10.03.2011
Week 71
Sooo on Monday we played soccer, first in Chino then in El Monte so we racked up some miles cuz the directions we got had us lost for a good hour haha opps- we took a little tour of the mission! Wednesday was the sisters conference then Friday was my favorite because they had a stake activity at the covina stake center and I got to see so many of my hooomies. I told them all to come to my farewell this next Sunday (they do it for all departing groups of missionaries) I guess its like a testimony meeting then everyone comes and says bye to you after and takes pictures... apparently theres no food so it cant be too awesome but it'll be nice to say bye to ppl! So thatll be sunday at 6:30 in arcadia. Then of course General conference was a highlight, loveeeddd it. All my favorite missionaries were there in the same room as me so we had a good time. Eating fun dip and cookies and getting spiritually smaked in the face! Loved it.
So next week I heard that I get to call home on Monday (I guess some parents forget to pick up their missionaries haha). I only have dads cell number and the home number so just be aware that Ill be calling probably at some point. I am pretty sure that next week I dont get to email but Im not 100% sure. The whole day I will be with the Becerras and the other missionaries that are leaving (not sure how many of us there are, I will guess around 10). So I report to the office Monday at 9am then its a day full of who knows what (word on the street is- paper work, lunch and dinner with president, exiting interview and marriage prep pump up talk- yikes!). Then Tuesday we roll out to the airport in the AM and Ill wait around for my flight at 11 then I get home at 8:30. Prepare yourselves! haha. Ahh- life is about to come at me super fast I can feel it! Too many changes at once! haha. Itll be fine though... right!? haha. Ok I best be offff, today we are having a big get together and it should be fun cuz lots of ppl are gunna come- I have a bunch of stuff to give to ppl- so my legacy will live onnn! haha. Hugs and kisssses. Laura.
President, Hello! This has been a great week! In both our area and in life in general! Conference was obviously a huge highlight, my favorite talk was by Elder Tadd R. Callister because that blew our investigators minds! haha, I loved the way he so clearly explained the purpose of the Book of Mormon, it testifies of itself- it truly is a book from God and no other source. Also the sisters conference was a highlight, my companion and I both came out of there feeling excited to get to work. The following day we had one of our most successful days together, we were able to find some really awesome new people and felt good about dedicating time to finding and being able to have some awesome contacts and testify of the truths we hold so dear to our hearts. I love knocking and street contacting, I know the importance of working with members etc but at the end of the day I feel so satisfied if I got to talk to as many people as possible. We feel that the area is pretty much on its feet, we have been able to consistently find new people to teach, the retention is now the issue but we will keep working to make this as frutiful as possible. Its been so fun to whitewash, thank you for that privilege, I have been too busy to really think about anything else and that has been a blessing. Sister Taylor continues to progress, still not feeling overly confident with Spanish but is pushing herself and always looking for ways to help and contribute. I am anxious to see what will happen with the Spanish sisters at transfers! Thanks for all that you do, Hermana Christian. P.S. I am about to email my family about David Archeleta's random appearance at our sisters conference and Im pretty sure my 16 year old sister will be jealous! Thanks for that!
9.27.2011
Stewardship Report
California Arcadia Mission
May 2010-October 2011
Stewardship Report
Various experiences throughout my life led to my discovery that God exists, that Christ is my Savior, and that this is their church. That knowledge has been solidified over the course of my missionary service and is now deeply embedded in my heart and fully encompasses who I am. It has been a time of learning and internalizing truths that I’ve been taught since childhood. It has also been a time in which I have come to better know my Father in heaven, and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Throughout the ups and downs that this experience has presented I have come to recognize and appreciate divine help. My Heavenly Father has listened, comforted, and sustained me; He knows me and I know Him. My Savior, Jesus Christ, truly did come to this earth to pay the price for me, and all of God’s children. His Atonement has become real to me as I have watched its enabling power change my life and the lives of those around me. It is only through reliance and trust in Christ’s vicarious act that I can be found worthy at the last day.
