Week #9

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MY PACKAGE!!!  We can't open mail until after our planning meeting at 9:30pm....it was the longest planning session EVER! lol thank you so much! I love the hot chocolate and my tea! and that USB is TINY but I brought a lanyard with me so no worries about that. I will start writing snail mail...I just need to get envelopes. but thanks for the stamps... actually I was hoping to get some addresses from you like (Tyler and Laura's, Gma Judy, The Wrights (Cori), and Ashely Schaffer's if you can get it) I am thinking I'll probably just send Grandma Caye's letters in with yours if that is alright.

Hermana Stevens and I performed a Spanish Hymn #88 in the Spanish Hymnal we actually don't have it in English. It was this last Sunday (she sang and I played the piano. It was really fun and beautiful) We actually had 4 investigators at church!!!!! It was so cool to have so many people come, one of our less actives came as well! Super exciting.
Sister Richardson did in fact give me a hug! and we give each other one every time we see each other. So all is good and well.
There have been a couple of funny stories this week so I shall commence!
1) Wanna be my girlfriend???
    We were out in the Nesbit trailers contacting our investigators and there was an older black guy standing outside his trailer leaning against his car, drinking a beer.... anyway as we were walking past he called out, "Which one of you wants to be my giiiiiirrrllllfriiieeend???" We responded that we couldn't because we were missionaries... "Which one of you is the oldest?" Hermana Stevens is... "Yeah, yeah I believe in Jesus! Jesus saved me and I can do whatever I want because I am SAVED!" We talked a little about the restoration... "If you all don't want to be my Giiirrlllfriiieeend just come straight out ant tell me." Sorry, we can't... "Yeah, I be lookin' for a lady friend maybe gettin' married, when you all gonna be off your missions?" In a year and a little bit... "Well keep in touch so that I can be your boyfriiieeend!" (it was kind of akward but it was super funny!)
2) Little yellow peppers won't be THAT hot...right???
   We helped one of our investigators pick the ripe peppers off of his pepper plants. After we had finished he gave us a handful to take home. Hermanas Stevens and Soelberg really wanted to try these tiny little yellow/orange peppers... so they both popped one in their mouths... just a few seconds later their faces are red, they are sweating, crying, and gobbling down a pb&j sandwich, granola bars, and fruit snacks to try and take away the heat...(I just laughed...but my companions are a little crazy. pray for me   We think they may have been habeneros... we aren't really sure.
3) Biking in the dark....
    I can't decide if I should tell you this one... but we came up with a really cool/close analogy to Lehi's dream about the tree of life... with the mists of darkness and how the white fog line is like the iron rod...
We get to teach English class every Thursday! It is a blast I love it! and I got to try a chewy lollipop that is mango flavored dipped in chile...I didn't really like it...but I tried it. And I think my tolerance for heat is a lot higher than it used to be which is awesome. Oh something delicious is tostadas with creme and salt! Sometimes you can put a little lime on it... DELICIOUS!
I am super happy that the Primary program went well! Wish I could have been there to hear it! And you HAVE to take a picture of your red, black and white blouse with the buckle!!! I want to see it super bad! I bet it looks gorgeous!
Uno??? You played Uno!!!! Without me?!?! fine.... lol
I love the theme for your coloring pages! I bet they look great too!
Bold and direct...well you know... in Spanish.... yeah, i still need to work on opening my mouth and having Spanish come out...
Tell hello to everyone for me, especially the Paynes! Who is Brother Priest, do I know him?
Oh, I was wondering how Cody Chapman's mission and everything is going! Is he on his mission or is he still waiting for insurance and everything?

We are teaching a LOT of people we just need to get them coming to church and baptized! There is Rosa Chacon, Soledad and Ramon, Flor, Jose and Magnilena, Castulo and Teresa and Alfredo, Adrianna, Hermana Domingez, Guatalupe, Senorina, Erika, Christina, Omar, Cecilia, Lela, Imelda and Mira, Maricela... Sooooooo, many people.
I'm not sure when I get to go to the temple but it is super cute! It is like half the size of our temple in Spokane! It is tinie tiny.

