Week 22 - Can you not see this woman is a nun

Hey y'all! I survived another transfer:)

Last week was pretty slow. But this week was pretty exciting!

So Monday we found out the transfer news. Obviously we were desperately sad, and we moped and packed with Sister Goettsche all day. *Side note: I am so relieved that I don't have to train. I have no desire to do that. Ever. But anyways. It was a depressing p-day if there ever was one. Except, Sister Goettsche painted me a painting and it was #tender. It's really pretty. I don't have a picture but remind me to send one next week. It's one of those paintings that you can be like, "What do you think it means?" and the person will say, "This" and you're like, "Exactly." I love it. That night we went to teach R, and man I love that woman. She doesn't have any teeth. It's the best. And she also brought her friend K who does have teeth to the lesson. K actually came to Relief Society Activity a few weeks ago and asked a lot of questions about the Plan of Salvation which were fun to explain. And then we got to teach her the Restoration. About halfway through the lesson this guy named D showed up. He started out kind of wanting to Bible-bash with us, but thank heavens Sister L (a member of their ward) was there! Sister L used to be Catholic and is a masterful teacher. She can make connections with people. So she did; and once D saw that we have more similarities to his current religion (Southern Baptist...of course) he began to respect us as teachers of religion. He was actually asking us questions in order to learn more instead of to prove that our religion is not correct  Anyways, after D left we actually ended up teaching K and R a lot of other things. Sister Goettsche and I brought up baptism and Sister Goettsche said, "you're going to have to make a lot of changes if you want to get baptized." And K kinda tilts her head and goes, "What kind of changes?" So we briefly went over the Word of Wisdom (which she wants to do) and the Law of Chastity (which she also wants to do) and committed her to be baptized! Such a great lesson. And all y'all missionaries reading this email, it is well worth the effort to get members involved in missionary work. I would hazard to say that even if the majority of what you do in a specific area revolves around helping members to be more invested in this great final cause of Christ, you have baptized more than you would have without their help. Because members make ALL the difference. Missionary work is pointless without the help of members who are not full-time missionaries.

Tuesday! We had a wild time saying goodbye to everyone. We went over and taught a VERY sick R about stuff (mostly reading the Book of Mormon) and kinda laid into S because he was smoking when we pulled up and he was supposed to have quit two weeks ago. He kept saying, "I'll quit on Sunday when I go out of town" and we kept saying "S, you can't procrastinate the day of your repentance!" and he just wouldn't do it. It was very discouraging, especially because S literally experiences no physical symptoms of addiction. He just plain likes smoking. So he won't stop because he enjoys it. Which is actually the worst. Ugh. Then we went over to U's and Sister Goettsche (Margaret) sang while Elder D (Felix) played the cello. They did "Come Thou Fount" and twas muy bueno. Tuesday night we went out to eat to celebrate Sister Goettsche's life here and then we had some leftover dinnertime and Petco was right next door so we went to Petco and looked at all the animals to relieve stress. We also made some phone calls and packed some more stuff.

New companion! Sister Kniffen

Wednesday morning was transfers! Sister Goettsche left and it was literally the saddest thing that has ever happened so we're done talking about that now. But my new companion, Sister Kniffen, is the greatest! She is from Idaho, has been out one more transfer than me, and has her cosmetology license so I don't have to pay anyone to cut my hair (not that I was going to anyway, but now even more)! She is super funny. She is this really excellent blend of cute and awkward. It took us 5ever to get home, mostly because President C (of the mission presidency) and his wife broke all the rules and took us out to eat even though that is NOT allowed and they know it. *sigh* But they were driving us so we couldn't exactly refuse point blank without causing a terrible scene. Pray for our souls. That night we went to the S Family. E is a prospective elder and J is an unbaptized youth. She wants E to baptize her. The problem with this is, E thinks that God isn't real. He thinks that God's plan should have been for everyone to have the same life and for no bad things to ever happen. To which thought we responded, "E, that is literally Satan's plan. What the heck." Also, U dropped in to meet Gloria (which is Sister Kniffen). I love her so much.