There are no coincidences with God. While on His errand we were frequently placed exactly where he needed us. One of such times led to the finding, teaching, and baptizing of Alexi Cuevas. While heading to our car at the end of the night we stopped to talk to her husband, Oscar. He soon told us that he has been baptized four years prior in Guatemala but has not attended for a few years. Upon later meeting Alexi she was surprised to find out that her husband was a Mormon! Throughout the conversion and reactivation of this young couple the spirit was poured out on all those involved. Alexi was baptized in December of 2010. She and her husband are currently taking the temple preparation classes and plan to be sealed to each other and to their new born baby by the end of this year. This miracle, along with many others that I have witnessed, have added to my personal conviction and appreciation for the gospel.
I took the leap of faith to come on a mission because I received a strong spiritual witness that this was where God wanted me. How grateful I am that I chose to be obedient. This has changed my life. Pre-mission the gospel was another bullet point on the long list of things that made me who I am; I have now learned how to make it the focal point of my life. I feel that all mission experiences are specifically catered to the needs of that individual- and I am no exception. I have many more improvements to make but this allowed me to make necessary changes that have, and will continue to bless my life. I know, now more than ever, that I am a daughter of God, and must live accordingly.
We are often instructed on the importance of a consecrated life. Being a missionary has started me on the path to a life full of service, faith, and obedience. I plan to dedicate my time, efforts, and means to build God’s kingdom in whatever way I am able. I want to make a difference. I will live in a way that will allow me to become who God needs me to be so that I can reach my full potential. My goal is to live worthily to make it to my Father’s kingdom.
9.26.2011
Week 70
Anyways, thats enough about my issues! haha.The work is coming along, found some cool new people this week and have been focusing our efforts on having lessons with members to get them more actively involved in missionary work. We did a serious weeding job that almost killed us. haha, these were not friendly weeds- the roots were like a foot down into the earth so we were going wild with the shovels- I think that experience is what brought on me not feeling well.
This coming week is going to be awesome! GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! Conference is like Christmas for missionaries! I am so excited! Today we are meeting up with a bunch of people to play soccer then going to get tacos, Wednesday we are having a sisters conference in Arcadia- should be cool, then the wkd is conference. Loveee it.
Emily you are so evil writing me that you talked to Cameron for 2 hours and that it was "awesome" then failing to mention any details. geeeez. haha. I guess you are all worried about "distracting" me haha. He is home... how weird!!!
Well not too much to report, I love you guys a ton! I am so excited to see you all. In the mean time Imma workkkkk hard and go out with a bang!
9.19.2011
Week 69
Emily your last email was fun because you gave me updates on everyone- I loved it. Thanks for the constant support I have had throughout my entire mission, I am so grateful for you guys and every night I am on my knees thanking my Father in heaven for blessing me with such a wonderful family and asking him to take care of you all! I am so proud of Sam on his mission in Fresno- I tell everyone and it just makes me happy to know that all of us are living the gospel and doing the right thing. There is nothing more important.
So today will be a fabulous p-day because we are going shopppping. haha. No. We are meeting up with other missionaries and going to the buddhist temple, Ive been before but none of them have so it should be good.
Presidents letter...
