Leaving H2--4 July 2015

This was my last week in this area. I can't even believe how fast the time flies!!! and I have been here for almost a year!!! I've loved every second. The good and the bad!!

We've been able to find a lot of amazing people this week, so Hermana Burger will be able to work with them and help them progress. I'm really excited for her to take over the area because I know this is what she needs!! She will be able to progress and really notice how much she has improved. Sometimes that's all you need. 

We went to the temple with Jorge this week!!!!! It was so amazing!!!!! He is so happy. The gospel has changed him and he knows it. He tells me all the time and his family tells him that as well :) that makes me SO HAPPY!!!!! 

We went to a baptism of a referral we gave to the elders. He is soooo cool. God definitely prepared him and it was so fun to be invited to go see it. 

Also fun district trip to the zoo!!! one of the best p days ever!!!

I really don't have too much to say. It hasn't quite hit me yet that I will be leaving soon, but sometimes that I really have been thinking about praying about it is accepting that I am leaving and know that it will be great when I get home. Here on the mission you have so many special experiences and you grow to love so many people that it's so hard to leave. But there is life after this one. The mission really prepares you for life. 

I have learned so much. I've learned how to follow God's will; how to never give up even in the crazy heat we have; how to help others change their lives through the gospel, and so much more. I never could've asked for a greater opportunity. It's so crazy to me to think that God gives the salvation of his children to a bunch of 20 year old young adults, but that's because God is interested in the salvation of all of his children. He wants us to progress and I know that if we give ourselves completely to him, we can have that blessing. 

I've truly come to know my Savior here. I know that through Him, I can make it back to my heavenly home. God wants all of us there, He wants me there because I am His daughter. No matter what, I am His. I just accept Him or not. 

I know that this is the church that Jesus Christ made. There is not other way to make it back to God's presence. There are so many good people, and there are good churches, but only one has the power and the authority to perform the things we need to enter into God's presence. Through the power in the church, we can be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and continually renew those things through the sacrament. We can go to the temple and receive knowledge and make other covenants that lead us back to God and help us focus our lives. We can have an eternal family. 

I left my recent convert family last night and what I shared with them I want to share with you. First some questions:

Why do we have to keep enduring in a race? 

So then why do we have to keep enduring in the gospel? 

It may seem obvious, but so many people don't realize that enduring to the end in a race is the same thing we need to do in the gospel. We can't lose this race though and the wonderful thing is that everyone who makes it to the end, wins the prize. It doesn't matter when they started or if they got off track for a second, EVERYONE who makes it to the end gets to live with God. This is the most important thing. I expect to see all of my converts and companions and family to be in the celestial kingdom. I will do all I can to make it there. Whatever God asks is what I will do. 

I love this gospel. I love the Book of Mormon. I love that God can talk to me through its words. I know that He answers my prayers because He wants to help me. I've seen that so much on my mission. This is God's work. He wants His kids to come back to Him. I know this is true. I know it. I live it. I love it. and I love all of you. See you on the 15th!!!! :)

My last week in this area.... 27 June 2016

So next time I write you, I will be about to go to the mission office and then traveling training.... How crazy is that? I'm not quite sure what to think about it. I've been here about 11 months. This has been almost my whole mission. and I've absolutely loved it :) The people are so wonderful.

They threw me a surprise farewell this past week actually and I am completely oblivious to everything.... Hermana Calvert (the relief society president) asked me to teach the hermanas how to lead music and so I thought of course I can do that. I really believed that I was going to do just that, but then I was there and I saw all these people coming in and lots and lots of food, and well, it was a little fiesta. They were so sweet. I may have teared up a little bit :) I'll probably be a wreck when I say goodbye to everyone! Or the complete opposite. Who knows with me? haha

One of the hermanas gave me the COOLEST bag from Guatemala. I LOVE IT!!!!!!! I'll have to send a picture of it. THAT IS ALL I WANTED!!!!! WHOOOOOOT! and then one day I will visit all these countries and get even more cool things and be with the people. One day it will happen:)

AMAZING THING!! YOU WILL NEVER GUESS WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!!! I GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE WITH JORGE!!!! I mean it's not for his endowment or anything, but I get to go do baptisms this saturday!!!!! That's all I wanted and a perfect way to end my normal time in the mission. 

Crazy busy week. I had 2 exchanges and a training at Zone Meeting and then I had a musical number at a devotional, but the coolest thing ever: I GOT TO TRANSLATE. for like 45 minutes!!!!!! I LOVE LANGUAGES!!!!!

Something I loved that I learned in Stake Conference is that Life depends on a Choice. Follow God or Satan. That's how it has always been. Even in the Pre-Mortal life we had that one choice. God or Satan. We may think of course I'm picking God, who wouldn't? But are we really?? Are we really choosing Him and keeping His commandments? If not, I would invite all of us to take a look and really figure out who we are choosing. :) it's made me reflect a lot on that. 

