Heartbreaking Goodbyes and New Beginnings

 Well, I've been in my area for about a week now and I have so much to fill you in on.  So last Monday I had a lot of goodbyes I had to make.  You know how much I dislike the "g" word (goodbye).  So after a long tear filled day of packing I was finally set to leave on Tuesday.  Tuesday we loaded up the car and I left.  I said goodbye.  As we were leaving it was real, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I had been in Tahoe for almost 7 months, and I had to say goodbye.  The finding out about Bishop Maine's death happened and everything so it was a hard week.  I am doing better though.

My companion is Sister Barker.  Sister Underly is serving in Carson City as well, so I get to see her like everyday and that's so awesome, right?!  Please take care, I love all of you so much!

Hermana Friend

4th of July in Incline

Fun facts that happened this week:

Took a hike with Sister Rogers

Burnt my arm with an iron, now I have a huge new scar on my right arm.
My camera randomly decided to brake.
When we were at dinner on Sunday, I spit my water all over everyone.....no comment
Moving to Carson tomorrow
There is a Target in my area. I will be broke when I get home
My Spanish is A LOT BETTER! YOU WOULDNT BELIEVE IT!:) I can finally have a normal convo with someone:) I talk as much as I can:) But I still talk in English as much as I can:)
Sister Cordle has now been my shortest companion
My new companion will be Sister Barker (she was Sister Underlys last companion, funny right:)
Oh yes met our new mission president, President Chestnut
 

Man life is hard sometimes. But Heavenly Father is always there for us.  Sorry I didn't feel like writing a whole lot last week, I was just pooped out:)

On the 4th we came home early because there were too many crazy people on the streets.  Then we had dinner with the people we live with and then played games.  The Sister we live with fixed some of my skirts that were too long.  At about 9:30pm we went outside in our sweatshirts and blankets and watched the fireworks on the deck, we had a great view!:)

I am sad to be leaving this area but when it is your time, it is your time. :) I am leaving my area in Incline and headed to a place called Carson City.  I promise to write more later. 

Love, Hermana Friend

Email in Espanol

Us just being... well us

Hola Madre!:)

No quiero escribir mucho hoy, pero te amo mucho! Etoy bien y estamos bien en nuestro area! Mucho color en Tahoe, pero esta bien! Yo estoy feliz eschuar esta bien in Washington!

Good week! Sorry I can't write much today:) Hahaha but know that I love you! This week was good:) 

Love Your Missionary

My cute new board I got, cute matters!

 

We went to the very end of our area this week, and we found Emerald Bay. very Beautiful:)

#Missionaryprobs

This week seemed like it was a year long. It was good, just long :).  Last Monday we packed and packed, then unpacked.  So we can move for two weeks and then pack again haha:) #missionaryprobs Saw a bear on the golf course as we were headed home!  Went to a ward member's house for dinner!

On Tuesday we had a District Meeting in Reno.  I'm having a competition with one of our investigators to see who can read the Book of Mormon first.  I am Mosiah and he is in 3 Nephi, if I win he says he will get baptized! :)

We went to a Kindergarten graduation on Wednesday for one of our little Ward members, he is so adorable!  I got him a little graduation Teddy Bear and they said that he sleeps with it every night now.  So cute, he melts mi corozon (heart:)  We saw a coyote in the same place we saw the bear!  Don't be alarmed if I get attacked, I took karate!  Yo lo tengo (I got this)!  Went to one of our new member's house and he gets to go to EFY this week!  I am so excited for him!  He is like another brother to me.  It will be hard leaving him.  Transfers are coming up!

On Thursday we went to a high school graduation for a member in the ward, she is so sweet.  It was so weird being at a graduation, I did that same thing TWO years ago.  What the heck?  Where did that time go?  Then we went to her graduation party, it was really fun, it was really cool being able to see a lot of less active members at her party!

Friday we finished planning for the week, then we volunteered at the Thrift Store.  It was kind of just a chill normal missionary day.  We walked around and talked to people.  We went to a less active member's house and played Uno.  I ended up missing lunch and we both ended up missing dinner so we went home early so we could chow down on some grub.  I had a killer headache for awhile, but I am ok now :).

