I've returned home! It's been an interesting week as I've tried to decide what to do with my life. I've been going through everything I own, trying to declutter. I'm also looking for work by looking into an ASL Provisional License in Arizona, applying as an EFY counselor, and reconnecting with old stage positions. As soon as I have a job, I think it'll be easier to find direction for my life.
I have truly enjoyed spending the time at home and getting to know my nieces. I still miss my mission, but I look forward to the new adventures ahead!
My new blog: http://pearlsofgreatworth.blogspot.com
It'll be some time til I have anything interesting to post.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Returning Home on March 9th
Sister Ellsworth will be returning home from her 18-month mission on Wednesday, March 9th. She will speak in church on March 13th.
Letter mailed home Feb. 9th
Hola Familia,
Well, this week we are using the snail mail instead of emailing. I’m tired of trying to find a place to email. We typically would go to the library, but I got our cards confiscated today because they found out it wasn’t our card. Orange County won’t issue library cards without a Florida ID; so as missionaries, we can’t get one. And without one, we can’t use the computers. So, we borrow cards from others. Well, I don’t like how it is dishonest, so we don’t want to do it anymore. In our area, the next closest [place] is UCF; but in all honesty, only students should use those as well. So, we are tired of being dishonest; so we will use snail mail until a better way is presented. We’ll get permission to check our email when we are at the office next, but we only have a month left. Snail mail is fine enough. Sis. Snyder and I don’t mind. However, we just learned about some mid--transfer changes. On Tuesday (Feb. 8th), we are going to have another sister join our companionship. Threesome again! Number Five!
This week is zone conference, and it will bring a lot of amazing changes to the mission. I’m a little jealous that I won’t be able to be a part of these changes. It really will be an instrument in working miracles for the Florida Orlando Mission.
Well, we just bought stamps. It’s Tuesday night. Sis. Freeman just arrived. Gotta go! Love ya lots!
Sister Ellsworth
Well, this week we are using the snail mail instead of emailing. I’m tired of trying to find a place to email. We typically would go to the library, but I got our cards confiscated today because they found out it wasn’t our card. Orange County won’t issue library cards without a Florida ID; so as missionaries, we can’t get one. And without one, we can’t use the computers. So, we borrow cards from others. Well, I don’t like how it is dishonest, so we don’t want to do it anymore. In our area, the next closest [place] is UCF; but in all honesty, only students should use those as well. So, we are tired of being dishonest; so we will use snail mail until a better way is presented. We’ll get permission to check our email when we are at the office next, but we only have a month left. Snail mail is fine enough. Sis. Snyder and I don’t mind. However, we just learned about some mid--transfer changes. On Tuesday (Feb. 8th), we are going to have another sister join our companionship. Threesome again! Number Five!
This week is zone conference, and it will bring a lot of amazing changes to the mission. I’m a little jealous that I won’t be able to be a part of these changes. It really will be an instrument in working miracles for the Florida Orlando Mission.
Well, we just bought stamps. It’s Tuesday night. Sis. Freeman just arrived. Gotta go! Love ya lots!
Sister Ellsworth
Monday, January 31, 2011
Email home on Jan. 31st
My email was short last week? Hmm... I remember it feeling long, but maybe because it felt like I packed a lot of info into it. Oh well... I'll try again, but I have less to say this week than I did last week.
First, I gave you misinformation on my address. You probably figured it out, but the zip is actually 32828. My fault!
In answer to your questions:
How are you?
First, I gave you misinformation on my address. You probably figured it out, but the zip is actually 32828. My fault!
In answer to your questions:
How are you?
- Fine
Have you had a good week?
- Yes
We didn't have any lessons with investigators, but we were able to visit several of the members and share a lesson about the atonement. It was really fun because we had a simple outline of what to teach of the atonement, but each household we shared a message in had a different focus of how the atonement blesses our lives. It was amazing!
Are things going well?
- Yes
What’s happening with the ASL work?
A great bucket full of tender mercies came to the ASL program yesterday! The yearly ASL activities calendar was approved by the stake and sent to all the wards. It looks like a great year of activities! Also, the ASL class will FINALLY start this Wednesday!! We've been waiting it for almost a year now, but it's wonderful to have it started. I will be assisting when needed for the next few weeks.
I will be attending the Oviedo ward just to help interpret Sacrament Meeting, which is so hard to do because I'd love to stay for Sunday School as well - but time won't allow it. It's not too bad on travel because the Oviedo chapel is only 10 min. away from the Dean chapel (where we meet for Waterford Lakes Ward).
There is a bit of confusion about who will teach our recent convert the new member lessons. It should go to home teachers, but with so few knowing how to sign and distance and scheduling, it'll be hard. Also, the Oviedo Sisters think it would be good for them to do it since he goes to the Oviedo ward. So, in all, I just said that if they need my help, I will be available for them. We will see what happens.
