Commercial freezer by the apartment study room
Saying goodbye to Sis. Burton
Saying goodbye to Sis. Parker
Departure gathering
Departure meeting for 4 sisters
Zone training meetin
Monday, November 19, 2012
November 12, 2012
Hello Familia Fors!
Okay, lots to tell. This is the last week of the transfer, which means I have transfer news! And let's just say Sister Watkins and I ended our transfer on a great note, we had a great, very well-balanced week...before we were struggling in that we had lots of lessons but no one at church, and this week, all of our key indicators ended really well and balanced! We had seven investigators at church! Which was great.
OK...so, transferencias. I am staying in the area! and heading back to the VC! Which will be crazy because there is so much work in this area, but with Christmas lights our time in the area was bound to be cut down either way. Sister Watkins is going to Liahona 1st to be with Sister Holladay there, they're getting bikes instead of a car which makes sister watkins really happy and sister holladay not so happy. Also, the Paz kids' grandparents live in that area, which is where I met Leticia...so Sister Watkins will get to meet them! I'm getting Sister Schwartz! She is from Georgia, was studying anthropology at BYU before coming here. Her mom is LDS but was less active for years and years and her dad is Jewish! She has a cool background. She's the one that I stayed with her her first day out, and I was training and everyone thought she was the sister I'd be training. We're really similar and get along really well, and just joke around a ton. We've both been full field for the last 3 transfers so we always talk about how we never see eachother and why we've never been companions, and here I'm with her my last transfer! I feel like it'll be great...we'll have a lot of fun, and Heavenly Father is really being kind and blessing me with great circumstances for this coming transfer.
Okay...que mas, well...the weather! It's cold already! And on bikes, it's colder! I got my winter coat on and scarves and everything, but it's actually really nice and beautiful, and they're getting the Christmas lights all ready and it's very exciting.
Okay, so I'll tell you what all happened this week, and my letter to the president is just copy and pasted throughout.
So, we had SEVEN investigators at church yesterday, plus 6 little non-member kids that also came but are under age 8. We had a miracle family, Familia Zazuetta, all come to church. They came to church for 1 year straight and no one knew they were members, they started getting taught by missionaries then for one reason or another stopped meeting with them. We visited them on Saturday and they were on board for getting baptized, and getting married beforehand. We set a date for December 8th. They all showed up to church, all 7 of them in Sunday dress the next day for Stake Conference. They're eating dinner with some members tonight then coming to an FHE.
We also had Cristian and Lupita, the granddaughters of a recent convert, come to church with their little siblings. They were also coming before and then since stopped. We've struggled to get them to progress, so it was a big step for them.
We also had Federico (aka Kiko), the oldest brother of the Paz boys, come to church for the first time! Now that his brothers are baptized we've been able to focus more on him, and we're seeing a lot of progress. He came to church and was really happy afterwards. We taught him the Word of Wisdom with a 17 year old girl that he knew in junior high who has been fellowshipping him really well. He needs a lot of help, he has some friends that are bad influences and he has Word of Wisdom issues. But it's been great to see how the Spirit changes him. He went from never talking to us, to never waking up from being passed out to talk to us, where now he wakes up when we arrive, he gets dressed, and comes to church! He's great.
I love Kiko...working with him requires a lot of patience and hard work, because he comes from such rough rough circumstances, but it's so cool to see the power of the Atonement work in him. Normally when we arrive at his house, him and all his friends are totally passed out on the floor, and he just seems dead and depressed. We take him to the Visitor's Center or church, and he comes back a totally different person. And he knows it's because of the Spirit...when we were at the Visitor's Center he talked about how he felt "joy" and how he knew it came from God, and when he came to church for the first time, he was saying afterwards how much he loved the mood and the spirit there. It was a transmitted regional stake conference, which had some great talks but he was thrown off why we all went to church just to watch a tv. But we explained it to him and it was alright. We stopped by Sunday night afterwards and it was great because he was still happy! Normally it wears off the minute he gets back with his friends..but he was smiling and awake and energized and happy to see us. So, he is slowly getting there!
We have another great investigator, Eric, who still doesn't have a date. He had one previously and it made him nervous, but we're hoping to set a date before transfers. He was late getting ready for church, and so his ride thought he was still asleep and left. But this Sunday he seems completely determined to go! We have great lessons with him...we had one with him in the Visitor's Center about priesthood authority. He's studying theology at a university right now, so it's been really fun to teach him on that level. We're trying to maintain our role as missionaries and teach simply while still teaching to his needs.
Eric is probably our favorite investigator to teach. We have so much fun because he really grasps the magnitude of everything that we teach him, we have to be careful to not get too carried away! But with him I've definitely seen how Heavenly Father puts specific missionaries for specific investigators. Sister Watkins and I have been able to teach him in a way that I feel like helps out all of us...I try not to be like weird or prideful about it, but it's cool to see how Heavenly Father uses us as tools to specifically reach out to His individual children. Sister Schwartz will also be great for him.
We have 2 great new investigators...Ana and Isaac. They were a referral from some other missionaries...Ana works with a ward mission leader of Sister Shurtz. We gave them the introduction to read and when we returned she had read all of it and thoroughly understood it, it was great. She was talking about the gathering of Israel and all of that stuff, and then she was like "But I feel like the most important part of all of it was the invitation for me to read it myself and ask God." and we were like "couldn't say it better myself". They couldn't come to church but are coming to the FHE tonight and seem very reliable and responsible.
So, as you can tell, great things are happening. We're working with our recent converts to get them all lined up with new member lessons. We worked with one of them a lot this week because she was still praying to saints...we've had to talk with her a lot about it. It's really sad...she's this older lady who got baptized really quick last fall, and now she tells us kind of that she doesn't really know what she got herself into. She just says she feels happy when she goes. She's the one whose granddaughters we're teaching. So we had 2 lessons with her this week because she still is very clearly holding onto her Catholic traditions...and basically she'd be like "well, praying to the Virgin Mary isn't wrong, right?" and we'd have to talk about it, then she'd be like "Well, my sister sent me this rosary, that's okay, right?" and we'd have to talk about it, and one by one just basically address these things that have been part of her entire life. It's really hard for us, but she's very humble about it and basically told us how we need to be patient with her, etc. We also a less active who didn't come to church last week, then showed up this week but didn't know it was stake conference! We felt so bad. We're also having several of them speak in the charla fogonera in our ward this coming weekend...including Eduardo, the 10 year old! Hahaha.
I am really excited to see what happens this coming transfer. I already know Sister Schwartz will be great for our area. I'm reallly excited to be back in the Visitor's Center. This past week we had the last "departure meeting" of 4 sisters that are all going home tomorrow...it was sad but made me just miss the Visitor's center a lot! I've been gone so long and it'l be so good to be back. It'll be hard because we really do have so much good stuff going on in the area, and it'll probably means some sacrifices on our part, but that's okay.
I love you all! As you can probably tell, I'm pretty excited for all the things that are coming up soon...Christmas lights, Visitors' Center, a great companion, it'll be great. I've learned a lot from Sister Watkins, she is one of the best missionaries out there. We'll see waht the future brings! Love you all! Sister Fors
Pictures from November 5, 2012
Paz boys' baptism
Paz family
Paz boys
With Sis. Watkins at the Paz baptism
The "Drawing"!
Halloween FHE
Carlos Paz
With Carlos Paz
With the Naumans (couple missionaries) at the Paz baptism
Zone Halloween activity
The marine characters :) Brittany the narwhal
The Elders at the Halloween activity with their masks
November 5, 2012
Hello Family Fors!
HOLA OBISPO FORS!
Ahhhhh that's so exciting! So, I know that I totally saw that calling coming, did all of you, too? That's so exciting, dad! I'm so excited when I get to go to the Tujunga Ward and see you in action. It sounds like there are really good things happening in the Tujunga ward...six missionaries! That's the same amount that we have here in Liahona 3rd...and for right now, it's the only ward in the mission that has that many missionaries. It's had 8 in the past, and some wards have had 6 in the past too. So it sounds like great things are happening!
I'm sure it must be scary and frightening. Especially this past week I've learned a lot about the responsibility of a bishop (temporally and spiritually...I'll explain), and I can't imagine how challenging it must be. But you'll do GREAT! I know you will be a wonderful, wonderful bishop, I know I'd love to have a bishop like you to work with! I will keep you in my prayers!
Ok, so exciting. Sounds like great things are happening at home.
So...let's just say this week has been CRAZYYYYYY!
But...all in all, the three Paz boys are baptized! And Leticia is hopefully shortly on her way. I will explain.
Ok, we need to do a "blow by blow" for this week.
Monday..pday. We had a Zone activity that was way fun...we had to come up with costumes w/ whatever we had in our apartment. Sis Watkins and I were going crazy...she's just as into costumes as I am, actually moreso. Us 4 went as marine creatures...I was a narwhal (can't really tell), she was a starfish, then the other sisters were a jellyfish and octopus.
That night we had a halloween themed FHE. WE went there and Pedro brought the Paz boys. He said that Leticia was going to go but she was crying when he got there because she said she wouldn't be able to pay diezmo. She wanted us to go over there afterwards. So we go there, and she's crying and it's horrible and she's saying how she was going to have light and then it fell through, etc etc. Carlos (the 8 yr old) said a prayer to make her feel better, and in it he prayed that they'd be able to buy dinner! We realized that they were in worse circumstances than we thought. We called in all the boys to say a prayer together, and it was really powerful.
That night we get home and Sister Watkins really felt like we needed to get a whole bunch of food put together for them ASAP. That night and the next morning we got in this super intense ongoing conversation about what was the best way to go about doing it...which members to call, how involved we should be, what was the right way to go about it. Basically, it was a big like learning moment for me, because Sister Watkins is definitely more just like an act immediately kind of person, while I was there like analyzing the logistics, what we could do to make it so it wouldn't be a burden on the members, how far we could go in our role as missionaries etc. And I had to realize that I was putting all of my analysis and self-consciousness of the situation in front of my love for them...which was kind of a really hard thing to realize, because that's not the type of missionary I want to be.
But, thankfully, we decided to take action, and the members helped out immensely. We called up their primary teachers, etc, and it was this huge outpouring of generosity and we end up bringing over like a whole van of food to them. That night, she goes to the bishop and he gives her a bishops storehouse order form. He also, without us even asking or mentioning it, pays her light bill! So she has light 2 days later. Later that week, I was talking to Leticia, and she said she's already going to start saving up money to pay him back so he can help other people, even though he didn't ask her to.
It was a big lesson that sometimes I feel like the Lord needs to give us. I'm definitely the type where I can get way too wrapped up in logistics, cautiousness, and rules, and miss opportunities to be Christlike. I was really grateful for the example of the members, the bishop, and Sister Watkins that just go out and serve these people no matter what, not worrying about whether or not it'll make them "overly-dependent" or anything like that.
