are, one has to work HARD.
Sisters Hyde and Facer are every bit the missionaries that their mothers (and dads, and families) think they are.
Dear Hyde and Facer Families,
We hosted your daughters as part of our family's Thanksgiving day festivities, and then again the next evening, Friday night. We are long overdue in sending you both a note of thanks for having raised daughters of such remarkable spiritual quality; their work in our ward has been both inspiring and a revelation. We cannot take the place of home and family during the holiday season, but we'll do our best to help them know that they are appreciated and loved beyond mere words.
At a zone conference many years ago, a mission president acquaintance admonished the missionaries to "Go out and be the missionary that your mother thinks you are." To some, this might seem like a light-hearted statement but when I heard this I knew exactly what he meant: mothers think that their missionary children are exceedingly righteous, hardest-working, diligent and wonderfully obedient. To be the missionary that your mother thinks you are, one has to work HARD.
Sisters Hyde and Facer are every bit the missionaries that their mothers (and dads, and families) think they are.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sister Hyde/Facer
They are a powerhouse companionship! And everyone knows it. Pray they get another transfer together:) Deets on their thanksgiving soon!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Another week gone by...
Awkward:
- We were tracting and a man answered the door in nothing but a towel. We just kept eye contact and did our missionary spiel because that's what we do, and he said, "I would invite you in, but I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion." Um yes we realize. Why did he even answer the door?
- Isaac Cooper who is 5 calls me Mister Hyde instead of Sister Hyde.
- Furby is back. And creepier than before.
- Walking in a senior living center that felt like we were entering the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
- In that same senior living place I started dancing to the oldies music that was playing in the hall. I didn't know anyone else was there until an older couple walked past. Yep they totally saw my sweet moves and Sister Facer just kept laughing.
- My sock accidentally came off my foot and flew at Sister Facer during nightly planning.
- Rick forgot the rules and tried to hug me and I went stiff as a board without even thinking. They gave me crap about it the whole night.
- I learned from Mitch the Legit Magician that after people run marathons their toe nails come off.
Awesome:
- We walked into the gym and Elder Ramiah who is from Sri Lanka was sitting there wearing one of those Jamaican Dreadlocks hats.
- Finally got a hold of Bill after a week and a half of worrying.
- We had another perfect timing miracle with Chelsea. We were running later than we wanted to, but when we stopped by her house she had just barely gotten home. If we would have been "on time" we would have missed her and not been able to meet that day. I love Heavenly Father. He's so good at what He does.
- Brother Reinarz is a totally bomb sauce fellowshipper for Rick. We had no idea they would hit it off so well. Plus his wife is a soccer star from Belgium.
- Bill asking to make sure we would be at his baptism. He totally knows he needs to do it, he just needs to take the plunge. We're getting very close :)
Not Awesome:
- No email from home today.
- Mary Lou Doyle, one of the widows in our ward passed away. She came out of the prayer bucket the night before.
- We were tracting and a man answered the door in nothing but a towel. We just kept eye contact and did our missionary spiel because that's what we do, and he said, "I would invite you in, but I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion." Um yes we realize. Why did he even answer the door?
- Isaac Cooper who is 5 calls me Mister Hyde instead of Sister Hyde.
- Furby is back. And creepier than before.
- Walking in a senior living center that felt like we were entering the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
- In that same senior living place I started dancing to the oldies music that was playing in the hall. I didn't know anyone else was there until an older couple walked past. Yep they totally saw my sweet moves and Sister Facer just kept laughing.
- My sock accidentally came off my foot and flew at Sister Facer during nightly planning.
- Rick forgot the rules and tried to hug me and I went stiff as a board without even thinking. They gave me crap about it the whole night.
- I learned from Mitch the Legit Magician that after people run marathons their toe nails come off.
Awesome:
- We walked into the gym and Elder Ramiah who is from Sri Lanka was sitting there wearing one of those Jamaican Dreadlocks hats.
- Finally got a hold of Bill after a week and a half of worrying.
- We had another perfect timing miracle with Chelsea. We were running later than we wanted to, but when we stopped by her house she had just barely gotten home. If we would have been "on time" we would have missed her and not been able to meet that day. I love Heavenly Father. He's so good at what He does.
- Brother Reinarz is a totally bomb sauce fellowshipper for Rick. We had no idea they would hit it off so well. Plus his wife is a soccer star from Belgium.
- Bill asking to make sure we would be at his baptism. He totally knows he needs to do it, he just needs to take the plunge. We're getting very close :)
Not Awesome:
- No email from home today.
- Mary Lou Doyle, one of the widows in our ward passed away. She came out of the prayer bucket the night before.
Monday, November 5, 2012
A&A
I am almost out of time, so I have to type fast. Mostly this list is not going to cover it all, but I'll try to give you a taste.
Awkward:
- Someone was walking their dog in the morning and when I ran passed, it jumped up on me.
- James' wife answered the door right as I was about to knock, it scared her so she screamed, so I screamed and then we all calmed down.
- Taught a first time lesson to this guy and we called him Johnathon the whole time, only to find out at the end that his name is James.
- We knocked a door with rat guts sitting on the doorstep. She apologized for her cat.
Awesome:
- Our pet ghost named Genevieve Ruffles.
- Miracle having Rachael out with us and we picked up a new investigator. I think it was good for Rachael more than anything.
- Another miracle finding Chelsey at the very same time that Dan's lesson would have been, but he cancelled. God knew who needed us at that moment.
- Elder Buchan pretending to be a British rock star and playing air guitar whilst singing rock versions of the hymns.
- 180 all together at Camp Liahona Redwoods and everything that took place there. It was AMAZING!
Awkward:
- Someone was walking their dog in the morning and when I ran passed, it jumped up on me.
- James' wife answered the door right as I was about to knock, it scared her so she screamed, so I screamed and then we all calmed down.
- Taught a first time lesson to this guy and we called him Johnathon the whole time, only to find out at the end that his name is James.
- We knocked a door with rat guts sitting on the doorstep. She apologized for her cat.
Awesome:
- Our pet ghost named Genevieve Ruffles.
- Miracle having Rachael out with us and we picked up a new investigator. I think it was good for Rachael more than anything.
- Another miracle finding Chelsey at the very same time that Dan's lesson would have been, but he cancelled. God knew who needed us at that moment.
- Elder Buchan pretending to be a British rock star and playing air guitar whilst singing rock versions of the hymns.
- 180 all together at Camp Liahona Redwoods and everything that took place there. It was AMAZING!
Monday, October 29, 2012
A&A of transfer six
I'm not feeling particularly creative or shiny today, so I'm grateful that I keep track of my awkward/awesomes throughout the week. Here you are my beloveds!
Awkward:
- The mailman was putting our mail in the mailbox as we walked out from doing our laundry so we asked if he could just give it to us. He wouldn't because we didn't have our mailbox key. Even though he already had it open and unlocked. So sad that people can't trust others anymore. Like we were going to steal someone else mail.
- We told Elder Sivley to make us a treat, so he attempted to make us jell-o jigglers. It was a fail worse than Julie jell-o. (Love ya Mom!)
- Met a hard core 49ers fan. He got so excited talking about them that he took of his shirt to reveal his 49ers tattoo. Also revealing his beer gut, unfortunately.
- Saw a guy being arrested while we were walking to our dinner appointment.
- Tracting and unknowingly knocking on the door of the Pitzaks from our ward.
Awesome:
- RECORDED MESSAGE FROM MY FAMILY! It was so great to hear all of your voices.
- Julia reading from her Book of Mormon picture book.
- Brother Steiner gave us envelopes with stamps on them so we had no excuse for not writing our families.
- We went to visit a former named Christian, so when a man answered the door I said, "Hi! Are you Christian?" and he said, "No, I'm Atheist." Hahahaha I explained we were looking for a guy named Christian, but I think I found a new door approach.
- Dressing up as each other for the ward Trunk or Treat. We borrow some wigs from Sister Dixon. It was a big hit.
- Brother Wasden told us the spirit of missionary work is stronger in the ward right now because we are here. Aww shucks. That was just so nice!
Awkward:
- The mailman was putting our mail in the mailbox as we walked out from doing our laundry so we asked if he could just give it to us. He wouldn't because we didn't have our mailbox key. Even though he already had it open and unlocked. So sad that people can't trust others anymore. Like we were going to steal someone else mail.
- We told Elder Sivley to make us a treat, so he attempted to make us jell-o jigglers. It was a fail worse than Julie jell-o. (Love ya Mom!)
- Met a hard core 49ers fan. He got so excited talking about them that he took of his shirt to reveal his 49ers tattoo. Also revealing his beer gut, unfortunately.
- Saw a guy being arrested while we were walking to our dinner appointment.
- Tracting and unknowingly knocking on the door of the Pitzaks from our ward.
Awesome:
- RECORDED MESSAGE FROM MY FAMILY! It was so great to hear all of your voices.
- Julia reading from her Book of Mormon picture book.
- Brother Steiner gave us envelopes with stamps on them so we had no excuse for not writing our families.
- We went to visit a former named Christian, so when a man answered the door I said, "Hi! Are you Christian?" and he said, "No, I'm Atheist." Hahahaha I explained we were looking for a guy named Christian, but I think I found a new door approach.
- Dressing up as each other for the ward Trunk or Treat. We borrow some wigs from Sister Dixon. It was a big hit.
- Brother Wasden told us the spirit of missionary work is stronger in the ward right now because we are here. Aww shucks. That was just so nice!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Your weekly treat
Awkward:
- Took a bite of sandwich and all the goodies dropped in my lap. Of course I was wearing my food skirt.
- Sister Punaa and Sister Thomas don't like chocolate.
- Started tracting a 7th Day Adventist housing complex. We had to leave real quick.
-The Spanish Elders left moldy goat cheese on our doorstep.
- Showing up an hour early for the Monson's open house because Brother Dixon told us the wrong time. They didn't even say anything, we just helped finish getting ready.
- Sister Facer gave a Spanish pamphlet to a guy and then he came back and said, "Just because I am brown, doesn't mean I am Mexican." He was definitely from India.
Awesome:
- Exchange miracle! Sister Facer got a call from a lady named Jane who wants to be taught.
- Connie Garate and Corinne Cross are like the Laverne and Shirley and St. Helena.
- Sister Cross gave me an owl pendant named Corky.
- Pres. called us a day before transfer calls to tell us we're staying together. We guessed that, but it was nice to have it confirmed.
- Kyle introduced himself as Bro. Whitman. He'll make a great Mormon someday.
- The guy working at Burger King warned us that the water would be wet, among other classic things.
- Beverly saw us at Burger King and noticed that we had something different about us, so our whole district taught her right there, and we have an appointment with her this week.
- Took a bite of sandwich and all the goodies dropped in my lap. Of course I was wearing my food skirt.
- Sister Punaa and Sister Thomas don't like chocolate.
- Started tracting a 7th Day Adventist housing complex. We had to leave real quick.
-The Spanish Elders left moldy goat cheese on our doorstep.
- Showing up an hour early for the Monson's open house because Brother Dixon told us the wrong time. They didn't even say anything, we just helped finish getting ready.
- Sister Facer gave a Spanish pamphlet to a guy and then he came back and said, "Just because I am brown, doesn't mean I am Mexican." He was definitely from India.
Awesome:
- Exchange miracle! Sister Facer got a call from a lady named Jane who wants to be taught.
- Connie Garate and Corinne Cross are like the Laverne and Shirley and St. Helena.
- Sister Cross gave me an owl pendant named Corky.
- Pres. called us a day before transfer calls to tell us we're staying together. We guessed that, but it was nice to have it confirmed.
- Kyle introduced himself as Bro. Whitman. He'll make a great Mormon someday.
- The guy working at Burger King warned us that the water would be wet, among other classic things.
- Beverly saw us at Burger King and noticed that we had something different about us, so our whole district taught her right there, and we have an appointment with her this week.
Monday, October 15, 2012
It's a long one, so get comfy!
Awkward:
- Elder Richins jumping out and scaring us 3 times in like 5 minutes, and we fell for it every time! He can do a sick Golem impression.
- This punk kid asking us why we weren't at high school in the middle of the day. Good thing we're 21 and 22 and look like we're 16.
- Felt like we were in Mexico because for like half an hour everyone we contacted only spoke Spanish.
- Ran into Jehovah's Witnesses and Baptists the same day. They both gave us pamphlets which was nice of them.
- We couldn't tell if an old guy was motioning for us to go at the crosswalk or if he was swatting flies. Turns out he wanted us to go.
- There is a giant chicken in someone's yard with a Frankenstein mask on it's head.
- Knocking doors 4 strong with the APs. I was so nervous like I was being evaluated, but it turned out great.
- We did a free car wash with church tours for Rohnert Park's finding activity. After we washed his car this guy gave me $20. I didn't know what to do with it and no one else would take it, so I just donated it to the church.
- Mia asking if the APs were our husbands.
- I asked a guy if he believes in God and he said, "I believe in something. I believe in giving you my number and hoping you call me." Yeah that's not gonna work out...
Awesome:
- Racing the Elders home every night. Not awesome that we always lose.
- Elder Johnson and Elder Sivley gave us a box of animal crackers with Deuteronomy 14:3 attached.