Said bye to some awesome people in Houston 1. I know them pretty well because I've been here for a billion stake things haha, there is a picture below with missionaries and 2 of my friends from H1 (Christian y Kiko) 

Love the mission. Love this area. Love the people. I know I will miss my recent converts and all the friends I have made, but I know they need someone else. It's time for someone else to come in and for Hermana Burger to take over. She'll do great and I know that will help her more than anything. God really gave me the wonderful chance to be here for so long and just to grow and love these people. They are so special and I just want to stay close friends with them. But more than anything whatever happens, i want to see them in the Celestial Kingdom. So that means I have to get there and they have to do the same. The good thing is with your mission ending, you can still encourage them and pray for them. The mission doesn't end here of course, it goes on for the rest of your life. (but more to come on later emails :) haha

I don't know if I will email next week.... i don't understand what is going on with that because I am going to the mission office and then heading out to be a traveling trainer, so I guess I'll find out later!!

Love you tons!!!!!! :)

20 June 2016

This week we have been finding like crazy!!!! It's been really fun just going up and talking to everyone. Sometimes they are nice and other times..... not so much. But one thing I love is that every time someone says no, it just means you are closer to the person that will say yes!! Good things to come :)

This week we are going to have a zone meeting and be talking a lot about the apostasy. One thing as a mission that we are really trying to get down is being able to teach and explain that Christ truly established his church and gave his apostles the authority to teach and baptize, but that was lost. If our investigators understand that an apostasy happened, then they know they need to find the church again. 

It's really helped thinking about it in a personal way. As I have been studying it, I was just reminded that every person has had their own personal apostasy. They've all had a time in their life when they have felt completely lost and we can relate that to the time after the apostles and Christ died. What did the people lose? They lost their guides. They had no one to run the church. It also answers a question about why there are so many churches in this world right now if Christ only had one. Christ formed a perfect church that was the only way to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ (which is the whole point of the church!) but without it, there was no way for people to get back to live with them again. People still wanted to, so they formed their own churches, but none of them are the way to get back. But thankfully now through the restoration of the church and God calling Joseph Smith as a prophet, we can have the blessing of having the church, the full gospel of Christ, and we can be baptized!!

But what does this mean for us? Those who already know all this?? Well, we actually have to act and let the gospel and the knowledge we have change us!! We have to put God first and help everyone see the difference and know how to get back to God. The saddest thing to see is when people don't accept or just don't know because there is no other way to have eternal life. Not for them and not for us!! 

But now time for some miracles!!! Remember the guy I said that we met that one time and then gave him as a referral to the elders? He is getting baptized in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! He is so prepared!!!! When the elders texted me that I was so pumped!!! There truly are prepared people in this world :)

I just read an email from Nate Rasmussen about him going home (which I can't believe by the way) and wow. It kind of broke my heart a little bit! He talked about how your mission is your home. Your mission and the people here are your family too. Super true. Man, I will be a wreck when I leave!!! 

But we aren't going to think about that for a while because I still have a lot of time!!!! :) haha 

The mission is amazing. The hard times make the good ones all the better. That's the same with life as well!! The gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior. Love you all so much!!! Talk to you next week :)

13 June 2016

Just wanted to send some miracles your way!!! Yesterday none of our investigators came to church, but 3 people that I met 8 months ago came back from Mexico and they went to church!!!!!!!!!! How amazing is that???? They remembered where the chapel was and they just decided to go!!! Super cool!!!! Also, another guy who some missionaries just invited to church, (they weren't even teaching him) came!! and he wants to take the lessons and everything!!!! Such a miracle!! God is so good to his kids. 

Life is good. The mission is the best. Love you all!!

Buenos Dias!!! 6 June 2016

Friends from Kemah:

We had an amazing week!!! Heidee and her husband came to church!!!!! Whooooooo!!! They are so cool. She even brought the pamplets, Book of Mormon, and a notebook to write on. She has a date, so she will definitely be prepared for that!!! We are extending her husband a date soon, so they can both be baptized on the same day. 

Also Emilio came to church again!! He is just a solid guy. He does what he says he will. His kids couldn't come because they were with the mom, but they are still amazing. Reading like 45 minutes everyday in the book of mormon. They're already way ahead of where I was, and I grew up in the church!!!

IRIS CAME TO CHURCH!!!!!!!! She hasn't been able to go in forever, but now she will be going to church every Sunday and WE CAN GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!!!!!! :):):):):):) that's all I wanted!!!!! Heavenly Father is the best. I was so happy when she got to partake of the sacrament (that sounds weird I know, but I was so excited for that) because she was able to renew her covenants and now the Spirit will be stronger with her. Such a blessing, and I know she will be able to see the difference in her life. 

Also random thing, Favio and Milton from Kemah came here! So fun to see them (pictures to come)

I never realized how important visiting teacher and home teachers are. (well, I guess I know the home teachers because we have had the absolutely best people on the planet as our home teachers :) but how many people truly need them. Some situations are very hard, but with just a little bit of support, it can make the world of difference. If you have any suggestions on how to help the ward with their home teaching and getting them motivated to do it, let me know!

