Transfer Week

Hello Family, etc!


So as many of you know, this was Transfer week! Dun dun dun DUUUUUUNNNNN!!!! Everything changed... I moved, my companion is now a trainee and... Okay, I just went to the temple this morning, I shouldn't lie...

Basically everything stayed the same. I'm very thankful! Sister Carlisle and I are still companions, still in Chat, and still in the same apartment! I've been in that apartment since I got back from outbound! I'm so glad that I don't have to move, I can't tell you!

Something that's kind of fun, is that our roommates are Sister Ang who is training Sister Carlile. It's kind of funny. Something else that is going to be interesting is that we all have the same p-day, so we're working out who does laundry when and so on and so forth.

One huge change in my life is that Chat zone went from being the smallest zone in the mission, to the largest!! I thought that president might end or shrink chat zone because during the summer we need a ton of sisters to accommodate the guests on temple square, but he made it bigger! We were all so surprised! But also very excited. There are going to be lots of changes coming soon that make it so we will need tons of sisters in chat!

So now we're getting used to having many sisters on a few computers, and now it is set up in a different way where we schedule computers during times we have appointments, rather than having our own set computers. We're still working things out, but I think it will work out well!

It's getting hot. My companion loves it, but I'm... well I'm like a marshmallow next to a fire... I don't do well in the heat! Thankfully this summer I'm in chat, and last summer I trained so I had/have reason to either be in the cool, or a good example!

And now there's a sister in our apartment who's being trained, so I get to be an example there! I'm excited to get to know her and sister Ang better!

Oh, and if you're all still trying to think of what to get me for my birthday... I don't want a lot of things... just a laptop I can use for school! That way you don't have to worry about giving me something I will use only for a short time before I come home from my mission! You all can pool together and... hehe.

Any way, random thought that I ran into while I was reading the Book of Mormon this morning; Alma the elder. How on earth did he get people to listen to him if he was teaching in private? Did he have a friend that he went to first, then that friend told other friends, and it just kept going and going? Just something to think about. It would be interesting to see how that all worked because he wouldn't be able to put a sign up that says, "Come and learn about the truth!" and have people flock to him, or anything like that. He'd be killed. Any way, random.

so many people came back from outbound, so it's really exciting to see them!!! and a few people went out- one of them went to Tasha's mission! Sister Sorensen! So Aunt Julie- Tell Tasha to keep her eye out for a blond from Temple Square!

Any way, love you you all!!!

LOVE!!!

~Sis Sarah

B-day week!

Amy asked some questions about my birthday-


How does it feel to be 23? Doesn't feel bad at all! People keep on saying with surprised voices, "It's your birthday???" because I wasn't very verbal about it (and neither was my companion, but a few times) and I was in chat the whole day, save a couple of hours.



Are you feeling old yet? You're not old, by the way, but I know sometimes you can feel old. Old??? What's that??? O.O Sometimes I feel it, sometimes I feel immature :P Both are fun in... diverse ways!



Did you have a good birthday? Did you do anything different to celebrate?

I did have a good birthday! Sister Storer and Moulton (ASL sisters who are companions, kinda funny) came to our apartment just before I went to take a shower that morning and sang happy birthday very loudly (sis. Storer is VERY loud when she wants to be.) and that was loads of fun! They gave me cookies. which are really tasty. And now in the freezer because I still have a sugar high from yesterday.


I also celebrated it by going to a new restaurant called the Blue Lemon (tasty but pricey...) and because my compy told the worker there that it was my birthday I got a free dessert! I chose a chocolate cake. Twas good. I ate it that day so I wouldn't have it staring at me the rest of the week!


Also our neighbors (who helped me surprise sister Talines with brownies for her birthday) made me some muffins and sang happy birthday to me in the evening!

Do you get to call Father's day?

Yes! I do get to call father's day! What a great gift!

Heavenly father also gave me a most happy gift! I found the ring I'd been searching for since before I went outbound! It's my Celtic one I got from the renfaire the first time I went! It was in a suit coat I don't wear because it doesn't fit me (too small- got it from sister Droege) and I decided to try it on today. It still doesn't fit me quite right, and the button fell off. I put the button in one of the pockets, and heard a clink, and felt inside and LO and BEHOLD! my ring!!! I was (and am) SO excited!!! :D YAY Ring!!!

So that was Heavenly Father's gift to me, a day late, but that's okay! He always does it at the right time!

We also had some amazing lessons! We have two investigators that are SO open! One was actually trying to get the other to stop learning with us, but we committed the other to invite her to one of the lessons, and now she can understand why! We're so excited for them! They both love the fact that we teach that we're children of God and that He loves us so much! Since they're both just finishing high school, they love the young women's talks!

I'm excited to chat with you all on Sunday!






And I look forward to hearing your exciting stories too!!






Love!!!






~Sister Sarah






PS- the dolled up pictures, first one is where I'm trying to look nice, second is where I'm being silly and our roommate sis Pommells is in the background.

LOVE

Adventures...

My week has been weird.


So, Friday night/Saturday morning I wake up because I swallowed. Yes, I swallowed. And it hurt. A lot. I got through Saturday alright, downing loads of vitimin C and so on, and even half of a Niquill when I went to bed that night... It didn't help.

Saturday-Sunday morning, I tossed and turned and had weird dreams about one of our investigators and trying to find the right thing for her to read for our next appointment, and waking up every time I swallowed. It's kind of weird how you don't notice how often you do a bodil function until it hurts! Well I finally got to sleep, just in time for alarms to start going off, and couldn't get out of bed to go to church. I had no energy, and it was excruciating to swallow anything. I signed to my companion (and mouthed, because I've been teaching her a bit, and she had a crash course the day before because it was hard for me to speak.) "I think I have strep."

She told that to our district leader and zone leader, but I didn't have the symptoms that they recognized, so after going between sleeping and attempting to swallow blended up food, I went to the square and did Chatfinding with my companion for an hour, went home, slept, ate some more soup (my companion's amazing and made some for me), then went back to chat finding for another 3 hours. My companion didn't like that I had to be there while I was sick, but we saw so many miracles! For the first time, we had so many return appointments, we almost didn't have time to give them their own time slot later on!

Monday, I was feeling a bit better, a combination of benadryl and Ibuprophen knocked me out for the night, so sleep probably helped greatly. Sunday hurt the worst, and I started to get better Monday. I was signed up to see the mission doctor on Tuesday, but I was feeling well enough, and we were going to be late to RC. My companion insisted, "You can blame me if it's nothing, but I think you should go."

so I did. The conversation with the doctor went something like this,

"I wasn't going to come, but my companion told me to. I think I have strep."

"Let me see... Say AH. Yep. You have strep. Take this prescription to Rite aid, and take it until it's gone." So that's what I've been doing and it's getting better and better every day!

Like today, I could actually eat/Swallow, and it didn't hurt very much at all! YAY! I'm very thankful that I'm able to recognize what I have... even if others don't realize it at first. That's the second time I've had strep and both times, I self-diagnosed, and both times I was right. Kind of funny.

Any way, so things have been going well! We love the people we've been teaching, even if some of them are flaky. Or at least the things we try to contact them with are flaky, like phones, or internet.

One of our investigators is amazing, and continues to want to learn more even though her family and best friend don't approve.

Love you all! And Thank you for writing too!

I look forward to reading your adventures too!

~Sister Sarah

Always improving...

That's the motto that this mission has. And clearly that's what's going on all the time. Whether it be changing up where we're assigned to different places, or jack-hammars going on the square to improve it in some way, there's always improvments!


My companion and I have been doing some improvments of our own. During our weekly planning we made a LOT of goals to help us be more effecive missionaries, especially in our assigned zone. We have chosen to do a lot of things that will help us use our time more wisely, and so on. We're both excited about getting more things done in a timely manner!

