Missions are Miracles

Sept 28th 2015

What did the termites do when they went to a restaurant?

They asked for a table for two, then they ate it. 

Okay that one was dumb, ill try better next week. 

Missions are miracles for example, one of my favorite shirts had stains all over it. I washed it a couple of times to get the stain out, and nothing worked. So finally I said a prayer that the stains would go away the next time I washed it. God works in mysterious ways. You will all be happy to know that my shirt is as good as new! No stains. I kid you not! It truly was a miracle. 

 

God never ceases to amaze me. He truly leads you to the prepared. Sister De Jesus and I went trackting. We have made a goal to talk with everyone, there was this guy smoking in his garage, so we went up and asked if we could pray with him. He said we could, and after the prayer he told us about what he has been through. He got in a bad car accident and almost died, he had a near death experience. Let me just tell you, you know when you are talking to someone who is prepared to hear the gospel. The spirit was SO strong. The faith he has is incredible. He has been through so much. He cant change the past, but he can change the future, and the gospel is going to help him do that. I don't care what you are going through, it is nothing the gospel cant fix. It might not be able to take away your trail or your problems, but it gives you hope and an eternal perspective. If there is one thing I have learned on my mission it is that Gods hand is in everything. Just be patient, and one day you will know why things happened the way they did. Easier said than done, but that is why patience is a Christlike attribute.

 

Shout out to all my young women leaders for the letters and package you sent me! You made my week. It was so nice to hear from all of you, it made me cry! 

See-You did make me cry!

Where are my eagles at?!?

Determination!

You know you are in Florida when...

I love her.

Sister J

If you can't swim with the gator, get out of the swamp.

September 21 2015

There is no story behind the caption for this weeks email, I just liked it. :) 

What doll likes to grill meat? 

Barbie-que. 

Hi friends! I hope all is well back at home. Life in Florida is good! I wish that I could tell you everything and all of the details that happen every week, but there is just no time! Just know that a mission is the hardest thing I have ever done, but the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Saving souls is no easy job, it is hard and exhausting. But it is the most important thing I could be doing. On the hard days I want to just go home, I am constantly reminded of the important work I am doing. Everyday I am reminded that I truly do need the Saviors atonement. I fall short with everything I do, I can not do it on my own. I could not do this work if I didn't have the savior with me every step of the way! And that is how this work is possible, it's possible because I am set aside to represent Jesus Christ, and I can promise you that his hand is guiding this work!! My calling truly is great, I am representing the person who died for each and every single one of us! Woah!!! But, the thing is all the members of the church are too! We all have this calling, the only difference is I have a name tag, and you don't . I never realized the importance of the baptismal covenants, and what it truly means to stand as a witness of Christ. I now understand what it means, and my life will forever be changed. Missions change you. They change your life for the better. It shapes you how the Lord wants to shape you, instead of the world, friends, media shaping you. What is shaping you? The Lord? or the world? 

 

I see miracles each and every day. sometimes they are bigger than others, and sometimes they are small. But they are there! This church is true. And please remember that Heavenly Father has a purpose to everything, just be patient. I have to remind myself that everyday. 

1. Florida's sunsets are the best. 

2. Only on the mission is it okay to take pictures with food. 

 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

What famous person opens there door?!

September 14th 2015:

What is Baby Beluga's favorite song?

The Whales on the bus!

 

  You are all probably wondering why I picked this caption, well let me just tell you. yes, John Cena!! Sister Olson and I decided we were going to go try again. The past few times we have gone he hasn't been home. But, we weren't giving up! It was a nice Tuesday evening, the sun was setting the weather was perfect. We climbed through the bushes to get past the big gate blocking his neighborhood. We walked up to his house, he had this old green Durango parked in front of his house ( not what you would be expecting John Cena to be driving), and the house lights were on. I told sister olson I would talk if someone answered. We rang the doorbell, and when you cant hear the doorbell ring you know that they are rich, we waited a couple of seconds, and this HUGE guy starts walking to the door. I saw his feet and looked up. Lo and behold John Cena! Tapout shirt, cauliflower ear and all! He opened the door, I was barely able to get out the words " We are missionaries and we received information you wanted to learn more about our church" You just might want to sit down for his response.... He chuckled and said " you've been misinformed." and shut the door. We both just left speechless. We both had a lot regret. Sister Olson and I both wished we had said more, but what famous person opens there door?! It wasn't a lack of faith, we just didn't think he would answer his own door!! We weren't prepared to talk to him. So unfortunately I wont be converting John Cena. I am sorry if I disappointed you all!

 

Sorry this is so short. It was just a really hectic week, and I don't have enough time to write about everything that happens. I love you all!

Sister J

 

John Cena's house

Did you know?

Sept. 7th 2015

Did you know in Brazil Dora teaches English not Spanish. I know it blew my mind too!

Why did the mastodon get sent to the principals office? 

Because he was a 'bully" mammoth!

Well folks its been a week! I hit my 6 month mark, Katrina got married, I got a new companion. It has been insane! I am still in the same area, I was told I was getting transferred. But they just added another set of missionaries, Sister Olson and I. We are opening a new area in the ward. the work has been really moving so they brought another set of missionaries to help the work. We are pretty pumped. We live with Sister Sackley who trained the both of us. We have a lot of fun, when president announced what was going on, all of us screamed, we were so excited.

This is all for now! :)

Here is my new address: 

2410 Hillary Crest St. 

apt. 205

Wesley Chappel Fl, 33544

Ps. Shout out to the new Mr and Mrs. Stringham! I wish I could have been there! I love you both! 

1. Celebrating Katrina's wedding at Red Robbin! 

2. Sister Olson

Sister J

Embrace the grind

August 31st 2015

What do frogs eat with their hamburgers? 

