This week has been quite exciting.

Well friends! This week has been quite exciting. Hopefully I have time to fill you in on all of the details. On Tuesday we had a freak hail storm and was the crazies thing I have ever seen. Seriously, the hail was like the size of moth balls I was honestly a little bit worried that our windows were going to break! And of course since El Paso doesn't believe in drains the streets flooded! So that was exciting!

This week our car also decided to become good and broken. Tuesday night, while we were trying to not die from killer hail our car started acting possessed. The radio would randomly turn on and then turn off and then change channels. The steering wheel would randomly lock up and lights kept turning off and on. Well, weird but not all that dangerous right? So, we figured we'd just chalk it up to the psycho weather and see if anything was actually wrong in the morning. Well... it was. Our car just straight up wouldn't start the next day and, to make things even more exciting. The key got stuck in the ignition. Apparently when your car is super dead, it eats your key, because that's smart.... Anyway, to make a long story short we got it jumped and made an appointment with the dealership to get it fixed but it wasn't until today. So we got to spend all week with a psycho car that randomly stops working. I think we jumped it about 7 times this week. Thankfully, it always died at good spots like at the church or the apartment. So at least our car has a little bit of compassion on us. The most frustrating on though was yesterday when we were trying to go over to the institute to meet our ride to go to the temple (more on the temple trip later) and for the life of us it was not having it. But what can you expect? The worst always seems to happen on your way to the temple right?

Ready for the next adventure? On Wednesday we thought it might be a good idea to go out to Chaparral which I think I've told you about. If you've ever been to Fallon, NV that's a lot what it's like, except full of trailer parks. Ha, ok sorry that's mean to Fallon. Chaparrel is pretty bad though. Coyotes and dirt and apparently hidden mud pits. You’ll never guess how we found out about the mud pits... So, Sister Baker and Sister Orseth are driving down the "road" (a loosly used term in Chappy) when suddenly, the car just stops. Thankfully it didn't die but, it was stuck. So, I got to experience pushing a car out of the mud in a skirt. At least for a few minutes, until I remember that I had service clothes in the trunk! Thankfully, we were rescued by a kind guy with a truck who showed up about 30 seconds after we prayed for some help. Ha, oh after he helped us though I had to back Sister Orseth (she was driving since I was all muddy) all the way down the dirt road so we could get out of there. After about three minutes of wading through a sea of goat heads though I decided there was just a better way to do things so I just sat on the back of the car and directed her that way. So, what do we learn from this? 1) Chappy is the worst 2) keep emergency service clothes with you at all times 3) Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers, even when our need for help is caused by our own idiocy.

  I wish that was all that happened this week but... nope. Remember how Molly was going to get baptized? Well... she didn't. Through various circumstances her interview was scheduled three times this week and each time canceled about 20 minutes before it was supposed to happen. Then Saturday night her mom tells us that she can't get baptized tomorrow because they have to take her brother to the hospital. So thankfully it wasn't postponed because of any kind of worthiness issue and we should be able to reschedule it soon!

Don't worry, the rest of the things that happened this week were good. One of them was that we had a lesson with stubborn old Charles. He likes to listen to us because we are "too young to know real life" and he doesn't like to "formally pray" which means anything other than having a prayer in your heart. This week though, he really opened up to us, and he told us that he prayed "formally" on his own. We talked to him a lot about his relationship with God and watched "Hope of God's Light" with him. And, even though he tried to hide it, I saw him tearing up. Charles still thinks were too young to know life but, he's really starting to come around.

We were also about to see our investigator Judi this week who we hadn't seen in ages. She has really been struggling because the rest of her family is against her being involved in the church. This week though she told us that she tried again to share the Book of Mormon with her husband and they read Alma 32 together. They also started praying together and her son who claims to be a hard core atheist even prayed at one of their meals. She asked her husband if he wanted to meet with the missionaries and he said not yet but still, that is huge! Hopefully this will mean big progress for both of them.

