So This is All I Have!!!!

So we don't have time cause we are playing soccer with zone. 

BUT here are some highlights! 

- finding out me and hermana Starnes will be companions and covering blue island and we are |
  stoked to work with everything we got!! 

- getting a call from my last comp telling me CHRISTIAN IS GETTING BAPTIZED IN TWO
  WEEKS AND THAT I NEED TO BE THERE!!!! 

 - being able to just knock doors and talk to everyone in 30 degree weather....IN MAY.

- driving and finding a beautiful sight.

- getting frozen yogurt with my pal gals 

And here's this awesome thing from my awesome mission president:

We had zone training early in the morning. It was good. Something I really liked was our mission president comparing our view of the Atonement to the beliefs of others. First, he had someone put a
plastic grocery bag on their head to represent those who only believe that by grace we are saved and that you just have to say you've sinned and that is all. Then, he had someone out a rain poncho on and
this represented those that believe that there are only a few lucky ones who are saved. He compared it to a volcano that everyone is going in but God chooses to save a few of us. Then he had a set of elders
come and hold a big umbrella and have the rest of their district (4 more missionaries) come and stand under it. They all fit! This is the restored church's view on the atonement. It is much deeper and covers
everyone! He also compared it to missionaries and members, how we carry around the umbrella and can help others receive the shelter it brings. Another sister commented that we can't force them to come
under the umbrella either, and if someone backs away just a little bit they are going to get wet again. Super cool analogy/object lesson!! After that, we came back and did some studies then went finding.
This week also we learned of a survey that earn elders mom sent him that is perfect for missionaries! It's a great way to get to know people especially on door steps. 

Anyways! I'm sorry this email is not perfect but it's okay neither are y'all ;) 
I love you all. My heart is always so warm, and full of joy to know that I am a missionary. 
And ahhhh i just want to give it my all!!! Thanks for all the love and support !!! 
I love you all!! 

You Just Gotta Believvveeeee!!!!

Heellllooo sweet loved ones of mine!
I hope everyone had a great week!! This week was great!! My favorite day was when we went on exchanges with Hermana Mendieta! I learned so much from her and she's a boss missionary! Me and Hermana Starnes took her to these Hispanic flea market things and we just talked to EVERYONE! And it was so much fun!!! We met so many cool people that are interested in our message and we were meeting less actives that just haven't found the church since they left Mexico and we were finding people that have met with missionaries before, it was awesome!!! We then ended the exchange eating paletas which were yuummyyy

We also had such a fun time preparing a skit for the mother day activity. It was a giant party , I love how Hispanics exaggerated everything and make everything a big deal. I thought it was just my family ...but I guess it runs in the Hispanic gene.

We made this skit about missionaries thanking their moms for everything we have been taught to prepare for a mission and then talked about how grateful we are for the hermanas in our ward who treat us like their children and always take care of us. It was tender.

Another miracle that we had was when we prayed to find a family of five to teach. We were super specific with our prayers as to where we needed to go and stuff.

So we prayed to until we reached a certain street and then we told Heavenly Father that we were gonna knock the doors with statues outside their porch and for him to bless those people with open hearts to listen to us.

We did it and found a family of five!!

IF YOU BELIEVE , MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN!

They were taking in their house large cases of water bottles and we offered to help. They said no a couple of times until all 3 of us looked at each other and just grab a case of water and let us ourselves in their house.

They thanked us and told us to sit down and we taught them :)

Best district ever

 

My fav pic ever

I love you all!! Sorry this is so short but I have a limited number of Pdays left in my life. I'll talk to you all when I'm home on more detail!!

The church is true ! And I love my Savior and Father in heaven!!

I'm so grateful to be on this mission and make the next 12 weeks that I have left the greatest!!!

Los quiero!

Guess Who is Back!!

Hello beautiful people!!