Ok, so next day. We go there and Leticia is doing much, much better. She's back on track to get baptized on Saturday. 5 minutes before her interview, she tells us that she has a legal thing that she has to work out, which subsequently is going to push back her baptism for probably a few weeks/months! Literally five minutes before, and she hadn't mentioned anything like that before, even when we had asked her.
So, she's really sad after her interview. The next day we go over and talk with her and the boys and the boys, the bishop, and the mission president are all on board to let them still get baptized, as long as she is still going to church, etc.
Oh, side note. halloween. Hahhaa. So on Halloween night we had to stay inside of our apartment and just be productive inside. It was right after Hna Paz's interview so we were in kind of a somber mood, b/c at that point we didn't know if the boys were going to be baptized. But we got some stuff done. The end.
Ok, thursday. An actually very normal day for baptismal week. We figured out the details and all that.
Side note: we're teaching this 19 yr old guy named Eric who is awesome! I've mentioned him before I think...we gave him to the singles ward but then ended up picking him back up again. He read all of Alma 32 and just talked about how much sense it made, and how he felt like it taught him about "true, raw faith". He's the one whos a bible studies major. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he talked about how it made so much more sense about Adam and Eve, etc etc. It's been really fun to teach him because he grasps things quickly and is starting to understand the magnitude of what we're teaching him. Way cool.
Friday, weekly planning. Friday night...I go to the Visitors Center to make phone calls. While in there, a sister walks in with a giant pencil portrait of me. What in the world? I quickly realize that it's from a member that I haven't seen since probably last December I don't think. She's Dianna Santa Cruz, who I had a great experience with in the VC last October-ish. Her husband and her came in in December and told me that he likes to do portraits of the missionaries. They took my picture and I forgot about it eventually. 11 months later, they walk in with the portrait. It was hilarious, but also a miracle that they caught me when I was actually at the Visitor's Center while being full field. Anyways, I attached the portrait. It's pretty hilarious, probably the best souvenir I could ask for from my mission.
Friday night, we do a chapel tour with the Paz's to show them the font, etc. Kiko and his friends come along, one of which just got out of jail on Tuesday. His friends start making snide comments throughout it, which ends up really upsetting the 12 yr old Alex because they were saying how he's not going to be able to party, etc after he's baptized, his life will be boring with no girls, etc. So sad. So, I ask them to leave haha. The chapel tour ends up with like all of them really sad and we're worried.
Saturday morning, all 3 boys come to play soccer with our zone. Hilarious...they were all there, and they were just hanging out with all of us missionaries. They ended up staying with Pedro for most of the day, playing video games at his house, etc., so that they wouldn't be at their apartment where there are often negative influences.
We show up a little before the baptism, struggling with paperwork, etc., and get them to the chapel. Get them in their white suits, they're going crazy. The baptism actually went really really smoothly...all in all probably the least stressful baptism day I've had on my mission. We almost didn't have barely any refreshments but then miraculously one of the ward missionaries brought a bunch of sodas and 2 huge cakes, when we had just told him cookies! Anyways, not as important as the actual baptism. Sister Watkins sang "I like to look for rainbows" in both english and spanish and I accompanied her. It all went really smoothly. THe boys were reallly giddy in the font. Pedro baptized all 3 of them. Eduardo swam out of the font afterwards. Carlos was SO happy...he's the happiest little boy in the entire world. Afterwards he was like "I feel great! My life is good!" We invited Leticia to bear her testimony afterwards, and she talked about how she is ready to keep all of the commandments with her sons, and she thanked everyone for all they've done for their family. Afterwards, Alex told us that he didn't feel ready to be baptized! Which broke our hearts. He's definitely in the tween phase, trying to figure things out, so we tried to just help him to realize that he was ready, and to not be too hard on himself. The next day at church he seemed happier. We gave them a picture of Christ to put in their home (but the frame broke), and all the boys CTR rings (including the 2 older brothers...Kiko loved his! And he actually came to see the actual baptism ordinance, but we didn't see him), and Eduardo and Carlos little "Future Missionary" tags.
The next day, their confirmations, they showed up to church, looking great. One lady gave Carlos one of her son's old suits. Pedro bought them all pants, etc for their baptism. There has been a huge outpouring of generosity.
So...that's the Paz family week of baptism in a nutshell.
Ok, well that's everything. Oh...mom! You had asked about a package before. Mostly...if you could send like a comfy casual sweatshirt..it can be my blue/gray puma one. And bare minerals! I told you the ones I want...the bronzer and a light and fairly light foundation. Those are the main things I need. Thank you!
Okay, I love you all! Thanks for everythign! My letter to the mish pres will probably be the same information, just shorter, so I won't send it this week. Love, Sister Fors
HOLA OBISPO FORS!
Ahhhhh that's so exciting! So, I know that I totally saw that calling coming, did all of you, too? That's so exciting, dad! I'm so excited when I get to go to the Tujunga Ward and see you in action. It sounds like there are really good things happening in the Tujunga ward...six missionaries! That's the same amount that we have here in Liahona 3rd...and for right now, it's the only ward in the mission that has that many missionaries. It's had 8 in the past, and some wards have had 6 in the past too. So it sounds like great things are happening!
I'm sure it must be scary and frightening. Especially this past week I've learned a lot about the responsibility of a bishop (temporally and spiritually...I'll explain), and I can't imagine how challenging it must be. But you'll do GREAT! I know you will be a wonderful, wonderful bishop, I know I'd love to have a bishop like you to work with! I will keep you in my prayers!
Ok, so exciting. Sounds like great things are happening at home.
So...let's just say this week has been CRAZYYYYYY!
But...all in all, the three Paz boys are baptized! And Leticia is hopefully shortly on her way. I will explain.
Ok, we need to do a "blow by blow" for this week.
Monday..pday. We had a Zone activity that was way fun...we had to come up with costumes w/ whatever we had in our apartment. Sis Watkins and I were going crazy...she's just as into costumes as I am, actually moreso. Us 4 went as marine creatures...I was a narwhal (can't really tell), she was a starfish, then the other sisters were a jellyfish and octopus.
That night we had a halloween themed FHE. WE went there and Pedro brought the Paz boys. He said that Leticia was going to go but she was crying when he got there because she said she wouldn't be able to pay diezmo. She wanted us to go over there afterwards. So we go there, and she's crying and it's horrible and she's saying how she was going to have light and then it fell through, etc etc. Carlos (the 8 yr old) said a prayer to make her feel better, and in it he prayed that they'd be able to buy dinner! We realized that they were in worse circumstances than we thought. We called in all the boys to say a prayer together, and it was really powerful.
That night we get home and Sister Watkins really felt like we needed to get a whole bunch of food put together for them ASAP. That night and the next morning we got in this super intense ongoing conversation about what was the best way to go about doing it...which members to call, how involved we should be, what was the right way to go about it. Basically, it was a big like learning moment for me, because Sister Watkins is definitely more just like an act immediately kind of person, while I was there like analyzing the logistics, what we could do to make it so it wouldn't be a burden on the members, how far we could go in our role as missionaries etc. And I had to realize that I was putting all of my analysis and self-consciousness of the situation in front of my love for them...which was kind of a really hard thing to realize, because that's not the type of missionary I want to be.
But, thankfully, we decided to take action, and the members helped out immensely. We called up their primary teachers, etc, and it was this huge outpouring of generosity and we end up bringing over like a whole van of food to them. That night, she goes to the bishop and he gives her a bishops storehouse order form. He also, without us even asking or mentioning it, pays her light bill! So she has light 2 days later. Later that week, I was talking to Leticia, and she said she's already going to start saving up money to pay him back so he can help other people, even though he didn't ask her to.
It was a big lesson that sometimes I feel like the Lord needs to give us. I'm definitely the type where I can get way too wrapped up in logistics, cautiousness, and rules, and miss opportunities to be Christlike. I was really grateful for the example of the members, the bishop, and Sister Watkins that just go out and serve these people no matter what, not worrying about whether or not it'll make them "overly-dependent" or anything like that.
Ok, so next day. We go there and Leticia is doing much, much better. She's back on track to get baptized on Saturday. 5 minutes before her interview, she tells us that she has a legal thing that she has to work out, which subsequently is going to push back her baptism for probably a few weeks/months! Literally five minutes before, and she hadn't mentioned anything like that before, even when we had asked her.
So, she's really sad after her interview. The next day we go over and talk with her and the boys and the boys, the bishop, and the mission president are all on board to let them still get baptized, as long as she is still going to church, etc.
Oh, side note. halloween. Hahhaa. So on Halloween night we had to stay inside of our apartment and just be productive inside. It was right after Hna Paz's interview so we were in kind of a somber mood, b/c at that point we didn't know if the boys were going to be baptized. But we got some stuff done. The end.
Ok, thursday. An actually very normal day for baptismal week. We figured out the details and all that.
Side note: we're teaching this 19 yr old guy named Eric who is awesome! I've mentioned him before I think...we gave him to the singles ward but then ended up picking him back up again. He read all of Alma 32 and just talked about how much sense it made, and how he felt like it taught him about "true, raw faith". He's the one whos a bible studies major. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he talked about how it made so much more sense about Adam and Eve, etc etc. It's been really fun to teach him because he grasps things quickly and is starting to understand the magnitude of what we're teaching him. Way cool.
Friday, weekly planning. Friday night...I go to the Visitors Center to make phone calls. While in there, a sister walks in with a giant pencil portrait of me. What in the world? I quickly realize that it's from a member that I haven't seen since probably last December I don't think. She's Dianna Santa Cruz, who I had a great experience with in the VC last October-ish. Her husband and her came in in December and told me that he likes to do portraits of the missionaries. They took my picture and I forgot about it eventually. 11 months later, they walk in with the portrait. It was hilarious, but also a miracle that they caught me when I was actually at the Visitor's Center while being full field. Anyways, I attached the portrait. It's pretty hilarious, probably the best souvenir I could ask for from my mission.
Friday night, we do a chapel tour with the Paz's to show them the font, etc. Kiko and his friends come along, one of which just got out of jail on Tuesday. His friends start making snide comments throughout it, which ends up really upsetting the 12 yr old Alex because they were saying how he's not going to be able to party, etc after he's baptized, his life will be boring with no girls, etc. So sad. So, I ask them to leave haha. The chapel tour ends up with like all of them really sad and we're worried.
Saturday morning, all 3 boys come to play soccer with our zone. Hilarious...they were all there, and they were just hanging out with all of us missionaries. They ended up staying with Pedro for most of the day, playing video games at his house, etc., so that they wouldn't be at their apartment where there are often negative influences.
