Week 20: 'ello

Family and friends,

What a productive week I had! :)

On Monday after we emailed, I was with sister Davis and sister Morris so we went to lunch at 5 guys, then played basketball with our sister training leaders and wrote letters. We totally got stuck in snowy traffic for 2 hours when originally it's a 20 min. drive! 'Twas great bonding time though :) during that drive, we got a text saying nobody was allowed to drive that night so we had to cancel our appointments and call it a snow day. The roads get crazy icy here when it snows, so that was fun! We got pizza on the way home :)

Tuesday morning we had district meeting, and then it snowed again!! :) that night we had a dinner at a buffet with a recent convert. Coolest/ sweetest thing EVER happened. We were talking about the priesthood more in depth with the recent convert, and after a while our waitress stopped to read our tags. After telling her who we were and what we did she said, "I knew it! I knew it because there's something in your eyes!" :) is that not the most awesome thing ever?! We talked to her for a bit but she lives outside of our mission, so we gave her a restoration pamphlet :) 

I definitely impressed the recent convert with what Spanish I do know, so that was fun! We taught sister Morris (who is from England) how to roll her "R's" but she couldn't :) later that night we taught an investigator and then her friend happened to knock on the door in the middle of our lesson. When she answered the door she was like, "come in! Come listen to this! This is the real deal here, no foolin around with this one! It's the real thing". :) so he came in and we taught him, too! He's from Africa :) 

Wednesday wasn't so busy because Thursday was transfers, so we just packed and cleaned . Then in the evening we checked on less actives.

Thursday: Transfers (in Centreville!! Yay!!) So we basically didn't have a clue where I would go or who I would be with. We heard I would stay with sister Davis because I was on the list in her district, but my area book was synced with the Potomac ward with sister Waldron. So it was a big guessing game, and transfers were exciting because I ended up being companions with Sister Morris!! This is too funny because sister Osmond (Donny Osmond's niece) trained sister Lewis, and then trained Sister Morris! So that's cool. I'm in a singles ward now which is way fun! Different, but fun :)
Later that night we had dinner with a member who gave us like 4 referrals! Ya, what?! Singles ward RM's are the BEST! It's like they never left their mission! Then we had a lesson with a member. It was FREEZING COLD that night!

Side note*** we are getting new iPads on Wednesday and having a 4 hour Facebook training-- president Riggs says we won't have facebook for a couple months :/ not sure how that will work out because a lot of us have investigators online... We'll see! 

On Friday we cleaned and reorganized the apartment because the spirit cannot dwell in unclean areas and it needed to be done! So after that we got to weekly planning, then checked on potentials and referrals. I met the ward mission leader, and then we checked on those referrals. One guy answered the door saying, "I grew up in salt lake. I'm very happy with my episcopalian church and I got my wine right here!" :) haha and another guy at a different house said, "you're mormon and I know that because of your tags that say sister. I was almost a brother but I'm Jewish and I think I'll stay that way". I love tracting! The stories are so great! :)

Saturday was fun! We were doing our progress report when a random lady in the library warned us about the weather :) so sweet :) 

THEN on Saturday our stake did a mini mission for the youth! So our zone and one other zone got to pretend to be normal people (because we definitely aren't normal anyway) that the youth would have to street contact. They were taught how to share the gospel through media, showed what a district meeting was like, knocked doors (in the church), and had a companion that they spent the day with. It ended with a testimony meeting which we were going to stay for, until we saw that it had snowed a few more inches. Our car is awful in this weather (I strongly vote against a Ford Fusion in the winter, but am so grateful to have a car!:) ) so we had to leave early in order to be home for a lesson on time. That night we weren't allowed to drive again, and we couldn't find a ride to our lessons, so we had Skype lessons! 

Remember the man from Africa I mentioned earlier? We had a Skype lesson with him on the plan of salvation! He so badly wants to come to church, so he is going to ask for work off this Sunday; pray for him! He's awesome. I love Africans :)

Sunday morning was spent digging our car out of our parking space for 40 minutes, in a dress, with a window scraper. So fun :) Church was good! The members are so willing to come to lessons with us, and it makes me so excited for the work!! Members are my favorite :) then in the evening we just checked on potentials/less actives :) 

This week I've really felt a change of heart! To strive harder to be my best self, and exactly obedient in the work. It's super easy to be relaxed on simple rules, but the blessings and miracles that you see from being exactly obedient are amazing. It's not worth it to shrug off something that seems simple, and okay to be relaxed with. 