Also, If you have any ideas about FHE activities, object lessons, and ideas, I would love to have them!

Week #8

Hola mi familia!

Mailing address:

4744 W.E. Ross Parkway

Apt. 34-205

Southhaven, MS 38671

Yeah, I am on my new bike! It is so pretty! We didn't purchase fenders because the Bike City person said they weren't necessary. Umm.. yeah it fits really well and I like my basket...it is weird having all that weight on my handle bars though...

Harvest prayer is just were you knock doors explain that you are representatives of Jesus Christ in their neighborhood and ask to leave a blessing on their family and home (then you ask about specific things they want to have you pray about). Then you pray in virtue in your calling (Elders can leave an actual priesthood blessing... but being sisters we can only do it in the "virtue of our calling"...) Anyways after the prayer you explain a little bit about the Restoration, if they are interested you set up a return appointment...if not you ask for referrals.

The members that feed us are pretty well off (no worries) and they fill your plate for you...so there isn't really a choice in portion size...especially because all I know how to say is it was delicious...thank you. in Spanish.... Actually a couple days ago we had a really yummy lunch, tomatatoes? somotatoes? Anyway it was a layered tortilla thing soaked in salsa really good but there was a rather sunny sunny side up egg...

Yup you should be proud of me I ate a sunny side up egg without throwing up, turning green, or making weird faces... The entire time I was eating it I was thinking about how people get salmonella...don't you get that when you eat raw eggs??? Anywho...you should be proud, I still don't like them but I actually ate a WHOLE one!

  

I know your primary program is going to be AWESOME!!! Especially the Valiant 8 class! I know they are going to be superb! How are they all doing? I haven't received a single letter from them! Triste! But I know they are super busy, I would just like a general update.

OKAY...ummm this week has been really good. We had Specialized training, very inspirational about being bold and very direct. (I am finding it is difficult to be both then I have to use my limited vocabulary.

We have 4 new investigators... and none of them came to church :'( We extended the invitation to them all and they all said they would. It is just really sad.

I love reading the Ensign! I read it every morning while I am eating breakfast. I love the words of our prophet and apostles and I am so grateful for their counsel.

oh, I'm not sure I told you but Sister Richardson (the one you hugged) she is in my area so we actually see them at least once a week! Pretty exciting! I love her so much.

This last Sunday our branch president gave each of the sister missionaries blessings just of comfort and advice for this area. It is such a miracle how our Heavenly Father knows each of our needs and desires sometimes even before we do! I am becoming a huge fan of prayer, fasting, scripture study, and priesthood blessings, even more than I was before!

Out of the 8 weeks I have been gone I have fasted at least 5 times! Fasting is so amazing and it amplifies our faith and prayers to such an amazing extend I love the story in Matthew 17:14-21 and Alma 6:6, 17:3,9 really inspirational verses about the power of fasting.

Sorry I haven't sent more pictures I completely forgot my camera and camera cord...so maybe...sometime,....in the future...

I love you!

Hermana Ives,

Week #7 Southhaven

Hola mis padres!

Como estan?

 

I am actually in the mission field! How crazy is that?!? I am serving in the Southhaven/Horn Lake areas in Mississippi! teehee! How exciting! On transfer day I was in 3 different states! Arkansas, Tennessee, AND Mississippi! I started out on bike week...so only three days with a bike but that was kind of crazy! I actually wished I had goggles on Friday Saturday because it rained...super hard! LOL  It felt pretty disgusting having a stripe of mud up my coat and the bottom half of my dress clinging to my legs because it was soaked! oh well...I just was amazed that anyone would let us in while in that condition!

 

Oh guess what! teehee Elder Ludwig is actually in my district! How funny is that my first transfer and I have already met him. Anywho, just let Gma Judy know!

