Week 13 Ponies

Hello, all! My emails keep getting progressively shorter, so I hope this week's is a little more satisfying.
Friends and family, you are in for a treat this week. Why? you might ask. Well, because. We spent some time out in the country this week, so we get to have JUST SOUTHERN THINGS!!!
-Monogramming. It's something that literally everyone does down south. Their initials are embroidered all over everything they own.
-There is waaaaaay more state pride here than in Utah. Everything has palmettos on it. EVERYTHING. 
-Also, everyone is a Clemson fan and I have been tempted more than once to buy myself a National Champions t shirt...Also, will I be rooting for Clemson when I get home? You bet I will. (Unless, of course, they play BYU.)
-For some reason, everyone really likes pineapples down here. They have pineapple door knockers, pineapple door mats, pineapple gate toppers, pineapple jewelry, pineapple decor, you name it. EVERYTHING is a pineapple.
-The phrase, "Guys in ties, girls in pearls" and holy cow that is the cutest phrase ever
-I asked Miss S (who is verrrry Southern) and she told me that it is, in fact, the natural reflex of a Southern woman to offer food to anyone who shows up on her doorstep. In her words, "if you come to my house, I don't care why you're there, Imma get up and fix you something."
Monday I got to play basketball for the first time since the MTC. My companions wouldn't play with me, but I still had fun and relieved some tension. We also went to Chic Fil A to celebrate 3 months!!! But I didn't eat there because I am broke, and I needed to send a package. So I made myself a salad instead. But it was good. We also had all of our appointments fall through. Meh.
Tuesday was the hardest day of my whole mission and possibly my life. Don't worry! I made it! With Christ, I can do anything! But, let me set the stage, and tell ya what I learned. I was so, so tired. I was highly emotional due to said tiredness. In this vulnerable state, we met a very depressed and angry man who threw God's name into the mud and trampled the most sacred and precious of the truths we believed. I have never been more offended by anyone's language than this man. No matter what we said to him, he wouldn't listen. He had completely hardened his heart. But even as distraught as this made us, God held us up. He put words in our mouths that may not have changed the way this man thought, but which might have touched his nonmember wife sitting nearby. In tears, we testified of Christ and His love, and the covenants we had made which meant and mean that no matter what goes on in the world around us, we need never despair. And we left the man still bitter in his heart, but we were definitely a lot more humble. Because we know that we didn't have the strength in that moment, when we were so tired and run down and appalled at the things we'd heard, to testify so powerfully. God was with us, and He used our mouths. Friends and family, please be worthy of the Spirit, and if you're not, do whatever it takes to get there. Because without it, we'd flounder as missionaries, and as people.
But! On a more positive note about Tuesday, we taught theeeee best lesson to a guy named T over FaceTime, and he accepted the invitation to be baptized! Unfortunately, we found out that he lives in Irmo, but, good thing number 2, guess who else is in Irmo? SISTER CORDON. THE FIRST COMPANION I EVER HAD. And so we got to pass him off to her and her trainer. They taught him twice this week and he is on date to be baptized April 8th, plus I've been able to talk to Sister Cordon on the phone, which is basically the best ever. Also, that night I received another priesthood blessing. The priesthood is so real. I've noticed so many cool repetitions of promises anytime a priesthood holder gives me a blessing, and it's so wonderful.
Wednesday was lots of fun! After that hard day, it was much easier to appreciate the awesomeness of feeling better and also the pure joy of working our tails off. We went finding and did some good ol' knocking. We accomplished a whole lot and it was so fun.
Thursday we didn't go to Mepkin, but we had a lesson with One-Legged S and then had lunch with Miss U. She's a hoot. We also went to visit Brother H because he had a stroke. We sang for him and his wife since they weren't at church, and they both loved it. It was hard to see Brother H so helpless. He's a very intelligent and tough man, and he can still talk, but it takes him more effort than it used to. That night was Book of Mormon class, and I think Brother S might be Grandpa Louw reincarnated, because he likes to deconstruct Hebrew cultural references and talk about the Christian dilemma of soteriology. We actually had R come, though, and she loved it! She was very inspired to actually read the Book of Mormon afterwards. 
Friday we had zone interviews with President about obedience. Mine went like this.
President: how are you?
Me: better than Tuesday.
President: good! Are you over it?
Me: pretty much.
President: anything you need to tell me?
Me: nah, it's cool.
President: Sweet! I bet you'll be a better missionary since you had a hard time and you learned from it.
Me: thanks, President. 
President: Also, be obedient. 
Me: okay. I will.

