Gilbert Temple Excitement

We had a great interview/zone conference.  While we were there,  President Toone told us all the exciting things and news about the Gilbert  Temple.  He said that all of the sisters would participate in the open house - - we will help out in the pavilion outside of the temple.  The elders aren't allowed to do that, but what they're allowed to do is something I'd rather do!  They get to go inside the temple before anyone else and move furniture.  They'll get to go into rooms that lots of people will never go into.  BUT, the best news is that the missionaries in the Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert missions will be the first ones to do ordinances in the new Gilbert temple!  AND, the Prophet is coming to do the temple dedication, along with President Eyring.   So, people are super excited and are getting ready!  The youth have been practicing for their cultural dance and it's really exciting around here!

So, that's the most exciting thing here.  This week has been super boring and we're still looking for people to teach.  This is the slowest area I've been in and it's kid of frustrating, but I'm trying to stay positive!  President Toone told me and Hermana M. that we'll be together until she goes home in January :)

Pretty Dang Great

Well, this week was pretty dang great.  We called a former investigator, Miguel, to ask for his address.   He didn't answer.   But he called us back in less than an hour and asked us to meet with him that night.  We taught him the restoration - - he already knew it and even told us how Joseph Smith received the priesthood.  He's on date for the 23rd for his baptism!  So that was a miracle. 

I had my first Missionary Leadership meeting, and the whole mission got iPads.   So that's weird.  No more having to carry around all of our scriptures, pamphlets and what not.  No more area book, because it is all being transferred to the iPad.

The very best part of my week was on Saturday.  R, in Chandler, had his baptism.  So I got permission, and we found a ride.   I had to go because Hermana M and I had taught him all his lessons.  It was one of the top 3 things that I've ever had happen in my mission so far.  He looked so different.  He was shaven and clean and looked so happy - - his whole countenance was different.  His baptism was the best.   After he came up out of the water he just stood there, then put his head into his hands.  The bishop who baptized him put his arm around his shoulders, then he hugged him and they stood there for a minute or two as he just cried.  It was one of the most powerful things I've ever seen.

So, it was a good week!

We are the 5th mission in the entire world to get these bad boys!

Transfer and other stuff

The verdict is in . . . I'm going to Mesa!  I'm with Hermana M - she's the best.   It's going to be the best transfer.  Another surprise happened too.   I'm a Sister Training Leader.   I'll be going to all of the important missionary leadership trainings, just like the zone leaders and AP.   I'll be able to go on exchanges with the sisters and help them.   But I think they'll really help me.  I'm excited!  I love my companion, zone leaders, and zone.  Elder R followed me again and we're in the same zone :)  Unlike last transfer, I feel like this is where I need to be.

I'm going back to Chandler, though, next week for Ruben's baptism.  I wouldn't miss that!  It was really sad saying good-bye to the H family.  I told them that I was getting transferred and Hermano H put his head in his hands and cried :(  It was one of the hardest good-byes, I think.  I told them that they always have a home in Washington :)

Saying good-bye to a recent convert there was pretty sad, too.  Her name is M and the first week being there she claimed us as her kids and told us she loved us.  So, even though that last transfer wasn't the best, I met who I needed to meet!

I Love Being A Missionary!

This week flew by.   We were out of miles for the month so we've been on bike and I LOVE IT!  I always feel like the best missionary when I'm on bike.  I get to get sweaty and talk to people and really feel like I'm using my time wisely.   Plus, I went on exchanges in Mesa and it was so much fun!  It was exactly what I needed.  

I was able to watch the Relief Society broadcast and it was awesome!  I always feel so peaceful after I listen to the Prophet.  I'm glad they talked about covenants.  We'll be watching conference at the church and hoping our investigator R comes.

I can't believe I've forgotten to tell you about this less active couple we've been working with.  Hermano and Hermana H.  As soon as I met  them I knew that they were the reason I am here in Gilbert/Chandler.  Hermano H goes through dialysis here three times a week.  He stopped going to church because he's so sick and he feels abandoned by the ward because no one has ever stopped by to see how he is doing.  SO, we've been working with him.  He reminds me so much of Grandpa L, though.  One day all he was talking about was his dialysis treatments and it made me so sad because I hope grandpa didn't go through the same thing. 