I was so blessed to be able to go to an MLC with Elder Robbins of the 70. Oh my goodness. I learned sooooooooooo much. He took a lot of what he taught from a book called Love is a Choice. I would suggest that you read it because it sounds awesome. 

My favorite thing that I learned (again) was called the anti-responsibility list and it really hit me that I have been on that list WAY too much. So I will explain it to you:)

What things do we do to avoid responsibility? 

~blame         ~find excuses       ~hide/cover up      ~justify/ rationalize          ~procrastinate

~murmur       ~Enabler (helping others be on this list)

There are so many more, but those are some of the basics. How many times do you find ourselves in one of those? How many times do we know what we need to do, but we don't do it or we blame someone else for what we didn't do. 

But why do we want to get off that? That's the only way to unlock our true potential and to have better lasting relationships with whomever. 

The wonderful thing about that though, is we have the perfect example of the complete opposite of the anti-responsibility list and the person who was always right, who never did anything wrong, but who had every single wrongdoing possible done to Him and He still thought about others. Jesus Christ is our perfect example of how to not be on the list and how to better our relationships. 

Wow, I wish I could explain everything Elder Robbins taught, but you should read the book because he explains it SO much better than I do :)

I love you all so much! The gospel (faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, and endure to the end) is true. I promise you, God can do more with you than you can. I've seen it and I've lived it:) Have a great week!! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you!!!!

31 May 2016

I always get to my email and then forget every single thing that happened this week...... it's bad. Time just goes by so fast.

But Emilio and his family have set their date and marked it on the calendar!!!! It was the best thing on the planet. The kids are so excited :) my goodness, they are so prepared. It's so cool that a family will be able to be baptized because that's what you want!!! 

We have found some really good people lately. They've accepted dates as well, so we are working with them to get them to church (and they already told us they wanted to go even before we invited them!! milagro!!)

I'm really excited that we are so busy. it's really not us, just the people here are so prepared. It's such a blessing. And even if we don't have set citas, there are always people to talk to. Definitely getting over any kind of qualms with that. But it's easier to oym people in Spanish rather than English. English people scare me..... it's so different!!! hahah

I have some amazing experiences with prayer though. Heavenly Father has been answering so quickly, I can't even handle it. All I do is ask for something and then He gives it to me. I feel so blessed for that. Heavenly Father knows what you need and what you don't for sure. 

The gospel changes lives. Every second on my mission I am reminded of that. Heavenly Father has the perfect plan for us to live with Him again. All we have to do is decide to follow it. He's given us all the tools and He blesses us so much just when we take little steps of faith. I love seeing my recent converts and my investigators make those changes necessary in the lives and seeing the light that comes out. 

The gospel is true! It is the only way to get back to live with our Heavenly Father and only through the ordinances of the Priesthood can we fully have the gospel and accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives. I know that's true and that as we give ourselves to their Lord, we find ourselves :) LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!! 

p.s. I will send pictures later because I need to get them from Elder Spjute

HAZEL GOT BAPTIZED--23 May 2016

So Kasey is now flying in on July 15 not July 19.  



So Hazel (actually spelled Hassell) got baptized!!!! She's so cute. Love her lots :)

 

Guess what. You'll never guess who is staying in the same area....... me!!!!! I have 9 months here and I'm going to finish it off. That is suuuuuuper long. can you believe it??? I guess there's still some people that need me. but Hermana Hofheins is leaving :( we had three transfers together. It was a a party and i've learned so much from her. way more than she learned from me, let me tell you :) she's a phenomenal missionary already and I can't wait to see what she does the rest of her mission. She'll do some pretty great things. 

I'll finish training Hermana Burger and then she's taking over!! Whooooot. She'll do great as well :) 

Funny thing though: i'm going to be a sister training leader..... surprise. I'm pretty sure i am more surprised than anyone else. i just don't do that, but I guess God has other plans haha :) but it should be good. I'm just excited to learn from everyone else. i just don't know which sister training leader I'm working with because we won't be companions like usual. Quien sabe que pasara. I'll find out soon. 

Sorry I don't have too much to say. Just know I love you all!!!!! Let me know if I can do anything for you!!! :)

THEY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!--17 May 2016

Waiting was so worth it because Jonathan and Adrian got baptized and they are soooooo happy. They are so cute. I love them so much and I know that they will keep going in the church with Manuel and it will be the best thing ever. Love them way too much. The funniest thing is that they saw the jumpsuits and then they started to run around and we had to chase them to get them to put the jumpsuits on. they did not want to do that. (mostly they just love to play around :) haha so funny. it was so special.

one of the miracles of that was we had the baptism planned for 6 that night, but then we had to switch it so the mom could come. At first I didn't want to switch because it threw the ward off, but it was such a blessing! because that very night at about 5 o'clock it started to rain and it flooded (again!!) not as bad as last time, but we were stuck in a house for a while. What a miracle. God really knows when we need to do things. 

TEMPLE TRIP today!!!!!! I love the temple. I wish I could live there. 