- Beth watched part of conference and is reading the Book of Mormon!
- We picked up a new investigator. Bill from Ireland. He said he doesn't want to know about all that intellectual stuff. He wants to know about the Spirit.
- 3 new investigators in one day. So thankful! We need people to teach.
- Prayed for service opportunities and then Bro. Reinarz called us and asked us if we would be willing to do service at the hospital he works at.
- Hot fudge sundaes from McDonald's. It reminded me of late night McDonald's runs with Sarah Janice West. (Who by the way hasn't written me about her WEDDING! Cough cough. Sarah I hope you're reading this.)
- When we showed up to teach Bill the second time, He had Elder Nelson's talk up on his computer. "Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You!" Haha he says we can do more than Home Depot.
- Contacted Mark whose house number is 1111. I told him how magical that is and that I wish I lived in at 1111.
- Elder Richins jumping out and scaring us 3 times in like 5 minutes, and we fell for it every time! He can do a sick Golem impression.
- This punk kid asking us why we weren't at high school in the middle of the day. Good thing we're 21 and 22 and look like we're 16.
- Felt like we were in Mexico because for like half an hour everyone we contacted only spoke Spanish.
- Ran into Jehovah's Witnesses and Baptists the same day. They both gave us pamphlets which was nice of them.
- We couldn't tell if an old guy was motioning for us to go at the crosswalk or if he was swatting flies. Turns out he wanted us to go.
- There is a giant chicken in someone's yard with a Frankenstein mask on it's head.
- Knocking doors 4 strong with the APs. I was so nervous like I was being evaluated, but it turned out great.
- We did a free car wash with church tours for Rohnert Park's finding activity. After we washed his car this guy gave me $20. I didn't know what to do with it and no one else would take it, so I just donated it to the church.
- Mia asking if the APs were our husbands.
- I asked a guy if he believes in God and he said, "I believe in something. I believe in giving you my number and hoping you call me." Yeah that's not gonna work out...
Awesome:
- Racing the Elders home every night. Not awesome that we always lose.
- Elder Johnson and Elder Sivley gave us a box of animal crackers with Deuteronomy 14:3 attached.
- Beth watched part of conference and is reading the Book of Mormon!
- We picked up a new investigator. Bill from Ireland. He said he doesn't want to know about all that intellectual stuff. He wants to know about the Spirit.
- 3 new investigators in one day. So thankful! We need people to teach.
- Prayed for service opportunities and then Bro. Reinarz called us and asked us if we would be willing to do service at the hospital he works at.
- Hot fudge sundaes from McDonald's. It reminded me of late night McDonald's runs with Sarah Janice West. (Who by the way hasn't written me about her WEDDING! Cough cough. Sarah I hope you're reading this.)
- When we showed up to teach Bill the second time, He had Elder Nelson's talk up on his computer. "Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You!" Haha he says we can do more than Home Depot.
- Contacted Mark whose house number is 1111. I told him how magical that is and that I wish I lived in at 1111.
Monday, October 8, 2012
A good one
Sometimes I have lame Awkward/Awesomes, but I think you will agree that this week is not. La la la love it!
Awkward:
- I can't remember the last time I shaved the tops of my legs.
- 3 bloody noses in one day.
- Richie answered the door without a shirt on and we felt very uncomfortable. We rescheduled. I don't think I'll ever be able to get married.
- Went to the wrong house to give Elder Sivley get well cookies. So we creeped on accident and kept knocking on the wrong basement door.
- Asking if this lady was Mary (the former investigator we were looking for) she thought I asked if she was married and thought I was prying a little too much. I guess I'll have to work on my annunciation.
- A former investigator explaining to us that the giants talked about in the Bible were produced by angels and the fair daughters.
- Lee got a call about a tummy tuck while we were at her house and then asked what we thought about spending that much money on it.
- Bacon flavored toothpaste.
Awesome:
- We think we solved the honking truck mystery.
- Zone meeting was top notch.
- Beth is talking in 'when' terms and asking questions about Mormon culture.
- Sister Wasden totally reminds me of Aunt Becky and she agreed to be my adopted Aunt Becky while I'm here.
- Rick came up with the idea that we would make a great Mormon missionary novel, "You want to run and Hyde, but you have to Facer!" Hahaha
- Laughing attack at the Dixons, we were grateful that no one peed their pants.
- Powell's candy store is like real life Willy Wonka!
- Saw a medieval sword fighting club all dressed up and practicing at the park. I wanted to go join them.
- Lee was an extra in the movie the Goonies.
Awkward:
- I can't remember the last time I shaved the tops of my legs.
- 3 bloody noses in one day.
- Richie answered the door without a shirt on and we felt very uncomfortable. We rescheduled. I don't think I'll ever be able to get married.
- Went to the wrong house to give Elder Sivley get well cookies. So we creeped on accident and kept knocking on the wrong basement door.
- Asking if this lady was Mary (the former investigator we were looking for) she thought I asked if she was married and thought I was prying a little too much. I guess I'll have to work on my annunciation.
- A former investigator explaining to us that the giants talked about in the Bible were produced by angels and the fair daughters.
- Lee got a call about a tummy tuck while we were at her house and then asked what we thought about spending that much money on it.
- Bacon flavored toothpaste.
Awesome:
- We think we solved the honking truck mystery.
- Zone meeting was top notch.
- Beth is talking in 'when' terms and asking questions about Mormon culture.
- Sister Wasden totally reminds me of Aunt Becky and she agreed to be my adopted Aunt Becky while I'm here.
- Rick came up with the idea that we would make a great Mormon missionary novel, "You want to run and Hyde, but you have to Facer!" Hahaha
- Laughing attack at the Dixons, we were grateful that no one peed their pants.
- Powell's candy store is like real life Willy Wonka!
- Saw a medieval sword fighting club all dressed up and practicing at the park. I wanted to go join them.
- Lee was an extra in the movie the Goonies.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Everyone's favorite part
Are we getting sick of these yet? Because I still think it is hilarious every day when I write stuff down.
Awkward:
- We were walking out of Bro. Kai's house and a tampon fell out of Sister Facer's bag. Not even in a wrapper. Haha.
- We were discussing soul mates and I said I don't believe in them, to which Sister Facer responded, "I do. And you're mine." I seriously love that girl. We have too much fun.
- American Flag game with Enoch who is 5 for an hour and a half on the way to the temple.
- Mixing up immorality and immortality while reading aloud. Wouldn't recommend it.
- Came out of our lesson with Ron and someone had spray painted our car's windshield. Cool.
Awesome:
- Before we go visit someone we always say a quick prayer in the car, we were doing that and an old guy knocked on the car window because he thought we had passed out or we were sleeping. We told him we were praying, and he said we were good girls and praying makes us pretty.
- Prayers are answered! Sister Facer prayed that the Zone Leaders wouldn't be at District Meeting because we didn't have enough brownies to share, and then they weren't there.
- Rick and Beth and Kate and Julia!
- Temple Day
- Lyndsey's 'weight gain' picture. I almost died laughing.
Not Awesome:
- I was so tired and I didn't want to get ready for bed so I asked Sister Facer to brush my teeth for me. She wouldn't. Some soul mate she is!
Awkward:
- We were walking out of Bro. Kai's house and a tampon fell out of Sister Facer's bag. Not even in a wrapper. Haha.
- We were discussing soul mates and I said I don't believe in them, to which Sister Facer responded, "I do. And you're mine." I seriously love that girl. We have too much fun.
- American Flag game with Enoch who is 5 for an hour and a half on the way to the temple.
- Mixing up immorality and immortality while reading aloud. Wouldn't recommend it.
- Came out of our lesson with Ron and someone had spray painted our car's windshield. Cool.
Awesome:
- Before we go visit someone we always say a quick prayer in the car, we were doing that and an old guy knocked on the car window because he thought we had passed out or we were sleeping. We told him we were praying, and he said we were good girls and praying makes us pretty.
- Prayers are answered! Sister Facer prayed that the Zone Leaders wouldn't be at District Meeting because we didn't have enough brownies to share, and then they weren't there.
- Rick and Beth and Kate and Julia!
- Temple Day
- Lyndsey's 'weight gain' picture. I almost died laughing.
Not Awesome:
- I was so tired and I didn't want to get ready for bed so I asked Sister Facer to brush my teeth for me. She wouldn't. Some soul mate she is!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Double Double
So due to the absolute craziness of my life here in Petaluma, I failed to Awkward/Awesome ya last week. My bad! But now you get double the goodness! Yum!
Awkward:
- Sister Facer tried to pay for groceries with her library card
- At dinner with the Harmons, Bro. Harmon told Stephen to go get Charlie. Who is Charlie? Don't worry just a huge snake that I held!
- The Spanish Elders didn't realize that Sisters were living in the apartment so they knocked on the back door and freaked us out.
- Saw a guy running in a toga and a headlamp in the middle of the day.
- We smashed a spider on our wall and were too lazy to clean it up so now we have spider guts on our wall.
- We were so tired we couldn't stop laughing for the prayer.
- There was this stupid cat sitting right outside the car meowing while we were parked and making calls. My window was down and I thought it was going to jump through into the car.
- There is a truck that honks at us every morning during our run and we cannot figure out who it is.
- I almost got hit by a car while running. But I didn't, so we're good!
- Miguel Sandino is very white considering his name.
- Sister Facer forgot her name tag and didn't realize until we got to the half mission conference with a General Authority. She borrowed Elder Foyston's extra one.
- Woke up super early for ward council, and when we got to the church there was no one there. Yep that's right, no ward council.
- We got laughing so hard we both peed our pants a little. No bueno.
- Sister Facer found a bug in her dinner.
Awesome:
- Sister Dixon, the Relief Society Pres already loves us and gave us two referrals the first day.
- Camden Bushey's 5 year old prayer was the most precious thing I have ever heard in my life!
- I asked Hadley Bushey how the Nephites gained strength over the Lamanites and she said, "They shooted 'em!" I think I like the family ward.
- In District Meeting we played time trial 42 principles, and I got to the finals against Elder Richins.
- Started a prank war with the Spanish Elders.
- Got an actual appointment with Rick and Beth and Sister Dixon has been fasting for us.
- Hermana Anderson's favorite animal is an owl and she is an English major at Utah State. Obviously we were meant to be friends.
- Part of our Relief Society lesson was decorating a sugar cookie. Don't worry it had a purpose and it wasn't until the end. It was actually a really good lesson.
- Sister Dixon says we are rockstars because we got a less active to come to church who hasn't been in 4 years!
Awkward:
- Sister Facer tried to pay for groceries with her library card
- At dinner with the Harmons, Bro. Harmon told Stephen to go get Charlie. Who is Charlie? Don't worry just a huge snake that I held!
- The Spanish Elders didn't realize that Sisters were living in the apartment so they knocked on the back door and freaked us out.
- Saw a guy running in a toga and a headlamp in the middle of the day.
- We smashed a spider on our wall and were too lazy to clean it up so now we have spider guts on our wall.
- We were so tired we couldn't stop laughing for the prayer.
- There was this stupid cat sitting right outside the car meowing while we were parked and making calls. My window was down and I thought it was going to jump through into the car.
- There is a truck that honks at us every morning during our run and we cannot figure out who it is.
- I almost got hit by a car while running. But I didn't, so we're good!
- Miguel Sandino is very white considering his name.
- Sister Facer forgot her name tag and didn't realize until we got to the half mission conference with a General Authority. She borrowed Elder Foyston's extra one.
- Woke up super early for ward council, and when we got to the church there was no one there. Yep that's right, no ward council.
- We got laughing so hard we both peed our pants a little. No bueno.
- Sister Facer found a bug in her dinner.
Awesome:
- Sister Dixon, the Relief Society Pres already loves us and gave us two referrals the first day.
- Camden Bushey's 5 year old prayer was the most precious thing I have ever heard in my life!
- I asked Hadley Bushey how the Nephites gained strength over the Lamanites and she said, "They shooted 'em!" I think I like the family ward.
- In District Meeting we played time trial 42 principles, and I got to the finals against Elder Richins.
- Started a prank war with the Spanish Elders.
- Got an actual appointment with Rick and Beth and Sister Dixon has been fasting for us.
- Hermana Anderson's favorite animal is an owl and she is an English major at Utah State. Obviously we were meant to be friends.
- Part of our Relief Society lesson was decorating a sugar cookie. Don't worry it had a purpose and it wasn't until the end. It was actually a really good lesson.
- Sister Dixon says we are rockstars because we got a less active to come to church who hasn't been in 4 years!
Monday, September 17, 2012
No A&A this week...
No awkward and awesome this week:( But that's completely understandable because Sister Hyde and Sister Facer are BUSY! They're in Petaluma now and there is so much to do! The area has been closed for almost a full transfer now, so they definitely have their work cut out for them. Apparently the Elders there were majorly disobedient... So they've got a lot of trust to earn back in the ward. If anyone can do it, Ann Marie can though. She loves the gospel so much and the light of Christ is all around her, so I'm sure the members will love her. And her comp sounds great:) We'll keep you updated:)
1124 Baywood Dr.
Apt. 119
Petaluma, CA 94955
1124 Baywood Dr.
Apt. 119
Petaluma, CA 94955
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
A lovely little A&A
Awkward:
- We were asked 3 times at Safeway if we needed help. We must have looked very lost. Never mind the fact that we do our grocery shopping there every P-day.