This has been a really good week, we are really excited as we have met everyone on our ward list that belongs to our area except for 4 names. We were able to have dinner with the bishop and we were very pleased with the outcome because he asked about families that we had already met and had lessons with so we felt like we showed him that we were on the ball. On Sunday we were able to speak in sacrament meeting which was a great success, everyone did really well, there is a great spirit here in the Rimgrove ward. A miracle happened, there is a couple in our ward and they are both 20 and have been dating for 6 years, she joined the church when she started dating him and she recently came out with us on a lesson. We talked to her after the lesson and she expressed the desire she suddenly had to serve a mission. Her boyfriend was at the point of going over a year ago but felt too pressured and decided not to go. Well she came out with us again this week and we invited her boyfriend to come on the lesson too. When they got in the car Carolina said she had talked to bishop and had started her papers and that after talking to Robert he has decided that he is also going to serve! It is a miracle and that was one of the main things that bishop was really excited about. We feel so extremely blessed. Hermana Borrayo is a wonderful active member of the ward and she wants us to periodically stop by her house as her husband is not a member and a little anti missionaries. We stopped by yesterday and when we came in he ran off and hid in the TV room, that was too bad as we have been praying for him but everything has its time and we will continue to try to catch him! Edgar, our new investigator is the husband of Hermana Maryinez, he came to church on Sunday, we were able to identify his doubt as 'word of wisdom' issues so we have planned a really good lesson for him tonight. Also Hermana Gutierrez has been trying to share the gospel with her daughters for years and we were able to meet one of her daughters and we will be going to her house this coming Saturday to help weed her garden- hopefully we can get our foot in the door that way- fingers crossed! We are working hard and have been really blessed to have met all these wonderful members. My companion continues to amaze me with her diligence and commitment to get the job done. Now that we have familiarizedc ourselves with the area we are going to be able to focus a lot more time on finding, which both of us are very excited about! Overall life is great! Thanks for everything, Hermana Christian.
9.13.2011
Week 68
So some highlights of the week- Nery and Estela are the couple that are waiting for the divorce papers, his ex wife has refused to sign the papers for years- he even offered her $15000 and she said no, then at a baptismal service before we came one of the counselors to president becerra felt impressed to talk to him, he found out the situation as to why they hadnt been baptized and promised them a miracle- that same week the ex wife that he hadnt talked to in forever called him and said, dont ask why but I will sign the divorce papers! MIRACLE! Then last week my comp and I were fasting that the papers work out quickly and in a lesson with them the spirit was screaming at me, commit them to be baptized on the 25th- I hesitated, not wanting to promise something I wasnt sure would happen, knowing their situation, but I said it and we are now just waiting for a miracle that the papers come within the next week, very exciting and crazy. They are so special, I feel so blessed to be in this area, we are seeing so much good and meeting people with such great faith, such good examples.
So today we went to the temple- hence pday being changed to today instead of yesterday. To sum it up- it was perfect. I love it there. I am going to get my haircut today- ahhh haha, might regret it, time will tell!?
Thats crazy that you got my flight plans- yeah I got them in the mail this week too- yikes! Sooo Ill see you guys the 11th at 8:30pm... wow. There are no words for what I feel. Deff a mixture of emotions. Obviously I still have a month yet so I have time to figure out how to put into words my mission experience.
President, This week has been great! We are running around like chickens with our heads chopped off! haha. We have been so blessed this week to have been able to accomplish a lot of good things, I feel that our numbers dont accurately reflect all that we were able to accomplish because we have been focusing a lot of our time on visiting all the members in our area and getting to know them and figuring out who we have jurisdiction over. It has been amazing as we have identified multiple part member families that we are beginning to work with. We met a lady named Hermana Martinez whose husband is not a member, she called us the following day and said, my husband will be home in 10 minutes- I want you to come over and act like it was por casualidad that you came by. Luckily we were free and headed over, we were able to identify his doubts (word of wisdom) and he accepted to have us come back. Adilene and Jonas are the coolest investigators but they slept in so didnt make it to church which was a big let down, but this week we know they will be there! She has tried to get him to church before and he was never interested and she said that with us he feels something different! She came to an FHE last night at a members home, our members are amazing and are so helpful. This ward really has got some string amazing people and they are extremely missionary minded. We are so lucky. Nery and Estela are patiently waiting for their divorce papers, I know that it will pull through and they will be baptized on the 25th- they are a miracle and deserve miracles in return for their awesomeness! Hermana Taylor is doing great, takes everything in and diligently being the best missionary ever. Thank you for everything! -Hermana Christian.