And that's it.

Also on Friday, we taught a Bible referral named S, and she was so great. She loved the story of Joseph Smith. She is a new investigator now!!! Also, I got to meet a less active's investigator wife who we haven't seen since I've been here but apparently have been teaching for awhile. Her name is S and she is way cool.

Saturday we did zone service pretty much all day. We went to this barn and did lots of stuff, including but not limited to: picking up sticks, touching horse poop (on accident), destroying red anthills (WHICH ARE EVERYWHERE AND THOSE BUGS ARE LITTLE TINY SATANS. ALL OF THEM.), putting up a horse fence, and moving A TREE because I AM SUPER SWOLL. I actually have notice how much more toned and defined my arms have gotten, thanks to the two pound weights my mom sent me. This is not a lie, or a joke. But anyway, at this barn, they have ponies. Which brings us to the subject line. I have seen ponies in the past, and it was great and I loved them. BUT. Have any of you ever seen a pony run? Because holy cow. I have never laughed so hard in my life. Their little stubby legs! I can't! 

Yesterday we got to see a returning less active named R. We sang for him to try to give him hope to quit smoking. He loved it.

We worked real hard this week, and I sure feel good, fam. That's how missionary work works.

Only one quote really matters from this week, and that is:

"The sisters are probably cleaning their apartment. Sister Pew could be the mop!" -Brother D

Don't let the muggles get you down!

-Sister Pew

Biking!

Lucky Sisters!

Ponies!!!

A picture Sister Pew made on her tablet

Cat at the farm

Beautiful South Carolina

Nice parking job

At the greenhouse

Azaleas

Service, see how buff I am!

Week 12-D money

Hey y'all!

What a week! What a week! My heavens, I can't believe I've been out for 3 months. AHHHHHH! Weird.

Things are going well in M! Everything is blooming and the world looks wonderful. 

Monday of last week we went to Summerville. We went to a store called Palmetto Moon which has good touristy things. It was quite fun. Also, I tried Panera for the first time. I liked it but was not overly impressed with the prices! ;) Missionary life is the cheap life. We also taught the P family that night and had the comp unity level of Alma and Amulek

Tuesday we delivered cookies to people. It was way fun! One of the people that we delivered cookies to is a recent convert named Brother W. D-money, for short (first name starts with D). He's about 70. And he's in love with me now, so this is excellent news. He said, "Sister Pew, you have one of the prettiest faces I've seen since I got here!" And I thought it was hilarious. We also stopped by the bishop's house and sang him a song because he was sick. And that's how we ended up singing in church on Sunday. I was the one who started the song, and then I sung alto for the rest of it.

Wednesday we met this dude named G, and we attempted to teach him a lesson, but we just ended up sitting there and listening while he talked at us for 1.5 hours. The man can talk. And then when he left, we all had said about 5 sentences apiece and realized that we had by some miracle covered all the points of the Restoration lesson. God is real.

Thursday we did absolutely nothing at M because Miss U kidnapped us and took us to a farm instead??? Also she bought us ice cream. Book of Mormon class got canceled, but we forgot to tell our investigator R about it. So she showed up at the church at 7 anyway, and we just HAPPENED to be there because one of the members in the ward had asked if I could play the piano for her daughter's baptism and I was practicing. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and read some with her. The Spirit was way strong. It was awesome. She kept saying stuff like, "this is what I need" and "this is so nice" and it rocked.

Friday we went to Zone Conference! It was great. President Turner is awesome. Gosh, I love that guy. We also roleplayed teaching someone the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I finally learned how to ask good questions! So that was great. That night I did not end up having to play for the baptism, because the bishop's wife saved my bacon.

Saturday we went finding with Sister S, who is a force of nature, who also knows B from my last area and that was awesome!!! We contacted 2 less active members on her visiting teaching list and it was awesome.

Yesterday, we sang in church! We also joined the ward choir, and taught S and R.

Some Quotes:

*"The Spirit whispers, 'that's Panera'." -Sister Pew
*"I want to hit this cat." -Sister Goettsche
*"Elder G is like a male Ms. Frizzle." -Sister Pew
*"Can you make the unicorns, like...black?" -Sister Goettsche
*"oh no! I have to pee! It's contagious!" -Sister Julander
*"Sister Goettsche is like the positivity Hitler." -Sister Pew
*"You have so much ahead of you and it will either be really good or it'll suck." -Miss U
*"Anytime you see a turtle it's gonna be a great day." -Sister Turner (the mission president's wife)

Don't give up! Don't give in! Don't let the muggles get you down!

