Hola Familia!
I'm sorry about the subject line. I remember having thought of one that I really liked. It's gone now.
So - things are still fine here in Mission Viejo. We have 6 investigators with baptismal dates and they are all pretty solid. Hurray! 3 investigators were at a baptismal service of the elders this Sat evening which was great. And 3 investigators were at church. Yeah. Also, yesterday we had interviews with Pres. Brady. It was like having companion study as I asked a question about contacting (talking to people in the street) and he had me practice then he practiced and demonstrated. He he. It was good. He also used a metaphor that really made me laugh: he said "I was thrown into the deep end of missionary service without having much swimming practice." Pretty funny, eh? He said again he's pleased with my growth and progress and thanked me.
Great invitation on keeping the language Dad. I guess I'd better confess - family, I love Spanish more than English. I don't expect to spend much time at home after I return before I move to a Spanish-speaking country. But we shall see! I really don't know how things will work out. I just want to learn 'real' Spanish and be able to talk about all things. And it is just a great language and better than English. So.
Shantaye! Como fue so dia de cumpleanos? (How was your birthday?) Man, that looks all wrong without accents. I hear from M & D that it was pretty great. Yeah. It is CRAZY you are a teenager now. I think you'll never listen to me when I say "slow down and stop growing." Oh well. I'll love you always because you are my best sister.
Chez - how much more schoolwork? You can count the days now I think. Wow. I'm not sure how different summer will be with my daily life. Now the Moms can't tell us to come when their kids are in school - weird. And it will be TONS hotter - ah.
Dad - Hna P feels like we should both use the $20 you sent her to enjoy something. Yes or no? She says: what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine. It's basically true in missionary life :) She was happy about it, but maybe it wasn't super easy to accept. I don't really know. And now you sent more -- we shall see what she says! She did make herself really small in the pic and it cracked us up. She loves to do cartoons which is a fun random hobby.
Well, I can't think of tons more to share with you. It has been cloudy and misty-rainy the past few days. We were going to attend the temple today but that was changed. And we were going to have a district activity and celebrate Elder Nielsen's birthday and Hna P's 6-month anniversary, but that was cancelled. We are a little sad. And we still might buy the cupcakes we had planned on!
We were able to be consistent and diligent this week so we achieved Jericho's Warriors. But just barely. And "finally" as Hna P says. We are striving to learn and improve each day. It's not always easy to do the work. But we know it is the Lord's work and He helps us all along the way. I know the Book of Mormon is true and I love studying it. I don't know what it will be like to not have 2 hours of gospel study and 1 hour of language study each day. That sounds so sad. Therefore, all of you can do 10-15 minutes of scripture study daily! :)
Familia Magana loves us now. The mom and daughter came to the baptismal service and church and an FHE yesterday. Then they asked us to visit their home afterward and they gave us food. They have a baptismal date and are doing well. Yeah! And now they have friends in the ward. That really is so essential. I hope you are welcoming to all the newcomers in our home ward. Just be their friends for that is what they need!
Well, I love you all. Thanks for the love, support, and prayers. And thanks Dad for the only letter I received this week with great family pictures!
Love,
Hna Green
PS Haircuts are approved in the budget according to my missionary handbook. No, we can't stay late even for ward activities. Only if we are teaching a lesson and then we are in by 9:30. Apparently other missions are so different about the rules in the handbook! I'm grateful to be where I am with Pres. and Sis. Brady.
Attendance at sacrament meeting - letter from the 1st Pres saying they must attend a couple of times so really it is up to the missionaries to decide. They just have to fully repent and show they are willing to keep their covenants. Around here, we often say 3 or 4 times minimum.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
11 May 2010 - The sound of your voice
Hola Familia!
Wasn't that such a great present - the sound of my voice?! He he. It was great to talk to you. And we were fine on time, the missionary handbook says preferrably no longer than 30 or 40 minutes. Thanks to everyone for talking with me! Yes, my Spanish is coming along. And I really did just want to talk to you in Spanish - sorry Mom that I did a few times. It will be nice to be able to talk to Elder Green. Dad, maybe I was too excited. My Spanish is probably more at 85%. There are plenty of times when I want to say something and don't quite have the words. But it is definitely coming along well. And I just prefer Spanish now :D
Hna Pechin and I both realized that at a special church meeting a bunch of weeks ago. We went to the English room but then the Area Seventy Elder Cordova spoke in Spanish a little and we both gave sighs of contentment.