9.05.2011
Week 67
8.29.2011
Week 66
8.22.2011
Week 65
8.15.2011
Week 64
President Becerra, The most exciting thing in our area is that Lucy and Claudia came to church, they are our most exciting investigators right now! We gave them tour and we could not set them for a baptismal date but I just know that they will be in the water some time in the very near future. Especially with a son on the mission- its just a miracle waiting to happen as they told us they have been pretty anti church right un till the week he reported to the MTC a few weeks ago. They drove him to the MTC and felt a peaceful spirit about everything and now want to find out more about the church. So cool! We found a less active knocking doors this week and we had a really great lesson with her, she said she is ready to come back to church and has been praying that someone would come and help her! Yayyy for being an answer to someones prayers! We gave a tour to 3 formers (all from same house) this week and they really liked it but then didnt come to church on Sunday when they said they would so that was quite a let down. Our turn over rate seems exceptionally high, I feel that we are doing everything we can and we are finding new people to teach but they dont seem to be ready because we have had a lot of people come and go. Interesting, but we are working with what we've got and we are having a great time doing it. My companion and I just crack each other up and we are loving our time spent together. Overall great week, excited for these next 2 weeks of the transfer! Thanks for all you do. -Sister Christian.
8.08.2011
Week 63
Today is going to be awesome, we are going to this big buddhist temple then going golfing. I guess we are going to a driving range bahaha should be funny. This week we have zone conference which should be fun, president Becerra is a super dynamic teacher so it will be awesome. and free lucnh! hollla. Jessica thanks for your letter this week. Thanks for all the love- everyone is amazzzzed at how long my emails are, they all get a paragraph and I always roll out of the library with like 5 pages on emails to read ahaha, I feel so lovvvveddd! I love you guys a lottttt.- Hermana Christian.
President, This week we got dropped by multiple investigators which was really tragic, but the Lord answers prayers and something really cool happened! There was a name from our ward list that I have had in my agenda since the beginning of last transfer but we never got around to going. Saturday I felt like it was a good time to go figure out who this less active, Mauricio was. When we knocked on the door a lady answered and said, "hermanas, we just dropped off my son for his mission this week!" I was confused but we soon found out that this lady, Lucy, is not a member and nor is her daughter, Mauricio is the daughters husband (he was the one we were looking for) and that her son had joined the church a little over a year ago and they had just drove up to Utah to drop him off at the MTC. We had a lesson with her and the daughter and they appear to know literally nothing about the church but were very open and curious now that their son/brother has left to be a missionary! We are soooo excited! We had a member with us who was spectacular as she knows the son that has left for a mission and they got along so well. yayyyy! Either than that this week has been full of finding, the field really is white and ready to harvest! We havent had much success thusfar this transfer but I am determined to get some people in the water before the transfer ends! I am feeling great health wise and my companion is doing really well. She is a pleasure to be around and always making me laugh and being positive. Thanks for all you do! -Hermana Christian.
8.01.2011
Week 62
7.25.2011
Week 61
Presidents email...
Presidente Becerra,
This was an alright week. We didnt really get to work in our area and have a normal day until Thursday because of the trainings but I feel good that my companion has met everyone we work with and can now be more of a contributor in planning etc. We found one lady while street contacting who we found out had been taught in the past, we had a lesson with her and she says she knows the church is true but she feels very tied to her church that she is currently attending. Basically she is confused, the member we took with us was really awesome and said that God had sent her missionaries in the past and now He is sending them again so she should take that as a sign. We will see what happens with her. Miguel didnt come to church because he was embarrassed because he had gone out drinking the night before and feeling hung over. I feel somewhat confused by him because he has the desire to change and says that he knows something is missing but I think he is too scared to change his life style. We were able to dedicate quite a lot of time to finding which is what we really need to do right now. I want the Lord to see that we are doing out part so that He will put some new people to teach in our path. We did street contact a cute young family that we have an appointment tonight, they said they were being taught by missionaries when they lived in LA so it will be exciting to see what happens at our appointment.