 

I am actually in a 3-some I am serving with Hermanas Soulberg and Stevens. Hermana Soulberg has been out for 5 months and is a visa waiter for Argentina she should be leaving within 2 weeks. Hermana Stevens has only been out for a transfer! Pretty crazy stuff! In this mission we only have 8 spanish speaking sisters (including Hermana Howton and I) and there are 5 more Spanish sisters coming next transfer... yikes a bee! My trainers are pretty awesome though! And I am starting to learn a lot more Spanish by just sitting through church and lessons.

 

Spiritual Harvest prayers are awesome and I have had the opportunity to say a couple, one in Spanish and one in English. They are really neat because the spirit can be felt so strong.

 

I have to say that the member's Mexican food is AMAZING!!! It is kind of weird how they don't really eat with you they just watch... but the food is delicious my favorite was chicken mole with arroz y frijoles! Yum, yum.  So much better than cafeteria food.

 

I think the Lord is trying to tell me I need to fast more because I had the opportunity to fast before AND after general conference! lol for the 7 weeks I have been out I have already fasted for 4 of those Sundays (one was a special fast with Hermana Howton...) but still it is kind of crazy. I love fasting though so it is okay.

 

Spanish....Espanol... I am kind of frustrated...I just want to be able to understand! I can get my point across but I can't really understand to be able to reply. Oh well, it just takes more practice. There have been several prayers of, "why didn't I go English speaking?" I could be so much more effective right off the bat! But I know I am Spanish speaking for a purpose and I am sure I will use it after my mission as well.

 

Our branch meets in at a church building in Memphis so I actually got to drive by Graceland! (you know I am such a HUGE fan...lol) But it was kind of cool to see the planes!

 

I had the opportunity to share a scripture and spiritual thought with one of our progressing investigators, Solidad. It was really neat because I read Mormon 9:21 and after I finished ready Solidad said, (in Spanish) "Oh I need to get my copy, I have to mark that scripture. I LOVE that" then once she got her copy she re read it and then kept going....(I couldn't remember what these verses said...so my spiritual thought was kind of lost) but it talked about the priesthood and she started explaining to her husband and daughter what she knew about the priesthood and proper authority! It was really pretty cool!

 

Her husband Ramon, kept quizzing me on my Spanish vocab! It was crazy nerve wracking! but it was cool that he was willing to help me!

 

Ummm....Letters....I would love letters from people. I want to know how the Wrights are doing, Marcy, my primary kids, Grandma Judy and Cullimore, Gma Caye....I don't know I would just love to hear how everyone is doing! maybe some pictures?!? lol only if you want to...(I don't really have a printer now....so would you mind printing out that quote in Spanish and sending it?!? I would love that.

 

I love you! I hope all in going well and that you are enjoying your time on family history! Oh, I would love to see some of your drawings! (copies of/pictures of)

 

I love you,

Hermana Ives!

Companions

Arkansas Little Rock Mission Map

Little Rock or Bust

On Tuesday, October 8, 2013 Hermana Michaela Ives traveled from the Mexico City Missionary Training Center to Little Rock Arkansas. With a few minutes in between flights she was able to call her mother and report that everything was going well.

The following photographic evidence of her safe arrival arrived in e-mail a little later:

Here is Sister (Hermana) Ives with President and Sister Petersen in the mission home.

This is the whole set of incoming missionaries. They are an impressive bunch. We are looking forward to great future reports. Preparation day (or e-mail day as Mom calls it) will change from Thursday to Monday. Good thing there was a phone call to break up the dry spell.

Week #5: Last week in the MTC (CCM)

Hola Padres!

Okay so most important detail first...This week they had for one meal a normal GREEN salad and shepherd's pie!!! It was absolutely delicious and I had to get seconds of both! Their salads here usually have fruit, nuts, extreme amounts of strange meats and some white cheese...(fresc....something) anywho, this green salad was made of Romain and spinach and cucumbers! It was SOOOOOOO good!