I have had a wonderful week back in blue island!!
I was a little nervous at first but then I got one of the most
beautiful blessing i have ever received from our district leader and
I've never felt so much comfort in my life!!
I love my companion Hermana Villejo . She's so full of fire and
faith!! And I love her to death and she's exactly what I need in my
life right now!
She's from the Philippines but raised in Hawaii. She speaks tolago ( I
thinks that's how it's spelled, but anyways it's the language all of
Kirsten companions speaks and she's teaching me some words and I'm
super stoked that way me and Kirsten can feel super cool together one
day)

Anyways, it was awesome to see the wonderful progression in this area
and ward! I have never been so impressed in my life.
We have so many so many legit investigators ! And new families that
moved into the ward for us to work with . And I am so lucky to be able
to be back!!
I am back to inspired Tracting, which is my favorite thing ever. You
just never know who will open the door!! And we have been able to
teach so many people, it's amazing how they just let us into their
home and I'm so surprised cause that never happened while I was here
the first time.
Sorry this is short but it's all I have time for!!
The church is so true! God is aware.

I got to see melany!!! I don't know if anyone remembers her, but she's the girl me and Hermana Allen found a year ago and it was so wonderful to see she is fully converted into this gospel. She is preparing to serve a mission and it warms my heart! Unfortunately she's moving to Guatemala and it was a tearful even when we said goodbye to her. I'm so proud of her. 

Lol at this awful picture I tried to fit everyone in. 

We are at this super awesome place in China town!

True true.

Tender Mercies and a Plot Twist!

Hello people!!

I just want to start off by testifying of the tender mercies of the Lord.
This past week we had no car. And no money #missionarylife
So we weren't able to use public transportation either so we had some
time on bikes for as long as we could borrow them and then we
walked....a lot.
It was AWESOME!

(I'm lazy so I pasted this next part from my companions email )

"we started out the day with receiving a text saying we were having our
district meeting at a different building then our church building...
One that's farther away.... So we looked it up and it was a good 4-5
mile walk one way with a nice 1 hour and a 1/2 walk time... So we
decided that wouldn't work so we scraped up a couple dollar bills we
had been saving for an emergency and some quarters and prepared to
take the bus half way. The only problem was is that we only had enough
money to get there..... But we had to go so we went trusting the Lord
would provide. We walked the other half of the way the home time
praying we would randomly find 5 quarters for the bus fair home. Well
we didn't so we got there  to the church a little early did some
studies and then had our meeting. We got out and amazingly as we were
trying to figure out how to get home someone (a missionary) helped us
out... A lot, it was a HUGE tender mercy. Also! We were out of food
and didn't have a eating appointment so we weren't sure what we were
going to do when randomly another distinct invites us in to eat left
over Hispanic food from their district meeting!!! It was a huge
blessing! Then we had a lesson at the end of the night also in the
elders area and it was way far from our house. Thankfully the
missionary that had helped us out earlier had made it so we could take
the buses there, so after the lesson we get out and it is pouring
rain... Just buckets of it. So we run to the road and it doesn't say
walk but it was clear and it was pouring so we ran across and then ran
to the bus stop as soon as we get to the bus stop I turn around and
there the bus is pulling up. It's a miracle we made it because the
buses run every 15-20 minutes at that time of night. Then, we get off
that bus to take the next one and it shows up within 5 min. Then we
get off of that bus (it's still pouring) and we are not at all sure
where the bus stop is. There isn't one in sight. So we are just
briskly walking when I turn to look down the road to see if I can even
see a bus and to my surprise it's about to pass us. I screamed bus to
Hermana Curapil and we have never and probably never will run so hard
in our lives!! It was late and cold and wet and we were not going to
miss that bus. As we were running I started losing hope, we couldn't
see a bus stop anywhere!! I was yelling to Hermana Curapil "where is
it? I don't see one!" And I literally was about to stop when she said
"I see it! There it is! Keep going" we ran even harder and barely made
it. I am pretty sure Heavenly Father stopped time because the light
the bus was driving through was green and we ran a block and a half
before we got to the bus stop and somehow we still beat it, barely.
Heavenly Father really helped us out that night. We got home safe and
sound. :) the moral of the story- DON'T GIVE UP. He is with us and the
end is in sight, sometimes we are just a little blinded by the storms
in life but there is always an end. Always. President Uchtdorf said
yesterday "The desire to walk in his way will grow with every step of
faith you take" Keep walking! He will give you what you are searching
for! You might just have to run in faith for a few blocks. :)"
-Hermana Rowbury