The last exciting thing that we did this week was go to the temple up in Albuquerque. We were able to ride up with the Edwards, the senior couple from the UTEP ward who are amazing! I think one of my life goals is to acquire their awesome qualities one day. We also went up with the West UTEP sisters. We ended up getting to the temple at the perfect time for us to be able to see everyone. Literally I think I saw every missionary that I wanted to. It was really cool. And everyone was running around like crazing trying to do different things, going in or coming out or getting this or that or whatever but every place you looked, there was someone that you knew and someone that you wanted to see and most of the time, it was someone that you weren't expecting to see too. When we walked into the dressing room I went through the doors and was immediate face to face with three of my past companions. It was like they were all just waiting for me to get there or something. Anyway, I don't know what it will be like after this life, or what exactly we will be doing but I kind of imagine that it will be a lot like that. A long trip (it's 4 hours from El Paso to Albuquerque) and people all in different stages and activities, but everyone you want to see, and most often when you don't expect it. I don't know, I guess we'll just have to see.

Oh, one more thing that happened this week, we were "volunteered" into a Christmas concert! So we sang some Christmas music at a practice, so that was fun.

Anyway, hope you all are doing well!

Love,

April   

Molly is getting baptized on Saturday!

Hey friends! How goes life? Today we had to go to the mall to get a new bag for Sister Orseth so you get a short message from me again. I know, you probably prefer it that way right? Ha ha.

The most exciting thing that is going on is that Molly is getting baptized on Saturday! So this week we get to set up all the details and make sure no one forgets that they are giving a talk because that may or may not have happened in the past... We also picked up some awesome new investigators this week, the most interesting of which is Nick. He is friends with one of our members JJ. She invited him to watch conference and he watched both Sunday sessions! We had a little get to know him lesson after he came to church on Sunday and it seems like he is going to progress really well. The only problem for us is... he's only 21. Darn those YSA's they get all the good ones. But I'm excited for him to learn more.

Other than that, things have been about the same. Sorry I don't have really anything fun or exciting to say this week. We went to Chaparral once and it was just as creepy as always. We have a lot of lessons with potential investigators this week so hopefully we'll have some good new people to start meeting with soon. It seems like all of our regular investigators have been out of town or "out of town" recently so hopefully we can turn that around soon.

This morning I read something really interesting in my scriptures. I reminded me that the scriptures always teach us something new, particularly pertaining to our own needs at the time. It's amazing how something different will stand out to us or stand out in a different way that will help to answer a question or resolve a concern or even just to teach us. For example, I was kind of bummed about having to pass off two of our investigators to other missionaries. Of course I was glad that they are being taught, but I guess in a selfish way I wanted someone good to teach. This morning though I read Alma 20, where Ammon and Lamoni go to save Aaron and everyone from prison and run into King Lamoni's dad. Well, long story short, King Lamoni's dad (whose name I don't think they ever  say, weird huh) is impressed by Ammon and asks him to come and visit him and teach him in his kingdom (vs 27). Well the other day I read Alma 22 where Aaron goes to teach King Lamoni's dad and his dad asks "where is Ammon?" and Aaron tells him " the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way; he has gone to the land of Ishmael, to teach the people of Lamoni." Or in other words, he went back to his area to work with the people there. Even though it was Ammon who had this original meeting and kind of picked up King Lamoni's dad as an investigator, and he was a super amazing investigator, he knew it was more important to pass him off or, send him as a referral to the missionaries in his area who would be Aaron. So he did, and went back to his own area and no big deal. So, mind blowing, no not really, but certainly applicable to my current circumstances. And it can be like that every time we read. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is read your scriptures because they apply to you!

Anyway, hope you all have an amazing week!

Love,

April   

oh! I turned 22 this week too! That was fun =)

 Well friends, I'm afraid that due to I don't even know what, I don't seem to have a lot of time left to write today. So sorry if this is a bit brief. The best thing for sure that happened this week is that Molly got a baptism date!! Assuming all goes well, she should be baptized on the 24th! So that was awesome. Other than that, most of our week has been spent in odds and ends to get the new transfer off to a good start and getting things settled from our move. There has been a lot of debate recently about if we are or are not in fact receiving a washer and dryer. Currently we are not and all of my dreams have been crushed but who knows, that might change.

