Well... Cedar Crest is a hard area! Things are starting to pick up this week, but last week our numbers weren't very good. Sis. Boiselle was sick but we still tried to get out and work, so we tried to contact less actives, with little success. It's hard to just "drop in" on people here. We feel bad because we know that is no excuse so this week we are going to work, work, work!!!
As of now, we don't have any investigators and are trying to think of ideas to help the work rather than tracting all day every day. Tracting here isn't the most effective use of time. We are going down the ward list to meet all the members in the ward (active and less active) and ask for referrals. In Preach My gospel it talks about how if you ask for referrals from everyone you will be busy, so that we are going to focus on this week. I hope the work starts to pick up, because I KNOW the "field is white all ready to harvest" we just need to find the white wheat!
Our first day here we tracted into a lady who was taking her husband to the hospital for open heart surgery and she started to tear up when we got there and said that we are what she needed right then. Sister Boisselle said "God knows what you need" and I just can't get her out of my mind, so we were in the neighborhood a few days ago and we decided to knock on her door and see if everything went well, so we did and no one was home, but we left her a note saying that we dropped by to see if Thomas was doing okay and if everything went well and told her to call us if she needs anything. I hope maybe that sparks some interest or at least plants a seed.
We had Zone Conference this week and it was exactly what I needed. I started to slack off on my PMG study but now I study it daily. I have seen an improvement in my attitude towards missionary work and have been more excited to implement what I learn into the work. I love zone conference! It's just always so motivating and exciting, plus you get to meet together with a bunch of other people that are going through the exact same thing you are!
Yesterday at church a guy gave a really good talk and one thing that stuck out was, he said that a parent's responsibility is to help children understand spiritual experiences. I really liked that, because I have never thought about that before.
I got your package! thanks so much I absolutely LOVED that holiday kit thing! We were staying with a different family this weekend while sister Clifford was out of town and they were out of town also, so we left the mobile hanging in their entry way and made the boxes and filled them with candy as a thank you. It was really cute! perfect timing because the mom loves holidays (I don't know if I told you about our "red meal" last week, but it was that family) and she goes all out on celebrating so may she will reuse it next year! The elders liked both of the shirts and they wanted them from me! (especially the Jesus one) but no worries I didn't give them away. lol
Well love you all life is good just keep praying that we will actually get investigators! You are all always in my prayers! xoxo
Sister Lizzie Marchant
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Feb. 9, 2009
2/9/09
Well my new area is pretty cool! We are living with members and they have a really nice house. If you want to look it up on Google Earth the address is: 26 Lauren Taylor St., Tijeras, NM 87059
Last week was a pretty hard week. We don't have any investigators and so there isn't a lot to do. We went tracting but it's hard here because there are so many hills. It was a good workout :-) Since we are living with members it's hard to feel comfortable because we aren't in our own space. We have the guest bedroom and a bathroom but we share the kitchen and stuff. It's fun though because they are really nice. Kathie and Tom Clifford are their names. She is an early morning Seminary teacher and he works for some gov. job. I didn't really understand when he told me. They have a dog which is fun! It's a golden lab. They are letting us use their gps and cell phone (until we get our own) so it's kind of fun. It's so beautiful here and the area is pretty wealthy so there are BEAUTIFUL homes. I love the Santa Fe style, which is the style of most of the houses.
My comp and I don't have much in common, but she is nice. I am sure we will get along fine. She is from Canada if that explains anything lol jk. Her name is Sister Boisselle (we just call her Boise) ha-ha
My district leader is Elder Utai. He is from Samoa and he is hilarious because he doesn't care about anything and so he just does whatever he wants! He is very spiritual but when it comes to the rules he doesn't care. It's funny because the first night we ate at the Cliffords (our host family) and we couldn't get into the gate. (I forgot to mention that tracting is hard when about 65% of the people have gates). So, E. Farnsworth jumped the gate to have them let us in. Then at dinner S. Boise and E. Farnsworth (we call him Farnsy for short) said 'shut up' which is "a forbidden word" in the Clifford household. ha-ha. It was funny because after they left sis and Bro. Clifford were telling us how irresponsible the Elders were and how excited they are to have sisters (E. Utai has been here for 10 1/2 months and for the last 2 transfers they have been covering Cedar Crest and Edgewood). So yesterday EVERYONE was really excited to have sisters in their ward again :-)
I really like the ward, everyone is so nice and willing to help. We have been trying to connect to former investigators and things, but so far no luck! ha-ha But, we are working and it will start to pick up.
That's exciting that Pam and Alan are going to Calgary! It's kind of cold up there but they are going to be awesome! I am jealous! I wish they were coming to my mission!! But Pres. Anderson is amazing!!!!
Mom, I am not training, Sister Boise has been out for 6 weeks so she pretty much knows what's going on. How did you forget to read your scriptures when you were training? It's 2 hours of set aside time... ha-ha jk. It's not too stressful being senior, except for the driving... ugh! That's stressful!
