Hi Family!
Using the old e-mail system today because I can't remember my username for the new system...oops. So I can't read your e-mails. Sorry!
I don't have much to say today and we have such little time. We went to the San Diego Temple this morning. Wow!! It is such a beautiful temple. And it was so good to go again. It has been to long. I can't wait to go every month or every week when I'm back home.
Basically, it's been a good week. Zone Conference on Wed. was great. Learned lots of good things. We talked about sharing Joseph Smith's testimony of the First Vision. It is so logical how we do it now - I'm grateful for training! Basically we are just slowing it down and allowing time for the Spirit to testify. He's the real teacher!
I told Sis. Brady about Mom's e-mail on the new mission president. She told Pres. Brady and asked if he's up for 3 more years. Ha ha. I said "Don't worry. My mom doesn't have the final say." So thanks Mom. You gave us all a laugh!
Then we had a wonderful surprise on Sunday at church. The Arango Family walked in - and Mari too!!! We didn't expect her at all. She just called in and said she couldn't work. It was so great. And it was a fabulous group of meetings. Yes! I love church and more than that I love the beauty and simplicity and logicality of the gospel. It's incredible. So Mari and Vianka won't be baptized today (that's the date we had been working toward) but we are closer than before. She has now come to church and knows some of the members. Hurray!
That's about all. The work goes forward. And I run to keep up with it. There is just so much to learn. And as I wrote in my notes today - the true test is in what we do with our knowledge; in the application of it. I feel like I've heard someone say that wisdom is knowledge applied. Can anyone help me out with a source for that quote?
I love you all so much! Thanks for the love and support. And sorry I can't read your e-mails. Maybe I'll remember my info in the next 2 minutes.
Love,
Hermana Green
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
16 February 2010 - ... no catchy subject line today . . .
Sorry family,
I feel a little bit like I've failed you. I can't think of a funny subject line! Let's see....yep, I've got nothing right now.
I actually don't have tons to share with you about this week, either. Things are still going well. We are both working on increasing our faith and working harder. And we are trying to have charity for everybody so we are more excited to talk with them and share the "good news" of the gospel. It really is amazing!
One funny moment occurred yesterday. I greeted a lady in the street and she returned my greeting then continued walking by and said "hasta luego". I said "No!" and proceeded to contact her and invite her to learn more. Hna Davis was laughing as we walked away. But she thought it was good because that lady had a wall up, then it came down a little with my response. I can't really say why I said what I did. It just came out. Then I thought about it and realized that I should be saying that more often. This is what everyone desperately needs and there are so many blessings available if they will just learn the truth and ACT. That's a frustrating thing - so many people that will talk and half-listen. But then they often don't act. So don't be like that family, do what you know you are supposed to do. :)
We also had two other funny missionary moments related to knocking on doors. I have pictures of one. I stuck my hand through the screen door so I could knock on the door behind it. Why not? The screen door was locked and my hand fit through fine. Once again, Hna Davis was next to me laughing. I was a little concerned I wouldn't be able to pull my hand out before they answered the door. Can you imagine? Ba ha ha.
And the other moment was late at night on a dark doorstep. Hna Davis said "Oh, I found the doorbell." Then she leaned forward to push it and said "Never mind. It was a shadow." Ha ha ha!
It is all about the little things in life. And they mean a lot in missionary work since our schedule is so similar every day. But tomorrow will be different - Zone Conference!!! I'm excited. We have to clean well today since it will be checked tomorrow.
So, our investigators are doing pretty well. Mari and Vianka will not be getting baptized next Tues. Mari still works on Sundays and has never come to church. We're doing what we can...but it isn't a lot. They've been taught all the lessons and are keeping the commandments - minus that essential one. And we have other investigators that are moving along but no one is doing so rapidly. I'd really like to have a baptism in this transfer or the next. So I'm working to work harder so I've done all I can to participate in such a great blessing.
I know this is the Lord's work and He is in charge. I love you all so much! Thanks for all the love, support, and prayers.
Love,
Hermana Green
I feel a little bit like I've failed you. I can't think of a funny subject line! Let's see....yep, I've got nothing right now.
I actually don't have tons to share with you about this week, either. Things are still going well. We are both working on increasing our faith and working harder. And we are trying to have charity for everybody so we are more excited to talk with them and share the "good news" of the gospel. It really is amazing!