- Got the elders all excited about a hike in some Redwoods, but then we didn't have enough miles and they were very disappointed in our semi less glamorous hiking option.
- Laur, there is a new creepy pool guy.
- We keep seeing this guy who has really really tight black pants, and he's everywhere!
- I was bearing my testimony at Adam's and all of the sudden Phantom of the Opera came on. Like the main theme dramatic song.
- Twice this week I went to the bathroom and there was no toilet paper. Again! Thank goodness for companions.
- I almost fell in the font when we were testing the water temperature.
- Brother Stockton got locked out of the font, and Elizabeth was standing in the font by herself while he came and got the keys.
- Having to stand in the middle in the game "Signs"
Awesome:
- I told Diego that I like his orange backpack and he said, "Thanks, I'll tell Dora you think so." Haha witty that boy is.
- Witnessing what may have been the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen while testifying to Oliver that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and that was proof.
- I met real life Peeta! And he's from New Zealand.
- Sharlie Erb's (formerly Orrock) Harry Potter party pictures.
- Telling Anthony he seems lighter, like brighter with the Spirit, but he said, "Yeah I have been losing some weight." Sister Orrock tried to save the day and explain for me, but Anthony knew what I meant, he was just being a jokester.
- 2 baptisms in one day. We went to Terrence's in the Shiloh Park ward and then had Elizabeth's.
- Stainback drew "the gorilla" from his gorilla story in my journal.
- We were asked 3 times at Safeway if we needed help. We must have looked very lost. Never mind the fact that we do our grocery shopping there every P-day.
- Got the elders all excited about a hike in some Redwoods, but then we didn't have enough miles and they were very disappointed in our semi less glamorous hiking option.
- Laur, there is a new creepy pool guy.
- We keep seeing this guy who has really really tight black pants, and he's everywhere!
- I was bearing my testimony at Adam's and all of the sudden Phantom of the Opera came on. Like the main theme dramatic song.
- Twice this week I went to the bathroom and there was no toilet paper. Again! Thank goodness for companions.
- I almost fell in the font when we were testing the water temperature.
- Brother Stockton got locked out of the font, and Elizabeth was standing in the font by herself while he came and got the keys.
- Having to stand in the middle in the game "Signs"
Awesome:
- I told Diego that I like his orange backpack and he said, "Thanks, I'll tell Dora you think so." Haha witty that boy is.
- Witnessing what may have been the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen while testifying to Oliver that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and that was proof.
- I met real life Peeta! And he's from New Zealand.
- Sharlie Erb's (formerly Orrock) Harry Potter party pictures.
- Telling Anthony he seems lighter, like brighter with the Spirit, but he said, "Yeah I have been losing some weight." Sister Orrock tried to save the day and explain for me, but Anthony knew what I meant, he was just being a jokester.
- 2 baptisms in one day. We went to Terrence's in the Shiloh Park ward and then had Elizabeth's.
- Stainback drew "the gorilla" from his gorilla story in my journal.
Monday, September 3, 2012
I like this letter:)
Here are just a few gems. Love that Ann Marie:)
****
Tuesday was our miracle contacting day. We kept setting appointments and talking to cool people and everyone was super nice. It was uncharacteristically fantastic! We also met this guy named Cricket who is homeless by choice. When the weather is bad he sleeps in his friend's shed, but other than that he's a roamer. I'm not really sure why you would want to be homeless, but whatevs. To each his own. He's been meeting with the elders so he was kinda bummed to see us. He thought the elders had been transferred. He was happy to find out that we were in a different ward. The people you meet on the mish :) haha
Elizabeth Northrup is getting baptized on Saturday September 8. We also set another baptismal date for September 28. Baptisms are like my favorite thing ever! Keep praying for Elizabeth this week, she is going to be facing a lot of opposition this week.
I was really grateful for Sister Briggs on Thursday night, a lot of stuff had been building up and bothering me and I just had to get it all out. I heard a quote that said, "The faith that can't be shaken is the faith that has been shaken." I think I got a little taste of that this last week. I was questioning some things, but I am so much better now. I think the Lord let's us struggle a little bit, sometimes a lot a bit so that we can prove to ourselves how strong we are. He already knows we will get through it, but He lets us find out that we can.
****
Tuesday was our miracle contacting day. We kept setting appointments and talking to cool people and everyone was super nice. It was uncharacteristically fantastic! We also met this guy named Cricket who is homeless by choice. When the weather is bad he sleeps in his friend's shed, but other than that he's a roamer. I'm not really sure why you would want to be homeless, but whatevs. To each his own. He's been meeting with the elders so he was kinda bummed to see us. He thought the elders had been transferred. He was happy to find out that we were in a different ward. The people you meet on the mish :) haha
Elizabeth Northrup is getting baptized on Saturday September 8. We also set another baptismal date for September 28. Baptisms are like my favorite thing ever! Keep praying for Elizabeth this week, she is going to be facing a lot of opposition this week.
I was really grateful for Sister Briggs on Thursday night, a lot of stuff had been building up and bothering me and I just had to get it all out. I heard a quote that said, "The faith that can't be shaken is the faith that has been shaken." I think I got a little taste of that this last week. I was questioning some things, but I am so much better now. I think the Lord let's us struggle a little bit, sometimes a lot a bit so that we can prove to ourselves how strong we are. He already knows we will get through it, but He lets us find out that we can.
We're never sick of A&A!
Are you sick of these yet? Because I'm not! And you better pray that Sister Orrock and I get another transfer together because we have a super great idea for this little P-day gem! Anyway let's get on with it.
Awkward:
- Going to the bathroom and realizing there was no toilet paper. Thank goodness for companions.
- Asking Elder Rollins if we could copy his CD and he said, "You know that's illegal right?" So we said, "Never mind." And his companion Elder Verdugo said, "He's just kidding!" Well he wasn't. Haha yes we are sinners for asking.
- Jeff Evans asked us at dinner how much weight we've gained on our missions. A good rule of thumb would be just don't ask girls about their weight. Haha it was funny, but went unanswered. He did tell us on his mission he gained 7 lbs in 5 hours on Thanksgiving. Bleh.
- We parked our car in front of this less active's house, knocked on the door, no one was home, so we turned around to go back to the car. As soon as we turned around the sprinklers came on. Of course that would happen.
- We share online time, but the church's internet has been a little etch-a-sketch. I went to log off facebook so Sister Orrock could have a turn and as soon as I logged out, the internet died. No online time for Sister O.
- Our next door neighbors were playing karaoke while we were weekly planning. We could hear them through the wall and they weren't very good.
Awesome:
- Ran into Anthony on our way to do email at the JC. Coincidence? I think not!
- Finally met our elusive neighbor. We were beginning to wonder if he was real. His car just appears and disappears and we'd never seen him. Now we have, so the mystery is solved.
- Met June from Scotland while I was on exchanges. She is super spunky and when we left she said, "Cheerio!"
- We had a miracle contacting day and picked up a new investigator named Andrea.
- Ran into Elder Buchan and Elder Hanson while we were on our morning run. Buchan is here on exchanges. Man I miss that guy!
- Sister Orrock and I had a total Harry Potter geek out and decided what characters each missionary in our zone is most like. I'm a toss up between Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood.
- We text Lois to see if she wanted to come to church. She replied, "I was just thinking about you and reading 1 Nephi. Yes I'll be at church." Well guess what? We asked her to read 2 Nephi 2, not 1 Nephi.... Someone is doing extra reading!
Awkward:
- Going to the bathroom and realizing there was no toilet paper. Thank goodness for companions.
- Asking Elder Rollins if we could copy his CD and he said, "You know that's illegal right?" So we said, "Never mind." And his companion Elder Verdugo said, "He's just kidding!" Well he wasn't. Haha yes we are sinners for asking.
- Jeff Evans asked us at dinner how much weight we've gained on our missions. A good rule of thumb would be just don't ask girls about their weight. Haha it was funny, but went unanswered. He did tell us on his mission he gained 7 lbs in 5 hours on Thanksgiving. Bleh.
- We parked our car in front of this less active's house, knocked on the door, no one was home, so we turned around to go back to the car. As soon as we turned around the sprinklers came on. Of course that would happen.
- We share online time, but the church's internet has been a little etch-a-sketch. I went to log off facebook so Sister Orrock could have a turn and as soon as I logged out, the internet died. No online time for Sister O.
- Our next door neighbors were playing karaoke while we were weekly planning. We could hear them through the wall and they weren't very good.
Awesome:
- Ran into Anthony on our way to do email at the JC. Coincidence? I think not!
- Finally met our elusive neighbor. We were beginning to wonder if he was real. His car just appears and disappears and we'd never seen him. Now we have, so the mystery is solved.
- Met June from Scotland while I was on exchanges. She is super spunky and when we left she said, "Cheerio!"
- We had a miracle contacting day and picked up a new investigator named Andrea.
- Ran into Elder Buchan and Elder Hanson while we were on our morning run. Buchan is here on exchanges. Man I miss that guy!
- Sister Orrock and I had a total Harry Potter geek out and decided what characters each missionary in our zone is most like. I'm a toss up between Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood.
- We text Lois to see if she wanted to come to church. She replied, "I was just thinking about you and reading 1 Nephi. Yes I'll be at church." Well guess what? We asked her to read 2 Nephi 2, not 1 Nephi.... Someone is doing extra reading!
Monday, August 27, 2012
A&A
Awkward:
- David (a less active) left us a message of him singing and playing the guitar. When we called him back he didn't remember doing that. It is sad what drugs can do to you.
- Stan Laughlin ripping on South Koreans and how he got a South Korean deported while we had Sister Lim with us. Sister Lim is from South Korea.
- We went to see Wilbert and his sister told us that we should probably come back because he was having digestive problems and had been in the bathroom for a while. How embarrassing for him.
- I forgot that I'm not allowed to hold kids and I asked Leda's cute niece Vanessa if she wanted to sit on my lap, and then both Leda and Sister Orrock yelled, "No. She can't!" Haha I wasn't trying to be disobedient, just one of the hazards of serving in a singles ward. I don't ever face that problem.
- Leda's sister after dinner telling us that the pizza crust was whole wheat so it might move stuff along a little faster if you know what I mean.
Awesome:
- Tuvili is back and thanks to his being a JC student, I can email you today.
- Watching the ward play 'Anteater' at FHE was maybe one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
- Julie asked me if I've ever worn pants, and telling me she was sorry I can't eat chocolate. Two Mormon myths I hadn't heard before.
- We wanted to contact this guy, but then he crossed the street and went the other way so we didn't get to, then we drove somewhere else and he was there! So we talked to him.
- Elizabeth is getting baptized on September 8!
- We are still working on converting the JC football team, we now know 11 of them.
- I was serenading Sister Orrock with the song from My Best Friend's Wedding "Say a Little Prayer for You" and then we went into Walgreens and it was on the radio.
- Lizzie wins! I love my yellow owl lip gloss. Two of my favorites, plus it kinda looks like a Furby so that's great :)
- David (a less active) left us a message of him singing and playing the guitar. When we called him back he didn't remember doing that. It is sad what drugs can do to you.
- Stan Laughlin ripping on South Koreans and how he got a South Korean deported while we had Sister Lim with us. Sister Lim is from South Korea.
- We went to see Wilbert and his sister told us that we should probably come back because he was having digestive problems and had been in the bathroom for a while. How embarrassing for him.
- I forgot that I'm not allowed to hold kids and I asked Leda's cute niece Vanessa if she wanted to sit on my lap, and then both Leda and Sister Orrock yelled, "No. She can't!" Haha I wasn't trying to be disobedient, just one of the hazards of serving in a singles ward. I don't ever face that problem.
- Leda's sister after dinner telling us that the pizza crust was whole wheat so it might move stuff along a little faster if you know what I mean.
Awesome:
- Tuvili is back and thanks to his being a JC student, I can email you today.
- Watching the ward play 'Anteater' at FHE was maybe one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
- Julie asked me if I've ever worn pants, and telling me she was sorry I can't eat chocolate. Two Mormon myths I hadn't heard before.
- We wanted to contact this guy, but then he crossed the street and went the other way so we didn't get to, then we drove somewhere else and he was there! So we talked to him.
- Elizabeth is getting baptized on September 8!
- We are still working on converting the JC football team, we now know 11 of them.
- I was serenading Sister Orrock with the song from My Best Friend's Wedding "Say a Little Prayer for You" and then we went into Walgreens and it was on the radio.
- Lizzie wins! I love my yellow owl lip gloss. Two of my favorites, plus it kinda looks like a Furby so that's great :)
Monday, August 20, 2012
A&A
For reasons still unbeknownst to me, this week was a little heavy on the awkwards. It was still an awesome week over all. Maybe the awkward moments were just more noticeable than the awesomes? I don't know, but here you have it:
Awkward:
- Ok actually this one isn't so much awkward as sad (and Maddie I know you will understand.) Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy in concert 2 miles from my apartment.
- Bro. Harrington telling us we needed to pick a new dinner message because he'd heard that one before. We couldn't tell if he was kidding or not, so we gave our message anyway.
