I'm all prayed up.

August 10th 2015

Who in the world is all "Prayed up"?! Yes, that is an excuse we got this week. People can be a little ridiculous. This is when I like to say, excuses are like arm pits, everyone has them and they ALL STINK!

  

Before I get started: What is sweet, round, and deadly?

A tae-kwon do-nut.

  

This week was busy and crazy, just like every week in the mission field. I am almost half way through this transfer, time goes by way to fast here. There is so much that I want to do in this area. Transfers are great motivation in making every day count.

  

This last week we knocked on a guy’s door that met with missionaries and was given a book of Mormon a couple years ago. We are really excited to teach him, he has a true desire to learn more, and those are my favorite people to teach. One thing that can be kind of hard with missionary work is that a lot of the time you don’t see the fruit of your labor. You plant a lot of seeds in hopes that one day they will get in contact with missionaries again. This is a perfect example of someone planting a good seed! The missionaries that taught him a couple of years ago, will probably never find out he is taking the lessons again. They might not even know that they planted a really good seed. Sometimes I have to remind myself this! That even if they don't want to hear the gospel, or they are all prayed up, we planted a seed. And they will always remember the Mormon missionaries. The missionaries in my last area keep telling me that Sister Sutton and I planted a lot of seeds, everyone they talked to says, " Oh we talked to the two blonde missionaries and we watched "Because He Lives"." And they were able to get a couple of lessons out of them! When I heard this it made me really happy!

This last week I followed my father’s advice and thought about my testimony and how it started and how it has grown. This last week I focused on The Book of Mormon, and how I grew to know that it is true. I can't think of an exact time where I had angels come down from heaven and proclaim the truth of The Book of Mormon. As a matter of fact I don't think many of you have had that experience either. As I think back, I have always known it was true. I know it is true from the feelings that I get when I read. The B of M truly is a powerful book; it has brought me so much peace and comfort in my life. There have been plenty of times where I have read it and didn’t understand any of it, or it went in one ear and out the other. But, it is the effort. If you put that effort in, you will get something out of it. Maybe you won’t realize a difference right away, but it will come over time. You will notice the spirit more in your life. And who doesn’t want the spirit? The spirit it was carries the message into your heart, and when you read the book of Mormon the spirit comes. I know the Book of Mormon is true! I love that book so much! Sometimes I just want to stand on a bench and proclaim the love I have for the book of Mormon, but I don't so I just do it at the doorstep instead. :)

 Well friend I love you all.

Sister J

Go big or go home!

August 3rd 2015

What game do fish like to play?

Salmon Says. Haha I know that was a good one. 

Last week I sang the national anthem. So this week I decided I wanted to convert a WWE wrestler. 

 Yes, you read that right. Now you are probably wondering how in the world I am going to do this. Well there is this thing called a referral. We received a media referral this last week for the one and only, John Cena. A media referral is where you go to mormon.org and request a missionary visit. So we received an email saying that John Cena wanted the missionaries to come over and see how The Lord could help him wrestling. When we got this email the other sisters didn't really believe it, because media referrals never really work, I had a little glimmer of hope though!  We called the number and it didn't work, we deiced to just go to the address. Well the address takes us to this hidden gated community. How did we get in? Well as soon as a car pulled up and drove off, we booked it to the gate. If you are having a hard time picturing it i will help you; Three sister missionaries knocking on doors waiting for the gate to open, and as soon it is opens we start running like we are being chased by a cheetah in skirts. We walk up to this house and it is HUGE! It looked like no one was home, so we decided to knock on his neighbors door to make sure it really was John Cena. Sure enough that is his house! We talked to the construction workers outside and verified his number, and got some more information. He is currently in Europe for two weeks, with a broken nose. D​on't you even fret, we are most definitely going back in two weeks. I will keep you all updated.

This week has been pretty crazy, it has been raining all week! The weather has been perfect! If Florida was like this everyday I would never leave. But its not so I will be coming home after my mission. There is so much work in this area, we have a lot to do! We have a coupe of people we are teaching, and hopefully we will be setting a baptismal date with them this next week. 

