We're Still Carryin' The Banner!

Hi Family!

It's Monday!  Woot!

SO this week has been awesome.  Sister Bingham and I are absolutely crazy together.  A few times we've just gone off on random subjects and our ward mission leaders have just sat there watching us. It's been really funny.  I say anything and a random song will pop into her head, usually Disney, and then she starts singing it and we both get it stuck in our heads.  This week it's been mostly Newsies.  Several times we have to turn on church music to help us refocus but as soon as it goes off, Newsies comes back full force.  I don't know what we're gonna do.  Well, at least we're still "Carryin' the Banner"! 

As far as the wrok goes, it's still REALLY slow.  But that's ok.  Because people are actually opening doors to us now since we can now visit people at all hours of the day.  Let me see.... trying to think of exciting things this past week.... Oh, we did teach a lesson to some active members and they had 4 nonmembers present.  We're teaching them again this week.  We have about 40 less active families on our list and we just found out that the names we have aren't even half of the names the wards still need to visit.  We are doing some major prioritizing.  fun fun. Weekly planning took FOREVER this week.

Ummm..

 

Yesterday we talked to an anti.  He was a convert and then fell away.  He's been taking these anti classes called "Concerned Christians" which is run by an ex-mormon. And sadly his idea of mormonism was very warped.  He contradicted himself at least 3 times.  That part was more or less amusing.

Yeah. so I really don't have anything excting to talk about otherwise.  We've just been trying to contact people all week so.... there isn't really much to say other than we're knocking on doors pretty much all day, everyday.  And it's always the same doors.  I am proud to say though that I haven't gotten us lost yet.  I suppose that's an accomplishment. 

Oh, do you know who the Dutton Family is?  They're a big performing family based out of Missouri and they were on America's Got Talent.  Look them up. They're amazing. They did a missionary fireside for missionaries and their investigators/recent converts.  We went with Michelle and had a blast.

Haha. Also, this transfer Elder Morgan, our district leader, is training.  And the new elder, Elder Santos, looks like a younger Bishop Sheppard.  So I laugh inside every time I see him.  Ironic is all. Lol.

Well, I'm glad you all had fun at that private concert.  It sounds like it was fun.  Good luck with the new sister missionaries.  And the new CAR!  Woot!  I like our 2010 Toyota corolla.  We named her Neveah (Heaven backwards) because she does u-turns.  It brings joy to my heart that you adopted her brother.

Ok. I love you all.

Love, me

Hello, wonderful family!

SO this week has been especially slow.  With only one investigator, we've been doing a ton of finding activities, mostly trying to coordinate our efforts with the ward.  But before I forget, TRANSFER NEWS!!! (Dad, you're always spot on!) I am staying. And Sister Davenport is leaving.  I'm kinda nervous because this is my first time leading an area.  I hope that I know where things are as well as I think I do! Lol. I probably don't, but oh well!  Sister Bingham is going to be my new companion.  She is nice and a hard worker, so this is going to be good.  (Little does she know, she now gets an hour break in the middle of the day...lol). As far as I can figure though, if I don't get transferred next transfer, I will be in the area for at least 3 more transfers.  The reason I have come to this conclusion is because Sister Bingham only has 2 transfers left, and will most likely "die" here.  So if I don't leave this next transfer, I probably won't leave the following transfer because otherwise the area would be whitewashed since Sister Bingham is definitely leaving that transfer.  So if I stay then I'll probably lead the area with a new companion and then leave maybe after one transfer with them.  Which will make 5 transfers in this area = 7.5 months, which is a really long time for a sister to be in one area. Just speculation though. Let's see if I'm right. ;-)

 

ANYWAY.... I don't have a lot to say...... Things are just slow, especially after baptizing 3 of our 4 investigators.....

Well, to the individuals:

Mom- I remember that lesson!  I am thankful for FISH.  That was great day.  Let Gma and Gpa know that I did get the Birthday card.  I will write to them today.  I'm glad that they are doing well.  Did they send me more than just the birthday card?

Dad- A new car, eh?  And a toyota corrola?!  That's what we drive!   I love it.  Not that I drive it, but I do love our car.  It does sweet u-turns so that I don't have to get out every 30 seconds to back up the car (Mission rule: The companion of the driver has to direct/guide/back up the car every time we need to back out of something. It's a PAIN.)  And it gets good milage (as far as I know). And I just like it.  You'll have to let me know what you decide. :-D

 Lynz- I'm glad you got to go to Brad Paisley's concert!  That must have been fun. If it was anything like David Archuleta's concert where you almost cried a million times, I would have no doubt you did it (again) at Brad Paisley's concert. Did you lose your voice? I am excited for you to start softball. Keep me updated on your games! And use softball as a personal progress something or other if you haven't already. It can count for something! I'm proud of you for doing it!

Eric- Any updates? Love you!

Ok. Well, this was short and sweet. I wish I had more to say, but it's just been one of those weeks...

Hugs and Kisses to all,

Love, Me

"I'm Glad I'm Not Catholic Anymore"

Hello, All!

SO.

This weekend has been CRAZY!!  Here it goes...

Friday we had J and T's baptisms.  There were people standing in the hall because there were so many people there.  At least 50+.  It went so well though, and it went smoothly.  Whew!

