Hey family!
Tomorrow we're going to the temple as a zone because we reached our goal for January, wahoo! It'll be the 4th time I've been during my mission and I'm stoked because just the other day I was thinking about how much I wanted to go...God loves us :)
Yesterday was a good day. All the investigators that we invited came to church, our Principals of the Gospel class was way fun, and all of them had a good experience. Aurora, an elderly woman we found a few weeks ago, was sitting on the corner waiting for us when we went to bring her to church yesterday morning. She has lots of faith and has had a couple of cool spiritual dreams about baptism, but she can't read so it makes it a little hard because preachers or other people have been teaching her false doctrine here and there and she can't read to find out for herself. But she can pray, and when we taught her on Friday she said a sweet, humble prayer saying that she was willing to do whatever God asked of her and that she knows He's been guiding her.
We also taught a reference from an awesome family in our ward yesterday. She's way cool and came to church last week because they brought her, she loved it and needs a lot of help right now. She has cancer and her mom died 9 months ago, and when we taught her yesterday we found out that she doesn't really believe in the resurrection or life after death. But she's eager to learn and I think she wants to believe it, we just have to help her to know how.
I'm glad Grandma and Grandpa got my postcard. I wanted to send stuff to Grandma and Grandpa Dance but I don't have their address...!! Sorry for anyone I've neglected in the last year and half and for the birthdays and the important dates I've forgotten...it's a different world out here and I hope you all understand! The mission has a mysterious memory-erasing/bubble effect, haha. For example, last night I was talking to an elder who was in the MTC with me and we were reminiscing and he mentioned how the first week in the MTC we found out we had a friend in common. Last night he said the person's name and I honestly couldn't remember who it was or how I knew them. Five minutes later I finally remembered, and it made me a little bit worried because I don't think I'm going to recognize anyone or know their names when I come home (beside my family) Oops!
Welp, that was a random tangent, I guess that's what happens cuando tengo pereza para escribir...Life is good, love you all!!
Hermana Dance
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Hey family,
Love you all! It's been a long week but a good week too....Yesterday
we went to visit Itzel again and we found her distraught because she
found out that a close friend hung himself yesterday leaving a young
wife and two little kids. We talked with her, read the Book of Mormon
with her, taught her and shared our testimonies with her. By the time
we left she was smiling and seemed to feel peaceful. She told us that
sometimes she questions God, but then she said "But I know God loves
me a lot because everytime I have a problem or everytime something
happens, you two always show up."
We felt warm fuzzies after because we felt like God guided us there
again. She has a testimony and reads all the pamphlets and answers the
questions in the back, she reads the Book of Mormon, and she wants to
come to church. We love her a lot and we know that she's really
special.
Ahh, sorry I can't really concentrate because there's a problem in the
internet cafe and everyone's standing around us fighting. Life is
good, and I'm happy. I can't think of anything else to say right
now....love you all!!
Hermana Dance
Love you all! It's been a long week but a good week too....Yesterday
we went to visit Itzel again and we found her distraught because she
found out that a close friend hung himself yesterday leaving a young
wife and two little kids. We talked with her, read the Book of Mormon
with her, taught her and shared our testimonies with her. By the time
we left she was smiling and seemed to feel peaceful. She told us that
sometimes she questions God, but then she said "But I know God loves
me a lot because everytime I have a problem or everytime something
happens, you two always show up."
We felt warm fuzzies after because we felt like God guided us there
again. She has a testimony and reads all the pamphlets and answers the
questions in the back, she reads the Book of Mormon, and she wants to
come to church. We love her a lot and we know that she's really
special.
Ahh, sorry I can't really concentrate because there's a problem in the
internet cafe and everyone's standing around us fighting. Life is
good, and I'm happy. I can't think of anything else to say right
now....love you all!!
Hermana Dance
Monday, January 10, 2011
O-C-D!
Hey Family!
I’ve decided that it’s better to write some of this letter before I
read what you all write me because otherwise I just get all excited
and flustered about news from the motherland and forget everything
that I’ve done all week, haha.
