Who Sent You? - January 28th email

Dear Family,

   How are you?! I hope everything is going well and that you are all healthy, happy and pumped for the month of love (or the lack thereof). Things are going great here! This week I had a couple of surreal "That was my past life" moments. First we went to visit our young men's president and the BYU-Gonzaga game was on. The next day we were eating lunch at this hot dog place (that shall remain nameless until I get a picture in the t-shirt I bought) and all of the sudden I hear this song playing and I knew it was Kelly singing...I also knew that I had never heard the song before. It was really weird. Then the next day our dinner cancelled so we went to eat at Costa Vida and the UNC-State game was on. I sat with my back to it...remembering Daddy's theory on us helping the Heels by not watching games on Sunday. I figured the same principle applied. I did notice they made a nice comeback while I was there but I'm sorry to hear it didn't last. Haha life as a missionary is surreal. A lot of times I just randomly think "I'm a real missionary..how did this happen?" But I know I'm in the right place!

  Well, I'll just dive right into the lesson...This week we had been tracting one day and we weren't having much luck. We had been knocking for about an hour on and off. We kept going to different areas and it just didn't feel right. We said a couple of prayers and after the second one we decided we just needed to get out of the car again. So we knocked a few more doors with little to no luck and then we knocked on a door and a lady answered. She was english speaking and her first words were "Who sent you here? How did you find us?" Then this guy came up with tattoos all over his body and jet black died hair. He said "No really who sent you here." Hermana Alard told them God did but other than that no one else had. They immediately sat down and wanted to be taught. It turns out Michael has been being taught by missionaries in a neighboring city, has a baptismal date and has been telling Kristy (the lady who opened the door) and Brittany (her 22 year old niece who Michael is dating) that they should listen to the missionaries. Kristy and Michael are both recently out of jail but are amazing people who are trying to make positive changes in their life. Brittany has also had a hard life but is awesome. We taught them the restoration and as we taught about the Book of Mormon Kristy started crying. You could tell she just "got it." She and Brittany both prayed and read after our first visit and were so excited to tell us that they both felt they received answers to their prayers. Brittany described hers as having tingles all over and Kristy found a pass-along card about the Book of Mormon while she was doing community service hours. Michael is awesome too. Kristy said that she didn't feel super comfortable the one time she had come to an LDS church in the past because she didn't have church clothes. Michael said "Look at me! I have not-Sunday-best written all over me...literally." It was hilarious. At another point Hermana Alard said "Joseph Smith was a prophet just like Moses and Noah." And Michael was like "With all due respect Sister Alard, I think the other prophets were great but Joseph Smith is not just any prophet." And he went on and on about everything Joseph went through to restore the church. It was awesome. We were worried we wouldn't be able to teach them because they are english speaking but our mission president gave us special permission so we are super excited! Kristy came to Stake Conference and really felt the spirit. It was so neat and we are so pumped!
Paraphrasing an Elder Bednar talk we watched in the MTC he said, "Don't worry about whether the spirit is guiding you...follow the spirit and trust that if you are trying to be a good girl or good boy you will end up where you're supposed to be and many times you will have no idea how you got there." This week I tried to follow President Monson's council and "consider the blessings" that I have received in my life. I realized as I wrote a lot of my blessings that I have seen what Elder Bednar was talking about on a very broad scale in my life and as well as in small ways like being led to Kristy and Brittany's door on my mission. I'm grateful for the spirit's guidance.
We are also teaching a lady named Jaqueline whose daughter joined the church about a month ago. Jaqueline has been one of the most fun experiences on my mission. The first time we went to visit her (because she requested that sisters teach her rather than elders) she had a very quick temper and to be honest was a little scary. She still has a very quick temper and is still a little scary (only because she is extremely animated and dramatic) but we have been able to see how every time we come to visit her she changes a little bit more. Last week in a lesson she noticed my bag that I use to carry about my scriptures and asked me where I got it from. I told her staples and when she didn't seem familiar with the store I told her it is an office supply store. This week she comes out for our lesson and has this bag with all of her scriptures, manuals from church (Daughters in My Kingdom is her favorite), highlighters, etc. We complimented her and she told us she got it from Office Max. It was the cutest thing ever.

   Anyway I love you all. I know that this church is true without a doubt. It is beautiful. It gives people hope and gives them purpose in life. I love seeing the changes that it makes in people's lives. One effect that cracks me up is they always clean their house. Haha! Cleanliness really is next to Godliness!