Alright awesome lesson this week... Don't complain! If it isn't a big enough deal to talk about it directly to the person then it isn't big enough to complain about to others...

I have been spending my personal study time studying humility...D&C101:37-38 and especially D&C 67:10 is a new favorite scripture! It is just really interesting thinking about the process of stripping ourselves of pride, jealousy, and fears.

OK, so I think I have told you a little about our new roommates...did I tell you about their alarms? I can't remember, but it is really quite hilarious. One of their alarms goes off an hour early just so she can hit snooze... and the other one goes off 10 minutes before mine but it is a weird glowing orb that lights up our entire room with strange colors and it makes really cheap ''ambient'' noises...so every morning I am treated to the sounds of an ocean pier...yup it is even complete with seagulls! lol. Anyway, one of them Hermana Young looked really familiar and it wasn't until last night that we realized we lived in the same dorm the same semester and BYU Idaho! How funny is that?!?

Funniest rejection line I have ever heard straight from the mouth of Elder Robbins, ''No, I'm sorry I really need to water my....turtle''  Elder Robbins also has a thing called Sassy Saturday... our district now calls Saturday Sasserday! lol

This week has gone by crazy fast.I can't believe I am actually going to be in Arkansas in 5 days!!! And it isn't going to slow down either because all day tomorrow is a class called in-field orientation, Saturday and Sunday is general conference, Monday is one more day of regular classes and then I am getting on an airplane Tuesday morning!!! AHHHHHHHHHH! I am super excited but also getting a little nervous... I can kind of speak Spanish but I can't really understand it when people speak to me....it is super frustrating. And when sister Howton and I are teaching I'll ask a question to the investigator, the investigator will answer...and then I just stare at my companion....It is really quite depressing, but I know I will get there eventually!

 Oh, and some more exciting news! Hermana Howton and I officially finished cover to cover El Libro de Mormon in a month! 4 weeks! Boo-yeah! There is no way we could have done that without the Lord's help because we really didn't have that much time in our schedules and we really aren't that fast at reading but by the end of the book I was thinking about sitting on the floor with mom reading and how long it took to read one chapter...pshh, that is easy peasy now, and I am so thankful!

We went to the Mexico Temple for the last time in our CCM experience! I understood so much more than I did the first two times and it is such a blessing to be able to see how far I've come!

I am getting pretty good at flipping my r's...I haven't mastered or come even close to the rolled rr but I am determined to get it!

Thank you so much for your answer to my question about what gives you strength! It was such a beautiful testimony and gave me strength! It was funny, I was reading it on the bus on my way to the temple this morning and I had to read and reread each sentence, because of noises, bumps, language...lol and the big red book reference made me burst out laughing! I miss you a lot!

I am so excited for Maryanne and Haley! They are going to love it in the MTC!!! They are going to be absolutely fabulous missionaries! Have they already given their farewell talks?

I am trying to think of anything else exciting that happened this week... I bruised my thumb playing volleyball, then forgot about my bruise and played again and so now I have a bruise on top of a bruise....

One day we taught Hermano Smith's other district at 7pm outside... (i had only gotten 1 mosquito bite up to this point)...I now am the proud owner of 47 bites... yeah, that was not the funnest night of my life.

Oh, I bought a temple recommend holder! It has Spanish on it! And it makes me very happy, I'll try to send a picture of it...next week.

I love you all bunches and bunches! I hope you are enjoying your new phones! Have you been using my Mac? and iPod? And have you been up in my room because I was thinking about it the other day and how I left a bad of dried fruit and m&ms in there...I'm just hoping you found them and put them in a more appropriate spot...like your tummies :) I love you!

Super excited to call you!

With toda mi amor!

Hermana Ives

Oh, mom you know that Spanish note that you left in my bag??? I looked at it the other day and it made me super happy that I understood all of the words and conjugations! It took me a while but I got there!!! Teehee!