This week we've been able to have a lot of spiritual experiences.
We've started recording our Milagros del Dia like I did with Hermana
Graham and it's awesome to be able to look back and see how much the
Lord blesses, and even more when we acknowledge his hand in our lives.
This week Familia xxxx finally came to church! Saturday night the
father participated in the lesson for the first time and yesterday he
came to church with two of the kids even though the wife had to stay
home with their sick baby. He's a lawyer and a Freemason and it's a
little hard because he's "learned and thinks he's wise" sometimes, but
we're excited about their progress.
My companion has a golden touch! Pretty much every single house we
contact lets us in. So now we have the task of trying to filter our
investigators and determine who is really interested and going to
progress and who isn't.
Thursday when one of our appointments fell through we were trying to
figure out what to do and decided to go visit a young couple we found
over a month ago but haven't really been able to teach because of
their jobs, vacations, etc. We were already late for our next
appointment but we decided to pass by the house of this couple and we
found Itzel, la señora, at home stressing out. She was so excited to
see us and we sad down and she just let everything out about all the
problems she has with her family, her boyfriend/husband, and
everything that's been going on. She started crying, and we taught her
a few things from the Book of Mormon and just listened. At the end she
smiled and almost started crying again as she told us that we were an
answer to her prayers and that we arrived en el momento preciso. She
came to church yesterday and is excited to keep learning.
Yesterday we also invited ourselves to ward council meeting. We came
prepared with color-coded progress reports for each organization and
handouts. I think they were laughing on the inside because we’re
hermanas and the elders don’t do stuff like that but whatever, we all
know I’m an organization nerd. (I can hear Jamison in my head singing
“O-C-D! Easy as 1-2-3, O-C-D baby you and me!” to the tune of the
Michael Jackson song) They’ll be grateful, just wait. Haha.
Transfers are Wednesday and tomorrow night they let us know. I’m a
Nervous Pervous because I heard rumors that they might be taking me
out to let me have another area in my mission. Ahhh! And I heard other
rumors that I might be training again. Double ahhh!! But who knows,
I’ll let y’all know next week. I don’t want a different compy, I want
to finish with Hermana Serrano! Harumph...
On a side note: The Clarks are going to be mission presidents!!!
AHHH!!!! I almost jumped for joy with I read that. I always knew the
Eden Prairie families were destined for great things and world
domination. Mmmwahaha. But seriously, that’s so great! Sarah Jayne and
I are like twins! You have to keep me posted when they find out where
they’re going, and send them my congrats! Can we go visit them? Awww,
I just love them so much! I was thinking about living in their house
for a week or two until I can get into my apartment, if they let me of course.
Oh gosh I’m all flustered and excited.
Today is a joyous day of emails. My Panamanian bff Charlyn wrote me
too. She told me she’s gained 11 kg, whatever that is in pounds...but
she’s got the sister missionary curse! Grr.....
Hmmm, what else to tell you all. Oh thanks Jamison for the email. Since
the MTC I’ve always had like 100 different cross country/mission
analogies. *cue the 80s montage song and footage of finish lines and
missionaries* Haha.
Love you all, thanks for everything!!
Hermana Dance
I’ve decided that it’s better to write some of this letter before I
read what you all write me because otherwise I just get all excited
and flustered about news from the motherland and forget everything
that I’ve done all week, haha.
This week we've been able to have a lot of spiritual experiences.
We've started recording our Milagros del Dia like I did with Hermana
Graham and it's awesome to be able to look back and see how much the
Lord blesses, and even more when we acknowledge his hand in our lives.
This week Familia xxxx finally came to church! Saturday night the
father participated in the lesson for the first time and yesterday he
came to church with two of the kids even though the wife had to stay
home with their sick baby. He's a lawyer and a Freemason and it's a
little hard because he's "learned and thinks he's wise" sometimes, but
we're excited about their progress.
My companion has a golden touch! Pretty much every single house we
contact lets us in. So now we have the task of trying to filter our
investigators and determine who is really interested and going to
progress and who isn't.
