Mom and dad,
Hope your week has been wonderful. Mine has been busy.
Thanks for the speaker! Can't wait to get the iPod.
Hope your week has been wonderful. Mine has been busy.
Thanks for the speaker! Can't wait to get the iPod.
Please thank Lluvia for me!
Mom, I think it's so cool that you're volunteering in the mission
office back home! They're never going to let you go, haha. Like I
said, we need all the help we can get. :) I hope you enjoy Zone
Conference! Ours was awesome, but I'll talk about that later. It's
weird that the missionaries there have to use miles for Zone
Conference. We get miles reimbursed for things like that, so they
don't count towards the monthly allotment. If we didn't, though, we
wouldn't be able to drive for proselyting at ALL. There's so much back
and forth just to meetings and service that EATS miles.
On to this week!
Mondays are great. We just hang out with the Pleasant Hill North
Sisters (they're fantastic, we're all basically just a unit) for
shopping, etc. and then meet up with others in our Zone to talk, play,
write emails, whatever.
Our District this week has been focusing on less-active people.
Apparently all of our numbers have been boosted because of it. Sister
Lamborn and I have been focusing on them anyway, since we're still
sort of figuring out this area. There are so many cool people. Lots of
them just need fellowshipping, need to feel loved, and they're right
back at church.
Tuesday was Sister Lamborn's birthday!!! We celebrated by having
cheesecake for breakfast. With root beer, because she's 21. :P We had
to drive up to the mission office for them to take the Tiwi out of our
car (the little box that yells at us if we're going too fast, brake
too hard, etc.) because it's broken and we're going to get a new car
next transfer! Hopefully two, since car share is awful and we have 0
miles to do anything. (Car share is great because we get to spend time
with the North Sisters, but it just makes things very difficult.)
Sister Kober met us up there and gave Sister Lamborn a big gift: air
fresheners for our smoky house (hahaha. They've actually helped a
ton), and lunch for both of us!
We try to tract a little in most areas we go to, partly because miles
are precious and even if appointments fall through, we know there's a
reason for us being in those areas. Most people when we tract are
super nice, or at least courteous. (MOST.) But we had one on Tuesday
who was super interested, and we basically taught the Restoration on
her doorstep. It was so cool.
The Bishop and his family had us over for dinner. Their family is so
stinking cute. Their 4 year old daughter is the most outgoing kid; she
kept dancing for us and talking to us the whole night. She found
candles and had to be the one to put them on the cake. One single
candle and one 7.
Wednesday, service day! We got to Give Kids the World super early, and
so we got to walk around a little bit and had our pick of what to do
for the day. That place feels like a Disney park. There's that magic
in the air. :) We worked with the carousel that day! It's this cute
little carousel with assorted creatures. A snail and a turtle are
benches. There are chickens and reindeer and zebras... It's awesome.
And the kids get to ride as many times as they want; we just run it
over and over for them.
We finally met a less-active family we'd been trying to meet for a
couple weeks, and they came to church on Sunday! Their younger kids
love the missionaries. When they knew we were coming over, they
grabbed their copies of the Book of Mormon and waited on the couch.
Thursday was Zone Conference! We had a General Authority, Elder
Schwitzer and his wife. Usually they just put two Zones together, but
because he was visiting, they split the mission in half. Four Zones at
the conference. It was crazy. Car checks and flu shots (not for me,
but Sister Neff still gave me a sticker. :P) and lunch.
The Sisters heard from Sister Schwitzer first. She talked about gifts
of the Spirit and that we need to recognize and build on ours, and
prayerfully seek to develop more. That they'll help us not only on our
missions, but in the future as wives and mothers. She told us that
part of being in a companionship (on a mission or in a marriage) is
being worried about the other person, and using that to help and
strengthen the other person. Later she spoke to all of us. She talked
about her father; he was a Mountie and always very proud. He taught
his daughters to keep their heads up and shoulders back, and to get
going. It took him quite a while to join the church. She said that
there was one Sunday that she, as a teenager, decided that she wasn't
going to church. He told her, "You're either a member of the church,
or you're not." And then told her that she could either go to church,
or they could call and have her name removed from the records of the
church. She told us we all have a history of what we bring to the
mission. We need to remember our history and what has influenced us,
and still be ourselves in our teaching.
Elder Schwitzer talked to us for ages. I was feeling off the entire
day, and couldn't pinpoint why. But while he was speaking, I was able
to focus and feel normal. Went back to feeling gross that evening. But
that couple hours of clarity was needed.
He told us that we need to help investigators overcome their fears
with friends. They need support, they need love! I took from that that
to overcome fears of talking to people, I need to see people as
friends. He gave us great advice about inviting people to be baptized.