One funny moment occurred yesterday. I greeted a lady in the street and she returned my greeting then continued walking by and said "hasta luego". I said "No!" and proceeded to contact her and invite her to learn more. Hna Davis was laughing as we walked away. But she thought it was good because that lady had a wall up, then it came down a little with my response. I can't really say why I said what I did. It just came out. Then I thought about it and realized that I should be saying that more often. This is what everyone desperately needs and there are so many blessings available if they will just learn the truth and ACT. That's a frustrating thing - so many people that will talk and half-listen. But then they often don't act. So don't be like that family, do what you know you are supposed to do. :)
We also had two other funny missionary moments related to knocking on doors. I have pictures of one. I stuck my hand through the screen door so I could knock on the door behind it. Why not? The screen door was locked and my hand fit through fine. Once again, Hna Davis was next to me laughing. I was a little concerned I wouldn't be able to pull my hand out before they answered the door. Can you imagine? Ba ha ha.
And the other moment was late at night on a dark doorstep. Hna Davis said "Oh, I found the doorbell." Then she leaned forward to push it and said "Never mind. It was a shadow." Ha ha ha!
It is all about the little things in life. And they mean a lot in missionary work since our schedule is so similar every day. But tomorrow will be different - Zone Conference!!! I'm excited. We have to clean well today since it will be checked tomorrow.
So, our investigators are doing pretty well. Mari and Vianka will not be getting baptized next Tues. Mari still works on Sundays and has never come to church. We're doing what we can...but it isn't a lot. They've been taught all the lessons and are keeping the commandments - minus that essential one. And we have other investigators that are moving along but no one is doing so rapidly. I'd really like to have a baptism in this transfer or the next. So I'm working to work harder so I've done all I can to participate in such a great blessing.
I know this is the Lord's work and He is in charge. I love you all so much! Thanks for all the love, support, and prayers.
Love,
Hermana Green
Monday, February 15, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
9 February 2010 - Dia de San Valentin
Hola Familia!
Como estan todos? Todo esta bien aqui conmigo.
Ok, I'm done with that. No accent marks so it just looks (and is) wrong. Life is great! As you've read, I had to do a little footwork and now I have a new e-mail program. I feel like I just came out of the dark ages! It's sweet. (And Dad it might have spell check :) )
So for this lovely week we were able to enjoy Ward Conference. And we went to the fireside the night before where the second counselor in the mission presidency spoke. I chuckled periodically throughout his address because he was a mission president in Spain and speaks with a "theta". It just sounds wrong to me! But it was great. And we had delicious food before, and took some home too. Mari, Vianka, and Karla were able to attend and I think it was great for them. They Stake theme for this year is "point your life toward the temple" and so they talked a lot about the temple. I LOVE the temple! We should get a chance this transfer to go. I'm really excited! I've been starving for it - like a temple-drought. And I studied about the temples Sunday morning in my studies. They are just such incredible blessings. Everyone: live worthy of or to make temple covenants. That's what this life is all about! If we do that, we can be saved and receive eternal life. So incredible!
We've been doing better on getting the mission standards. Hna Davis has a apparently inherent fear of talking to everyone so we've struggled to get the standard for contacts (people you talk to and invite to come unto Christ in the street throughout the day). I'm doing okay - I'm more normal in that area. Still have moments where I don't want to talk to everyone.
Hilarious moment: Hna Davis got "mailboxed." Honestly and truthfully. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and it was AMAZING. She ran into a mailbox with her shoulder and kind of bounced back. Wish I had it on video! It was a dark street at night and I don't know what other reasons she might give :) It was even better since we have to dodge palm tree leaves as we walk along the sidewalk and the days before we had talked about being "palmed". Mwah ha ha. Her mailbox moment was so hilarious we had to stop walking so I could just bust up laughing and then regain my composure.
Thanks for the updates on the family. Glad to hear everyone is doing so well. I'm so excited for Isaac!! Ah, another missionary in the family. Sa-weet. Speaking of, any updates on Sister Oliphant? Haven't heard from her since I've been out but sent a letter a while back. Give everyone my love the next time you see them.
Yes the missionary world is small. Especially when there are only 10 Spanish-speaking sisters serving!! Gotta love it.
