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.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Letter 1/11/10
Dear Family type Peoples,
This week has been interesting. You could say that we’re having growing and improving experiences…a long with growing pains. We have seen a lot of progress with the ward and our investigators, especially as Sister Halladay and I are trying to improve ourselves even more. As we’re making changes in our personal lives, we run into bumps along way, however we have seen many miracles. 2 Basically happened yesterday.
One miracle was Ktristina. She has met with the missionaries for over a year, and when I came Sister Halladay promised that we would not mention baptism until she mentioned it first, because Kristina felt like we were pushing it on her. The bishop and his wife had been and continue to fellowship her and finally after all this time Kristina has a solid date to be baptized. We feel she is ready or will be ready for that day.
We’re slowly building up the ward. For as long as I’ve been here and longer, we’ve had lists of people to go visit from the Relief society president. They were people that probably were less receptive to us than they would have been to actual members in that ward. People who’re less active, inactive, new and they haven’t heard of before, etc. Just as we would finish one list of people, most of them saying they’re not interested, she would give us another list work on.
She gave us another one yesterday, but most of them were duplicates from the other lists. We had planned the night before to finish them all then take them over to her house and report on the results. We did finish and headed over to the relief society president’s house and started talking with her. I don’t know her as well as sister Halladay, but she was 100% more response, receptive and help etc. It was amazing to see the change. We hope that things will go like this, if not better from now on.
Other miracles that we’ve seen are the fact that many people that we’ve been trying to contact for…since I’ve been here and longer have been home when we’re been by this last wee.
One such family are the Eatons. The wife is a member who comes to sacrament then goes to her husband’s church. We met the husband one day when we’re stopped by and set up an appointment. It was very awkward. Like whoa, we basically just jumped into teaching without getting to know them first
Amazingly and thankfully they gave us a second chance and we were able to go back Sunday (last) night. Before Sacrament Sister Eaton came up tot Sister Halladay and gave her some tips. We took those tips to heart and the second lesson went 110% better, even though he still inst’ very open with us. It will take time, but I see good things happening with that family.
I really appreciate your prayers. They help a lot and I know they are answered. J
Love you all! Be happy and know that God loves you!
Love Sister Sarah Durtschi.
This week has been interesting. You could say that we’re having growing and improving experiences…a long with growing pains. We have seen a lot of progress with the ward and our investigators, especially as Sister Halladay and I are trying to improve ourselves even more. As we’re making changes in our personal lives, we run into bumps along way, however we have seen many miracles. 2 Basically happened yesterday.
One miracle was Ktristina. She has met with the missionaries for over a year, and when I came Sister Halladay promised that we would not mention baptism until she mentioned it first, because Kristina felt like we were pushing it on her. The bishop and his wife had been and continue to fellowship her and finally after all this time Kristina has a solid date to be baptized. We feel she is ready or will be ready for that day.
We’re slowly building up the ward. For as long as I’ve been here and longer, we’ve had lists of people to go visit from the Relief society president. They were people that probably were less receptive to us than they would have been to actual members in that ward. People who’re less active, inactive, new and they haven’t heard of before, etc. Just as we would finish one list of people, most of them saying they’re not interested, she would give us another list work on.
She gave us another one yesterday, but most of them were duplicates from the other lists. We had planned the night before to finish them all then take them over to her house and report on the results. We did finish and headed over to the relief society president’s house and started talking with her. I don’t know her as well as sister Halladay, but she was 100% more response, receptive and help etc. It was amazing to see the change. We hope that things will go like this, if not better from now on.
Other miracles that we’ve seen are the fact that many people that we’ve been trying to contact for…since I’ve been here and longer have been home when we’re been by this last wee.
One such family are the Eatons. The wife is a member who comes to sacrament then goes to her husband’s church. We met the husband one day when we’re stopped by and set up an appointment. It was very awkward. Like whoa, we basically just jumped into teaching without getting to know them first
Amazingly and thankfully they gave us a second chance and we were able to go back Sunday (last) night. Before Sacrament Sister Eaton came up tot Sister Halladay and gave her some tips. We took those tips to heart and the second lesson went 110% better, even though he still inst’ very open with us. It will take time, but I see good things happening with that family.
I really appreciate your prayers. They help a lot and I know they are answered. J
Love you all! Be happy and know that God loves you!
Love Sister Sarah Durtschi.
Letter 1/4/10
Dear Family,
Life is good. Crazy, but good. My companion – Sis. Halladay and I agreed that she’s going through a missionary mid-life crisis. She hit her half way mark on the 1st and since then it’s been hard, especially since the ward doesn’t appear to be progressing much. It is. It’s even better than when I first got here, but it’s is challenging.
