After 6 months I have finally realized that I'm probably not going to come back with a New Jersey accent. I don't know why but the Joisey sound just doesn't rub off on me. How sad! Life is full of trials sometimes.
It rained! Aaaah! I don't have a rain jacket! I guess I needed one of those. I'll think about getting one of those.
Transfers this week happened and my comp and I are both STAYING!!! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. Watch us tear up Kearney.
Also General Women's Conference on Saturday was amazing! Of course. The best part is we got two less-active women there and a recent convert and they loved it which pretty much makes my life.
AWKWARD EXPERIENCE OF THE WEEK: Yesterday we went to see someone with Hermana Castro, the Relief Society President, and when Sister Heule was saying goodbye afterwards she missed and accidentally kissed her forehead instead of her cheek. Which somehow is SO MUCH MORE AWKWARD and I nearly died laughing afterwards. Good thing Hermana Castro is a saint and loves Sister Heule anyways.
Sorry, not much else to say except for of course that the gospel is true! I love you all! Choose the right and know what you stand for!!!
Omni 1:26 is my favorite scripture of the week.
Love,
Sister Reed
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
2nd Talk in Spanish!!
Hello again from Kearny! It has been a good week! Good times and bad times as always, but I like to focus on the good times :)
We found three new investigators this week! One of them is this crazy old Dominican lady named Elva who, when we talked to her on the street, hugged us and then ran away. We saw her yesterday and she basically agrees with everything we said, which is good. However, I am not positive on how much she was actually listening to...though if she already knows that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet, then that would be really great :)
We also have a new investigator who, when we walked inside, had A Marvelous Work and A Wonder sitting on her desk. This book is written by an apostle (Bruce R. McConkie) and is about the Book of Mormon. I saw it and couldn't decide if she is a secret member that we never knew about or if she just likes to read books on LDS doctrine. Turns out to be the latter :) She's really cool! I like her.
I also gave my second talk in Spanish! The Bishop called on Saturday night and asked me to give it. So I wrote it very fast on Sunday morning. I know for a fact that I definitely had divine help doing it. I opened my mouth and the Spirit filled it with the right words. I talked about how much the wards in Mexico and Honduras helped my family when we were in foreign countries and didn't understand the language. And I did it all in Spanish that was way beyond my normal Spanish! Definitely had a little gift of tongues there. The ward members liked it a lot and I hoped it helps them reach out to the people that are struggling in our ward as well!!
We also had a ward talent show this week! Sister Heule and I sang and played the ukelele. My ukelele skills are not exactly that impressive but everyone liked it anyway :)
This next week is transfers. I'm pretty sure I'm not getting transferred! Yaaay!!!
Highlight of the week: Doing push-ups in church. It was an object lesson :)
Love you all! Choose the right and know what you stand for!!
Sister Reed
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Awkward Door-Knocking Experiences
This week was fantastic!! Highlights:
~Receiving fruit snacks called "Walking with Jesus".
~Explaining gas laws to my unfortunate companion (she asked me what happens when pressure decreases in a vacuum. What was I supposed to do? Not explain PV=nRT?)
~Having 13 of our less-actives go to church!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!
~Meeting an old lady from the Dominican Republic who told us that she loved us because we talked about Jesus, hugged us, and then ran off. Sister Heule is officially in love with Dominicans now.
FUNNY EXPERIENCE OF THE WEEK! On Sunday we went on a split, which basically means two different women got to be our companions so that we could go to more appointments. Hermana German, a lady from our ward, went with me to go to two less-active's houses, one of whom I have never been to before. So everything was going great. We visited the first house and they gave us a TON of food (Hermana German was like WHAT I HAVE TO EAT and I was like WHAT DO YOU THINK MISSIONARIES DO?? Ok I said it a little more lovingly than that :)
Then we went to our next appointment!! The following occurred:
Me:"I think that's their house!"
Hermana German: "I don't think so..."