Love,

Sister Pew

**no pictures this week but a member posted a video of Sister Pew and her companions singing in church on Facebook. So if you are friends with her or her parents the video is there.

Sister Pew Week 11-Where in the Ham Sandwich is that???

This week's headline comes from the fabulous Miss U. That is apparently what she said when she met her husband and he told her he was from Berkeley County (which is where M is). She made us PB&J this week. She's the best.

So the unfortunate thing about M is that no one here is actually super Southern, so a lot of southern things don't really happen. But, just so I can assure you all that there is still a sense of humor, here is a list of things that have actually been said this week within our companionship.

*"The only thing more beautiful than mac & cheese is us." -Sister Julander
*"I am a unicorn!!" *proceeds to try and spear Sister Julander with her bun* -Sister Goettsche
*"I just want to be a snail." -Sister Pew

See mom? I am having fun!

The companionship

I think this is an elder from her MTC district

Being confused

*"I'm allergic? ... No, I'm related." -Sister Pew 

So, there's that. Being in a trio is wildly entertaining, fam.

This week was pretty slow. All of our lessons but one cancelled on us, which was a huge bummer. But there were also some crazy things. Some highlights include:

-Monday: Making homemade mac & cheese for my companions, which will heretofore be known as the Great Cheese Coma of 2017, plus I got to meet Sister C, who is in her 60s, unmarried, and basically needs to be the ruler of the universe. If you mixed Senorita Taylor with someone who literally never gets frustrated, you'd get Miss C. She's amazing.

-Tuesday: We literally all caught the spirit of Elijah because for in-field training that day we decided to do some family history and fill out our pedigree books that President sent us. And GUESS WHAT IT WAS REALLY FUN...I'm sorta mad I didn't do more family history before my mission, but I'm glad that our church building has a family history center available for our use (during non-proselyting time, of course). So, also, if anyone in my family has any family history information that they have for some reason NOT added to FamilySearch, do it! Also, everyone here loves family history because they're all converts who want to baptize their ancestors and everyone else, so I'm basically a celebrity because my very own father works for FamilySearch.

-Wednesday: That day we tried to find people with no luck, but that evening we had a lesson with a less active and his investigator spouse at a members' home. These members, specifically, being the Ds. The Ds are amazing. So when the investigators didn't show up, the Ds told us that we should just teach them the lesson (because in our mission we've been encouraged to have lessons in members' homes). And once they found out we were teaching the Restoration, they decided to just have us watch Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration, and then we all bore our testimonies about Joseph Smith.

-Thursday: We did service literally all day. We went to M with Miss U, who apparently named me Laura after one of the characters in a movie called Dr.  Zhivago which sounds like a terrible movie, but apparently I look like the main character a little bit. And then we helped Sister J move.  The Georgetown elders actually came down to Book of Mormon class because they slept over with the M elders because the M elders needed a ride to ZTM Friday morning, and turns out Elder W used to serve here. So everyone at Book of Mormon class totally knew him. But anyways. Crazy day.

-Friday: ZTM! It was super awesome. Elder G and Elder R did a great job, despite all the changes, and Sister I and Sister F, the STLs, are the sweetest. Elder G and Elder R gave a whole training about how we all need to have more fun. I was having fun before, but now I'm being encouraged to have even more fun. So this is really exciting. Also, I got to officially meet Elder R because I hadn't done that yet. He's pretty cool. Also, that night I got a blessing because I just can't sleep whenever I'm transferred until I get a blessing. Our elders are so cool. Elder D came with like, a talk about priesthood blessings and faith. And Elder G gave a very inspired blessing. So that was awesome.

-Saturday: We had a lesson with E scheduled, but she didn't show up. We also had a lesson with R, and he canceled. So we did some service for a less active with the elders, and we were able to do weekly planning and comp inventory, where we evaluated if we are having enough fun or not. And it turns out that I am really good at getting to the root of the problem. We ironed out a lot of stuff, which was not dramatic or bad, and it was great.

-Yesterday: we are growing steadily in reputation, because Sister Goettsche sings, and Sister Julander sings, and I sing, so we all sing for people a lot. Yesterday we sung for a less active and her unbaptized 19 year old son, and also Brother R's primary class, and we can feel that we will be asked to sing in sacrament and probably also at Zone Conference on Friday. But whatever. We also met a less active named V, and she was way nice. We got all the information Bishop needs to get her records and he agreed to go visit her. Every Sunday night, Bishop goes out and visits less actives and investigators. THIS GUY. HE IS THE BEST GUY.