SO! Things are going well. Hno Octamendez was at the ward activity Sat. evening and we taught him a quick lesson inside the church with Hna Soto. It was good. But then he left :( It was an awesome activity with good food served by the men (yes!) and cake. There was a program but it started around 8:30 and we had to skedaddle. Apparently members were there and dancing until nearly 12 pm. Crazy! Singing in sacrament meeting went well. And the 1st counselor gave a fine talk about mothers. Hno Octamendez worked that day so wasn't at church :( And another investigator Hna Ramos (formerly called Lucia who needs to get married before being baptized) really wanted to go, but the members who take her didn't call and confirm. So sad!! She was all ready and waiting. We talked to her yesterday. We haven't been able to teach her and her "esposo" Hno Sanchez for a long time. But we'll see her tomorrow. She seemed pretty certain about the appointment, finally. We shall see.
Yesterday we taught Hna Pacheco. And she accepted a baptismal date for 3 julio!!! Her brother is preparing for that day as well. We finally obtained his cell phone number. yeah! We haven't talked to him since the lesson when we set the date. And yesterday he was at home, but we changed the lesson time and when we went he had left maybe 20 mins earlier. Bummer. We'll teach them Thurs evening which will be great. It's exciting.
Please keep praying for Hno Octamendez. He is changing and improving. His baptismal date will have to be changed from 29 mayo because he hasn't been to church. But we're excited for him.
What else...what else. Life is good. Hna Pechin and I are working to improve our teaching by using the scriptures more. They just say it so much better than we can! And we are singing hymns at the beginning of each lesson. Lots of compliments :)
I love you all very much! I'll now respond to some of your ideas from e-mails. OK?
DAD
I've been using mouth wash each night since your last e-mail. Thanks for the idea.
Hna Davis LOVED the spinny toy and was sad when it died. Thanks so much for sending it and making her happy. She shared it with her other companion after I left and it seems the other Hna liked it to. he he. It's all about simple joys as a missionary.
I'm pretty certain hair cuts fall under the missionary budget. I could double check in the missionary handbook and let you know.
MUM
Crazy weather, eh? We are getting into hot weather. Ah! It's not quite as enjoyable as a missionary when you work all day. But life is swell. I'm using sunscreen like a smart person. And I have a hilarious tan line where my hair overlaps my forehead a touch. Maybe I'll send a pic later :)
Still haven't received the mail. Hopefully in the next day or two.
Love you! Remember to read your scriptures and say your prayers every day. They are commandments!! AND we receive so many blessings when we do them. Please just do the little things; they make all the difference. You'll be happier as a family, in work, and in school. I know it...even though I can't really explain it.
Love you!
Hna Green
Wasn't that such a great present - the sound of my voice?! He he. It was great to talk to you. And we were fine on time, the missionary handbook says preferrably no longer than 30 or 40 minutes. Thanks to everyone for talking with me! Yes, my Spanish is coming along. And I really did just want to talk to you in Spanish - sorry Mom that I did a few times. It will be nice to be able to talk to Elder Green. Dad, maybe I was too excited. My Spanish is probably more at 85%. There are plenty of times when I want to say something and don't quite have the words. But it is definitely coming along well. And I just prefer Spanish now :D
Hna Pechin and I both realized that at a special church meeting a bunch of weeks ago. We went to the English room but then the Area Seventy Elder Cordova spoke in Spanish a little and we both gave sighs of contentment.
SO! Things are going well. Hno Octamendez was at the ward activity Sat. evening and we taught him a quick lesson inside the church with Hna Soto. It was good. But then he left :( It was an awesome activity with good food served by the men (yes!) and cake. There was a program but it started around 8:30 and we had to skedaddle. Apparently members were there and dancing until nearly 12 pm. Crazy! Singing in sacrament meeting went well. And the 1st counselor gave a fine talk about mothers. Hno Octamendez worked that day so wasn't at church :( And another investigator Hna Ramos (formerly called Lucia who needs to get married before being baptized) really wanted to go, but the members who take her didn't call and confirm. So sad!! She was all ready and waiting. We talked to her yesterday. We haven't been able to teach her and her "esposo" Hno Sanchez for a long time. But we'll see her tomorrow. She seemed pretty certain about the appointment, finally. We shall see.