We also have a new way to chat with people that makes it so that the people we're chatting with can see us both at the same time! That's pretty exciting, and during one of the chats we had together, we found a young woman who wants to learn more, and she's deaf! It's pretty neat! I'm excited!

So my talk went well! Amy emailed me a talk that had a little saying on it. The saying was similar to the one that Mom had on a hanging in the kitchen,

"Control your thoughts because they become the words you use.

Control your words because they become the actions you perform.

Control your actions because they become the habits you acquire.

Control your habits because they become the character you reflect.

Control your character because your character becomes your destiny.

Control your destiny by becoming what your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ want you to be. "

And for some reason, when I first got up, I felt impressed to say that God loves everyone in that room, and if anyone was feeling any less than they should- they should know that they were loved. Or something like that. Kind of a weird thing to say when you're about to tell them to keep their thoughts and hearts clean and pure...

We finally took our class picture. It was the last week possible to get everyone that we could in because one of the sisters had to go home so she could be sure to get a visa back to the US to go to school. We're going to miss her!

I can't believe it's June!

OH! We got a new display! I know I've kind of been talking about this off and on, but the walls are down and the display is a hit! Tons of people come and look at it.

Now that I know what it looks like, I can describe it to you! It's an exact replica, a minature, of the Salt Lake Temple, with two sides (the south and west) cut away so you can see inside. It shows many of the different rooms and has two keyosks that each give a discription of the different rooms. It explains it very simply, that people who don't know anything about the church can understand without having any other background information. I haven't had much time to use it myself, but what I have seen is really neat!

The modle is SO close to the original, it even has the little black marks that you see that comes from the imperfections in the granite! When ya'll come here, you HAVE to come and see it! It's a great way to explain the temple to any friends you have that wonder why they can't go inside, or what goes on inside, and really demonstrates that the reason people who haven't prepared can't go in is because of the cerimonies, not because we want to keep people out.

something else that is neat about the display, is that as Sisters we were able to see it before the press because we needed training on it before it was open to the public, so that we could answer people's questions about it, etc.

I met someone who knows 3 people I know! Cousin Emily, Amy, and my trainer! Weird! Her name is Kajsa (Sp...) and she taught Emily German, served in Amy's ward, and grew up with Sis. Williams!

Crazy stuff, eh?

So we had to let a few of our investigators tbe taken by the missionaries in their area since they contacted them. It's amazing to be able to find the most prepared people online, but also... well the least prepared. We had a funny situation where a member came on masquarading as an investigator and put my poor companion through the ringer, we later found out that the same member... was related to one of the sisters!

Our roommates are falling apart! Both of them have backpain, and are looking to me for sympathy and massages. I do my best, lol.

They're both fun, and the same ones as last transfer, so it's even more fun!

Any ways, I look forward to hearing your own crazy stories!

Love ya!

Be good n stuff!

~Sister Sarah

Zone Conference and randomness, etc

So this week we have had Zone Conference. It's been a bit different this time, because in stead of having everything all at once, or even over two days, it's been over the better part of a week or two.

Each group which consisted of a portion of our zone and another, was taught by 2 sets of Zone leaders, President Holmes, and the Assistants. Each teaching was about an hour long, which totaled to about 4 hours. Each one was tailored to a specific subject that all came together and helped us improve in missionary work, and having them spread out helped us to implement what we learned throughout the week, instead of doing it all at once, and then forgetting most of it. There was a day or two in between so it soaked in better.

The last day of Zone Conference was a temple marathon! We were able to do Baptisms, Initiatories, and a Session, some people were also able to do Sealings, it just depended on what they had for each companionship. We could only do 3 of the 4 things in the time we had. It was really nice to end that on an extra spiritual note!

The last two days have been pretty exciting, with the temple, and then later that day we recieved someone who wants to be taught! We were able to teach him and his wife today, and they are both excited to learn more! This has been a process for them for the last 12-15 years, and they finally decided that this is something that they need to do. We are so excited for them!

On a different subject, I am giving my talk on Sunday. The topic is, "We must discipline our Thoughts and Purify our Hearts" so I've been thinking about that a lot recently. I've been listening to Zone Conference, and trying to find things to add to my talk, and started writing /compiling it this morning, and will hopefully finish today, as it's the only day I truely have time until sunday.

I'll try and type up what I say next week so you all don't miss out too much ;)

Also on Monday we had our first Chat Zone FHE, which was a blast! We played a game that was basically Cranium, and we all had a blast while we ate psudo-mexican food, and had a spiritual thought. That's what the picture is of. The sisters converging to the table that contains the food! YAY food!

Other than those things, this week has been pretty uneventful. Sister Carlisle and I are still just as crazy as ever... and so are our roommates. Sometimes the craziness is a little more than needed, but it all works our right??

I love you all and I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Be good! And Happy!

Lots of love!

~Sister Sarah

Pix!

1- Infamous Roommate picture!

2&3 service at heratage park

4- One of the reasons I love Africa = missionaries contacted 4 of our investigators!

5&6 Heratage park service again! Tis fun stuffs!

7 a pic my compy took of the tulips with the Tabernacle peeking in the background!

Enjoy!

Chat Zone Picture

This is the zone I'm in now, and the picture was taken last transfer, so I'm not in it, but it's fun!

Where to begin...

Hmm... so this week is kind of crazy! In a good way!


I've been getting used to my new zone, which is a lot of fun! We have been teaching a lot of different people and they love what we have to share. One of them even wants to make a Youtube video about the things we've been teaching her she likes it so much! Crazy!

We have many people come and ask lots of questions. Some of them really want to learn more, some of them... well- don't. One person came and said right out that they wanted to debate, and we explained- kindly but firmly- that we don't debate. He tried for a little, but we were straight forward with him.

On Saturday I had my first ASL contact this transfer. I had to send my pager to the pager doctor again (For some odd reason it didn't like accidentally being dropped in my glass of water... hmm...) and so I didn't recieve the page. Thankfully for him and the other sisters, I was in the same room, so the sisters got my attention as soon as I was done talking to someone and we were able to chat in ASL. He asked me to interpret the Map for him, so I did (the one in the North Visitor's Center that shows Jerusalem at Christ's time.) I did, and it was nice to be able to hear it all the way through. He really appreciated it and even thought of someone for me to contact on the videophone!

Sunday we had a lot of time to talk to people online, and not a lot to talk to people on the square, but it's amazing how God prepares people when you have little time to talk to them, we've seen many miracles, especially of people saying they want to learn more, even about things that we barely brushed on, like the book of Mormon.

Several of the people that we teach have been contacted by the missionaries in their area now, so we turn the teaching over to them when that happens! It's so great to see the changes in people now, especially since I have experience from being outbound. I really love seeing the difference in people, those who are really ready to hear about the gospel, and those who really aren't! I am amazed at the joy I feel when I hear someone else getting so excited about the gospel and what we have to teach them.

It's that time of the year again! The Tabernacle Choir is recording once more. Or at least half of it. The men are doing a CD. I don't know all the songs, but from the snippits I hear as I'm walking (quietly) by sounds great! Unfortunately, it also makes it difficult for guests who have planned to come to see the tabernacle specifically. Thankfully after this week it will be over.

There is also a new display going up in Temple View, I don't know anything about it except it's supposed to be really neat when they finish.

They also remoddled parts of the Beehive house to make it look even more like it's supposed to (make the clerks office look like a clerks office, and Brigham young's office like his office.) I haven't seen it yet, since I'm not on the square much, or any where else, but it sounds cool!

My companion is about as weird, random, crazy and so on as I am. So we get along just fine! I mentioned, I think, that her name is Sister Carlisle, and that we've been in the same zone and district several times before. It's fun being with someone I know and get along with, especially since we're so close in "age" on the mission. She's just one Transfer "younger" than me.

any way, hope all is well in the 4 quarters of the earth!.. or at least of the United States!