  Well have a great week! Be safe!

Love,

Hermana Jones

Just Do It! - Jan 22 email

Dear Family,

   How are you?! Sorry my p-day is usually Monday but last week we had a temple trip and then this week the library was closed because it was a holiday! Transfers were this week but no surprise I'm staying in Kennewick to complete my training! I really like it here so no complaints! We were homeless most of last week and had the priviledge of staying with an elderly couple named The Vances. They were like angels and their home was literally like standing on holy ground. I watched the way they lived the gospel and it was such an inspiration. He is in remission from cancer and she is suffering from memory loss but they read their scriptures together every day and have family home evening. They serve each other and the spirit was so strong in their home. It made me want to be better.

    In contrast we visited with a lady this week who has lived in Kennewick for 6 months but has never come to church. In the past she was sealed in the temple and has served as a young women's president but she just at some point stopped coming. It blew my mind because it was so clear that she had a testimony. Seeing the contrast in these two experiences I realized the importance of doing the little things: going to church, reading our scriptures and praying. I realized that these things have to be done because no one is in the clear from Satan and his desires to keep us from fulfilling our potential. The good news is that the lady that I mentioned and her daughter and three of her grandkids came to church on Sunday so hopefully they're back on track.

   We had a really interesting week this week. On Friday we had an appointment with Doris and Rosa. We had just had weekly planning and they were our highest priority. We had been struggling with their progression but they had come to church last week and we still felt really good about them. We came into their apartment and as soon as Rosa (the mother) I could tell something was different. She went to shake my hand instead of hugging me which was one indication but I also noticed that the light in her eyes seemed to have gone out. I didn't really realize this until later but in retrospect I can see it very clearly. As we sat down she told us again how she wants one of us to marry one of her sons and seemed totally normal but then when we asked her how church was she began to tell us about how during my talk when I said that I was grateful for the examples of my parents and grandparents in living the gospel that she realized that she is catholic. She said that this feeling had been reconfirmed that morning when our relief society president came by to visit her and asked her about her life. She said that she concluded that she is a catholic (although she is not active) and that for now she didn't want to learn anymore. I just sat there like "Is this real life? Did she really just say that something I said in my talk convinced her to return to the catholic church?" I turned to Hermana Alard to confirm that I had understood her correctly. For once I actually wanted my spanish comprehension to be wrong. Unfortunately, for once I was right. I tried to explain to her that I thought maybe she had misunderstood that feeling. I asked Hermana Alard to explain the concept of temple work for the dead and then I told her that her ancestors have heard the gospel and they prepared her for this time so that she would accept it. She listened but nothing changed. In the end we both bore our testimonies, thanked her for her time and then asked her if she would pray one last time with us. She hesitated but I said "Por favor?" My voice broke and I started crying. It was heartbreaking to see and witness someone who knew decide not to accept the gospel. Ultimately though, people have their own free agency and we have to accept their decisions. The only thing we can do is invite them to act. The saddest thing to me with Doris and Rosa is that they were ready to act but they let their fear overcome their faith. They hesitated rather than just doing it!
   The very same night we went to visit the Valencias. The Valencia parents are waiting for some paperwork to go through so that they can be married so we asked if the boys could be baptized. Their ages range from 9-16. The parents said yes and Alex, the 16 year old, seemed so excited. He is already talking about serving a mission. They are really good boys. They have all been through hard things with their family but they all look out for each other. Last night we taught them and Yahir, the 9 year old, seemed really hesitant when we talked about his baptism. We couldn't figure out why. Finally Hermana Alard asked him if there was something else bothering him. Yahir is a little overweight and wears bottle cap glasses. He has a speech impediment but is so cute. Their family's home is not clean at all, they have a problem with cochroaches and they usually wear the same clothes most of the time. He started to tear up and just looked so sad. His brother and mom then explained that people at school have been picking on him every day. He had told us that the reason he likes coming to church is because everyone is nice. When his mom and brother explained the situation he started to cry even more. His brother Bryan came and wiped his eyes. I asked him if I could have a hug and I really was able to feel the Savior's love for him. It has been really neat for me to get to know this family and to see the love that they have for each other.