Last week was transfers and sister Halladay and I were worried. We both wanted to stay and most people thought we would stay, but it’s always up to the Lord. We’re both thankful that we are staying together. It’ll be the longest amount of time that I’ll have with a companion. I’m excited because, I’ve been learning so much from Sister Halladay. She’s assertive enough to lead and help me know where to go and what to do, but laid back enough to let me be myself and learn for myself. She’s so funny and we get along every well.
It’s been a slow couple of weeks. Our investigators aren’t progressing as much as we’d hope, but we’re still praying and doing everything we need to be doing things will improve as time goes on.
I got a letter from Lizzie Shattuck. She’s serving in England and having fun there. It’s fun and kind of weird to hear form people back in Hollister. I don’t really keep in touch with people there.
It’s interesting. I worry for the ward and the people we teach, but I’m usually able to stay calm and not lose sleep because of it. I’m very thankful, because I have hard time with no sleep.
How was everyone’s Christmas and New Year? What did you each do? Anything fun?
Oh, are we still planning on having a family reunion when I’m doing with my mission? It’s still a ways away, but now it’s this year instead of next year.
Anyways, I love you all lots! Be Happy! Do missionary work!
Oh and there’s a talk called “The Missionary Next Door” and just listened to it today and it’s REALLY good. If you have a chance to listen to it :)
Love!
<3 Sister Sarah Durtschi
Life is good. Crazy, but good. My companion – Sis. Halladay and I agreed that she’s going through a missionary mid-life crisis. She hit her half way mark on the 1st and since then it’s been hard, especially since the ward doesn’t appear to be progressing much. It is. It’s even better than when I first got here, but it’s is challenging.
Last week was transfers and sister Halladay and I were worried. We both wanted to stay and most people thought we would stay, but it’s always up to the Lord. We’re both thankful that we are staying together. It’ll be the longest amount of time that I’ll have with a companion. I’m excited because, I’ve been learning so much from Sister Halladay. She’s assertive enough to lead and help me know where to go and what to do, but laid back enough to let me be myself and learn for myself. She’s so funny and we get along every well.
It’s been a slow couple of weeks. Our investigators aren’t progressing as much as we’d hope, but we’re still praying and doing everything we need to be doing things will improve as time goes on.
I got a letter from Lizzie Shattuck. She’s serving in England and having fun there. It’s fun and kind of weird to hear form people back in Hollister. I don’t really keep in touch with people there.
It’s interesting. I worry for the ward and the people we teach, but I’m usually able to stay calm and not lose sleep because of it. I’m very thankful, because I have hard time with no sleep.
How was everyone’s Christmas and New Year? What did you each do? Anything fun?
Oh, are we still planning on having a family reunion when I’m doing with my mission? It’s still a ways away, but now it’s this year instead of next year.
Anyways, I love you all lots! Be Happy! Do missionary work!
Oh and there’s a talk called “The Missionary Next Door” and just listened to it today and it’s REALLY good. If you have a chance to listen to it :)
Love!
<3 Sister Sarah Durtschi
Monday, January 4, 2010
December 28th Letter
Dearest Amies,
I got a frame fro the picture and sent it to David, so I hope it gets there because when we talked on Christmas it didn’t seem like it had arrived L Hopefully it will soon.
I did get the package! It’s a lot of fun. I enjoyed reading all the days of Christmas on each package. I got the box on Wednesday when we had district meeting (we usually have it on Tuesday though) and I decided that I’d open it on Thursday because I thought Becky would be sending me the gift rather than Elisabeth, but I saw “Grant Smith” on the other side of the papers and a different return postal code than is normal in Utah. No other name was on the box but mine, so I was really confused for a while. I opened the box and most of the gifts (“days”) on Thursday night since we had to be in the house by 6 pm and had fun guessing what each gift was. The deodorant was the easiest to guess. I got most of them right. On the stocking/tights I guessed socks, but that’s close enough right?
Sister Halladay was sitting there watching me open my gifts, probably thinking my family and I are weird as I laughed at each change in the 12 days of Christmas then relayed them to her and guessed each gift as I felt them. Helps that I knew what I’d asked for, so it was a bit easier to guess. I honestly thought that day 12 was going to be shoes. I felt the box and it felt like a shoe box, but I waited until Christmas day to open it Low and behold it was a purple sweater-type thing! It’s been keeping me nice and warm since I got it. It’s fits nicely and is the warmest thing I have as near as I can tell and goes very well with the purple ½ turtle-neck sweater you gave me. I may not be able to wear it back on Temple Square, but I can enjoy it here and after my mission when I‘ll be going to COLD Rexburg ID.