Love you all!

Be happy and good and stuff!

Love ~

Sister of a Durtschi of a Sarah Sort!

New Zone, New Companion, Less sun, and same room

I think that about summs it up :D


I'm in a new zone. It's kind of weird. I've never been in this zone before. I've been in Extended the most (3 transfers), Cover the second(2), South once, and now I'm in a zone that wasn't even a zone before I went outbound. It's called Chat. Chat is a zone where we talk with people online/on the phone and teach them, just like we would outbound. Except we don't see them face to face or get to sit with them at church, etc. I was able to talk with two of our investigators for the first time this morning, and they're both amazing! SO ready, but they live in South Africa and there is a Train strike t here, and it's extremely difficult for them to get to church. They haven't been able to get there, yet, but they're doing everything they can to. Our finding is downstairs on computers talking to people who come on mormon.org or call to talk to a missionary.

It's really fun! We get ALL sorts there. Every kind of person goes there, from the very interested, to the argumentative, thankfully we have something that helps us if they're being vulger, or wasting our time, and so on.

So I'm teaching people again, but I still have time to contact on the square, and so far we have had a lot of miracles. We got our first referral yesterday, just from walking outside, and talking to someone who was on his way in, and taking him around. I'm still getting used to not being on the square as much, and being in chat, as it's only my second day there and it's p-day. I'm learning a LOT from my companion.

My companion is Sister Carlisle from Virginia/most places in the US/Born in Brazil. We've been around each other a lot on the mission, which was why I was somewhat surprised when we found out we'd be companions. This is only the second time I've been companions with someone I know well from the mission, the first time was with sister Fellmann. It's been a lot of fun so far! We communicate well, and I don't think we'll have an awkward week. We may have to work through things, but that's normal. We won't have a hard time talking, so that's nice :D.

Sister Droege (The sister I Trained) came back to Temple Square yesterday. I was SO excited! Still am! I haven't seen her in 4 transfers... about 5 months? I think?

I was in the hallway between the kitchen and the lounge downstairs in the South when I saw her come through the door. She saw me and screamed, I saw her and screamed, and we ran towards each other and gave each other a huge hug.

Sister Packer, one of the sisters, commented that she could hear that we saw each other on Temple Square all the way at the apartments. I laughed when she said that. We were just so excited to see each other!

It's so good to have the outbound sisters back, it's like a part of temple square was missing and now it's back.

Speaking of outbound, there are none going out this transfer. Because of changes in the mission, President has decided that during the busiest months, he wouldn't send sisters out. I'm guessing that he won't send anyone outbound next transfer either, but you never know, God does what he wants, and President listens to him, thank goodness.


I love you all SO much!

You're amazing!

LOVE!

~Sister Sarah

Pictures Again!

temple

my roommies

temple

my district

Exciting, no?

So I figured out where my camera cord is. In my camera case! Whoda thunk??

Any ways, so now you get to see pictures from MY camera :D Exciting, no?

last first etc

Today's the last p-day of the transfer, and I won't find out until monday what's going on. I feel pretty calm because I'm not going outbound for sure, but at the same time I want to know what's going on for my second to last transfer, even though that feels really really really weird. There are some things that I miss, but at the same time I'm really glad I'm a missionary right now :)


There are so many miracles, I may not get to many of them especially since I'm so out of it currently. :)

On sunday I talked to a man on the phone and he said something that I found profound- "There are too many members and not enough disciples." He was talking about christian just in general. I think it's true in a lot of ways. Amazing how things are like that.

Also on sunday we took two guys around and they both referred. It was pretty neat that they wanted to learn more.

I was at welfare square a lot this week and met someone named Brittani Nicholas from the Hollister 1st ward. She doesn't live there now, but she recognized my name and mentioned other people that I knew from hollister. Kind of crazy. Does any one remember much about her? She's about the same age as David.

We lost a couple of our japanese sisters. Some of them came here instead of Hawaii, because there was too many in Hawaii, but then they wanted two of them back. It was sad... one of them was a sister that I had helped take around Welfare square the second time.

Today we had an ASL tour with a guy who was still learning sign language. He lost his hearing over time, so he's deaf but didn't start learning ASL until recently.

Now we're taking a Tagalog tour since no one else is responding :)

LOVE

My ability to speak English is fading

At least that's what it seems. You would think on an english mission, it wouldn't suffer, but no... I have-apparently- a knack of picking up accents and ways of phrasing things... even if it's incorrect. Like this morning, I couldn't see my district leader and a meeting was about to start, "Where she is?" said I. Then realized what I said. Perhaps I'll need help to speak properly when I go back home ;)


So last sunday we were able to go to Music and the Spoken word for the first time since I've been back because sister Talines and I weren't announcing in Tagalog or ASL. It was pretty neat because the orchistra was playing, and President Monson was there (I could kind of see him through the fake cherry tree.) and -to my companion's delight- David Archuleta. She was excited that he was there, I was more excited that the prophet was there, so we each got something that we liked.

That same day I ran into someone who gave me a quote from his mission. His mission president told him, "We're sending you to a new area- the world. Your assignment is to give at least one referral to the missionaries per month." I thought that was a neat way to look at it, so I wrote it down so I could remember it.

I also met someone who was a missionary in the San Jose mission! He was the first person I met from that mission, so it was pretty fun. He remembered a lot of t he people that I grew up with like the Greens and Grahams and Woodruffs. He just got off his mission a year or two ago so it was neat to hear that they were still in Greenfield.

This week I took my second tour at Welfare square... well my second time taking a sister who spoke Japanese, and never had given a tour at Welfare square to welfare square. It was kind of funny. The zone leaders paged me and asked me to take her there again, like I had the other. The poor sister was nervous, but I think she did well, because she gave her best, and that's all God asks her to do. I tried to encourage her after, and hopefully it helped.

I also learned a Russian phrase- Ya tibya lublue. Which means- I love you. Lots of things we learn daily.

Wednesday we planned more specifically and saw many miracles. It was neat to be able to see God's hand in things. We also got to go to Welfare Square again, but this time it was my companion's first time giving a tour. We had a huge group of young men and women from Orem and actually had a few of them give us some people we could call. It was really nice.

And now to answer a few questions... I honestly do not know when I'll be calling. I have no clue, because we now plan our entire schedule ourselves. We don't have a little slip of paper telling us when to take lunch and dinner, we just have... well our planners, and a request that we don't do the same time every day, etc. It's crazy, but good how far this mission has come. If you let me know when you all are available, I'll ask my companion if we can plan to have lunch or dinner during the time that would work best for every one :)

We found out about us being able to do our own schedule (completely, including when we go to the call center -- we just sign up at the begining of the week so we know when it's going to be full.)on Tuesday Evening. It was crazy. Our district leader paged us and we went and talked with her for a moment, and that's when she informed us. It was fast and a little crazy, but in a nice way. This mission has changed completely from the way it was when I first arrived. I love it! I'm glad the change has been gradual, but every change has been good. It still amazes me though. It went from a mission where you couldn't move from one spot for an hour, or more, until your replacements came, to us being able to move wherever we want, within our area, and go according to the spirit. Thank goodness.


Oh, Laila from david's ward in CA says Hi. I met her and her family randomly on the square, so I thought I might pass it on :)

Today was pretty neat, we met a couple of guys who were originally from India and took them around. They reminded me of my old investigator- Rajen. They were quiet, and seemed like they weren't interested, but in the end both wanted to learn more. It was amazing :).

Any way, I love ya all!! Be happy and stuff!! :D


Love sister of a sarah of a durtschi sort.