Sounds like amber's wedding was beautiful! I am excited to see how Alex and Lauren's wedding turns out.
I will probably send a package home soon... I have a bunch of stuff I don't use and need to send home. I will send home my planners so you can look at what I have been doing every day for the last 5 months (my 5 month mark is tomorrow... not that I am counting or anything)
Well! life is good! this area is going to be challenging BUT I will definitely grow and become a better missionary so it is good. tell Abby my address is: 4400 presidential dr. NE Ste. E Albuquerque, NM 87109 so when in doubt... send it there :-) ha-ha love you and hope all is well.
xoxo
Lizzie
Well my new area is pretty cool! We are living with members and they have a really nice house. If you want to look it up on Google Earth the address is: 26 Lauren Taylor St., Tijeras, NM 87059
Last week was a pretty hard week. We don't have any investigators and so there isn't a lot to do. We went tracting but it's hard here because there are so many hills. It was a good workout :-) Since we are living with members it's hard to feel comfortable because we aren't in our own space. We have the guest bedroom and a bathroom but we share the kitchen and stuff. It's fun though because they are really nice. Kathie and Tom Clifford are their names. She is an early morning Seminary teacher and he works for some gov. job. I didn't really understand when he told me. They have a dog which is fun! It's a golden lab. They are letting us use their gps and cell phone (until we get our own) so it's kind of fun. It's so beautiful here and the area is pretty wealthy so there are BEAUTIFUL homes. I love the Santa Fe style, which is the style of most of the houses.
My comp and I don't have much in common, but she is nice. I am sure we will get along fine. She is from Canada if that explains anything lol jk. Her name is Sister Boisselle (we just call her Boise) ha-ha
My district leader is Elder Utai. He is from Samoa and he is hilarious because he doesn't care about anything and so he just does whatever he wants! He is very spiritual but when it comes to the rules he doesn't care. It's funny because the first night we ate at the Cliffords (our host family) and we couldn't get into the gate. (I forgot to mention that tracting is hard when about 65% of the people have gates). So, E. Farnsworth jumped the gate to have them let us in. Then at dinner S. Boise and E. Farnsworth (we call him Farnsy for short) said 'shut up' which is "a forbidden word" in the Clifford household. ha-ha. It was funny because after they left sis and Bro. Clifford were telling us how irresponsible the Elders were and how excited they are to have sisters (E. Utai has been here for 10 1/2 months and for the last 2 transfers they have been covering Cedar Crest and Edgewood). So yesterday EVERYONE was really excited to have sisters in their ward again :-)
I really like the ward, everyone is so nice and willing to help. We have been trying to connect to former investigators and things, but so far no luck! ha-ha But, we are working and it will start to pick up.
That's exciting that Pam and Alan are going to Calgary! It's kind of cold up there but they are going to be awesome! I am jealous! I wish they were coming to my mission!! But Pres. Anderson is amazing!!!!
Mom, I am not training, Sister Boise has been out for 6 weeks so she pretty much knows what's going on. How did you forget to read your scriptures when you were training? It's 2 hours of set aside time... ha-ha jk. It's not too stressful being senior, except for the driving... ugh! That's stressful!
Sounds like amber's wedding was beautiful! I am excited to see how Alex and Lauren's wedding turns out.
I will probably send a package home soon... I have a bunch of stuff I don't use and need to send home. I will send home my planners so you can look at what I have been doing every day for the last 5 months (my 5 month mark is tomorrow... not that I am counting or anything)
Well! life is good! this area is going to be challenging BUT I will definitely grow and become a better missionary so it is good. tell Abby my address is: 4400 presidential dr. NE Ste. E Albuquerque, NM 87109 so when in doubt... send it there :-) ha-ha love you and hope all is well.
xoxo
Lizzie
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Feb. 2, 2009
Hello Lake Woebegone!
Well transfers are tomorrow and guess what!?! I am leaving Cortez :-( I am really sad. Yesterday and today I have been saying goodbye... and it stinks!!! Oh well I am praying that I can come back and finish my mission here... we will see. I am going to Cedar Crest. it's in the east mountains of Albuquerque, so I am really excited. My companion has been out for 6 weeks and I can't pronounce her name! The area has been closed to missionaries for 2 transfers (3 months) so we are opening it. I am a little nervous to open an area, but I am sure we will be fine. I will also be going to be senior which stinks because I have to drive now :-( We are living with a member of the bishopric and his wife, so that should be fun! I am ready to leave Cortez so it will be a good change.
So have Pam and Alan been in the church news yet? Every time I can get my hands on one I look to see if they are in it and no luck so far. when do they find out where they are going?