Thursday we went to Mepkin! I got to drive Sister Kniffen around and show her cool stuff while we cleaned up some debris. We saw the Cooper River, a gator, the Laurens graves and lots of other pretty things. We also picked up some trees. Not branches. Trees. And broke them. With our bare hands. They were smallish trees. But they were still trees. When we got home we changed and shot right off to S and A's house so we could say goodbye to them before they move. Oh, PS, I am the designated driver now, so pray for us. It was my first time driving out to Cane Bay where a lot of church people and investigators live, and we got very lost. We made it just in time and had a nice chat with S and A. (S is a former investigator and A is her less active husband. He still believes in the doctrines of the church and pays his tithing but feels guilty about being a retired Navy seal and killing people and stuff.) But it was a great visit. They even lent us their canopy for the family history booth at the farmer's market. Our EZ Up that we had blew into the baseball fence a few weeks ago before we could secure it, so the past few weeks we've been out in the sun for 4 HOURS. Bless them. Anyways, the family history booth went really well. We met this guy who sells REALLY GOOD SAUSAGE and offers free samples which is the freakin greatest, and he was super interested in the gospel and family history but lives in Sumter, so we sent Elder D over there to give him the Sumter missionaries' information because he served in Sumter before he served here. Hopefully he gets baptized because he is really nice and seriously his sausage guys. I don't even like sausage that much. But I daydream about that stuff. The Church needs his unique talents and abilities. That night was Sister Kniffen's first Book of Mormon class. We literally talked about politics the whole time. Sister Kniffen said, "I felt like I was in a secret government meeting instead of a class on the Book of Mormon." It does feel like that sometimes.

Friday we had weekly planning to do. We thought it would take 2 hours, tops, and we had all this great finding planned for the day, and it was great. AND THEN. We're about an hour into weekly planning. This dude calls us. His name was JR. He is a Judeo-Christian. He believes in temples. And he's reading the Book of Mormon. And he lives in our area. And he totally accepts the Book of Mormon as an ancient record translated by the power of God. He called us and he said, "I need someone who's been a member for at least a decade!" and I said, "I am qualified!" and he said, "Someone who has taken classes on the Book of Mormon!" and I said, "I am still qualified!" and he said, "I don't want you to come to our house though." And I said, "Oh." And I thought, what the heck. Why not? He sounds like he really wants the Book of Mormon to be true, and he's looking for something that refutes what he "knows" the Book of Mormon means by the condescension of God, (literally Jesus Christ. That is what the Book of Mormon means.) but he currently can't find any, and he wanted basically for us to prove that the Book of Mormon is in fact correct. Long story short, this phone call was 5ever long and exceedingly confusing and unproductive. And by the end of it, JR was like, "Okay I'm going to call you 2 to 3 times a week because that's what the Salt Lake people said I could do" and we had to explain that no, we teach lessons to people who want to get baptized 2 to 3 times a week and if he just wanted stuff in the Book of Mormon explained to him we could maybe direct him to a member who could help him. He was vaguely upset and confused and we just said, "Look man. Call us in a week. We'll explain better." Our brains hurt so bad. It was one of the hardest conversations to follow. Next time we'll go over missionary expectations and keeping commitments and also just tell him to pray about it. Whew, it was a trip. Then later that day we visited Sister C and did Mormon.org time, during which I started practicing my Spanish. I have this sneaking suspicion that one day I will be an hermana. We'll see. Then we went finding with Sister C. We found a couple potentials and met a less-active named K who has low immunity so she can't come to church with all the sicky kids. BUT she has this MASSIVE BEAUTIFUL DOG called a malimut. He is beautiful. His name is Kai. He looks like if you mixed a bear with a husky. And I love him. And I need one.

At the ward activity

Saturday we were on our way to V's when we were stopped at a light and saw this couple making out. I then proceeded to say the subject of today's email. I thought it was a pretty well-timed movie quote if I'm being honest. V was sweet as ever. Her garments should arrive in a couple days. This is very exciting. After we went to see V we went to the ward activity, which is where, my dear parents, you received that photo of me. Sister E the Relief Society president sent it. The activity was field day at her house and OH MY GOSH THEIR HOUSE IS SO PRETTY. They low key still live on a plantation, but without the slaves. They have 600 acres. It is beautiful. Also, at the ward activity, Sister Kniffen and I ended up just playing games with the kids the whole time. I'm pretty sure we've passed Babysitting Level 5, which is the highest level you can pass before you enter the Parenthood level. Also, something that made my heart kinda happy: Brother S, who is awesome, told his daughter K while I was getting her a drink that when she goes on a mission, he hopes she is exactly like me. :') I really needed to hear that! As a missionary, I feel like I am good, but I always have a hard time seeing the difference I make. It was good to know that I at least had an effect on someone in the ward. Later that night we went to visit the Ws, this old cute couple with health issues. It was fun.