 Other than that this week was transfers and I got a new companion. Her name is Sister Orseth and she is from Paulsbo, Washington. Which is apparently west of Seattle, so who knew that? This is the first time that I've had a companion who has been from the same place as me, so that's kind of cool.

 Conference was this week as well of course! We were able to watch some of it with some of our investigators so that was great. It's interesting to see how many of the apostles have either passed away recently or are just not doing well. I almost feel like Heavenly Father is gearing up a new group of people for something big to go down. Who knows though... If any of the apostles though start planning a trip to Jerusalem in the near future though, it might be time to start freaking out =D

 My favorite talk from Conference was the one by Elder Lawrence about the Holy Ghost and how it will speak to us. I loved how the answers that people received from the Holy Ghost were so personal and so specific. It was more than just "keep the commandments" it was what you needed to do and what would help. I just love how individually we are each known and how much Heavenly Father wants to help us and will help us in detail if we just ask. I've been thinking a bit about agency recently and how it really does play a role in everything! That's the reason why we have to pray for things. Of course Heavenly Father already knows what we want and what we need, but he respects us and our agency enough that he won't give us things that we don't ask for. It's always about us, and what will help us grow and become more independent. I think the ultimate goal of God is not only for them to of course return to live with him, but also for them to become self sufficient in every way. Spiritually, mentally, physically, whatever it is. We have learned and asked and exercised enough that we can rely on ourselves. Not of course that we can do things now without God, that's crazy and prideful suggest, and part of being self sufficient I think is knowing when you need to ask for help and when you're in over your head (because even though you're technically not doing it by yourself, you're getting what you need to done, if that makes sense) but we can eventually become like our Father, perfect and perfectly able to act and do on our own. Hopefully that doesn't sound like we don't need God, but you get what I mean.

 Anyway, that's all I've got! See you next week!

Love,

April

P.S. oh! I turned 22 this week too! That was fun =)

"MOM! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS WHITE PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING!!"

Well friends, happy start to a new transfer. I'm still going to be hanging out here in the Hondo Pass ward in El Paso but Sister McKendrick is getting transferred, which means that I am getting a new companion from the north, but that's all I know. Sometimes you can kind of figure out who is going where but not this time! At least not as far as the people I know are concerned. So we'll just have to wait and see. I have a good feeling though that she is going to be pretty awesome.

A big part of our week was taken up by moving and preparing to move. We moved out of our old smoke infested apartment into a much nicer one a few streets down. The only downside is that we were supposed to have a washer and dryer. Now we have a washer and dryer hook up but... that's not quite the same. And yes, yes, I know, I should be grateful that we're not in Africa and have to use washboards and I am but it's still a bit of a bummer. Oh, last night was also a blood moon and so everyone was freaking out about it being the end of the world and signs of the times and all that junk. So that was interesting. We had to watch out for crazy people in the street on the way home a few times. 

This week we were able to have a few awesome lessons with Judy, Ron and Teresa and the Camachos. We also picked up a new investigator named Tonya who has a slightly racist son. He's just a kid but when we went to her house the other day and walked in the door he just looked at us and yelled "MOM! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS WHITE PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING!!" and then stormed away. Well... sorry kid, not much I can do about that...

Ron and Teresa are doing really well; we just need to get them to come to church. I think they're just nervous to come especially since Ron has been inactive for so long but once they do I wouldn't be surprised if Teresa got on date pretty quickly after that. Thankfully conference is coming up next week and we're hoping that will be a good stepping stone into church. My birthday by the way has been a fantastic excuse to get people to watch conference. Yeah, we'll come over and celebrate and... listen to the prophet! Ha, ha.

