Week #11 - This Week's Adventures

Ok, where to begin! It is super weird being transferred in the middle of a transfer! My new companion Hermana Smith is a super hero and my Spanish is getting better because I HAVE to speak in lessons more than just give my testimony at the end. 

Our baptismal goal for this month is 4 and we have already set 2 dates and I think we already know who is going to be next! It is super exciting bearing testimony about the gospel and hearing about the beliefs of others. It is really weird how some people don't know even who the old prophets are such as Noah, Abraham, Moses! They don't know the stories associated with them... how crazy is that, it blows my mind.

We are teaching a couple of Less Active members who have baptism age kids... One family is the mother, an 11 year old daughter - Esperanza (Hope), and a 7 year old daughter Ruby (having her birthday Nov 16 and baptism on the 17th.  Anyway while we were teaching them last week Esperanza said that she wanted to be a missionary and when we asked why she said, "So I can think about God all day on Sunday!" It was so adorable! And when we asked Ruby what her favorite part of Church was she said the Sacrament (that completely blew my mind...I know when I was 7 sacrament meeting was not my favorite part...) she said that she really liked the symbolism of the sacrament! The are such an awesome family!

Favorite quote of all church boards everywhere... and trust me Arkansas has a LOT of church reader boards... "Living without God is like trying to dribble a football." tee hee, isn't that awesome?!?

I absolutely love the Book of Mormon. everything hinges on the Book of Mormon you either believe that it is the word of God or you don't. You either gain that testimony and then know that Joseph Smith was a prophet that received revelation from God to restore is church or you don't. There is no other way to gain a testimony of the Gospel without the Book of Mormon. It is impossible you just can't do it. I have been making a list of all the things I want to study....I just don't have enough time! lol but I guess I will know what I will be studying for at least 15 years after my mission so that is all good.

We found a couple of Chinese people to talk to and we are hoping to be able to do that this week! I am super excited... I have decided that I am going to be at least tri-lingual...I am going to be fluent in English, Spanish, and Chinese... It is going to happen! lol (I am such a big dreamer!)

I got a letter from one of my Primary Children!!! It absolutely made my day...which was great because that particular day had been good...but it was also just plain rough. 

I was in Walmart today and right as you walk in they have a countdown until Christmas board...do you realize that there are only 43 days until Christmas? How crazy is that? I could hardly believe it!

Ummm....yeah, so this week I got a hug...not from a female....that was super akward-o.... I'm not quite sure what you are supposed to do in those situations... It was after we taught our lesson and he said he would be baptized December 1st we shook his hand and he pulled us into a big hug...oops

Anywho...All of my companions have been awesome and I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with each of them!

The elders in our branch (there are 4 sets of missionaries...) had a baptism last Sunday! I played the piano...did you know that the timing is different between the Spanish and English Hymns of I believe in Christ? Yeah...I didn't either until everyone started singing...it kind of sounded bad...but whatcha going to do when no one will make eye-contact with you to trade hymnbooks because they are all so focused on singing the right words...eeeeesh...

This is a random thought but I wish missionary lessons happened around a dining room table. It would be so nice to sit in a close circle with good lighting, and a table to put pictures and cut outs on... (has any one else had this thought/desire?)

The hills in Arkansas are 10 worse than the hills in Mississippi! Like you can be peddling your legs off and still have only gone 2 feet...they are so steep that I make it barely half way up and then HAVE to get off and walk. But every time it makes me remember dad so it is all good :D thanks for teaching me to appreciate the ability to get up hills and now I have the knowledge that it could always be worse. I think one long gradual hill is a hundred times better than 6 super steep hills with Stop signs in the valleys...yup you pick up so much speed and then you have to lose it all and start going up hill with little to no momentum...it kind of bites... but we are on car week so I haven't had to worry about it in a while. 

Ummm....I'm not sure what else to talk about..the weather is a lot warmer than where you are all :) teehee... not to rub it in or anything. 

Love you bunches!

Hermana Ives

Week #10 - Thankful November

OK so CRAZINESS!!! Ummm...so out of the blue President Petersen called me during studies and told me to pack....

Yup, I'm coming home...lol just kidding! I was actually transferred to Little Rock to open up a new area with Hermana Smith. (Hermana Smith is also a visa waiter for Argentina) Super awesome. Love her to pieces. Yeah I am actually in the same branch as Hermana Howton now!

Yeah, so I packed and I spent a couple of days in Midtown Tennessee with the English speaking Training Sisters and then drove over to Little Rock. 

Sooo....ummm, we have a new apartment.... and I bought a GPS today because trying to figure out where everything was with a map was super dificil. So my shiny new GPS is awesome....and we actually have a car this week so I am praying we will be more successful than we have been the last 3 days we have been here. We are hoping for 4 baptisms this month...so if you could keep Hermana Smith and I in your prayers and for the ability to meet that goal that would be awesome. I am so thankful for your prayers they have truly helped!

This Sunday we got a ride to church with the Franklins to church and they fed us dinner afterwards. It was baked potatoes and salmon! It felt like home it was Delicious reminded me of Sunday dinners with you and dad. 

Super excited to do the Lord's work in this area! 

I am sorry you haven't been feeling well. I will keep you in my prayers...like always...

I am so sorry to hear about Auntie Bob... give everyone my well wishes, I hope grandma Caye is doing well with all of this. Tell her I miss her...and that I am expecting a letter from her!

How are Stan and Ling doing? 

Thanks for all the addresses...Ummm, could I get the Given's address as well? Thanks!

I don't know what to tell you about...this week has been super weird because I had 1 1/2 days in Horn Lake Mississippi, 2 1/2 days in Midtown Tennesse, and 3 days in Little Rock Arkansas. 

Arkansas hills are SUPER difficult! they are SO STEEEEEEEEEP! like you really only can make it half way up and then you HAVE to walk the rest because there is NO WAY to make it up!

Love,

Hermana Ives

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