This week has been pretty lame, except for transfer news. I think I have told you about Char and her 2 boys, but we have been teaching them and they are doing so well! She already has a strong testimony, the only thing holding her back is her husband. He doesn't want anything to do with the church, he is being supportive, but she wants him right there with her. So we taught her the Restoration and she already knew the Joseph Smith story and had a testimony of him! I am so sad that I don't get to teach her anymore. But I will get to find people to teach in Cedar Crest :-)
Another family we are teaching, the Cyrs, has finally opened up and told us their reservations with the gospel. They belonged to a cult for a long time and they just got out of it a few years ago, but they don't believe in truth. They were brainwashed for so long and then let down that they have a hard time believing other things. It's really sad that they are so messed up because of some guy that was power hungry! He told them that only the people in the cult were human and everyone else was animals, and that the moon was actually only 9 miles away! Super crazy stuff that makes you wonder why they believed it! oh! He also said the world was going to end in the year 2000 and that the Russians are all going to come over and destroy us soon. Ha-ha super funny!
There is the family, the Sacketts, they are so awesome! One of the families I am going to miss the most. Joe (the dad) is trying to quick smoking, so he can baptize his son. So I told him I would give up sweets until the end of next transfer, sooo... I haven't eaten any sweets in about a week and a half! ahhh who would have ever guessed I could do it. I can do it for someone else, but if it was just for me and to be healthy... not so much. They have 3 little kids and they are CRAZY! but super funny. Maddy just turned 3 and the other day she put my coat on and runs in and goes "Hi, I'm Marchant" it was so cute!! Then, when we were about to leave we said Maddy do you want to come with us? (just kidding obviously) and she goes "shoes..." and she ran and got her shoes and was about to come with us! Ha-ha Her birthday was the other day and Kirsten (the mom) asked what she wanted and she said "cake!" all she wanted was cake :-) Super awesome family! So the other day we were over there and Joe was joking but said "man, I wish you guys could babysit! Kirsten and I need some time together" sooooo we thought hmmm... we can't babysit but someone else can! so we got the Relief Society Pres to babysit their kids and we made them dinner. We decorated their dining room with Christmas lights and candles and the elders were their waiters! It was soooo much fun! Then we left and they had 2 hours without their kids to just be together! It was so funny, they said "man, we don't even know how to talk without kids climbing all over us" I don't think they have been alone in a long time... they prob can't afford a babysitter.
There is another family I just LOVE! they are the Largos. (Abby is friends with Justin on facebook) but they are so awesome! We had FHE over there almost every Monday and they are just a really close family! every time I go there it makes me miss you guys! But last night we went over to say goodbye and Justin and Tyler did the Haka (sp?) it's a Hawaiian dance but it was hilarious! I got it on my camera, so when I send it home you can watch it!
So that's a little about the people I have been teaching... it's a little late because I am leaving but hey! It's crazy because you don't realize the impact you make on people's life until you leave. Yesterday at church a few people came up to me and told me to keep in touch, and I would have NEVER guessed they liked me that much!! ha-ha
The weather here is amazing! I am so glad I am on my mission here and NOT Michigan! ha-ha there is barely any snow, but you still get the seasons. you should definitely look into moving here!
That's awesome that you are going to Amber's reception. Tell her I say "Hello", she sent me an announcement which was really nice.
We were supposed to go to Mesa Verde today, but the elders were being lame and they were "too stressed" and didn't want to go! :-( so I guess I will have to come back, but I am the type of person to make things happen and some people just give up (or they don't really want to go) but oh well! at least I'm just in Colorado... not too far from home!
well I am going down to Farmington (once again) to stay the night tonight and then I get to ride the transfer van down to Albuquerque tomorrow! Wahoo... should be exciting :-)
I love you all sooooooo sooooooo sooooo much!!! Mom, keep the TiVo going, I am sure I will have a lot to catch up on when I get home! love ya xoxo
Sister Lizzie Marchant
Well transfers are tomorrow and guess what!?! I am leaving Cortez :-( I am really sad. Yesterday and today I have been saying goodbye... and it stinks!!! Oh well I am praying that I can come back and finish my mission here... we will see. I am going to Cedar Crest. it's in the east mountains of Albuquerque, so I am really excited. My companion has been out for 6 weeks and I can't pronounce her name! The area has been closed to missionaries for 2 transfers (3 months) so we are opening it. I am a little nervous to open an area, but I am sure we will be fine. I will also be going to be senior which stinks because I have to drive now :-( We are living with a member of the bishopric and his wife, so that should be fun! I am ready to leave Cortez so it will be a good change.
So have Pam and Alan been in the church news yet? Every time I can get my hands on one I look to see if they are in it and no luck so far. when do they find out where they are going?