 This week we also met a man named Jared who is in a part member family where the wife and kids just started coming back to church. He insists on calling everyone who's a member a Mormonite. It's actually pretty great, I sort of wish we really did call ourselves that. He's also not super impressed with the role of a Bishop. He comes from a Catholic background where apparently the Bishop does a lot of talking and stuff during the service. He told us "I could be the Bishop! All he ever does is sit there and check his watch. Seriously, sign me up for that job. I'll come open the church building 3 times earlier than he does!" His wife dared him to tell our Bishop that. Hopefully he doesn't but, that would be quite the sight to see. It's true though, it's hard to explain what the Bishop does and how busy it really is.

This Saturday as I'm sure you all know was the Women's Conference meeting. If you haven't seen it you should watch it, especially President Uchtdorf''s talk at the end. It is fantastic, and apparently, he has some pretty strong opinions about cats. I would love to see the memes people are making about that one. That's still a thing right? BYU memes was on a bit of a downward trek when I left though so who knows. Anyway, the talk was on finding happiness and being happy and I really enjoyed it.  

Something else I have been thinking about recently is keeping the Sabbath day holy. I know, it's something people have been talking about for forever! The interesting thing about the Sabbath is that it is entirely why we are doing something and not what we are doing that makes the difference. To some extent that is true of all of the commandments and things that we do, but just talking to people about the Sabbath has made me think more about why I do and don't do what I do then. Even with the standard things we do, like not shopping or playing sports, the why influences it. For example, I had a conversation with a friend a while ago where he told me that he was getting a movie from red box on Sunday and I told him that I was going to the library. In both instances we thought the other person was in the wrong on the same principle, not working/spending money on Sunday but for different reasons. His interpretation of it was that we don't spend money on Sunday so that we don't make other people work. So going to red box was find because it wasn't making anyone else work but going to the library was bad because even though you weren’t spending money, you were making people work by going there. My interpretation of it was, that we don't personally work, and we don't spend money because money is, in many cases the pure essence of worldliness, which is what we are trying to avoid on the Sabbath. So, going to the library was fine because I wasn't working or spending money, but getting a movie from red box was bad because it was spending money. Anyway, who was "right" I don't know, if anyone, but it was interesting to see how much the why influenced the what, even though the rule (don't work or spend money on Sunday) was the same. I don't have any cool answers or insights to this I guess, just something I've been considering as people have been talking more and more about the Sabbath day and how and why we keep it holy. In the end, ask God, and think about where your heart is, and if it's something you could do on another day if there's a question. So... yeah... sorry no wisdom here.

Ha, well, anyway...

Hope you all are doing well and talk to you soon!

Love,

April     

This week was sooooo busy!

 Hopefully I can tell you all everything I want to.

Our car that has been broken since I got here (just the window) finally got fixed this week! Which took a little time.

Something that's been particularly busy this week is Sister McKendrick's broken shoulder. She messed it up in high school and then reinjured it this week. So we have been running around going to the doctor and talking to President and Sister Miller and trying to figure everything out. I even got to talk to her dad for a few minutes on the phone to get some medical information. So that was kind of cool, although strange for her I'm sure. So, what we finally found out is that starting next week she gets to do physical therapy three times a week for at least a month! Ha, that will be fun I'm sure.

This week we also went on exchanges with the Ysletta Hermana.I got to drive a Jeep (don't ask me why they have a Jeep, I have no idea) and smile at people and pretend that I knew what they were saying. Man I wish there was some easy way to learn Spanish. It was fun though, and I really liked doing language study. I wish that we had language study. I mean... I don't want to get switched to Spanish speaking, no Heavenly Father that is not what I'm saying! But language study was fun and it'll be cool to get to do it with the other Hermanas this transfer. Maybe going on all of these exchanges will help me to finally know at least what these people are saying! I can actually read pretty decently people just talk way too fast for me! We have probably 4 more this transfer so I guess we'll see. The Sister that I went on exchanges with Hermana Torres, and I actually came out together, so that was kind of cool to see her again too. 

This week we had two baptisms as well! Well, one convert and then the member who was getting rebaptized that I told you about last week. Felicity's baptism was great and she brought a lot of her family. We're also planning to start teaching her friend this week or next week too, so that is pretty exciting. President and Sister Miller also randomly showed up for the baptism and it was a little funny to see our poor Ward Mission Leader's reaction when we told him. Ha, he was a little nervous but it was great! The other baptism was fantastic as well, very small and quiet of course, but very good.