We show up a little before the baptism, struggling with paperwork, etc., and get them to the chapel. Get them in their white suits, they're going crazy. The baptism actually went really really smoothly...all in all probably the least stressful baptism day I've had on my mission. We almost didn't have barely any refreshments but then miraculously one of the ward missionaries brought a bunch of sodas and 2 huge cakes, when we had just told him cookies! Anyways, not as important as the actual baptism. Sister Watkins sang "I like to look for rainbows" in both english and spanish and I accompanied her. It all went really smoothly. THe boys were reallly giddy in the font. Pedro baptized all 3 of them. Eduardo swam out of the font afterwards. Carlos was SO happy...he's the happiest little boy in the entire world. Afterwards he was like "I feel great! My life is good!" We invited Leticia to bear her testimony afterwards, and she talked about how she is ready to keep all of the commandments with her sons, and she thanked everyone for all they've done for their family. Afterwards, Alex told us that he didn't feel ready to be baptized! Which broke our hearts. He's definitely in the tween phase, trying to figure things out, so we tried to just help him to realize that he was ready, and to not be too hard on himself. The next day at church he seemed happier. We gave them a picture of Christ to put in their home (but the frame broke), and all the boys CTR rings (including the 2 older brothers...Kiko loved his! And he actually came to see the actual baptism ordinance, but we didn't see him), and Eduardo and Carlos little "Future Missionary" tags.
The next day, their confirmations, they showed up to church, looking great. One lady gave Carlos one of her son's old suits. Pedro bought them all pants, etc for their baptism. There has been a huge outpouring of generosity.
So...that's the Paz family week of baptism in a nutshell.
Ok, well that's everything. Oh...mom! You had asked about a package before. Mostly...if you could send like a comfy casual sweatshirt..it can be my blue/gray puma one. And bare minerals! I told you the ones I want...the bronzer and a light and fairly light foundation. Those are the main things I need. Thank you!
Okay, I love you all! Thanks for everythign! My letter to the mish pres will probably be the same information, just shorter, so I won't send it this week. Love, Sister Fors
Pictures from October 29, 2012
After the Paz boys passed their baptism interviews
Alex, Carlos and Eduardo Paz at Trunk or Treat
Investigator Ximena
Paz boys getting ready for church
Companions at Trunk or Treat
The Correas and Sappiens -- ward missionaries from Liahona 1st ward
October 29, 2012
Hi Fam Bam,
Well, all in all, we had a great great week, with lots of success and lots of miracles. I wrote about a lot of it in my letter to Pres Ellsworth so hopefully you can look at that.
But...first and foremost...FAMILIA PAZ! IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAYYYYY! The mom and the three youngest boys. We've been seeing them lots and lots this past week. Well, except for Leticia, because she goes missing for days at a time for work and that makes us super nervous!
But, we started prepping them on like Thursday for their interviews. Leticia was MIA from like Thursday to Saturday, which made it really hard. But we went over all the questions, and they were doing alright. Needed to go over repentance. Eduardo is the 10 year old and we're pretty sure he is a compulsive liar...or just really likes story telling. So we went over repentance and he starts telling us he's done "150 crimes" and all these things. Then he says he needed to say sorry to his brothers, and so he says sorry to them for being mean to them and he repents right then and there and the brothers say sorry and they all have a great moment of forgiveness and all hug! So good. Hno Pedro Vasquez went to get them all white shirts and ties afterwards, which you hopefully saw pictures of. So then on Friday we continued to go over the questions with them. They know some things in Spanish and some things in English, which makes things difficult. For instance, we're like "What is tithing?" and they go, "Diezmo!" hahhaa.
But on Saturday we headed over to the VC for their interviews. Sister Watkins and I were stressing most of Saturday and Sunday because the mom was MIA and we didn't think the ward would let the boys get baptized without her. And we have no way of contacting her when she's gone. Anyways, so they go to their interviews. You could tell they were all kind of nervous...Carlos got mad at Sister Watkins because she he asked her if he was dirty and she said "a little" and so he got mad and she told him "you're my favorite dirty boy in the whole world!" and he took that to mean "You're the dirtiest boy in the whole world!" So, we arrive at the interviews and Carlos is not forgiving Sister Watkins haha. Alex, the 12 yr old, is super nervous. And Eduardo and Carlos are wrestling on the ground in front of the Christus. So, we were all a little high strung. But they passed their interviews! Elder Meza had to come out in the middle of his interview w/ Eduardo because Eduardo told him that he had gone to juvy (he's 10), and so the older brother Joe had to get him to tell the truth. Oh jeez haha. And Elder Carrillo, in his interview w/ Carlos, convinced Carlos to forgive Sister Watkins in preparation for his baptism. So, they were all happy.
So the three boys came to the Halloween party that night (which I'll talk more about), and they were all set for church the next day, but the mom was still missing. That night we asked their oldest brother and he said that Hna Paz had told him that they were all going to church the next day, but we didn't know how reliable that was.
So, Sunday morning I'm stressing out really bad trying to figure this all out. We get to their house to see if they're awake/ready for church, and lo and behold Hna Paz opens the door, she is AWAKE, she is DRESSED, in a DRESS, which is MODEST and she is READY for church! And the boys are AWAKE and they are dressed in WHITE SHIRTS ready for church! Such a miracle, and the sign that we needed to see to know that the mom really was ready to take this step and support her boys through it...that they were not dependent on us.
So we get to church, and this is my favorite moment. Hna Paz's dress went to like just above her knees, basically what most members wear. She was sitting next to me in gospel principles, waiting for it to start, and had her books on her lap. She takes the books off, hands them to me, and then goes to adjust her dress so that it covers her knees! Sister Watkins and I were just like...in shock. Hahhaha something so little but we loved seeing a moment like that to show how they can catch onto things.
So, they stayed for all three hours and afterwards had an interview with the bishop. We went by last night and talked w/ Hna Paz about her baptismal interview and she seems ready. So excited!
So, that's the big miracle. Other big miracle...we had seven non-members come to mutual! We've been trying to make a push to use more activities. So we rounded up some of the kids in the ward to walk with our investigators to mutual. We were outside waiting for them and saw them all round the corner, looking like a huge gang, showing up to the church to play volleyball. so happy.
Then, the Halloween party was another huge miracle. We had 25 non-members that we had invited show up! Crazy! About 15 investigators and then some potentials or little kids. Sister Watkins and I were running all over the place, trying to accommodate to all of them. We'd turn around and see another random person we had invited on the street. We had decided that we were going to try to do chapel tours during the party to get people to come to church. So we ended up doing about 3 chapel tours that were really simple but successful. I also saw a bunch of people from my old Liahona 1st ward which was very happy.
Que mas...we had a funny story. We were going to a lesson at night this past week and had left our bikes at a member's house. So we met a different member outside the lesson, but they weren't there. We visited some other people then had to walk home, because it was an hermano and we couldn't go in his car. But, it's definitely the more dangerous part of our area so he didn't want us to be alone. So he said he'd follow us in his car home to make sure we got there okay. We got to a major street and our bikes were close by so we told him we were fine and we'd call him when we arrived home. He drove off, and about 2 seconds later we hear this "Excuse me!" and we look and it's this lady and her 4 kids. She goes "Do you know that there's a man tha's been following you for several blocks?! We were so worried about you!" hahahhaa. So she had been following us for blocks to make sure we were okay. We ended up walking the rest of the way with her to her home, and invited her to the halloween party. And she came! She's english speaking but it was so good.
Anyways, so lots of miracles. There are definitely still hard days, anxiety is like a minute to minute battle, but then I see all the miracles and it shows you that it's worth it, no? Anyways, I love you lots! Love, Sister Fors
Well, all in all, we had a great great week, with lots of success and lots of miracles. I wrote about a lot of it in my letter to Pres Ellsworth so hopefully you can look at that.
But...first and foremost...FAMILIA PAZ! IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAYYYYY! The mom and the three youngest boys. We've been seeing them lots and lots this past week. Well, except for Leticia, because she goes missing for days at a time for work and that makes us super nervous!
But, we started prepping them on like Thursday for their interviews. Leticia was MIA from like Thursday to Saturday, which made it really hard. But we went over all the questions, and they were doing alright. Needed to go over repentance. Eduardo is the 10 year old and we're pretty sure he is a compulsive liar...or just really likes story telling. So we went over repentance and he starts telling us he's done "150 crimes" and all these things. Then he says he needed to say sorry to his brothers, and so he says sorry to them for being mean to them and he repents right then and there and the brothers say sorry and they all have a great moment of forgiveness and all hug! So good. Hno Pedro Vasquez went to get them all white shirts and ties afterwards, which you hopefully saw pictures of. So then on Friday we continued to go over the questions with them. They know some things in Spanish and some things in English, which makes things difficult. For instance, we're like "What is tithing?" and they go, "Diezmo!" hahhaa.
But on Saturday we headed over to the VC for their interviews. Sister Watkins and I were stressing most of Saturday and Sunday because the mom was MIA and we didn't think the ward would let the boys get baptized without her. And we have no way of contacting her when she's gone. Anyways, so they go to their interviews. You could tell they were all kind of nervous...Carlos got mad at Sister Watkins because she he asked her if he was dirty and she said "a little" and so he got mad and she told him "you're my favorite dirty boy in the whole world!" and he took that to mean "You're the dirtiest boy in the whole world!" So, we arrive at the interviews and Carlos is not forgiving Sister Watkins haha. Alex, the 12 yr old, is super nervous. And Eduardo and Carlos are wrestling on the ground in front of the Christus. So, we were all a little high strung. But they passed their interviews! Elder Meza had to come out in the middle of his interview w/ Eduardo because Eduardo told him that he had gone to juvy (he's 10), and so the older brother Joe had to get him to tell the truth. Oh jeez haha. And Elder Carrillo, in his interview w/ Carlos, convinced Carlos to forgive Sister Watkins in preparation for his baptism. So, they were all happy.
So the three boys came to the Halloween party that night (which I'll talk more about), and they were all set for church the next day, but the mom was still missing. That night we asked their oldest brother and he said that Hna Paz had told him that they were all going to church the next day, but we didn't know how reliable that was.
So, Sunday morning I'm stressing out really bad trying to figure this all out. We get to their house to see if they're awake/ready for church, and lo and behold Hna Paz opens the door, she is AWAKE, she is DRESSED, in a DRESS, which is MODEST and she is READY for church! And the boys are AWAKE and they are dressed in WHITE SHIRTS ready for church! Such a miracle, and the sign that we needed to see to know that the mom really was ready to take this step and support her boys through it...that they were not dependent on us.