As far as Hermana Mulitalo and her adjusting to the mission all seems to be going really well. I am excited to have this opportunity to serve with her and anxious to see how we can improve our area this transfer by bringing more people into the waters of baptism. The language is a struggle but all in due time she will become more capable and enjoy the mission more and more. Thank you for all your do. -Hermana Christian.
7.18.2011
Week 60
This past week we had a big dinner at Jose's house where his mom taught us to make pupusas (de el salvador). She was impressed with how round and flat I could get mine, she kept saying that I must have some latina blood in me... Ironic since European is quite the opposite of latinos. haha. Friday we finally had our fathers day ward activity, it was a luau. It was postponed cuz an hermana died and we had her funeral when the activity was scheduled. So I wore a grass skirt hahaha, (over my missionary skirt obviously) and I loved it. Sunday Jose got confirmed. He is soooo cool, we called him in the morning and he had to have his mom talk to me on the phone because he had lost his voice so she said he was sick so I was like, "oh no so he isnt coming to church!?" and she said, "oh no he is still coming!"... he is so solid, he was looking pretty sick but there he was in his suit and tie. After church bishop told him he was going to be called as a ward missionary and told him to stay for the preach my gospel class, so he stayed for the class. We joked with him that this is a church that will "put you to work," he is quickly finding out the reality of that statement. I am so happy to be here, I am feeling great. I am having divine help and I feel deeply grateful for all the blessings I have received from serving a mission. This is the best decision of my life.
7.11.2011
Week 59
Presidents Email...President Becerra, Yesterday we were able to have the baptism of Jose and it turned out great! The spirit was so strong and he actually surprised us by crying before he went into the font, he is an ex-gang member and has made a huge turn around in the short amount of time that we have been teaching him, it has been a miracle as we only started teaching him a month ago. That has been the highlight of the week and the ward was very excited because he got up and bore his testimony afterwards and you could tell he really wants to do Gods will and will be a great contribution to the ward. Other than that, the beginning of the week was rough for me but the remainder of the week we have been trying to make up for lost time. We were able to teach some great lessons but very sad to have Martin leave our area as we were planning to set him with a baptismal date at our next lesson (as he has hesitated in the past to set a date). We need to find like crazy this week. Miguel is our other investigator who was out of town therefore missed church so we need to hit the street and find new investigators, we have some good potentials and excited to see the fruits! This week I have been studying a lot in chapter one, my purpose, why it is that I am here. I feel a renewed desire for the work after having my mind previously set that I should go home. I am excited to finish strong. I have thought about the altered schedule and have decided that it will not be necessary, just like anyone else, if I do not feel well I will call Sister Becerra and ask for permission to stay in, I am thinking that I will take advantage of lunch and dinner times by taking the full hour and Im sure that will be sufficient. I am grateful for the talk I was able to have with you, I love being a missionary and grateful for every minute I have here in the mission. I hope you and your family are feeling welcome here, we are happy to have you! Thanks, Hermana Christian.
7.05.2011
Week 58
I wanted to talk to you about my current health issue. I recently found out I have lupus, I have been feeling very poorly for quite a while but this transfer has become increasingly difficult for me as I get debilitating migraines . It has got to a point where I feel like it will be better for me to swallow my pride and head home 3 months earlier than expected. This is the opposite of what I want, but I have been praying about it and feel comforted to know that this is the right decision for me at this time. You asked if I could wait 2 weeks, I will do whatever is in the best interest of the mission . I am very grateful to be a missionary, I love this gospel with all my heart and feel grateful for the time I have spent here in the mission. I am sorry this is occurring right as you arrive but I am grateful for your time and excited for you and your family in this new chapter in your lives! Take care-Hermana Christian.