Saturday was M's baptism.  It was SO good!  She had a lot of support and her 5 year old son even said a few words.  He said something to the affect of, "I like to go to church and primary.  I have a hot momma.  And I'm glad I'm not Catholic anymore."  It was so funny and so cute.  After the baptism, Sis D and I and C played Tag in the gym.  He has so much energy!  It makes me miss my Sunbeams!

Sunday we had so many meetings and I was exhaussted even before noon. We had 1 correlation meeting, 2 meetings with bishops (as the result of a commitment we were given by Pres. Ellsworth and several other leaders down the line to meet with each of our bishops and Ward mission leaders for 30 min to introduce our mission goals, etc) 2 ward councils, 3 confirmations, and somewhere we had to find the chance to take the sacrament.  All of this took place between the times of 745 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  It was CRAZY!  5 pm was dinner and at 7 pm we had a fireside that we were in charge of.  Thankfully, even though only 2 of our 5 speakers showed up, it went REALLY well.  WE had a question panel made up of (supposedly) 5 youth converts and we asked them to share their stories and then let the youths ask them questions.  And the youth came  up with GREAT questions.  The adult leaders also asked some great questions.

And that was my weekend.  It was much more exciting than the rest of the week.  Except receiving the packages.  That was also the highlght of my week.

Dad, I got a letter from someone who I assume is from the stake presidency.  I can't remember who the new presidency is, and it didn't tell me in the letter who he was....Lol.  It was just telling me about the mission and stake baptism goals.  I am excited about it. I know that your/our stake can reach those goals.  Have the sisters told you what your mission goals and stake goals are?  I think out stake goal is 33 baptisms and our mission goal is 1500.  We have been told our standard of excellence is for every companionship to be baptizing once a month.  It's going to be hard since we only have 1 investigator right now, but  know we can do it.

Ok.  Well, I love you ALL!!!  AND HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!  xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo FOR EVERYONE!!

Love, me

Sickly and Humorous....!

Dear Mumsie, Popsicle, and fambily:

This week has been....sickly and humorous.... On Monday night, I was feverishly sick.  I think I was so out of it though, that I didn't realize I was sick.  When I woke up on Tuesday, I was still sick, but I just blew off my sore throat and didn't think to check my temperature.  That day, however, not only was I FREEZING (at least for AZ, a whoppin' 30 degrees) but I was also temporarily on bike with Sister Tanner because our companions both had training in Scottsdale.  So, being outside in the cold with a fever wasn't a good idea.  Of course, I didn't realize I had a fever until we went to an investigator's house and there she took my temperature and it came to 101.  The next day (Wed) Sister Tanner insisted I stay home even though I no longer had a fever and my throat was only slightly sore.  That night, I checked my temperature again and it was back up to 100.5.  So we stayed home on Thursday.  And it was way worse than the past couple of days because my body decided to begin drainage.  Gross. Sore Throat.  Cough.  Runny/stuff nose. Badness.  That night, I checked my temperature again and it was back up to 99.5.  So, I called the mission president's wife, Sister Ellsworth, and she told me to stay home, sleep, drink lots of liquids, take Ibuprofen, and read the scriptures.  So, I stayed home again.  Now, just as a side note-my temperature was back to normal every day during the day.  It was always at night that it shot back up.  Talk about ANNOYING!  And now I'm out in the world again, but my nose is really stuffy.  Last night, however, a member gave me a new box of Nyquil, Mucinex, a box of tissues, and a bottle of vitamin C  pills.  It was SO NICE of her. So, that was my excitement this week in terms of non-mission items....

OH, but funny story.  When we were on bikes on Tuesday, I was borrowing a bike from a member and there are no words to describe the bike I got to ride.  I totally thought it was inappropriate until my district leader approved it.  It is a purple beach cruiser that looks motorcycle-ish.  Really. There are no words to describe it.  I will try to send pictures later.

This weekend, we have 3 baptisms.  Michelle, Jeremy, and Tyson.  We're really excited.  We weren't expecting to have three, but Jeremy and Tyson's grandfather called to tell us that's what they wanted to do.  And now it's all arranged! (Sadly, though, after they get baptized, we will be down to 1 investigator.  So, this week is going to be some major finding projects...).

Other than that, life is fine.  We went to the temple this morning.  I think the only thing I got out of it this morning was a good nap.  I'm sad I fell asleep during it, but at least I got to go.  I think I was still drugged up on Nyquil when we went....Lol.  Oh, and today I'm getting my hairs cut.  Maybe.  Hopefully.  I know I just got it done not too long ago, but the cut is driving me nuts...We'll see about getting it cut though without going too short....It may be a challenge. 

Ok.  My stuffy head can't think of much else to say.  I thought your letters about Tricia and Randy are hilarious!  What a coincidence!  And I can't wait to see what's coming in the snail mail.  Hugs and kisses for everyone!

Love, Me

Photo Time!

Our  investigator before his baptism!

Alma at her Quincenera!

Missionaries and friends at the Mesa Temple!

The Birthday Girl!!

A Little Pday Play

Elder Harrison and Sister S - from the same home ward in Maryland!

Sliding down to the home theater - in the home where we live!

Our investigator ready to be baptized by her husband!