- A lady watering her front yard in nothing but a towel.
- Sister Facer and I making a goal to have more faith in our finding. The Lord helped us out because we ended up having to tract for hours.
- I made David give me his "joint" (weed) and then I freaked out because I've never held drugs before, and I didn't know what to do with it. I threw it in the trash and then sanitized my hands profusely.
- Sister Orrock and I both being very distracted while trying to teach Oliver because his eyes are so beautiful!
- Rabbi wearing a bike helmet. I don't know why it was awkward, but it was.
- Seeing a girl "flap her wings" and fly with her Batman cape across the crosswalk. Don't do drugs my friends. If you're considering it, take a walk in downtown Santa Rosa and you will quickly change your mind.
- The prairie dog laugh came out and Sister Orrock almost died from lack of oxygen she was laughing so hard.
- We had a not on our car that said, "sorry for the dent". So we called the fleet coordinator and gave him the number only to find out later that is was a prank and Elder Stainback left the note!
- We made a goal to practice more patience and not check the mail till the end of the day. Of course the next day we saw mail trucks everywhere taunting us. We didn't have any mail that night :(
- A guy saying, "That's right. That's right." as we ran past him in the morning. Gross.
Awesome:
- Got an owl bracelet, because I'm kind of obsessed.
- Anthony text us and invited us to come over for a lesson. Investigators never take the initiative.
- Call from Rachel Webb about Jessica (please refer to family email for the deets)
- I finally learned how to whistle! Cameron, Kyle, and Dal Pal would be so proud.
- Stainback told me his gorilla story, and I'm pretty sure it is the funniest story I've ever heard!
- Barbara said I invited Anthony to be baptized "like a boss" haha.
- President Monson's 85th birthday celebration. Particularly that lady's bright yellow dress. Where can I get one?
- We found the cutest little neighbor on Proctor and Clyde. It looks like it belongs in a 1950s film. The houses have "character" as mom would say.
- We have to have a girl at any lesson we teach to a single guy, Robby provided the girl and then we found out she's a member. Perfect!
Awkward:
- Ok actually this one isn't so much awkward as sad (and Maddie I know you will understand.) Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy in concert 2 miles from my apartment.
- Bro. Harrington telling us we needed to pick a new dinner message because he'd heard that one before. We couldn't tell if he was kidding or not, so we gave our message anyway.
- A lady watering her front yard in nothing but a towel.
- Sister Facer and I making a goal to have more faith in our finding. The Lord helped us out because we ended up having to tract for hours.
- I made David give me his "joint" (weed) and then I freaked out because I've never held drugs before, and I didn't know what to do with it. I threw it in the trash and then sanitized my hands profusely.
- Sister Orrock and I both being very distracted while trying to teach Oliver because his eyes are so beautiful!
- Rabbi wearing a bike helmet. I don't know why it was awkward, but it was.
- Seeing a girl "flap her wings" and fly with her Batman cape across the crosswalk. Don't do drugs my friends. If you're considering it, take a walk in downtown Santa Rosa and you will quickly change your mind.
- The prairie dog laugh came out and Sister Orrock almost died from lack of oxygen she was laughing so hard.
- We had a not on our car that said, "sorry for the dent". So we called the fleet coordinator and gave him the number only to find out later that is was a prank and Elder Stainback left the note!
- We made a goal to practice more patience and not check the mail till the end of the day. Of course the next day we saw mail trucks everywhere taunting us. We didn't have any mail that night :(
- A guy saying, "That's right. That's right." as we ran past him in the morning. Gross.
Awesome:
- Got an owl bracelet, because I'm kind of obsessed.
- Anthony text us and invited us to come over for a lesson. Investigators never take the initiative.
- Call from Rachel Webb about Jessica (please refer to family email for the deets)
- I finally learned how to whistle! Cameron, Kyle, and Dal Pal would be so proud.
- Stainback told me his gorilla story, and I'm pretty sure it is the funniest story I've ever heard!
- Barbara said I invited Anthony to be baptized "like a boss" haha.
- President Monson's 85th birthday celebration. Particularly that lady's bright yellow dress. Where can I get one?
- We found the cutest little neighbor on Proctor and Clyde. It looks like it belongs in a 1950s film. The houses have "character" as mom would say.
- We have to have a girl at any lesson we teach to a single guy, Robby provided the girl and then we found out she's a member. Perfect!
Monday, August 13, 2012
A&A of course
Sister Orrock and I are just having too much fun together! And as a result, plenty of awkward and awesome moments are coming our way! We went over my list last night before going to bed and we just had a laughing attack over our funny week. They probably won't seem so awkward or awesome to you, but believe me, they were. Haha here ya go:
Awkward:
- Kama noted that he will be 21 when I get back from my mission, and that is significant because "he might have a chance with me."
- Elder Edwards is now wearing Stainback's fake glasses. It is becoming an elder trend to wear non prescription glasses so they look smarter.
- Ronnie (a door contact) telling us we have beautiful faces in Italian.
- Another contact, Justin, admitting after like 20 minutes of talking to us that he was only talking to us because he wanted to kiss us, and when he realized that wasn't going to happen he was out of there.
- We had to take Lil' Red (our car) to the Toyota dealership to get fixed, we felt very of the world with the politics on and the radio. It was uncomfortable.
- Kolton feeding us dinner on his birthday.
- Elder Stainback and Lenon leaving us a sticky note telling us how great we are and how much they love us. They were upset because they thought we were being ungrateful because we didn't say anything only to realize that they left the note on apt. 17's door, and we live in #11.
- I'm probably going to bleed out and die because I've been getting bloody noses every morning.
- Eluid's boyfriend Johnny literally popping out of nowhere to tell us that Eluid and Jairo weren't home and that we need to stay hydrated because it was supposed to be 105 degrees, and then he disappeared again.
- Yohan asking for advice about which job to take and before I could even respond he said, "Don't tell me to pray about it." So I didn't have an answer because that's the only advice I had.
Awesome:
- We split groceries and each of our total came to $11.11. Magical!!
- Perfect timing seeing Meagan on the street and turning around to go teach her a lesson. There are no coincidences.
- Another no coincidence running into Patrick as he was walking to work and setting up an appointment with him.
- I saw an owl bobble head on the dashboard of a parked car. I really wanted it.
- Phillip actually read the Continuous Atonement that I let him borrow, and he loved it! He came to church yesterday!
- Elizabeth, an online investigator, is moving here this week and wants to be baptized! Yeah for online work!!
- Kama is back in Rosa!
- My sisters sending me owls. You guys are so cute!
- This was almost awkward, but then I realized it was too awesome to be awkward: Some serious Yoda hair and my crazy self coming out after a long day. Sister Orrock didn't even think I was weird because she was holding the ends of a slinky up to her eyes like glasses. We laughed to hard! My abs are still hurting.
- Healdsburger is a burger joint in the town of Healdsburg. How unoriginally clever haha.
- We made funfetti cupcakes during weekly planning.
- Michael McAllister calling the elders "sister dudes".
Awkward:
- Kama noted that he will be 21 when I get back from my mission, and that is significant because "he might have a chance with me."
- Elder Edwards is now wearing Stainback's fake glasses. It is becoming an elder trend to wear non prescription glasses so they look smarter.
- Ronnie (a door contact) telling us we have beautiful faces in Italian.
- Another contact, Justin, admitting after like 20 minutes of talking to us that he was only talking to us because he wanted to kiss us, and when he realized that wasn't going to happen he was out of there.
- We had to take Lil' Red (our car) to the Toyota dealership to get fixed, we felt very of the world with the politics on and the radio. It was uncomfortable.
- Kolton feeding us dinner on his birthday.
- Elder Stainback and Lenon leaving us a sticky note telling us how great we are and how much they love us. They were upset because they thought we were being ungrateful because we didn't say anything only to realize that they left the note on apt. 17's door, and we live in #11.
- I'm probably going to bleed out and die because I've been getting bloody noses every morning.
- Eluid's boyfriend Johnny literally popping out of nowhere to tell us that Eluid and Jairo weren't home and that we need to stay hydrated because it was supposed to be 105 degrees, and then he disappeared again.
- Yohan asking for advice about which job to take and before I could even respond he said, "Don't tell me to pray about it." So I didn't have an answer because that's the only advice I had.
Awesome:
- We split groceries and each of our total came to $11.11. Magical!!
- Perfect timing seeing Meagan on the street and turning around to go teach her a lesson. There are no coincidences.
- Another no coincidence running into Patrick as he was walking to work and setting up an appointment with him.
- I saw an owl bobble head on the dashboard of a parked car. I really wanted it.
- Phillip actually read the Continuous Atonement that I let him borrow, and he loved it! He came to church yesterday!
- Elizabeth, an online investigator, is moving here this week and wants to be baptized! Yeah for online work!!
- Kama is back in Rosa!
- My sisters sending me owls. You guys are so cute!
- This was almost awkward, but then I realized it was too awesome to be awkward: Some serious Yoda hair and my crazy self coming out after a long day. Sister Orrock didn't even think I was weird because she was holding the ends of a slinky up to her eyes like glasses. We laughed to hard! My abs are still hurting.
- Healdsburger is a burger joint in the town of Healdsburg. How unoriginally clever haha.
- We made funfetti cupcakes during weekly planning.
- Michael McAllister calling the elders "sister dudes".
Monday, August 6, 2012
A&A P-day
First of all, Maddie I loved your joke! Of course I did. I always love dumb jokes. And second of all. Here is awkward and awesome P-day:
Awkward:
- Sitting in Israel's front room for like 15 minutes waiting for him to get home while his 5 little yappy dogs barked at us and his mom spoke Spanish at the speed of light. He didn't show up, so we left.
- We invited someone named Courtney to church, but we couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl. The name Courtney could go either way. It didn't really matter in the end because he or she didn't come anyway.
- Heavenly Soft brand tissues are neither heavenly nor soft. That's deceitful.
- It was more hilarious than awkward when we forgot to shut the trunk and started driving down windy Calistoga Road and there was a car behind us and nowhere to pull off for a while so we just kept going. Trunk open and all.
- People were confused at the reception as to whether we were missionaries or caterers. At least Sister Orrock's and my serving skills got put to use.
Awesome:
- I looked at the clock at 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, and 5:55 all in one day. Kinda crazy, but kinda cool.
- Sister Orrock used to be teaching an alcoholic named Dave Maholic. Rhyming is funny.
- I taught my first lesson online :)
- The word unicorn is in the Bible Dictionary. I knew that they were magical.
- We needed to check the oil, but had nothing to wipe the dip stick with until I remembered the deceitful Heavenly Soft tissue in my backpack, I guess it was a little heavenly after all.
- Picked up 3 new investigators in 3 days.
- I got to pick the "get to know you" question in Relief Society, and everyone loved it. The question was, What Disney character would you be and why? Of course I picked Peter Pan so that I would never have to grow up and I could fly.
Awkward:
- Sitting in Israel's front room for like 15 minutes waiting for him to get home while his 5 little yappy dogs barked at us and his mom spoke Spanish at the speed of light. He didn't show up, so we left.
- We invited someone named Courtney to church, but we couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl. The name Courtney could go either way. It didn't really matter in the end because he or she didn't come anyway.
- Heavenly Soft brand tissues are neither heavenly nor soft. That's deceitful.
- It was more hilarious than awkward when we forgot to shut the trunk and started driving down windy Calistoga Road and there was a car behind us and nowhere to pull off for a while so we just kept going. Trunk open and all.
- People were confused at the reception as to whether we were missionaries or caterers. At least Sister Orrock's and my serving skills got put to use.
Awesome:
- I looked at the clock at 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, and 5:55 all in one day. Kinda crazy, but kinda cool.
- Sister Orrock used to be teaching an alcoholic named Dave Maholic. Rhyming is funny.
- I taught my first lesson online :)
- The word unicorn is in the Bible Dictionary. I knew that they were magical.
- We needed to check the oil, but had nothing to wipe the dip stick with until I remembered the deceitful Heavenly Soft tissue in my backpack, I guess it was a little heavenly after all.
- Picked up 3 new investigators in 3 days.
- I got to pick the "get to know you" question in Relief Society, and everyone loved it. The question was, What Disney character would you be and why? Of course I picked Peter Pan so that I would never have to grow up and I could fly.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Speed A&A
I have to be an A&A speed racer right now because I'm almost out of time! Here it is:
Awkward:
- On P-day last week the SR North and South Zones all played ultimate frisbee. First of all I will never be a ultimate frisbee champ, but the awkward part was when all of our phones got mixed up. The APs took Shiloh Park's and Shiloh Park took ours and the AP's was lost and gone forever. What a mess trying to get them to the right person, especially since we had no phone to contact them.
- Sister Erlebach and I match even when we're not companions. Great minds think alike.
- Kolton and Sogi and Nate took us to dinner. Kolton ran out of water so he said, "I need water"and grabbed mine out of my hands and drank it all! I was thirsty too Kolton.
- I was saying a prayer and Brother Evans said "Amen" before I was done. He's hard of hearing, so everyone just looked at me and I wrapped it up real quick.
Awesome:
- I was Sister Simnitt's 11th companion. That's a little magical wouldn't you say?