6.27.2011
Week 57
This morning in the store some random guy around 25 who was a member of the church gave us $15 (despite our initial rejection) so we will be going to in-n-out for lunch! yaaayyy. Wednesday we have a mini farewell for President (mini because they are going from zone to zone so the whole mission wont be getting together) and sister pike, they will be missed, I really love them, but at the same time it will be fun to see how things will go with a new president! His name is President Becerra (sp?), he is Latino and his wife is white and they are from Utah... so Im excited! Next week p-day is on Tuesday so you wont hear from me till then.
President Pike, This week we were blessed to have the baptism of Sean and Christian, they were so cute and the grandma was so happy and there was a great turn out for ward support. Everyone seemed really pleased that Hermana Guillen was able to baptize her grandkids as they are almost 10 years old, it turned out great. Jose is our other awesome progressing investigator who gave up smoking Saturday night, he is so prepared and so wanting to change his life. He is an ex-gang member and said that he is looking forward to his baptism on July.10th- he explained that it depended on his commitment to quit smoking, we are hoping that he will remain strong and that we will be able to help him with whatever he may need in battling this addiction. We were able to find a new investigator through a member referral and she seems really eager to get baptized, the problem is that she is looking to move because she is in an extremely abusive relationship with her husband, a lot of drama, we will see what happens. This week my studies have been in the Christlike attributes and Ive really been focusing on humility. I see a lot of room for improvement and am glad that there is always so much room for improvement. President, its your last week! Oh my goodness, we are excited to see you and Sister Pike on Wednesday and hope that everything is coming together smoothly for your departure. You will be so missed! Thanks for everything, Sister Christian.
6.20.2011
Week 56
This was one of the best weeks of my mission because we worked suppper hard and were able to meet most of our goals. I am really excited about ths area, there is so much potential and lots of people are coming out of the wood works. We knocked into a guy named Miguel who came on tour and didnt commit to come to church but then there he was! Also Martin is a man that has some to church for 2 sundays but is never free to have lessons and we were able to teach him after church, the spirit was strong and he says he is excited to learn more as "this is all very new to him." That comment, among others, showed how well he understood the restoration and we are really axcited about him. Jose is a guy that the Diamond Bar sisters found and gave tour to but they soon realized that his spanish as better than his english, he liked the ward yesterday and he seems really ready for the gospel. Luckily at church he saw someone that he is friends with and they were surprised to see each other there- now we know who to call to come for lessons! We have been finding like crazyyyy, I have loved it, we are loving our time together and we are very excited for the baptism of Sean and Christian this coming weekend, they are cute twin boys who are sooo smart! Its so fun to teach them. This week I have been studying the restoration chapter in preach my gospel, this is our main focus as that should help us in contacting, I feel that I am becoming more and more bold in my contacting and it really allows the spirirt to testify to me and those we are talking to of the truth of our message. The gospel is perfect, I love it! Thanks for everything you do, I cant believe you guys are leaving soon! You and your family are going to be so missed! -Sister Christian
6.13.2011
Week 55
President Pike, This was a great week! Chino is so weird but cool! The ward is super big and strong, it was great to be able to go to stake conference but I will have to wait till next week to see what it is like on Sundays. Friday night we had the ward talent show which was a great success, lots of people came, including our new investigator. This week we were able to give a tour to a lady named Consuelo who was a referral from one of the elders investigators. Then we also have a recent converts sister who moved in with her this week and we went to their house to meet her and she said, "I want to be baptized!"... so that was easy! haha. There are also some twin boys who are about to turn 10 and we were able to set them for a baptismal date for 2 weeks from now, so we have some promising things starting to occur. I am starting to understand the roads a little better and with time I will love it here almost as much as I love covina! Something cool is that my recent convert from covina moved last week to Pomona and we found out this week she moved into our area!!!! I was so excited! My studies this week I have really been focusing on the questions of the soul- one of the questions that really stuck out to me was what does Jesus expect of me, I was able to read the suggested chapter and was amazed with the list I had by the end of the activity. I am grateful to know what God and Christ expect from me and grateful for the Atonement when I fall short. Sister Love is really great, she is always happy and trying hard to be a good missionary. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for this chance to serve here at this time with these people. Thanks for all you do. - Sister Christian