This week has been pretty lame, except for transfer news. I think I have told you about Char and her 2 boys, but we have been teaching them and they are doing so well! She already has a strong testimony, the only thing holding her back is her husband. He doesn't want anything to do with the church, he is being supportive, but she wants him right there with her. So we taught her the Restoration and she already knew the Joseph Smith story and had a testimony of him! I am so sad that I don't get to teach her anymore. But I will get to find people to teach in Cedar Crest :-)
Another family we are teaching, the Cyrs, has finally opened up and told us their reservations with the gospel. They belonged to a cult for a long time and they just got out of it a few years ago, but they don't believe in truth. They were brainwashed for so long and then let down that they have a hard time believing other things. It's really sad that they are so messed up because of some guy that was power hungry! He told them that only the people in the cult were human and everyone else was animals, and that the moon was actually only 9 miles away! Super crazy stuff that makes you wonder why they believed it! oh! He also said the world was going to end in the year 2000 and that the Russians are all going to come over and destroy us soon. Ha-ha super funny!
There is the family, the Sacketts, they are so awesome! One of the families I am going to miss the most. Joe (the dad) is trying to quick smoking, so he can baptize his son. So I told him I would give up sweets until the end of next transfer, sooo... I haven't eaten any sweets in about a week and a half! ahhh who would have ever guessed I could do it. I can do it for someone else, but if it was just for me and to be healthy... not so much. They have 3 little kids and they are CRAZY! but super funny. Maddy just turned 3 and the other day she put my coat on and runs in and goes "Hi, I'm Marchant" it was so cute!! Then, when we were about to leave we said Maddy do you want to come with us? (just kidding obviously) and she goes "shoes..." and she ran and got her shoes and was about to come with us! Ha-ha Her birthday was the other day and Kirsten (the mom) asked what she wanted and she said "cake!" all she wanted was cake :-) Super awesome family! So the other day we were over there and Joe was joking but said "man, I wish you guys could babysit! Kirsten and I need some time together" sooooo we thought hmmm... we can't babysit but someone else can! so we got the Relief Society Pres to babysit their kids and we made them dinner. We decorated their dining room with Christmas lights and candles and the elders were their waiters! It was soooo much fun! Then we left and they had 2 hours without their kids to just be together! It was so funny, they said "man, we don't even know how to talk without kids climbing all over us" I don't think they have been alone in a long time... they prob can't afford a babysitter.
There is another family I just LOVE! they are the Largos. (Abby is friends with Justin on facebook) but they are so awesome! We had FHE over there almost every Monday and they are just a really close family! every time I go there it makes me miss you guys! But last night we went over to say goodbye and Justin and Tyler did the Haka (sp?) it's a Hawaiian dance but it was hilarious! I got it on my camera, so when I send it home you can watch it!
So that's a little about the people I have been teaching... it's a little late because I am leaving but hey! It's crazy because you don't realize the impact you make on people's life until you leave. Yesterday at church a few people came up to me and told me to keep in touch, and I would have NEVER guessed they liked me that much!! ha-ha
The weather here is amazing! I am so glad I am on my mission here and NOT Michigan! ha-ha there is barely any snow, but you still get the seasons. you should definitely look into moving here!
That's awesome that you are going to Amber's reception. Tell her I say "Hello", she sent me an announcement which was really nice.
We were supposed to go to Mesa Verde today, but the elders were being lame and they were "too stressed" and didn't want to go! :-( so I guess I will have to come back, but I am the type of person to make things happen and some people just give up (or they don't really want to go) but oh well! at least I'm just in Colorado... not too far from home!
well I am going down to Farmington (once again) to stay the night tonight and then I get to ride the transfer van down to Albuquerque tomorrow! Wahoo... should be exciting :-)
I love you all sooooooo sooooooo sooooo much!!! Mom, keep the TiVo going, I am sure I will have a lot to catch up on when I get home! love ya xoxo
Sister Lizzie Marchant
Thursday, January 22, 2009
January 19, 2009
This week has been really good! We are working with a lot of good people. One of the less active families we are working with, the dad is quitting smoking and some prescription drugs. We read Joseph Smith's History with him and he said that he is on a "spiritual high" and is excited to quit everything so he can be more a part of his family. Then yesterday we went over to see how he was doing and he said that he knows he is doing so well because of his faith! He has tried to quit before, but now he has faith that he can do it! It was so exciting to hear him say that!
Dale, one of our investigators, isn't progressing and just wants everyone to throw him a pity party. We called him and he was yelling on the phone about something his neighbor did and he called her the "B" word and that made Sister Pond mad! She said "Dale, don't EVER talk like that when you are on the phone with me" and we proceeded to drop him. He hasn't come to church in over a month and we even bought him church clothes with the $50 gift card. So we told him that we will see him at church on Sunday and if not, then he can give us a call when he is ready to make the changes he needs to in his life. It was really sad because he knows the church is true, but he hasn't been progressing since I have been here (about 4 months). He needs to realize that if he wants something different than what he has, he has to DO something different than what he has been doing.