I’m may combine this letter with the family one because I want to answer you questions and I think the family will like hearing too, if you don’t’ mind sharing J
Question #0 I am not allowed to email. I‘ve just had two exceptions. 1- to let you know I can’t and 2 0 to let you know where to mail things. I’ll be able to email after March 31st 2010.
Q#1 Favorite Tracking Story…
Well we don’t tract a ton, neither of us like it and it’s harder to find apartments (or homes for that matter) without stairs and the physical therapist told me to avoid stairs. However we do it on occasion. One occasion was a Sunday night were we were so close to reading standards, and a very short amount of time, done the things we had planned and couldn’t go street contacting (or “walking”) because it was rainy and no one was on the street. We had not clue what to do. We decided to pull over to the side of the road and pray, so the next tiny side street came and we pulled out onto it turned off the car and prayed. Sister Halladay voiced the pray and near the end, she paused for a long time. I said own little prayer silently that she would be inspired about where we need to go. She finished the prayer and we sat in silent for a few moments, listening. We asked what the other felt and decided to go to an apartment complex near one of our investigators apartment (Kristina). We went to every door in the complex. Most weren’t interested and talked to us for more then 2 minutes and none were able or willing to make a return appointment. I think I mentioned this story in a previous letter so I’ll be brief with the rest. Just as we were walking back to the car, a man walking his dog came towards us, intent on going to one of the apartments we had just knocked or as near as we could tell. We stopped and talked with him and he agreed to meet with use and learn more and prepare himself to be baptized. It was our little miracle. Unfortunately we not really be able to talk to him since.
Q#2 – Did you like our gifts
Yup! Couldn’t you tell? J How long had you all been putting those things together? Who did what?
Q#3 What’s the ASL ward like?
It’s very English. I’m not sure how to describe it. I love it, but it’s different then the other deaf wards I’ve been in. It doesn’t help it’s the only ward from the Canadian boarder to Oregon and we can’t get to the largest group of Deaf near us because it’s out of our mission by 2 miles or so. Sadness. President Blanchard is doing everything in his power to keep things going, but he’s the only in the branch presidency that knows sigh language well.
It’s small and most of the people who go don’t live near by and can’t drive so it’s a bit hard because we want it to grow so on, but there is not a lot we can do. They are not really tight-nit like deaf wars normally are, but I love working with them. I’m still trying to figure out how to best help them…
Q#4 Do you teach many deaf people?
We’ve taught 2 people since I’ve been here. 1 - Michelle, was baptized on the 19th, but she doesn’t got to the deaf branch. The other, Katie, is a bit difficult. She video-phoned us on night at the beginning of my first transfer here and wanted to be taught again. Apparently it’s touch and go with her. She seemed to enjoy the lesson but her kids were distracting. She came to church and seemed to like it, but was still distracted by her kids. We had an appointment, but she wasn’t home. We tried to get in touch with her, but no luck. We still hope to teach her more, but we’ll see.
When we were out eating with a member we noticed 3 deaf men sitting close to use in the restaurant. After we ate I said to sis. Halladay “Should we go invite the to church?” She said “Sure, go ahead.” I’m sure my eyes got huge. I was expecting us both/her to make the approach. I was nearly shaking as we both went up. I started by asking if they were deaf. They said yes. We asked them if they had seen missionaries before and they informed us that they were Jewish and Celebrating Hanukah. They were really nice but weren’t interested.
Anyway. How’s all there? Oh Transfers – Sister Halladay and I are staying here and staying companions next Transfers are on the 9th of February, so life is good until then. I love you lots and the family lots and everyone lots n’ stuff. Be happy and find joy in the small things. J
Love ya! Love ME!
I got a frame fro the picture and sent it to David, so I hope it gets there because when we talked on Christmas it didn’t seem like it had arrived L Hopefully it will soon.
I did get the package! It’s a lot of fun. I enjoyed reading all the days of Christmas on each package. I got the box on Wednesday when we had district meeting (we usually have it on Tuesday though) and I decided that I’d open it on Thursday because I thought Becky would be sending me the gift rather than Elisabeth, but I saw “Grant Smith” on the other side of the papers and a different return postal code than is normal in Utah. No other name was on the box but mine, so I was really confused for a while. I opened the box and most of the gifts (“days”) on Thursday night since we had to be in the house by 6 pm and had fun guessing what each gift was. The deodorant was the easiest to guess. I got most of them right. On the stocking/tights I guessed socks, but that’s close enough right?
