Email home on Jan. 3rd: "A New Year"

A new year keeps arriving before we've even got use to the past year. It'll take a while before it sinks in that we've already arrived at 2011. It's funny because it doesn't seem like that long ago when it was high school graduation or college graduation. Wow does time fly by quickly!

We have a new goal in the mission that we have been asked by our mission president to follow. It has always been a pet peeve when people would call us and ask for a specific missionary or when we would speak in a singular form. This is a companionship, so we should be united and not singled out in the work. So, today we received an email from our mission president asking us to "not use the pronouns I or me as we verbalize to each other, ward members, to our companions, letters home, and to the mission president. Our communications and thoughts should be directed to we, us and them." This sounds like a wonderful idea because it really will help us focus on missionary work being a unified program. So, until Pres. Hall clarifies this new goal, we'll see if we can actually write home to our families without using a singular pronoun. Let's just say, it will be hard and/or really bad grammar. :-D

This past week, as a companionship, we have been tracting a lot. We have two deaf investigators right now who we are helping prepare for baptism. These are the only investigators in our teaching pool. No matter how many people we talk to in a day, we aren't finding anyone interested in listening to us. It is hard to understand how people can be so satisfied with their life and closed off to the opportunity to learn more. If only they could understand all the "light and knowledge" they are missing. They say they are content with what the Bible is teaching them, but don't they realize that with the fullness of the gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost that the scriptures will bring even more understanding? Every time the Bible is studied in the perspective of the restored gospel, things seem to fall into place perfectly, and past confusion is clearly shown. It's awful how Satan has muddled things so well that people are afraid or unwilling to listen. They say they are Christian, but isn't it a part of being Christian to be willing to discuss about our faith and belief in Jesus Christ? It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that if a person approaches us wanting to discuss our Savior that our response should be, "We already believe in Jesus Christ [slam door]." It is such a relief to be a part of this church and already have the truth laid before us. We are taught from infancy the importance of learning, growing, asking questions, sharing testimony, etc. There is no "satisfied." We learn that with the help of the Holy Ghost, diligent prayer and scripture study, and faith to receive an answer, the Lord will guide us to wisdom. Why would anyone be content and satisfied with limited knowledge? That makes no sense. What are other religions teaching that make people pull away from the opportunity to share their testimony about Christ when they have two missionaries knock at their door. One experience this week may seem funny to us, but it was an example of at least bearing testimony in their understanding of the word. We were tracking in a neighborhood with little luck when we knocked on a door. This woman answered, found out we were Mormon, and excitedly welcomed us into her living room. We were surprised and curious as what she would say next. She went to the table and took something from her Bible. Oh dear.... then she read to us a Catholic creed or something. Honestly though, it sounded like a testimony, even if it was a rote speech. She was at least willing to welcome us into her home and share with us what she believed. Sadly, she didn't allow us to speak and share our own testimony, but it is progress from others who claim to accept Christ in their hearts then refuse to talk of Him.

So, things are a bit slow here in the English work, but we should have a Deaf Baptism next Sunday that we are really excited about. The Lord is blessing us; and with the new year, there are wonderful and endless possibilities on the horizon. It feels like a great month to work some miracles. They are out there; and if we continue forth, improve ourselves, and act in faith, the Lord will bless our area and we will find those "Elect Saints" ready to hear and accept the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever onward!

Christmas Dinners

Well, since we talked on Saturday, there really isn't a lot more to say. With Sis. Davis and Sis Miller sick, we haven't really done a lot these past few days. So, I guess the most to report was the events of our Christmas dinners.

Well, we had three dinners planned, at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm. We thought it would be fine, but most of them started an hour late so we felt a bit rushed to not miss the next appt. and each of them served us a big turkey dinner. Wow, do we feel stuffed!! It was a lot of fun though! Each family was different in style, so we were able to get a different taste of Christmas from each family. The more I have holidays here on my mission, the more I want to make sure I invite people over whenever I prepare a holiday meal in the future. It means so much to us as missionaries when families invite us over to share in their holiday traditions. Also, I've seen how it blesses members, less-active, recent converts, and investigators to have a home to spend the holidays.

Another blessing we received was having one of our investigators text us last night to tell us that he wants to be baptized in two weeks! Yay!! We are all really excited!! That was the perfect ending to our Sunday evening!

Thanks so much for emailing a tender mercy a week! I look forward to reading them when I sign on to email. I'll be sending off an envelope today that has my Christmas card scrapbook pages, our mission Christmas gift, and a photo cd. Enjoy!

Pictures

Kristi opening her Christmas package

"What's this?"

Email Home: The First Week

Let me introduce you to our "treesome". That is our new nickname from the Elders in our district. We have some funny and interesting facts about each other.