So we get to church, and this is my favorite moment. Hna Paz's dress went to like just above her knees, basically what most members wear. She was sitting next to me in gospel principles, waiting for it to start, and had her books on her lap. She takes the books off, hands them to me, and then goes to adjust her dress so that it covers her knees! Sister Watkins and I were just like...in shock. Hahhaha something so little but we loved seeing a moment like that to show how they can catch onto things.
So, they stayed for all three hours and afterwards had an interview with the bishop. We went by last night and talked w/ Hna Paz about her baptismal interview and she seems ready. So excited!
So, that's the big miracle. Other big miracle...we had seven non-members come to mutual! We've been trying to make a push to use more activities. So we rounded up some of the kids in the ward to walk with our investigators to mutual. We were outside waiting for them and saw them all round the corner, looking like a huge gang, showing up to the church to play volleyball. so happy.
Then, the Halloween party was another huge miracle. We had 25 non-members that we had invited show up! Crazy! About 15 investigators and then some potentials or little kids. Sister Watkins and I were running all over the place, trying to accommodate to all of them. We'd turn around and see another random person we had invited on the street. We had decided that we were going to try to do chapel tours during the party to get people to come to church. So we ended up doing about 3 chapel tours that were really simple but successful. I also saw a bunch of people from my old Liahona 1st ward which was very happy.
Que mas...we had a funny story. We were going to a lesson at night this past week and had left our bikes at a member's house. So we met a different member outside the lesson, but they weren't there. We visited some other people then had to walk home, because it was an hermano and we couldn't go in his car. But, it's definitely the more dangerous part of our area so he didn't want us to be alone. So he said he'd follow us in his car home to make sure we got there okay. We got to a major street and our bikes were close by so we told him we were fine and we'd call him when we arrived home. He drove off, and about 2 seconds later we hear this "Excuse me!" and we look and it's this lady and her 4 kids. She goes "Do you know that there's a man tha's been following you for several blocks?! We were so worried about you!" hahahhaa. So she had been following us for blocks to make sure we were okay. We ended up walking the rest of the way with her to her home, and invited her to the halloween party. And she came! She's english speaking but it was so good.
Anyways, so lots of miracles. There are definitely still hard days, anxiety is like a minute to minute battle, but then I see all the miracles and it shows you that it's worth it, no? Anyways, I love you lots! Love, Sister Fors
Pictures from October 22, 2012
Carlos Paz birthday
District picture
Grocery shopping on bikes!
Mini golf on P-day
Sis. Slater, Sis. Christensen, Sis. Fors and Sis. Watkins
With Sis. Watkins
Temple VC Sisters!
Companions!
Tree of Life FHE
Mini Golf
Volleyball with the Tongans!
October 22, 2012
Hi Familia Fors,
Ok, I need to write quick. Hope you enjoyed all the pictures! And the insights into my daily life. Sister Watkins is really good at getting us to do fun things on pdays, which I am grateful for. For instance...playing volleyball with a bunch of huge Tongan guys. Wouldn't think to do it otherwise. I laugh because I feel like that picture could look kind of strange, but I'm pretty sure it was an approved missionary activity, so we have fun.
Ok, news. We had 7 investigators at church! LETICIA CAME! Hallelujah! And they stayed all three hours and sat on the 2nd row with the bishop's family and they're going to fhe with them tonight. The familiy is coming along! Today, Pedro Vasquez (the guy who does everything for missionaries), is going to walmart with the boys to buy them all white shirts to wear. So great.
Ok, other miracle of the week. Is this great new family! So, we went to visit some investigators last Wednesday I think. We call up this random less active lady to come with us, and she turns out to be AWESOME. She was like suggesting that we say a prayer before we leave, that we sing a hymn, everything. So, our investigator isn't there, so we go to talk to this lady standing outside her door. Our member starts talking with her about being a mother, and the lady starts crying right then and there! We go inside and have a prayer with her and her daughter. She had been stressing out a lot about her older daughter, Gemma. We set up a return appt the next day. So, Thursday comes and they call and cancel. So, we go by to visit one of their neighbors, and can see that they're home, but they're arguing. We knock anyways. And they let us in! We teach the Restoration and the older daughter, the one who was causing all the problems, was there. We tell the first vision and she tells us like she feels like it's true. We ask her if she's ever felt like God has answered her prayers and she goes "I feel like he answered them today." and she's crying and the mom's crying and it's awesome. The next day, we go see the joseph smith movie with them at the VC. Then, on Sunday, Gemma and her little sister came to sacrament! Woohoo! After only teaching them for like 4 days. She's this super cute, stylish, cool girl, that's just trying to get along with her family and make good choices! So good.
Que mas...another great bike story for the week. We TTI this guy named Steve from LA, and we have a really good conversation with him...he's from East LA, and he was wearing a dodgers hat so I try to make it seem like I'm actually a bigger Dodgers fan than I really am, etc etc hahaha. We give him a Book of Mormon, and ride off. Only get like 3 houses down, and my skirt gets caught in my brakes, really badly. The tire won't move and we're in the middle of the street and I have to like waddle over to the side. Sister Watkins cant get it out, and this guy sees us and asks if we need help, we tell him we're okay. Then these members go by, and we tell them we're okay. We're still struggling, and we look at Steve pulls up in his car! He said he had seen us struggling, and so he decided to drive his car down past like just 3 driveways to offer to help. So, Steve helps me get my skirt out of my brake. We ask him what we can do to repay him and he's like "Well, if this book's as good as you say it is, that's all you need to pay me!" ahahaha. It was a great moment in my biking career.
Que mas...I know there were other miracles. But I'm out of time. I love you all! Thank you for all of your support!
Mom, you asked about stuff in a package...I can't think right now, but I'll try to send you in a letter some ideas. I'm going to register for classes right after this.
Ok, I need to write quick. Hope you enjoyed all the pictures! And the insights into my daily life. Sister Watkins is really good at getting us to do fun things on pdays, which I am grateful for. For instance...playing volleyball with a bunch of huge Tongan guys. Wouldn't think to do it otherwise. I laugh because I feel like that picture could look kind of strange, but I'm pretty sure it was an approved missionary activity, so we have fun.
Ok, news. We had 7 investigators at church! LETICIA CAME! Hallelujah! And they stayed all three hours and sat on the 2nd row with the bishop's family and they're going to fhe with them tonight. The familiy is coming along! Today, Pedro Vasquez (the guy who does everything for missionaries), is going to walmart with the boys to buy them all white shirts to wear. So great.
Ok, other miracle of the week. Is this great new family! So, we went to visit some investigators last Wednesday I think. We call up this random less active lady to come with us, and she turns out to be AWESOME. She was like suggesting that we say a prayer before we leave, that we sing a hymn, everything. So, our investigator isn't there, so we go to talk to this lady standing outside her door. Our member starts talking with her about being a mother, and the lady starts crying right then and there! We go inside and have a prayer with her and her daughter. She had been stressing out a lot about her older daughter, Gemma. We set up a return appt the next day. So, Thursday comes and they call and cancel. So, we go by to visit one of their neighbors, and can see that they're home, but they're arguing. We knock anyways. And they let us in! We teach the Restoration and the older daughter, the one who was causing all the problems, was there. We tell the first vision and she tells us like she feels like it's true. We ask her if she's ever felt like God has answered her prayers and she goes "I feel like he answered them today." and she's crying and the mom's crying and it's awesome. The next day, we go see the joseph smith movie with them at the VC. Then, on Sunday, Gemma and her little sister came to sacrament! Woohoo! After only teaching them for like 4 days. She's this super cute, stylish, cool girl, that's just trying to get along with her family and make good choices! So good.
Que mas...another great bike story for the week. We TTI this guy named Steve from LA, and we have a really good conversation with him...he's from East LA, and he was wearing a dodgers hat so I try to make it seem like I'm actually a bigger Dodgers fan than I really am, etc etc hahaha. We give him a Book of Mormon, and ride off. Only get like 3 houses down, and my skirt gets caught in my brakes, really badly. The tire won't move and we're in the middle of the street and I have to like waddle over to the side. Sister Watkins cant get it out, and this guy sees us and asks if we need help, we tell him we're okay. Then these members go by, and we tell them we're okay. We're still struggling, and we look at Steve pulls up in his car! He said he had seen us struggling, and so he decided to drive his car down past like just 3 driveways to offer to help. So, Steve helps me get my skirt out of my brake. We ask him what we can do to repay him and he's like "Well, if this book's as good as you say it is, that's all you need to pay me!" ahahaha. It was a great moment in my biking career.
Que mas...I know there were other miracles. But I'm out of time. I love you all! Thank you for all of your support!
Mom, you asked about stuff in a package...I can't think right now, but I'll try to send you in a letter some ideas. I'm going to register for classes right after this.
October 15, 2012
Helloooo Familia Fors,
Ok, I will write quick. The subject line comes from the fact that if there's one thing I can't seem to get away from on my mission, it's teaching KIDS! Yesterday, we had 4 investigators at church...but, their ages were 10, 10, 8, and 7! Oh my goodness. Anyways, so yeah, throughout my mission, wherever I go, I always find myself ending up with a ton of kids in my teaching pool. We're teaching a ton of families right now, but they're almost all single mom families, and so the kids have much more time to dedicate towards coming to church and their progression. Most of them include teenagers that are a little more mature and can support the progress more, but all the teenagers didn't show up to church yesterday for one reason or another...so we ended up having members haul a whole bunch of primary kids! So, I love it...but I also know that it is definitely a tricky tricky situation and not one that is ideal. I just think about my little convert Cesar and how hard a time he had. Anyways, so that's the entertaining tidbit of the week.
Que mas...so, the Paz's are up and down, everyone progressing differently. But Kiko, the 17 yr old, is so awesome. So he's the one who wouldn't talk to us for forever. This past week we walked with him and his little brothers to the Visitor's Center, and watched the Testaments. He was like super depressed walking into it, and left so upbeat, respectful, and grateful. Then, we went on Fri night to see them, and he wouldn't come out to talk to us...pretty sure because he was high on something. Kikoooo! So, yesterday afternoon we go and talk to him because he didn't show up to church because his stomach hurt. We start talking with just him, not getting distracted by his hyper little brothers. We had SUCH a good conversation, and we just talked to him about how he needs to have the power in his life that comes from the priesthood, not from drugs or violence or anything. He started crying like multiple times and then we offered to have a guy give him a blessing. So Pedro Vasquez came over, and gave him a really simple but powerful blessing. Afterwards, Kiko was just like crying. He feels so much pressure to provide and support for his family, because he's like the man of the house since their dad left the family this year. He feels guilty when he feels like he messes up and has caused their poor economic situation. So sad! Anyways, but it was SUCH a powerful lesson, and that family is just so great, but has so so much opposition. We're going to keep working with them!