Yesterday was one of the most spiritual Sabbath days I have ever had. The sacrament was so meaningful for me. I was fasting for a lot of personal things and I ended up having just such a great experience. Also Sister Kniffen and I got to teach gospel principles. R came and actually ended up getting offended (not by us) and telling us not to come over, even though we had planned to do so. Sister Kniffen and I prayed about it. We sat there after we prayed for a minute, and then the clearest thought entered my head: "R needs you." So we showed up anyways. I don't know that I have ever been so afraid in my

life than when I saw R come outside with his hands in his pockets. He asked, "So, your phone doesn't work?" And we said, "No, it does." And he said, "Then why are you here?" And we said, "Because God told us that you needed us." And he just started to cry. I have never felt like I have saved a life before. But I think we may have with R last night.

My beloved friends and family, I hope you know that when you turn your lives over to God, He can use you to touch other people. And that is honestly the greatest experience of all of mortality. If you can bring light to another person, you will be changed forever. I promise you. If you're a member, do what you're supposed to do. Read the Book of Mormon. Pray for missionaries and for missionary experiences. Go out with the full-time missionaries. Attend all your church meetings and participate. Have joy. If you aren't a member, please, what I am about to tell you WILL change your life if you let it. Open your heart. Find yourself a copy of the Book of Mormon (or Book of Mormon); missionaries and church members give them away for free. Read a little bit every day. And pray about it. If you really want to know that it's true, God will tell you. I promise you that I have seen this knowledge take the most broken and imperfect and terrified individuals and turn them into someone confident and sure in Christ. I have seen it do that for my investigators, but more importantly, I have seen it do that for me.

I love y'all!

Don't let the muggles get you down!

-Sister Pew

A list that you can share with missionary moms, especially missionary moms for sister missionaries serving stateside!

Things that are helpful to send in packages:

-Toiletries (perfume, makeup, shampoo & conditioner, deodorant)

-Clothing (dresses & skirts especially)

-Accessories (jewelry, hair bows, etc. just be sure they're vaguely conservative and not huge and bulky or anything)

-CDs, and for musically inclined people sheet music as well

-office supplies (staples, pens, stationery, paper)

-art & craft supplies (finger paints, coloring books, craft scissors, etc)

-healthy snacks (granola bars, chex mix, nuts & dried fruits, triscuits, etc)

-apartment decorations

-gift cards to places like Walmart and Target

-anything that can be used to help another person :)

-funny pictures/memes

-positive/uplifting quotes

-things to decorate with

Week 21 that's way too many weeks

Hello again, I just talked to you yesterday but here we are. It's Monday. And for my adopted fam, I didn't talk to you yesterday so here's what's up.

Sister Goettsche is leaving meee.... and I hate everything. Not really, but I love her so much and I'm so sad! No more singing duets for investigators...maybe. but I get to stay in Mtown!!!! So that's good. I'm glad I get at least another 6 weeks :') 

So this week was pretty slow. Not much happened. We went bowling for pday. It was so fun. I beat all the elders (they actually went the week before but I topped the winner's high score, easy.) We also went to Goodwill and got Hawaiian shirts and I tried Taco Bell for the first time. I think I'm probably going to send a video of me talking about our week because I super don't want to type it all up.

Note from Sister Pew's mom: I am not sure how to show the video so here are my notes on it:

She liked Taco Bell (this surprised me since she is picky about Mexican food)

Tuesday they helped a sister in the ward make mats for homeless people. She is French and she fed them lots of yummy food. They had Book of Mormon class and nothing shocking this week there.

Wednesday they visited people that live out in the rural area of their area.

Thursday they worked at the Abbey and is was a little sad because they felt like it might be her companion's last time going there--which is was. She got to drive the "gator" the razor/ATV type truck for gardening. There is a picture of her sitting in one on her blog a few weeks back. They worked at the Family History Booth. That night they went to the Relief Society Activity: "Speed Friendshipping"

like speed dating only friends. R came and brought a friend who is ready for the Gospel and R is on date for baptism.

Friday they weekly planned. Visited a family who is thinking of discontinuing missionary lessons. She's sad but has perspective that it will all  work out some day down the road.

Saturday they visited V who they are helping prepare to return to the temple and R who is doing better this week than last time they visited. He sounds like a tough cookie!