We did service for one of our investigators the other day and she totally made us pick up dog poop!!! With one glove no shovel! it was so gross because her yard was COVERED! ha-ha ew... but good story :) We were supposed to go to Mesa Verde today but our ride called and canceled this morning :-( so we are just going to play volleyball with the elders. The zone leaders are coming up too so it should be a good ol' time... NOT! ha-ha I am terrible at volleyball, no wonder I didn't make the middle school team!
I got dads pics and I love them! they are so awesome... Dad, you should be a professional photographer. My fav pic is the one of Al, Lauren, Mom and Abby on the bench in front of the blue building! it's awesome with mom's bright red sweater! And I love the one of Mom and Dad (Abby is in the background ha-ha). So, I hung them up so I can never forget your beautiful faces (jk I never could forget them) .
Mom I got your thank-you note! Thanks! it was so weird because when I read your handwriting it makes me feel so comfortable... I am weird I know !
Things are going really well here. Yesterday an RM gave his homecoming talk and it made me realize that I don't want to be home. I want to be right here doing what I am doing! every day gets easier and easier! he was talking about how a mission is like a mini life. you have your trainer who is like your parents and "trains you for life" and you know your purpose and you strive to be obedient and follow the commandments and then you "die". But it made me realize that I am so grateful for the veil, and that we forgot what it was like to live in God's presence... could you imagine knowing that glory and then living in this earth! We would all be miserable! Anyways I hope that made sense. I love you and hope everything is going well.
xoxo
Lizzie
Dale, one of our investigators, isn't progressing and just wants everyone to throw him a pity party. We called him and he was yelling on the phone about something his neighbor did and he called her the "B" word and that made Sister Pond mad! She said "Dale, don't EVER talk like that when you are on the phone with me" and we proceeded to drop him. He hasn't come to church in over a month and we even bought him church clothes with the $50 gift card. So we told him that we will see him at church on Sunday and if not, then he can give us a call when he is ready to make the changes he needs to in his life. It was really sad because he knows the church is true, but he hasn't been progressing since I have been here (about 4 months). He needs to realize that if he wants something different than what he has, he has to DO something different than what he has been doing.
We did service for one of our investigators the other day and she totally made us pick up dog poop!!! With one glove no shovel! it was so gross because her yard was COVERED! ha-ha ew... but good story :) We were supposed to go to Mesa Verde today but our ride called and canceled this morning :-( so we are just going to play volleyball with the elders. The zone leaders are coming up too so it should be a good ol' time... NOT! ha-ha I am terrible at volleyball, no wonder I didn't make the middle school team!
I got dads pics and I love them! they are so awesome... Dad, you should be a professional photographer. My fav pic is the one of Al, Lauren, Mom and Abby on the bench in front of the blue building! it's awesome with mom's bright red sweater! And I love the one of Mom and Dad (Abby is in the background ha-ha). So, I hung them up so I can never forget your beautiful faces (jk I never could forget them) .
Mom I got your thank-you note! Thanks! it was so weird because when I read your handwriting it makes me feel so comfortable... I am weird I know !
Things are going really well here. Yesterday an RM gave his homecoming talk and it made me realize that I don't want to be home. I want to be right here doing what I am doing! every day gets easier and easier! he was talking about how a mission is like a mini life. you have your trainer who is like your parents and "trains you for life" and you know your purpose and you strive to be obedient and follow the commandments and then you "die". But it made me realize that I am so grateful for the veil, and that we forgot what it was like to live in God's presence... could you imagine knowing that glory and then living in this earth! We would all be miserable! Anyways I hope that made sense. I love you and hope everything is going well.
xoxo
Lizzie
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jan. 12, 2009
Hey!
It sounds like things are slowing down over there. I am really glad the holidays are over. They are hard while on your mission. Yesterday Sis. Pond was sick so we stayed home from church- it was pretty boring. We played Skip-bo and I made a calendar until march 2010, which I might send home so you can count down the days until I come home. It is technically called a "trunky calendar" (don't worry I am def! not trunky), so I made the outside look like a trunk! It's really cute.
Sister Pond she wanted a yellow straw, so she called the Elders and asked if they had one, and they came over with a whole bag of straws! We were like... "did you go buy those on a Sunday!!!!" ha-ha Stupid Elders went to the store on a Sunday to buy straws for my companion! It was kind of funny and luckily they took their missionary clothes and name tags off, but still!!! lol
Lucy and William (Barber) are fun; their kids are soooo cute!!! Bro and Sister Nielson are obsessed with them. Every time we talk to them they talk about their grandchildren. It's really sweet!
This week has been pretty boring. All of our investigators stopped progressing. Dale is still being "Negative Ned" and he just wants everyone to have pity on him, which I do, but you can only do that for so long. Then you get fed up and want to tell him to do something about it instead of sitting there and complaining! ha-ha It's so frustrating.