About my language ability - I feel that it is improving. But I still have lots of moments of not being able to convey what I want. I speak quite a bit of Spanglish, honestly. I made up a word last night in the appointment with the Arangos. Sometimes that works - this time it didn't. At all. But Mari understood what I meant. :) Yes, I learn a little more each day. I study the language for an hour most days. And I learn as I go. Just today Hna Davis said my retention is really good and that helps me. I feel like it isn't as good as it used to be in my student days. But it's holding strong and I'm able to communicate. How much Spanish do I speak in a day? Well, nearly all the people we talk to are Spanish-speakers (at least that's what we try for!) then we teach all our lessons in Spanish. I can't give you an exact amount. Most of our talk in the companionship is English. Does that answer your question sufficiently?
I think that is about all for today. I hope everyone is doing fabulously well!! I will print some pictures today and send them to you. And probably another cd for the past 2 transfers with my trainer. Keep 'em safe please.
Love you!
Hermana Green
Como estan todos? Todo esta bien aqui conmigo.
Ok, I'm done with that. No accent marks so it just looks (and is) wrong. Life is great! As you've read, I had to do a little footwork and now I have a new e-mail program. I feel like I just came out of the dark ages! It's sweet. (And Dad it might have spell check :) )
So for this lovely week we were able to enjoy Ward Conference. And we went to the fireside the night before where the second counselor in the mission presidency spoke. I chuckled periodically throughout his address because he was a mission president in Spain and speaks with a "theta". It just sounds wrong to me! But it was great. And we had delicious food before, and took some home too. Mari, Vianka, and Karla were able to attend and I think it was great for them. They Stake theme for this year is "point your life toward the temple" and so they talked a lot about the temple. I LOVE the temple! We should get a chance this transfer to go. I'm really excited! I've been starving for it - like a temple-drought. And I studied about the temples Sunday morning in my studies. They are just such incredible blessings. Everyone: live worthy of or to make temple covenants. That's what this life is all about! If we do that, we can be saved and receive eternal life. So incredible!
We've been doing better on getting the mission standards. Hna Davis has a apparently inherent fear of talking to everyone so we've struggled to get the standard for contacts (people you talk to and invite to come unto Christ in the street throughout the day). I'm doing okay - I'm more normal in that area. Still have moments where I don't want to talk to everyone.
Hilarious moment: Hna Davis got "mailboxed." Honestly and truthfully. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and it was AMAZING. She ran into a mailbox with her shoulder and kind of bounced back. Wish I had it on video! It was a dark street at night and I don't know what other reasons she might give :) It was even better since we have to dodge palm tree leaves as we walk along the sidewalk and the days before we had talked about being "palmed". Mwah ha ha. Her mailbox moment was so hilarious we had to stop walking so I could just bust up laughing and then regain my composure.
Thanks for the updates on the family. Glad to hear everyone is doing so well. I'm so excited for Isaac!! Ah, another missionary in the family. Sa-weet. Speaking of, any updates on Sister Oliphant? Haven't heard from her since I've been out but sent a letter a while back. Give everyone my love the next time you see them.
Yes the missionary world is small. Especially when there are only 10 Spanish-speaking sisters serving!! Gotta love it.
About my language ability - I feel that it is improving. But I still have lots of moments of not being able to convey what I want. I speak quite a bit of Spanglish, honestly. I made up a word last night in the appointment with the Arangos. Sometimes that works - this time it didn't. At all. But Mari understood what I meant. :) Yes, I learn a little more each day. I study the language for an hour most days. And I learn as I go. Just today Hna Davis said my retention is really good and that helps me. I feel like it isn't as good as it used to be in my student days. But it's holding strong and I'm able to communicate. How much Spanish do I speak in a day? Well, nearly all the people we talk to are Spanish-speakers (at least that's what we try for!) then we teach all our lessons in Spanish. I can't give you an exact amount. Most of our talk in the companionship is English. Does that answer your question sufficiently?
I think that is about all for today. I hope everyone is doing fabulously well!! I will print some pictures today and send them to you. And probably another cd for the past 2 transfers with my trainer. Keep 'em safe please.
Love you!
Hermana Green
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
2 February 2010 - Donde estaba?
Hola family!
The subject line means "where were you?" or "where was I?". Pretty appropriate in both senses. Glad you received my note. Things are great. Here's the news....