The English work?
Well, in Waterford Lakes, it is considered one of the wealthiest areas. I say it's the second wealthiest, right after Windermere. So we have a lot of gated communities, and people who just want privacy. Thus, tracting results in low contacting numbers and our teaching pool is very, very small. The focus is to practice teach with members and to support them in talking with friends and sharing the gospel with them. We will see what we can do to further progress this area. It is a hard area, but I see the potential, and it is great!
We had an amazing Sunday with member missionary work! I bore my testimony in Sacrament meeting, we gave a short explanation of mormon.org in the combined third hour lesson, bore testimony of the Book of Mormon in Primary, participated in ward council to create a 2011 Ward Mission Plan, and received a "Father's" blessing from the Bishop to help guide us in the work here. Also, I did really good learning names of members :-D
The companionship?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Email home on Jan. 24th: Transfers
SURPRISE!!! I'm getting transferred! And, that wasn't only a surprise for me and my companions. It was a surprise to President as well! The Lord decided to move me last minute. Fun!
For my last transfer, I will be serving in the Waterford Lakes area with Sis. Snyder. It's going to be a blast! The area is hard - because it's another rich area with a lot of gated and No Trespassing neighborhoods. But we will also help with ASL work when needed and also assist at the Office. For Sundays, we will attend Oviedo at 9am (they no longer have ASL missionaries in the area), then go to Waterford at 11am. Fun, huh? It's going to be crazy, and the Deaf members are surprised at it, but things should work out well. It is the Lord's work. We all know this was decided by the Lord, not by anyone else. I have gained a strong testimony that the mission president truly receives revelations from the Lord. We've seen it time and time again.
My new address:
3821 Avalon Park East Blvd #418
Orlando, FL 32828
Also, did you get the white envelope I sent to you? I'm worried I put it in the wrong mailbox, and that had our Christmas gift and Picture CD and FOM Messenger, etc. Hope it made it to you in one piece!!! Also, I will be mailing out a large flat rate box today. It's full of randomness. No need to open it. Sorry it's so heavy - it seems I really am a collector. Hope it gets to you :-D
Well, this email was going to go on about the stupid German roach infestation in our apt, but since its transfers, it won't matter anymore. Plus, we just got a bait program started and it's killing them off pretty well - too bad it flushes them out before they die. Every time we do something different to kill them, they start showing up in more places more frequently. Roaches are my LEAST favorite insect. Ug! But they are really small, so not as bad. And I got use to it from the ones we see in AZ. It's my companions who freak out and think they are huge! They've never seen a roach before! Weird, huh?
The hardest part about this being the last transfer is the fact that I have finally started to really understand the full meaning of missionary work! I've gained that much needed faith that we not only can, but we will accomplish a baptism from each companionship each month. The mission is making new changes to double our baptisms, and I am so excited for them. They will bring about amazing miracles! I'm finally in the spirit of missionary work after trying to get here for the last year and a half. But now I'm about to leave!!! WHY!?!?! It's frustrating! But at least I have this last transfer to put my all into the work. It will be great!!
For my last transfer, I will be serving in the Waterford Lakes area with Sis. Snyder. It's going to be a blast! The area is hard - because it's another rich area with a lot of gated and No Trespassing neighborhoods. But we will also help with ASL work when needed and also assist at the Office. For Sundays, we will attend Oviedo at 9am (they no longer have ASL missionaries in the area), then go to Waterford at 11am. Fun, huh? It's going to be crazy, and the Deaf members are surprised at it, but things should work out well. It is the Lord's work. We all know this was decided by the Lord, not by anyone else. I have gained a strong testimony that the mission president truly receives revelations from the Lord. We've seen it time and time again.
My new address:
3821 Avalon Park East Blvd #418
Orlando, FL 32828
Also, did you get the white envelope I sent to you? I'm worried I put it in the wrong mailbox, and that had our Christmas gift and Picture CD and FOM Messenger, etc. Hope it made it to you in one piece!!! Also, I will be mailing out a large flat rate box today. It's full of randomness. No need to open it. Sorry it's so heavy - it seems I really am a collector. Hope it gets to you :-D
Well, this email was going to go on about the stupid German roach infestation in our apt, but since its transfers, it won't matter anymore. Plus, we just got a bait program started and it's killing them off pretty well - too bad it flushes them out before they die. Every time we do something different to kill them, they start showing up in more places more frequently. Roaches are my LEAST favorite insect. Ug! But they are really small, so not as bad. And I got use to it from the ones we see in AZ. It's my companions who freak out and think they are huge! They've never seen a roach before! Weird, huh?