We volunteered again on Saturday.  That night we had dinner at a member's house which was kind of awkward at first.  We weren't supposed to go over there until 6, but they called us at 5 asking where we were.  But we were in a lesson, so being the ninja I am, I texted them in Spanish saying, "we are coming."  Well, I thought I said, "we are coming."  But being the white greenga I am, I said, "we are eating."  SO they were confused but said, "ok."  So then when we got to their house, no food had been prepared.  After we figured it all out, they bought us food from a fundraiser fiesta their friend was having to raise money for a friend that has cancer.  It was really delicious (muy rico).  I have found out on my mission that I love very spicy things and chocoflan! :)

At church on Sunday I translated...well tried to haha :).  We had dinner with the family we are staying with, we had steak!  Then one of our investigators invited us to a Father's Day BBQ.  So we went because we thought that was really nice to invite us.  When we got there, it was super aca-awkward as it was mostly older men and then the booze came out and we were like, oh, ok.  So we stayed only for a few minutes and then when we felt like it was a good time to "escape," we did.  So I guess you can say we PARTIED it up on Fathers Day:) Hahaha.

So last week I cut my thumb, this week I hit my head, scratched my knee, got blood on my slip and tripped down the stairs while I was talking to someone on the phone :) Hahaha, but I am still intact so that's good :).

Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Don't be gloomy. Do not dwell on unkind things. Stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. Even if you are not happy, put a smile on your face. Accentuate the positive. Look a little deeper for the good. Go forward in life with a little twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life."

I think Gordon B. Hinckley said it better then I ever could.  Life is certainly difficult, but the does not mean we have to be unhappy.  I like that a lot. You have a choice in this world.  Happiness is a choice.  Te amo mucho!

Hermana Friend

Going to the Temple, Temple

We had a short P-Day last week because we went to the Temple on Wednesday so we had to cut our P-Day short by three hours.  I just took a nap...surprise!:)  My favorite word in Spanish is CIESTA (that means nap:).  Then later that night we played Phase 10 with a less active and her boyfriend. Which I got beat...which we all know how competitive I am haha:) 

Tuesday was just a calm normal day of missionary life.  We have had a hard time finding new investigators because a lot of the people here are just here for the season. But the people we have been teaching are amazing.

On Wednesday we went to the Temple, which was amazing.  I could just feel the Savior's love.  It is amazing how incredible Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really are.  Then we went to Red Robin for lunch (in Reno), then we traveled back up to Tahoe.  We had dinner at the member's house where we will be staying from June 15 to the 29.  We have to stay there because the other family is having family come and stay and they need our house area.  But you can still send mail to the same address :).  Please send letters, I love receiving and writing letters :).  After dinner on Wednesday I got really sick, we came home and I blew chunks!  So Thursday we stayed home all day because I was not feeling gooooooooood at all, and Hermana Cordle felt a little sick to.  So Thursday just consisted of me sleeping all day and not eating anything.

We had to go back to Reno on Friday because that was the day we said goodbye to our Mission President and his wife.  President Hermansen gave everyone a hug, including the Sisters, and to be honest, that was weird hugging a dude, for not hugging someone for 6 months haha.

On Saturday we went to help clean a house.  It took us 5 hours and it still wasn't all the way done when we left.  Sister Cordle and I got put on el bano duty!  We killed so many cockroaches! It was muy malo!  I just kept thinking of that one time when Dad forced me to clean that family's house with all the cats.  I remember driving in the truck and he said, "you know why I made you go right?"  I just rolled my eyes in my head and didn't really think of the reason.  But he responded with love and a smirk on his face, "because it is going to prepare you for your mission, you are going to encounter houses way worse."  It was a humbling experience and it made me realize Heavenly Father loves EVERY ONE of his children, no matter what!  So what I am trying to say is Thank you Mom and Dad for TRULY preparing me for my mission!  That night went to a member's house and played basketball with the dad and kids.  Sister Cordle just hung out with the mom while I played.  This experience just reminded me that it really is the little things in life that mean the most.

On Sunday we went to church, learned about agency, taught Relief Society in Spanish, went home had lunch, took a little nap, watched a video with the members we live with that the Bishop wanted us to watch about giving the sacrament back to the Savior, packed our stuff and moved some of it over to the member's house where we will be staying and had dinner with them!