We have such an amazing family. They now have dates and they are going to do so wonderfully!!! They keep their commitments, which is phenomenal. That's what we need!!!!! Why are we so blessed!?!??!?!?!

Sorry this email is a little crazy, we have like zero time. :) but funny story. We were biking around after the crazy rain and I tried to go through a huge long mud strip and (i'm sure you can guess) I completely fell in a mud pile. Like movie style. I was so dirty. and then as I was getting up, I was tidal waved by a car. yup. that happened. I wish I had that on camera. One day I will see it again. :)

Love you all!! Remember to pray, read, and go to church!!! CPR!!!! That's how you stay alive :) BYEEEEE!

9 May 2016

So we had a great week this last one!!! But first it was so good to talk to you all. The dance was awesome :) I'm pumped for next year!!!!! Also tell Leslie that I'm excited to talk to her again and that she will be able to acclimate me :) hahah

We had a week of miracles!!!! Okay, to start out, yesterday we were biking to an investigators house and all of a sudden I heard just someone say hola. which happens all the time because Hispanics just call us out because we're gueras, so we waved, but just kept going, but all of a sudden I knew I had to go back. (The spirit!!!!!) and we went back. He was so excited to see us. He said he hoped in his mind that we would come back because he was a member who had just moved from Guatemala, who wanted to find the church, his wife wants to learn about the church, and they want their kids to grow up in it!!!! How amazing is that?? They are coming to church next week and they want us to come by to teach them!!!!!! MIRACLES ARE EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!! :)

We have been so blessed finding people. There are so many people who are ready to hear the gospel. Going to church is a huge problem though. It's like not their culture to go to church. Ever. like Easter and Christmas and that's it. It's so different to see that because you know that Sunday is a day where you go to church and you live the dia de reposo. I really want to have strong converts who never fall away. So I'll do whatever I can, but I know it's their decision. Agency is real, folks. 

but Jonathan and Adrian should be getting baptized this Saturday!!! We still need to confirm it one more time because Manuel went out of town and we have to make sure the kids are going to be there next weekend because they kind of need to be. Pray a lot for them please!!! They're all set, it just depends on if the mom will take them over this weekend. (That is so complicated by the way!)

Now for a funny story. We were trying an old investigator, but he wasn't there, so we decided to try the door next to it. We knocked and this guy let us share a quick message. I almost died of laughter. I could not handle it. There was this guy drunk passed out on the couch. Another guy has a mullet, who just said si, si, si quiero ir a la iglesia and another man just eating cereal in the corner. I don't know why it was so funny, but we were all having a problem keeping a straight face. We got out of there pretty quick haha :)#

Also I'm working with the primary again!!!!!!! That is my favorite thing on the planet. I decided that I will always work with the primary :) but it's that I got to work with them before the mission (even though I was only the pianist, but I saw the difference and what you all did) They definitely need some help with it, and now I am doing the music and helping them do it all :) whoooooo. I love it. #primaryforlife :) yep. I just used a hashtag, look how hip I am..... 

I have been reading Jesus the Christ and it is phenomenal. I have read parts of it, but my goal is before this transfer ends, to finish it in its entirety. It's soooooooooooooooooooooo deep. I love it. You should all read it.  

(also picture of an exchangeish thing we went on. It was awesome. I went on splits with an english sister and I got to translate everything the investigator was saying and then what she wanted to say back. IT WAS SO FUN!!!! I didn't realize how much I loved it :) 

WE HAVE A DISTRICT TEMPLE TRIP AGAIN NEXT P-DAY!!!!! I'm pumped!!!!!!! So I'll write you on Tuesday :)

Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):)::)) 

2 May 2016

TONO got baptized!!!!!! I can't even tell you how happy I am about that!!!!!! :) He was so happy and you can tell there is such a difference in his life!!!! The gospel is true and he is going to be so strong in the church. I'm a little bit happy if you can't tell. 

He also received the gift of the Holy Ghost because, like Elder Bednar said, it's just like baptizing a bag of sand if they don't receive that gift because that's how they truly stay clean. Love that talk. And Karla got the gift of the Holy Ghost as well. So basically it's been one of the best weeks ever. 

Also the kids baptism (Jonathan y Adrian) will be on the 14th. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!! They can have an eternal family!!! and that is our goal!!!!!! 

We found the CUTEST family ever!!!!!!! They have so much potential and they are going to get baptized!!! Lilia, the mom, really needs the gospel. It will help her so much with everything that is going on in her life. Also we are now teaching the granddaughter of one of our members and she should be getting baptized on the 21st!!! She's super shy but super cute:) love her a lot!!!

Love you all!! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you!!!! (also still don't have the photos of Carlos, but I will send them a little later today!!!)

YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!!--April 26, 2016

So yesterday I was freaking out allllllllllllll day because the best thing ever happened!!!!!!!!!!!! Jonathan and Adrian's mom SIGNED THE PAPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY CAN GET BAPTIZED NOW AND WE ARE PLANNING ON HAVING IT THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) HOW AMAZING IS THAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? I love them so much. I am ecstatic that can finally be baptized!!!! They're my favorite kids on the planets!!! Grey I think you all are going to be really good friends :):):):) but how cool right?????? (They're Manuel's kids by the way) and they are going to be an eternal family!!!!! There is nothing better than that :) but yeah, I am so excited!!!!!! I had so much energy yesterday after Manuel told me. WOOOOOOO!!!!

I would take my whole entire email about that, but this week has been one of the craziest, most wonderful weeks ever!!!!!!!!! 

So the flood!!!!!!!!! There were a lot of houses affected. So we are missionaries, we grab our yellow shirts and then we go out and serve all week!!!! It was amazing!!!! I loved it and the people were so nice. I just want them all to be members, but we know that service can help bring people unto God and eventually they will find the true gospel. I learned how to demolish a house pretty much, so if we ever need to do that, I can help out:) haha, but thankfully it wasn't as bad as last year. It covered more area, but it wasn't as severe. Thank goodness. But it was rough because the people who got hit bad last year, got hit again. But God has a plan and maybe it will help them find the gospel!!! Our entire district (7 people) had 175 hours of service. YES!

also TONO IS ALL READY FOR HIS BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS@!!! It's so amazing when you get to be with someone from start to finish because you see the progress and how their testimony grows. He's been going to church and learning for about 5 months and now, HE IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):) how absolutely fantastic!!!!! He's going to be such a strong member because he knows it's true and that he needs this gospel. I am so excited. WHY ARE WE SO BLESSED IN THIS AREA???????? God is really preparing his work here :)

My finger is good. It's basically healed, I can use it and everything, so don't worry about that :) I didn't think it was bad at all, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Also I got hit by a car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahaha, well not totally. We were just crossing the street and the car was stopped and so we crossed on the crosswalk like normal, but all of a sudden when I was right in front of it, he decided to move. It wasn't hard or anything, but now I can say that I was hit by a car. yep, good times :)

It is still pouring rain here!! We went to church and it was like perfect weather, but when we left..... it was pouring. So fun, but we didn't realize that it would happen, so we got SOAKED! that's what the picture is, you can't really tell, but it is super strong rain. 

Hmmmm que mas.... my companions are the best. We have so much fun.

Oh I do have something!!!! So I've really been trying to improve my prayers because that's so important and we can't live with God if we don't pray (because how can we live with God if we've never talked with Him?? food for thought:) ) but anyway, I've noticed such a huge difference in  my life just starting to pray a little more sincerely. I've found a lot of comfort and we've seen more miracles than I ever imagined!!!!! God truly answers prayers. All we have to do it knock, and ask and it shall be granted unto you. What a blessing is that? and so many people don't take advantage of that! God is always waiting to give us what He's promised us, but if we don't ask or act, we will never get anything. I've grown to love prayer and during times when you feel like there's nothing else to do or no one to talk to, God is always there just waiting for us to turn to Him. 

Prayer will just bring a huge spiritual burst into your life if you really focus on them and you really talk to God. You be yourself and you thank Him for everything and then just talk. He is there and He knows what you need. What more can we ask for?:)

Random fact for y'all: Elder Seal finally beat me in what are the odds, so he smashed a cake in my face. That was fun.

I believe that's all for right now!!! Let me know if I can do anything for you!!!!!!!!! Just remember God is there. All you have to do is start today and you will notice the difference in your life :) LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

FLOOOOOOOD!!!!!! and broken finger--19 April 2016

This email probably won't be the best because I am typing with a cast on my hand..... anyway. no worries, just a little broken finger. I'm going to the doctor this friday to get a better cast or something.:)

but GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE GOT FLOODED!!!!! We didn't lose anything, but we did have to use an air mattress to go places. that was so fun:) lots of service coming up and we probably are going to flood some more. The bayou is suuuuuuuper high and more rain is coming:) but don't worry!!! We are just going to be helping out. We will be fine.

Carlos got baptized!!!! They are soooooo cute. Love them tons.

sorry this is the worst email ever especially after such a fun week. Next time will be better!! Love you all:)

Kasey Is Extending--13 April 2016

You will never guess what happened...... first of all, I'm still staying here in H2. I'm probably going to die here!! Wooooot. Really excited. Also extremely surprised because I told everyone I was leaving and that I for sure was heading out. Manuel and Iris and Antonio will be happy I suppose :) also Hermana Hofheins and I are training together!!!! That will be awesome!!! She's adorable and I know she'll help the new hermana a ton. 

Also officially extending until July 19th. I mean it's only two weeks, but president said that family comes first, so I should go on the trip with you all. I'm excited for that and I think that will be the best thing :) I AM SO EXCITED TO EXTEND!!!!! I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOT!!!!!