We had zone conference on Tuesday, it was just a mini one because we had 2 last transfer. It was about Companionship unity and District unity. Our District is pretty unified, I mean we make snowmen and play on the playgrounds! ha-ha Today my district leader and I are having a skip-bo tournament! I will totally win :-) Sis. Pond told him to pick his battles because "apparently" I am competitive when it comes to card games... ha-ha!
We were waiting for a guy to come fix our blinds so we were playing skip-bo and I let Sis. Pond take a card back because she wasn't paying attention. So, a couple games later I accidentally played a card I didn't mean to and she wouldn't let me take it back! I was mad and then she won the game so I was a sore loser... I haven't been that mad about a game in a while! Oops, so anyways that is where the idea that I am competitive came from... ha-ha.
That will be fun to have Abby home! Maybe she can help you get a new TV stand and couch :-) I can't believe your couch is still on backorder! that is ridiculous.
Dad, I haven't gotten your card yet, but if you send it through the Mission Office it takes a while to get to me. You should just send stuff to my direct address unless it's around transfers (which are in 3 weeks). We haven't been to Mesa Verde yet, but we are working on finding a member to take us. I hope we get to go :-) Can you believe I have already been out 4 months! It seems like just yesterday I was at the MTC... Everyone says that once you hit your 1/2 way point it flies by! ha-ha craziness :-)
well I love you guys and hope all is well :-) Tell Abby to check her e-mail. I miss you tons! Yesterday while my comp was sick I wanted to call you so badly and just say "hi love and miss you" then hang up... or just talk! ha-ha It's weird how you would feel so guilty for calling your family! Of all things!! I think it's one of the hardest things about a mission because I used to talk to you almost every day! In college sis. pond went 3 months once without talking to her family... crazy hu!? Well, I miss you tons and I know you are being blessed for my service.
Love you
xoxo Lizzie
It sounds like things are slowing down over there. I am really glad the holidays are over. They are hard while on your mission. Yesterday Sis. Pond was sick so we stayed home from church- it was pretty boring. We played Skip-bo and I made a calendar until march 2010, which I might send home so you can count down the days until I come home. It is technically called a "trunky calendar" (don't worry I am def! not trunky), so I made the outside look like a trunk! It's really cute.
Sister Pond she wanted a yellow straw, so she called the Elders and asked if they had one, and they came over with a whole bag of straws! We were like... "did you go buy those on a Sunday!!!!" ha-ha Stupid Elders went to the store on a Sunday to buy straws for my companion! It was kind of funny and luckily they took their missionary clothes and name tags off, but still!!! lol
Lucy and William (Barber) are fun; their kids are soooo cute!!! Bro and Sister Nielson are obsessed with them. Every time we talk to them they talk about their grandchildren. It's really sweet!
This week has been pretty boring. All of our investigators stopped progressing. Dale is still being "Negative Ned" and he just wants everyone to have pity on him, which I do, but you can only do that for so long. Then you get fed up and want to tell him to do something about it instead of sitting there and complaining! ha-ha It's so frustrating.
We had zone conference on Tuesday, it was just a mini one because we had 2 last transfer. It was about Companionship unity and District unity. Our District is pretty unified, I mean we make snowmen and play on the playgrounds! ha-ha Today my district leader and I are having a skip-bo tournament! I will totally win :-) Sis. Pond told him to pick his battles because "apparently" I am competitive when it comes to card games... ha-ha!
We were waiting for a guy to come fix our blinds so we were playing skip-bo and I let Sis. Pond take a card back because she wasn't paying attention. So, a couple games later I accidentally played a card I didn't mean to and she wouldn't let me take it back! I was mad and then she won the game so I was a sore loser... I haven't been that mad about a game in a while! Oops, so anyways that is where the idea that I am competitive came from... ha-ha.
That will be fun to have Abby home! Maybe she can help you get a new TV stand and couch :-) I can't believe your couch is still on backorder! that is ridiculous.
Dad, I haven't gotten your card yet, but if you send it through the Mission Office it takes a while to get to me. You should just send stuff to my direct address unless it's around transfers (which are in 3 weeks). We haven't been to Mesa Verde yet, but we are working on finding a member to take us. I hope we get to go :-) Can you believe I have already been out 4 months! It seems like just yesterday I was at the MTC... Everyone says that once you hit your 1/2 way point it flies by! ha-ha craziness :-)
well I love you guys and hope all is well :-) Tell Abby to check her e-mail. I miss you tons! Yesterday while my comp was sick I wanted to call you so badly and just say "hi love and miss you" then hang up... or just talk! ha-ha It's weird how you would feel so guilty for calling your family! Of all things!! I think it's one of the hardest things about a mission because I used to talk to you almost every day! In college sis. pond went 3 months once without talking to her family... crazy hu!? Well, I miss you tons and I know you are being blessed for my service.
Love you
xoxo Lizzie
Monday, January 5, 2009
Jan. 5, 2009
Hey- Hey!!!
Life is going well on the mission.
