September 30, 2013

I did get your memory card, sorry.  You will be getting a letter for me very soon.  It's already sealed up and everything.  I just got your letter with the walmart gift card!  The date says Sep. 24th.  Thank you so much!  This Is actually perfect because there's no more money on my MSF card until next week and we're going to walmart after emails.  No, I didn't get Peggy's package... Sister Holland said she sent me a package, too and I haven't gotten it yet. :( 

 

This week flew by.  We had a baptism on Thursday for Elisa.  Her baptism was on her birthday so she's 13 now.  She's such a sweet girl.  She's from Mexico, but is living here with her aunt and cousins for the school year.  She doesn't speak much English, and so I have a lot of respect for her.  It can not be easy coming to a foreign country and having to go to school there.  Not only is school already hard enough, but she's trying to learn the language on top of that.  She's the bomb.  Her parents in Mexico are taking the lessons with missionaries over there.  Zaida's family and Benita and Cloudette are doing great.  Still getting baptized on the 26th of October.  We were actually a little worried just because Zaida and Hugo have been kind of like, "We're excited for our kids, yeah."  But yesterday we had an intense lesson (I'll talk more about that in a bit) and Zaida said, "this is not just for them, but for us, too."  It was ultimate.  She's finally gotten through her head that all 4 of them are getting baptized on the 26th.  Yeah, so yesterday was when we had our last lesson with Zaida, Hugo, Henry and Alex (the Ortiz family).  We had planned on having the lesson at the chapel at 5:30, but the Murray family, who we had dinner with at 4, told us they were going over to the Retis family's house and Benita and Zaida's family were all going to be over there eating as well.  So we decided that we'd go to dinner with all of them and have the lesson after as the spiritual thought.  Side note, the Hispanic people here are pretty well off.  Hno y hna Retis are the humblest, nicest people, but stinking rich.  Hno Retis just got a new job as the flippin' ambassador of Peru.  We had the most delicious food and there was a whole lot of people there.  The Retis' son, Stefano (who's studying to become a surgeon) was there with his friend (whose name I forgot.)  But the friend is like the twin of Sean Spencer, no joke.  Sean Spencer meets James Marsden.  He's super attractive.  And a History major, he graduates in December.  And so the two of them sat at the table with us and the elders and everyone else sat someone else.  They were pretty cool.  Super intelligent and funny.  Then when it came time to teach the lesson, we had to do it in front of like 15 people, and translate almost everything we said from Spanish and than English because Stefano's friend doesn't speak Spanish.  He looked at us like we were crazy during the lesson, but hopefully something we said made an impression on him.  Quien sabe.  It was just a little bit intense, but turned out super well.  I have life size plan of salvation visuals, so we used those and it was cool. 

 

So yeah, I'm just over here in Desert Bloom, warm springs, chillin' it with all the rich Hispanics. 

 

We watched the Relief society broadcast the other day.  Did you see it?  It was awesome.  They talked a lot about covenants and keeping them, and Thomas S. Monson talked about the importance of prayer through troubled times. 

 

 My companion, Sis. Webb is obsessed with the millenium and is convinced it's coming in the next few years.  Just a random side note.  Oh, yeah, and i'm sick, so that's fun!  :) 

 

Well, I love you all very much, but I've got to get going now.  I'll write a letter with any stuff that I may have forgotten!     

September 23, 2013

No, I'm not going to return the dresses.  They fit pretty well, I just want to lose a little weight before I wear the retro looking one.  The red one I wear a lot, although apparently it makes me look like a seductress and maybe that's not a good thing...but I don't think it's inappropriate and neither does my comp, so I'm pretty sure i'm good.  (don't worry, I never push the modesty rules)  The other day I wore it and we went to a members house for dinner, and these members actually have a really sad story.  The daughter, Lissette, has 3 kids and they all have a mental disorder because their father abused them when they were super little, they weren't born with problems, though.  Lissestte lives with her mother and sister.  They are super good people and Lissette is going to be so blessed for her saint like nature. Seriously.  anyway, so the kids are like 10, 4 and 5...and not sure the exact ages, but if I had to guess.  The 10 year old, Carlos, told me my dress was pretty.  That was cute. :)  And the youngest one went up behind me and smacked my butt really hard with both hands.  Right in front of the elders.. it was super awkward, but super funny.  Those kids are cute.  I don't know why I told you that story, but anywhoo... Oh, I can't find my other memory card, which is kind of a problem and is kind of why I'm not sure when you'll get pictures, because I don't want to send the one I have now without a back up one.   