   I'm learning a lot about how blessed I have been in my life. We had to meet with our mission president's wife regarding our housing situation this past week and I was super emotional. I felt so silly because it was not even that big of deal but I think it was just a combination of everything. Sister Greer made a comment that has really helped me the rest of this week. She said "This is the hardest thing you will ever do...and you're doing it...you're doing it well." This is the hardest thing I have ever done. I think before my mission I thought I would be so great...and in reality I feel like I'm not very good at this at all. But I am trying! Each and every day I'm getting out and doing it the best that I can. I read a quote by Lorenzo Snow yesterday that made a big impact on me. He said "Each last day or each last week should be the best that we have ever experienced, that is, we should advance ourselves a little every day, in knowledge and wisdom and in the ability to accomplish good." That's what I'm trying to do and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do it.

   I love you all. You are in my prayers every day. Thank you for yours!

Love,

Hermana Jones

 

P.S. I got a card reader so hopefully these are easier to open!

Picture #1- Me and the Vances. The picture in the background was painted by their daughter and they were the models for it. It is supposed to be Adam and Eve when they are old and shows they were still faithful.

Picture #2- We found this in the middle of a neighborhood on P-Day. We thought it was pretty cool.

Picture #3- At the top of our hike! I'm a hiker..obv.

Following Through - Jan 15th email

Dear Family,

   I hope this finds you doing well! This has been quite the week. Due to some serious plumbing issues in our basement we found ourselves homeless. I have showered in 3 different places over the last 72 hours..none of which were where I am supposed to be living. BUT I'm still alive and kicking and grateful to have a place to shower.

   I don't have a ton to report this week but I do have some really good news! We had 11 investigators at church on Sunday as well as six less actives that we had visited during the week and encouraged to come back to church. We were speaking in sacrament meetings and our branch had over 100 people in sacrament so we were pretty pumped! Our talks went really well. We were asked to speak on the Doctrine of Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End). I took the first two principles and my companion took the last three. I talked about how the principles and ordinances of the gospel are the way that our Heavenly Father manifests his love for us and so we shouldn't be afraid to extend to others this invitation to change. They will feel our love as well as Heavenly Father's love through our sharing the gospel with them. People seemed to like it and were complimentary. My companion said my spanish was good so whether she was lying or not I'll take it.

   The Castillos came to church for the second Sunday in a row which according to the members of our ward is a big deal. They are so sweet. We had dinner and FHE with them last night and it went really well. We are so grateful that Heavenly Father gave us the opportunity to be here when the time was right for them to come back to church.

   One of the teenagers we are teaching came to church for the first time on Sunday. He is such a cool kid but has had a tough home life (his mom is a little loco) but he just turned 18. It is interesting to see how for the first time he seems to have hope that he could make his way out of the lifestyle he has always known and could have a better life for him and his future family. We taught him the restoration last night and he seemed to really like it. Hopefully he'll continue to come to church because I know it could help him reach his potential.

    We ran into an anti this week...that was interesting. We pretty much pulled a Joseph of Egypt and ran for our lives. My companion says it's interesting how on your mission you can't really feel when you have the spirit a lot of times but you can feel when the spirit leaves. That's exactly what it felt like. It was scary but so real. We also had a referral that just wanted to bash with us. It's sad to see because they just are so confused and they want to control the conversation but they are so tense and uncomfortable at the same time.

    The best feeling we get as missionaries are when people follow through with their commitments. We went before church on Sunday to Doris and Rosa's and when we opened the door there was Doris's daughter Julia all ready for church in her dress. It was awesome and that's why we're missionaries! There are a few more things I want to write about but I'm kind of waiting to see what happens with them! Until then, I love you all! Thank you for your love and prayers. I'm trying to make you proud.

 

Love,

Hermana Jones

Precise Human Orbits - Jan 7th email

Dearest Family and Friends,

    How are ya'll?! I am doing great! I got Grandma's family Christmas Card yesterday and it made my day! I just keep looking at it and thinking how did I get so lucky?! Hermana Pierce will be very happy to see that she made it into the family because she already told Lyndell she was his cousin in the MTC.

   Good news! I feel like I'm starting to get a hang of this missionary thing. I think I was overthinking everything and being a little bit too hard on myself but I have started to just ride the wave and give it my best shot and things have been a lot better! I have been under weather and not able to exercise this week which has been really frustrating mostly because we are being really well fed. :) It's not a bad problem to have and I don't feel like I have gained any weight! Maybe just the muscle I worked hard on in the MTC. I'm finally feeling a little bit better though so I'm hoping this week we can hit it hard! My companion and I are working super hard and are having some success. I wanted to share a couple of neat experiences with you really quickly.   