I love you all, sorry this is super short! Don't worry about meeee, I just want you to know what all is happening. Thanks for being the best family EVER! After my counseling session, that's what I decided...that you are all great, and that I grew up in the best circumstances I could ask for. Love you all! Sister Fors
Ok, I will write quick. The subject line comes from the fact that if there's one thing I can't seem to get away from on my mission, it's teaching KIDS! Yesterday, we had 4 investigators at church...but, their ages were 10, 10, 8, and 7! Oh my goodness. Anyways, so yeah, throughout my mission, wherever I go, I always find myself ending up with a ton of kids in my teaching pool. We're teaching a ton of families right now, but they're almost all single mom families, and so the kids have much more time to dedicate towards coming to church and their progression. Most of them include teenagers that are a little more mature and can support the progress more, but all the teenagers didn't show up to church yesterday for one reason or another...so we ended up having members haul a whole bunch of primary kids! So, I love it...but I also know that it is definitely a tricky tricky situation and not one that is ideal. I just think about my little convert Cesar and how hard a time he had. Anyways, so that's the entertaining tidbit of the week.
Que mas...so, the Paz's are up and down, everyone progressing differently. But Kiko, the 17 yr old, is so awesome. So he's the one who wouldn't talk to us for forever. This past week we walked with him and his little brothers to the Visitor's Center, and watched the Testaments. He was like super depressed walking into it, and left so upbeat, respectful, and grateful. Then, we went on Fri night to see them, and he wouldn't come out to talk to us...pretty sure because he was high on something. Kikoooo! So, yesterday afternoon we go and talk to him because he didn't show up to church because his stomach hurt. We start talking with just him, not getting distracted by his hyper little brothers. We had SUCH a good conversation, and we just talked to him about how he needs to have the power in his life that comes from the priesthood, not from drugs or violence or anything. He started crying like multiple times and then we offered to have a guy give him a blessing. So Pedro Vasquez came over, and gave him a really simple but powerful blessing. Afterwards, Kiko was just like crying. He feels so much pressure to provide and support for his family, because he's like the man of the house since their dad left the family this year. He feels guilty when he feels like he messes up and has caused their poor economic situation. So sad! Anyways, but it was SUCH a powerful lesson, and that family is just so great, but has so so much opposition. We're going to keep working with them!
I love you all, sorry this is super short! Don't worry about meeee, I just want you to know what all is happening. Thanks for being the best family EVER! After my counseling session, that's what I decided...that you are all great, and that I grew up in the best circumstances I could ask for. Love you all! Sister Fors
October 8, 2012
Hellloooo Familia,
Well, this might be a shorter email, because I just spend forever looking at all of your pictures and writing you back individually!
Ok, this week. Up's and down's, what else is new? But let's recount some of the miracles...
Ok, we were riding our bikes down Hobson (like the main road in our area), and this lady stops her car in front of me and is like "Excuse me, I need to talk to you!" (but in espanol). She proceeds to tell us that she's been going through an incredibly hard time, and that her husband left her like a month ago after a miscarriage, etc etc, all this stuff. She's like "I've always seen missionaries walking around, and these past couple days I've really felt like I needed to talk to you! and so I had to stop you in the car when I saw you today!" we were like "alright!" and set up an appt for the next day.
So we went to the appt, her name's Angelina, and we just talked about the Atonement and she prayed and there was a great spirit and we set a baptismal date! Then, the next day we had a lesson in the VC. I was on splits, but Sis Watkins told me that Angelina told her that for the first time in a month, she hadn't cried either that day nor the day before! (since she started meeting with us!) and in her prayer she talked all about how she finally feels like she's going to be happy again. So great!
Other miracle...the Paz family came to conference! Minus Joe and Kiko....which means Joe's baptism is going to have to wait. But the little boys came and we colored with them during it and Leticia really enjoyed it. During Elder Oaks' talk, Eduardo (the 10 yr old), tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the bald high counselor w/ glasses sitting 2 rows behind us. He thought he was Elder Oaks! Ahhahaha so funny.
Leticia is progressing really well. We committed her to read the Book of Mormon, and a few days later, we followed up. She opened up to Mosiah 18 and said she had read it. We were super confused (because we hadn't assigned it), but super happy (because it's all about baptism!) She said she just opened up to the pictures at the beginning of the proselyting book of mormon and saw in the captions of one a page number that lead to Mosiah 18...and that's what she read. Coincidence? I think not!
What else...oh yes, I am a real biking missionary! The other day, I was riding down Hobson. I saw this nice looking tree whose branches were hanging over the side, and thought it'd be a great idea to reach up and try to touch the leaves. So, I did that. What followed? A trash can right in front of me. Ahahaha so my handle bars hit the trash can and I totally crashed. But I'm totally fine! I actually crashed right in front of some members that were parked in a car, so this little like 9 yr old Activity Day girl was terrified ahahhaa. I'm fine!
What else...so, I'm doing the Book of Mormon study where you pick one theme and read the whole Book of Mormon with it. I really felt like I should pick the theme of "healing"! So, I just started, but I really like it...and I feel like Darron should do it because it makes me think a lot about doctors. So, there you go.
I'm out of time! Love you all! Sister Fors
Well, this might be a shorter email, because I just spend forever looking at all of your pictures and writing you back individually!
Ok, this week. Up's and down's, what else is new? But let's recount some of the miracles...
Ok, we were riding our bikes down Hobson (like the main road in our area), and this lady stops her car in front of me and is like "Excuse me, I need to talk to you!" (but in espanol). She proceeds to tell us that she's been going through an incredibly hard time, and that her husband left her like a month ago after a miscarriage, etc etc, all this stuff. She's like "I've always seen missionaries walking around, and these past couple days I've really felt like I needed to talk to you! and so I had to stop you in the car when I saw you today!" we were like "alright!" and set up an appt for the next day.
So we went to the appt, her name's Angelina, and we just talked about the Atonement and she prayed and there was a great spirit and we set a baptismal date! Then, the next day we had a lesson in the VC. I was on splits, but Sis Watkins told me that Angelina told her that for the first time in a month, she hadn't cried either that day nor the day before! (since she started meeting with us!) and in her prayer she talked all about how she finally feels like she's going to be happy again. So great!
Other miracle...the Paz family came to conference! Minus Joe and Kiko....which means Joe's baptism is going to have to wait. But the little boys came and we colored with them during it and Leticia really enjoyed it. During Elder Oaks' talk, Eduardo (the 10 yr old), tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the bald high counselor w/ glasses sitting 2 rows behind us. He thought he was Elder Oaks! Ahhahaha so funny.
Leticia is progressing really well. We committed her to read the Book of Mormon, and a few days later, we followed up. She opened up to Mosiah 18 and said she had read it. We were super confused (because we hadn't assigned it), but super happy (because it's all about baptism!) She said she just opened up to the pictures at the beginning of the proselyting book of mormon and saw in the captions of one a page number that lead to Mosiah 18...and that's what she read. Coincidence? I think not!
What else...oh yes, I am a real biking missionary! The other day, I was riding down Hobson. I saw this nice looking tree whose branches were hanging over the side, and thought it'd be a great idea to reach up and try to touch the leaves. So, I did that. What followed? A trash can right in front of me. Ahahaha so my handle bars hit the trash can and I totally crashed. But I'm totally fine! I actually crashed right in front of some members that were parked in a car, so this little like 9 yr old Activity Day girl was terrified ahahhaa. I'm fine!
What else...so, I'm doing the Book of Mormon study where you pick one theme and read the whole Book of Mormon with it. I really felt like I should pick the theme of "healing"! So, I just started, but I really like it...and I feel like Darron should do it because it makes me think a lot about doctors. So, there you go.
I'm out of time! Love you all! Sister Fors
October 1, 2012
Hey Fam Bam,
Well, another good week was had in Liahona 3rd. And, what's more...it's transfer week!
So, I'll tell you what's happening. Last Thursday, I got a phone call from President, which is always interesting when he's deciding transfer news. He basically told me that he would like to keep me in Liahona 3rd, because he feels like Sis Watkins and I have been doing really great work and he wouldn't want to make that stop. But, I've been full field for 3 transfers, which is normally the guideline for the max amount a VC sister can be full field. He asked me how I would feel to stay out for a 4th transfer, and asked me what I wanted to do, and I basically didn't feel like deciding my destiny, so I told him I'd be fine either way and he can just do what he feels is right :)
So, Sunday night, I got a phone call and we are staying exactly the same! So, full field #4. I thought I'd be sad about it, but really I've gotten to the point where I'm so used to full-field, and this area has so much work that it doesn't get boring. It is weird though that I'll only be back in the VC for my last transfer. I bet when I go back I'll realize how much I've missed it and I'll want to make the most of it for that short time.
So, that's the news! Alright, so...things that happened this week. Well, the Paz family is moving along. Joe, the 14 yr old, is the one that's progressing the most. He went to mutual on Wednesday w/ his brother and loved it, and came to all 3 hrs of church yesterday. He's been reading the BOM and talks about how he gets a good feeling in his heart every time he reads it. He also says that when he goes to church it's like he can get a weight off of his chest and just feel good inside. He's so great!
Also, his older brother, Kiko, at first would never listen to us. We'd always invite him for lessons, and he would never join. This week, something changed! It might've been that we came over and did service for them. We cleaned their kitchen. Alright, let's just say I feel so bad for the conditions they're livign in. So they haven't had light for like 3 weeks. Also, found out on the day that we did service, that they haven't had PLUMBING for 3 weeks. So, that made things interesting. And we cleaned their kitchen all up, and it was so cool to see how it just changed 100%, and it became just like an actual HOME! Cleanliness is next to Godliness, folks. Anyways, so I think that might've warmed Kiko up to us a bit, and after that, he started joining us just for the closing prayer, and then he joined us for a whole lesson! He started reading the BOM and he's committed to be baptized with his family. Way cool!
Also, on Monday night we had the elders come over and give Leticia a blessing for her foot. She seemed really tired and depressed when we came over, but they gave her the blessing and we think it really helped her. Several days later, we found out that that morning, she had actually had like a violent fight w/ her boyfriend...which explains why she was probably so depressed! So, according to her, he's moving out and she's getting away from the situation. So, another miracle.
Other miracle...on Saturday was like a day of miracles. I street contacted this one guy, and the conversation went nowhere really. So we went into our appointment, and when we left, he was standing there. He motioned us over, and introduced us to his wife and was like "Talk to her about God." and so we started talking and she said that she had once invited elders to come over, but they could never teach her because her husband was never home. She said she had been having really bad stomach pains, and so we offered to have people come give her a blessing! So, something always comes out of nothing.