I'm grateful for the atonement in my life!! Seriously Jesus Christ is my best friend. I am so grateful for Him! This gospel is true people!! You can only know for yourself when you search with real intent, truly desiring to know if this mormon stuff is the real deal or not. I PROMISE that when you do this, you WILL receive an answer that it is true. I can only testify of this because I've done the searching :) 

"Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it SHALL be opened unto you..." Shall! That's an absolute. 'Tis a promise, and God doesn't break His promises when we do what He says :)
I love being a missionary! I love this work, and I love you!! 

Have a most awesome week!! 

Sister Kailey 

Ps. Tomorrow is my 5 month mark being a full time missionary. Time is cruising!! :)

Week 19: Curve Balls

Hey guys :)

This week was an adventure! Let's start with Monday. This was the most relaxed day of the week! We just wrote home, wrote letters, took a nap, and taught some people at night. We even met with a former investigator who is going through some tough challenges right now and it was such a blessing to be able to direct her towards the best source of comfort; God, prayer, and the scriptures.

Tuesday was so much fun! I went on an exchange to Ashburn again with Sister Anderson (who came on an exchange to Centreville with me while sister Lewis was my companion). We had district meeting in the morning and then swapped in the afternoon. That night we met with a lady from Togo...? It's by Ghana :) named H. She speaks English but her main language is French. The way they found her is hilarious so I have to share!! 

They were street contacting and sister savage startled H so much that she screamed bloody murder and booked it away from them hahahah so they ran after her! Then sister savage hugged her and said, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you! I just wanted to talk to you about Jesus!" Then H was like, oh Jesus?! Come, come inside! I love Jesus! :) haha I thought that was so funny!

Anyway, we taught her the plan of salvation (where you came from, why you're here, and where you're going). We got on the topic of doing work for our ancestors and baptisms for the dead, and her eyes got SO BIG. It was awesome! She was so interested and it all made sense to her! She's reading the Book of Mormon and knows it's true, but she has already been baptized and is just worried about being baptized twice. We explained the priesthood power but she is still praying about it :) I've been able to teach H twice now and I love her!! She's so cool!! A lot of Africans here receive answers to their prayers through dreams, so she's waiting for a dream. I think it's the coolest that the spirit speaks to us in our own language; in a way that we can understand and recognize answers :) 

Wednesday afternoon we swapped back. Sister Liu and I had yet another fun day! Sister Liu is the only Chinese speaking sister in the mission, so we got permission from president Riggs to go anywhere throughout the mission to contact some less active/ recent convert/ potential investigator Chinese women! Pretty cool! So we spent our afternoon doing that and then checked on a few potentials that night, along with a member lesson which was THE coolest thing ever!! 

On Thursday we had a pretty normal day until 3:30pm. We got a call from the APs saying, "hey you guys know about the transfer tomorrow right?"
Us: no... Transfers are next week..?
Ap: yeah, but there is another transfer tomorrow and you're part of it because your area is closing for sisters, so be at the mission office tomorrow morning at 9.
Us: ........ 

So we had to cancel our appointments and call a lot of people. I didn't even get to say goodbye to C! Heart. broken. We just spent the rest of the day packing, not knowing where we would be sent or if we would even stay together. Ohhh the life of a missionary! Embrace it!:)

Friday morning we went to the mission office where we were told where we were going and who we would be with. 