Sis. Davis is from Pocatello, ID. Sis. Miller is from Orem, UT. I am from Mesa, AZ. Straight line ID, UT, AZ. It's funny! Also because Sis. Davis is always cold, Sis. Miller is typically cold, and I'm rarely cold. Odd because of our hometown typical weather.

Sis. Davis has three siblings, I have five sibling, and Sis. Miller has ten siblings. It's fun to answer people's question about how many kids in our family. Start with 4, then to 6, then to 11! It's fun to watch the shock on their faces!

We have very similar hair color, I'm the tallest, Sis. Davis is the shortest. We all are laughing 24/7 about the randomest things. Tracting is quite fun!

I am the oldest mission age at 15 mo, Sis. Davis is next at about 12 mo (I think), and Sis. Miller is a greenie at 2 mo.

Sis. Miller knows very basic signs, Sis Davis knows a little more than Sis. Miller, and I am the ASL missionary for Oviedo. But Sis. Miller wants to learn, so we will be doing 5 min. teaching each day during my language study.

Sis. Miller is a 1st grade assistant teacher, Sis. Davis is a Special Ed. teacher, and I'm just trying to learn how to be okay with teaching people.

Sis. Davis is 22 yrs old; I am 23 yrs old, and Sis. Miller is 24 yrs old.

The companionship is going great! At first, it was a huge struggle for me because the transfer started awkward with everything coming out of my mouth making me feel like a complete idiot. For some reason, last week was a bad self-criticism week. But, I'm getting over it. I think it's because I have no idea what my purpose is for the ASL program. It always throws me off when I'm at a loss of what to do. I'm still confused, but I'm working it out.

I'm not sure if I am going to "die" here in Oviedo. Sis Davis has only been here for one transfer and Sis. Miller just came to the mission last transfer. I'm not sure what Pres. has planned because he said we'd only be in a threesome for one transfer. It just seems weird to move any of us out so soon. It's not typical. So, who knows if I'll be here for my last two transfers or if he'll move me again.

Our apt is so cool! Sis. Lovejoy's mom had sent her a tree that she left in the apt, and Sis. Davis had hung Christmas lights all over the place. Also, Sis. Davis' mom sent each of us stockings so they are hung on the wall next to the tree. It's very festive in our apt. We're always playing Christmas music and each of us have a lot of gifts under the tree (thanks to Sis. Davis' mom). Sis. Miller is still waiting for her family package, but it'll be here soon enough. My gifts from you are still wrapped and also under the tree. I love it! I'm glad to have decorations! Also, we have a Christmas Eve dinner w/ members and three members we will be visiting on Christmas day. It's going to be a great holiday!

For phone calls, Sis. Davis' family is going to do a conference call w/ her and her brother who is serving a mission as well. They haven't confirmed when yet. She just told them that it can be any time except 3pm and 5pm our time. We have dinners planned for those time. So, I don't know when I'll be calling. But thanks for reminding me of my home phone number. I do actually remember it. Randomly, I've accidentally given out my old cell number to people, except I'd put the 407 Florida area code on it. Weird.

All is well here in the mission. We're continuing ever onward. I'm glad the whole family can be together for Christmas. I want pics of my nieces and nephew! Totally jealous! Lots of love!

Transfers

We are moving out of our mansion house and back into a humble apartment. I had the address, but I accidentally threw it away as we were organizing our house getting it ready to close. So, I'll get it to you next week.

Transfer news: I am being sent to Oviedo in a three-some! I will be with Sis. Davis and Sis. Miller and we will be focusing on English work, but I will support and help the Deaf members when needed. I look forward to being around people I love for this Christmas season. That's one thing that is hard about transfers so close to Christmas. Many missionaries are going to new wards where no one knows them. But I've been blessed again to be in an area that I know well. I'm glad to be able to return and help the ward. It's going to be a great transfer. Sis. Snyder is going to Waterford Lakes with isn't too far from where we are now.

Well, we had a good week especially because we are helping the Mission with the Christmas card they are giving to the missionaries. Be excited! We still have some things to do today and tomorrow to get it ready. Yay! I love my talents! It makes me so happy when I am able to use them. It's funny because I thought a lot about you when I would help you out with making the "Generations" picture frames for everyone in the family. Sadly, we did not have Photoshop here at the office, but I'm good at adapting to whatever is available so it worked well enough. Be excited!

Til next week! Loves!