Last miracle...that day, we were strugglign to find members for a lesson. We had like 2 members cancel on us, no one answered their phones, nada. It was 7:25 and the lesson was at 7:30, so we just headed over, accepting defeat. We ride past this guy that I recognize on our bikes, and i'm like "hey! I know you!" I had recognized him from coming into the VC like 8 mos before. I was like "Are you a member?" and he was like "Yeah" and he was in our ward, totally less active, but he came to the lesson with us right then and there! And had a great experience!
Anyways, tehre were a lot more miracles but I must be off. I love you all! Sister Fors
Well, another good week was had in Liahona 3rd. And, what's more...it's transfer week!
So, I'll tell you what's happening. Last Thursday, I got a phone call from President, which is always interesting when he's deciding transfer news. He basically told me that he would like to keep me in Liahona 3rd, because he feels like Sis Watkins and I have been doing really great work and he wouldn't want to make that stop. But, I've been full field for 3 transfers, which is normally the guideline for the max amount a VC sister can be full field. He asked me how I would feel to stay out for a 4th transfer, and asked me what I wanted to do, and I basically didn't feel like deciding my destiny, so I told him I'd be fine either way and he can just do what he feels is right :)
So, Sunday night, I got a phone call and we are staying exactly the same! So, full field #4. I thought I'd be sad about it, but really I've gotten to the point where I'm so used to full-field, and this area has so much work that it doesn't get boring. It is weird though that I'll only be back in the VC for my last transfer. I bet when I go back I'll realize how much I've missed it and I'll want to make the most of it for that short time.
So, that's the news! Alright, so...things that happened this week. Well, the Paz family is moving along. Joe, the 14 yr old, is the one that's progressing the most. He went to mutual on Wednesday w/ his brother and loved it, and came to all 3 hrs of church yesterday. He's been reading the BOM and talks about how he gets a good feeling in his heart every time he reads it. He also says that when he goes to church it's like he can get a weight off of his chest and just feel good inside. He's so great!
Also, his older brother, Kiko, at first would never listen to us. We'd always invite him for lessons, and he would never join. This week, something changed! It might've been that we came over and did service for them. We cleaned their kitchen. Alright, let's just say I feel so bad for the conditions they're livign in. So they haven't had light for like 3 weeks. Also, found out on the day that we did service, that they haven't had PLUMBING for 3 weeks. So, that made things interesting. And we cleaned their kitchen all up, and it was so cool to see how it just changed 100%, and it became just like an actual HOME! Cleanliness is next to Godliness, folks. Anyways, so I think that might've warmed Kiko up to us a bit, and after that, he started joining us just for the closing prayer, and then he joined us for a whole lesson! He started reading the BOM and he's committed to be baptized with his family. Way cool!
Also, on Monday night we had the elders come over and give Leticia a blessing for her foot. She seemed really tired and depressed when we came over, but they gave her the blessing and we think it really helped her. Several days later, we found out that that morning, she had actually had like a violent fight w/ her boyfriend...which explains why she was probably so depressed! So, according to her, he's moving out and she's getting away from the situation. So, another miracle.
Other miracle...on Saturday was like a day of miracles. I street contacted this one guy, and the conversation went nowhere really. So we went into our appointment, and when we left, he was standing there. He motioned us over, and introduced us to his wife and was like "Talk to her about God." and so we started talking and she said that she had once invited elders to come over, but they could never teach her because her husband was never home. She said she had been having really bad stomach pains, and so we offered to have people come give her a blessing! So, something always comes out of nothing.
Last miracle...that day, we were strugglign to find members for a lesson. We had like 2 members cancel on us, no one answered their phones, nada. It was 7:25 and the lesson was at 7:30, so we just headed over, accepting defeat. We ride past this guy that I recognize on our bikes, and i'm like "hey! I know you!" I had recognized him from coming into the VC like 8 mos before. I was like "Are you a member?" and he was like "Yeah" and he was in our ward, totally less active, but he came to the lesson with us right then and there! And had a great experience!
Anyways, tehre were a lot more miracles but I must be off. I love you all! Sister Fors
September 24, 2012
Hellooo Familia Fors,
I don't know where the time goes and here I am with just a few minutes to write to you. Thanks for your emails! I think my family is just getting more and more jet-setter with every week...Dad's in Paris. Not just that, but the kitchen is going to have granite counter tops! The Fors family is moving up in the world hahaha :).
Ok, so, to explain the subject line. Yes, Elder Bednar came and talked to us. And, yes, he referred to me as "Elder" instead of "Sister" in front of the entire mission. Hahahaha....I won't lie, I'm not embarrassed, rather, I think I'm honored.
Ok, so, the morning with Elder Bednar was SO good. So good. I guess I won't tell you everything, in part because he specifically advised us against writing home every single detail to have our moms publish it on a blog for the whole world to see, but I'll still tell you about it. So, I'm not sure if you all know, but Elder Bednar is huge on doing Q&A sessions when he speaks with people. He does it everywhere, and he did it with us! So, we had two talks of his that we had to read before he came..."Ask in Faith" and "Seek Learning by Faith". So, we had all read those, and for the 1st half of the 3 hrs he was asking us questions...basically just like "What did you learn?" along with follow up questions. He did this all in what he calls "the pattern", which is basically the form of learning by the Spirit as we're in this open discussion. Then the 2nd half of the session we got to ask him questions. He was basically like "Never again will you be in this closed setting where you'll get to ask an apostle of the Lord anything you'd like with this few of people." and he gave us some guidelines and we asked away. So people asked questions like how we could have a more powerful temple experience, how we could apply the Atonement as missionaries, his definition of a "consecrated missionary", how keys work, stuff like that. So, I will say I participated a bit in the 1st half...hence why he called me elder. When I first raised my hand he was like "Elder!" and I laughed and stood up and everyone laughed and he was like "Now, I know the difference! Sister!" So, what an honor. Anyways, it was SUCH a cool experience. He taught us how to teach as he taught us. And all of us received completely different insights, many of which were completely unrelated to what was actually verbally being said. He talked a lot about treating people as agents, rather than objects. It made me think about how I need to learn that Heavenly Father respects our agency and wants us to use it, he trusts us, and we should trust ourselves and others as well. I've been thinking a lot about trust recently, and I realize that on my mission sometimes I feel like I'm quick to not trust people, which is sad. So I'm trying to learn how to get that back. Anyways, such a great experience. Made me so excited for General Conference. And I just know that Elder Bednar is an apostle of the Lord! You can just tell the difference between him and our leaders and the leaders of the world, and the difference that priesthood authority makes.
Ok, besidesss that. Well this week was good. So, we had a great great week last week, adn then this past week kind of started slow. Sister Watkins thinks it's because we became Zoramite-esque and got too prideful, and so then we had to be humbled again...that's a missionary explanation for you :) Anyways, Sister Watkins is really great. One thing about Sister Watkins that I think I've realized, is I'm pretty sure she is one of the most genuinely happy people I've ever met. Being with someone 24/7, you normally see the up's and down's, but she is the type of person that has really made the choice to be happy 24/7, and I'm learning a lot from that example.
So, Paz family is the update. So...they're a family that comes from such humble, humble circumstances, and they've turned out to be this unexpected miracle. Leticia was actually a TTI that I did in my last area...it lasted all of 30 seconds, a miracle street contact in which she just accepted missionaries whole-heartedly. Didn't think much would come from it, but now we're teaching her incredible sons and they're so great. They don't have more than like 2 or 3 shirts each, and they come to church in whatever they have. Their light has been cut from their house for about 2 weeks, and they read their BOM in the dark with a flashlight.
We had a great lesson with them this last week...we went with a member, and Leticia has had an injured foot since February. The member told her she had a boot thing she could borrow, and so the member decided to go get it for her in the middle of the lesson. The member comes back liek 15 minutes later, with not just the boot, but also water, flashlights, juices, shampoos, soaps, everything for this struggling family. They were soo grateful, and us as missionaries were so grateful, because we can't always do that stuff, but members can. And it just showed the love that the member had for them, and they were so receptive to it. The next day, we were going to the VC with them, and we show up before the lesson adn they are all ready to go, so excited. Leticia got all dressed up for it. We had a member take them in his car, which is this like decked out suburban, and the little boys hop in the car and start yelling "We're going to Hollywood! We're going to Hollywood!" sooo precious and heartbreaking at the same time! So, they went to the VC and we did God's Armor and they loved it.
THennnn...on Sunday they came to church! Except Leticia had to work which makes me so sad because her sons are awesome but they're going to need to support to make it (makes me think of 9 yr old Cesar all over again). But the boys came, and guess what...it was the primary program! And they got up and sang with them and they loooooved it! They were sooo happy. And it was so cute, they were there in their like shirts and shorts, surrounded by this sea of white shirts and ties, and they couldn't tell the difference I dont think. So cute (and we'll work on the shirts haha)
Anyways, so that's that. There's much more I'm sure. OH, Jose, our golden investigator, went like 100% different and we're not teaching him any more...I'll tell you the story some time haha. Anyways, that was a poor choice of what note to end on, but I must be off. Ok, love you all! Thanks for your support, be safe and have a great week! Love, Sister Fors
I don't know where the time goes and here I am with just a few minutes to write to you. Thanks for your emails! I think my family is just getting more and more jet-setter with every week...Dad's in Paris. Not just that, but the kitchen is going to have granite counter tops! The Fors family is moving up in the world hahaha :).
Ok, so, to explain the subject line. Yes, Elder Bednar came and talked to us. And, yes, he referred to me as "Elder" instead of "Sister" in front of the entire mission. Hahahaha....I won't lie, I'm not embarrassed, rather, I think I'm honored.
Ok, so, the morning with Elder Bednar was SO good. So good. I guess I won't tell you everything, in part because he specifically advised us against writing home every single detail to have our moms publish it on a blog for the whole world to see, but I'll still tell you about it. So, I'm not sure if you all know, but Elder Bednar is huge on doing Q&A sessions when he speaks with people. He does it everywhere, and he did it with us! So, we had two talks of his that we had to read before he came..."Ask in Faith" and "Seek Learning by Faith". So, we had all read those, and for the 1st half of the 3 hrs he was asking us questions...basically just like "What did you learn?" along with follow up questions. He did this all in what he calls "the pattern", which is basically the form of learning by the Spirit as we're in this open discussion. Then the 2nd half of the session we got to ask him questions. He was basically like "Never again will you be in this closed setting where you'll get to ask an apostle of the Lord anything you'd like with this few of people." and he gave us some guidelines and we asked away. So people asked questions like how we could have a more powerful temple experience, how we could apply the Atonement as missionaries, his definition of a "consecrated missionary", how keys work, stuff like that. So, I will say I participated a bit in the 1st half...hence why he called me elder. When I first raised my hand he was like "Elder!" and I laughed and stood up and everyone laughed and he was like "Now, I know the difference! Sister!" So, what an honor. Anyways, it was SUCH a cool experience. He taught us how to teach as he taught us. And all of us received completely different insights, many of which were completely unrelated to what was actually verbally being said. He talked a lot about treating people as agents, rather than objects. It made me think about how I need to learn that Heavenly Father respects our agency and wants us to use it, he trusts us, and we should trust ourselves and others as well. I've been thinking a lot about trust recently, and I realize that on my mission sometimes I feel like I'm quick to not trust people, which is sad. So I'm trying to learn how to get that back. Anyways, such a great experience. Made me so excited for General Conference. And I just know that Elder Bednar is an apostle of the Lord! You can just tell the difference between him and our leaders and the leaders of the world, and the difference that priesthood authority makes.