Sunday after church they visited and dropped off letters to ladies who take care of them before skyping home.

Highlights from the skype:

Her accent isn't too strong she does say y'all. 

Her favorite new food is fried Okra. 

Most surprising thing about the mission: how fun it is and how nice people are even if they aren't interested

Hardest thing about the mission: feeling like she's good enough

Other things: she feels like her mission is going too fast (out 5 months now) it makes her sad to think that it is going to end some day

She bore testimony of Jesus Christ and that he loves us and that he will help us become the people we are supposed to be. She bore testimony that she knows that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's church restored. 

She and her companion sang A Child's Prayer for us. We sang Lead Kindly Light together and we had a family prayer at the end. 

Other family members were there and asked questions, I just remember what they were nor the answers. The skype kept freezing so the after restarting 4 times we just talked by phone. 

She looks great and is so happy! It was awesome to communicate with her!

Thanks for your support!

One of her investigators gave this red nose to her! Terrifying!

Week 20-too soon...

Hello everyone! This week's headline is because I have been on a mission for 5 Months this Sunday when I get to talk to you, and I am FREAKING OUT.

SO, as far as Skyping on Mother's day, I will be Skyping at around 5 your time, my Utah family. (So it'll be like 7 pm here.) I will have about an hour. If you have any questions about any context behind our brilliant quotes we've said, that would be a good time to ask.
I have realized how lame my emails are becoming. The  ward has thoroughly chastised me, especially those with missionary children, AKA 2 of the 3 members of the bishopric. I have repented. So here's a great email coming up!
First thing I want to do is tell you about some of the ways I have changed on my mission, so you're not shocked or anything:
I am so fat. So, so fat. Because the South. And although the members aren't allowed to feed us, they definitely just drop food off at our house. So I need to stop eating it because it's making me fat.
I am way more social. I realized that most of my antisocialness was me being lazy because I am pretty darn lazy. But the mission is making me not be lazy so I have overcome that. I am still introverted and require alone time but it's manageable.
I have changed from wanting to be a good missionary to wanting to be a lifetime disciple of Christ.
I have realized that I actually can help people, and lots of times it's the missionaries I serve around.

I haven't grown at all, but I have muscles in my arms now!!!
That's not all but it's all I'm gonna write about.
Monday! We went to Charleston. It was the greatest. We went to a Thai restaurant and had some killer sushi. It was so freakin good, and I almost died. Then we walked to the old slave market because Charleston used to be a freaking huge trading port and they changed the old slave market to just a market with no slaves but lots of other things. I bought nothing. But it was still cool. Then, we found the Atlantic Ocean! It was awesome. We walked along the waterfront for awhile and hit up Rainbow Row (a famous bunch of houses painted fun pastel colors), and then we went to Battery Park which has lots of really cool history things. Then we walked down Meeting Street, which is where a ton of really old historic houses are. They were so cool. Holy. Cow. Charleston is the best city. We came back, and then turned around and went to Cross to see R who we thought was off our records for awhile. But we brought Sister H, and Sister H helped a lot. And now...R's getting baptized. In June. And we are pumped. She even told us she feels like this is where she's supposed to be.
Tuesday, we taught R and it was great. She's so awesome.  We taught her the Word of Wisdom and she took to it like a fish to water. She was already quitting coffee when we started teaching her. It was quite the day. We then went to the Ds and talked to them about missionary work. Except, they're the Ds, affectionately referred to as Saint D and his wife Saint D by all the missionaries, so they basically taught us how to do missionary work because they're better missionaries than us. They seriously were talking to us about all the people they're already teaching. We love them so freakin' much.

Wednesday morning Elder W was here on exchanges with Elder G, and so we went to U's to give her her BIRTHDAY PRESENT because it was her BIRTHDAY last Friday and then to practice Sister Goettsche's upcoming district meeting musical number because Elder W is playing the guitar for it. Then we went over to the S' house and taught their 20 year old M, who calls us "Team Jesus", not sure why. He's kind of a stinker but we love him anyway. We committed him to read the Book of Mormon and come to church which he did NOT do for some lame reasons but it's okay because we got him a really solid fellowshipper in Brother F because they are both obsessed with cars. Izak, you gotta meet this guy. That night we went over to the Ts, featuring nonmember C and severely less-active D.  Also they fed us burgers so it was a pretty good time. D's not really antagonistic, he just doesn't wanna be all in. Which is silly. But we're workin' on him.