French "flies".

I haven't taught Sister De Jesus much English, but this last week I taught her how to say Sponge bob. unfortunately she had no idea what I was talking about. I had to go to desperate measures- draw a picture of spongebob. Thankfully she was able to figured it out from my poor attempt at drawing, Apparently in Portuguese its; Bob Sponge. I bet you didn't know that! 

I don't even know where to start with this week. We have done sooo much! We beat our record of lessons in a week! We have been teaching so much. I have been blessed with a chance to watch people change, and it is all because of The Book of Mormon! 

One of the lessons we had this week was at the recreational center, our investigator was running late, which gave us some time to explore a little bit. We just happen to find a PET CEMETERY! This would only happen in Florida, everyone has a pet! I mean everyone! It is insane, so I guess it makes sense that they would have a cemetery for all the billions and billions of pets in Florida. I found the definition of a cat lady, well in this case a cat man. There was a guy buried with all 6 of his cats! Yes, you read that right. It was quite the adventure. Oh Florida.....

Well folks I am sad to say I am getting transferred. This would be the reason for my caption of the week; Embrace the grind. Thanks you dad for giving it to me!  I would be lying if I said I wasn't slightly mad! I am not done in this area!! I am sorry to end on a sad note, but I wont lie weekly emails aren't my favorite to write! So I will send more pictures, because pictures are worth a thousand words. 

I love you all! 

Ps. If you are writing me a letter hold off, until I can  send my new address. 

1. the pet cemetery

2. We surprised a family with a delivery from the bishop storehouse. it was one of the most humbling experiences ever.

3. Nail party

4. Cat Man

I wish I was a Brazilian.

August 26th 2015:

What kind of cookies do trolls eat? 

Goat-meal raisin. 

That wasn't the best one...sorry. 

  There are a lot of Brazilian families in my ward, and they had a huge birthday party this last week. Lets just say it is a good thing that missionaries aren't aloud to dance, because I would have looked like a fool dancing next to them. Brazilians know how to shake it. I thought I was somewhat good at dancing, but then I went to the birthday party. My hopes and dreams were crushed Saturday evening. When I get home from my mission I will be moving to Brazil ASAP, so I can learn how to dance the right way. Then I will show you all up!! 

I think my emails are really starting to get repetitive with me talking about how crazy the weeks are. But, when I say it, I mean it! It was another crazy busy week this week. We met with Jarrod and he told us he is over 50% sure the book of Mormon is true. That will change real fast. He reads everything we give him, in fact he has called us for more things to read! He knows its true! We have been teaching Jarrod for about three weeks now, and he has changed. The Book of Mormon is changing him! Never underestimate the Book of Mormon. If you don't have a testimony- read it. If you feel alone- read it. If you need direction- read it. If you have questions- read it. I think you get the idea now, but I am serious. I have watched that book change lives! It can change yours!

You know on the Grinch how he just hates everyone and wants everyone to have a horrible Christmas, and then he has a heart attack because Cindy-Luho made his heart grow. Well that is what the people in Tampa Florida are doing to me! They are changing my life, missionaries aren't kidding when they talk about how you really grow to love the people. you do! No matter where you are! 

Well friends I want you all to know that I love it here. I love serving my Lord! There is a lot that I am missing at home, and a lot that I wish I could be home for. But after knowing what the gospel can do for you, and watching it really change peoples lives, there is no way I could stay home. There is no where else I would rather be ( Whenever I say that I think of the Shaniah Twain song.)! If you are debating on going or not, please take my word for it! It is the best decision you could ever make! It is so hard, I wont lie to you. Some days you just want to throw in the towel. But, then the Lord reminds you of the great work you are doing, and he reminds you of what he did for us so that we can be with our families for eternity, and that is exactly what gets me through the days I want to come home. We all have the knowledge of eternal families. Some people don't know that. I love my family so much! They mean the world to me! I cant imagine thinking that after this life I would never see them again. and that is why I am out here. 

Have a good week! 

1. my poor attempt at a scared face. 

2. My sister Training leaders 

Sister J

Families that pray together stay together!

August 17th 2015

What do you call someone who designs dog houses? 

A bark-itect. 

Haha I know what a knee slapper! 

Ola! In case you were wondering that is hello in Portuguese. I can not believe everybody is starting school this week, it blows my mind! I hope you all have a splendid time sitting in class all day. :) Been there, done that! A mission is so much better. 

 

So much has happen this last week, and I don't remember any of it! Your days and weeks just turn into a giant blob! I do remember that this last week was full of miracles though. We were able to set 4 dates IN ONE DAY!! I couldn't believe it, this doesn't happen everyday in the mission field, let alone four in one day! There are so many prepared people in this area, and I am so lucky that I have the opportunity to bring the gospel to them. I truly have an amazing calling! If you are debating on going on a mission, DO IT! It will be hard, but it is so worth it. Missions are hard, but not impossible! 

 

This last week we got a couple of our investigators to say the closing prayer! Can I just tell you an investigator praying for the first time, IS MY FAVORITE THING ON THIS EARTH! The spirit is so strong, and you can just feel Heavenly Fathers love for them. Their prayers are so sweet and sincere, and they have truly touched my life for the better. In Ramece's (one of our date sets)  prayer, he talked about how he thinks we read his mind, because whenever we teach him something, it just so happen to be exactly what he had been thinking/ wondering before we came over. The spirit is real. 

Well folks I love you all! Thank you for all the emails, letters, and prayers! They are felt, and I can feel every prayer! Good luck with school and all that fun stuff. 

Can I tell you how happy I am to have her back in my ward?!

Nothing better than a free hair cut.

Real missionary work.

My week=Dr. appointments for Sister Huber.

Sister J