I'm in the same area with a new companion = Hermana Davis. She was trained by Hna Talbot too (not too long ago) and then she trained my MTC companion Hna Denker and now we are companions. He he. It has been really fun to switch things up and get to know a new person. We get along great and have talked a lot which is fun (more than I did with Hna Talbot. Probably because I'm more comfortable now). She is from Massachusetts and has 6 siblings. She has a brother-in-law from Taiwan which is fun. I've taken a few pictures of the two of us and if I don't print them off today, I will next week.
That is the big news for the past 2 weeks. Now I'll do an e-mail for last Tues :)
We taught 7 lessons on Thurs. which was pretty awesome. It was a while ago so now I don't remember much else. We got more rain but survived fine. I had a different waterproof bag I used. It just is purple and our bags are supposed to be black...oh well.
The elders had a baptism on Sat. and Mari and Bianca were there which was so great. They are pretty much ready to be baptized! Mari is still working on finding a new option for work so she can attend church. Their baptismal date is Feb 23 (Tues) and everything should work out fine for that. Hurray!
We bought strawberries at a cute stand right by a strawberry field last P-day. They were so delicious! And Hna Talbot was really happy since she loves strawberries. We also sat down and ate at a sub shop - I had French Dip on sourdough bread. Yum!
We shared a Book of Mormon with an investigator and she got really excited to read it and I did, too. It's just such an amazing book! I love studying it. I want to sit down for hours and study without any interruptions....but it's great to go out and share it with other people.
For this past week, I can't think of too much. Just getting used to being the junior companion but knowing the area. I'm still not driving, I have the important job of navigator. I received my package at transfer meeting which was so happy. It was super great. Thank you, Mom!! I shared some of the homemade treats with the Arango Family last night and they seemed to enjoy them. It was fun to finally give them food since we are always receiving it.
Yeah, can't think of too much else. The work is going well. We have
a LOT of investigators right now. It's a little crazy. But we continue planning, praying for, and teaching them. And finding new ones :)
I'm out of time. I love you all tons and tons! And I love being a missionary - in sunny southern California.
Love,
Hermana Green
The subject line means "where were you?" or "where was I?". Pretty appropriate in both senses. Glad you received my note. Things are great. Here's the news....
I'm in the same area with a new companion = Hermana Davis. She was trained by Hna Talbot too (not too long ago) and then she trained my MTC companion Hna Denker and now we are companions. He he. It has been really fun to switch things up and get to know a new person. We get along great and have talked a lot which is fun (more than I did with Hna Talbot. Probably because I'm more comfortable now). She is from Massachusetts and has 6 siblings. She has a brother-in-law from Taiwan which is fun. I've taken a few pictures of the two of us and if I don't print them off today, I will next week.
That is the big news for the past 2 weeks. Now I'll do an e-mail for last Tues :)
We taught 7 lessons on Thurs. which was pretty awesome. It was a while ago so now I don't remember much else. We got more rain but survived fine. I had a different waterproof bag I used. It just is purple and our bags are supposed to be black...oh well.
The elders had a baptism on Sat. and Mari and Bianca were there which was so great. They are pretty much ready to be baptized! Mari is still working on finding a new option for work so she can attend church. Their baptismal date is Feb 23 (Tues) and everything should work out fine for that. Hurray!
We bought strawberries at a cute stand right by a strawberry field last P-day. They were so delicious! And Hna Talbot was really happy since she loves strawberries. We also sat down and ate at a sub shop - I had French Dip on sourdough bread. Yum!
We shared a Book of Mormon with an investigator and she got really excited to read it and I did, too. It's just such an amazing book! I love studying it. I want to sit down for hours and study without any interruptions....but it's great to go out and share it with other people.
For this past week, I can't think of too much. Just getting used to being the junior companion but knowing the area. I'm still not driving, I have the important job of navigator. I received my package at transfer meeting which was so happy. It was super great. Thank you, Mom!! I shared some of the homemade treats with the Arango Family last night and they seemed to enjoy them. It was fun to finally give them food since we are always receiving it.
Yeah, can't think of too much else. The work is going well. We have
a LOT of investigators right now. It's a little crazy. But we continue planning, praying for, and teaching them. And finding new ones :)
I'm out of time. I love you all tons and tons! And I love being a missionary - in sunny southern California.
Love,
Hermana Green
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