Thursday when one of our appointments fell through we were trying to
figure out what to do and decided to go visit a young couple we found
over a month ago but haven't really been able to teach because of
their jobs, vacations, etc. We were already late for our next
appointment but we decided to pass by the house of this couple and we
found Itzel, la señora, at home stressing out. She was so excited to
see us and we sad down and she just let everything out about all the
problems she has with her family, her boyfriend/husband, and
everything that's been going on. She started crying, and we taught her
a few things from the Book of Mormon and just listened. At the end she
smiled and almost started crying again as she told us that we were an
answer to her prayers and that we arrived en el momento preciso. She
came to church yesterday and is excited to keep learning.
Yesterday we also invited ourselves to ward council meeting. We came
prepared with color-coded progress reports for each organization and
handouts. I think they were laughing on the inside because we’re
hermanas and the elders don’t do stuff like that but whatever, we all
know I’m an organization nerd. (I can hear Jamison in my head singing
“O-C-D! Easy as 1-2-3, O-C-D baby you and me!” to the tune of the
Michael Jackson song) They’ll be grateful, just wait. Haha.
Transfers are Wednesday and tomorrow night they let us know. I’m a
Nervous Pervous because I heard rumors that they might be taking me
out to let me have another area in my mission. Ahhh! And I heard other
rumors that I might be training again. Double ahhh!! But who knows,
I’ll let y’all know next week. I don’t want a different compy, I want
to finish with Hermana Serrano! Harumph...
On a side note: The Clarks are going to be mission presidents!!!
AHHH!!!! I almost jumped for joy with I read that. I always knew the
Eden Prairie families were destined for great things and world
domination. Mmmwahaha. But seriously, that’s so great! Sarah Jayne and
I are like twins! You have to keep me posted when they find out where
they’re going, and send them my congrats! Can we go visit them? Awww,
I just love them so much! I was thinking about living in their house
for a week or two until I can get into my apartment, if they let me of course.
Oh gosh I’m all flustered and excited.
Today is a joyous day of emails. My Panamanian bff Charlyn wrote me
too. She told me she’s gained 11 kg, whatever that is in pounds...but
she’s got the sister missionary curse! Grr.....
Hmmm, what else to tell you all. Oh thanks Jamison for the email. Since
the MTC I’ve always had like 100 different cross country/mission
analogies. *cue the 80s montage song and footage of finish lines and
missionaries* Haha.
Love you all, thanks for everything!!
Hermana Dance
Monday, January 3, 2011
We did it!!
Hey familia!
We haven't really been able to sleep again because of New Years
celebrations, and some of our investigators didn't come to church
because they were still drinking or just hung over from the days
before, so it was kind of a rough week. But we're working with a young
couple right now and they're both stoked to be coming to church.
They've been twice, and the boyfriend is a member but has been
inactive for years. The girl is way cute and doesn't have any church
background and comes from a sad family situation, but she's super
excited to learn and keep coming to church every week. The only
problem is that she's only 16 and they live together, and they can't
get married unless her mom lets her. We've only taught her at church
and in their house once but I already feel like I love her so much, I
want to adopt her as my little sister and tell her to go home and go
back to school! But the best we can do is love her and teach her the
gospel (true principles) and let her "govern herself." (I think
that's a Jose Smith quote but I can't remember).
This week we had a training conference in the mission home. It was fun
because it felt all cozy (the Christmas decorations are still up and
Hermana Ward made us lunch). The training conferences every 2 months
are definitely inspired because there were quite a few things that I'd
forgotten...
The revelations are coming back!! These last two weeks have been full
of pereza and distractions but I feel like after yesterday I've gotten
back in the groove. I had lots of ideas and impressions in testimony
meeting and I felt like the sacrament was a lot more meaningful.