No Email Last Week

Kristi did not email last week. Instead we received a Christmas card with a handwritten letter. Here’s an excerpt:

“On Monday the internet was down. Sorry I couldn’t write/email. We had a really good week teaching a sit-down lesson almost every day and having a family of four come to church - something we haven’t had in forever! It was a great week full of miracles, but we still had our low points and struggles. That’s normal. . . . We did go to the devotional, hoping to meet an investigator there; but the room was packed! We went to the Windermere chapel - right across from the temple - because they had a ‘Festival of the Nativity.’ Well, S__ found me and asked me to interpret the devotional. It was packed and we didn’t have seats. So I stood in the back near the doors. She was in front of me, and I interpreted the whole thing. It’s funny how I feel rusty during sacrament; but when it’s the First Presidency speaking, interpreting is easy! It proves the power and gift of the spirit.”

Kristi's email home on Nov. 29th

So, did you get the Picture CD from the package? I do hope all is well with the pics I send. I don't save them on my camera card. It annoys me to have clutter so I swap out between my three camera cards and delete the old pictures. What I send you is the only copy of my pics. If you want me to send a cool florida/disney photo album, I can do that. Just let me know what you think ... or we can just decide after the mission -- of course.

"It may present a small problem when coming home"? Well isn't that an interesting comment. Well, I can promise I never give things away - the smallest things for me have a lot of sentamental value. You should see the random things I still have at home packed up in the boxes. Most people would just throw them away after a while, but I just can't seem to do it. My future home is going to have shelves full of random odds and ends, each with their own unique and special story. Also, if you can mail it to me, I can always mail it back at the end of my mission. I'm sure I'll have at least one or two more packages sent home before March. A few days ago, I found the paper tree that you had sent me the year before and we have posted it up in the house. Soon, we'll decide what we want to do for decorating it. Also, we live in a nice neighborhood and we are seeing all the houses around us start decorating for the holidays. We are so tempted to go to Big Lots or a dollar store and buy christmas lights to wrap around the trees in our lawn or something to make it look like we also have the Christmas spirit. We probably won't since we don't have money, but it's the thought that counts... maybe we can find some members who are throwing away old lights that we can salvage and use ... :-D

So, my Thanksgiving... well, last week was an interesting week for us. Thanksgiving dinner was a lot of fun! We went to a member's home (the Pease family: Bro & Sis. Pease, Rose, Maggie, Emma, and Becca) and was able to have a potluck with two families from Lake Nona (Sis. Northcutt and the Hahn family: Bro. & Sis Hahn, Allie, Kelsey, and Keaton) and two sets of missionaries (Elder & Sis. Campbell and the Hunters Creek West Spanish Elders). We had a great array of food and were able to play games together and socialize. It's interesting how I grew up not liking sweet potatoes at all! I would just scrape off the marshmellows on top. But since last Thanksgiving with a member making a revised version of the Boston Market sweet potatoes (they added more brown sugar), I've fallen in love with them. YUM!! I can even pop in a sweet potato wrapped in foil in the oven and eat that with brown sugar sprinkled on top. We had a really good homemade recipe for sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving too and we were able to bring home leftovers. That's my favorite part! Since it was a potluck, I had made the recipe of Grandma Hadley's refrigerator rolls (we did it after planning one night. Sadly, we didn't have a big bowl nor a mixer. Let's say, not enough flour, raised to overflow all over the stove, and then in the morning it overflowed in the fridge (but I expected it to happen to I had the bowl on a baking sheet). Also, we still don't own a cookie sheet. We randomly have a turkey pan, though. Well, I got lazy and forgot to do the nice rolling it into a ball, pushing up with your thumbs to get it nicely rounded (I only had an hour of breakfast to get the rolls ready and baked and it was 7am!) so it didn't look as nice. I did pinch off the dough balls from the batch, so it wasn't too bad and it did taste great! But leftover rolls weren't as good. They harden fast. But I learned my lesson. And it's the thought that counts. Oh, so I put rolls in the bottom of the turkey pan, in two small pyrex bowls, and the top of the turkey pan (that was fun because of all the slits, but it worked.) The rolls in the bottom of the pan burned the bottom, but the others worked great. And, that's my Thanksgiving story.

Last week was hard for us. Sadly, our numbers were awful this week and we don't enjoy talking to our district leader about it too much. President told us not to worry about numbers, but the district and zone leaders only care about numbers, so it makes us stressed. They do mean well, but our district leader is better at encouraging Elders to work and improve. It's not the same when you talk to Sisters. Sadly, we cringe whenever he calls for nightly accountability, but we should probably work on that this week. Honestly, I did pray for him here. I was too good at justifying and rationalizing with my last district leader so I asked the Lord to help me get rid of my justifying habit... so he sent me a new district leader who I can't rationalize worth beans. grrrr.... we've got a lot of work ahead of us, but there's only one way, and that's up! Ever onward.