- We went to Baskin Robbins for my half birthday. Why did I never celebrate those before?
- I'm staying in Redwoods! Woot woot!
- Sister Palu had unicorns on her shirt. Ashley would have died of happiness. I almost did.
- Kellie had Disney stamps on her letter!
Awkward:
- On P-day last week the SR North and South Zones all played ultimate frisbee. First of all I will never be a ultimate frisbee champ, but the awkward part was when all of our phones got mixed up. The APs took Shiloh Park's and Shiloh Park took ours and the AP's was lost and gone forever. What a mess trying to get them to the right person, especially since we had no phone to contact them.
- Sister Erlebach and I match even when we're not companions. Great minds think alike.
- Kolton and Sogi and Nate took us to dinner. Kolton ran out of water so he said, "I need water"and grabbed mine out of my hands and drank it all! I was thirsty too Kolton.
- I was saying a prayer and Brother Evans said "Amen" before I was done. He's hard of hearing, so everyone just looked at me and I wrapped it up real quick.
Awesome:
- I was Sister Simnitt's 11th companion. That's a little magical wouldn't you say?
- We went to Baskin Robbins for my half birthday. Why did I never celebrate those before?
- I'm staying in Redwoods! Woot woot!
- Sister Palu had unicorns on her shirt. Ashley would have died of happiness. I almost did.
- Kellie had Disney stamps on her letter!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Awkward and Awesome P-day
This week things tend to be more lengthy on the awesome side. I hope you all like reading my lists. I know they can get long, but I just have so much fun telling you all the obscure things that happen that don't usually get into the weekly email. I love you all! Here we go!
Awkward:
- I have totally missionary brain because this week we were in this yummy restaurant called Panera Bread. They had some calm classical type of music playing and I thought for sure it was the hymn Joseph's Smith's First Prayer. I even said it was cool that that song was playing until Sister Simnitt pointed out that I'm actually crazy.
- Having curry breath and no mints after dinner at Laurel's
- Elder Mabry asked me who died because apparently I looked like I was dressed for a funeral. Note to self: Don't wear a black skirt and black sweater even if you are wearing a blue and purple polka dot shirt with it because you will look depressed.
- Asher and Steven Benhershal talking about Japanese Anime and I knew what Kiki's Delivery Service was. (Haha Kellie remember that?)
- An investigator mixing up 1 Nephi 3:7 and 3 Nephi 3:7. Look them up and you will understand why that is awkward.
- We called Elders Stainback and Anderson to tell them about our miracle, Tom, and we tell Elder Stainback all this info - we're super excited! And his only response was, "Crazy. That's the same last 4 digits of my home phone number." For real?!
Awesome:
- The mail man knows who I am and he knows exactly what I want when I come say hello to him. On Monday we walk up and he handed me a package before we even said anything. There is also this cute little old man who always asks if we've gotten any love letters. He was a little bummed that it was from my sister and said, "what's the problem with these boys?" You tell me sir. Haha he's precious.
- Elders Stainback and Anderson came to our apartment to bring us drinks that weren't Mountain Dew so we would actually drink them. I just thought that was sweet, and I'm glad Elder Stainback finally gave up on trying to convince me to like soda.
- Travis Wilson (a very recently returned missionary in our ward) answered the phone as Elder Wilson.
- Tom knocking on our door! I will include the deets in the weekly email.
- Andrew volunteering to read and then surprising us all when he read Satan's part in a deep evil sounding voice. I couldn't stop laughing in Sunday School. I know it was irreverent, but it was so funny!
- Bishop has this Jewish friend that sent him this article about DNA research that has been done with Native Americans. I guess they have found that Native American DNA stems from or is really similar to Israeli DNA and it is believed that Native Americans come from Israeli descent. The Jewish guy wrote at the bottom of the article, "I guess Joseph Smith was right." Of course he was right! The Book of Mormon is true! I just thought that was cool.
Awkward:
- I have totally missionary brain because this week we were in this yummy restaurant called Panera Bread. They had some calm classical type of music playing and I thought for sure it was the hymn Joseph's Smith's First Prayer. I even said it was cool that that song was playing until Sister Simnitt pointed out that I'm actually crazy.
- Having curry breath and no mints after dinner at Laurel's
- Elder Mabry asked me who died because apparently I looked like I was dressed for a funeral. Note to self: Don't wear a black skirt and black sweater even if you are wearing a blue and purple polka dot shirt with it because you will look depressed.
- Asher and Steven Benhershal talking about Japanese Anime and I knew what Kiki's Delivery Service was. (Haha Kellie remember that?)
- An investigator mixing up 1 Nephi 3:7 and 3 Nephi 3:7. Look them up and you will understand why that is awkward.
- We called Elders Stainback and Anderson to tell them about our miracle, Tom, and we tell Elder Stainback all this info - we're super excited! And his only response was, "Crazy. That's the same last 4 digits of my home phone number." For real?!
Awesome:
- The mail man knows who I am and he knows exactly what I want when I come say hello to him. On Monday we walk up and he handed me a package before we even said anything. There is also this cute little old man who always asks if we've gotten any love letters. He was a little bummed that it was from my sister and said, "what's the problem with these boys?" You tell me sir. Haha he's precious.
- Elders Stainback and Anderson came to our apartment to bring us drinks that weren't Mountain Dew so we would actually drink them. I just thought that was sweet, and I'm glad Elder Stainback finally gave up on trying to convince me to like soda.
- Travis Wilson (a very recently returned missionary in our ward) answered the phone as Elder Wilson.
- Tom knocking on our door! I will include the deets in the weekly email.
- Andrew volunteering to read and then surprising us all when he read Satan's part in a deep evil sounding voice. I couldn't stop laughing in Sunday School. I know it was irreverent, but it was so funny!
- Bishop has this Jewish friend that sent him this article about DNA research that has been done with Native Americans. I guess they have found that Native American DNA stems from or is really similar to Israeli DNA and it is believed that Native Americans come from Israeli descent. The Jewish guy wrote at the bottom of the article, "I guess Joseph Smith was right." Of course he was right! The Book of Mormon is true! I just thought that was cool.
Monday, July 16, 2012
A&A
I tend to just run out of time, and last week I was hurrying to get to the beach. My apologies for the lack of Awkward and Awesome. I will attempt to make up for it by giving you 2 weeks worth.
Awkward:
- The amount of food I am expected and attempt to eat when dining with Polynesians. We had 3 Poly dinners last week and I felt like I was going to explode.
- I was on exchanges with Hermana McKay and we were talking to Elders Ellsworth and Jacobson. We were actually discussing the fact that I'm exchange sister and Ellsworth said, "Don't they usually call good sisters to be exchange sister?" to wish I got defensive. "What are you trying to say?!" Oh don't worry that he was trying to compliment me and I thought it was an insult haha.
- Sister Simnitt and I arguing over who had to go to the bathroom more and how long they would take. You guys have no idea what a missionary's stomach goes through even in the States.
- We went to contact a referral and the Jehovah's Witnesses were there. We left.
- Sister Simnitt mocks me because when I get stressed out or excited I keep saying, "Oh my goodness!" like every two seconds. I sound like Annie. Leapin' Lizards!
- First day on my mission (maybe in my life) that I didn't floss.
- Elder Stainback keeps giving me Mountain Dew because he's determined to make me like it. I told him my family has tried to get me to like soda for 21 years and failed so his odds aren't looking good. He left a Mountain Dew by our front door the next day.
Awesome:
- I got bangs. Actually Sister Simnitt cut my bangs, and they're cute!
- We went to see Ravai and his mom and his mom had so many questions about the Book of Mormon.
- Kylie Hall made Perry the Platypus out of legos.
- Elders gave Iesha a blessing and it was amazing!
- Exchanges with Hermana McKay. We stayed up till midnight talking. Oops.
- The Beach!!!
- Hermana McKay collects rubber ducks and loves Disneyland as much as I do. I'm pretty sure we were friends in the Pre-earth life.
- Sister Carro can do a really good Izma and Kronk impression from the Emperor's New Groove.
- The Sacramento temple is beautiful! I want to get married there.
- I told Elder Stainback again that I don't like Mountain Dew and Elder Brazelton said that's "dew"spicable.
- I met a man named Mike and he's from Ireland. Loved love his accent!
- Exchanges with sister Biggs
Awkward:
- The amount of food I am expected and attempt to eat when dining with Polynesians. We had 3 Poly dinners last week and I felt like I was going to explode.
- I was on exchanges with Hermana McKay and we were talking to Elders Ellsworth and Jacobson. We were actually discussing the fact that I'm exchange sister and Ellsworth said, "Don't they usually call good sisters to be exchange sister?" to wish I got defensive. "What are you trying to say?!" Oh don't worry that he was trying to compliment me and I thought it was an insult haha.
- Sister Simnitt and I arguing over who had to go to the bathroom more and how long they would take. You guys have no idea what a missionary's stomach goes through even in the States.
- We went to contact a referral and the Jehovah's Witnesses were there. We left.
- Sister Simnitt mocks me because when I get stressed out or excited I keep saying, "Oh my goodness!" like every two seconds. I sound like Annie. Leapin' Lizards!
- First day on my mission (maybe in my life) that I didn't floss.
- Elder Stainback keeps giving me Mountain Dew because he's determined to make me like it. I told him my family has tried to get me to like soda for 21 years and failed so his odds aren't looking good. He left a Mountain Dew by our front door the next day.
Awesome:
- I got bangs. Actually Sister Simnitt cut my bangs, and they're cute!
- We went to see Ravai and his mom and his mom had so many questions about the Book of Mormon.
- Kylie Hall made Perry the Platypus out of legos.
- Elders gave Iesha a blessing and it was amazing!
- Exchanges with Hermana McKay. We stayed up till midnight talking. Oops.
- The Beach!!!
- Hermana McKay collects rubber ducks and loves Disneyland as much as I do. I'm pretty sure we were friends in the Pre-earth life.
- Sister Carro can do a really good Izma and Kronk impression from the Emperor's New Groove.
- The Sacramento temple is beautiful! I want to get married there.
- I told Elder Stainback again that I don't like Mountain Dew and Elder Brazelton said that's "dew"spicable.
- I met a man named Mike and he's from Ireland. Loved love his accent!
- Exchanges with sister Biggs
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A valiant A&A effort
I tried harder to take note of the awkwards and the awesomes this week and here is what I came up with. Hope you all had an awkward/awesome week too!
Awkward:
- The fact that I have to pretend to like everyone's cats when really I think they are the spawn of Satan
- Elder Goynes throwing me under the bus and volunteering me to teach the law of chastity to one of his investigators. She doesn't want to be taught it by a boy so lucky me haha. It won't be that bad
- When President Bunker told me he told Nate Hancock to date me when I get home
- Getting a bloody nose at a door contact and I had no tissues
- Being allergic to watermelon and still eating it, resulting in an itchy tongue for the rest of the evening
- Going to sleep with my CTR ring on my right hand and waking up with it on my left. You can interpret that how you will, I don't remember what I was dreaming about
Awesome:
- The guy at Mail and More knows I love Disney so he saved me two sheets of Disney stamps. I thought that was very nice of him
- Miracle moment! We knocked on a former investigator's door, Cymone, and Iesha was there. Iesha and Cymone are sisters and now we're teaching them both along with their sister Alex!
- Everything about the All Mission Conference (even though I had to say good bye to the Bunkers.) It was a spiritual feast
- Understanding almost everything when I went on exchanges in a Spanish area. I love Spanish! I think I'm going to ask President Alba if I can go Spanish speaking for the rest of my mission
- Elder Steinback agrees with me that The Great Mouse Detective and Brother Bear are under appreciated
- Sogi and Kolton saving us when Adam asked us crazy deep doctrine questions
Awkward:
- The fact that I have to pretend to like everyone's cats when really I think they are the spawn of Satan
- Elder Goynes throwing me under the bus and volunteering me to teach the law of chastity to one of his investigators. She doesn't want to be taught it by a boy so lucky me haha. It won't be that bad
- When President Bunker told me he told Nate Hancock to date me when I get home
- Getting a bloody nose at a door contact and I had no tissues
- Being allergic to watermelon and still eating it, resulting in an itchy tongue for the rest of the evening
- Going to sleep with my CTR ring on my right hand and waking up with it on my left. You can interpret that how you will, I don't remember what I was dreaming about
Awesome:
- The guy at Mail and More knows I love Disney so he saved me two sheets of Disney stamps. I thought that was very nice of him
- Miracle moment! We knocked on a former investigator's door, Cymone, and Iesha was there. Iesha and Cymone are sisters and now we're teaching them both along with their sister Alex!
- Everything about the All Mission Conference (even though I had to say good bye to the Bunkers.) It was a spiritual feast
- Understanding almost everything when I went on exchanges in a Spanish area. I love Spanish! I think I'm going to ask President Alba if I can go Spanish speaking for the rest of my mission
- Elder Steinback agrees with me that The Great Mouse Detective and Brother Bear are under appreciated
- Sogi and Kolton saving us when Adam asked us crazy deep doctrine questions
Monday, June 25, 2012
A&A
So I have just been trying to survive this week. I didn't even really think of or notice any awkward or awesome moments. I have a couple, sorry it isn't more thrilling than that.