Now for even better things........ RAQUEL AND KARLA GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!! this baptism was actually really surprising. So this is what happened. Raquel and Carlos were going to get baptized today. Karla was going to wait, but then Carlos couldn't come because he had to watch his brother. So Raquel was just going to get baptized. So we had the extra baptismal suit and I joked to Karla that she could change her mind and get baptized right now if she wanted, but she didn't say anything. I didn't think she would since it was a joke. But they went into change and then all of a sudden Karla came out and she said, I'm ready to be baptized!!!!! so instead of Raquel and Carlos getting baptized, Raquel and Karla did. I felt like a chicken with my head cut off. It was a little interesting because we had done the program and everything and everything was set for them, but Carlos is getting baptized tomorrow, so it's all good. But yes. I was super happy but taken aback :)

also TONO HAS OFFICIALLY DECIDED ON HIS DATE AND HE IS 100% SET ON IT!!!!!! He wants to get baptized on his birthday!!!!!!!!!! April 27.Que chevere sera???? :):):):):):) I have been working with him forever and I will be able to be here for his baptism. 

WE ARE SO BLESSED IN THIS AREA!!!!!! Heavenly Father definitely is getting his work rolling even more :) 

Funny story: so I did not want to take my shoes off to cross the baptismal font, so Hermana Hofheins carried me:) we were laughing so hard, I'm surprised no one came into see what was going on!! 

Hermana Calvert was talking the other day about choices and what President Monson said in his talk. What she said really stood out to me. Basically she said, now are the days that people really will be joining the church, but then they will need to choose for themselves. we as leaders just need to keep going on and do our best, but realize that now are the last days. The people who choose to follow are few. It's really our own individual salvation---I've always known that's true, but now it's even more prevalent. There are very few that will choose God's way and His gospel, so let's be that few. 

Life is wonderful!!! I'm excited to extend and I'm excited to be able to go on the trip still :) I hope I'm not changing too many things up, but I know it's what God wants me to do!!! I love you all so much!!!!! Hasta luego!!!

CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):) 4 April 2016

CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I learned sooooooooooooo much. Sorry I don't know if you can tell how excited I am because it was phenomenal. I love conference on the mission and I'll keep loving it after :)

To start out I'll let you know some of the things i learned because I'm a missionary and for some weird reason, I can't think of anything else :) hahah

I loved what Donald L. Hallstrom said "You can have what you want or you can have something better" so many people don't realize that we think we know better, and we do want things, but God will give us something so much better than we can even come up with. So we when we are trying to make a decision, let's think first of what God wants and then He can make of us what only He can. "You can only make yourself a man, but only He can make you into a god" Let's put ourselves in the Master's hands and achieve our full potential :)

I also loved Kevin R. Duncan's talk about forgiveness. It's the way to escape from the misdeeds of others. Honestly, that can be one of the hardest things to do, but with God it is possible. and every tear that we shed, we will be rewarded with a 100 fold of joy. That's a huge promise right there. As we try to forgive, God will forgive us and we will be filled with peace.

Anderson's talk was beautiful and I've heard it hit home for a couple people :) haha It's a beautiful thing to know that even though some families aren't perfect, you can still have an eternal family. Such a blessing to know that and feel the strength from that knowledge :)

NOW MY FAVORITE!!!!! Elder's Bednar's talk was AMAZING!!!! I can't even handle it. Baptism and the Holy Ghost and the sacrament. I can't even explain it. You just have to read it and read it again to fully grasp the brilliance and power of his words. Wow. Perfect for my investigators!!! It is so essential for us to be baptized and then receive the Holy Ghost. Not only that, but keep going forever to renew those covenants and have the Holy Ghost which cleanses us. Through the Holy Ghost, we can become like God. Those steps are the ONLY way to be saved and eventually be exalted, which is greater than we can imagine.

Monson: "May we ever choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong"

and of course, Holland's talk to end it astounding. great end to a conference.

I'll stop talking about conference now. It was amazing though :)

Also something super funny: so i cut my hair. Like a lot and now we have a joke that everyone's lives revaround my hair because even random people in the street were coming up to us and saying, what happened? Where is your hair?? haha, super funny. I think the funniest thing would be if I didn't send you a picture, so you never knew how much I actually cut.... haha

Raquel, Carlos, and Karla are doing so good!!! If you could all pray that Raquel doesn't drink coffee, so she can get baptized this week, that would be awesome. They're so excited though and they're so cute!!

We've also seen so many miracles. There was this one lady who would always go to English class, but then she stopped going and yesterday we found her!!! She says she wants us to teach her the gospel and go to church and wow!! Such a miracle!!! She's so cute and we are going to help her have an eternal family!!!!!

Also funny story: We had a wedding gig. Legit. I played piano and Hermana Hofheins the violin. Super cool. 

and now for the best thing: WE TRICKED THE ELDERS INTO THINKING THEY WERE GETTING EVICTED!!!!!! hahahaha hilarious. it was rather ingenious not going to lie. I kind of want that for my journal :) you have to do something fun for April fool's day even if you're on your mission. Like the elders in Kemah tricked one of their companions that they got robbed. Good times :)

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):)

Super Good Week--28 March 2016

I hope everything is wonderful there!! This week we saw a lot of success and a lot of miracles. God is really leading us to people who are ready for the gospel. It takes time to teach of course, but they are so wonderful and I love them a lot!!