Well folks I know this Gospel is true! I love and miss you all! 

I didn't really take pictures this week, so enjoy these random pictures of me. 

1. I am on a hunt for an alligator

2. Ted the turtle

Sister J

Chapter 2

July 27 2015

Why did the dinosaur go to the doctor? 

He was feeling jura-sick. 

I hope you all enjoyed that. 

 Wow what a crazy, busy, stressful, emotional, long, shall I go on? Haha no it was a good week, it was just full of random things. First of all, I am officially famous. I sang the national anthem at a professional baseball game. If you watched the Rays baseball game, you would have been very uplifted by my angelic voice. Ha just kidding, it is probably a good thing you didn't. The rays baseball team had a "Mormon night", they invited the Tampa Florida mission to sing the national anthem. Only a select few got to go and sing, and I was lucky enough to be chosen. I know you are all wondering how I was selected to sing, because I don't have the best voice on the block. They selected the missionaries according to their area. They clearly didn't know what they were doing.... ;) 

Saying bye to south Tampa, was really depressing. You really grow to love the people you serve with. It was really sad saying bye to them, but I will be back! South Tampa holds a piece of my heart. I loved the time that I had to serve there. 

 

 You are all probably wondering where in Florida I am now. I am in Land O Lakes, I am serving in the mission presidents ward! It is just a little intimidating. I am in a trio! Sister Huber- she is from Highland Utah, and Sister De Jesus- She is from Brazil. A trio will be different, but the more the merrier right?! I am excited for this new areas and to see what the Lord has in store for me. 

 Like I said this week has been absolutely insane! It was full of sad goodbyes, singing, and lots of hello's! I am excited for this new chapter in my life! I know this is the Saviors work and this is where he wants me. I love this gospel SO MUCH! I hope you all have a fabulous week! HAPPY LATE PIONEER DAY! 

PS. You can now stick a stamp on that letter you have waiting to be mailed off. In other words, I love getting letters and I would love to hear from you all! 

23410

White Magnolia Place

#104

Lutz, FL 33549

1. Me 

2. Tropicana field 

THEY GOT BAPTIZED!

July 20 2015

Man what a week! missions are emotional roller coasters, that is for sure! I have happy and sad news. Which one do you want first? Ha too bad you cant pick. 

  

One word. TRANSFERS. Yes, I am getting transferred. I am officially leaving my first area, and getting a new companion. My adventure starts on Wednesday! I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. So please keep Sister Sutton and I in your prayers. I have really grown to love this area and the people in it! I have had so many funny and interesting experiences here. Man I feel like I am dying.... enough off the sad stuff. Lets hear the good stuff!

Well folks all the hard work has paid off Paula and Da'mya are baptized, and officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There is no better feeling than, watching the people you have come to love choose to follow Jesus Christ. It is such a special experience helping someone progress towards baptism! Watching her come to know that what we have taught is true, is so motivating to keep looking for the people the Lord is preparing. I love this Gospel so much , it has blessed me and my family tremendously. This gospel has made me the person I am today. I love my savior and his work so much. 

I hope you all have a great week!! 

PS. I will be moving areas so if you are currently in the works of a letter to send my way, please hold off. Ill send my new address next week! :) 

1.This is our life.

2. Paula and Da'mya 

sister j

July 13th 2015:

This week was a good one, the weather hasn't been too deathly but that is mostly because it pours for random periods of time so then it cools it down outside..and then it gets super humid and my hair gets nice and fluffy. I have decided I will never be comfortable with any weather here because either it is burning hot and humid outside which makes me sweat buckets and then I go into air conditioning and it feels really good for about 5 min. and then I freeze because I am so wet, or its pouring rain and I am soaking wet and then I am cold. So in general, Florida's weather is dumb. But, I'm sure I will miss it some day!