Ok, besidesss that. Well this week was good. So, we had a great great week last week, adn then this past week kind of started slow. Sister Watkins thinks it's because we became Zoramite-esque and got too prideful, and so then we had to be humbled again...that's a missionary explanation for you :) Anyways, Sister Watkins is really great. One thing about Sister Watkins that I think I've realized, is I'm pretty sure she is one of the most genuinely happy people I've ever met. Being with someone 24/7, you normally see the up's and down's, but she is the type of person that has really made the choice to be happy 24/7, and I'm learning a lot from that example.
So, Paz family is the update. So...they're a family that comes from such humble, humble circumstances, and they've turned out to be this unexpected miracle. Leticia was actually a TTI that I did in my last area...it lasted all of 30 seconds, a miracle street contact in which she just accepted missionaries whole-heartedly. Didn't think much would come from it, but now we're teaching her incredible sons and they're so great. They don't have more than like 2 or 3 shirts each, and they come to church in whatever they have. Their light has been cut from their house for about 2 weeks, and they read their BOM in the dark with a flashlight.
We had a great lesson with them this last week...we went with a member, and Leticia has had an injured foot since February. The member told her she had a boot thing she could borrow, and so the member decided to go get it for her in the middle of the lesson. The member comes back liek 15 minutes later, with not just the boot, but also water, flashlights, juices, shampoos, soaps, everything for this struggling family. They were soo grateful, and us as missionaries were so grateful, because we can't always do that stuff, but members can. And it just showed the love that the member had for them, and they were so receptive to it. The next day, we were going to the VC with them, and we show up before the lesson adn they are all ready to go, so excited. Leticia got all dressed up for it. We had a member take them in his car, which is this like decked out suburban, and the little boys hop in the car and start yelling "We're going to Hollywood! We're going to Hollywood!" sooo precious and heartbreaking at the same time! So, they went to the VC and we did God's Armor and they loved it.
THennnn...on Sunday they came to church! Except Leticia had to work which makes me so sad because her sons are awesome but they're going to need to support to make it (makes me think of 9 yr old Cesar all over again). But the boys came, and guess what...it was the primary program! And they got up and sang with them and they loooooved it! They were sooo happy. And it was so cute, they were there in their like shirts and shorts, surrounded by this sea of white shirts and ties, and they couldn't tell the difference I dont think. So cute (and we'll work on the shirts haha)
Anyways, so that's that. There's much more I'm sure. OH, Jose, our golden investigator, went like 100% different and we're not teaching him any more...I'll tell you the story some time haha. Anyways, that was a poor choice of what note to end on, but I must be off. Ok, love you all! Thanks for your support, be safe and have a great week! Love, Sister Fors
Pictures from September 17, 2012
With Elder Fuiava in a wheelchair race
With Elder Neely in a wheelchair race
Lenny's burgers on P-day
Outside the apartment house -- so cose to the temple!
At the science museum on P-day with Sis. Watkins
Science museum
Also in the science museum -- fun on the mission!
September 17, 2012
Hi Familia Fors,
Thank you for the emails and the photos! Good to hear you're all doing well. Dad, I read your email and I definitely know "Sister La Pierre". That is so funny! Tell her I say hi, and that I'm so glad that she decided to go on a mission! I think she might have known the Palmers in Boston? Or I might be making that up. Also, I forgot to mention, Sis Watkins grew up in New Canaan til she was 12, and she knows none other than the Morgan Edwards family! Hahaha I had to laugh. Anyways, the small LDS world continues.
Ok, so this will probably be a shorter email. I sent it later in the day because today for our zone activity we went to the Science Museum in downtown Phoenix! So much fun. It was so fun to be in a city and to jump around in pants and have fun.
Ok, but the pictures will explain all of that. Alright...this week! Was really good, again...the work in this area is all over the place. We set 6 baptismal dates this past week, found 7 new investigators, and had 17 member present lessons (I doubt any of those numbers mean anything to you, but it was great).
Ok, so Jose was doing great great great, until this morning he didn't show up for his lesson! Which worries me, because he kind of had a mixed experience at church yesterday. But he is so great. We taught him the Word of Wisdom, and he gave up coffee that day. The next morning we met with him, and he was like "Alright, what's next? I figure I have to give up something to gain something, so tell me what else I got to get rid of." haha we were like "no that's it!" Then, we finalized his baptismal date, and I was like "Will you prepare to be baptized on October 6th?" and he was like "Well...isn't that what we're doing here? Preparing me to get baptized? What do I need to do, like buy a notebook or something?" hahahha he's so great. But, he kinda was mixed about church..he said he's used to going to churches where they're singing and dancing all over, and so he even said he felt kind of sad afterwards. We'll see what happens.
What else..gah family there are just so many miracles that happen every day. I feel like I can't express the weird mindset of a mission...you see a miracle like every single hour, but then there are so many, and there are so many thoughts constantly running through your head, that you forget about them so quickly. Kind of a bummer, but I will tell you that the miracles are there!
We had one last night. We were going to go to the charla fogonera and then nobody ended up wanting to go, and I was kind of bummed out, but it was for good reason. We stopped by our investigator Evelyn's house instead. We knock on the door and she answers and goes "Why didn't you call me today? Let's go to the Visitor's Center!" hahaha we didn't even have an appt with her, and we've been trying to get her to the Visitors Center for weeks, with no success. So we're like...Alright! She hops in the car and we head over, and get a member there last minute, and have a great lesson with her. We set a baptismal date with her right then and there! Sacrifice brings forth blessings, I tell you.
What else...the other day we were trying to find an investigator and saw this lady trying to get a sofa into her apt with her 2 kids helping. We helped out, and she fed us afterwards. We started talking and she tells us about how they just moved from Mex 14 mos ago, her husband had a stroke on Dec 24 last year, and they've just been struggling. So we started teaching them and they're great!
Que mas...no me acuerdo. Also set a date with Joe, a 14 yr old, and his mom, and he is so great, really wants to turn his life around. Anyways, short and scattered, but I ilove you all! Sister Fors
Thank you for the emails and the photos! Good to hear you're all doing well. Dad, I read your email and I definitely know "Sister La Pierre". That is so funny! Tell her I say hi, and that I'm so glad that she decided to go on a mission! I think she might have known the Palmers in Boston? Or I might be making that up. Also, I forgot to mention, Sis Watkins grew up in New Canaan til she was 12, and she knows none other than the Morgan Edwards family! Hahaha I had to laugh. Anyways, the small LDS world continues.
Ok, so this will probably be a shorter email. I sent it later in the day because today for our zone activity we went to the Science Museum in downtown Phoenix! So much fun. It was so fun to be in a city and to jump around in pants and have fun.
Ok, but the pictures will explain all of that. Alright...this week! Was really good, again...the work in this area is all over the place. We set 6 baptismal dates this past week, found 7 new investigators, and had 17 member present lessons (I doubt any of those numbers mean anything to you, but it was great).
Ok, so Jose was doing great great great, until this morning he didn't show up for his lesson! Which worries me, because he kind of had a mixed experience at church yesterday. But he is so great. We taught him the Word of Wisdom, and he gave up coffee that day. The next morning we met with him, and he was like "Alright, what's next? I figure I have to give up something to gain something, so tell me what else I got to get rid of." haha we were like "no that's it!" Then, we finalized his baptismal date, and I was like "Will you prepare to be baptized on October 6th?" and he was like "Well...isn't that what we're doing here? Preparing me to get baptized? What do I need to do, like buy a notebook or something?" hahahha he's so great. But, he kinda was mixed about church..he said he's used to going to churches where they're singing and dancing all over, and so he even said he felt kind of sad afterwards. We'll see what happens.
What else..gah family there are just so many miracles that happen every day. I feel like I can't express the weird mindset of a mission...you see a miracle like every single hour, but then there are so many, and there are so many thoughts constantly running through your head, that you forget about them so quickly. Kind of a bummer, but I will tell you that the miracles are there!
We had one last night. We were going to go to the charla fogonera and then nobody ended up wanting to go, and I was kind of bummed out, but it was for good reason. We stopped by our investigator Evelyn's house instead. We knock on the door and she answers and goes "Why didn't you call me today? Let's go to the Visitor's Center!" hahaha we didn't even have an appt with her, and we've been trying to get her to the Visitors Center for weeks, with no success. So we're like...Alright! She hops in the car and we head over, and get a member there last minute, and have a great lesson with her. We set a baptismal date with her right then and there! Sacrifice brings forth blessings, I tell you.
What else...the other day we were trying to find an investigator and saw this lady trying to get a sofa into her apt with her 2 kids helping. We helped out, and she fed us afterwards. We started talking and she tells us about how they just moved from Mex 14 mos ago, her husband had a stroke on Dec 24 last year, and they've just been struggling. So we started teaching them and they're great!
Que mas...no me acuerdo. Also set a date with Joe, a 14 yr old, and his mom, and he is so great, really wants to turn his life around. Anyways, short and scattered, but I ilove you all! Sister Fors
September 10, 2012
Hello Family!
Well hey there folks. I was looking back at the email I sent you last week, and sorry I didn't really get a chance to write a lot to you. All you got to hear about was the sing-off! And I didn't even really get a chance to explain just how hilarious/memorable/powerful that experience was, but I hope you got the idea haha, and I also hope that I didn't come across like I was putting the other people down at all, they were great. Anywho..ni modo, this week!
Well, this week was also great. Saw some good miracles. We're seeing a lot of really good work in this area, and we're still busy busy busy, working right up until it's time for bed, with still lots to do. Sister Watkins is really great...she's super hard working, really focused on her purpose and our goals and doesn't let things distract her from it. She's just got a solid head on her shoulders. I feel like I'm learning a lot this transfer, and it's definitely been humbling, which I think I said before. Where I feel like I'm not training at all, rather I am being trained! I'm learning how to swallow my pride and to accept when I am the one that needs to change or improve. There's a quote that I like, that says that pride is concerned with who is right, rather than what is right. So, let's just say, it is not easy, and every day on the mission you just have to deal with the fact that you're going to be humbled, and you're going to need to change, and all of that..so, I'm just learning how to do all of that! Every single day! Hahaha.
