Monday, November 29, 2010

Transfer 9 Week 3, November 29, 2010

Dear Family,

Here are the questions mom asked me:

So tell us about Thanksgiving and how things have gone for the three of you this week.
We spent Thanksgiving with this really awesome family in the ward, the Larsons (Ward Mission Leader and his family) along with Jamie (RC) and two of her sisters, and a friends of the Larsons. We learned how to crochet flowers to put in one's hair, it was fun. It's been hard, I don't like trios, I feel like an outsider. I hardly, if ever, feel included in the companionship, and what happened yesterday didn't help things any.

Any new investigators?
We have a few, some of them speak Spanish. (It's one of Sister Austin's goals to start a Spanish group in Murray).

Ward activities?
There was an activity on Thanksgiving for those who didn't have anyone to be with on Thanksgiving to go to. There's a few for Christmas. I don't know if we're going to any of those.

Interesting stories to tell?
First off, on Thursday, We have a BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His name is Charles Rupert.

Okay, now for what happened yesterday. They got mad at me for telling one of the members what had happened. I was telling her the story, and one of them interrupted me, so it sounded worse for her than it would have. Have I said how much I hate trios?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Transfer 9 Week 2, November 22, 2010

Dear Familiar Units,

We've had another baptism this past week. Her name is Samantha Chilton and she’s nine years old. Sister Larson, the Primary President (and the Ward Mission Leader's wife) asked Anna, her mom, if we could come and teach Samantha the lessons. We set a date with Samantha the first lesson we had with her, and when we were planning out her program she didn't care who did what, she just wanted to be baptized. (How cool is that?) She also wanted it to be as short as it could (again so she could be baptized. Sam might have ADHD, or ADD, but she is SMART! She read everything we gave her, she drew pictures of what she had read, she was just soaking everything up like a sponge.

We had one of our investigators, who we've been trying to get to come to church, come. She LOVED it! She wants to come back next week. Ah, the miracles we're seeing. here in Murray, KY (I wanted to say Dickson, TN, MY area). I cannot wait until she and her husband, Jay get baptized. That reminds me, Bill's year is almost here, he and Renee can get sealed! Oh what joy there is in doing missionary work!

I love all of you!

Second Email
I was excited that you are excited about getting a second companion. Tell us about Sister Koford—where she's from, how long she's been out, what's her first name?
Sister Koford is a new missionary she's been out for a transfer, so this is her second one. Sister Koford is also my little sister. She's from Riverton (or some city by SLC). Her first name is Katie, and if you want to make her some labels I think she would like it, maybe for Christmas?

How are the three of you fitting in your apartment?
Well, the apartment is small. We switched rooms. The bedroom was in the smaller room and the study room is now in the old bedroom. There isn't a lot of room but we aren't as squashed as we could be.

Are you getting along well?
For the most part, yes, we are. I'm not very found of trios so I think that says a lot for how it may appear to y'all.

Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?
Yup, we're going to the Larsons for Thanksgivin' dinner.

How are the investigators?
They is good. They're progressing for the most part.

Do you still have anyone scheduled for baptism on the 30th?
Nope, it was dropped because they didn't come to church.

Does Murray get snow or just cold and wet?
It's getting cold. I don't know if it snows or not, but it does freeze over.

Did you do anything special to celebrate your one-year anniversary?
I blew fire. That was cool

Did you get the Thanksgiving card with your "present"? And I did send you the Ensign—it should arrive by tomorrow at the latest.
Yup I did and thank you for it.

Christmas gifts?
Cash and stamps, since transfers are three days after Christmas.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Transfer 9 Week 1, November 15, 2010

Dear Mom/Family,

News about transfers. There's going to be a change in the Murray Ward. There will now be three of us instead of just two; so, Sister Austin and I are staying and my "little sister," Sister Koford, will be here in Murray. I can't wait!

We had a baptism this past week. It was Jamie's baptism. Her date was for the 17th of December, but it was too far away for her. She asked if we could move it up some, and we asked her when she wanted it to be. "This weekend?" she asked timidly.

"Sure!" we said, cheerfully.

We then started to plan for her baptism. Sister Austin and I played a part in her baptism. Sister Austin gave the talk on baptism and I said the closing prayer. The refreshments were good. Xiena, a member of the ward made the goodies. (Xiena makes really good food.) There were a lot of people there for her. I was really excited to see so many there. Seeing how many people cared for Jamie made me really happy, knowing that she had a family she could turn to whenever she needed. I can't believe that it was only last week that she was kicked out and now she's a member of the Church. If I didn't know that the Gospel is true, I would now with what happened to Jamie.

Barbie's funeral will be this Saturday at a Baptist Church. I met some people who knew the other woman when Sister Austin and I were at Angel's Attic, volunteering there this past Saturday. It's sad what happened to Barbie, but now there's nothing holding her back from joining the Church, and perhaps her husband and brother will be more open to our message.

Time's almost out. I love you!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Transfer 8 Week 6, November 8, 2010

Dear family,

One of our investigators passed away this past week. She died in a car accident, the car flipped over and it caught on fire. Two people passed, our investigator and one of her co-workers. We don't know when the funeral is, but we're hoping that it'll be at the church.

Another of our investigators, Jamie, got kicked out of her house yesterday. The ward is awesome. They helped Jamie out so much. The WML's wife said that she could stay at their home, it was one of the first things she said after she heard about it. And those who knew of Jamie's friends were there for her. We called a cop who is in the ward and got some advice from her. Those who could help, Sister Austin and I being missionaries could only help in giving Jamie love and support, did whatever they could. When Jamie went to get a police officer to help her get her stuff out of the house she was arrested because Brenton had stolen some books from Books a Million and she was charged as an accomplice. Sister Larson and Heidi posted bail for Jamie. We highly doubt that Brenton will get custody of Emma, their six month old daughter. Time is almost up, so I must get going. I love you all.

P.S. Jay and Cheryl are a couple; they live a few houses down from us.

Thanks for the sims card! love!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Transfer 8 Week 5, November 1, 2010

This past Sunday the WML and Sister Austin and I were going to speak in church during third hour. Now I say "were" because I was planning on speaking to the R/S and Priesthood, however time did not allow for that to happen. The time was taken up before I could share what I had prepared.

I don't like how my companions say that I need to talk more, but they don't allow me to, they don't expect me to talk, so they don't let me, and yet it's my fault for not talking. I find that just a little frustrating.

Now for some good news we set 2 baptism dates this week, their names are Jason (Jay) and Cheryl, their date is for November 30.

I need y'all's love please write.