I am kind of frustrated with dealing with people's problems... I didn't know I was signing up to be a counselor! Ha-ha One of our investigators, Dale, ( I think I have told you about him before) is so obnoxious! He wants his life to change, but he won't change what he is doing. If you want things to be different, you have to DO something different! lol It's apparently a hard concept.
Anyway, Tuesday was a pretty good day, we met with a lady and she told us she wants to be baptized! Then we met with another lady who said she wants to be baptized. Then we met a family and they said they want to work towards baptism!!!! 3 people in one day! That's a dream day for a missionary (well I guess the dream day would be 3 baptisms) but it's close.
The only thing is that EVERYONE has major problems they have to overcome first... ugh! (hence I am feeling like a counselor). This week has been pretty uneventful... On New Year's Eve we went to the church and played Skipbo with the Elders. If that's not a crazy new years... I don't know what is! (besides getting engaged, that's just crazy)!!!
We have just been plugging away... the work is going well. Sister Pond said that she has never been in an area where there are so many people to teach... which means that my mission is all downhill from here... jk!
It's hard because I always think "I wish I were a better teacher", but then I remember I have only been out for a few months and I still have a lot to learn. At the same time it feels like I have been out forever! Ha-ha craziness...
Saturday is my 4 month mark! I can't believe it... only 14 months to go!!! ha-ha not that I am counting or anything :-) It's already 2009!! It seems like just yesterday everyone was super nervous about y2k. I get to spend this whole year on my mission, I am really excited about that. It's going to be the best year EVER!!!!!!!
We were out finding the other day and we knocked on this door. Well, Sis. Pond like jumps and screams and I look at her like ...are you crazy!?... and then I see a Peacock! Who would have guessed a peacock just chillin' in Colorado. So we asked some lady about it and she said it was a neighborhood pet. Super crazy!
I absolutely love Cortez. it's the first small town I have been in that doesn't have gossip all over and everyone is friends. The people here are so awesome, I just love them all. The members are amazing too. Dart and Yung-son Nielson said that you are more than welcome to come and stay at their house :-) ha-ha! You have 4 weeks before I possibly leave the area! jk
Anyway, I hope all is well in lake woebegone. Thanks for forwarding those letters mom.
Love you all, xoxo
Lizzie
(Today we are playing volleyball with the elders again... not the high school team, luckily! )
Life is going well on the mission.
I am kind of frustrated with dealing with people's problems... I didn't know I was signing up to be a counselor! Ha-ha One of our investigators, Dale, ( I think I have told you about him before) is so obnoxious! He wants his life to change, but he won't change what he is doing. If you want things to be different, you have to DO something different! lol It's apparently a hard concept.
Anyway, Tuesday was a pretty good day, we met with a lady and she told us she wants to be baptized! Then we met with another lady who said she wants to be baptized. Then we met a family and they said they want to work towards baptism!!!! 3 people in one day! That's a dream day for a missionary (well I guess the dream day would be 3 baptisms) but it's close.
The only thing is that EVERYONE has major problems they have to overcome first... ugh! (hence I am feeling like a counselor). This week has been pretty uneventful... On New Year's Eve we went to the church and played Skipbo with the Elders. If that's not a crazy new years... I don't know what is! (besides getting engaged, that's just crazy)!!!
We have just been plugging away... the work is going well. Sister Pond said that she has never been in an area where there are so many people to teach... which means that my mission is all downhill from here... jk!
It's hard because I always think "I wish I were a better teacher", but then I remember I have only been out for a few months and I still have a lot to learn. At the same time it feels like I have been out forever! Ha-ha craziness...
Saturday is my 4 month mark! I can't believe it... only 14 months to go!!! ha-ha not that I am counting or anything :-) It's already 2009!! It seems like just yesterday everyone was super nervous about y2k. I get to spend this whole year on my mission, I am really excited about that. It's going to be the best year EVER!!!!!!!
We were out finding the other day and we knocked on this door. Well, Sis. Pond like jumps and screams and I look at her like ...are you crazy!?... and then I see a Peacock! Who would have guessed a peacock just chillin' in Colorado. So we asked some lady about it and she said it was a neighborhood pet. Super crazy!
I absolutely love Cortez. it's the first small town I have been in that doesn't have gossip all over and everyone is friends. The people here are so awesome, I just love them all. The members are amazing too. Dart and Yung-son Nielson said that you are more than welcome to come and stay at their house :-) ha-ha! You have 4 weeks before I possibly leave the area! jk
Anyway, I hope all is well in lake woebegone. Thanks for forwarding those letters mom.
Love you all, xoxo
Lizzie
(Today we are playing volleyball with the elders again... not the high school team, luckily! )
Monday, December 29, 2008
December 29, 2008
HEY!!!!