So last Monday was quite special! Me and Sister Sutton were at the Winn Dixie grocery shopping and as we are walking down the isle the manager of the store comes up and asks us if we are the owners of a silver car with a bike rack on the back. Yep that was us! He said come with me, someone has just witnessed your car being damaged in the parking lot. So long story short some person hit our parked car, took out a piece of paper and pretended to write their information on it and left the lovely blank piece of paper on our windshield. The front left of our car is pretty bad! So that was fun, they couldn't get the license number or anything either so we have no clue who did it. Anyway that made Pday sort of a downer.

Our investigators Paula and her daughter Demiah Henderson are supposed to be baptized this Saturday! We are SO excited!!! It has been almost two months that we've been teaching them and I think this is finally it! They both have their interviews and everything set up this week and the baptism will take place on Saturday at 10:00 am. We have worked so hard with this family and this was me and Sister Suttons first ever experience with teaching anyone or preparing anyone for baptism and we might actually get it done! Keep them in your prayers for us!
 

Well folks I love and miss you all! I know this is the Lords work and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to be in Florida for 18 short months! Have a splendid week and remember who you are! 

1. coolest tree ever!

Live what you know to be true.

July 6 2015

I am really starting to love it here, I mean I am getting tan and burning calories all day! Isn't that what every girl dreams of doing!? I get to do it 24/7. No, but really no sarcasm intended. I really do like it here.

It is always funny when a teenager or a college guy answers the door. There expressions when they see two young, blond, sweaty girls at the door is always priceless. This last week we knocked on this apartment full of college boys. They were really surprised to see us at their door step. I don't think they took us very seriously, they were teasing us and being kind of disrespectful. They said they would watch the 2 minute video on Jesus Christ. So we showed them Because He Lives, as soon as the video was over, you could tell they realized we were serious. They were really nice and respectful after. Sister Sutton and I laughed pretty hard. And they got a huge spiritual slap in their face! It was fun to watch. 

The 4th of July was a long day. No one was home, and we had spent the whole day knocking on doors. We knocked on this one house, a lady answered and turned us down. We left and continued down the street, when we heard someone calling us, we turned around and it was the same lady that just rejected us. She felt bad and thought of her son and how he is around our same age, so she decided to invite us over for dinner! We gladly accepted the offer. Unfortunately I think she had a hidden agenda to hook one of us up with her son.

I have come to a conclusion on my mission; Ice cream cures the soul. And when You have the Book of Mormon and Ice cream together, it is a crucial tool in soothing the soul. So If you are having a bad day just sit down get yourself a nice bowl of ice cream, and read The Book of Mormon.

I hope you all have a splendid week :)

1. My homie; Sister Sutton. ( don't tell her I sent this.)  

2. EVERYONE WILL HEAR MY MESSAGE!! 

3. This picture is deceiving, I didn't really jump in.

-Sis J

My heart is empty, but my belly is full

June 29 2015:

You know when Dory on finding Nemo says," Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." I say that to myself everyday. Missions are hard, but you really learn how to make the best out of every situation. When times get hard it really helps you recognize the Lords hand in your life! And I see his hand everyday! 

 Our ward mission leader moved! It doesn't get better than Brother Lewis! He has been the best ward mission leader ever! It was really sad saying bye to his family, but Sister Sutton and I have already started planning our trip to Cali to visit the Lewis family! 

 The senior couple in our ward, the Mcara's had to go back home due to medical reasons. That was really hard. They live right under us and we have really became close to them. It was really hard saying bye to them! I thought that I was done with my goodbyes. Man was I wrong!! But they gave us all of their food, we we wont have to shop for awhile! 

 Sister Sutton and I try several things to try and entertain us while we are knocking doors and street contacting. It is amazing the things that actually entertains us, like this week we have been entertained by a penny. One of us will pick heads or tails and whichever one it lands on has to do something. For example, Sister Sutton told me every time I saw a lizard I had to stick my tongue out, and every time she saw a bird she has to jump. We might have looked slightly ridiculous, but then again we already look ridiculous walking around all day in this heat. 

I hope you all have a great week!

P.s I am accepting letters! 

 502 S Fremont Ave

Apt. 816

Tampa Fl, 33606

Sister J

"Fake it till you make it"-Amy Rasmussen

Soccer game

The Mcaras

Brother Lewis