He also told us that repentance gives us greater confidence and
courage, which will help us in testifying.
I don't remember what happened on Friday, other than planning. Lots of
planning. We didn't really leave the house until evening, because we
also had companion inventory early in the day. We talked for around an
hour, I think. Just addressed some things and tried to boost each
other. It was necessary.
Then we started exchanges super late. The STLs (Sister Training
Leaders) underestimated just how far out of the way Poinciana is.
Sister Lamborn stayed in our area with Sister Christensen, and I went
up to the Lake Nona area with Sister O'Hara. We got to their apartment
about 10:45, haha.
So Saturday was a huge adventure! I saw an armadillo in the morning
(the past few weeks I've also seen a deer, wild hogs, ospreys... I
love it here). Sister O'Hara is the most happy, enthusiastic person.
We did a bunch of service for a couple less-active members. Taught a
lesson to two girls, around 12 and 8 years old. Their mother is
less-active, but their grandma takes them to church. The 12 year old
taught her Sunday School class this Sunday. She was printing out talks
and making goodie bags... She'll be a fantastic Young Women's leader
someday.
That day we had THREE DIFFERENT MEMBER MEALS. So much food. So much.
Sister O'Hara also made a super cool scriptural connection. Helaman
5:12 and 3 Nephi 18:12. That we have to build our foundation on
Christ, and then Christ said that the Sacrament is how we build upon
that rock.
I learned a ton, about myself and my role in my companionship. I'm
working on those things that I recognized. Sister O'Hara also told me
that I need to give myself credit for the things that I do well in the
day; like obedience. And that I need to account to Heavenly Father for
the good that I do, and recognize the authority and power in my
calling as a missionary.
Meanwhile in Pleasant Hill South, miracles were happening. There's a
sister who pulled up next to us in her car a while back, and told us
she was a member and to visit her. She and her around 8 year old are
recent converts, and her husband has been investigating for a while
(they also have an adorable 1 year old). He knows the Book of Mormon
is true but had some hesitations about being baptized. Earlier in the
week we picked and prayed about a date to commit him to. While I was
gone, he agreed to be baptized on the 17th of December! He's got some
stuff to work on, but we're helping him. :)
They also met with some awesome investigators we found earlier in the
week, and they're SUPER interested in learning more. Plus they found
more potentials. :) :)
Sunday was interesting. We tried to find some people in the morning.
We had an interesting experience with an old Spanish-speaking woman
who waved us over. She knew we didn't speak Spanish, but she kept
talking to us for several minutes. Bits and pieces that I picked up
were "alone in the house", "no money", but also "God gives me
strength, fortitude, love". We gave her a pass-along card with Jesus
and she kissed it. I felt the Spirit super strongly while we were with
her. We need to get the Spanish-speaking Elders to visit her.
I was trying hard this Sunday to be a good example in church, and to
take meetings more seriously. But then we had one member talk FOREVER
about the most scattered things. Some that were perhaps not correct
doctrine. And so many people were walking in and out of Sacrament
meeting, so much was happening. And then the Gospel Principles lesson
was the law of chastity. So.
Oh, also the Relief Society (and the Bishop's wife) now knows that I
play piano. No going back.
We had two more dinners with Philippino families this week. They LOVE
feeding missionaries. But they never eat with us. They either eat off
to the side or just watch us. And then they pack up leftovers every
time.
Today has been crazy. I'm sorry if this email is a bit scattered and
incoherent. I've just been writing bits and pieces when I can. Plus my
heart decided to start acting up this afternoon and I really don't
feel great.
We had a District P-day this morning, and went to a local flea market.
We mostly just walked around and laughed about the stuff and talked.
They do have super discounted Disney pins, though! I restrained myself
from buying all of them. :P I'll have to bring you guys there if we
visit after my mission.
And we went to Waffle House all together for lunch! I was so excited
when I saw that they have those here, haha. Checked off my mission
bucket list for the moment.
Went to the mission office again, we've gone shopping... We got
Christmas lights (we're so excited for Christmas! Sister O'Hara was
too. CHRISTMAS)! And stuff to hang dry clothes, because our dryer here
did the same thing as at home; it runs but doesn't heat up.
I may not have time/internet to send pics this week. I really didn't
take that many, unfortunately. I need to start taking more pictures.
I love you all, I hope you have a great week and that it's not so crazy busy.