 

Oh, snap...or teaching pool is pretty huge right now.  We have a baptism on Thursday and 6 on the 26th of October.  Yep.  We had set a woman named Benita and her 12 year old daughter, Claudette for baptism on the 26th, and they are good friends with another investigator named Zaida and her family.  Zaida has two sons, Alex and Henry, and they have been coming to the youth activities for a while, even went to camp.  One day the RS prez called us and told us that Henry and Alex want to get baptized and so we called them and they said they want to get baptized on the 26th as well.  Just out of the blue, and they've never even taken any of the lessons before.  And so we talked to them and we set them and their parents for baptism on the same day.  It's funny, too, because Benita and Zaida are best friends and we've been trying to teach them separately even though they are always attached at the hip.  The other day Zaida and her kids were at Benita's house and we had a lesson with Benita and Claudette at 6 and a lesson with Zaida and her family at 7, we had two different members set up and everything.  So since Benita is like super successful and has her own big office, we took turns and Zaida and Benita waited while the other was having the lesson in the office.  It was super legit, we felt like total bosses with our own office. ;)  Zaida's husband, Hugo, came to church for the first time tambien!  And when I asked him about it he said he called in sick at work to be there.  LEGIT!  I'm super impressed with the youth in this branch.  They are super strong and a lot of our investigators are youth and they are so in tune with the spirit, recognize their answers right away and act on it right away.  It's crazy cool.  I've never seen anything like it.     

 

What's also funny is that since I've been here in this area, the teaching pool completely changed.  Investigators became antiguos and we've been finding like crazy.  And the people we've set together are like the elect of the elect. All the new people are like super legit, too.  Success is overflowing here in desert bloom!  We were teaching this new family the restoration the other day and the mother, Ana Maria, was like super into it and then we soft set them for baptism and she jumped up and was like, "SI!  Yo si!  Yo no se con ellos, pero yo si!"  It was super funny.  The other day we were teaching a new investigator named Rosie and brought along a very recent convert of two weeks with us to fellowship her.  As it turns out, the two of them are basically best friends now, it's insane and Rosie was sad when we had to go.  This was the RC's first time going out with missionaries and she had such a good experience.  She and her family are recent converts of the elders and the elders we are serving with now in DB, well... they're not the most into the whole "team work with the sisters" thing (there's only 4 of us in DB) and so they like to keep their RCs to themselves most of the time, and so this was our first time really getting to know her, Hermana Acosta, and the next day at church her children randomly ran up to us and gave us hugs and her husband shook our hands and was like, "ella estaba bien contento" .  It was cool to see that we could help lift her up. 

 

On Friday during weekly planning, Sister Webb and I made the companionship goal to eat healthier and that the only day we would eat sweets is on Fridays as a weekly planning tradition.  So that very next day, EVERYONE we visited fed us.  We went to go see a brand new investigator form Chile and she had a whole lunch prepared for us.  Then we went to our next appointment and she fed us cookies and chips, then we ate dinner at 4, and then our next Investigator fed us the most delicious turn overs I've ever tasted in my life.  It was insane.  A blessing, because our investigators love us, but wow... I'm never going to lose weight...

 

I can't believe it's almost October...General Conference again!  It will be a year since the big announcement that changed my life.  Wow, I can't believe that was like a year ago.  Then on Nov. 6th is my 9 month/half mark.  Time is going by super fast.  It's slightly disturbing. 

 

Les Quiero mucho!

September 16, 2013

  Yes, I had a good birthday!  The dresses were good, I wore the red one yesterday.  The other two just hit my knees, but the super pretty multicolored one would probably look better if it was one size up.  I don't think it's meant to be a form fitting dress, but because I'm a little bit curvy, it fits that way and I'm a little uncomfortable in it.  I'm going to try to figure out away to make them more modest, though.  I loved everything though!  Thank you so much!  And yes, we took lots of pictures and the members we ate dinner with yesterday made me a cake and sang happy birthday to me.  They made me take a bite out of the cake, too, before they cut into it, without using my hands... apparently it's a Latino tradition.  I have a video of that, though, so look forward to it.  No, I haven't gotten a package from anyone else.  Just a card from Grandma.  Sister Holland, Aunt Erin and Peggy and the only people I now know for sure are sending me something, but nada todavia. 

 

This week we got to see Elder Andersen speak and give a training!  Along with Elder Callister and their wives.  It was pretty much life changing.  I learned so much and my perspective has changed A LOT.  They took the time to shake each and every one of our hands.  Elder Andersen looked right at me and said, "hello sister smith."  It was cool, but then later he told us all that he was looking into our souls when he touched our hands, so....that was a tad bit intimidating.  Haha.  Also, when he was giving the training, at one point he was talking about repentance and he shouted out a few names - basically calling us out to repentance - and he was like, "elder Shorter, Sister Smith" And I was like, Oh snap.  Even though there's like a butt load of sister Smiths it was pretty intense.  Haha.  I felt like the things he said were very much what I needed to hear.  He talked a lot about not comparing ourselves to anyone but ourselves.  He said it's not as important who we are or where we're at 2 months from now as it is 20 years from now.  He expressed that he was never a stand out missionary.  His mission president payed little attention to him even.  Yet now he is an apostle of the Lord.  I don't know, it just brought me a lot of comfort to know that all I need to do is do MY best and don't get caught up in titles or any of that stuff, but focus on the big picture, why I personally am here, and realize that a mission is really the first step to a life time changing process.  He also made a pretty cool announcement that we should be staying in our areas longer - like 6 to 8 months.  We were talking to a member about that a couple days ago, actually, and he was talking about how 20 years ago, maybe it wasn't such a problem to move missionaries in and out frequently, but these days people are much more closed off and a tad more hard hearted... it makes sense for missionaries in these days to stay in areas longer in order get to know the members well and earn trust.  So...I may or may not be here until almost the end of my mission. 

