Semana ?? (65) La Sombra/Hillpointe: Busy as a bee

Good morning y'all! We are up and prepping for the 5K this morning! We shall see how we fare. 

Monday: Wow crazy pday, we took it slow on the morning and then headed off to play some gator ball with the zone. I took one for the team and played and then proceeded to be nailed in the head by a very fast soccer ball. That quickly ended my gator ball time and I spent the rest of the day trying to figure out school stuff and talking with family and friends. After pday was over we went to the Ready's house for dinner and then helped Elisabeth get ready for her baptismal interview! We read her the questions, got her all prepared and then headed off to bed! 

Tuesday: Honestly the only thing to write home about today is that we went to a Relief Society meeting where we went through the entire list of Sisters and found all the ones we didn't know to go visit. I seriously have a curse of being productive and efficient I think because that should have been 30 minute meeting was like 2 HOURS! I was so bored by the end, but glad we were able to get everything figured out. The ladies in the RS here are amazing and are really trying to find the ladies which I appreciate so much.

Wednesday: This fine day we knocked a ton of doors, set up a bunch of appointments, and then really that's about it. We taught English at HandUp again and it's exciting to see my class grow since they've started with me! We are 6 weeks in and you can already see a huge difference in their language abilities. So stinking cool. I love it. Almost makes me want to be an English teacher, but then I remember all the papers I'd have to read and grade on my own time and decide against it ;) 

Thursday: Exchanges! Today I got the be with the woman the myth the legend Sister Douglas. I love this girl so much and am still convinced we are related somehow. We got to go to our Spanish Area and get her out of Summerlin for the day to experience a different part of Vegas! She got all the smells, rusty bells, and crazy stories of the other half! It was super fun and we ended the night at the RS activity where we made Gorditas de Nata which are a Mexican pastry and were like if a scone and a sweet biscuit had a baby. They were super yummy with some Nutella. 

Friday: Exchanges part 2! Today I went back up to Canyon Springs with Sister Buchanan, we've been her STL for so long it was basically just a normal day. I know all their investigators, we know each other! It was super fun! We share some country roots and we're able to bond over that which was really fun. Although I do have to admit she's a lot more country than me. We visited some awesome families and ended up with some good stories. 

Saturday: The day of days. We went to 4 baptisms today! Sister Susman had a family of 3 who she taught in Summerlin and we went to their baptism. It was a full house! Standing room only I swear. So many people loved that family and they were welcomed in with open arms. They run a catering business and so they basically had a huge party in the pavilion afterwards! It was so much fun and we were so proud of them and their decision. Then we did some weekly planning and headed over to Elizabeth's baptism. We got there early to help her change, set up tables, and take lots of pictures. She was a beaming ray of sunshine and during her testimony she got all choked up and was at a loss for words. She felt the spirit so strongly and it was in the best way. Her whole family came to support, thank goodness because I was pretty unimpressed with the turn out from the Rancho ward. They usually show up to support anyone and everyone, but not this time I guess. We sang the closing song in Spanish and then had a huge fiesta afterwards with food and family and it was a real treat. We also got to teach her sister the whole plan of salvation and are so excited to help connect her to her sisters in the other mission. Elizabeth is going to be that strong link that gets her family back to church and we can't wait to see that happen. Such a happy day but it was long! We crashed the second it hit 9! 

Sunday: Today was kinda sad compared to Saturday. None of our friends came to church, it was kind of a boring day in lessons, but, we did get to go to the Watsabaugh's house for dinner which always makes my day. They are the best and I just feel like I'm home when we are there. They know my people, they have fond memories and we get to just chat all day long. We had a great lesson with Romina about the temple and she really opened up about some questions and fears that are holding her back. We are slowly inching forward with her and hope to see her progressing soon. Also, it was 97 degrees today in March.... just let that sink in. I will not be making it out of Vegas before it gets hot. Hopefully a cold front comes in soon! 

