There Must be Opposition in All Things - Letter 08/25/14

Buenos Dias Familia,

How is everyone doing? I'm glad to hear from everyone! It's good to hear Konner's birthday was good, and thank you all for the letters that have come my way this week. So this week my letter is going to be a little bit different. This week has brought to pass many trials, but my companion and I are still seeing the miracles! We have had to drop 5 people from our teaching records, because they won't keep their commitments. We have had lots of let downs from our investigators, and everyone in the apartment is getting strep. Talk about craziness, but some miracles that we have seen are on Saturday we were supposed to go to Tempe with our investigator to the visitors center, but she ended up not letting us know she wasn't going so we called everyone we could to see if they could go, but nothing. We were obviously not supposed to go that night, in return we saw the miracle of finding two new people to teach!

 

On Friday we went to Tempe for the 12 week trainee meeting, and the presidents wife wanted to meet with Sister Johnson and I. We met with her, and she told us what exemplary sisters we were, and that her and President Toone felt strongly prompted to put us together. She also said that our language has improved, and she is so proud to have such level-headed sisters together in Casa Grande.

 

I've been reading a ton this week in personal study about comfort, and strength. Some talks that I encourage all of you to read are "Your Wonderful Journey Home" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, also "The Hope of God's Light" also by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Some neat scriptures I have found are in D&C 127:2, 2 Nephi 22:2, and 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10. These talks and scriptures have brought me lots of peace this week. I know that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone one of us. We must face opposition in life because without it, we wouldn't grow.

 

Some news about my companion is she's AWESOME! I've literally been so blessed to have her! She is from Ogden, UT. She is the same sister who was in my district from Mexico! She is just like me! We literally are like twins. I'm so happy to know that it was inspired to put us together! 

 

Okay so a little run down of this week

Monday: Regular P-day, didn't do much but we went shopping, and I found some cool shirts! Later that night we were walking, and this ice cream guy passed us, and Sister Johnson ran after him! We bought some ice cream, and we became friends with him, we are now teaching him online!

 

Tuesday: We had district meeting, and then went over to the Seabring's for lunch. The 98 year old grandma who speaks not a word of English made us lunch! She is so cute she made us sandwiches, with chips and dip, and ice cream! We had dinner with the Carr Family that night, they are literally the best members ever!

 

Wednesday: We had correlation tonight with the Bishopric, and got asked to speak to the YW for mutual. We talked to them about missionary work, I made 3 of the girls cry when I told them about why I'm out here! It was a really awesome experience!

 

Thursday: Went to Eloy #tootoughtodie, and drove over 80 miles, we found a really awesome lady named Linda! She is super interested. We dropped a couple people in Eloy which was hard, but we can't teach people who don't keep their commitments! We came home from Eloy and rode bikes the rest of the night, while riding we got caught in a bad dust storm, YAY. When we got home we were covered in dirt!

 

Friday: We had weekly planning today, and then went to the New Missionary meeting, Sister Toone met with us.  Later we went to dinner at the Montelongos, and then went to ice cream! This random lady came into Coldstone and bought us ice cream! We went outside and talked with them, they are members from the Coolidge area in Casa Grande. FREE ICE CREAM! Later that night Sister Johnson and I had the apartment to ourselves because the other sisters were in Tempe so we were super bored, and took lots of random videos. When you're a missionary you have to find ways to entertain yourself! 

 

Saturday: The visitors center mishap! The Elders knew that we were having a rough go this week with our investigators so they brought us bagels!

 

Sunday: I sang in sacrament today! It was cool to sing in Spanish! Also 4 of our investigators came to church, but left before Sacrament.. Darn it. We had dinner with the Carr Family again, We helped them make dinner, and then Sister Johnson and I did their dishes! Later that night these drunk guys came up to us, and I had the worst feeling ever! They wouldn't leave us alone, finally we got away and then headed to the church for STATs.

All in all that about sums up my week. Some things I've learned is the mission is the training ground for the rest our lives! I've learned how to overcome disappointment, how to have more charity, and how to rely on Heavenly Father! 

I hope everyone has a good week!
 

Love you all,

Hermana Greenhalgh

Transfer 4, Week 1 - Letter 08/18/14

Buenos Dias Familia,

How has everyone's week been? My week has been a million times better than last week. I know Heavenly Father is aware of each and everyone one of us. I've seen so many miracles this week, and have had many prayers answered. Here's a little run down of my week:

 

Monday: Said hasta luego to Hermana Jacobsen, spent P-day with the other Sisters, and taught lots of people in the English area. It's definitely a different experience in the English area because people aren't as receptive. We got to have FHE with these old people, they get together every Monday and eat a bunch of junk and do FHE. It was so fun!