Today we will be packing and moving, remember you can still send mail:)  It's funny because I don't think I ever really thought I would be a missionary, speaking Spanish (and people actually being able to understand me), and having the experiences I am having on my mission, or meeting the wonderful people I have been meeting!  And to be honest I don't think I realized exactly how much my mission would change me for the better or prepare me for my future family and life, or help me cope with my childhood.  My eyes have been opened up more and more as the time goes on.  I still have awhile on my mission and a lot of experiences lie ahead of me, good and the not so good, but no matter what happens this Church is true and Heavenly Father is ALWAYS HERE!

Yo quiero compartir mi testimonio en espanol. yo se que con todo mi corozon, esta Igelsia, es la Iglesia de Jesucristo. Esta Iglesia es verdadera! La Igelsia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de los Ultimos Dias es verdadera! Morire una Mormona! Te amo mucho mi familia!

Hermana Amiga!

Sixth Month Anniversary

On my 6th month anniversary we are going to the Temple, so that will be fun! This Friday we have Zone conference and it is when the Mission President will say his goodbyes. Our new President will be President Chestnut. That will be exciting!  It is suppose to be like 80 here today, but we will see.  I have been getting kind of sick a lot because its hot and cold, cold and hot. BUT I LOVE TAHOE! Very interesting though! 

This week was crazy! Actually crazy doesn't even sum it up.  On Monday we went shopping in our new area and we saw a bear, a real life wild bear.  We went to Subway for lunch and this random guy bought us a $40 subway gift card and said "Enjoy your P Day":) I thought that was incredible!

On Tuesday we had a huge miracle with a referral from the office.  We thought he was an investigator. As we were talking and getting to know him he told us he was a member, so we were like that's awesome:) Then the tone shifted...he started to cry as he talked about his life. The Spirit prompted me to talk about Patriarchal blessings and it really hit home for him.  I felt the Spirit so strongly, it was one of those moments that I just said to myself "Dude, Taylor, this is why you went on a mission!" It was an incredible experience!

It's been a tough week, Sister Cordle and I treated ourselves to ice cream and played at the beach for like 3 hours with a member which was much needed :).  We did end the week by volunteering and doing our weekly planning.

I translated again at church, one boy bore the sweetest testimony and talked about the power of the Priesthood.  Sunday night we went to dinner where we will be staying for a few weeks.  It was delicious, but you can still send mail to the same address! It will be a little vacation I guess hahaha

Overall this week taught me a lot about myself, about how Heavenly Father works and the Spirit.  I am so thankful for this Gospel and for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  I love you so much! Te amo mucho! Have a great week:)

Hermana Amiga

P.S.  Watch the video Lift on Mormon.org or lds.org

Expanded Area

My new companion is Hermana Cordle.  To be honest I feel like I have changed so much since I have been on my mission.  I almost hit my 6 month mark and that is crazy!  We are getting "missionary babysat" for a couple of weeks in June, and a couple of weeks in August.  Don't worry you can send mail to the same address. It's just a sleepover for a few weeks type of thing because the family we usually stay with is having family over for the summer. 

Last P-day we packed, then went to a BBQ place called Moe's with a ward member.  On Tuesday we said some goodbyes and headed to Reno.  I had to say adios to Hermana Underly and then hola to Hermana Cordle.  

On Wednesday we volunteered at the Thrift Store.  Also, one of our LA finally let us pray with them.  On Thursday Hermana Cordle and I planned for 6 hours straight because he have the Elders' area now as well which is tricky because our area is now 550 MILES!  Not even kidding!  

Friday and Saturday we volunteered again at the thrift store. 

On Sunday for Sacrament meeting I translated in English for the first time.  Which was muy difcil. But I did it:) I also found out Elder L. Tom Perry died:( That was sad, I liked him a lot.  We also had dinner at a Ward member's house. 

"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to Preach the Gospel." Joseph Smith
 

This work is so hard on so many different levels, but it is the most important. This church is TRUE! And at the end of the day when we are rejected so many

different times, it is still TRUE!   Well I love you and hope you are doing well :). 
Te amo.

Hermana Friend

  

 

Transfer Time

I'm sorry I'm not writing much today, transfers are happening tomorrow.  I am staying here in Tahoe, Sister Underly is going to Carson.  My new companion is Sister Cordle and we are taking over a new area plus our original area!  Love you!

Hermana Friend

 

Where Are The Keys?

I had a pretty good week.  On Monday after doing my needed chores, we went for a mini hike, took a nap (2 hours ahhhh ya:) and then had dinner with a widower in the Ward who was super nice, and the food super delicious:) Monday night we stayed the night in Reno with our STLS.