Tulips, Daisies, butter...?

Okay... umm... I left my book of Mormon with my Planner... at home... so I'm kind of lost and don't know what to say.


The weather! That's a great place to start! It's been GORGEOUS!!! If it would stay like this the rest of my mission, I'd be in heaven. My companion, sister Talines, and I have just finished taking about 200 pictures... each. Okay, maybe I exaggerate.... Any way, I took more than I have in a LONG time.

So, today was pretty neat. We finally got to Weekly planning (we had Zone Conference this week as well as a ton of other meetings, so we haven't had a companion study to do it in. That's something that's different from outbound... Weekly planning is a LOT longer, and you HAVE to do it before the next week starts. It's now Saturday and the week started on Wednesday, and we just did Weekly planning this morning. Kind of weird, but we don't have any investigators to plan for, so why take more time than is needed?

Any way, so we got onto the Square and almost as soon as we got there, we ran into a man from North Carolina. It was fun. We took him around, then walked and talked with people, namely the parents of the organist who was performing today. His mother's from the Philippines, so sister Talines and she had a fun conversation. We were near the tabernacle when they started handing out programs for the performance that day. Sister Rafi' (shortened because most people can't say Rafidairimanda.. and I probably spelled it wrong.) and Holmes asked us to stay in the Tab' during the performance to let people out when they need to go, etc, in a way that it won't be loud. It was wonderful to be able to hear the music, especially 'Come Come Ye Saints' I got goose bumps and one of the ladies who was listening wanted to leave because she was tearing up. It's neat how heavenly father gives little treats now and again to make life sweet. Kind of like eating a raisin bagel, mostly bland with a bite of sweetness every once and a while, that makes the whole thing sweet. :) But if the whole thing were sweet, we'd get tired of it. Bored you might say.

After the Organ Recital, a man came in from England. He was there on business and was interested in different things. We got to know him, and were able to answer questions. Sister Talines mentioned that she used to be Catholic, and he had said previously that he was Catholic, so he asked if they were different. I explained the greatest difference was that we believe the authority was lost and is now back on the earth with prophets and apostles, and he seemed to accept that well. He asked a few more questions, but didn't want missionaries because he's always traveling. We encouraged him to stop and talk to the missionaries in his area whenever he saw them. We hope the best for him. I think we have to have a lot of faith on this mission and know that those who are ready will receive the gospel one way or another...


Earlier in the week, Thursday I think(which is when we had our Zone Conference) we met a couple from Pittsburgh. They were truck drivers, and had a bit of an accent. At first I thought they were from Brazil, because it sounded similar, but when I asked if they "spoke another language" (my polite way of saying, "I can hear a bit of an accent... what's it from?") When they replied, they said, "Arabic." I was a little surprised, it was my first time in a long time that I ran into people who originally spoke that language. We'd already been having a great discussion about Christ, so I just kept on going, explaining about the Temple, and so on. They were both open and could feel the spirit, and it felt good to them.

After we finished, one of the sisters who can kind of speak Arabic walked by myself and sister Talines, and we pointed her in the right direction to distract them while we got them an Arabic book of Mormon. They were very thankful for the book, and said they would read it. They're already reading the bible in Arabic, so it would be good for them to have both. :D So... again with the faith thing. Hopefully they'll meet with missionaries too...

I'm very thankful for sunscreen.

Sunday was nice. Sister Talines announced in Tagalog, and we kind of got a tour. Some other sisters found them for us, and they were members and had a very limited amount of time, but it was nice for them all to talk for a while.

I used the crock pot for the second time on my mission... the first time was in my first transfer. It worked out well. I tried to do something like what dad does for sundays (potroast, with potatoes, etc), and... well, I didn't have most of the ingredients that he uses, so for what I had it turned out well :).

I don't remember much. Sorry... that's what happens when I don't have my planner... my goldfish-sized memory kicks in .

I can't believe it's Week three... and the middle of it to boot! I've noticed a lot of things, and have been trying to improve. It's kind of funny because I remembered some things from before outbound and some of them are starting to come back. Some of those things I'm glad about, but others I'm not. We (Sister Talines and I) made a goal today to try and learn something new every day that we can use every day, so we're not just saying, doing, etc, the same things over and over again and getting bored. So hopefully that will help.


I've been able to run into a lot of members recently. I've really encouraged the young members to go on missions, especially mission-aged young men (girls too ;) ) I've been able to improve my ways of talking with them, and others... I hope.


Any way. Many many miracles. I love it. :D

Love you all! Be good! And Happy!

LOVE!

~Sister of the Durtschi of the Sarah Sort.



Ps... No butters were involved in the making of this email... aside from the small amount that was in dinner last night (in case you were wondering about the subject.)

More Pictures

1. Sample from today's pictures

2/3/4. Just after the session of conference that we got to see

5. Conference Sunday night when we got together to see what the totals were and so on.
 
 

Pictures!

Some pictures of me and Sister Talines!  Enjoy!

Hi... again :)

So, it's not been that long ago that I wrote. But that's okay, right? You like hearing from me, yes? :)


This week is pretty neat, even though you just heard from me on Wednesday :)

We were able to take two wonderful ladies around on Thursday. They're deaf and wanted to learn more by the end of it. My poor companion almost fell asleep because we chatted so much. At first I thought they're members, but as we chatted we got to know each other better. they asked some really great questions about the church and what we believed, and some normal questions about temple square and us as missionaries, especially since the next day we were able to take the same ladies around the Beehive house. They asked us there if all of us had to wear skirts (common question...) and we let them know that we want to look professional, so as missionaries we wear nice clothes, etc.

Something that's interesting about temple square is we have a chance to answer a lot of people's questions. Some of them make me think a lot. Even though I know the answers for myself, it forces me to think about it from their perspectives... which means that I have to find a different way to answer the same question with the same answer. I love it. Even if I don't love it at the time I'm having to think on my toes and answer it.

We met a lady today who's coming back to church. We were able to share some uplifting scriptures with her and help her feel welcome. I think those who come back are brave, because it usually means they're admitting they have been wrong and they're willing to make the changes that they need to. Change is scary a lot.

There have been a lot of things that have changed here, namely sisters and so on, but it's taking me a while to adjust to absolutely everything. Thankfully the gospel always stays the same :D

Something I'm also thankful for is the district that I had in the MTC is still going strong. None of us, asside from the one who went home in the MTC, have gone home yet. All the girls are still here, and according to them, all the boys are still in Hawaii. The reason I bring that up is because one of the elders from our zone in the MTC who left to go to his mission when we left to come here is home now. I ran into him yesterday. It was kind of sad, but things work out in their own way.

Any ways, love yas lots!

Be happy n all that!!

Love

Sis. of the Durtschi of the Sarah Sort.

Temple Square, take two

SO, yes, I'm back. And it's weird. but good.... and weird.


We have lovely shiny new computers in the Family Search center, and a shiny new gmail-ish email thing that makes it so it doesn't munch my emails, so I can safely type in the email thing, YAY! And if you didn't understand that sentence... I'm sorry. Thus is my ability to speak currently ;)

any ways. It's weird to type a letter, rather than write it. my fingers are getting ahead of each other and trying to give ya'll a bunch of typoes to play with... but I'm cleaning them up so no worries.

Any way, so as you probably know I got back to Temple sqare the wednesday before general conference. Heavenly father didn't want to give me any time to complain about my feet hurting before I was on them alllll t he time, I think.