I can't remember if I told you all about the couple the pulled up to us in their truck and invited us over for dinner? Well, ha, if not, that happened and we went and had dinner with them on Thursday. Ha, there are so many things I do as a missionary that there's just no way I would as a regular person. It went great though! The husband is a less active member and is really interested in coming back. His wife grew up Catholic but as we were talking to her about The Book of Mormon she got really interested and they committed to reading it a little every night. Hopefully we'll see them again this week!

So, something that I have been thinking about this week is Psalms 24: 3-4, which says "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." Most of the time when we talk about this scripture we are talking about the temple, God's holy place. In order to be worthy to go to the temple you have to have clean hands, or action, but also a pure heart. To do things for the right reasons. But this time I have been thinking about it in the terms of standing in place of. Who shall stand in His holy place? When you stand in place of something, you represent it. To stand in place of Him is to represent The Lord, or Christ. And as missionaries and even members of the Church, what is it that we say we do? We represent Him, we take His name upon us, and we receive His image in our continuance. And what do we have to do to do that? Have clean hands and a pure heart. There's a sweet quote that I'm about to butcher that says something along the lines of People should want to know Christ because you know Him, and they know you. When we talk His name upon us, we stand in His holy place. I guess in a way that it's really all the same, being a representative or being worthy to go to the temple, at least as far as qualifications. But thinking about it like that was a little different for me, and it made me think about how others see me and how I act around them I guess. Anyway, that's just something to mull over. Let me know what you think.

Well, I hope you all are doing well and that your week goes well!

Love,

April  

Hello from....

El Paso, Texas still. Ha, ha, but I think that I told you all that I was staying here. I just moved to another part of the city. It's a bit of a bummer to not cover the whole world anymore but what can you do? It's been a little bit of an adjustment to get used to teaching families again but I like it. We have a lot of recent converts here, more than I've ever had in a ward that I've worked with before so that is kind of cool.
 Mostly what we've done this week is get ready for the baptism that we have this Saturday. Her name is Felicity and she is 16. She's really cool and like family history a lot. I'm not entirely sure how she found the church but she showed up at church one day and said that she had been reading the Book of Mormon, knew that it was true, and wanted to get baptized! That certainly doesn't happen every day! She's a really good student as well.
 Unfortunately after Felicity gets baptized though we'll be back to square one with investigators. Ha, they all got themselves baptized before I got here. So we'll have a lot of finding to do in the near future. I have a feeling though that this transfer is going to go quickly, it just seems like there is going to be a lot going on.
 My new companion like I think I told you is Sister McKendrick, Sister Bowen's first trainer. She's from Logan, Utah and lives on a legitimate ranch. Like her parents are ranchers and her dad specializes in horse shoeing. So it's pretty cool. Ha, whenever people ask about us though I'm just like  "Yeah... I study advertising. I would love to work in an office all day doing creative design and copy writing." But, hey, what can I say that's what I want to do.
 So you know how UTEP was military and students? Here it's military families. Like 90% military and 10% people from El Paso. So there's a pretty heavy influence. People say things here like "Roger" and "10/4" and "Dinner is at 17:30" so it's cool. It's interesting how the families are similar to the single military people but also different.
 So yeah, not a lot going on this week so far, sorry to be boring but I promise interesting things will hopefully come around soon. We've had some cool experiences though with being in the right place at the right time. Yesterday we were walking down the street and a couple in a truck pulled over and the guy says "Hey! Are you Mormon?" and we said yes, so he said "So and I! I just got home from Afghanistan today! Want to come to our house for dinner next week?" so that was pretty cool.
 The other family we have been working with a lot recently is an excommunicated member of our ward who is getting re-baptized next week. It's been a really cool experience actually and seeing him talk about his experiences and how badly he wants to be a member again (you have to get a lot of different approval to be re-baptized) and how excited he was when he finally got the good news had had me thinking about the joys of the gospel and the blessings of having the Holy Ghost with us. The member reminds me of the embodiment of 1 Nephi 8: 10-12. I know usually when people talk about those verses they talk about sharing, which is good and important of course, but I have been thinking about the gospel being "most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted." A lot of times, when we have a spiritual experience not only is it sweet, but it is just a taste. We want more and more of it! A few weeks ago Sister Bowen was obsessed with the Tree of Life in Nephi and The Tree of Life in Genesis and if they were the same. Well, I had never thought about it before, but we found a scripture that make it seem like that was the case. Lehi's tree of life was a representation of the literal one in Genesis. The one that allows us to live with God again. So here on earth, we have these tastes, these little experiences that help us and guide us to the literal tree of life. Exaltation, immortality and eternal life forever with God. To help us remember what we want and to one day have the happiness we feel from the Holy Ghost forever. Anyway, thinking of them together was interesting. So, I don't know if these crazy ramblings made any sense but, hopefully so!
 Anyway, I'm happy summer is almost over so it won't be in the 100's anymore and I think we all know fall is the best season anyway! Happy back to school everyone!
 Love,
 April