Mostly cause we weirdly got to see so many in between small victories
from appointment to appointment.
Like when the it's perfect timing for crossing the street.
Or when no people on bikes almost run into you.
Or getting to enjoy the rain.....and have no choice to enjoy the rain.
Only getting ONE blister from my shoes.
Being able to laugh like crazy at the random things that happen in the city.
Having an awesome companion
And feeling joy and peace knowing that I rather be no one where else
but here on a mission in Chicago.
I love this area. It's been great!
But just like  Sister Mapuhi  once said  "No matter how great the past
has been, the future is always better. Remember Lot's wife."
(I'm grateful for my best friend Kirsten Froemming who knows my needs
from across the world and sent me that when she killed off her
companion.)

I'm getting transferred.
BACK TO BLUE ISLAND. My first area.
I'm so stoked!!!
I'm grateful for my mission president!
Usually the APs call when you get transferred but President Woodbury
called and bore his testimony to me about how the Lord woke him up at
3am to tell him I am needed in blue island.
All of my responses to the APs or President when they call is usually
"okay thanks"
I have always felt so much peace about next companions or areas my
entire mission.
It's crazy the trust that I have in 2 elders that don't know my needs
and my mission president to know exactly what I need and what
companion I need.
If President Woodbury was to call me and tell me I have to get
relocated to a mission in Russia and learn Russian in 2 weeks , my
response will probably be "holy crap!, okay thanks"
I know that I am needed. And I know that the Lord knows best!! And I'd
do anything and go anywhere he needs me! And I'm so grateful to be
able to have that attitude!
The next morning President Woodbury called me again.
He bore his testimony to me again.
And then told me about the needs of the ward and how I am needed there again.
I'm extremely humbled to know that I have to work harder this time.
I think every missionaries dream is to go back to their first area and
apply everything they learned from their past areas and companions and
I am so grateful I get to live that dream!
I know i am going to be with an awesome companion and see a ton of
miracles together!!!
I am so excited!!!
I know that mission presidents have the keys to guide this work and it
was confirmed to me as i listened to our Prophet, apostles and other
leaders this week that nothing happens unless they look to God first.
That blows my mind!!!
It really has made me reflect on how often I go to God when I need direction.
He guides my life. He knows my life. He knows where he needs me .
So do I go to him and ask him what's the next plan that he has for me?
Not really. Lol
Sometimes I do. But it's all about how often.
My invitation to you all is to look to God. OFTEN. all the time.
He knows you. He knows where you need to be. He knows the people
you'll be surrounded with. He knows ALL THINGS!
I KNOW HE DOES.

I love you all! Have a great week!!

THE PLAN OF SALVATION AND THE BOM

Hello friends and family!!
There are two things I'm going to write today.
One will be the plan of salvation and the other will be about the Book
of Mormon.