Spiritual message: Ok so, I just had to share a little insight from personal study yesterday. We were sitting out on our patio for the 30 minutes we had left and I was reading my scriptures on an ironing board, pictures are attached. I was reading in John when Jesus is about to be stoned several times for healing on the Sabbath. He tries his usual spicy ways which work for a minute but then he ends up having to flee. The part that I thought was beautiful is that he flees to the river Jordan where he was baptized and where he had fond memories of his cousin, and of God communicating with him. How often do we go back to those places of refuge? Those spiritual moments? President Reese asked me when I was having a hard time to write a note card of my spiritually defining moments and to look at that when I was having a hard day or time. I took it to heart and have that beat up note card in my purse still. It helps me go back and remember those moments where I succeeded and where God communicated with me. Just like Christ did when he went to the river Jordan to recharge and rest from a treacherous day full of misunderstanding and heartbreak. Two days later he had the strength to go back to that same city and raise his friend from the dead. We all need our places of refuge, this week I promise if you read John 9-11 and make a note card like mine, you will feel recharged when you read it, and gain a stronger relationship with your Heavenly Father. 

All in all a great week, we have a super busy pday planned but, I'm excited to tell you all about it next week. Love you all!

Semana 64 La Sombra/Hillpointe: More Fit for the Kingdom part 1

Buenos días todos! It was zone conference week! Which is always the craziest week ever if you are in leadership and the most fun as well. Let's get right into it. 

Monday: We had dinner with the Watsabaugh family who I love so much and discussed how they know a whole 5 generations of people who lived in Missouri before I came around! Pretty crazy right? Then we tried to get home but I don't know what happened every single road was closed, blocked off with flares, and the freeway was too! We wended up having to take 35 minutes minutes drive home instead of 7! That put us really behind, but we came home, planned our training for Zone Conference and it was super fun! More on that later.

Tuesday: Today was the last day of the PMG challenge on the mission and we loved blasting through the whole thing in 14 days! It showed me how much I still haven't utilized from that book! We did lots of meetings and studies today, but did manage to get out and knock a few doors as well. Sadly no one new to teach but we will get them soon. We both had really effective language studies and it was nice to really hone in on what I want to do with the time I have left involving my studies. 

Wednesday: This morning we drove up to Canyon Springs and did a little comp study blitz exchange. We stayed for two hours and had an amazing comp study focused on feeling the spirit and then went out to lunch with the Sisters! Insert face palm emoji because we forgot to take a picture so sorry. We headed home after lunch hand got our car squeaky clean for zone conference. Then we did some language study, and headed off to Hand Up to teach English classes. I absolutely love teaching English, it is probably one of the highlights of my mission. Right now we have so many people in this big warehouse room that we are all teaching different classes by ourselves. I'm teaching the very beginners class and using my Spanish as much as I can! It has been fun to learn from the students and to let them know we are learning too. I love my class! We will have to tale a picture next week. 

Thursday: Zone Conference day! We woke up, got ready and walked outside and a sprinkler had broke and our car was covered in hard water...... we were so sad because our squeaky clean car was ruined! We tried to clean it off the best we could with the few minutes we had and then rushed to Vegas Zone. Zone Conference was awesome the theme was more fit forth Kingdom. We had some fun team building games which really helped me get to know a few more people now that I'm the old grandma around here. Then we did our training which was all about area book basics and things you should know. We went with a scout camp theme and had a blast doing scout cheers and advancing over the bridge of accomplishment at the end of each training. Sister Tveten gave her departing testimony which was mega triste and I realized six weeks from now I will be doing the same thing....... AHHH! I'm super not ready for that. After zone conference we managed to squeeze in 4 appointments! We had an amazing lesson with Elisabeth and taught her the Restoration and she loved it. Her brother Abraham sat in and had lots of good questions. Together it was a super good day. Then we went from there to dinner with the Cahoon family and then off to HandUp to take pictures and videos for our upcoming self reliance kick off. We ended the day with tres leches and charlando with the Fuentes family and we had a normal conversation! I told stories, answered their questions, and understood everything they said. It was beautiful and a huge confidence builder in the Spanish department. 

Friday: This morning we had a move for a non member friend of someone in our ward and they were so nice! We were able to help for a few hours and then we went to zone conference part 2 to watch the trainings. Honestly, I wish I could say I learned something, but I honestly did not.... sad..... I think it's because we already knew the topics and everything everyone was supposed to train on. After zone conference part two we did weekly planning and then had dinner with the Smith family. They took us to this fancy Mexican place in their Audi and it was kinda boujee. We were having so much fun. There was live mariachi and we left full and loving life. We came home and listened to a devotional in Spanish while cutting out so many bears for a service project the ward is doing. Somehow we got stuck finishing the rest of them? It was fun though! I'll send a picture of our room aka fabric store. Sister Susman was in heaven. 