On Tuesday we drove an hour away from our area to go to Fallon for a Zone Conference (because we missed ours when we had the flu) that was fun and interesting.  In this Zone there are only 20 Elders, so we were the only sisters that they have seen in a very long time...so ya that explains that.  We had exchanges and I was the leader of our area and I drove (which I haven't done for 6 months...haha:) I was super nervous but I think it went well.  We served at the Thrift store in Incline, met a guy that came up to us and said, "are you missionaries? Can you come visit me?"  That was a milargo (miracle:)

On Wednesday we planned, served, had a few lessons. Had dinner at a member's house, I love them they are so nice and awesome. Well I love all the people in this ward:)

On Friday we finally met a less active that we have been searching for.  We have been praying we would find her and we were talking about it that day and then we saw her!!!!!!!!!! We had an amazing church tour with one of our new investigators.  The Spirit was very strong in the church.  So here's the thing----------that very nice moment when The investigator is cold and Sister Underly gives the jacket right off her back to her.  It was such a Christ like thing to do. After that she (with Sister Underly's  jacket) left the church.  We were locking up when we were about to go outside and get in our car and Sister Underly says, "I just need to get the keys really quick!"  I asked, "where are the keys?"  She responded, "In my coat pocket!"  She realized that she gave her jacket away and... THE KEYS TO OUR CAR:) Hahahahaha it was an adventure trying to get them back:)

On Saturday we went with some members to La Bamba and had deep fried ice cream!  It was so delicious:)

Sunday was that moment when one of your recent converts passes the Sacrament and you and your companion are all excited thinking wow he is passing the Sacrament, he has the Priesthood, pretty cool.

I love you:)

Hermana Amiga:)  

Cinco de Mayo!

This week was very interesting on Lunes we went hiking with a sweet lady. She took us to the Flume Trail where Bonanza was filmed. Then we played volleyball with one of our recent converts and the Elders.  We also had a lesson with a potential investigator. 

Martes was a day filled with many miracles!  Had an amazing lesson with an investigator that has been an investigator for over a year.  He loves everything and knows it is true, but he is still afraid to get baptized, but I will be patient, because baptism is a huge life changer to make.  We saw one of less active ward members.  He  has been slowly making progress, he doesn't feel comfortable with prayer or church but enjoys reading the Book of Mormon, so baby steps is good.  He told Sister Underly and I, "There's something in your eyes, this light, that no one really has, but both of you."  So that was sweet. :)  The spirit is real and people can notice...but I wish some people noticed they can have the same thing as well.   A recent convert came with us to a lesson with one of our investigators, it was very powerful.  We met a guy who served Spanish speaking mission in Guatemala.  He recited D&C 4 to one of our investigators, it was very powerful.  Oh and he had a cinco de mayo fiesta:)
 

Miercloes, Jueves, y Viernes death came over us and we both had the flu. Being sick and trapped in a room for 72 hours does not do two sister missionaries any good...trust me.  On Sabado we finally left the house, enough said on that haha. :)

The Plan of Salvation is Real

All is well here, this week was really good and I learned a lot.  We had to go to a funeral on Saturday, the family wanted us to come so we did.  It just reminded me how true and real the Plan of Salvation is.  No matter what happens, it will all be ok.

Things I have learned on my mission so far: 

• Between 10:30pm-6:30am it feels like a solid 5 minutes
• Hand Sanitizer is my best friend
• I actually really hate food
• I have to go to the bathroom like 100 times a day because I drink so much water, but if I don't drink water then I am dead thirsty...so it is a lose-lose
• The Church is so true
• I will conquer Spanish one day
• People are very strange and just get stranger
• How to wash a car in 5 mins when you are rushing to a district meeting
• Make sure you pay attention to the amarillo carros (yellow cars) so you can get more points than Sister Underly
• I am more competitive then I ever thought
• I am turning into Dad (Jim) more and more everyday...yikes

T'was a good week. There were the highest of the highs, but the lowest of the lows.  "Hardships will consistently be there, but so will Christ! Love you :)  Hermana Friend

Packages From Home

This week was a little harder. The work is not really progressing and my feelings are a little heavy today.  P-Days are my hardest because those are the days I miss home the most.  Sometimes I feel lost because I don't want to go home but at the same time I feel drained out and I've only been out for 4 months.  I know I have to stay positive, but sometimes it is hard.  I have a feeling this will be my last transfer her, but I would love to stay in Lake Tahoe for awhile.  It is so beautiful here and I can't wait to road trip here after my mission is done!