The hardest part about this being the last transfer is the fact that I have finally started to really understand the full meaning of missionary work! I've gained that much needed faith that we not only can, but we will accomplish a baptism from each companionship each month. The mission is making new changes to double our baptisms, and I am so excited for them. They will bring about amazing miracles! I'm finally in the spirit of missionary work after trying to get here for the last year and a half. But now I'm about to leave!!! WHY!?!?! It's frustrating! But at least I have this last transfer to put my all into the work. It will be great!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Email home on Jan. 19: "Short but Sweet"
It's been an interesting week. This weekend was very rainy. Florida weather has been quite peculiar with freeze warnings and really cold, windy days. But, it was nice to see the rain - good ol' Florida thunderstorms!
Yesterday, we cleaned the baptismal font for about two hours and it looks so much better now! People say it hasn't been cleaned ever. Can't say if that is true or not, but what we thought was permanent yellowing of tile was really just layers of dirt and grime that easily washed off with some Clorox spray and elbow grease.
Last Sunday, we asked our Bishop for a blessing to help us in our missionary efforts in the ward. It was a great experience, and interesting that the blessing focused on continuing to show faith and confidence in the work, which seems to always come up again and again. But it is true that the Lord has faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we do. We are instruments in His hands. He has called us to this work, at this time, in this place. That is truly a sign of His faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we are performing.
Many changes seem to be coming to the mission soon. The focus of finding is being put on the member's shoulders. Missionaries are teachers, not finders. Therefore, new programs are being put into place to make sure the members realize their responsibility to bring their friends to the missionaries. We have seen that the door to tracting is closing, so it is exciting to see the start of new changes. Pres. Hall is doing a wonderful job at helping this mission grow and adapt.
Transfer calls are this weekend, so next email may have new changes. We'll see.... til next time! Lots of Love!
Yesterday, we cleaned the baptismal font for about two hours and it looks so much better now! People say it hasn't been cleaned ever. Can't say if that is true or not, but what we thought was permanent yellowing of tile was really just layers of dirt and grime that easily washed off with some Clorox spray and elbow grease.
Last Sunday, we asked our Bishop for a blessing to help us in our missionary efforts in the ward. It was a great experience, and interesting that the blessing focused on continuing to show faith and confidence in the work, which seems to always come up again and again. But it is true that the Lord has faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we do. We are instruments in His hands. He has called us to this work, at this time, in this place. That is truly a sign of His faith, confidence, and trust in the work that we are performing.
Many changes seem to be coming to the mission soon. The focus of finding is being put on the member's shoulders. Missionaries are teachers, not finders. Therefore, new programs are being put into place to make sure the members realize their responsibility to bring their friends to the missionaries. We have seen that the door to tracting is closing, so it is exciting to see the start of new changes. Pres. Hall is doing a wonderful job at helping this mission grow and adapt.
Transfer calls are this weekend, so next email may have new changes. We'll see.... til next time! Lots of Love!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Email home on Jan. 10th: "A Wonderful Baptism"
Yesterday, we had a wonderful baptism for one of our Deaf investigators! We had a great attendance from the ward - which was a relief because it seems the past few baptisms weren't so good. It was also a great opportunity for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing members to get together to welcome him into the ward. It is such a great opportunity to be back in the Oviedo ward! The people here are amazing! Although missionary work in the ward as a whole seems to be limited, the friendship and fellowship is wonderful. There are a lot of amazing and nice people here! We all love the Relief Society President, and our new Ward Mission Leader is great! We also are impressed with our new Bishop. It is so great to see the potential in this ward! We are trying to help our members see that potential themselves so they can realize the great good they can do for the missionary work. It's not only what the missionaries can do; it's a great part of what the members are doing for the work. The ward will get there!
Thank goodness, our bike week is over! We've been biking a lot! One night, we biked the four and a half miles from the church back to our apt at 9 pm in the bitter cold wind (humid cold is awful)! Yesterday was so hard to bike, but we survived - barely. Now, we will be in the car for the week to prep ourselves for bike week again next week. Sigh... car share is awful! But it builds up muscle and perseverance. There is always something good learned from every experience.
All is well! We continue in the work with a smile on our face and always find things to laugh at. It helps get through the long hours of tracting and the constant rejections we face. The Lord has truly blessed us with this great companionship! Onward and Upward!
Thank goodness, our bike week is over! We've been biking a lot! One night, we biked the four and a half miles from the church back to our apt at 9 pm in the bitter cold wind (humid cold is awful)! Yesterday was so hard to bike, but we survived - barely. Now, we will be in the car for the week to prep ourselves for bike week again next week. Sigh... car share is awful! But it builds up muscle and perseverance. There is always something good learned from every experience.
All is well! We continue in the work with a smile on our face and always find things to laugh at. It helps get through the long hours of tracting and the constant rejections we face. The Lord has truly blessed us with this great companionship! Onward and Upward!
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