Awkward:
- Elder Anderson told me on P.I.F. P-day that my children won't be athletic or talented. But in his defense he was trying to say that I will be an awesome and loving mother no matter what. So, I guess that's kind of nice. I just hope he's wrong about having inept children.
- Remember when I had food pants in the Bahamas? Will now I have a food skirt. And it is the same color as the food pants. Curious....
Awesome:
- Sogi bore his testimony to Sefa about how he came to know the Book of Mormon is true, and it was powerful! Like it was the kind of story you read in the Ensign.
- We met this girl named Madeline and she had the coolest way of explaining that she is always way busy. She said, "I'm like a ninja, I'm all over the place." I thought it was funny.
- We had a meet and greet with the Stake Presidency and the Bunkers. I don't know why it was called a meet and greet because it was more of a good bye Bunker family, but it was a really fun evening.
- We found a street called Aslan's Lair Ct. Yeah who knew I would be serving in Narnia?
That's all this week, I will definitely pay more attention this week! Love ya!
Awkward:
- Elder Anderson told me on P.I.F. P-day that my children won't be athletic or talented. But in his defense he was trying to say that I will be an awesome and loving mother no matter what. So, I guess that's kind of nice. I just hope he's wrong about having inept children.
- Remember when I had food pants in the Bahamas? Will now I have a food skirt. And it is the same color as the food pants. Curious....
Awesome:
- Sogi bore his testimony to Sefa about how he came to know the Book of Mormon is true, and it was powerful! Like it was the kind of story you read in the Ensign.
- We met this girl named Madeline and she had the coolest way of explaining that she is always way busy. She said, "I'm like a ninja, I'm all over the place." I thought it was funny.
- We had a meet and greet with the Stake Presidency and the Bunkers. I don't know why it was called a meet and greet because it was more of a good bye Bunker family, but it was a really fun evening.
- We found a street called Aslan's Lair Ct. Yeah who knew I would be serving in Narnia?
That's all this week, I will definitely pay more attention this week! Love ya!
Monday, June 18, 2012
A quick A&A
Im rather short on time today, but here is the latest.
Awkward
Man serenading me and playing air guitar while I waited for sister Erlebach to get out of the bathroom.
The fact that young single adults sign up to feed us and it is ALWAYS little Caesars pizza. I'm getting real sick of pizza.
Sitting alone in the hall at the hospital waiting for sister Erlebach to get out of X-rays. Yes it is actually really uncomfortable being separated from your companion.
Awesome
Having dinner with the bunkers and president said he is "the pimp shiz"
P.i.f isn't dead!
Sister Noot sent me a napkin gram. Aka she wrote a note on a napkin and mailed it to me.
We got a new cd. Hip hop primary songs. Love it!
Joe asked us if he could be baptized. Usually we're the ones begging them.
Elder Cartwright told sister Erlebach she is one tough russet. That was very idahoan of him.
We saw our very own version of McDreamy walking down the hall at the hospital.
.
Awkward
Man serenading me and playing air guitar while I waited for sister Erlebach to get out of the bathroom.
The fact that young single adults sign up to feed us and it is ALWAYS little Caesars pizza. I'm getting real sick of pizza.
Sitting alone in the hall at the hospital waiting for sister Erlebach to get out of X-rays. Yes it is actually really uncomfortable being separated from your companion.
Awesome
Having dinner with the bunkers and president said he is "the pimp shiz"
P.i.f isn't dead!
Sister Noot sent me a napkin gram. Aka she wrote a note on a napkin and mailed it to me.
We got a new cd. Hip hop primary songs. Love it!
Joe asked us if he could be baptized. Usually we're the ones begging them.
Elder Cartwright told sister Erlebach she is one tough russet. That was very idahoan of him.
We saw our very own version of McDreamy walking down the hall at the hospital.
.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Double A&A
Due to last week's temple trip, there was no Awkward/Awesome. My apologies. But I'm happy to inform you that this week you get double the amount of awkwardness and awesomeness! Woot!
Awkward:
- Running into 4 elders at Food Maxx like 2 seconds after saying we hope we don't see anyone we know.
-Sister Erlebach and Elder Vomocil fighting once again. Those two... Elder Mahrt and I just stand there not knowing what to do.
- Breaking someone's flowers while trying to ring the doorbell.
- Burning my tongue on Miso soup.
- Getting a message on facebook from a 40 year old man in Africa saying he can tell I have the light of our Heavenly Father and he wants to be my eternal companion. He said he will wait for me, and asked me to pray about it.
- Seeing a man in hot pink tights, a tutu, and heels out walking his dog. Never would you see that in Lehi.
- Elder Buchan called us and over the course of the conversation he asked where we had supper at. I heard, "why were you seperate?" so I informed him that Sister Erlebach was in the bathroom.
- While out tracting we knocked on a door. It was definitely glass and we could definitely see and hear through it. Two boys came and looked who was at the door, they started fighting about who had to answer the door, and then neither of them did. Super cool.
- Writing back the African man telling him that I am flattered, but I am completely focused on missionary work, and that I won't be his eternal companion, but that I hope he finds someone amazing and perfect for him. Only to receive another message from him saying that he is not distracting me, and that he will wait.
- Kia making eye contact with me and then running and hiding when we went to visit him.
- All the cats in Santa Rosa love me! I'm not even kidding, they climb out of the woodwork and find me. They purr and rub against my legs, and when we're in lessons they just sit on my lap. I do not love them in return.
- Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting. Don't worry that Andrew bore his testimony about us. How we are teaching him lots of cool facts about Mormonism, and how he's glad we taught him to avoid porn because he was never really that into it. And another member bore his testimony about how he yelled at a man on the bus about how bad pornography is. I love them both so much, but some things don't need to be shared from the pulpit.
- Another companionship is competing for the title of President's favorites. Not ok!
Awesome:
- Playing 'What If' at FHE. We were all laughing so hard we were crying.
- Sister Erlebach's grandma is named Ovie Clois and her twin's name is Clovie Lois.
- Sushi with President and Hailey Bunker. I ate sushi without flinging it across the restaurant. (Laurie, you should be very proud)
- British accents at FHE. That may be part of the reason everyone was laughing so hard.
- WINONA! I ate LENTILS and I liked them!
- We had a heavenly sent referral named Tony.
- One of our investigators decided to fast yesterday that her step dad's heart would be softened so that she can get baptized.
- Finding 2 new investigators in one day.
- While knocking doors, we met Zachary. He's 4. He decided to be our tour guide and introduce us to all his neighbors. He even knocked some of the doors for us, but when they answered he would run away.
- One guy started talking to us about how weird it is that Mormons have magic underwear. It was really awesome for us and awkward for him when I told him the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same as Mormons.
- Victor Vega our new investigator. He is a clothes designer. I told him he needs to design skirts a little longer so that they are sister missionary appropriate.
- New favorite band, Mercy River.
Awkward:
- Running into 4 elders at Food Maxx like 2 seconds after saying we hope we don't see anyone we know.
-Sister Erlebach and Elder Vomocil fighting once again. Those two... Elder Mahrt and I just stand there not knowing what to do.
- Breaking someone's flowers while trying to ring the doorbell.
- Burning my tongue on Miso soup.
- Getting a message on facebook from a 40 year old man in Africa saying he can tell I have the light of our Heavenly Father and he wants to be my eternal companion. He said he will wait for me, and asked me to pray about it.
- Seeing a man in hot pink tights, a tutu, and heels out walking his dog. Never would you see that in Lehi.
- Elder Buchan called us and over the course of the conversation he asked where we had supper at. I heard, "why were you seperate?" so I informed him that Sister Erlebach was in the bathroom.
- While out tracting we knocked on a door. It was definitely glass and we could definitely see and hear through it. Two boys came and looked who was at the door, they started fighting about who had to answer the door, and then neither of them did. Super cool.
- Writing back the African man telling him that I am flattered, but I am completely focused on missionary work, and that I won't be his eternal companion, but that I hope he finds someone amazing and perfect for him. Only to receive another message from him saying that he is not distracting me, and that he will wait.
- Kia making eye contact with me and then running and hiding when we went to visit him.
- All the cats in Santa Rosa love me! I'm not even kidding, they climb out of the woodwork and find me. They purr and rub against my legs, and when we're in lessons they just sit on my lap. I do not love them in return.
- Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting. Don't worry that Andrew bore his testimony about us. How we are teaching him lots of cool facts about Mormonism, and how he's glad we taught him to avoid porn because he was never really that into it. And another member bore his testimony about how he yelled at a man on the bus about how bad pornography is. I love them both so much, but some things don't need to be shared from the pulpit.
- Another companionship is competing for the title of President's favorites. Not ok!
Awesome:
- Playing 'What If' at FHE. We were all laughing so hard we were crying.
- Sister Erlebach's grandma is named Ovie Clois and her twin's name is Clovie Lois.
- Sushi with President and Hailey Bunker. I ate sushi without flinging it across the restaurant. (Laurie, you should be very proud)
- British accents at FHE. That may be part of the reason everyone was laughing so hard.
- WINONA! I ate LENTILS and I liked them!
- We had a heavenly sent referral named Tony.
- One of our investigators decided to fast yesterday that her step dad's heart would be softened so that she can get baptized.
- Finding 2 new investigators in one day.
- While knocking doors, we met Zachary. He's 4. He decided to be our tour guide and introduce us to all his neighbors. He even knocked some of the doors for us, but when they answered he would run away.
- One guy started talking to us about how weird it is that Mormons have magic underwear. It was really awesome for us and awkward for him when I told him the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same as Mormons.
- Victor Vega our new investigator. He is a clothes designer. I told him he needs to design skirts a little longer so that they are sister missionary appropriate.
- New favorite band, Mercy River.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The whole letter. Because it's just that good.
Well fam, I have some bad news. I will not be calling you on Christmas. I just can't handle the after math! Ok not really. I will call on Christmas, but after talking to you on Mother's Day I had a really rough time. I was so homesick! I thought a lot this week about why I'm out here. Wednesday night I hardly slept at all because I couldn't stop pondering the question, Why am I on a mission? A million sub-questions were running through my head. Did I come to prove a point? To show everyone that I could do it? Was it because I wanted a break from school? Because I wasn't getting married any time soon and it seemed like a good option? Am I here to make my family happy? Did I come to avoid getting married? All these questions. I was at a serious low point. I wanted to take off my tag and go home. I got on my knees and laid it all on my Father. I couldn't help but think of that conference talk that says, "Hope you know I'm having a hard time." I just told Him everything. How I'm homesick, how our investigators have stopped progressing, how we knock and knock for hours and no one will listen to us. As I was praying I was reminded of something Luke had said in his letter last week. He wrote, "I am jealous of even your worst day on the mission." I thought that day probably qualified. And I thought he was kind of dumb and just saying that. I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father for strength, but mostly I think I was looking for a confirmation that this is where I am supposed to be. I got an answer, but it was different than I expected. As I was crying and pouring my heart out, Heavenly Father simply asked me a question. "Is this where you want to be?" It was the weirdest answer to a prayer I've ever received. I was taken aback to be honest. And I had to think. Is it? I chose to come on a mission. I got the answer yes when I first asked. I knew it would be hard, but I came. And immediately when I had that thought it was like He was saying, "Well there you go." I was overcome with gratitude and understanding. I thought of my Savior Jesus Christ, and all that He suffered. It was never ever easy for Him, so why did I think it should be easy for me? I get now what Luke meant by being jealous of my worst days. Because even on my worst days, my lowest of lows, I don't want to leave. Because this is the Lord's work and He's standing next to me all the time. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who answers prayers, but more importantly lets me work through problems. I wasn't on my own, but He didn't just give me the answer either. It was a much needed and cherished experience.
Now don't think because of that things got easy and happy. Our week kind of sucked. We worked hard every day, but when we turned in our numbers yesterday it was pretty dismal. However I did have my testimony strengthened. On Thursday we had Zone Conference. It was my first one, and I am definitely a fan of Zone Conference! Even though President made me stand in front of everyone and recite all 42 principles. It was an amazing spiritual feast. President's son, Tod, came and spoke. He talked about change and the Atonement. He talked about why missionary work is so hard. Why aren't people lining up at the fonts? He said at some point all of us ask why it is so hard. We're not the only ones to ask that. Even the Savior asked the Father to remove the bitter cup. But He didn't and Christ completed His mission, so that I can complete mine. I love being able to study the Atonement! It is the greatest gift we have ever been given.
Sorry this email is more of "what I learned" than "what I did" but I don't think you will mind. This was exactly what I needed this week, so I thought I would share. I am learning to love my mission. Salvation was never meant to be a cheap experience, so I am learning to be grateful for even the hard times. I love you all so much! I hope you all recognize and use the Atonement in your lives. We all need it. I REALLY need it.
Take care. Have a good week!
Love,
Sister Hyde
Now don't think because of that things got easy and happy. Our week kind of sucked. We worked hard every day, but when we turned in our numbers yesterday it was pretty dismal. However I did have my testimony strengthened. On Thursday we had Zone Conference. It was my first one, and I am definitely a fan of Zone Conference! Even though President made me stand in front of everyone and recite all 42 principles. It was an amazing spiritual feast. President's son, Tod, came and spoke. He talked about change and the Atonement. He talked about why missionary work is so hard. Why aren't people lining up at the fonts? He said at some point all of us ask why it is so hard. We're not the only ones to ask that. Even the Savior asked the Father to remove the bitter cup. But He didn't and Christ completed His mission, so that I can complete mine. I love being able to study the Atonement! It is the greatest gift we have ever been given.