We knock on the door and a teenage boy opens it.
Me: "Are your parents home?" (We had called and confirmed the night before)
Boy: "No, they're down on the shore. They've been gone for three days."
Me: "Three days? We talked to them last night!!"
It was at this point that I realized that we DEFINITELY had the wrong house. So I pulled out a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and told him it probably wasn't an accident we had met him and that he should read this pamphlet because it will bless his life. Then we said bye and left. Hermana German was like I CAN'T BELIEVE WE JUST DID THAT! All in the life of a missionary. We have the most awkward experiences ever. I didn't tell her that that was nothing compared to the time I climbed up on a cement block to knock on a less-active's window and then the less active opened the door and saw me...that was awkward.
I kind of love my life.
So it was a fun week!! We saw a lot of miracles that we weren't expecting—I hope everyone is doing well and happy! Remember to choose the right and know what you stand for!
~Receiving fruit snacks called "Walking with Jesus".
~Explaining gas laws to my unfortunate companion (she asked me what happens when pressure decreases in a vacuum. What was I supposed to do? Not explain PV=nRT?)
~Having 13 of our less-actives go to church!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!
~Meeting an old lady from the Dominican Republic who told us that she loved us because we talked about Jesus, hugged us, and then ran off. Sister Heule is officially in love with Dominicans now.
FUNNY EXPERIENCE OF THE WEEK! On Sunday we went on a split, which basically means two different women got to be our companions so that we could go to more appointments. Hermana German, a lady from our ward, went with me to go to two less-active's houses, one of whom I have never been to before. So everything was going great. We visited the first house and they gave us a TON of food (Hermana German was like WHAT I HAVE TO EAT and I was like WHAT DO YOU THINK MISSIONARIES DO?? Ok I said it a little more lovingly than that :)
Then we went to our next appointment!! The following occurred:
Me:"I think that's their house!"
Hermana German: "I don't think so..."
We knock on the door and a teenage boy opens it.
Me: "Are your parents home?" (We had called and confirmed the night before)
Boy: "No, they're down on the shore. They've been gone for three days."
Me: "Three days? We talked to them last night!!"
It was at this point that I realized that we DEFINITELY had the wrong house. So I pulled out a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and told him it probably wasn't an accident we had met him and that he should read this pamphlet because it will bless his life. Then we said bye and left. Hermana German was like I CAN'T BELIEVE WE JUST DID THAT! All in the life of a missionary. We have the most awkward experiences ever. I didn't tell her that that was nothing compared to the time I climbed up on a cement block to knock on a less-active's window and then the less active opened the door and saw me...that was awkward.
I kind of love my life.
So it was a fun week!! We saw a lot of miracles that we weren't expecting—I hope everyone is doing well and happy! Remember to choose the right and know what you stand for!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Quick Email
The internet is SUPER slow today so this will probably be short. Quick highlights for this week!
~Danna is getting confirmed! Love that girl.
~Met one of our investigators, Carlos, this week for the first time! His wife has been waiting a long time for him to get baptized and he's not there yet but we are working slowly and surely with him.
~Found an old investigator named Ingris! She has a crazy story of how she got into the States and is amazing. She listens to everything and soaks it up and we are SO happy we found her again. You have no idea. Sister Heule was literally jumping up and down for joy for a solid 10 minutes.
~Our recent convert, Jonatan, got the Aaronic Priesthood! YAAAAY
The sad thing of this week was that we lost a few investigators that we have been working with for a long time. It's heartbreaking to have to stop teaching someone but I have faith that they will be ready someday, on the Lord's timing.
It's been a little chilly but not too bad. Nothing like December...I'm not even wearing boots today! A first for months.
Highlight of the week: Reading the Book of Mormon in 33 days! WHOOOOO That's what you get when your comp's sick...
Downlight of the week (yes I made that a word): Daylight savings. I did not enjoy getting up at 5:30 AM yesterday. No bueno.