Saturday: The Stake women's conference was today and they did a fabulous job. The classes were amazing and I listened to the whole thing being translated into Spanish which was lots of fun. I think it helped the branch feel less awkward too so win win. We were talking to the translator after and she said she couldn't do it without the spirit and I don't blame her! Everyone talked so fast today. We also learned some awesome self defense moves and I am legitimately going to try Brazilian Jujitsu when I get home because it was so stinking fun. That, and it was a fabulous workout. Then we had 6 back to back appointments. We started with Sister Maynez and that was a blast! She is so kind and we enjoyed getting to know her better and making her feel loved. Then it was off to Luz Fatima and her kiddos! We did a little FHE with them, helped Emaunel with sight words because his poor momma can't read in English, then we jumped on the trampoline with them! Hopefully that isn't against the rules? I didn't recall trampoline in there and I've read it a couple hundred times. Anyway, after that cute family we headed to Leticia and brought her some left over flowers from the conference. She had friends over so we were able to share a quick scripture and say hi to Lauren and the baby! Lauren kept taking off her pants (she's 2)  and flashing everyone which was quite hysterical and actually got Leticia to laugh and open up which we hadn't seen her do before. After her house we went to visit Beatrice who was making Mole, Chicken, and Arroz and mmmmm I love chicken and I have never had better, we had a dinner right after but in that moment it didn't matter because that chicken was sooooo yummy. Finally we ended the day at a dinner in English. They fed us these yummy almond croissants and it reminded me of the Arizona temple trip mornings with my mom and stopping at Kneaders after. Tender moments. We came home and tried to do a little language study before getting ready for bed, but both ended up falling asleep because it was a crazy day. 

Sunday: Yet another jam packed day. Our friend Beatrice came to church and brought her two nietos and really enjoyed herself. The boys did too and were drawing the cutest pictures during sacrament. Sister Susman gave a talk and she did a great job! I was super proud of her because it was very last minute she only found out Saturday afternoon. I would have said no so I was proud of her for getting it done. After church take two we went and had a good lesson with Elisabeth and taught her all the commandments. She was so funny and kept saying DUH, OF COURSE to everything like silly Sisters why would I lie?! We were like ok sounds good you're already a pro! She's such a cutie and we are so excited for her baptism next week. After that we had dinner with the Ballard family and they fed us skirt steak and mmmm it was marinated in something yummy. We ended the night with a missionary meeting for all our new ward missionaries and did some training and got to know everyone which was super useful. We thought it was a great idea.

All in all a very busy week, sorry the email was so long, but we jam packed this week full I don't even think we had time to breathe. Here's some pictures!

Semana 63 La Sombra/Hillpointe: Milagros

 Well, well, well it's that time of the week again. Writing a weekly email us something that takes discipline and determination. I have a streak and I just can't lose it! Let's jump right into the week. 

Monday: A day in the evening of a pday is always hit or miss, this one was a miss.... sad! We had an awesome dinner with the Ready family but ironically dinner wasn't Ready when we got there... However, we did get to teach their piano teacher a little bit about Joseph Smith so even if we were there longer than planned it worked out! She asked all the questions and it was our little mini miracle for the night. We were supposed to have a lesson with Romina but it canceled last minute so we ended up contacting and planning for the rest of the night. 

Tuesday: Today we have district council like we do every Tuesday and it turned out really well! Our district is full of very different people and sometimes we butt heads, but, this week we all complimented each other's strengths and it ended up working great. Miracle number two for the week for sure. After district council we did lunch, some studies at the library and then correlation with our ward mission leader Brother Ogden. He's great and we're working on a new ward mission plan! 

Wednesday: This morning started out with an amazing personal study and then we were off to ALT. This is the first meeting I didn't have to give a training at the whole time I've been in leadership and I loved it! I was able to take notes, learn from the other trainings and have a chill morning, miracle number three for the week. Lace up your boots for miracle number four it's about to get crazy in here. We had some members loving buy us all our favorite non budget groceries and it was amazing, they wanted us to pick them up after ALT which just so happened to be the only time we were free for a dinner hour. We were looking forward to a break after a long meeting but something told us to go get those groceries now! So we went and we were checking in at the gate when the gate guys says, I have a question for you ladies. Do you have to be a member of your church to get baptized? You can imagine our shock. We responded of course not! That's how you become a member. She expressed how shes only ever met good people from our church and she knew a ton about our beliefs, we gave her a BoM and invited her to church with us. She was a huge miracle and showed us the Lord puts people in our path who are to hear his message. 