Waiting for the mission office to open  

Sister Liu was sent to a place I don't know how to spell, and I was sent to Alexandria, Arlington with 5 other sisters! One of them is from England and I've naturally picked up on her accent so I've been speaking like a British bloke all weekend :P 

I'm basically a floater for a week; I can go wherever with whoever whenever I want. It's pretty great :) they cover 3 different singles wards so yesterday I got my church fill! We decided we are all squeaky clean for taking the sacrament so much ;) 

That night we went to a new member fireside because someone they taught was speaking at it, and on the way home we were all craving chocolate so bad! But we aren't allowed to eat in the car, so at every stop light we would roll down the window to stick our heads out and pop a chunk of chocolate in our mouths... Stretching the rules a bit...? Maybe... But it was a must ;) we probably looked so dumb hahah :) 

The difference between Centreville and Alexandria is pretty big. Centreville is a suburb area, similar to Nampa. Alexandria is a city! Similar to Boise times 10. Its a drastic difference but because of a lot of prayer, Heavenly Father has helped me stay relaxed and composed. I'm really not stressed, though I'm living out of my suitcase for a week and the bathroom in our apartment is the size of my parents bathroom tub, I'm loving it! It's change. Change is hard, but I'm embracing it and taking things one day at a time. Heavenly Father is taking good care of me, and I truly feel your prayers as well so thank you tons!!

***fun fact about street names here: so far I've seen Jefferson st., Duke st., Skyview st., and Broderick st. I've seen a lot of other random ones but these ones are familiar to me, so I thought it was cool :) 

As for companions and areas, Nothing is set and stone until Thursday. If you've sent me a letter within the past couple weeks, I won't get it for a while because my zone leaders in Centreville will have to give them to my new zone leaders (whoever they are) and it'll take time. SO as for now, I don't have an address. Just email me until I do :) 

This hectic week has been humbling and a really neat experience. I've met awesome people who have helped me grow so much in just these past few days. I learn a ton from every sister I serve around, and I'm so glad I'm out here!! 

God has been answering my prayers right and left, and really helping me adjust quickly to the curve ball thrown in my path. I have a huge testimony on the power of prayer! He is there. He is listening. I know that I am a child of a living God who loves me more than anything, and that He cares about even the small, silly things that I care about :) prayers are answered always!!

I hope you are staying happy, warm, and healthy!! :)
Sister Kailey

Week 18: Blessings, Blessings, Blessings

Hello! :)

I apologize (mostly to my mother) for the lack of words sent home the past couple weeks! I know it's like a drought in a desert, so I'll do my best to quench your thirst today :)

This week was proof that miracles happen when we endure and press forward with faith. It started off with L on Monday. L was the referral from head quarters a little over a month ago who asked for a bible. This was with sister Lewis, and we were never able to catch her at a good time. We would set up appointments but something would come up. Nevertheless, we persisted!! :) 

Finally, we brought a member with us and the appointment followed through. L is a mother of 4 or 5 little kids with a military husband who won't be home until summer. She has been through a lot of terrible things... You name it, she's experienced it. SHE NEEDS THIS GOSPEL!! Everyone does, but she REALLY does. 

She said she got so desperate for help that she heard a guy on the radio say he would pray for her, so she payed him X amount of money for him to pray for her per month. My heart broke. THEN she
said that someone told her that God is too busy to hear her problems so she doesn't ask for anything in her prayers!! Dear goodness! I'm pretty much crying inside for this woman! 

Because of her questions and concerns, the lesson didn't follow a super smooth outline. It was choppy on topics but met her needs and the spirit was strong. She accepted the baptismal invite, but doesn't have a date yet because meeting with her is near impossible due to her schedule. We are shooting for the beginning of March though! Please keep her in your prayers! She is depressed and just really needs to have the time to hear the lessons. I know it will bless her life immensely. Also, she is dying to go to church!! But couldn't make it yesterday because a mechanic was working on her car and she had to be home to pay him, but she is trying! Gah I have so much love and compassion towards her! It's a blessing and a curse ;) 

We met with C on Tuesday and her husband had his last interview with the bishop yesterday so we see her tomorrow and hopefully can set a date! :) it's been a looonnnggg process but worth it! She is so ready and anxious to be dunked :)

**When you have a minute, look up this talk on YouTube, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior" by Todd B. Parker. It's way cool :)

Wednesday and Thursday were FULL of service!! We helped a sister in our ward clean her empty house that she is moving from. So like the baseboards, windows, bathrooms, floors, doors, cupboards, etc. it was fun! :) 

There was only one way to fit in this small space to wash the baseboards.