 

I had a lot of baptisms in East this past week.  Jaime, Michelle and Norma Martinez, and Jose Valadez.  I've had a total of 6 baptisms so far in my mission.  It's nice to know that I've helped those people in some way come closer to Christ.  They are all so solid, too.  The Martinez family we started teaching when I was with Sister Franco.  They were so prepared.  They were a referral from another set of missionaries, but when we went over to visit them, they told us they never talked to missionaries at all.  Right away Norma knew we were send from God.  She told us she has never felt anything for any other church before, but that every time we were there she felt something so strong.  She told us after we taught the first lesson that Jose Smith's first vision really touched her and by our second visit, the Tree of Life - Lehi's dream - was her favorite scripture story.  Her 12 year old daughter, Michelle was like right there with her.  She went to girl's camp before she was baptized even.  She actually reminds me a lot of Hope.  The husband has very slowly been progressing, but he has no problems and he cried at the baptism of is wife daughter.  He's just extremely shy and making a change from Catholic to Mormon just is something he's nervous about doing.  The first time we committed them to baptism (with sister Holland), he wasn't ready, and Norma didn't want to do it without her husband, because she didn't want to split them up.  The Valadez family helped them a lot.  They were super good fellowshippers for them and could relate to their situation, because Hermano Valadez didn't always want anything to do with the gospel.  So his wife and kids kind of had to walk in faith and trust that Heavenly Father would bless their family for their courage.  And He did.  Hermano Valadez has a solid testimony and just baptized his son on Saturday.  He's changed a lot even since I've been there.  But that helped Norma a lot, I think because the next time we commited them, she said yes without hesitation.  She was so dedicated and so trusting in her Heavenly Father that He would not allow their family to be split up.  I think he act of faith has been making the difference.  He righteous desires to follow Christ are blessing their family and I'm pretty sure her husband is going to be baptized soon.  We've already taken them to walk around the temple together with the whole family (they have 4 daughters, the youngest little baby's named Samantha!) and the Hermano has been coming to church and says he feels good there.  There's actually a picture of them that you have.  The one where we're with the Valadez fam with the stuff on our faces, they are there, too. 

 

So you will get all of the baptism pictures when I send it.  Be patient with me!  It made my day at Jose's baptism, because his little brother, Nathan - who is the cutest little boy in this world- looks at me with this sassy pose and goes, "I missed you!" basically like a black woman would.  It was soooo adorable.  Sister Valadez cried when I left and they gave me gold earrings. :) 

 

I didn't realized how much I loved the people in Ensign until I left.  It's crazy.  Oh, and now apparently Jaime and is previously less active wife are involved in like EVERYTHING!  Rock.  Solid.  That brings so much peace to my soul. Especially since he was a tough one to crack.  Haha.  They want to go to the temple and be sealed together like YESTERDAY.  Jaime's obsessed with being part of an eternal family and he giggled like a giddy little girl when we taught him the plan of salvation.  He's changed soooo much. 

 

It's been a good week.  A lot of baptisms and meetings.  Oh, and sister Webb and I gave a training at district meeting about finding because we found 8 new investigators last week.  When I get back, giving a talk in sacrament meeting will be a piece of cake!  I've already given 2 trainings - the other one at a zone training meeting with sister Veazey about comp unity - and given 2 talks in Spanish - one at sacrament meeting and the other at the Martinez baptism.  Not to mention I have to talk in front of people on a daily basis.  It's such an awesome growing experience. 

 

I guess the Gladys Knight thing already passed.  So no, I didn't go.  OH!  And we just set 2 investigators here for baptism on the 26th of Oct.! 

 

I can't think of anything else to say.  I love you all!  Thank you for making my birthday great!                    

September 9, 2013

Yes, we eat every day.  They don't stuff you as much, though because everyone's a little bit more Americanized and successful over here.  I feel like i'm in an English ward (I mean branch).  ;)  Yes, I got the packages!  Thank you so much!  I will obey your command and save the two for Sunday.  I'll make sure to take pictures, too, so you feel like you were there.  We'll be wearing the birthday hats and everything. :)  No, I did not send the memory card yet.  I was waiting so that you could get pictures from ensign.  I will send it today, though!  Last week was just very hectic, though, because I had to pack and everything.         