Thanks dad! I still think there's a lot I don't get but I'm on my way
to taking advantage of the ordinance of the sacrament. :)
The transfer is almost over but I think this is going to be one of our
best weeks. I have lots of ideas and plans and working with my compita
I think we can do some cool stuff this week. I think my problem was
that I let myself get into a teaching rut again so I got bored of
teaching and stopped doing new and different things. So this week I'm
tappin into the creative vibe again with new object lessons and visual
aids and questions. I'll let you all know how it goes....
Welp we're headed to the city now to go ride bikes in (on?) Causeway
so I gotta go. Love you all!!!
Hermana Dance
D & C 35:13
P.S. We did it!! We reached our goal of 1000 baptisms in 2010!! (We
actually ended up with 100,1) Yayyyyy
We haven't really been able to sleep again because of New Years
celebrations, and some of our investigators didn't come to church
because they were still drinking or just hung over from the days
before, so it was kind of a rough week. But we're working with a young
couple right now and they're both stoked to be coming to church.
They've been twice, and the boyfriend is a member but has been
inactive for years. The girl is way cute and doesn't have any church
background and comes from a sad family situation, but she's super
excited to learn and keep coming to church every week. The only
problem is that she's only 16 and they live together, and they can't
get married unless her mom lets her. We've only taught her at church
and in their house once but I already feel like I love her so much, I
want to adopt her as my little sister and tell her to go home and go
back to school! But the best we can do is love her and teach her the
gospel (true principles) and let her "govern herself." (I think
that's a Jose Smith quote but I can't remember).
This week we had a training conference in the mission home. It was fun
because it felt all cozy (the Christmas decorations are still up and
Hermana Ward made us lunch). The training conferences every 2 months
are definitely inspired because there were quite a few things that I'd
forgotten...
The revelations are coming back!! These last two weeks have been full
of pereza and distractions but I feel like after yesterday I've gotten
back in the groove. I had lots of ideas and impressions in testimony
meeting and I felt like the sacrament was a lot more meaningful.
Thanks dad! I still think there's a lot I don't get but I'm on my way
to taking advantage of the ordinance of the sacrament. :)
The transfer is almost over but I think this is going to be one of our
best weeks. I have lots of ideas and plans and working with my compita
I think we can do some cool stuff this week. I think my problem was
that I let myself get into a teaching rut again so I got bored of
teaching and stopped doing new and different things. So this week I'm
tappin into the creative vibe again with new object lessons and visual
aids and questions. I'll let you all know how it goes....
Welp we're headed to the city now to go ride bikes in (on?) Causeway
so I gotta go. Love you all!!!
Hermana Dance
D & C 35:13
P.S. We did it!! We reached our goal of 1000 baptisms in 2010!! (We
actually ended up with 100,1) Yayyyyy
Monday, December 20, 2010
Dreaming of a white Christmas (with baptisms)
Hey family!
Welp, I think I’m going to stage a protest because I’ve been on this computer for 20 minutes and still haven’t been able to read anything you all have written me. The only thing that has opened so far was the finance email telling me how much money I have on my card. Derp derp.
Last night we sang as a zone in a Christmas Devotional that the stake primary put on. It was so awesome to see it. They did the nativity story and they were so cute all dressed up their costumes. I kept thinking about the movie Millions :) The spirit was strong and it felt so good to be there. We sang Oh Holy Night at the request of the stake president (I think because there are tons of Americans in this zone so he wanted us to sing in English) and despite the short notice I think it turned out mas o menos good?
Umm, Brenda got baptized on Saturday! She’s way cute and was super excited, I love her! Her mom, Maria, is the best too. She’s been inactive for years but wants to come back now that her daughter has gotten baptized. Maria is super blunt and is always yelling but it doesn’t mean she’s mad, she’s just like that. Heh. And her other daughter is the cutest little girl ever! I’ll send pictures when I find an internet cafe that isn’t teeming with flesh-eating viruses.
We’re also teaching Yulissa, our next door neighbor. I think I already mentioned her, but she is the best. She’s 16 and wants to get baptized and she had a date for Christmas day but yesterday she told us that her mom said she wants her to wait more time/be more prepared.