6.06.2011
Week 54
I cant enter next weeks goals because I dont have them written down in my agenda because I did weekly planning on a separate piece of paper as I was sure that my time in covina was up! Sure enough, I was right! Despite my knowing beforehand that I would move- it was a blow! I am super sad to be leaving my area but happy that Sister Cruz and I could have such a nice transfer together and I will be staying in contact with the people I left behind so I suppose it really is time for me to move on. So this past week was a good one as we were able to set Agustine with a baptismal date and get him on tour. On Sunday we were really disappointed they didnt come to church but later found out its because his wife Eunice was really sick. Fingers crossed for this coming Sunday- might be a little different because we have stake conference. Juanita was really excited to learn more about temples and is planning on going with her son this coming Saturday afternoon to go to the visitors center- she is really tearing through the Book of Mormon, especially for someone with so little education. So guess what!? I am LOST! haha Chino is big, I am probably going to send tonight studying the maps and praying for Heavenly Father to help me figure this out fast! I am very grateful for every transfer I have had and every lesson learned, yay for being a missionary! This week in my studies I am really enjoying preach my gospel's teachings on helping people make commitments. There were some pointers that really stuck out to me- especially on following up that I need to improve on. Thanks for everything! Hermana Christian.
5.31.2011
Week 53
Man I was really hoping to have an email off Sam but maybe he hasnt had his p-day yet!? Im sure he is doing great in the MTC. Its a cool place- 9 weeks is probably going to be pretty different than my 3 week experience but hopefully he has a cool companion. Excited to hear the details!
So this week was awesome. Wednesday was Alejandras bday and we made her the BOMB cake of oreos, pudding and cool whip- it was delicccccious. They then invited us to go with them to Hometown Buffet where we ate our weight in food, then felt sick for the rest of the night. We have been biking for a large portion of the week and are nice and tanned and feeling extremely soar! Like... sooooo soar. We are also running to a park to play soccer and I have never had such a deep burn in my shins than I do right now from kicking the ball... Sister Cruz kicks it so hard so I try to keep up... unfortunately I am suffering the consequences. We have so much fun together though, we are very alike and think the same things are funny and the same stuff is cool... it makes life so enjoyable. Sunday Juanita was confirmed which was great, she came all dressed up (she is very casual so it was really exciting to see her all fancy!) and it was a great day! Yesterday we had pday but we couldnt email cuz everything was closed for memorial day. We went to swap meet and bought some fun jewelry, we were looking for a clay pot to make beans but we didnt find one- better luck next time! We then almost DIED! Long story short, this tool in front of me while merging onto the freeway came to a complete stop while I was checking my blind spot and basically I did the craziest fast and furious stunt and somehow slipped perfectly between the tool and this huge semi... I cant really explain it but we were superrrr protected because we probably should have died. We said a sincere gratitude prayer when we made it to Arcadia, yikes. I have an interview that I requested with president. I have had different things that I have wanted to talk to him about and we ended up talking for about an hour and a half, he is the BOMB. He is such a spiritual giant, like a vault of knowledge, it was really cool to have that time to ask different things. He also gave me a health blessing which was really nice. One of the things we talked about was my release date because I have the option of coming home Oct.11th or Nov. 22nd... we talked about it and I told him that I wasnt sure what to do and he told me to go home in October... kind of crazy. He told me to think about it and let him know, I told him I would. I am leaning towards October after the convo I had with him.
This coming week we are celebrating Karlas birthday with her on Friday... she is my favorite person of all time. I just feel like Ive seen her faith grow and it has been such a blessing to have met her and gone through a lot of ups and downs with her. I have loved being left in this area so long, I feel so blessed. Transfer calls are this Saturday and I have no idea what will happen... I will be happy with whatever- ahhhhh!