Raquel, Karla, and Carlos are all SO pumped to get baptized. They're counting down the days till the 10th!! How cute are they!?!?!?!?!?! Hermana Hofheins always says they are like little pioneer children. They love going to church and wow, they already have such strong testimonies. They make me want to be better!!

I love seeing my recent converts at church. It brings me so much joy because I know they're repenting and changes and they can keep going forward and stay strong!!! That's all I want. I would be devastated if they fell away, but as long as I do my part and they do theirs, it will all work out. 

One really special experience we had was we were talking to a lady Josefina and she just opened up about everything that was going on. Man, it's really hard for her right now, but I was able to give her a Book of Mormon and explain that she can find peace and guidance and it really would help her life when she feels like there is no hope left. She teared up and the Spirit was really strong. God really guides us to people who need the gospel in their lives.

Yesterday was Easter!!! It was a very special day because that's the day that He was risen! The Resurrection is real! and because He resurrected, we all can live again!!! Because He lives, we have hope for a new life. How amazing is that. It's something we still can't fully comprehend. He literally freed us from the powers of Satan. Physically, spiritually, mentally, any way. All we have to do is give what we have to Him and follow Him. Como dice el sitio de web siguelo y encuentra una nueva vida (or in English) follow Him and find a new life. 

ONE MORE THING!!!! THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!!!!!!!!!! I was listening to a talk, character of Christ and it was AMAZING!!!! but the main thing is the character of Christ is that he turns outward when everyone else would turn inward. Even during his hardest moments, he thought of others. That is Christ. He forgets about Himself and He does all He can for others. 

La vida is buena. There are so many wonderful things in this world and just think, it will be a million times better in heaven!! We can't even imagine it.  Keep going strong. Love you all so much!!!!!! Hasta luego:):)

Please let me know if I can do anything for you!!!

Murahe 21 March 2017

We have had a very interesting week to say the least. It has not been a normal missionary week. But hey. Asi es la vida.

Only in Houston can you talk to people from Afganistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, Congo, Jerusalem, and all over central america and south america. It was super cool that we could talk to all of them. Actually, we are teaching the family from Congo and Rwanda. They're sooooo cute!! They're teaching us their language Swahili and Kirwanda. How legit is that?? They are so happy when we are trying to use it! 

Speaking of them the picture of the avocados that are HUGE!! (if you can't tell in the picture, they're almost the size of my head) are from them. We teach them English and they just give us so much stuff. They have so little, but they always want to give us things. How adorable are they??? 

We also went to their church and it was soooooooo cool!!!! They had someone try to translate just for us and we got to sing all their hymns in their language. They even chose come thou fount because they knew we knew it!!! They were so happy that we were there. It was adorable :) (the picture is part of them) but the coolest thing of all is 8 of them came to our church!! and now the English elders can go and teach them!!!! They're so cute and going to get baptized :):)

They kept telling us how happy they were that we were there and that we are their sisters and it was just adorable. I really like them a lot :)

Tono came to church again, he just won't get baptized!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it will help him so much. Please pray for him. He's passed his interview and everything and he knows he needs to, he's just procrastinating. Man, I feel like I get that a lot. But he's awesome. We're getting more and more members involved, so that he can get in the water and be clean!!!!

Raquel, Carlos, Karla, Alison, and Ernesto all came to church yesterday and they love it!!!!! They're sooooo excited to get baptized!!!!! Once we teach them everything, they'll be able to be baptized and have all the blessings that come from it!!! Love them tons :):) we are sooooo blessed in our area.

With all those blessings though, wow, we are so busy. Some days we are frantically running around trying to get to all of our appointments and it can be a little stressful, but I love being busy. It makes life better.

We did get to go to the temple!!!!! That was awesome!!!!! I loved it!! Really needed it too. But now I want to go back again. Can't wait to be able to go all the time at home. 

Yep, this week. a little bit of everything. it was a little weird, but sometimes that happens.

Love you all tons!! Have a wonderful week!!! 

16 March 2016

FAMILY!!!!!!! JENIFER GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!! she's soooooooooo cute and she totally felt the spirit so strong. She said she felt free and so happy after she got baptized. ME ALEGRE MUCHO :):):):):):):):):):):):):):) She is soooooo cute. I don't know if you can tell, but I'm so happy for her!!!!!!! She now has the chance to live with God again, the only thing is she has to keep going forward. If we don't do that, we can't achieve eternal life. If you can imagine all of the happiness you've even felt in your entire life, times that by 1000, it still won't match up to how wonderful eternal life will be!!!! Nothing is more important than that!!!!!