Thursday: Today was so awesome! I got to go on exchanges with Sister Arnold and we had a blast! We had lunch with the patriarchs wife which is always a treat. Their house is beautiful and brings the spirit so strongly. We had a great lesson and i got to learn a ton about her! She's brand new and I really gave her the reigns on her area today and she did a great job. She's one of 9 kids and loves musicals so we just sang and got along great. 

Friday: This morning we took it super slow and ended up doing studies and weekly planning for a good majority of the day, nothing to write home about that's for sure. 

Saturday: Exchange day take two! Today we went with Sister Kongaika who is the same age as me so we had a fabulous time! We just laughed and worked hard all day. Made homemade pizza at a 7 million dollar house and looked longingly at their jacuzzi! I'm so excited to swim again. 

Sunday: What a crazy day! Our friend Elisabeth came to church thank goodness. We loved it and so did she! We had a mission farewell in our English ward which brought us back to our nervous greenie days and it was so tender. Then we had the cutest lesson of my life. Elisabeth was so excited when we invited her to be baptized she jumped out of her chair and said "OF COURSE!!" She was so ready and so excited. She's getting baptized on the 26th or March and we can't wait. That was the highlight of our day for sure and we ended the night with a meeting with President about area book, for zone conference next week. 

I guess my pictures from last week didn't go through so you get double the pictures.

Semana 62 La Sombra/Hillpointe: It's about time..!!

 It's been a crazy busy week! We've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off. However, there's been lots of good and I always tell the members down here that busy is better than bored. I'll take busy over bored any day! Anyways let's get into it. 

Monday: Tonight we didn't have dinner until 7:30 so, while we waited we did some serious contacting and we're able to set up several appointments for the week which was super nice! Then we had dinner with the Ferrar family. They are so nice and he was stationed in Missouri for a while with the Army so we had a good time chatting. They have a bunch of stellar kids who know the gospel and it was a super great night. 

Tuesday: Today I'm not gonna lie ended up being a little rough. Leadership isn't all sparkles and Chick-fil-a all the time. We spent a lot of our day planning trainings, putting out wildfires, and catching up all at the same time. We ended off the day with Chinese take out at the Smith's and that was so nice. A good end to a long day. 

Wednesday: MLC day! I love MLC, it gives us an opportunity to talk with the leadership in the mission about problems we might have and to find ways to grow and improve as a mission. Elder Smith was sad he didn't get a big enough shout out last week so I just wanted to say that he is a pro photographer, especially when he stands on a chair..... and then proceeds to fall off said chair and tuck and rolled like a ninja. Don't worry he survived and the pictured turned out great. We went straight from that 5 hour meeting to a dinner with the Yocham family. Then we rushed out to teach at HandUp and headed to mutual. At mutual we made teddy bears for foster care children and Sister Susman was in literal heaven. It was awesome. 

Thursday: This day was mad chaos! We had a lady in our branch that canceled on us in the morning then we ended up going over later in the day, she was having a super rough day and so we were able to bring some peace to her life which was really awesome. Then we had a lesson with our new friends but sadly they weren't home so we ended up doing a lot of tracting. Our day took some random loops and turns and we ended it with a good language study and then were falling straight asleep. 

Friday: Wow, I feel like today was our first normal day of the week! We had a very crazy lesson with Leticia but it ended really well and we enjoyed giving her a Book Of Mormon and she seemed super excited about it. We got to do all our studies and do some finding and had a great dinner with Pamela. We ended the day with an MLC review. 

Saturday: Exchange day! We love exchange day. I went on exchanges with Sister Harrison again and it was so much fun! We made the biggest batch of cookies and then headed out to deliver them. We ended up giving them to our gate guard and he really appreciated them. We had a good day catching up and really working hard in our English area. She is a master teacher and it was so awesome to get to teach with her. 

Sunday: The best day of the week!! We started off with church which was a little rough because none of our friends came again..... but, the rest of the day was amazing. We had Hopa's baptism after months of being sick she finally made it to her baptism and it was seriously so tender. The spirit was so strong and I haven't seen so many family members come to support a baptism ever. Her family just buoyed her up and it was amazing. She was just radiating light afterwards and it seriously restored my soul and faith so much. After that we ran to Zions Youth which was a major choir performance at the Smith center. It was beautiful and all about the story of how Las Vegas was settled and got a temple. Wow, music just restored my soul, there is such a power in it and I love it so much. 

All in all a great week! Enjoy the pictures!!!