Yesterday we taught Hna Pacheco. And she accepted a baptismal date for 3 julio!!! Her brother is preparing for that day as well. We finally obtained his cell phone number. yeah! We haven't talked to him since the lesson when we set the date. And yesterday he was at home, but we changed the lesson time and when we went he had left maybe 20 mins earlier. Bummer. We'll teach them Thurs evening which will be great. It's exciting.
Please keep praying for Hno Octamendez. He is changing and improving. His baptismal date will have to be changed from 29 mayo because he hasn't been to church. But we're excited for him.
What else...what else. Life is good. Hna Pechin and I are working to improve our teaching by using the scriptures more. They just say it so much better than we can! And we are singing hymns at the beginning of each lesson. Lots of compliments :)
I love you all very much! I'll now respond to some of your ideas from e-mails. OK?
DAD
I've been using mouth wash each night since your last e-mail. Thanks for the idea.
Hna Davis LOVED the spinny toy and was sad when it died. Thanks so much for sending it and making her happy. She shared it with her other companion after I left and it seems the other Hna liked it to. he he. It's all about simple joys as a missionary.
I'm pretty certain hair cuts fall under the missionary budget. I could double check in the missionary handbook and let you know.
MUM
Crazy weather, eh? We are getting into hot weather. Ah! It's not quite as enjoyable as a missionary when you work all day. But life is swell. I'm using sunscreen like a smart person. And I have a hilarious tan line where my hair overlaps my forehead a touch. Maybe I'll send a pic later :)
Still haven't received the mail. Hopefully in the next day or two.
Love you! Remember to read your scriptures and say your prayers every day. They are commandments!! AND we receive so many blessings when we do them. Please just do the little things; they make all the difference. You'll be happier as a family, in work, and in school. I know it...even though I can't really explain it.
Love you!
Hna Green
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
4 May 2010 - "It takes a special person to cook a cactus"
Hola Familia!
Hna Pechin's quote is my subject line for this fine week. She would like me to embroider that on a pillowcase for her (after the mission, naturally.) I'm seriously considering it :) Maybe just cross stitch though - it's easier.
Thanks for all the updates from home. Sounds like all are flourishing which makes me really happy. It makes it easier to "forget myself" and do the Lord's work. I love you all! Glad Mum and Dad are fine, even though the van isn't. Made me so happy to see a picture of it - oh the memories.
We had a pretty good week. Hna Pechin called Sis. Brady and told her I was still sort of sick (I went through an entire box of tissues in one week) and an abrupt, helpful doctor called and asked questions. So then he gave me an antibiotic and I finished it Sunday. Amazing how much better I feel! I didn't even realize I was dragging so much. Hna Pechin loves it too :) So no worries there. And there was LOTS of Vitamin C and sunshine yesterday. It was HOT and it's just going to get better. *sigh*
Zone Conference was pretty great. We talked about the doctrine of Christ and how the improvement we need to make as a mission: invite people to be baptized in EVERY lesson. It is a great goal that makes me really stretch because I have to teach better and help them understand the importance. It has been going well. We set another baptismal date from Hno Jorge Pacheco for 3 July. He didn't like the first date we said so we moved it back a touch and he said "yeah okay." He is goofy and makes us chuckle. He's very happy. So now we have three individuals with baptismal dates. Hno Octamendez did not come to church :( even though we had a good lesson with him Sat. night. We have another lesson planned tonight. Members are being really helpful even though we sometimes have headaches getting them on board to help us (we have to have another sister at all appointments with him - rule of missionaries). And Hna Ana Magana is doing okay. Not reading like she needs to. We tried to visit yesterday but she was busy.
Census workers have been going house to house here to count all our Spanish-speaking friends. Before, I never would have understood just how essential that is! I wish them the best of luck. Often people don't even know who their housemates are.