 

Tuesday: Today we had District Meeting with the English District because our Spanish District was pretty much gone with everyone leaving. Elder Belnap, one of the District Leaders, taught a really good meeting about praying for inspiration. After the meeting the remainder of the Zone not including two elders went to Big Wa Chinese. It was super good, and it was also nice to have something different than Mexican food.  Later that night we taught in my area, and then finished off the night with Daily Planning.

 

Wednesday: TODAY IS THE DAY. I GET A NEW COMPANION. Boy was I nervous. We drove up to Tempe, and got to the Mission Home. Before transfer meeting started I was talking to Hermana Johnson from the CCM, I said "wouldn't it be so cool if got to be companions" We both just laughed because it usually never happens. Anyways transfer meeting started, and they started making the transfers they call "Hermana Greenhalgh is staying in Casa Grande, and her new companion is A. Johnson." Hermana Johnson looked confused like "is that me?" Yep I was right on! We're companions!! We are so excited to be taking on the area. We get along so well, and we both are so new to the field that we have this fire about us, that motivates us to do all that we can to find new people. We have found 5 new people to teach in neighborhoods I have been in for the last 3 months. It's crazy how much has been done since I got a new companion. The work is moving forward!!

 

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: These last four days, Hermana Johnson and I have been working super hard. We have found new people to teach, found former investigators from months previous, did a service project, and have had a blast! Our Spanish is improving rapidly.  It's crazy how much more Spanish I've spoke since the transfer started! We also started a new meal, and workout plan that we are doing together which has been super fun. I'm beyond grateful to have a new companion, and especially grateful that it is Hermana Johnson! Here's to the best transfer yet!!

Con Amor,

Hermana Greenhalgh

 

Bored in the car with Sister Johnson

Zone lunch at Big Wa.  We crammed 12 people in the corner!

 

Boy! It has Been One of "Those" Weeks!

Hola familia,

How is everyone doing? Transfer calls came last night, and I'm staying in Casa Grande. I'm nervous for a new companion. I hope whoever it is will be nice. How did everyone's week go? Hopefully good. Thank you for the letters finally coming my way! A quick run down of my week is:

 

Monday: During zone sports Sister Westfall and I got locked out of the church for and hour and a half in 115 degree weather without a phone or anything. That was really fun! We eventually got back in and missed all of the sports. But hey, I got a nice sunburn. 

 

Tuesday: Today we had Greenie meeting, and our regular Tuesday meetings. It was a pretty regular day. The beginning of a long week. 

 

Wednesday: Today we did 5 hours of service for the Carr family. We built walls around their pool. I got fried, and after Hermana Carr made us homemade pizza. Later that night we went to Hermano Mejias and he dressed up like Saddam Hussein and we took lots of pictures. 

 

Thursday: Today we went to lunch with Antonio at a seafood Mexican restaurant. We had song practice after for Kelsi's baptism. Later that night we had English class and Antonio became my best friend. 

 

Friday: I did daily planning by myself, and then had lunch at Big House Cafe with the Zone.  

 

Saturday: Today was a struggle everything went completely wrong for Kelsi's baptism. Everyone who was supposed to bring food and come to the baptism called and canceled, and everything that could go wrong did. So I had to buy cookies and drinks for her baptism. When the baptism finally started we had lots of people come so it ended up OK. I sang at her baptism, and the other Sister's Baptism. Hermana Jacobsen's parents came to her final baptism, and then took us out to ice cream. During the dinner for the baptism I was putting a table away and tripped and completely face planted into the table. I am covered in bruises and have a huge golf ball size knot on my leg. They thought I fractured it, but no it's just a really big notch.  

 

Sunday: Went to church did the normal meetings, and then had dinner with the Seabrings to say goodbye to the dying missionaries.

 

Sorry I don't have much to write this week, it's been a really rough week but even though people don't know who I am, or know how to say my name, I know that Heavenly Father knows my name and is aware of me. I'm so ready for this new transfer. 

 

Hope everyone has a good week

 

Love,

Hermana Greenhalgh

 

Dogs love me!

Saying goodbye to Sister Jacobsen

Kelsi's Baptism

Marcos' Birthday

Marcos loves me!

Matching with Sophia

Saddam Hussein

 

Craziness! Letter 08/04/14

Hola Familia!

How has everyone's week been? Hopefully good! This week has been really good... well a little crazy, but you'll read more about it! Sounds like everyone is doing good, thank you for the emails.