Love,
Christine
Mom, I think it's so cool that you're volunteering in the mission
office back home! They're never going to let you go, haha. Like I
said, we need all the help we can get. :) I hope you enjoy Zone
Conference! Ours was awesome, but I'll talk about that later. It's
weird that the missionaries there have to use miles for Zone
Conference. We get miles reimbursed for things like that, so they
don't count towards the monthly allotment. If we didn't, though, we
wouldn't be able to drive for proselyting at ALL. There's so much back
and forth just to meetings and service that EATS miles.
On to this week!
Mondays are great. We just hang out with the Pleasant Hill North
Sisters (they're fantastic, we're all basically just a unit) for
shopping, etc. and then meet up with others in our Zone to talk, play,
write emails, whatever.
Our District this week has been focusing on less-active people.
Apparently all of our numbers have been boosted because of it. Sister
Lamborn and I have been focusing on them anyway, since we're still
sort of figuring out this area. There are so many cool people. Lots of
them just need fellowshipping, need to feel loved, and they're right
back at church.
Tuesday was Sister Lamborn's birthday!!! We celebrated by having
cheesecake for breakfast. With root beer, because she's 21. :P We had
to drive up to the mission office for them to take the Tiwi out of our
car (the little box that yells at us if we're going too fast, brake
too hard, etc.) because it's broken and we're going to get a new car
next transfer! Hopefully two, since car share is awful and we have 0
miles to do anything. (Car share is great because we get to spend time
with the North Sisters, but it just makes things very difficult.)
Sister Kober met us up there and gave Sister Lamborn a big gift: air
fresheners for our smoky house (hahaha. They've actually helped a
ton), and lunch for both of us!
We try to tract a little in most areas we go to, partly because miles
are precious and even if appointments fall through, we know there's a
reason for us being in those areas. Most people when we tract are
super nice, or at least courteous. (MOST.) But we had one on Tuesday
who was super interested, and we basically taught the Restoration on
her doorstep. It was so cool.
The Bishop and his family had us over for dinner. Their family is so
stinking cute. Their 4 year old daughter is the most outgoing kid; she
kept dancing for us and talking to us the whole night. She found
candles and had to be the one to put them on the cake. One single
candle and one 7.
Wednesday, service day! We got to Give Kids the World super early, and
so we got to walk around a little bit and had our pick of what to do
for the day. That place feels like a Disney park. There's that magic
in the air. :) We worked with the carousel that day! It's this cute
little carousel with assorted creatures. A snail and a turtle are
benches. There are chickens and reindeer and zebras... It's awesome.
And the kids get to ride as many times as they want; we just run it
over and over for them.
We finally met a less-active family we'd been trying to meet for a
couple weeks, and they came to church on Sunday! Their younger kids
love the missionaries. When they knew we were coming over, they
grabbed their copies of the Book of Mormon and waited on the couch.
Thursday was Zone Conference! We had a General Authority, Elder
Schwitzer and his wife. Usually they just put two Zones together, but
because he was visiting, they split the mission in half. Four Zones at
the conference. It was crazy. Car checks and flu shots (not for me,
but Sister Neff still gave me a sticker. :P) and lunch.
The Sisters heard from Sister Schwitzer first. She talked about gifts
of the Spirit and that we need to recognize and build on ours, and
prayerfully seek to develop more. That they'll help us not only on our
missions, but in the future as wives and mothers. She told us that
part of being in a companionship (on a mission or in a marriage) is
being worried about the other person, and using that to help and
strengthen the other person. Later she spoke to all of us. She talked
about her father; he was a Mountie and always very proud. He taught
his daughters to keep their heads up and shoulders back, and to get
going. It took him quite a while to join the church. She said that
there was one Sunday that she, as a teenager, decided that she wasn't
going to church. He told her, "You're either a member of the church,
or you're not." And then told her that she could either go to church,
or they could call and have her name removed from the records of the
church. She told us we all have a history of what we bring to the
mission. We need to remember our history and what has influenced us,
and still be ourselves in our teaching.
Elder Schwitzer talked to us for ages. I was feeling off the entire
day, and couldn't pinpoint why. But while he was speaking, I was able
to focus and feel normal. Went back to feeling gross that evening. But
that couple hours of clarity was needed.
He told us that we need to help investigators overcome their fears
with friends. They need support, they need love! I took from that that
to overcome fears of talking to people, I need to see people as
friends. He gave us great advice about inviting people to be baptized.
He also told us that repentance gives us greater confidence and
courage, which will help us in testifying.
I don't remember what happened on Friday, other than planning. Lots of
planning. We didn't really leave the house until evening, because we
also had companion inventory early in the day. We talked for around an
hour, I think. Just addressed some things and tried to boost each
other. It was necessary.
Then we started exchanges super late. The STLs (Sister Training
Leaders) underestimated just how far out of the way Poinciana is.