I am glad you all had a great Christmas! I miss everyone. It was really good to talk to you all on the phone... it's so weird that life really is going on without me! haha But it's awesome. We had a great Christmas; we went over to the Nielson's and had dinner with them all. Sister Nielson made a lot of food and there were only 9 of us, so she gave us two big platters of food to take home, ahhhh! This whole "staying skinny" thing is hard.
On “Errand of Angels” when she is fed a lot of food... that's EXACTLY how it is!!! Lol. But then the Elders came over and we played in the snow and made a drunk snowman (the snowballs we made were too heavy to pick up so we made it laying down). It was snowing all day, so that was nice.
My new companion is really fun. We went over to the Nielsons this morning for breakfast and we played Nerts! It was so fun! I haven't played that game in forever... Mom, Lucy is really good and I told her that you were good too, so she wants to play you! haha I got second place :-( Abby knows how competitive I am with that game! haha. This afternoon we went and played volleyball with the elders and some people from their ward/ the high school volleyball team. Needless to say, we sucked!!!
Mom, I LOVED that bag!! It was so cute- the only thing is, I am scared that I am going to trash it on my mission... I don’t know if I should just use it, or send it home and use it when I get home. lol What do you think??
So when are Pam and Alan going on their mission?? That is so exciting :-) I had to give a talk yesterday, so I just gave the same talk I gave 2 weeks ago, but I wasn't as prepared because I forgot to read over it, so it didn't go as well the second time. :-( Sis. Pond had to speak too, and we were the only 2 speaking. I told her my talk was only 10 min long, and she was, like - well try to make it longer, bare your testimony. haha So i gave my talk and it was only 7 min.! Oops she had to speak for 25 min, haha. I felt really bad but I didn't know what else to say. I guess that's the perk of going first haha!!
Alex said that "we are spoiled with a great family", and I was thinking that this week. My comp's siblings aren't very supportive of her and it's hard for her. I was just wondering how I got so blessed. My family loves me; everyone in our family is active in the church, even our extended family! It’s crazy how blessed we really are. The mission puts a whole different perspective on families.
I don't know if it's because I am not around my family or what, but it's so hard not to hold babies or let them sit on your lap. One of our investigators just had a baby about a week ago, and I wanted to hold him so badly! haha It's a bummer that some people have to ruin it for everyone and sad that the world is coming to suing missionaries for things like that (I am guessing that is why we aren't allowed to hold children).
Anyways, I hope all is well!
I miss you all tons and I can't wait to see you.
xoxo
Lizzie
I am glad you all had a great Christmas! I miss everyone. It was really good to talk to you all on the phone... it's so weird that life really is going on without me! haha But it's awesome. We had a great Christmas; we went over to the Nielson's and had dinner with them all. Sister Nielson made a lot of food and there were only 9 of us, so she gave us two big platters of food to take home, ahhhh! This whole "staying skinny" thing is hard.
On “Errand of Angels” when she is fed a lot of food... that's EXACTLY how it is!!! Lol. But then the Elders came over and we played in the snow and made a drunk snowman (the snowballs we made were too heavy to pick up so we made it laying down). It was snowing all day, so that was nice.
My new companion is really fun. We went over to the Nielsons this morning for breakfast and we played Nerts! It was so fun! I haven't played that game in forever... Mom, Lucy is really good and I told her that you were good too, so she wants to play you! haha I got second place :-( Abby knows how competitive I am with that game! haha. This afternoon we went and played volleyball with the elders and some people from their ward/ the high school volleyball team. Needless to say, we sucked!!!
Mom, I LOVED that bag!! It was so cute- the only thing is, I am scared that I am going to trash it on my mission... I don’t know if I should just use it, or send it home and use it when I get home. lol What do you think??
So when are Pam and Alan going on their mission?? That is so exciting :-) I had to give a talk yesterday, so I just gave the same talk I gave 2 weeks ago, but I wasn't as prepared because I forgot to read over it, so it didn't go as well the second time. :-( Sis. Pond had to speak too, and we were the only 2 speaking. I told her my talk was only 10 min long, and she was, like - well try to make it longer, bare your testimony. haha So i gave my talk and it was only 7 min.! Oops she had to speak for 25 min, haha. I felt really bad but I didn't know what else to say. I guess that's the perk of going first haha!!
Alex said that "we are spoiled with a great family", and I was thinking that this week. My comp's siblings aren't very supportive of her and it's hard for her. I was just wondering how I got so blessed. My family loves me; everyone in our family is active in the church, even our extended family! It’s crazy how blessed we really are. The mission puts a whole different perspective on families.
I don't know if it's because I am not around my family or what, but it's so hard not to hold babies or let them sit on your lap. One of our investigators just had a baby about a week ago, and I wanted to hold him so badly! haha It's a bummer that some people have to ruin it for everyone and sad that the world is coming to suing missionaries for things like that (I am guessing that is why we aren't allowed to hold children).
Anyways, I hope all is well!
I miss you all tons and I can't wait to see you.
xoxo
Lizzie
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