Today we're heading down to Summerville! Next week we'll probably go to Charleston, though, so that's exciting. 

I love y'all! Don't let the muggles get you down!

All my love,

Sister Pew

Week 10-My name is Laura

OH WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN. Crazy confusing and crazy fun and waaaaay too fast. I can't even believe that I have almost been gone for 3 months. What the heck. It's almost March.

So I am now in M!!!! It's such a pretty area, about 30 minutes away from the ocean.  This week's Southern Things are a little limited:

-Miss U

I shall explain that later.

Okay, so last Monday was Sister Hansen's last pday. We packed all day and also went to Lizard's Thicket, which is basically just southern food so it was really good. We saw a bunch of people and said goodbye.

Tuesday we did lots of good work to leave the area better than we found it. We found 2 new investigators. Also, we stayed up waaaaaay too late because Sister Hansen and I couldn't sleep because we were jittery.

Wednesday was transfers. And my dear mother went home. Actually she went to the mission home. But I have missed her these past few days. She emailed me and seems to be doing pretty well. I also found out I'd be coming to M in Charleston zone so that was exciting! Someone tell the Nilsons! And I met my two new companions, Sister Goettsche (from ALPINE AND SHE KNOWS LIKE EVERYONE I KNOW SO THAT IS AWESOME) and Sister Julander (from Orange County California). They are pretty great and both did theater in high school. However, I have no one who will commiserate with me about not being able to watch March Madness, except for one of the elders from our ward, Elder D, who actually knows the Fitisemanus from back home. He was apparently way good friends with them, which is awesome. He is companions with Elder G, who is from St. George and reminds me so much of Cutter Mendenhall. So my ward is fun. Also, everyone here really wants to help us with missionary work.

Thursday we went to Mepkin Abbey to GARDEN. Seriously, I was so excited. Mepkin Abbey is a plantation-turned-monastery and we help take care of the grounds. We trimmed and mulched and fertilized and composted! It was so much fun and the old ladies we met there were hilarious. Usually, Miss U will take us to Mepkin, but she wasn't there. But fear not! I got to meet her that night! We had Book of Mormon class.  Also, that night we got a ride home from the church from Miss U, who lives down the street from us, and LOVES missionaries (but won't get baptized, what the heck???) But she also won't call us by our surnames, so she just gives us names. Sister Goettsche is Margaret, Sister Julander is Faith, Elder D is Felix, Elder G is Garth, and I... am Laura. So she's way cute and I love her. She also has a very thick accent, which most people down here don't. I do miss my B country accents.

Friday we had a lesson with a lady named B. Everyone's name in South Carolina is either Barbara, Debbie, Brenda, Robin or Jessica. I swear it. But she was so ready and we tried to put her on date, but she just wouldn't accept a date. It's a bit frustrating because we taught her about eternal families and temples and she knows it's all true but just doesn't want to get baptized yet.

Saturday we had stake conference! It was awesome! They had all these people who were converts bear their testimonies. It was great. Also, beforehand a member named Sister H broke all the rules and MADE us go out to eat with her. Everyone was so surprised to see how much I can eat...buffets are great, yo.

Yesterday was also stake conference.President Turner. I got to hear him and his wife speak two weeks in a row. I am blessed. He is the best ever and I am so sad he's leaving in the summer!!! :( But anyway. Everything everyone said was so perfect. I am trying to be more charitable, and basically everyone talked about charity, so that was a blessing. Also last night we had some group therapy where our companionship basically bonded hardcore and we are all best friends now. They have to take care of me because I am traumatized because my "mom" "died". LOLOLOL. But it was great, and we spent the rest of the night talking about Shakespeare and eating kettle corn. It was a 10/10 time.

Today we have been shopping. I wrote L a letter and I hope she gets it soon. 

I love being a missionary, like a lot. I know I need to be here right now and I love it. I LOVE IT. IIIIIIIIII LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IIIIIIIIIIT. Okay. I think I'm done.

I love y'all! Don't let the muggles get you down!

All my love,

Sister Pew

Last day in old area

Sweet people in her first area.

2 month mark on Valentines Day

Saying good-bye to her "Mom" Trainer

Her bed

New area

A restaurant they went to...mmmm