We have a new Ward Mission Leader, Hno Santos, and he is really excited about the work which is so great. He makes us excited. The Bishop asked Hna P and I to sing in Sacrament Mtg next Sunday. And he suggested we enlist help from YW....so we did :)
PHONE CALL - we haven't talked to any members yet about using their phone (we sort of forgot until Sunday evening). So we attend church from 1 to 4 pm. And we eat at 5 pm usually. And we can't interrupt our work schedule with the calls ... it will be tricky. I'm guessing we'll be calling around 4:30 or 5. But I'm not certain. I still have the phone card and it hopefully has sufficient funds on it. (PS I'll remember to dial 1-801 not 1-800) It will be great to talk to you so you can be super happy.
The $10 was returned to the ground while the nickel was added to our change collection in our car. We've got a fair amount. Hna P finds an average of 2 pennies each day. Maybe we'll buy snow cones from our friend in the neighborhood we work in lots.
Yikes, almost out of time because you had long, wonderful e-mails this week. Well, I love you all. This is the Lord's work and it is a privilege and wonderful challenge to be part of it. Thanks for all your love and support!
Love,
Hna Green
Hna Pechin's quote is my subject line for this fine week. She would like me to embroider that on a pillowcase for her (after the mission, naturally.) I'm seriously considering it :) Maybe just cross stitch though - it's easier.
Thanks for all the updates from home. Sounds like all are flourishing which makes me really happy. It makes it easier to "forget myself" and do the Lord's work. I love you all! Glad Mum and Dad are fine, even though the van isn't. Made me so happy to see a picture of it - oh the memories.
We had a pretty good week. Hna Pechin called Sis. Brady and told her I was still sort of sick (I went through an entire box of tissues in one week) and an abrupt, helpful doctor called and asked questions. So then he gave me an antibiotic and I finished it Sunday. Amazing how much better I feel! I didn't even realize I was dragging so much. Hna Pechin loves it too :) So no worries there. And there was LOTS of Vitamin C and sunshine yesterday. It was HOT and it's just going to get better. *sigh*
Zone Conference was pretty great. We talked about the doctrine of Christ and how the improvement we need to make as a mission: invite people to be baptized in EVERY lesson. It is a great goal that makes me really stretch because I have to teach better and help them understand the importance. It has been going well. We set another baptismal date from Hno Jorge Pacheco for 3 July. He didn't like the first date we said so we moved it back a touch and he said "yeah okay." He is goofy and makes us chuckle. He's very happy. So now we have three individuals with baptismal dates. Hno Octamendez did not come to church :( even though we had a good lesson with him Sat. night. We have another lesson planned tonight. Members are being really helpful even though we sometimes have headaches getting them on board to help us (we have to have another sister at all appointments with him - rule of missionaries). And Hna Ana Magana is doing okay. Not reading like she needs to. We tried to visit yesterday but she was busy.
Census workers have been going house to house here to count all our Spanish-speaking friends. Before, I never would have understood just how essential that is! I wish them the best of luck. Often people don't even know who their housemates are.
We have a new Ward Mission Leader, Hno Santos, and he is really excited about the work which is so great. He makes us excited. The Bishop asked Hna P and I to sing in Sacrament Mtg next Sunday. And he suggested we enlist help from YW....so we did :)
PHONE CALL - we haven't talked to any members yet about using their phone (we sort of forgot until Sunday evening). So we attend church from 1 to 4 pm. And we eat at 5 pm usually. And we can't interrupt our work schedule with the calls ... it will be tricky. I'm guessing we'll be calling around 4:30 or 5. But I'm not certain. I still have the phone card and it hopefully has sufficient funds on it. (PS I'll remember to dial 1-801 not 1-800) It will be great to talk to you so you can be super happy.
The $10 was returned to the ground while the nickel was added to our change collection in our car. We've got a fair amount. Hna P finds an average of 2 pennies each day. Maybe we'll buy snow cones from our friend in the neighborhood we work in lots.
Yikes, almost out of time because you had long, wonderful e-mails this week. Well, I love you all. This is the Lord's work and it is a privilege and wonderful challenge to be part of it. Thanks for all your love and support!
Love,
Hna Green
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