So my last day in Washington was kind of crazy, Tuesday we went to zone conference in a different zone because President Showalter wanted me to go to one last zone conference so I could bear my testimony, which was nice. We gained a new companion that day, sister Christianson, and took her over to meet one of the families we were working on re-activating, because we had meant to see them earlier that day, but since zone conference went over (plus the exit interview with pres. Showalter) we didn't get back until an hour or two after we had wanted to go. So we attempted to take pictures. Edith was less than cooperative. At 96 she didn't really want people taking pictures of her, but we accomplished it. :D

We moved that day into a different member's home, because another sister from Temple Square, C.Martinez, took over my area. She also knows some sign language, and will help the Deaf branch out a lot! I'm excited for her. I hope all goes well there.

Wednesday I went to the airport (After repacking my bags so everything could fit.) And waited. For a long time. Sister Bailey(who flew with me to washington) came and joined me and we chattered about outbound and how fast it went and exchanged pictures and stories, but since we sat on different places on the plane, we didn't meet up again until after the flight. During the flight I sat next to a woman who lived in, basically, my area back in washington. It was fun. We talked the entire flight and enjoyed each other's company, and at the end of the flight, I asked if we could keep in contact, we exchanged info (I just gave my email since that's all I really knew... ) and then I asked if she wouldn't mind having missionaries like myself go and visit with her. She agreed. I was so excited.

Thursday we had an outbound testimony meeting at President and sister Holmes' house. It was really great to see all the sisters who came back and how they've grown.

I've noticed that I'm a lot more comfortable with people asking me challenging questions. We've had a lot of those since conference, and I've been able to answer them well, even though I still don't like them.

At the meeting, President asked us to not talk about outbound now that we're here, so that we can focus on the work here. it's kind of weird since it was part of us for months, but I've been able to use what I learned there, here. I'm more straight forward with people, and don't hide behind facts as much as I used to, I give them the facts, because that's what they want, but I also don't shy away from explaining the gospel, especially when they ask questions about it.

Friday we had a lot of miracles. At around 10:30 I got paged for us to go to the Beehive house (so something that's changed here is that our schedules are basically blank except for when we have lunch and dinner, so not all the sisters go at the same time. Especially in Extended zone, where I am. We can go wherever we want, within reason.) Because they were swamped. We stayed until lunch, took a quick lunch, then came back until dinner. I lost count of how many tours we took, but I was VERY thankful that my knees didn't give me any problems the whole day. We saw so many miracles. A deaf woman and her significant other came in and informed us that they were deaf, so I got to take the two of them on a tour, rather than a group of 20. It was nice, they wanted to learn more, so I'm excited for them.

Saturday and Sunday were crazy, but that's how conference normally is. We had a goal of 3,000 referalls from members... and we totally blew that goal out of the water with 4780. It was pretty much amazing. It doesn't feel like it was my last conference as a missionary, but I'd say we did it with a boom :D

Mon and tues, we got to sleep in... which was nice. but weird too. I'm not used to sleeping in any more... Oh and monday I found out that my friend Samantha's getting married on Friday, CRAZY! amazing the things that happen while you're on a mission!

Today we had a wonderful tour, a motorcoach of 40 english students. They all were taking english as a second language, and my companion (Sister Talines from the Philipines) and I had to speak very slowly and clearly so that everyone could understand what on earth we were talking about. Their teacher wanted them to ask questions, so we had a lot of questions. Several times it was, "How do you spell..." because they were taking notes. Other times it was, "Could you repeat..." They were very polite, and enjoyable to have. At the end they all had questions, and we enjoyed answering them, but they had to rush to their next class.

Any ways, love you all looootss and lots and lots!

Be happy n all that!

*hugs!*

Byeees for now! I'll email again on Saturday!

~sis Sarah

Email Update

Hi family type peoples! I'm just writing a short one, then I'll write a longer one :)


Any ways, My p-day is Saturday, but since General Conference was this last saturday and sunday, it got temporarily changed to Wednesday. I'll have another p-day on this coming saturday :)

Letters are also appreciated, especially since we're only supposed to be on for a short time. If you write me, I will respond in a written letter, hopefully sooner more than later :)

Love ya all!
I'll send the long letter in a bit.

~sis

March 22nd Letter

I only have a week & 2 days left. It’s crazy and, no, I’m not counting. Everyone keeps asking me, so of course I know :)


This week my district made a goal to have a week of excellence, which means that each companionship achieves standards that the mission President thinks missionaries can achieve (can- but with a lot of work) so we set out and worked hard.

The last few days came and the only thing sister Batkhand and I were short on were new investigators. Every person we met and talked to wasn’t interested in learning any more, or they were but had just moved into the area so had no contact information, or the father of the house said ‘no.’ Frustrating!

But the Zone Leaders and District leader companionship came to our area and tracted for use and got us 4 new investigators. We got standards and would have, as a district, gotten standards, except one companionship was short a member- present lesson. It was pretty neat.

So transfer calls were today. We’re both staying. I think the sister that will be sister Batkand’s companion when I leave will either come tomorrow (hopefully they’ll tell us to go get her before transfers…) or when I leave to go back to Temple Square… I don’t know which and neither do the zone leaders. In some ways I hope she comes now so she can get to know the area, but then again it’s a small place to live in…

Anyway… umm…

One of our investigators is golden. We met him at church and his girlfriend is a member. Her family is very supportive of both of them. We didn’t meet with him the first time we met him because things kept falling through, then he was there the next Sunday and I caught the two of them so I could talk to them at the same time.

We set up where we could meet with them (the member’s house w/ her parents) and had a great 1st lesson with a member who served his mission in Brazil, where Sam (our investigator) is from.

He speaks English fairly well, but it’s easier for him to understand in Portuguese, so the RM has been a huge help. :)

Yesterday he accepted the invitation to be baptized. It won’t be while I’m here, but I’m excited for him anyway. :)

Today will be crazy. WE have dinner with the Knowes at 5, lesson w/ Osborns at 6, deaf FHE at 7, lesson with a new investigator at 8…

Okay, not very crazy…we just had the dinner and deaf FHE because other two cancelled…oh well. We’ll meet with them later.

So, my piano practicing (plunkering…) has come in handy because one of our over 90-year old members is less active and plays the piano by ear…which is mainly what I do too. She & her son love having us over and her son has become much more active than he has in the past as a result. The Spirit plays the major roll in all of this, but it’s pretty neat. We try to sing hymns while over there to bring the spirit and now the son, Winston, wants to learn the hymns so he can participate better, which is cool. One more thing to get him interested in church. His mom knows the hymns fairly well, so we see if we can stump one another sometimes and find a song that the other doesn’t know. It’s fun overall. :)

Anyway, loss of love to you and I’ll probably be just as scattered when I write next week too…but y’all love me anyway right????

Love Sis. Durtschi

"The Story Continues" March 15th

I know I’ve not titled my letters for a while, but I thought this would be appropriate.


Why, you may ask? Well, Kristina went into the hospital last Monday. WE didn’t find out until Wednesday night. (we’d tried calling her Monday and Tuesday with no answer) Friday was supposed to be her baptism. She called us on Saturday to let us know she was out and still wanted to be baptized and wanted to meet with us at church the next day. Her foot hurt so that fell through. We were going to meet wither that night, but she decided she wasn’t feeling well enough, so now we’re meeting with her tonight.

We’re hoping for her to be baptized this week. It’s the last week of the transfer and my second to last week in Washington. Time Flies, eh?

We had zone p-day today and it was beautiful outside, so half of us opted to go out in the sun, half stayed in and played basketball. I and my companion went outside and threw Frisbees, Mostly to each other and the elders, but sometimes it ended up being at each other and the elders. There was also a football involved. It was fun. I’m tired.

I don’t have anyone’s letters with me, so I can’t remember if anyone asked specific questions, or wanted me to talk about something etc so if you asked something, I’ll try to respond later in the letter, if not… oh well :)

I’ve been getting more and more out of the Book of Mormon since I’ve been reading basically everyday and 3 or more pages a day. The only day I consistently miss is Sunday because we don’t have time for personal study. (Well, we could put it in, but it’s our last day to get new people to teach, etc, for the week before the new week starts.)