Sorry this email is more of "what I learned" than "what I did" but I don't think you will mind. This was exactly what I needed this week, so I thought I would share. I am learning to love my mission. Salvation was never meant to be a cheap experience, so I am learning to be grateful for even the hard times. I love you all so much! I hope you all recognize and use the Atonement in your lives. We all need it. I REALLY need it.
Take care. Have a good week!
Love,
Sister Hyde
A little A&A this Monday morning
I must admit that Awkward and Awesome is something I look forward to every week! It is fun for me to record all the little random things that happen that wouldn't necessarily make it into the journal or the email. Sister Erlebach loves it too! When funny things happen she will say, "There's one for the awkward list!" Haha I just love it. I hope you all love it too :)
Awkward:
- I have told you about how I have to be out of the car when Sister Erlebach is backing up. Just to make sure she doesn't hit stuff and whatnot. Well it was pretty awkward having to back her out of the Taco Bell drive thru after we decided we would much rather have In n' Out, but it was worth it. I hate Taco Bell.
- Brother Willits is in our Bishopric, and he and his wife signed up to feed us. They also invited a member of their home ward, Marilyn, to join us. The night came, we went to the Willits' and waited for Sister Silva. She didn't come and didn't come. We sat there looking at the delicious meal until Marilyn called 30 minutes later to ask where we were. She had made us dinner at her house. It was awkward for 3 reasons. 1. Why would Brother Willits ask her to make he and his wife and the sister missionaries dinner? That's just kinda rude. 2. We had to leave the Willits house and the yummy looking dinner they had prepared to go over to Marilyn's for a less appetizing and burnt dinner. 3. Brother Willits and Marilyn were arguing over whose fault it was the whole time we were eating.
- We have great creative ideas for finding because tracting doesn't work in finding young single adults. This week we set up a stand on the corner across the street from the JC (Junior College) and gave away free Otter Pops with a message. Good idea right? Well most of them didn't know what an Otter Pop was. Hello deprived childhood! And it was awkward sitting on a busy street corner like crazies.
- When people slam their door in our faces. That's awkward. But when they lock it after they slam it, it's even more so. Like I'm going to walk in after them and make them listen.
- While doing the Otter Pop thing a second time down town, a guy was standing next to a tree near us and was talking to his imaginary friend about us.
- Rachael's dad asking if my family would be ok with me dating a black man (referring to Tuvili). Haha we're not racist. But the whole Tuvili thing is still and will remain awkward in general.
Awesome:
- Last Monday one of our recent convert's mom needed a blessing. She only speaks Spanish, so the Spanish elders came. The awesome part was that I understood most of the blessing even though I don't speak Spanish.
- This one is for Nona and Sarah. I realized this week that the Hawaiin Boys live in Apt. 49. I guess I will always love the boys of 49. Even when they are different boys.
- J. Tod Bunker's talk in Zone Conference. Pumped. Me. Up.
- Miracle with a Muslim family. We had a rough week where knocking is concerned, but we went to visit a former investigator and he wasn't home so we decided to knock the apartment complex near his house. We were both rather discouraged. We'd worked hard all day with no results. Right before we knocked on our first door I said a silent prayer that we would be able to at least talk to someone who would be nice to us. Even if they didn't want to learn about the church, just let them be nice. (I told you, it had been a rough day.) So we knocked and the husband was very very nice. Before we really even explained who we were he invited us in. They are active Muslims, but they wanted to learn more about the Bible and Christian beliefs. We talked with them for almost an hour about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. They took a Book of Mormon and promised to read it. We're going back this week. Miracles are undoubtedly awesome.
- The Stake Heritage Festival. Every ward had a booth and performed a dance from a different country. It was a really fun/funny event.
- Second miracle of the week. Sister Erlebach not getting hit by a car. It was like 3 inches from her being squashed.
Awkward:
- I have told you about how I have to be out of the car when Sister Erlebach is backing up. Just to make sure she doesn't hit stuff and whatnot. Well it was pretty awkward having to back her out of the Taco Bell drive thru after we decided we would much rather have In n' Out, but it was worth it. I hate Taco Bell.
- Brother Willits is in our Bishopric, and he and his wife signed up to feed us. They also invited a member of their home ward, Marilyn, to join us. The night came, we went to the Willits' and waited for Sister Silva. She didn't come and didn't come. We sat there looking at the delicious meal until Marilyn called 30 minutes later to ask where we were. She had made us dinner at her house. It was awkward for 3 reasons. 1. Why would Brother Willits ask her to make he and his wife and the sister missionaries dinner? That's just kinda rude. 2. We had to leave the Willits house and the yummy looking dinner they had prepared to go over to Marilyn's for a less appetizing and burnt dinner. 3. Brother Willits and Marilyn were arguing over whose fault it was the whole time we were eating.
- We have great creative ideas for finding because tracting doesn't work in finding young single adults. This week we set up a stand on the corner across the street from the JC (Junior College) and gave away free Otter Pops with a message. Good idea right? Well most of them didn't know what an Otter Pop was. Hello deprived childhood! And it was awkward sitting on a busy street corner like crazies.
- When people slam their door in our faces. That's awkward. But when they lock it after they slam it, it's even more so. Like I'm going to walk in after them and make them listen.
- While doing the Otter Pop thing a second time down town, a guy was standing next to a tree near us and was talking to his imaginary friend about us.
- Rachael's dad asking if my family would be ok with me dating a black man (referring to Tuvili). Haha we're not racist. But the whole Tuvili thing is still and will remain awkward in general.
Awesome:
- Last Monday one of our recent convert's mom needed a blessing. She only speaks Spanish, so the Spanish elders came. The awesome part was that I understood most of the blessing even though I don't speak Spanish.
- This one is for Nona and Sarah. I realized this week that the Hawaiin Boys live in Apt. 49. I guess I will always love the boys of 49. Even when they are different boys.
- J. Tod Bunker's talk in Zone Conference. Pumped. Me. Up.
- Miracle with a Muslim family. We had a rough week where knocking is concerned, but we went to visit a former investigator and he wasn't home so we decided to knock the apartment complex near his house. We were both rather discouraged. We'd worked hard all day with no results. Right before we knocked on our first door I said a silent prayer that we would be able to at least talk to someone who would be nice to us. Even if they didn't want to learn about the church, just let them be nice. (I told you, it had been a rough day.) So we knocked and the husband was very very nice. Before we really even explained who we were he invited us in. They are active Muslims, but they wanted to learn more about the Bible and Christian beliefs. We talked with them for almost an hour about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. They took a Book of Mormon and promised to read it. We're going back this week. Miracles are undoubtedly awesome.
- The Stake Heritage Festival. Every ward had a booth and performed a dance from a different country. It was a really fun/funny event.
- Second miracle of the week. Sister Erlebach not getting hit by a car. It was like 3 inches from her being squashed.
Sorry it's four days late!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Shorty letter
Our letter was just a shorty guy this week, mostly because she told us everything on Sunday. (Which was muy magnifico! Just in case you were wondering.)
She's doing really well. Still in Santa Rosa, and teaching a lot! Especially the Hawaiian boys. She's loves her investigators so much! Right now she's trying to teach sacrifice to one of the Hawaiian boys. Guess what that means? He'll stop smoking pot if they give up something they love. What does Ann Marie love more than candy? That's right, no sweets. Her and Sister E. are off sweets for 30 days. She says he's waiting for them to break. But they're not going to! She also says that he doesn't understand the love and dedication of a missionary. They're going to get that guy baptized! Pray for him! Pray for all of them!
And read this, it's kinda cool! I like it!
Sister Bunker had breast cancer so she ran in Race for the Cure on Saturday. We couldn’t run with her, but President organized it so that every missionary in the mission was running a 5k at the same time. It was really cool. He made us all shirts with the mission brand on it, and below that it said, “United in Purpose.” The Santa Rosa North and South Zones ran at Bodega Bay. It was so great to run on the beach! And surrounded by so many Elders and Sisters that I love! I am blessed to be able to serve around so many great missionaries!
Other than that, I can't remember what else she wanted me to tell you! Stay tuned for next week readers.
She's doing really well. Still in Santa Rosa, and teaching a lot! Especially the Hawaiian boys. She's loves her investigators so much! Right now she's trying to teach sacrifice to one of the Hawaiian boys. Guess what that means? He'll stop smoking pot if they give up something they love. What does Ann Marie love more than candy? That's right, no sweets. Her and Sister E. are off sweets for 30 days. She says he's waiting for them to break. But they're not going to! She also says that he doesn't understand the love and dedication of a missionary. They're going to get that guy baptized! Pray for him! Pray for all of them!
And read this, it's kinda cool! I like it!
Sister Bunker had breast cancer so she ran in Race for the Cure on Saturday. We couldn’t run with her, but President organized it so that every missionary in the mission was running a 5k at the same time. It was really cool. He made us all shirts with the mission brand on it, and below that it said, “United in Purpose.” The Santa Rosa North and South Zones ran at Bodega Bay. It was so great to run on the beach! And surrounded by so many Elders and Sisters that I love! I am blessed to be able to serve around so many great missionaries!
Other than that, I can't remember what else she wanted me to tell you! Stay tuned for next week readers.
Photo Pleasures
Zone lunch for Elder Buchan's Birthday
Our Zone before we took off for the 5k at Bodega Bay
Me, Sister Facer, Sister Erlebach, Hermana Fenn, Hermana Clayton, and Sister Charles before the run
Know Jesus. Know Peace
1111 on the odometer! Magical.
She does love Peter Pan. "What else can I say? AWESOME"
A&A
Ok well we all know that getting to call home on Mother's Day takes the cake for awesome this week, but for those of you who weren't on that call (and for those of you who were because I didn't tell some of these stories) here is this week's Awkward and Awesome!
Awkward:
- Kama said no one will want to marry me because I don't like to cook, and my response was, "That's not true, Tuvili wants to marry me!" And at that moment Tuvili came into the room. I think he felt more awkward than I did, because he didn't know that I knew that he told Sister Erlebach he wants to marry me, but obviously I've known. She's my companion. We talk.
- We went to visit a less active who has an 18 month old little boy. He came up to me, gave me a hug, and then wiped his snotty nose on my skirt. It was more awkward that I had Anthony snot on my skirt the rest of the day because he's little and didn't know better.
- Our investigator, Julie, has a black cat that adores me and is all over me every time we're there. You know how I love cats. This week when he was attacking me and cuddling in my lap, I couldn't push him off because Julie said he can sense that I have a good spirit. How could I push him off when he wants to be near my spirit? So I had to sit there awkwardly with the worst animal created sitting on my lap for an hour.
- I got two more random love letters. This time from elders serving in Pocatello. They saw my mormon.org profile, and thought I was pretty cool, "so that's dope". It was flattering for like 2 seconds before I got creeped out that elders are scouting mormon.org for potential wives. Sister Erlebach told Sister Bunker as a joke, who told President, who now wants copies of my letters so that he can discuss it at Zone Conference this week and call their mission presidents. I'm sure more awkward on this subject will be in next week's post after Zone Conference haha.
- We have given up sugar for Kama. President laughed at us when we told him. Thanks for the faith Pres.
- And by far the most awkward moment of this week was when I spaced at a door. I had no idea what to say, so I just stuck out my hand for him to shake. He just looked at me like I was crazy. Which was true, and we went our separate ways.
Awesome:
- We saw one of our members at the store, I asked him, "How's life?" To which he responded, "Lifey." Love it!
- We finally got to see Juan again after like 3 weeks of not seeing him!
- Kama asking us to come teach him. Investigators NEVER ask us to come! Usually we are begging them to let us come.
- At the Hawaiin boys apartment, we lost an argument. They all started dancing and singing, "One for the Polys!" I was glad we lost just so we could see that.
- Cupcakes from Sift. Dee-vine!
- Running a 5k on the beach
- And obviously... CALLING HOME!
Awkward:
- Kama said no one will want to marry me because I don't like to cook, and my response was, "That's not true, Tuvili wants to marry me!" And at that moment Tuvili came into the room. I think he felt more awkward than I did, because he didn't know that I knew that he told Sister Erlebach he wants to marry me, but obviously I've known. She's my companion. We talk.
- We went to visit a less active who has an 18 month old little boy. He came up to me, gave me a hug, and then wiped his snotty nose on my skirt. It was more awkward that I had Anthony snot on my skirt the rest of the day because he's little and didn't know better.
- Our investigator, Julie, has a black cat that adores me and is all over me every time we're there. You know how I love cats. This week when he was attacking me and cuddling in my lap, I couldn't push him off because Julie said he can sense that I have a good spirit. How could I push him off when he wants to be near my spirit? So I had to sit there awkwardly with the worst animal created sitting on my lap for an hour.