Last night we talked to President Ward for a little bit and he told us that we should just teach her mom the word of wisdom and the law of chastity and then she’ll be excited for her daughter to get baptized. So that’s going to be our next move. Other than that we’re still looking for new people.
Hmm, cool story:) When we moved into the house we found a book of Mormon without a cover. When we saw it we figured we shouldn’t really give it away to anyone but that we could leave it in a park on a bench somewhere for someone to find...haha. But then last Tuesday when we were on the bus to go to district meeting we were sitting next to a young teenage boy. My compita started talking to him about how school was out, asking what he was going to do for summer vacation, etc. Then she asked him if she liked to read. He said yes and she pulled out the coverless Book of Mormon and gave it to him. His eyes looked all bright and shiny and he just said thanks and opened it up, almost caressing the pages. He started reading the introduction right then. Later when my companion and I talked about it we shared that we had both felt the Spirit super strongly and we think he did too. Who knows what’ll ever come out of it, but it was inspired. Warm fuzzies!
Hmmmm que mas? This week we have lots of Christmas activities planned. With the hermanas on the 24th we’re going to make cookies and go around singing to the lonely people in each of our areas. Thursday is the mission Christmas party, wahoo!
Love,
Hermana Dance
2 Nefi 1:23 Despertad hija mia!
Welp, I think I’m going to stage a protest because I’ve been on this computer for 20 minutes and still haven’t been able to read anything you all have written me. The only thing that has opened so far was the finance email telling me how much money I have on my card. Derp derp.
Last night we sang as a zone in a Christmas Devotional that the stake primary put on. It was so awesome to see it. They did the nativity story and they were so cute all dressed up their costumes. I kept thinking about the movie Millions :) The spirit was strong and it felt so good to be there. We sang Oh Holy Night at the request of the stake president (I think because there are tons of Americans in this zone so he wanted us to sing in English) and despite the short notice I think it turned out mas o menos good?
Umm, Brenda got baptized on Saturday! She’s way cute and was super excited, I love her! Her mom, Maria, is the best too. She’s been inactive for years but wants to come back now that her daughter has gotten baptized. Maria is super blunt and is always yelling but it doesn’t mean she’s mad, she’s just like that. Heh. And her other daughter is the cutest little girl ever! I’ll send pictures when I find an internet cafe that isn’t teeming with flesh-eating viruses.
We’re also teaching Yulissa, our next door neighbor. I think I already mentioned her, but she is the best. She’s 16 and wants to get baptized and she had a date for Christmas day but yesterday she told us that her mom said she wants her to wait more time/be more prepared.
Last night we talked to President Ward for a little bit and he told us that we should just teach her mom the word of wisdom and the law of chastity and then she’ll be excited for her daughter to get baptized. So that’s going to be our next move. Other than that we’re still looking for new people.
Hmm, cool story:) When we moved into the house we found a book of Mormon without a cover. When we saw it we figured we shouldn’t really give it away to anyone but that we could leave it in a park on a bench somewhere for someone to find...haha. But then last Tuesday when we were on the bus to go to district meeting we were sitting next to a young teenage boy. My compita started talking to him about how school was out, asking what he was going to do for summer vacation, etc. Then she asked him if she liked to read. He said yes and she pulled out the coverless Book of Mormon and gave it to him. His eyes looked all bright and shiny and he just said thanks and opened it up, almost caressing the pages. He started reading the introduction right then. Later when my companion and I talked about it we shared that we had both felt the Spirit super strongly and we think he did too. Who knows what’ll ever come out of it, but it was inspired. Warm fuzzies!
Hmmmm que mas? This week we have lots of Christmas activities planned. With the hermanas on the 24th we’re going to make cookies and go around singing to the lonely people in each of our areas. Thursday is the mission Christmas party, wahoo!
Love,
Hermana Dance
2 Nefi 1:23 Despertad hija mia!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sometimes people think we're crazy...
Hey family!