It’s nice to get new insights. It’s also been good to read from different Ensigns that the Blanchards have. After reading one Ensign article this morning, I decided to look though the family home evening annual thing. Even though it’s old it still has a lot of good ideas that will help for Family Home Evening for the future, both on my mission and after. All you Lucky Family type people that I’ll be living with after my mission are going to (hopefully) have consistent and fun FHEs :)

Anyways, I’m kind of glad that while I’m in Washington I don’t email. You can’t use a computer any where you, but you can use pen and paper. I’m realizing that, because since my companion is from Mongolia and it would take a long time (and postage) she’s able to email. We have to worry about when to go and when it’s (the library) open, etc. Kind of annoying if both of us had to use it. It’s almost impossible to find 2 computers next to each other at the times we usually go. Not to mention we only have 1 library card between the two of us and I think you can log on to only one computer at a time with that one card.

I also like getting letters :) It’s exciting to find out if either of us got mail…my hand would prefer the computer, but…it all works out :)

I don’t know if I’m getting trunky. I asked about Temple Square and home and it makes me think.

One of the things I miss (besides the obvious) is reading whatever I want and learning about thing that aren’t gospel related. I miss the computer too, but mainly to use to get information, etc (including from friends and family via chat etc. ;)

But, I wouldn’t trade this for anything else. I’ve had so many amazing experiences out her, on Temple Square in the MTC. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

The world’ is too heavy anyways

I had a random realization whilst I was reading a letter from Amy a few days ago… Everyone in our family, but Stephen and Luke will have moved at least once since I’ve been on my mission. Mom and dad (Dad twice). Amy (Soon to be twice) Becky, Elisabeth and even ME! From Utah to Washington, CRAZY!

We’re just a mobile family! Oh and David – That’s what made me realize, because David’s on his way to Colorado right? Well, soonish anyway.

Speaking of David, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I have a card for you but I need to write in it and p-day is over (things went crazy… I’ll have to try and remember to tell y’all next week) So…until next p-day :)

Love y’all! Be good! :)



Sis. S. Durtschi.

3/8/10 Letter

My goodness gracious! I don’t know where to start! I guess with the most recent….

So we just had a sister’s luncheon. It was a lot of fun. It was really weird to see my old companions again, along with the two sisters from Temple Square. We got there a little early and we all chatted while we waited for sis. Halladay, Kitto, Coleman and DeWitt to arrive. Sis. Halladay was a bit sick to it was a little hard for me to recognize her voice at first.

We sat around al long table (2 tables put together) and had light sandwiches and salad as we chatted. Sis. Showalter (mission mom) passed bookmarks out to each of us that had first names. Each one had the first name of one of the sisters and we had to guess which name went to which sister and then tell a bit about that sister.

After that we had a chance to talk about our areas so the sisters who’d service there could get updated on what’s going on with the investigators.

It gave me a chance to inform Sis. Halladay, Cicon and Coleman (who I replaced) that Kristina’s getting baptized this Friday

Bet that got your attention.

So a couple days ago, sister Batkhand and I went to Kristina’s and basically told her (in a nicer ways) that she was putting coffee ahead of God and she needed to give it up or else she couldn’t get baptized (which she was talking about, that she wanted to do) we also let her know that the only reason we were hitting this so hard was because we loved her and wanted the best for her. She cried and we prayed together.

Sunday rolled around and she made it to church coffee free. She was about 20 minutes late, but she made it! I was so proud of her. After sacrament she wanted to talk to the bishop to make sure everything would be good for her to be baptized etc, It went well, and that night we went to her house with the elders, because I didn’t know if she needed to be interviewed again since it was January that she was last interviewed.

As soon as we walked into the apartment, Kristina went right to the kitchen and handed me the two small packets of coffee she’d bought. Later in the conversation I told her how proud I was of her for giving it up and she said “it’s no big deal, it’s just coffee.” Miracle I tell you!

Kristina reminds me of the ocean, like tide that’s coming in. Every time she gets a little closer then falls back, then gets a little closer… Etc. I hope she does it this time! This is the closet she’s ever been before. I hope she goes all the way. She’s been speaking like she wants to go all the way and then some… I‘ll start celebrating at 8:00 pm Friday, because then the baptism will be over. Hopefully! :) It’s tempting to do it sooner.

Another miracle this week is Tallon and William got married this Thursday! We all have been hoping and praying for this to happen. I’m so grateful! It means they can progress to baptism and have a better life for their two little girls. I hope they see that. I can tell they’re starting to. Even though (*Gets distracted by noticing whipped topping in hair and picks it out before resuming*) it’s been a slow process I can see the two of them progressing. Who knows? Maybe they’ll get baptized before I leave.

Winston and Edith are funny. I think I mentioned them before. They’re son and mother, with Winston being 67 and Edith being 95, going 96. crazy! They’re not consistently gone to church since Winston was a teenager, near as I can tell, so we’ve been trying to help him gain his testimony back by helping him realize little things are part of his testimony, like him believing in Christ, him sustaining the prophet, etc in ward conference, him going to church are all part of his testimony. He sounds surprised when I tell him each thing is a part of his testimony and then tries not to smile as if he’s so pleased he can’t hide it. It’s kind of cute, like a bashful teenager in a 67 year old body. We’re working with the ward to see who he’d get along with, etc.

We’re hoping the best and working our hardest.

Last time we met with them half the time we were mainly talking with Winston, since Edith can’t hear very well she gets bored easily, so the other half of the time we sang hymns. Edith plays the piano very well and by ear (ironically enough). I don’t play very well but I can sometimes fake it because I also play by ear, along with a small amount of note reading. When I can’t read the music or make it transition to my fingers, I just sang. Both Edith and Winston loved it and I think could feel the spirit.

Sis. Batkhand and I were just about to leave without saying a prayer and he stopped us and said “hey aren’t we going to say a prayer?” I couldn’t hold back a grin and asked him who he wanted to stay the prayer.

It was exciting for me because that was the first time he had put forth the effort to keep something spiritual like that when we’d forgotten.

I love getting the ward involved. It’s been tough at times but seeing it happens it just such a great thing. I love it!

It helps me to meet more people because it makes me branch out from the normal members I’d generally run to for help in missionary work, sometimes it’s scary, especially if you have not talked with them much before and you’re teaching a lesson with a tough investigator who already has a hard time with the church. So far it’s worked out. Sometimes it’s worked better then others, but we’re getting more people to church then ever. Both investigators and those who haven’t gone in a long time. It’s exciting

I can’t believe this transfer is more then half over! I have only about 3 weeks before they ship me back to Temple Square. It’s crazy!

Doing Interviews with President Showalter I asked him what I should do to make the best of my time here (‘Make it Count’) and he said something wise and mission President-y, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was right now, probably something to do with following the Lord, because he knows where his people are. I remember we read a parable from the bible about the Fish in the next and how there were so many that the next broke, where before they had no luck. Well, Christ knew where the first were and he’s doing a pretty good job of scaring up new investigators (though sometimes – about half the time, they’re for other missionaries since they’re out of our area)

Anyway, God’s mindful of us and wants us to improve. During interviews I’d realized my prayers were a bit selfish, looking for my glory more then God’s, so I’ve been changing my attitude and the way I’m looking at tings and doing my best.

So that’s my schpiel for this week. Forgive the Scatteredness…you know you like it ‘cause it reminds you of me :)

LOVE! Be good and Happy!

Love S Durtschi.

Lastest Letters from Sarah 2/15 and 2/22

2/15/10 Crazy week, I tell you what! I have a companion for a week and we are stuck to each other like peanut butter to the roof of your mouth. We’re having so much fun and I’m feeling so productive, even if we haven’t been doing as many missionary things and have been putting things together so I’m ready to be the senior companion to whoever will be my companion next.