The weather is like spring here so I didn't even need a jacket most of the week! Even this morning running to and from the gym was pretty warm! :) 

Ohhhh funny story! So the hermanas we live with have had the flu all week, but we made sure to be out of the house as much as possible so we didn't get sick! I decided to fast for an investigator yesterday and felt sort of sick but just thought it was because I hadn't eaten anything all day. Turns out I worked through a fever all day! Whoops! I'm good now though :) 

Sister Liu and I are doing pretty good. We are really good at companion inventory and the weeks have been going a lot smoother than the first couple. I know that I needed her as my companion though because she has taught me so many things, and I have been quite humbled throughout this transfer, which is good :) I do love and appreciate her so much despite the challenges :) transfers are on the 19th of this month, so next week. Just a heads up, and I'm most likely leaving. I'll find out for sure in a week. 

This week we taught a super cool lesson that was definitely inspired! Matthew in chapter 14:24-31 talks about when Peter walked on water. My favorite word EVER in all those verses is, "immediately". Jesus stretched forth His hand IMMEDIATELY. He always does! Now when you think about your testimony and where you are in your conversion (which is a life long process), use this analogy: 

We have Peter in the boat, not really going anywhere. Then there is Peter walking on water, DOING SOMETHING in faith to get to where he wants to go, and finally we have sinking Peter, which we all experience at times. 

In your process of conversion, what area can be strengthened? Which Peter are you? How can you improve? No matter which Peter you are, Christ has his hand reaching towards you with a smile on His face. So reach back and take advantage of His help! I attached a picture that is my all time favorite and represents this really well :) 

I know that having a testimony is so important, and it's by experience that we gain one! A strengthened testimony leads to conversion which is the ultimate goal, yet like I said before, it's a life long process. 

I know my savior loves me, as does my Father in Heaven. I am beyond grateful for His hand in my life and for the knowledge that I have of the gospel. Truly I don't know where I'd be without it! Everyone needs it, even if they don't think they do :) which is why we persist! 

I am so grateful to be on a mission! There is nothing I'd rather be doing with my life at this point in time. The gospel blesses families! I am thankful to know that I get to be with mine forever :)
I hope you had a week as good as mine!! 

Happy Valentines Day (on Saturday) <3
Love you!
Sister Chandler

Week 17: It's Pretty Cold Here

Happy Monday! :)

Unfortunately I have zero time to email. Again. So this will be another short email :/ sorry!

So on Monday we went to DC at the national gallery of art! That was cool :). On the bus ride there, a guy reading a news paper started talking to us and said, "you can knock on my door any time"..... hahaha :)

Tuesday I went on an exchange with my sister training leader! That means I spent the day in a different area (Ashburn) and the night with my sister training leader. It was fun! She's a dancer, too and we tried to make a dance up because she wanted to (and I didn't complain), but my brain was dead tired, so it didn't get very far :)

On Wednesday we moved in with the Spanish speaking sisters!! Hermana Tate and Meroli. She is Samoan and reminds me a lot of Lupi!! It's SO FUN!!! We laugh a ton and it's so great to have positive support to come home to when you have a hard day :)

Cool story: so on Thursday we went to a man's home who is Taiwanese!! Fate!! He said he didn't understand God or the Universe, and I was like, "Well we don't know very much about the universe, but we know a lot about God and would love to help you understand him! Is that something you'd be interested in?" And he said yes. Turns out, he's had 3 different sets of elders talk to him over the years, and he has never accepted an invitation. Sisters are better ;) haha just kidding. Elders are great, too :)

There is also a less active who wants to stop smoking and come back to church, so we are helping her with that!

C is good. Still waiting on her husband but it's all in the lords hands :) we see her this week.

Ah I'm sorry this is so short! :/ time is up though :/

Today, Monday we went bowling and we got to wear jeans!! Woohoo!! So I took a picture in the bathroom.... #selfie :) haha

I know God lives, and that Christ is my savior. I know the Book of Mormon is really the word of God, along side the Bible. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness and that there is a living prophet on the earth today! I know that God is the same yesterday, today,and forever. How blessed we are to have a Father in Heaven who sends us help and guidelines to make it safely back to Him :)

Have a good week!!
Sister Chandler