It's been a little hard leaving Ensign, especially after having been there for 4 transfers.  I did go to Jaime's baptism!  It was awesome!  His wife, Louisa gave me a pretty legit herbal life mug. ;)  I'll take a picture of it.  This area is HUGE!!!  The biggest area in the mission.  Our branch meets at the mission office and we email here, too.  I just got all those packages and President tried to steal my Oreos.  It's different being around him all the time... the AP's are in our zone, too.  We have the nicest apartment!  Two full bathrooms, two huge bedrooms, each with a walk in closet...it's nice.  Except that they did construction outside our window the other day and we haven't had hot water for like 5 days...

Tomorrow Neil L. Anderson is coming to the mission to speak to us and the west mission.  It's going to be awesome!  i'm excited. :)  Gladys Knight is even coming!  Sometime in October I think...I wrote down the date in my other planner.  She's going to put on a concert for the mission, but we can only go if we bring an investigator.  Apparently a big reason she's doing it is to kill rumors about mormons hating blacks or something because there's a lot of them here in Vegas that make up most of the English missionary's teaching pool.  

This area has sooooo many places to go...to shop, to eat.. East just had like Walmart, McDonald's, Jack in the box... they are complete opposite areas.  And it's super nice up here because it's mostly in Henderson.  Before when I was in East I didn't think I would ever want to live in Vegas, but it's niiiiiiice over here.  

There's another baptism on Friday at 730 in Ensign that i'm going to.  Norma and Michelle Martinez, and then Jose Valadez is getting baptized on Saturday at 10am.  So yes, I will go back again for those!  It's crazy how I didn't realize how much I really loved those people until I left them.  The Valadez family gave me a pair of gold hoop earrings.  Hermana Valadez cried when I left.  It was kinda sad.  

I'm glad you are all doing good!  You are always in my prayers, don't ever forget it!  See you in 11 months.         

September 2, 2013

Mother, be happy!!!!! 

This week was good.  Last week in this area... WOOPS!! How did that slip?!  Well, I guess I'll just tell you...I'M GETTING TRANSFERED!  I'm going to be in the Dessert Bloom branch in the Warm Springs zone.  Which happens to be very far away.  Where the mission office is.  From what I understand it's more in Henderson, on the edge of Las Vegas.  The Airport and Vegas BLVD (the strip) are going to be in my area.  Of course we can't go on the strip, but those are the boundaries.  I'm excited because everyone says it's a lot different there.  Sister Veazey just came from there so it's kind of funny how we just switched places for our 1st and 2nd areas.  And guess who's going to be my companion?  An old friend from the MTC - Hermana Webb!  That's super exciting.  I get two ginger comps in a row, too.  Jaja!  Oh, and Sister Veazey's from North Dakota, and so her canadian-ish accent kicks in every once in a while and sometimes it rubs off on me.  So I might come home sounding like a Mexican/Canadian.  Don't tell Hope! ;)  

 

I've been feeling like I'm leaving since this transfer started.  And all of a sudden we've been teaching all of these people that are so ready.  We have 4 with a baptismal date - one on Saturday, and 3 on the 14th, and then we have 5 more that are soft set.  I feel like this is Heavenly Father telling me that I've worked hard here, these are the fruits of my labors, and now He has need of me elsewhere.  It's cool, though, because I said earlier in the transfer that IF I'm getting transfered, i'd prefer it be far away.  And earlier in my mission when I was on an exchange closer to the area where I'll be serving, I made a comment that I wanted to serve in a place like that.  It's different... everything's more open and bigger.  I don't know how to explain it, but it's different.  It just feels weird, almost like I'm going on my mission all over again, because I spent a good chunk of my mission here in the East.  

 

We got 20 LTMs this week.  Good end to the transfer.  We're about to go eat with Sister Veazey's parents.  They were in the area and she got permission to eat with them.  So that's cool.  I don't think I personally would want to do that, though.  For one, it would be distracting, and for two, it would take away from the whole experience and make the reunion (in less than a year) a little less dramatic and meaningful.  I dunno.  That's just me.  

 

I haven't sent you anything, because I wanted to wait until the end of the transfer so that you'd have pictures of all my peeps and such that I'm saying good bye to.  I'm going to try to send the pictures and a letter tonight.  My last night in the East - er, I mean Spanish zone.  

 

I love you all!  Stay strong and find things to be grateful for everyday.  I told Hope about an article in the August ensign that talks about how teachers in the church should teach and what kind of questions they should ask.  It's the same as how missionaries teach.  The kind of questions she mentioned are big No Nos according to Preach My Gospel.