Tono is so excited to get baptized. He has gotten his answer and everything and he went and saw a baptism and he knows it's what he has to do. He is a little nervous, but we are bringing over a lot of members, so they can support him and he can see that others have made the change. Really though. Member presents help sooooooo much. I mean 20 year old kids are great, but if you have someone who has been through a little more and who is a convert to the church, it will help you. He is so ready!!!!!! I can't wait!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH He is going to be such a strong member!!!!!!

The kids are gone this week for spring break, but soon they will be back and hopefully the mom will be a little more open. They just neeeeeeeeed to get baptized. The mom is impeding their salvation!!!!!!!!!!! It makes me so sad, but I know God is more powerful than anyone and He knows what's best, so I'm sure it will all work out :)

We have such a cute family!!! Oh my goodness. Raquel, Carlos, Karla, Allison, German, and the mom (I'm the worst, I can't remember her name.....) and they have all accepted dates. The kids have already gone to church and activities and they were sooooooooooooooooooo excited to accept being baptized!!!!! How phenomenal.!! The mom really wants her kids to be baptized too!!! And she wants to be baptized as well :) awesooooome!!!!!! They are progressing so much and they will be able to be so happy in their lives. Can't wait for that!! We have to teach them everything, but they are really excited for it all.

Then we are teaching an adorable girl, Yasmine. She's about 15 years old from Guatemala. So cute. She wants to teach us how to make typical Guatemalan food, so we're doing that this Friday. awesome!!! I'm excited!!! and it made her so happy when we said yes. She also is so close to the Spirit. She told us that she could tell and she had a dream that we were so full of the Spirit and that was so cool because you know we have the gift of the Holy Ghost and so that's why she could see it!!! Soon she will be able to know the truth for herself and get baptized!!!!!!!!! She's adorable though. Love her tons :)

We're teaching our neighbor Ana. She's so cute and her little girl loves listening to us. We're good friends with them, so it's cool that she invited us over to teach her and her family. 

Plus we are teaching English to a family from Rwanda and Congo and it is amazing!!! They are so cute!!!! We are going to go to their church and we are going to teach them!!!! They also speak French, so I've got to brush up on that :) They're so cute and they went to church last week!!! How legit!!!!!!

Wow, this week has been such a good week. Llena de milagros :) Also found a guy who spoke french, so I got to talk to him a little bit, but I was so not good at it anymore. I was speaking like Spanish and French all mixed because well for a year and for 5 months straight, I have been speaking pure spanish. I'm going to start practicing again though.

GOING TO THE TEMPLE TODAY!!!! IT:S BEEN SOOOOOO LONG!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):)

and there have been some AMAZING things that I have realized through study and all that jazz.

First of all, I have been studying prayer a lot and its' important, but mostly, how I can make my prayers more meaningful. So as I have been working on that, can I just tell you how much of a difference I've already felt???  It's incredible!!! One quote I love is that with prayer you are able to receive the highest blessings. Or something like that I can't remember it perfectly. But I now feel refreshed and enlightened after my prayers, and I am going to keep working on that everyday because I know that is something so important.

I love life. I love the mission. My companion is awesome. We are working hard all day everyday. Riding bikes all day too!!! So fun. I've definitely got to go on more missions after this one. Maybe like 5. I think that's reasonable :) hahaha but please keep reading and praying. If you want happiness, and if you want really anything good, FOLLOW GOD!!!!! Also you should watch this amazing video followhim.mormon.org or mormon.org/easter EASTER IS COMING!!!!! If you want to go back as well, Because He lives (my personal favorite ever) Remember that Christ lives and that we need to follow Him to live with Him and our families forever!!!!!! 

Love you all so much!!! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you!!!!! I'm always here and praying for all of you :) Have a wonderful break!!!!!!!

7 March 2016

So guess what. I totally fixed the computer, so now I can send a better email! wooooooot. Who knew I would have to learn how to fix the computer. But I really didn't do anything. Anyway, that is so not important. 

So funny story. We were OYMing in an apartment complex when a guy came up and started talking to us. He didn't seem drunk or anything, so of course, we got into the whole, we're your missionaries and we teach about Christ, could we come over sometime to talk to you? and he seemed super awesome! So he got our number and then it got crazy. You know how I have the wonderful gift of sleeping through alarms??? Well apparently that works for phone calls too, but Hermana Hofheins always wakes up. So she wakes me up and says Hermana someone has been calling us every minute for 30 minutes. So she answered the phone. in her own words that she said in her email, "he was talking really weird, so as a good missionary does, I deferred to my companion" haha, it turned out to be the guy we OYMed and he was, well, not at full capacity, so I told him to go to bed, that the elders were coming by tomorrow, and that he needed to read the bible. and then Hermana Hofheins let him know that we are basically monjas (nuns) hahahah it was hilarious. 

Just thought y'all should know!! 

Hmmmm not much else is happening. People are awesome. We are working super hard. My brain is going crazy right now... I keep forgetting EVERYTHING!!!! I forgot the phone at an appointment and we accidentally got locked out of the office with all of our stuff inside. So today, we decided we are just going to be hermits and try to normalize our brains. A ver lo que pasa :) 

Yep. that's all I got. fun stuff.