Sister Halladay was sitting there watching me open my gifts, probably thinking my family and I are weird as I laughed at each change in the 12 days of Christmas then relayed them to her and guessed each gift as I felt them. Helps that I knew what I’d asked for, so it was a bit easier to guess. I honestly thought that day 12 was going to be shoes. I felt the box and it felt like a shoe box, but I waited until Christmas day to open it Low and behold it was a purple sweater-type thing! It’s been keeping me nice and warm since I got it. It’s fits nicely and is the warmest thing I have as near as I can tell and goes very well with the purple ½ turtle-neck sweater you gave me. I may not be able to wear it back on Temple Square, but I can enjoy it here and after my mission when I‘ll be going to COLD Rexburg ID.
I’m may combine this letter with the family one because I want to answer you questions and I think the family will like hearing too, if you don’t’ mind sharing J
Question #0 I am not allowed to email. I‘ve just had two exceptions. 1- to let you know I can’t and 2 0 to let you know where to mail things. I’ll be able to email after March 31st 2010.
Q#1 Favorite Tracking Story…
Well we don’t tract a ton, neither of us like it and it’s harder to find apartments (or homes for that matter) without stairs and the physical therapist told me to avoid stairs. However we do it on occasion. One occasion was a Sunday night were we were so close to reading standards, and a very short amount of time, done the things we had planned and couldn’t go street contacting (or “walking”) because it was rainy and no one was on the street. We had not clue what to do. We decided to pull over to the side of the road and pray, so the next tiny side street came and we pulled out onto it turned off the car and prayed. Sister Halladay voiced the pray and near the end, she paused for a long time. I said own little prayer silently that she would be inspired about where we need to go. She finished the prayer and we sat in silent for a few moments, listening. We asked what the other felt and decided to go to an apartment complex near one of our investigators apartment (Kristina). We went to every door in the complex. Most weren’t interested and talked to us for more then 2 minutes and none were able or willing to make a return appointment. I think I mentioned this story in a previous letter so I’ll be brief with the rest. Just as we were walking back to the car, a man walking his dog came towards us, intent on going to one of the apartments we had just knocked or as near as we could tell. We stopped and talked with him and he agreed to meet with use and learn more and prepare himself to be baptized. It was our little miracle. Unfortunately we not really be able to talk to him since.
Q#2 – Did you like our gifts
Yup! Couldn’t you tell? J How long had you all been putting those things together? Who did what?
Q#3 What’s the ASL ward like?
It’s very English. I’m not sure how to describe it. I love it, but it’s different then the other deaf wards I’ve been in. It doesn’t help it’s the only ward from the Canadian boarder to Oregon and we can’t get to the largest group of Deaf near us because it’s out of our mission by 2 miles or so. Sadness. President Blanchard is doing everything in his power to keep things going, but he’s the only in the branch presidency that knows sigh language well.
It’s small and most of the people who go don’t live near by and can’t drive so it’s a bit hard because we want it to grow so on, but there is not a lot we can do. They are not really tight-nit like deaf wars normally are, but I love working with them. I’m still trying to figure out how to best help them…
Q#4 Do you teach many deaf people?
We’ve taught 2 people since I’ve been here. 1 - Michelle, was baptized on the 19th, but she doesn’t got to the deaf branch. The other, Katie, is a bit difficult. She video-phoned us on night at the beginning of my first transfer here and wanted to be taught again. Apparently it’s touch and go with her. She seemed to enjoy the lesson but her kids were distracting. She came to church and seemed to like it, but was still distracted by her kids. We had an appointment, but she wasn’t home. We tried to get in touch with her, but no luck. We still hope to teach her more, but we’ll see.
When we were out eating with a member we noticed 3 deaf men sitting close to use in the restaurant. After we ate I said to sis. Halladay “Should we go invite the to church?” She said “Sure, go ahead.” I’m sure my eyes got huge. I was expecting us both/her to make the approach. I was nearly shaking as we both went up. I started by asking if they were deaf. They said yes. We asked them if they had seen missionaries before and they informed us that they were Jewish and Celebrating Hanukah. They were really nice but weren’t interested.
Anyway. How’s all there? Oh Transfers – Sister Halladay and I are staying here and staying companions next Transfers are on the 9th of February, so life is good until then. I love you lots and the family lots and everyone lots n’ stuff. Be happy and find joy in the small things. J
Love ya! Love ME!
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