I gave a talk in Church yesterday in both the English and Spanish Sacrament meetings.  That was nerve racking.  I feel my Spanish is improving.  The best thing about this week was getting your package, it made my whole week! :) My most spiritual moment was when we met this member who just moved in the ward from Hawaii!  She is a caregiver 24/7 and so incredibly strong.  We had dinner with her yesterday and she gave the most beauitful prayer I have heard in a very long time!

Two more weeks and I cant talk to you! I love you, Hermana Friend.

Heavenly Father Answers Our Prayers

My week was pretty good. Some ups and downs but every week does. On Monday last week we went on a 8 mile bike ward with the Elders and some Ward members.  We went on this trail called the Regional Legacy Trail, but before we started my bike had to give me troubles, of course.  My back tire decided to go flat.  But the Ward member got it fixed really quick. It only took him like 10 minutes, he was fast.  Then we headed on the trail and then in the first 5 minutes Elder Baker crashed, but he was ok, just a bloody arm.  The trial was amazing. The boys were up ahead and the girls were pretty far behind me in the back so I enjoyed the ride by myself for a little.  It was so nice, fresh air, beautiful view and I just talked to Heavenly Father.  It was awesome!  Then after our lovely adventure we went to this burger place called Burger Me.  I had a little burger with garlic fries, it was yummy!:)  I want to take you all here it is awesome.

 

In February we randomly met a guy at the grocery store.  He looked at us and said, "Should I ask the normal questions, where are you from and how long have you been out?" It turns out he was a returned missionary too.  Non one in the Ward knew of him, so we found out where he lives and went to visit him on Tuesday.  He told us all about his mission and showed us pictures.  You could just tell he had a strong testimony.  But the thing I can't figure out is why he is not active.  After we went to his house I got really sick and we ended up having to come home because I was that bad.  I slept for four hours and I had flu like symptoms, but did not throw up.  Sister Underly said I got super pale too. Then I woke up for like 20 minutes at 7 pm 'ish and then went back to sleep for the rest of the night. So I got almost over 14 hours of sleep!

 

On Wednesday we volunteered at a thrift store and I realized I need to work on my patience with others, because I don't have any, let's be real, haha.  Later, one of our recent converts went with us to a lesson and he bore his testimony for the first time.  Wow, it was such a pure and simple testimony!

 

On Thursday I got some cool Pokemon cards from a little boy we are teaching.  All of his family are members but they were less active for awhile.  After dinner we were going to have a lesson, but the topic of Tithing came up, I simply shared my testimony about Tithing and shared some experiences.  We had to weekly plan today as well, and you know how much I love that.

 

On Friday we went to our Ward Mission Leaders house for dinner and had S'mores.  :)

 

We did a 7 1/2 hours service project on Saturday.  We were beat!  We had to take a nap for a little while because we were so worn out, then we ate over at the Ward Mission Leader's house again.

 

Sunday was just a normal day until Elder Fletcher was translating a talk and decided he would pass out, it was so scary.  His eyes got really big and he looked like he was having a seizure.  So the Bishop made him sit down, but he seems to be ok now, I think.  There was a lady in the ward that said I have a great sense of humor which made me feel good.

 

Random things:

• There is never a boring day, the funniest and weirdest things always happen.
• I have a theory that Elsa and Anna are Mormon. Read 3 Nephi 11:29. It is talking about avoiding contention and basically letting things go. Elsa has a song that talks about nothing but Letting It Go!:) SO in other words they are LDS:) Boom!
• Most spiritual experience this week. So I have learned being a missionary I am flat broke financially.  I have been praying that everything will work ok so I can buy some groceries, because I have nothing in my cabinet.  I know it is a silly thing to pray for but I was really worried.  So the other day I checked my MSF (missionary savings fund) and I had $47 in there. Last time I checked which was a week prior I had about $5.00 I don't know what happened. But Heavenly Father does answer prayers. I just started crying and Sister Underly thought I was crazy. But wow it was...wow, I can't even describe it!

 

Almost 20 days until I get to talk to you face to face (well screen to screen:)  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND MISS YOU!!!!  With all my love, Hermana Amiga:)