- I got two more random love letters. This time from elders serving in Pocatello. They saw my mormon.org profile, and thought I was pretty cool, "so that's dope". It was flattering for like 2 seconds before I got creeped out that elders are scouting mormon.org for potential wives. Sister Erlebach told Sister Bunker as a joke, who told President, who now wants copies of my letters so that he can discuss it at Zone Conference this week and call their mission presidents. I'm sure more awkward on this subject will be in next week's post after Zone Conference haha.
- We have given up sugar for Kama. President laughed at us when we told him. Thanks for the faith Pres.
- And by far the most awkward moment of this week was when I spaced at a door. I had no idea what to say, so I just stuck out my hand for him to shake. He just looked at me like I was crazy. Which was true, and we went our separate ways.
Awesome:
- We saw one of our members at the store, I asked him, "How's life?" To which he responded, "Lifey." Love it!
- We finally got to see Juan again after like 3 weeks of not seeing him!
- Kama asking us to come teach him. Investigators NEVER ask us to come! Usually we are begging them to let us come.
- At the Hawaiin boys apartment, we lost an argument. They all started dancing and singing, "One for the Polys!" I was glad we lost just so we could see that.
- Cupcakes from Sift. Dee-vine!
- Running a 5k on the beach
- And obviously... CALLING HOME!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
First Transfer
Guess who's an absolute suck up and gets to stay in her area with Sister Erlebach? Yeah, that's right, Ann Marie. Haha! Just kidding. Who wouldn't love Ann Marie. Of course she's the favorite! I'm happy she gets to keep teaching in Santa Rosa!
Well, since yesterday was transfers we didn't hear from her until today, which was terrible. But it's okay, because we get to talk to her ON SUNDAY! I'm kind of nervous that it'll make me miss her so terribly that I can't handle it. I'm not the only one though, Ann Marie said that she got super homesick this week. But she also said she was on fire out there! I believe it. She even had her first baptism!! (Pictures promised.)
Well, since yesterday was transfers we didn't hear from her until today, which was terrible. But it's okay, because we get to talk to her ON SUNDAY! I'm kind of nervous that it'll make me miss her so terribly that I can't handle it. I'm not the only one though, Ann Marie said that she got super homesick this week. But she also said she was on fire out there! I believe it. She even had her first baptism!! (Pictures promised.)
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Awkward/Awesome/Awful
I know a lot of awkward and awesome things happened this week, but I forgot to write them all down. Here is what I remember!
Awkward:
-Seeing a couple walking there bird. Like the bird cage was in a stroller.
-Getting another letter from Elder Austin who said, and I quote, "You must get random letters all the time. I understand if you do." Quit trying to woo me and get your head in the game!
-Rachel (a member in our ward) gave me a cupcake. That was nice of her, but the awkward part is it had bacon on it.
-Falling asleep during our prayer before weekly planning. Sister Erlebach had to wake me up after she said amen. I'm sure it was a great prayer.
Awesome:
-Peter Pan peanut butter!
-We taught 25 lessons. That may seem bad, but considering we have been pulling teeth to get 17 a week, that is indeed awesome.
-We don't look like sisters haha! Ok this one requires some explanation. We went to a member's house for dinner, but her parents aren't members and talk of the church is kind of a no no in their house. Sam told her grandpa the sisters (as in sister missionaries) were coming over, and as we were leaving he said really confused, "Are you sure you're sisters? You don't look related at all!" Haha loved it.
-Package delivered via Nate Hancock. Thank you to all parties involved!
-And the last awesome of this week was actually a joke. We have this investigator Juan. It was Saturday night and we were winding down, only time for one or two more stops. I asked Sister Erlebach who we should visit, Juan or Elizabeth, and she said, "Well we don't have to visit Juan or the other!" Haha we both got quite the ab workout from that "juan." Elder Millard and Elder Buchan loved it too, we called them during our laughing attack just to share.
Unfortunately there was an Awful this week, and here it is:
-Brandy Bliss passing out at the institute blood drive. I was sitting next to her and she looked really tired. All the sudden her face turned green and she slumped over. I learned that I'm not very good in emergency situations, but thankfully the nurses are. Brandy started twitching all over, and they put wet towels on her face and started yelling her name. She's fine, but it scared me a little. Like her face was really green and pale. No bueno.
Awkward:
-Seeing a couple walking there bird. Like the bird cage was in a stroller.
-Getting another letter from Elder Austin who said, and I quote, "You must get random letters all the time. I understand if you do." Quit trying to woo me and get your head in the game!
-Rachel (a member in our ward) gave me a cupcake. That was nice of her, but the awkward part is it had bacon on it.
-Falling asleep during our prayer before weekly planning. Sister Erlebach had to wake me up after she said amen. I'm sure it was a great prayer.
Awesome:
-Peter Pan peanut butter!
-We taught 25 lessons. That may seem bad, but considering we have been pulling teeth to get 17 a week, that is indeed awesome.
-We don't look like sisters haha! Ok this one requires some explanation. We went to a member's house for dinner, but her parents aren't members and talk of the church is kind of a no no in their house. Sam told her grandpa the sisters (as in sister missionaries) were coming over, and as we were leaving he said really confused, "Are you sure you're sisters? You don't look related at all!" Haha loved it.
-Package delivered via Nate Hancock. Thank you to all parties involved!
-And the last awesome of this week was actually a joke. We have this investigator Juan. It was Saturday night and we were winding down, only time for one or two more stops. I asked Sister Erlebach who we should visit, Juan or Elizabeth, and she said, "Well we don't have to visit Juan or the other!" Haha we both got quite the ab workout from that "juan." Elder Millard and Elder Buchan loved it too, we called them during our laughing attack just to share.
Unfortunately there was an Awful this week, and here it is:
-Brandy Bliss passing out at the institute blood drive. I was sitting next to her and she looked really tired. All the sudden her face turned green and she slumped over. I learned that I'm not very good in emergency situations, but thankfully the nurses are. Brandy started twitching all over, and they put wet towels on her face and started yelling her name. She's fine, but it scared me a little. Like her face was really green and pale. No bueno.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Awkward/Awesome
Awkward:
-Elder Vomocil and Sister Erlebach's throw down phone call right before dinner at the Bunkers
-Bloody nose at Buchan's Birthday lunch (China Garden has something against me)
-The missionary tan line has manifested itself in the form of a lobster
-Sister Erlebach volunteered me to say the prayer at Sonne's homecoming party and while I was praying "Moves Like Jagger" started playing out of the speakers
-Kia ditched us at his family BBQ, we felt weird at first but we're missionaries! Good opportunity to find new investigators. (They were all members)
-Squeaking like a little boy for half of the week and completely losing my voice
Awesome:
-Singing primary songs with actions during companionship study
-President Newton (in Stake Presidency) wearing a bowtie
-My un-birthday present from Sister Bunker, a mini Preach My Gospel! It's my pride and joy
-Buchan's Birthday lunch in general
-Speaking only in British accents to our District Leader
Oh, Ann Marie, you know how I love bowties! I would have been very excited.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Highlights
You may have read in awkward/awesome about a skirt climbing adventure...well it was all for the gospel! Ann Marie said that she's teaching some Hawaiians who know the gospel is true, but don't like the commitments. When she went to visit them this last time they were in the pool and the only way they could teach them is if she climbed the fence. So she did! Because we all know, Ann Marie would. She says that creativity is necessary when all else fails. She also said it's one of the hazards of teaching in a singles ward. That, and she gets marriage proposals from members...
But despite the fact that Ann Marie's life is continuing on in it's regular awkwardness she is growing into a spiritual giant! Every letter she says how much she just loves her investigators. And she asks us to pray for them every week. So I'm extended that challenge to you. Pray for the people in California. They want to hear the gospel!
Ann Marie has had some great success this week. While she was on exchanges she felt the prompting to go see some girls named Hannah and Mckenzie. Which she thought was super strange, because they're never home and avoid the missionaries. But none the less they went. And guess who was home and willing to hear their message? HANNAH AND MCKENZIE! She was thrilled. And she said that almost right after that their investigator, Kyle, text them and asked them if they could come teach him soon. Him, taking the inititive, instead of them fighting to get there. This is such good news! The other good news is they saw Juan again, because of some member fellowshipping They're determined to get Juan baptized before Ann Marie transfers. So pray hard for him guys.
Ann Marie also said that she knows it's because of their obedience that they're having success. She says it's so plain to see, when they obey things are really good. When they don't, things are really bad.
I love her, I'm so happy to hear that she's doing well. Keep on keepin' on baby cakes!
But despite the fact that Ann Marie's life is continuing on in it's regular awkwardness she is growing into a spiritual giant! Every letter she says how much she just loves her investigators. And she asks us to pray for them every week. So I'm extended that challenge to you. Pray for the people in California. They want to hear the gospel!
Ann Marie has had some great success this week. While she was on exchanges she felt the prompting to go see some girls named Hannah and Mckenzie. Which she thought was super strange, because they're never home and avoid the missionaries. But none the less they went. And guess who was home and willing to hear their message? HANNAH AND MCKENZIE! She was thrilled. And she said that almost right after that their investigator, Kyle, text them and asked them if they could come teach him soon. Him, taking the inititive, instead of them fighting to get there. This is such good news! The other good news is they saw Juan again, because of some member fellowshipping They're determined to get Juan baptized before Ann Marie transfers. So pray hard for him guys.
Ann Marie also said that she knows it's because of their obedience that they're having success. She says it's so plain to see, when they obey things are really good. When they don't, things are really bad.
I love her, I'm so happy to hear that she's doing well. Keep on keepin' on baby cakes!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
More Awkward than Awesome
Awkward:
-Elder Buchan calling me a sweet spirit. That would be the second time, Sister Noot says I must be a double bagger I'm so ugly
-Playing duck, duck, goose at FHE and Tuvili yelling, "Sister Hyde wants to get goosed!"
-Kia telling me I'm the most beautiful sister missionary he's ever seen.
-Tuvili saying he'll wait for me.
-Jeff Taylor calling me vain and telling Sister Erlebach she's Satan
-Climbing a fence in a skirt. A pencil skirt actually.
-Getting a letter from Elder Austin who saw my profile on a mormon.org and wanted someone to write
-Elder Austin telling me that he lifts weights
Awesome:
-Elder Buchan's recovery after calling me "ugly." He said I exemplify virtue and charity and other Christlike attributes and said I inspire those around me to be better. Totally made Sister Erlebach wish she was a sweet spirit
-Having 1111 miles on our car!! You better believe I took a picture
-Being invited to Leadership Conference (probably because I'm President's fave)
-Getting called to bear my testimony at leadership conference
-Following the spirit and being able to visit Hannah and McKenzie
-The owl pillow Sister Erlebach got for her birthday. I'm totally coveting
-Getting a shout out in Hailey Bunker's Stake Conference talk. Love that girl
-Elder Buchan calling me a sweet spirit. That would be the second time, Sister Noot says I must be a double bagger I'm so ugly
-Playing duck, duck, goose at FHE and Tuvili yelling, "Sister Hyde wants to get goosed!"
-Kia telling me I'm the most beautiful sister missionary he's ever seen.
-Tuvili saying he'll wait for me.
-Jeff Taylor calling me vain and telling Sister Erlebach she's Satan
-Climbing a fence in a skirt. A pencil skirt actually.
-Getting a letter from Elder Austin who saw my profile on a mormon.org and wanted someone to write
-Elder Austin telling me that he lifts weights
Awesome:
-Elder Buchan's recovery after calling me "ugly." He said I exemplify virtue and charity and other Christlike attributes and said I inspire those around me to be better. Totally made Sister Erlebach wish she was a sweet spirit
-Having 1111 miles on our car!! You better believe I took a picture
-Being invited to Leadership Conference (probably because I'm President's fave)
-Getting called to bear my testimony at leadership conference
-Following the spirit and being able to visit Hannah and McKenzie
-The owl pillow Sister Erlebach got for her birthday. I'm totally coveting
-Getting a shout out in Hailey Bunker's Stake Conference talk. Love that girl
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
This week's e-mail
"Sister Erlebach and I made a goal this week to really put our hearts and souls into the work. I mean we have been being obedient and doing all the missionary things, but we weren't fully invested. We noticed that we weren't having success because we didn't have the right attitudes. We would begrudgingly go tracting, but we were going tracting so we were doing our best right? Wrong. We would half heartedly text or call less actives, so we were helping them feel loved and have a desire to come back to church weren't we? No. I mean don't get me wrong, we weren't being terrible missionaries, but we weren't being our best either. So we made a real effort to be missionaries instead of sisters doing missionary things. It has been amazing to see the transformation in us! We have the spirit with us more than before. We are happier. We have more energy. We have a DESIRE to go tracting (even though we still don't like it). We are stopping by less actives' houses. We are building relationships of trust and love with our investigators. I think this week is the first week that I've really wanted to be here instead of counting down till August 2013. I am so grateful for the Lord and His patience. He is just waiting to pour out blessings upon us, all we have to do is ask."
That right there is the best of the best. That is why I love getting her letters every week. Because I feel the spirit so strong when she bears her testimony. She's loving the work, and she's especially loving all of the people. Her entire letter was about her investigators this week, how much she loved them, and could see them progressing. She's teaching so much and she is doing so well! As you can see for yourself, she's caught the missionary bug. She can't control how much she loves to teach and share the gospel. That makes it all worth while.
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