I love you all!!! Remember to choose the right! Read your scriptures! Get to bed on time hehe :)
Love,
Sister Reed
~Danna is getting confirmed! Love that girl.
~Met one of our investigators, Carlos, this week for the first time! His wife has been waiting a long time for him to get baptized and he's not there yet but we are working slowly and surely with him.
~Found an old investigator named Ingris! She has a crazy story of how she got into the States and is amazing. She listens to everything and soaks it up and we are SO happy we found her again. You have no idea. Sister Heule was literally jumping up and down for joy for a solid 10 minutes.
~Our recent convert, Jonatan, got the Aaronic Priesthood! YAAAAY
The sad thing of this week was that we lost a few investigators that we have been working with for a long time. It's heartbreaking to have to stop teaching someone but I have faith that they will be ready someday, on the Lord's timing.
It's been a little chilly but not too bad. Nothing like December...I'm not even wearing boots today! A first for months.
Highlight of the week: Reading the Book of Mormon in 33 days! WHOOOOO That's what you get when your comp's sick...
Downlight of the week (yes I made that a word): Daylight savings. I did not enjoy getting up at 5:30 AM yesterday. No bueno.
I love you all!!! Remember to choose the right! Read your scriptures! Get to bed on time hehe :)
Love,
Sister Reed
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
1st Baptism!!!
This month I had my first baptism! Her name is Danna and she is 14. I gave a talk at the baptism about the importance of the Holy Ghost and then we took LOTS of pictures :) We are really excited for her and it was amazing to see the change in her after her baptism. I can't really even describe it.
There is a LOT of work going on, even though we had a few sick days this week :/ Danna has 2 brothers who we are teaching right now and we are working with them a lot. We hope that they all will be able to be baptized soon. Eternal family HERE THEY COME!
Another of our investigators, Oscar, who is probably around 60 and is seriously one of the sweetest old men EVER, fasted on Sunday even though the rest of his family (who are members) didn't. THAT'S what I'm talking about :)
Oh also I had a birthday and that was cool.
We also somehow ended up teaching the elders' investigator and because we were visiting teaching his wife, who is a member. They came to church after years of not going! YES!!! You're welcome Elders!
Highlight of the week: A member telling me that I don't have a gringo accent!!! He probably was just being nice but I appreciate it anyway!!!!
Love you all! The Church is true! I love it so that's why I'm doing this. It's hard to be a missionary. Really hard. Sometimes I wonder how I actually do this. But I do it because I love my Heavenly Father and I love this work and I know that he wants me to be here. And there is nothing like seeing someone read the Book of Mormon and see that new light in their eyes. It seriously is there and I'm not even joking. You should try it sometime :)
Choose the right and know what you stand for!
Love,
Sister Reed
There is a LOT of work going on, even though we had a few sick days this week :/ Danna has 2 brothers who we are teaching right now and we are working with them a lot. We hope that they all will be able to be baptized soon. Eternal family HERE THEY COME!
Another of our investigators, Oscar, who is probably around 60 and is seriously one of the sweetest old men EVER, fasted on Sunday even though the rest of his family (who are members) didn't. THAT'S what I'm talking about :)
Oh also I had a birthday and that was cool.
We also somehow ended up teaching the elders' investigator and because we were visiting teaching his wife, who is a member. They came to church after years of not going! YES!!! You're welcome Elders!
Highlight of the week: A member telling me that I don't have a gringo accent!!! He probably was just being nice but I appreciate it anyway!!!!
Love you all! The Church is true! I love it so that's why I'm doing this. It's hard to be a missionary. Really hard. Sometimes I wonder how I actually do this. But I do it because I love my Heavenly Father and I love this work and I know that he wants me to be here. And there is nothing like seeing someone read the Book of Mormon and see that new light in their eyes. It seriously is there and I'm not even joking. You should try it sometime :)
Choose the right and know what you stand for!
Love,
Sister Reed
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