Hmmm, I’m happy to know that you’re getting into the Christmas spirit and that your zone conferences are more fun...lettin loose eh? We’re also getting stoked for Christmas. On Friday they annouced that as a companionship we all have to contact 4 Diablos Rojos (the huge, crazy super full buses here) by singing Christmas carols. We’ve already done it twice, it’s actually kind of fun even though somewhat embarrassing. We still haven’t done it by ourselves though, we were always with other missionaries from our zone. The point is to get the name of the church out there and to show them that we believe in Christ and that we’re different from the evangelicos that get on and tell a sad story about orphans and than ask for money. :)
Hey but I like that cookie idea, maybe we’ll do that too. Except we don’t have an oven.....
We’re getting settled in and love the members here because they’re sweet and they give us tons of references. We’re excited to be here for Christmas.
Right now we’re prepping for a baptism and a huge branch Christmas party on Saturday. We’re also hoping to have another one on Christmas day; but we have to put the fecha still.
Ok love you all lots, sorry this email is so scatter brained, I keep getting interupted!!
Love love love
Hermana Dance
Hmmm, I’m happy to know that you’re getting into the Christmas spirit and that your zone conferences are more fun...lettin loose eh? We’re also getting stoked for Christmas. On Friday they annouced that as a companionship we all have to contact 4 Diablos Rojos (the huge, crazy super full buses here) by singing Christmas carols. We’ve already done it twice, it’s actually kind of fun even though somewhat embarrassing. We still haven’t done it by ourselves though, we were always with other missionaries from our zone. The point is to get the name of the church out there and to show them that we believe in Christ and that we’re different from the evangelicos that get on and tell a sad story about orphans and than ask for money. :)
Hey but I like that cookie idea, maybe we’ll do that too. Except we don’t have an oven.....
We’re getting settled in and love the members here because they’re sweet and they give us tons of references. We’re excited to be here for Christmas.
Right now we’re prepping for a baptism and a huge branch Christmas party on Saturday. We’re also hoping to have another one on Christmas day; but we have to put the fecha still.
Ok love you all lots, sorry this email is so scatter brained, I keep getting interupted!!
Love love love
Hermana Dance
Monday, December 6, 2010
"Excuse me, do you know where we live?"
Hey family,
This computer has like a hundred viruses and is moving super slow so I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to write you all. I'm jealous of your Christmas plans. We're doing something similar with the training then Christmas celebration after. I'm not sure what all we're going to do but I know it includes a slide show and some talents and some games...
Everything is going well. I love my compy, she's so sweet and helps me not be such an awkward companion, haha. She's always happy and opimistic and I think she has a magic touch because Saturday when we went out contacing all day, every house we knocked on let us in. We have one baptismal date the elders left and we're planning on putting at least one more with week. The members here are awesome and seem really pumped to have hermanas again. I never really wanted to open an area but it's cool because we get to start fresh and there is no one to say "nah, we already contacted there"
Grr, I don't have the patience for this virus infected computer!! Sorry this is so short but I'm almost out of time already.
Love you all!!
Hermana Dance1 Nefi 10:17 by faith we receive the power to teach and to inspireothers to act
P.S. I love my life.
This computer has like a hundred viruses and is moving super slow so I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to write you all. I'm jealous of your Christmas plans. We're doing something similar with the training then Christmas celebration after. I'm not sure what all we're going to do but I know it includes a slide show and some talents and some games...
Everything is going well. I love my compy, she's so sweet and helps me not be such an awkward companion, haha. She's always happy and opimistic and I think she has a magic touch because Saturday when we went out contacing all day, every house we knocked on let us in. We have one baptismal date the elders left and we're planning on putting at least one more with week. The members here are awesome and seem really pumped to have hermanas again. I never really wanted to open an area but it's cool because we get to start fresh and there is no one to say "nah, we already contacted there"
Grr, I don't have the patience for this virus infected computer!! Sorry this is so short but I'm almost out of time already.
Love you all!!
Hermana Dance1 Nefi 10:17 by faith we receive the power to teach and to inspireothers to act
P.S. I love my life.
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