Ok, so there's my insight of the day. Don't worry, I just know that I can't send you a Sister Fors email without including one of those. Ok, so what all happened. Ok, so we had 4 baptismal dates at one point this week...then that dropped down to 3. Haha...so, our investigator Juan, who was my street contact from my old area who I thought was greaaat and was reading the Book of Mormon and everything. Well, on Wednesday I think it was...we went to his place to meet his novia, to see if we could start teaching the family. So we taught her a little bit about the Book of Mormon, then set up a return appt. That night, we texted Juan seeing when we could visit him. Then he texts us back, telling us that he's joined a soccer team, and is no longer interested! I think one of the adversary's biggest tools with Hispanic men is futbol, no? So, poor Juan...we're hoping to visit him again, and see if we can try to resolve some of his doubts.
Ok, so, miracle investigator of the week...Hno Jose! Ok, so, Sis Slater and Christensen are the other sisters we live with. Last pday they met a guy outside of the supermarket and gave him an invite to the VC. The next morning, he shows up! Then he shows up the next morning too! Turns out, he lives in our area, but is currently living at a halfway house that doesn't accept visitors, so we can only teach him at the Visitors Center. But we're teaching him every day at the VC from 9-9:30 am. So perfect! Ok, and this man is SO great. I just think he's great. He is super solid, speaks both English and Spanish, had a family and everything, and then it all got lost when he got into some addictions. So, now he's trying to turn his life around. He accepted a baptismal date at the first lesson. He prayed at the end of the lesson...and his prayer was soo great. He prayed for us, he prayed for the drug addicts, the homeless, etc...he prayed for his kids, he even prayed for his ex-wife (and later on prayed for her new husband, too.) This guy is SO humble. I told him at the end of one of our lessons, that I feel like he is teaching us, rather than us teaching him. Unfortunately, he just has a lot of confusion, because he wants to get closer to God, but he feels like he's being pulled in a bunch of diff directions. On Saturday, we thought he was going to easily accept going to church, then he told us that his sister had actually invited him to her church, and that he was going to go home and pray about it to know which church he should go to. So, that day we were praying that he'd come to our church...and then he ended up calling us and telling us that he was going to go with his sister. But, we realized that everything happens for a reason, and that sometimes the Lord answers people's prayers differently than we expect. So, a ver que pasa. But this guy is great, he's so humble and just so much fun to teach.
So that's that. Other investigator is Gloria. She's the mom of a lady returning to activity (the one we were teaching when the sing-off took place). We didn't really think she was interested, but Saturday we had an appt w/ her, and we were going to help her to make tamales. So, we made tamales with her, and as we were doing that we taught her the first lesson, and it went so well! She was just really receptive and talked about how she's felt the Spirit at certain times and all of that. And so she showed up to church the next day! Good stuff. Then that night we went and saw JSPR with her and her daughter and grandkids. It was hilarious...they got there late, so we had to sneak into the theatre, right as the First Vision scene was going on. So we were sneaking in, doing anything but being quiet, like we're all bumping around and trying to get situated. Then, her and her daughter were like making hilarious commentary the whole time...when the "grown" Joseph Smith shows up in the movie for the first time, Gloria was like "oooooh! que guapo!" and went off about how we need to find a husband like him that we can learn to make tamales for. Hahaha, I love our investigators. So, at the end of the movie she was just crying and talking about how sad it was to see how people rejected the truth. Anyways, she's so good! Unfortunately, her circumstances are a little unique, she's only here temporarily and her husband's in Mexico, so we're trying to figure out when she could get baptized.
Que mas...oh, so on Sep 22nd we have a "special meeting" going on in the mission. All we know is that it's on a Saturday morning (prime proselyting time...suspicious), that we need to look our best and have our shoes shined/suits drycleaned, etc, and that we need to read 2 talks by Elder Bednar before then. Any guesses? I'm thinking we might be having a visit from our good friend Elder David A Bednar on that day...I'm excited!
Que mas...so, our ward is having a camping trip this coming weekend, and we're trying to get people to go to it. Still undecided whether or not we'll go...we're trying to make a wise decision, hahaha and I guess since I've already had a Payson experience once, I'm fine either way.
Que mas...oh, so on Saturday we had TEN lessons planned...way more than ever before. But only TWO went thru! So sad. But, we had a cool experience at the end of the night. We helped a lady take in her groceries, and ended up saying a prayer w/ her family, and prayed for their son who is handicap and all of that and it was so good. So, a tender mercy..
Anyways, so scattered...but I must be off. I love you all! I'm so grateful for all the experiences I'm having, and it reminds me that it's worth the hard times. Love you! Sister Fors
Well hey there folks. I was looking back at the email I sent you last week, and sorry I didn't really get a chance to write a lot to you. All you got to hear about was the sing-off! And I didn't even really get a chance to explain just how hilarious/memorable/powerful that experience was, but I hope you got the idea haha, and I also hope that I didn't come across like I was putting the other people down at all, they were great. Anywho..ni modo, this week!
Well, this week was also great. Saw some good miracles. We're seeing a lot of really good work in this area, and we're still busy busy busy, working right up until it's time for bed, with still lots to do. Sister Watkins is really great...she's super hard working, really focused on her purpose and our goals and doesn't let things distract her from it. She's just got a solid head on her shoulders. I feel like I'm learning a lot this transfer, and it's definitely been humbling, which I think I said before. Where I feel like I'm not training at all, rather I am being trained! I'm learning how to swallow my pride and to accept when I am the one that needs to change or improve. There's a quote that I like, that says that pride is concerned with who is right, rather than what is right. So, let's just say, it is not easy, and every day on the mission you just have to deal with the fact that you're going to be humbled, and you're going to need to change, and all of that..so, I'm just learning how to do all of that! Every single day! Hahaha.
Ok, so there's my insight of the day. Don't worry, I just know that I can't send you a Sister Fors email without including one of those. Ok, so what all happened. Ok, so we had 4 baptismal dates at one point this week...then that dropped down to 3. Haha...so, our investigator Juan, who was my street contact from my old area who I thought was greaaat and was reading the Book of Mormon and everything. Well, on Wednesday I think it was...we went to his place to meet his novia, to see if we could start teaching the family. So we taught her a little bit about the Book of Mormon, then set up a return appt. That night, we texted Juan seeing when we could visit him. Then he texts us back, telling us that he's joined a soccer team, and is no longer interested! I think one of the adversary's biggest tools with Hispanic men is futbol, no? So, poor Juan...we're hoping to visit him again, and see if we can try to resolve some of his doubts.
Ok, so, miracle investigator of the week...Hno Jose! Ok, so, Sis Slater and Christensen are the other sisters we live with. Last pday they met a guy outside of the supermarket and gave him an invite to the VC. The next morning, he shows up! Then he shows up the next morning too! Turns out, he lives in our area, but is currently living at a halfway house that doesn't accept visitors, so we can only teach him at the Visitors Center. But we're teaching him every day at the VC from 9-9:30 am. So perfect! Ok, and this man is SO great. I just think he's great. He is super solid, speaks both English and Spanish, had a family and everything, and then it all got lost when he got into some addictions. So, now he's trying to turn his life around. He accepted a baptismal date at the first lesson. He prayed at the end of the lesson...and his prayer was soo great. He prayed for us, he prayed for the drug addicts, the homeless, etc...he prayed for his kids, he even prayed for his ex-wife (and later on prayed for her new husband, too.) This guy is SO humble. I told him at the end of one of our lessons, that I feel like he is teaching us, rather than us teaching him. Unfortunately, he just has a lot of confusion, because he wants to get closer to God, but he feels like he's being pulled in a bunch of diff directions. On Saturday, we thought he was going to easily accept going to church, then he told us that his sister had actually invited him to her church, and that he was going to go home and pray about it to know which church he should go to. So, that day we were praying that he'd come to our church...and then he ended up calling us and telling us that he was going to go with his sister. But, we realized that everything happens for a reason, and that sometimes the Lord answers people's prayers differently than we expect. So, a ver que pasa. But this guy is great, he's so humble and just so much fun to teach.
So that's that. Other investigator is Gloria. She's the mom of a lady returning to activity (the one we were teaching when the sing-off took place). We didn't really think she was interested, but Saturday we had an appt w/ her, and we were going to help her to make tamales. So, we made tamales with her, and as we were doing that we taught her the first lesson, and it went so well! She was just really receptive and talked about how she's felt the Spirit at certain times and all of that. And so she showed up to church the next day! Good stuff. Then that night we went and saw JSPR with her and her daughter and grandkids. It was hilarious...they got there late, so we had to sneak into the theatre, right as the First Vision scene was going on. So we were sneaking in, doing anything but being quiet, like we're all bumping around and trying to get situated. Then, her and her daughter were like making hilarious commentary the whole time...when the "grown" Joseph Smith shows up in the movie for the first time, Gloria was like "oooooh! que guapo!" and went off about how we need to find a husband like him that we can learn to make tamales for. Hahaha, I love our investigators. So, at the end of the movie she was just crying and talking about how sad it was to see how people rejected the truth. Anyways, she's so good! Unfortunately, her circumstances are a little unique, she's only here temporarily and her husband's in Mexico, so we're trying to figure out when she could get baptized.
Que mas...oh, so on Sep 22nd we have a "special meeting" going on in the mission. All we know is that it's on a Saturday morning (prime proselyting time...suspicious), that we need to look our best and have our shoes shined/suits drycleaned, etc, and that we need to read 2 talks by Elder Bednar before then. Any guesses? I'm thinking we might be having a visit from our good friend Elder David A Bednar on that day...I'm excited!
Que mas...so, our ward is having a camping trip this coming weekend, and we're trying to get people to go to it. Still undecided whether or not we'll go...we're trying to make a wise decision, hahaha and I guess since I've already had a Payson experience once, I'm fine either way.
Que mas...oh, so on Saturday we had TEN lessons planned...way more than ever before. But only TWO went thru! So sad. But, we had a cool experience at the end of the night. We helped a lady take in her groceries, and ended up saying a prayer w/ her family, and prayed for their son who is handicap and all of that and it was so good. So, a tender mercy..
Anyways, so scattered...but I must be off. I love you all! I'm so grateful for all the experiences I'm having, and it reminds me that it's worth the hard times. Love you! Sister Fors
Pictures from September 3, 2012
Going crazy after weekly planning!
Bahama Bucks
Familia Casianos
Familia Casianos
Hermana Dolores Galindo from Liahona 1
Marta Sanchez from Liahona 1
Sports activity with the zone
Familia Sierra from Liahona 1
Hermana Solarzano goes home
New companion Sis. Watkins (center) and Sis. Lopez
Zone Conference
Zone picture
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