Sister Lamborn stayed in our area with Sister Christensen, and I went
up to the Lake Nona area with Sister O'Hara. We got to their apartment
about 10:45, haha.
So Saturday was a huge adventure! I saw an armadillo in the morning
(the past few weeks I've also seen a deer, wild hogs, ospreys... I
love it here). Sister O'Hara is the most happy, enthusiastic person.
We did a bunch of service for a couple less-active members. Taught a
lesson to two girls, around 12 and 8 years old. Their mother is
less-active, but their grandma takes them to church. The 12 year old
taught her Sunday School class this Sunday. She was printing out talks
and making goodie bags... She'll be a fantastic Young Women's leader
someday.
That day we had THREE DIFFERENT MEMBER MEALS. So much food. So much.
Sister O'Hara also made a super cool scriptural connection. Helaman
5:12 and 3 Nephi 18:12. That we have to build our foundation on
Christ, and then Christ said that the Sacrament is how we build upon
that rock.
I learned a ton, about myself and my role in my companionship. I'm
working on those things that I recognized. Sister O'Hara also told me
that I need to give myself credit for the things that I do well in the
day; like obedience. And that I need to account to Heavenly Father for
the good that I do, and recognize the authority and power in my
calling as a missionary.
Meanwhile in Pleasant Hill South, miracles were happening. There's a
sister who pulled up next to us in her car a while back, and told us
she was a member and to visit her. She and her around 8 year old are
recent converts, and her husband has been investigating for a while
(they also have an adorable 1 year old). He knows the Book of Mormon
is true but had some hesitations about being baptized. Earlier in the
week we picked and prayed about a date to commit him to. While I was
gone, he agreed to be baptized on the 17th of December! He's got some
stuff to work on, but we're helping him. :)
They also met with some awesome investigators we found earlier in the
week, and they're SUPER interested in learning more. Plus they found
more potentials. :) :)
Sunday was interesting. We tried to find some people in the morning.
We had an interesting experience with an old Spanish-speaking woman
who waved us over. She knew we didn't speak Spanish, but she kept
talking to us for several minutes. Bits and pieces that I picked up
were "alone in the house", "no money", but also "God gives me
strength, fortitude, love". We gave her a pass-along card with Jesus
and she kissed it. I felt the Spirit super strongly while we were with
her. We need to get the Spanish-speaking Elders to visit her.
I was trying hard this Sunday to be a good example in church, and to
take meetings more seriously. But then we had one member talk FOREVER
about the most scattered things. Some that were perhaps not correct
doctrine. And so many people were walking in and out of Sacrament
meeting, so much was happening. And then the Gospel Principles lesson
was the law of chastity. So.
Oh, also the Relief Society (and the Bishop's wife) now knows that I
play piano. No going back.
We had two more dinners with Philippino families this week. They LOVE
feeding missionaries. But they never eat with us. They either eat off
to the side or just watch us. And then they pack up leftovers every
time.
Today has been crazy. I'm sorry if this email is a bit scattered and
incoherent. I've just been writing bits and pieces when I can. Plus my
heart decided to start acting up this afternoon and I really don't
feel great.
We had a District P-day this morning, and went to a local flea market.
We mostly just walked around and laughed about the stuff and talked.
They do have super discounted Disney pins, though! I restrained myself
from buying all of them. :P I'll have to bring you guys there if we
visit after my mission.
And we went to Waffle House all together for lunch! I was so excited
when I saw that they have those here, haha. Checked off my mission
bucket list for the moment.
Went to the mission office again, we've gone shopping... We got
Christmas lights (we're so excited for Christmas! Sister O'Hara was
too. CHRISTMAS)! And stuff to hang dry clothes, because our dryer here
did the same thing as at home; it runs but doesn't heat up.
I may not have time/internet to send pics this week. I really didn't
take that many, unfortunately. I need to start taking more pictures.
I love you all, I hope you have a great week and that it's not so crazy busy.
Love,
Christine
Christine's companion. Her mother posted a picture to honor her daughter's birthday. Happy birthday.
The pictures Christine sent on her P-day, Monday the 21st, didn't arrive in my email until Thanksgiving morning, Thursday the 24th. But I still wanted to post them in this letter.
The pictures Christine sent on her P-day, Monday the 21st, didn't arrive in my email until Thanksgiving morning, Thursday the 24th. But I still wanted to post them in this letter.
Breakfast
on Tuesday. Healthy.
Birthday
girl! Wooooooo
Lunch
from Sister Kober. :)
Potato
moon
This
super sketchy motel that I just find funny every time we pass it.
District
P-day at Waffle House! (Plus our Zone leaders)
Elder
James, our District leader.
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