So a few weeks ago, me and my companion were walking the crazy streets
of Chicago when we craved little Caesars and cause we only had $5.
There was this young man walking down the street and we asked him if
he knew where the closest little Caesars would be. He said no and we
got to talking and he told us how he is going through a hard time
right now so we got his info and sent it to the English elders who
cover our area.
The next time we saw them they told us how awesome this guy is. His
name is Tommy.
The day we found him is the day he decided to stop using drugs. The
elders would spent time with him every day to help him and he would
get invited to members houses all time and FHE. He was getting some
serious support. We randomly saw him on the street again and he told
us how grateful he was that we talked to him and how he has never felt
so much love and support in his entire life.
Every Time we saw the elders they would tell us about the progress of
Tommy and how he tells everyone the funny way we met.
Few weeks passed.
One morning I got the impression to get a picture of Christ and I
wrote a note to Tommy and I gave it to the elders to give to him.
This week we had zone conference and one of the elders came up to me
and said "hey I have to talk to you, Tommy died yesterday of an
overdose"
I can't really remember my expression but I didn't say anything and
then he said "last time we saw him we gave him your note and he loved
it"
The elders went to the funeral service and we saw them later that day
and brought me the little program that they handed out with a cute
poem and a picture of angels in heaven.
They said that everyone there knew who they were because Tommy talked
so fondly about those elders and that his parents asked "where are the
two girls that asked him where a little Caesars was"


I felt pure peace. Pure peace to know that we did what the Lord has
called us to do and give warning to everyone. Tommy already knows
about the gospel and he missed his baptismal date by a month and half.
But I know that he is going to accept it ssooo fast in the spirit
world because of the mercy of the Lord who commanded everyone to go
and preach the gospel.

The plan of Salvation is real. There is ONE plan and there is ONE way
to gain the eternal happiness we are promised. It starts with faith in
Jesus Christ.
How do we gain Faith in Jesus Christ?
THE BOOK OF MORMON!
I won't tell the whole lesson. But this past week we had an
appointment with an investigator who is a part member family and is
SUPER PREPARED!!
At the end of the lesson I felt impressed to ask him some questions
and they were:
Have you prayed specifically to know if the BOM is true?
Why do you think we ask you to read the BOM?
Out of all the things we have been teaching you what do you know
without a doubt that is true?

He couldn't answer. He's progressing he hasn't missed a day of church
the past 3 months and quit coffee and committed to pay tithing.
But the testimony is what is needed not just willingness.

Authority and power filled the room when we looked at Cristian in the
eyes and told him
"EVERYTHING WEIGHS ON THIS BOOK!!!
You have to read it!!! The only way you'll know anything we taught is
true Is if you read and pray about the BOM! You have to read it
EVERYDAY! "

 The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ and his gospel that is now
restored! It's living proof that Joseph Smith restored it and that
every little detail about this  gospel is 100 % true and that it will
never ever fail!!

That is my testimony to you all brother and sisters!
Life can be eternal with our families and happiness.

The way the rest of our lives go depend on our daily scripture study.

I love you all! I want all of you to feel the burning goodness I feel
when I read the Book of Mormon and remember the wonderful plan God has
for us!

I love you all and I pray for y'all.

                  Trio life for 3 hours

"The hands of God" 

Relief society annual celebration

Lol at our skills with an iPad camera

Hermana Curapil

Miracles and Then Another One and a Few More

This week we were able to see so many miracles!
We finally found a less active family that are never home!! And it was
awesome cause the mom told us that lately she's been feeling
Unsatisfied and that she's been missing something else. Her kids
joined us and we were able to get a good relationship going.
We also visited another less active who is going through a hard time
so we been actually setting citas with her. And she gave us a
referral! He's a young English speaking guy but still! It was awesome
how excited she got!
There's also another girl Alicia who is 19. Her mom is active and
she's not. She's been warming up to us. And was so excited when we
came over , she likes to bake and she baked us all the things we told
we liked. It was awesome for so many reasons! The lesson was the best
part! She just opened up and was able to be herself.
I also went on exchanges with Hermana Chabert.
She's so wonderful and a great example of a lot of things!
As me and Hermana rowbury planned out the exchange, it didn't feel
right to have citas that day. So I decided to stop fighting the
prompting and cancel or move the citas we had that day except our
lunch member cita and do 8 hours of straight walking and contacting!
We sure were exhausted at the end of that night! But it felt great!!
We got a ton of PNIs and set up cita right then and there and even met
a good amount of people who had friends and family who are already
Mormon.
We even contacted white people! We contacted this one lady that just
lit up as we in unity shared our excitement of the BOM and started
testify of it. The bus came and she said she's going to go to the
website on it so that missionaries can visit her and thanked us for
talking to her! At the end of the exchange Hermana Chabert told me
that she really needed it. She really needed to do 8 hours of
contacting and that she felt great.  She's a little stressed with
everything that is going on with Hermana Allen and the area. But she's
doing all good things and wants to be a good companion to Hermana
Allen and serve the ward.
The elders had a baptism and Cristian came. Once Olga got in that
water and he leaned over to me and Hermana rowbury and said "that'll
soon be me right?" And excitedly told us about how he stopped drinking
coffee for a straight week! His dark bags under his eyes were a
beautiful sight #tendermerciesforamissionary