Thursday was a great day. We went to Mepkin, got ice cream, and then learned via the elders that it was 50 cent corn dog day at Sonic so we ran to Sonic and bought 10 corn dogs for $5.50. We then took said corn dogs to the family history booth and shared them with the elders. Elder W accidentally left his guitar in our church building so to attract the farmer's market people to our booth we jammed on the guitar (appropriately). We started this new thing where we do it with the elders and one companionship goes and talks to people and one sits at the booth and we switch off periodically. It was a great time. That night we had Book of Mormon class and it was less wild than the last few times but still pretty wild.

Friday we had interviews with President Turner, which was boss. I love that guy. We executively decided not to give Elder W his guitar back and so we've had it for the past few days, which has been great. Then we went to M's house and she talked about her problems. She has many. The poor thing. Then we went out finding and met this guy named M. It was kinda funny because he came to the door and peeked through the window and said, "I need to put some clothes on. Let me get dressed." So we waited for five minutes while he became less naked. He was pretty closed off at the beginning, and then we asked him where he was from, and he said he was from SAN ANTONIO and I told him "Hey, that's where my brother served his mission!" And after that he was way cool. Funny how the Lord prepares you in the weirdest ways. M became a new investigator that day.

Saturday we cleaned the whole church by ourselves because we freaking love the ward. We also went to V's and she fed us because she is less active so she can.. We raced home so we could make it to our apartment before Sister R, who took us out in the boonies to find people. It was pretty productive - we found out a less active named G has an unbaptized daughter we don't have on record because she came to the door and answered it. She was ten (in January of this year). And she was taller than me. I was upset. That night we went to R's. He came to church so that was good.

Yesterday was great! Probably the most spiritual fast and testimony meeting I've ever attended. Everything everyone said was so good. I just love this ward - it's like home to me. These people are so loving and kind. After church we went out finding in the boonies again, which was a great time, and then dropped in on a former investigator called J whom we had lost contact with. She was having a really hard day so we showed her the Prince of Peace video. She is really cute and just needs to get baptized but she got a job and works Sundays all day.

Today we're going BOWLING! (Monday is p-day)

Also, last night and this morning I found out literally EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING AT HOME WITHOUT ME. STOP TELLING ME THINGS! Hahahahah jk, keep sharing what is going on with y'all. I am very excited to see the blessings in your lives! Also, all y'all ladies who just graduated with me, would you stop getting engaged? You're freakin me out. Thanks.

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

-Sister Pew

Here is a link to Em and her companion singing "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go"https://youtu.be/mj4QuEtked4

Photos from Charleston

Week 19 - "Sweet Gherkins!"

Well, family, it's another day in paradise.

This week has been the greatest! The subject comes from on Saturday when we were moving Brother H's old office to the new one we've been painting (see note she sent later below). I'm really at a loss for what to say because there's a lot that happened and I don't have a lot of time. 

Highlights:

R, S's wife, is ON DATE and she is so determined!!! We are so excited for her.

V came to church! For the first time in 16 years!

C's son M is a new investigator and I AM SO EXCITED.

President Turner came to our ward and literally said our ward is the best ward ever because our ward mission leader presented a 3rd Sunday discussion about MISSIONARY WORK and I AM SO HAPPY

Also I had a hard day but it turned into a really good day because I prayed really hard that I would feel peace and it totally worked.

We don't have any quotes but I'll be sending you a couple videos! :) (We are trying to get it on YouTube to share--she sent 2 of the same videos)

-Sister Pew

Oh sorry I forgot to explain the whole sweet gherkins story. Elder D is so goofy and he was there helping us move stuff and was telling us he needed a new fake expletive. Then we went to the fridge to move it and Brother H told us to clean it out first. I opened it up to see a single jar of pickles labeled "Sweet Gherkins" and I said, "Elder D, I have found the answer to your prayers." And he said, "you're right." And that's the new exclamation of choice. 

Also I forgot another highlight: We had a ward activity Saturday night and it was so fun. The best part was, we were all playing games in the gym and the kids were being noisy and so the adults were getting annoyed. So while my companion and the elders helped our investigator who was there, they sent me to handle the children. We played a game called Taco Cat, which is Marco Polo but quieter and with no water and you say Taco Cat instead of Marco Polo. And now the whole ward loves me because I took care of their kids and helped them be quieter. It was the best time of my life.