We find out on Wednesday and apparently the change will effect every sister companionship in the mission except Sister Halladay & her trainee. It’ll be interesting to see all of the sisters together, not to mention 2 temple square sisters that I know, Sis Faddis (From Houston Texas) and sister Nakajima (from Japan) Originally we thought that it would just be me and Sister Cicon, who would be getting the temple Square sisters and it going at that, but then we found out that it was more than that and now everyone is speculating who is going where with what companion. It’s being called a ‘sisters transfer.’ I’m not sure what to think of it. I’ve loved being with sister Cicon (sigh-son) and this week we’ve been together has felt longer, but in a good way. They’ve been filled with many good opportunities to serve.

2/22/10 So I ran out of time to finish this letter last week so I’m finishing it this week. Sorry I didn’t send what I had, but…yeah. Transfers

I’m now with sister Batkhand (Baht-ahnd) from Mongolia. She’s pretty much awesome :)

She’s been on her mission for a bit longer then I have and will be going home after next transfer, I believe. She gets lots of the same questions, but she’s patient. The thing she gets asked about the most is how to pronounce her name. The KH makes an almost silent sound, but it’s a throaty…well I don’t know how to explain. I guess a cross between a growl and a gargle.

At first it was a little awkward, because I had come from a companion (sis Cicon) where I felt I could be exactly myself, to someone who was also quiet that I don’t know very well. We talked a bit and after just a day or two we broke each others shells. There’s still some quiet time, but we converse readily about different things.

She’s organized and likes to clean. I’m working on being organized and tend to clean when I’m upset, (usually just because of Elders etc ;)) So it’s kind of a funny combination. I’m sure Elisabeth will be happy that I’ve learned to clean/organize so much from my mission. ;)

Sister Batkhand is getting her first ever real message from sister Tilley, a member in the Lake Forest Park Ward. I just had mine. Sis. Tilley offered several weeks ago, when Sis. Halladay was here and we got one 2 weeks ago. It’s a much different experience getting a message as exposed to giving. It’s kind of funny being on the receiving end of things. Kind of nice.

On a completely different not…or similar, depending on how you look at it, GUESS WHAT???? I passed my year mark last Thursday! Crazy!!!! Over a year ago I was giving David, Melissa and Becky a hug goodbye and spending my last text message. I can’t believe it’s been a year. Sometimes it feels a LOT longer and sometimes it feels like just yesterday. It’s pretty neat.

I think when ya first get into the mission you feel like you’ll never get used it and then you’ve there fro a few transfers and all of the sudden you can’t see yourself doing anything else and I wonder why I never though of doing certain things. It all is fitting together.

Things are going very well. It feels very weird that this is my last transfer in Washington. I go back to Temple Square the day Tasha Goes into the MTC. Crazy, eh? I’m so excited she’s going on a mission. I think she’ll do great and will find all the people she’s meant to find and baptize those she’s meant to baptize :)

Wow, yesterday (Sunday) was CRAZY! My goodness. We get to church about 20 minutes before it starts because we didn’t have a meeting at 8, so we just went early so we could have a new/updated ward list printed out and it became so crazy from there.

First our investigator Charles was there. That was good, except Bro & Sister Parks went to do their duty with the library and left him with us…but we had to get things done. We told him that we had to do some things and would be right back. As we were printing things out 4 of the 7 children in a part member family come, we had just visited them the day before, did out best to teach them a lesson and invited them to church. Their mom was still sick so the dad stayed home and most of the older children stayed home too, so we had a 6, 8, 9 and 11 year hold on our hands

I had a bit of a panicky time until we asked Sis. Wilcox (Bishop’s wife) to help us.

During this time one of the older sisters pointed out that Winston Sanderson was there. We had also visited Winston and his mother Edith the day before and invited him to church. He probably hasn’t been to church consistently since he was a teenager and he’s old enough to be my grandpa. I notice the no one was sitting next to him and sister Batkhand was sitting with Sister Wilcox and the kids, Charles was sitting with the Parks, so he wasn’t alone. So I decided to sit with Winston

We had talked the day before about testimonies and how him believing in Jesus Christ was a testimony and he didn’t have to get up on fast Sunday and bear it to have one. As we sat there listening to the speakers talking about the prophet I leaned over and informed him that jus being at church was a testimony

He looked at me and said ‘really?” as if the thought the thought had never occurred to him, then sat back and smiled.

I hope he comes back next week. I can see him being very active in the church.
All in all yesterday was good, as was the entire week. :)

Letter 2/8/10

Well, we got the call this morning, indicating what’s going on for this transfer. Sister Halladay is being transferred and I’m staying. We don’t know where she’s going yet, or who my or her new companion is going to be. One of use or any of the sisters could be training because of the 6 new missionaries coming in this transfer, one of them is a sisters. We’ve known who she is for a while, Kimberly Kiddo because the Milsteads (a family in the ward) found out online. I understand that either tonight of tomorrow morning the trainer, whoever she is, will find out what she’s training, Exciting, no?

Last night was interesting. The only thing that went according to plan was that we went to church. Kristina’s still not baptized. She cancelled twice in 2 days. So…we don’t know if she’ll really be baptized any time soon. She says she has not worries or concerns aside form not feeling well, but both Sis Halladay and I and the Bishop feel there is something more, but we don’t know what on earth it could possibly be. So we did what we could and later on that night, the bishop called and invited us over. Initially it was just to eat, but then he asked if we were allowed to play games. So we play rummikube and part of Phase 10 while we (the bishop, his wife and daughter and the two of us) discussed what we could do for Kristina, our other investigators and the ward.

We had a blast and it was the first time we’d been able to really just sit down with them and get things hashed out all the way, not just in the PEC or anything like that. We were able to see where he was coming from and us him. Not to mention we all laughed and joked and were really open and comfortable with everything. During that time I thought to myself that I could handle staying here if I was needed

I have learned a lot the last two transfers. Sis. Halladay and the ward and our investigators have made me grow in so many ways. I’ve really been working on charity. I know that’s one of the things that will help me to the most, not only through the mission, but my entire life.

I’ve learned a lot in the way of communication. Sis Halladay & I both sometimes have a hard time communication, but within the last few days things have really fallen into place and we both have been able to not judge and not feel judged. It’s been really nice we’ve had to go through harder times, but they help us enjoy the good times all the more, which is really nice.

I’m really excited for the reunions! It’s a little crazy that they are happen one right after the other and right when I finish my mission! I have a feeling that you all will pick me up, I’ll get released…from the bishop/stake pres in Orem? We’ll have the reunions, then I’ll go to school? I don’t know, but it’s kind of crazy how things are working out.

Poor Sister Halladay. She’s had to say goodbye to all people that we’ve been working with, etc. She’s been in this area for 6 months. She’s had a lot of ups & downs, but she’s going to miss it. She’s trying not to cry a lot, but every once and a while her head leaks.

It’s going to be a long day tomorrow and tonight. Oh, I don’t know if I mentioned, but we got message today from a sister in our ward, fro free. It was nice. She also balanced us, so our bodies are adjusting to it. :) Sister Halladay needed it the most.

Sister Hallady is training. She’s freaking out a little bit. She doesn’t want to train, but I know she’ll do great! :)

Letter 2-1-10

I can't believe it's February, not to mention it's 2010. It's kind of crazy to think about. Seems like it's going so fast and yet so slow. Part of me wants to be done with this part of my mission and the other wants it to never end.

It's so cool that I'm an aunt again twice over. You're the first to tell me and send pictures. :) They are so cute but I knew that'd be the case anyway Most of our investigators know and ward members :) It's fun to brag in that way.