I read a "miracle of a mission" this week and something stuck out to
me that hasn't before.
"For as long as we live we will be bearing testimony of the divinity
of the Church, and of the salvation of the Lord and of the Restoration
of the gospel and of God’s love for His children. Until I cannot move
my lips one more time, that is what we will do."

 It made me feel really excited that for the rest of my life I can
keep strengthening my testimony of the Savior and the restoration of
the this gospel and hope that nothing will ever stop me from sharing
that testimony with others and that it'll help me in time of need.
And it made me feel really excited that I'll never ever stop living
this gospel and I'm so grateful for the covenants I could make in the
temple , I know that it'll bless me for the rest of my life and my
families.
Until I cannot move my lips one more time either on this mission or
not as a missionary that is what I will do.

Like Paul , I will fight a good fight,  I will finish my course, I
will keep the faith

I was able to do what my parents have trained me to do my whole life! I translated the whole first hour of sacrament for our ward conference for the stake people who didn't speak Spanish. It was awesome! 

Hermana Chabert! 
Everyone thinks we are twins. Even our mission president get us mixed up

We just happen to walk by the most sketchiest parts of our area this week.

#wheninchicago #mycheeks 

Cute faces. Cute friends for life 

Saw this. Took a picture and then I dreamt that
it was in front of our apartment #weirdfunfact

Missionary Work and One Unfortunate Event

Hello my friends!!

I hope you all had a fantastic week!!  Hermana Rowbury and I saw a huge miracle! We were able to put Cristian on date! We were eating and all of a sudden he said "I've been thinking about this baptism thing and I want
to do it"

We dropped our jaws and set a date for the 14th of May.! He still said he needed some time to prepare cause otherwise he could get baptized next week! He's come to church 11 times in a row now!! Ahhh we are so pumped!
 
We had a district contacting activity where we passed out a TON of book of Mormons in English , Spanish and Polish. If you look at the picture I'm holding a Polish BOM and you won't know what it says ha!!

I really think our district looks like
super models here! We met a guy
who read the whole Book of Mormon!  

We also had sisters conference! And that was the most stressful thing ever to put together. But it went amazing!! It was super uplifting for the Sisters and Hermanas in our mission! 

I also can't believe it has already been 6 months since our last sister conference and A YEAR since my first 

Could I have any more gauze on my finger?

I also cut my finger while cleaning the church. There was a crack on the sink and I swiped my finger right across that sharp marble and blood went everywhere....like everywhere. I played it cool and kept cleaning until my glove was filled with blood and my companion freaked out. We called our mission nurse and we went to the ER. IT WAS AWESOME! While the nurse dude was registering me in, I accidentally go blood all over his desk cause the napkins weren't cutting it. What made it super hilarious is that the guy was trying so hard to laugh and the fact that my companion couldn't stop laughing either. He made us sit down and he had to sanitize everything.

I have the best companion ever. I was having a rough day and beating myself up and went to bed and woke up to this :) post it with wonderful things written on them Add caption

Also I don't know my right from my left and my companion is about sick of it ...so she did this.

Those are the main things about this week! Hope this information was satisfying to everytime! 

Have a great week!! 

Love you all!