Still Alive!

Hello!

I managed to catch up on my journal today, so I'll actually have an idea of what to write. :P I haven't written every day, but I've written for every day. Almost done with this first journal. :)

So last Monday I got a keyboard which some missionary had left behind for general use. It's mine, I get to take it with me everywhere I go here. :) :) I just need to find some appropriate sheet music.

We also hung out with the North Sisters for a little bit, which is always good. I love just sitting and talking with these people. They're my family down here, and I love them all a ton.

Tuesday we were trying to contact a referral that we've been trying to see for ages, and the neighbors across the street drove up. I was kind of hesitant to talk to them but it turned out to be great (which is often how missionary work goes; you can't prejudge people based on how they look. Sometimes the situations that seem least likely lead to great teaching situations). The woman feels like she's fallen away from her faith and really wants to go back to church and teach her children about God, but she knows her husband won't want to go to church, which is hard for her.

We worked pizza at Give Kids the World on Wednesday, which means we hang out behind the counter and give people pizza for lunch. The time we're there every week is generally pretty slow, because people are at the theme parks, so there's not usually a lot of people to help. So we cut and wrapped brownies too. :P

We talked with B and A, because Al was sick and needed to get ready for bed. It was great because they asked us some good doctrinal questions. He told us that he's now told his mom that he's a member of the church, which he was scared to do, and she took it better than he expected. :)

Thursday we finally had District meeting again. We all bore testimony of the Atonement. Sister Petty and I gave a training on faith, and two other companionships talked about diligence and love. Elder Bone said that those were something like the three legs of missionary work.

We were going to see one of our investigators on her birthday, but she got called in to work. :( So we did some finding in the area. We were finally able to have a lesson with Siteria, the investigator that came to Enrichment the other week. She says she appreciates our efforts to check up on and contact her every week, haha.

Sister Jones called us and sounded a little worried, so we went there... their cat has a wound on his leg. And she basically said, "You're the vet, what do we do?" :P (It's not pretty but it should heal on its own.) That cat is so patient.

Friday we had dinner with someone whose name I'd never seen before. But we got there and I definitely recognized them. Turns out their records are in a branch, but they've been attending a different ward, but they got kicked out and are now trying to transfer to our ward. Hah. They were fun to be with and to talk to. And they're going to give us and the North Sisters referrals sometime. :)

Saturday we went to a baptism! The North Sisters have been teaching Christian, who has been living with the Eggs, and the Buena Ventura Elders have been teaching his parents and younger sister. And they all got baptized! It was awesome. :)

We finally managed to see Susan again. She was in an awful accident but came out mostly unscathed, just sore and shaken. She believes that God saved her. She wants to start seeing us again. We love her.

The North Sisters had made cupcakes, and we delivered them to Sister Fritz, because she's awesome and always helps us out a bunch. We stayed there for a bit to talk and cuddle her animals. She told us we can go there any time for an "animal fix". :)

Sunday was also great. Had ward council at an absurd hour. Christian got confirmed! (And we weren't there for this, but he was given the priesthood and was able to give it to his dad, which is so cool.)

Um. Tried to find referrals.

We finally managed to lure the mother cat close enough to us to touch her, and it turns out she's super sweet.

Today we're just hanging out at home. The North Sisters came down, so we have company. And we're all just writing emails on the couch. :)

...Yep, that was the week. My journal's much more scattered because of having to catch up. But it's been a pretty great week! I've definitely noticed that even when I don't feel motivated sometimes, once I'm actually out and working, it's so much easier to forget myself and just do. Which is so great. The Spirit kinda takes over and we're able to do so much. :)

Hope you all have a fantastic week. I love you.

Love,

Christine

P.S. Grandpa Sommerfeld sent me a super sweet email. 

I'm glad you got to go to the mission conference! You got to hear Elder Oaks? Awesome!

Thank you for your letters, your prayers, and your love. Have a good Valentine's Day! We have interviews with President on Valentine's Day. :P

Love you. Have a great day.

Pics from exchanges! 

Sister Yance and I got free Girl Scout cookies. :)

Sister Reid, Sister Petty, me, and Sister Yance after exchanges.

All of us at the self defense thing.

Sister Lamborn was in a silly mood and climbed on the car. :P

Sister Petty and Sister Lamborn being adorable. :)

Silly selfies.

A dog at the Torres's house creeping at the dinner table.

 With the Fronks! They're moving. :(

It was foggy and gorgeous on Sunday.

There's a lizard that was in between 

one of the windows and the screen.

So we took it outside.

Sister Petty wanted to hold it.

Sister Lamborn and Sister Angelo are cute.

 Cute lil library box in the park. We left a BoM