So here's a brief description of my week

 

Tuesday:  Today we had District Meeting, and got to see a scorpion! I went on exchanges with Sister Schroeder, I took over the Spanish area by myself! Ahh, I survived. We had a ton of fun, and found lots of people to teach. We went over to La Familia Habanas for Marcos 6th birthday! She made him a cake, and we sang to him. It was really awesome I got to have a 20 minute full conversation in Spanish. I felt so good! Also she made Iguana tamales... Yep we can add that to the list of weird things Hermana Greenhalgh eats. It actually didn't taste too bad.

 

Wednesday:  Today was a pretty regular day we had our weekly correlation with the Branch President, taught Antonio, Anel, and Marianne today! Oh and I found a cute little lizard that lives in my window, she's the size of a quarter, and I named her Lizzie!

  

Thursday: Today I went on exchanges again! Hermana Jacobsen had MLC, so I got to go in the English area for half the day. We taught lots of people, and it was super funny because when they asked me to read or pray I stuttered because I'm so used to Spanish. Imagine that! Later that night Hermana Jacobsen was back, and we had dinner with Hermana Bautista! She made us her Green Chile enchilada's they were amazing. She also made us rice, beans, and we had ice cream, and donuts. AHH. So many calories. By the way I've been super weird with how many calories I eat, I watch everything I eat. I'm becoming a health nut. Anyways, after dinner we had the English class. My students are improving and doing so good! We had a lesson with our recent convert Walter after, it went pretty well. So here comes the scary news... I got bit by a black widow. It made me really sick! I had a huge bite on my leg with 2 black dots where the black widow bit. It made me super sick with stomach problems, so I've been dealing with that for the last 3 days. The members said that usually the stomach issues will last for 3-4 days. But, hey it's probably fine.

 

Friday: Today we had weekly planning, and after had lunch at Chipotle with the Zone. The picture on Facebook is from Friday. Everyone goes and gets their food, and we meet back at Chipotle. Two of the missionaries from the Zone were missing though. Later that night we had dinner at the Habana's it was really good. When we were leaving their huge dog, I'm talking huge, came up to me. Hermana Jacobsen said "Don't run, or he'll get mad." So I started walking slowly, and he was right behind me, and barked. It scared me, and I screamed, then he bit my butt. Yeah talk about I'm done with being bit this week. Haha, I had a huge mark on my skirt which was so convenient because we were headed to the Visitor's center. Sofia one of our members drove me, Hermana Jacobsen, and Antonio to Tempe. Earlier that day Sofia fell and gashed open her chin, she was bleeding on the way to the Visitor's Center, but she's ok now. When we got done at the Temple we were on our way home and Sofia was talking to me about the crimes that have been going on. So remember when I told you guys about our hike at CG Mountain? Well when we were up there, there was also a dead body up there. A girl was murdered in Eloy, my area, and they hid her body at CG Mountain. Good thing we didn't find it, I can't imagine... Well next story was 3 kids were murdered in my apartment complex right when I got into Casa Grande back in May. It's so awesome that missionaries can't watch the news! When we got home I was all paranoid, and we were doing daily planning, and it was like 10:30 at night. We got a knock at the door. I about lost it, I ran so fast to my room. Luckily, it was the Bishop and his wife from the other missionaries ward. 

 

Saturday:  Today we went to Arizona City, and found a new lady named Anna. We have a return appointment with her soon. Later that night we had dinner with the Carr Family! She made us her homemade pizza it was amazing! She gave me the recipe! Other than that today was pretty regular.

 

Sunday: Today was really good, we were fasting and we had break the fast after church. Everyone brings food, and the Branch breaks the fast together. Hermana Cano a lady in our ward told us not to eat because she was making us dinner. So we just sat around and talked with the members for a few minutes. When we got to Hermana Canos house, her husband walked in the kitchen with a bowl full of steak that was as big as my head. We all had steaks that big. They told us we had to eat it! Then she had potato salad, beans, avocados, and cinnamon roll cake. Then to top it off her husband brought out more steak. I think I've had enough meat to last me a lifetime literally. After dinner we went to Hermano Mejias house, he's the one who acts in movies. It was his birthday so she made us more food. YAY. I was dying at this point, but had to do it. Well we sang to him, and then he got out the pictures from his movies, and showed the Elders and us. He is also the one who can never get my name right well we have new one to add to the list. "greenbra" 

Well that is all I have for this week, I hope everyone is doing good!

 

Te queiro,

Hermana Greenhalgh