A couple weeks ago I talked to a guy on the street named R and gave him a restoration pamphlet, and we went back a couple days later to see him.  He had read it - - twice!  We taught him again yesterday about the Plan of Salvation, and it was so great.  I love teaching the atonement to someone who you know it means so much.  It was a powerful lesson, and he is preparing to be baptized on October 19 -- happy birthday dad!!  Finding him is the miracle of the transfer.  He's a good guy who's made a lot of mistakes and is trying to be  better.

We accidentally went into the Gilbert mission the other day when an English member was dropping us off at home.  She drove right by the Gilbert temple - it is so beautiful!!

Oh, our house has a bit of a problem.   Scorpions.  They're everywhere.  We tried killing one the other day but it crawled into the wall somehow.  Creepy.  So, we have to shake our sheets before we go to bed and be a little cautious.  But it's an adventure.!

I love being a missionary :)  It's the best thing that's ever happened to me!

Good-Bye Casa Grande, Hello Gilbert!

So, Gilbert/Chandler.  We are literally across the street from the Gilbert mission.  I was really sad to hear I was coming here, not too many Spanish-speakers.  BUT, then I found out that some of my favorite people have served here, like Sister W, P and Elder M.  So, that makes it better seeing their names in the area book.  It was really sad leaving Casa Grande, though, especially to say good-bye to Shawn and Monica.   But, they're going to call me when they go through the temple :)   So, I'm excited for June! 

My new companion is Hermana M.  She was born in Peru and grew up in Paris, so her first language is French and her second is Spanish.  She learned English in the MTC!  So, it's good because whenever we're out of the house we speak Spanish the whole time, and it helps a lot!  I can finally understand - wooo!  - - well, for the most part :)  So, lessons are a lot more fun now that I know what's going on.   But, Hermana M is very . . . European.  Take that as you will, but it's going to be a hard transfer . . . again.  I don't know why President Toone does this to me . . hahaha.   

But, things are going well.  I'm sure once I get used to things in Gilbert I'll like it more.   BUT, the members are great and the bishop is awesome!

Facebook

So, the other day our district leaders called and asked us to put them on speaker and gather everyone around.   They said that they had gotten news from the First Presidency and we are officially okay to use Facebook for proselyting starting tomorrow!  We will use it everyday for an hour.  We are only supposed to talk about church related things.  So, you can say hi to me if you want, but I really can't talk much unless you have a referral.  The idea is to get us teaching EVERYONE.  Before my mission is over we will be able to use Skype to teach!  For example, if you have someone in Walla Walla that you want me to teach, I can Skype with them, and you can join in on the Skype to be a member present in the lesson.  So, it's weird.  I'm honestly really nervous.   I was telling Hermana Segura that it's easy to talk about what you believe in to people you don't know, but it's so scary when it's your friends and family.   If I had a choice, I'd skip out on doing Facebook, but the First Presidency is really excited about it.  President Monson said, "When are we going to start to trust them?"   And now we are 1 in only 10 missions who are allowed to use  Facebook.   We can also  blog.  I'm a retarded blogger and would look like an idiot doing that.

So, there's my news for the week!   Starting tomorrow I'll be on Facebook every day for one hour!

With Faith We Can Conquer

Sisters reunited :)



Yes, this is a house of sister missionaries :)

 
We were able to go to the temple this past week.   I want to go everyday - haha.  Afterwards, Sister Greenwood from 5th ward took us out to Red Lobster :)

We were searching for old investigators in Colonial del Sol, the trailer park, the other day.  We pulled up to a man just as Emilio was pulling in as well.  We were able to have a great lesson with him and his wife.  Later on in the week we had another lesson with him, and he accepted a baptismal date :)  The spirit was strong, and it was awesome.