There is a less-active older couple in our ward who haven't been coming to church for over 20 years. He was an elder's quorem president when they were active. He is a perfectionist and so the responsibility overwhelmed him and I think eventually he just decided to give up. They are awesome people though. The Walsers have been visiting them for some time now but we went and met them for the first time last week. They are so sweet and we really enjoyed visiting them. She still has a testimony and wants to go to church but he is the hold up. We invited them to church last week but they didn't come. We decided to stop by on Saturday to invite them again and let them know that we noticed they hadn't come the previous week. While we were there I was struck by what a good man Hermano Castillo is. I got the impression once again that he is a man of great integrity. So as we were getting ready to leave and were inviting them to come to church again I said "Hermano, yo pienso que usted es un hombre de su palabra (I think you are a man of your word)" and I stuck out my hand and smiled at him and said "Hasta manana?" He smiled back and shook my hand and said "Hasta Manana."
Sunday morning we were walking to Relief Society and there was Hermana Castillo coming out of Gospel Doctrine. She looked so happy to be there. She then said to me "Thank you for what you said to my husband. That is why we are here." I knew the spirit had helped me know what he needed to hear. It was something so simple but it got him to church!
   We have had a really neat opportunity since I've been here to teach a lot of teenagers. This has been a really neat experience for me because I spent the last two summers working EFY throughout the country. I have seen how that experience prepared me for this experience. I was able to see how the gospel blesses the youth of the church. We have been using For The Strength of Youth to teach the commandments and the youth here are responding really well to it. Two of them, Ale and Gabby, came to church yesterday! We are hoping to put them on date this week. Their mom is a recent convert but is not active. They are really good girls though and they want to make good decisions. It has been an honor for me to be able to teach them.

   We have decided that now that the holidays are over we want to try really hard to get to know the members of our branch. We have been able to get to know them in our dinners but we wanted them to know what our message is and to have trust in our ability has missionaries. As a quick side note: We had our branch president and his wife come teach a lesson with us on Saturday that went great and I think it built his trust in our teaching and work ethic. But we scheduled a lesson with a member family last night who has a son on a mission right now but who are struggling financially right now. They only joined the church three years ago but they are awesome. I met their son in the MTC so it was really neat when I got here and was able to tell the mom that her son is a really good missionary. We were sharing a lesson on the Doctrine of Christ (2 Nephi 31) and as we talked I was reminded of a scripture that I read in the MTC. D&C 118:3 talks about how the Lord takes care of families which missionaries are serving. In the MTC I had read this and it gave me a lot of comfort but when I thought about it last night I thought about how it related to their situation. At the end it says something about the Lord opening a way for them. I told the mom that the message we had shared with them was the same message her son is sharing with the people of his mission and that I know how important it is. I also said that I know how hard it is for families to send a part of them on a mission but I told her that I know that the Lord appreciates that sacrifice. I invited her to read the scripture in D&C and as she read the last part she got really choked up. It was really neat to see how the spirit can call scriptures to our rememberance if we study them.
In my personal study yesterday I read an article in this month's ensign (which is full of good stuff) that contained a quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell that said: "The same God that placed that stay over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to the placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well." I have seen already how there are people here whose lives I am supposed to bless and who in turn are supposed to bless my life. I'm grateful for these interactions with the wonderful people here. I am grateful that Heavenly Father saw fit to put me in this wonderful family! I feel so blessed every single day here. I am also grateful for the other people that God has allowed my path to cross. I'm so grateful for the way the light of my family and friends has warmed me, especially here on my mission. I'm am so grateful for every card, letter, package and prayed that have been sent my way.

 So far on my mission I have learned the how importance this message is and the hope that it can bring into people's lives. I have seen how it brings a light to people who have pretty miserable lives but who with the gospel can see what they are capable of becoming. It is a beautiful experience and one that I am already so thankful for.
  I love you all!

-Hermana Jones

 

PICTURES (Mama I used my companion's camera so hopefully you can open these):

1. My first attempt at tortilla making: FAIL. BUT Gabby (who is in the picture with me) said that we'll keep practicing.

2. We celebrated an interesting tradition last night with the members we taught. They eat this bread this and look for a little tiny baby Jesus inside. It was quite entertaining!