Poor Davy Boy. 2 years ago I don't think he expected to have children at this time. I'm glad they're stared though. I'm excited for the two of then...4 of them. They'll be all amazing family and have lots of fun. Hmm the Twins, Baby twins...maybe new baby twins? Or the other baby twins? :)

Kristina, She went into the hospital Saturday night and we fasted for her and another investigator Sunday that she'd get out Tuesday or Wednesday so she could still get baptized on Saturday. She did get out Wednesday. We were eating lunch at the “Gorditos 'Health' Mexican Restaurant” and just as we were finishing up the phone started vibrating and it showed Sis. Wilcox was calling, Kristina's member Friend and bishop's wife. Kristina was on the other side of the phone, telling us she got home and wanted to see us sometime that day. So we made our way over there. Stopping at time or two along the way (we'd planned to visit , whether she was home or not and go permission to go to the hospital (out of our area,) if she wasn't home.

She was happy to see us and seemed bright and perky, but old us she didn't want to get baptized on Saturday. We convinced her to wait until the next day to decide for sure. To make an already long store shorter after doing everything in our power, we found out that she still doesn't have a testimony of Joseph Smith and this being the Lord's church, not just a good organization. So...we were sad she didn't get baptized but glad she didn't because we want her to be ready.

We have some new investigators that we're hoping the best for. Jamie is a non[member street contact referral. We haven't met her yet but we've talked with her one the phone. She seems to be really nice and her mom wants to hear what we have to say too. We feel good about her and have an appointment with her tomorrow. I hope the best, but how this transfer has been going I cant' help but worry that they are of another faith and just want to anti us. I really hope and pray that's not the case.

Charles is a member referral. We went to drop some pans off at the Parks' house from dinner a while ago, last Tuesday and sis Parks (from Russia) said (after chatting a while with us and Bro Parks (American)) we all need to pray to find someone fro us to teach. So we prayed and she said her husband needed to ask a friend of his to come over. He told her she could ask that friend, so she had to figure how to say what she wanted in English, then went up to another apartment. We waited a few minutes and she returned. At first we just saw her, but she and such a pleased smile on her face I knew she'd convinced someone to come with her. She had. HE wasn't the person she had planned to bring, but that didn't matter to her. So Charles sat down with us in the Park's tiny apartment and was very stiff at first. After a few minutes his body language became more and more relaxed and we thought him an abbreviated (Temple Square) version of the first lesson. He seemed to like a lot and I invited hm to continue to learn with us and he accepted. Bro. Parks was so cute. He was surprised at Charles's reply and said “Really???” He could hardly hold in his excitement. So now we're teaching Charles at the Parks' apartment.

One little tidbit that we found out just as we were about to leave is Charles is Jewish...which would have been nice to know before we gave him 3 Nephi 11 to ready before our next lesson...and then he came to church Sunday and it was ALL on the atonement of Jesus Christ, Etc. Thankfully he has a friend in the gospel so we're hoping he's not completely weirded out of offended by anything.

Olivia is our ward mission leaders' cousin. She just turned 11 and her mom is not active, but has agreed to let her have the lessons so she can choose if she wants to be baptized or not. Doug (Ward Mission Leader) lives with his grandma and Olivia goes to their grandma's house very Thursday to be home schooled. Their grandma is in the stake relief society presidency and invited us to ask Olivia is she wants the lessons. We did just that and while I filled my handy dandy water bottle and used the restroom, Sis Halladay plopped down and started Chatting with Olivia. I came out and joined the conversation. WE got to know her for the better part of an hour when her fiend came over to play. Just before they left to play , we asked Olivia if she wanted to learn from us and she agreed. Her grandma asked her daughter and she agreed, so we're going to start teaching the Thursday after Transfers because she's out of town.

We met Bernadette just before she was about to J-walk across the street. Sister Halladay caught her attention and we started chatting with her briefly. We sound she's a non-practicing Jehovah's Witness, like another African American kid we'd met earlier that week. She recognized the restoration pamphlet and wanted to learn more. WE got her phone number and told her we'd call her that night and see if it was okay to each her (she's about 16 too) Her mom seemed really out of it (drugs?) so we're calling her tonight to get the okay.

Bill's wife is a member who comes to sacrament meeting and then leaves. He doesn't talk much at all. He's nice, but we can't ask him questions and ever expect to get an answer unless it's about something unrelated to the gospel. We know he's believes in Christ and goes regularly to the Disciple of Christ Church, but that's it. We're going slow with him. He's solid, but silent, so it will take a while.

We didn't get any snow and not even a ton of rain. It's was like California winter more than anything else, which was nice :)

Anyways, love you lots and love getting your letters!

LOVE! Sis Sarah Durtschi

Letter 1/20/10

Dear Family Type Peoples,

It’s been a loooong week. 2 days wouldn’t normally be a long time, but when it’s two extra days before P-day it’s a bit harder. So I survived and so did my companion….but it was close!

Last week, around this time, Sister Halladay got sick. So I had my first sick day on the mission in Washington. My first two sick days.

The poor sister had made herself sick because of stress, but she didn’t figure it out until much later (about the 2nd day) what was wrong.

President Blanchard knows how to d this one thing, I’m not sure what it’s called…and sister Blanchard said it’s called “stress Management” where he asks if we’re ‘balanced in all 28 areas of your energy field.” And when you hold your arm up and he pushes on the arm if you answer ‘yes’ and it’s true, then your arm stays firm, but if it’s not true then it goes down and you can’t stop it from going down. So he asked sister Halladay if her sickness was related to stress and she answered, ‘yes’ and her arm stayed up. He asked a couple other questions and couldn’t get everything straightened out, but in the end Sister Halladay got better. President Blanchard also says that verbally forgiving others and ourselves for things also helps relieve stress. Like “I forgive that guy for cutting me off and I forgive myself for getting made at him.” It does help.

So Saturday we had president’s interviews, which was part of sister Halladay’s stress and that helped be happier when it was over, and it was nice to have a somewhat normal companion back.

Sunday no one came to church or to cottage meeting (a meeting that missionaries can take their investigators to and recently baptized members talk about their experiences with the missionaries and the church etc.) which as frustrating. Our investigators are improving though ;)

Monday was long for me. By dinner I was about ready to flop down on a moderately flat, warm surface and sleep until morning. I flopped on the couch for about 5 minutes, then went elsewhere to pray and felt better, so I ate then we went to do FHE with the Deaf Branch. It was fine the rest of the night. ;)

Tuesday we had District meeting again and the zone leaders were in charge of it this time and they talked about the area book and how to use it to become more effective missionaries. It was very helpful and helped us to bring up coffee again to Kristina.

In the past Kristina would not give up the coffee at all, wouldn’t even think about it because ‘we’re living in the Northwest!’ But when we had a great conversation with her that started out solemn because things kept coming up, like she let us know that her apartment had given her a 3-day notice because the bill hadn’t been paid for January, because she’s on disablility and her dad wasn’t able to help with things this month.

We let her know that the reason all these things kept happening was because Satan was opposing her getting baptized on the 30th of this month. It made sense to her and the conversation continued and coffee came up again. Af first she oppsed giving it up again, but after a while she started to accept it, eve if she doesn’t really like it.

Today we went to the temple, which is why we didn’t’ have p-day until today. In this mission they/we get to go to the temple every 6 months or so. I thought it was pretty neat to go through another temple in a different state.

After we went to Olive Garden as a district and had a good time there. All 4 elders (our zone leaders are in our district too, but had to go with the other district because they need another car.) got the all you can eat soup, salad and bread sticks and kept it all coming for a good amount of time. Elders are funny.

Well, I think that’ about as exciting as it gets this week! Love you all!

Love Sis. Of Durtschi, Sarah.