This week Diana and John got baptized! Yay!!

 I was totally going to send you some pictures but I forgot to bring my camera cord, so maybe next week. The services were both very good and both of them got their temple recommends at church on Sunday so hopefully they can go do baptism's soon. John is even going to stay until next Sunday so his friend Ricky, our Elder's Quorum President, can ordain him. So that will be really cool.
 Other than that we really didn't do too much, mostly just finished teaching them the lessons that they needed and going to interviews and stuff. And most of our other appointments cancelled. We had zone training too, which was good.
 One super funny thing that did happen this week was that it was Sister Bowen's birthday! Kind of. On Wednesday we had dinner with John and Ricky at Olive Garden. It was the girl at the table next to ours birthday and so of course they announced it and sang to her. Well, then John and Ricky got the idea to tell our waiter that it was Sister Bowen's birthday too. She kept telling him that it wasn't so they didn't do anything but they mentioned it every time he came over and they even threatened to announce it themselves if Sister Bowen wouldn't let them sing to her. She took away all of their knives because they were threatening to clink them on the cups to announce it.
 That evening we had a lesson with John and Ricky and Tony and we told him about what had happened. So he suggested that we announce it over the intercom in the barracks and ask everyone to sing ha ha but that didn't happen either. John also tried to get us to take all of the ice cream in his apartment as a birthday present.
 Well, then on Friday after our meeting our zone was having lunch, and the Redd and Restler Elders came out of the kitchen with a cake and started singing happy birthday to Sister Bowen. They had also, completely unrelated what had happened on Wednesday, without even knowing about it, decided to pretend it was her birthday too! So then of course after that, every day since has been her birthday. It's been pretty funny.
 This week we also had dinner at the senior couple in our ward's apartment and we managed to find our that he used to be a mission president (we had suspicions but they never said anything directly). So they told us lots of cool stories about that and a lot of random cat stories too. So if you ever want to know any funny cat stories let me know.
 Something that I have been thinking about this week is obviously baptism but in relation to that Moroni 8: 25-26 and Moroni 7:43-47. They talk about how we have to be meek and lowly in heart in order to have the Holy Ghost. And how the Holy Ghost will give us faith and hope and that hope will give us charity, which is the pure love of Christ. But also how we can only retain that through prayer and diligence (Moroni 6:3). Anyway, I know that we always talk about enduring to the end but I just love how much of a logical process this is. We have faith and we want to repent, we repent and we want to get baptized, we get baptized and we get the Holy Ghost, in order to keep the Holy Ghost we have to be meek and lowly of heart and have determination, those characteristics lead to Charity, which is what makes us Christlike and worth or and wanting to have the Holy Ghost. I don't know, maybe that doesn't make sense but it makes sense to me and it's my spiritual thought so that's really all that matters!
 Well, I hope you all have a fantastic week! Talk to you soon!
 Love,
 April