Hermana Greenhalgh

Hermana Greenhalgh

Monday, July 27, 2015

Service is the Only Way to Find Happiness - Letter 07/27/15

Wow!

What a week it was! I've never done so much non-stop service in my life! We had the opportunity to do a service project through justserve.org, it was amazing! We did service for Feed My Starving Children, I absolutely loved it. I got to work as a warehouse member all four sessions. I lifted 30 lb rice bins and carried them to different locations I was a "runner" which means I get everyone what they need when they need it! We would go in 2 hour sessions have a 30 minute break and go again! I'm super sore, but hey, I've got muscles so no biggie! I enjoyed every minute of it! Our goal was to pack 1,000,000 meals in 3 days!

As far as teaching is going, it's so good. So, there is a ton of less-active work here, and I've been working my tail off trying get people back to church. Sometimes I feel like it's a lost cause but NO! Yesterday a lady that I've been working with for 9 months came to church for the first time in over a year. I wanted to cry! My heart skipped when I saw her! Ahh the fruits of my labor are blooming! My favorite type of missionary work is less-active work, not sure why but I love helping the lost sheep come back! I'm literally a visiting-teaching professional. My heart goes out to those who, after some really difficult trials, turn their life around and come back!

My companion and I are working with all the auxiliaries, and trying to get this Ward into shape! Last night we were at a members house, and she was telling how she's going through a hard trial. After the Elders left I had the impression I needed to stay and talk with her so I did.  She cried and said it's exactly what she needed. She told me how much she's seen me change, and how much the Ward had changed for the better. I know I'm staying another transfer for a reason! I've got work to do!

Sorry this is short! But I love you all, thank you for all the support!

Hermana Greenhalgh


Saturday, July 25, 2015

Good News!! - Letter 07/20/15

Well... I'm Staying in Phoenix! Round 7!!  I'm the only sister the Cielito Ward has had that's stayed more than 9 months. After this transfer I only have one left! Time is flying so quickly! I'm back with Sister Finau from the MTC! We are a powerhouse! We've been teaching amazing lessons! We get along great and we've both changed so much from a year ago! I'm super stoked to be with her, and to learn more.

Some fun noticias (news) Eduardo went to the temple!!! He was asked to bear his testimony in Sacrament and it was so spiritual! Celia is getting ready to attend the temple as well! And Sister Finau and I are
finding lots of new people! We've been working really closely with the Ward auxiliaries! We're trying to get to know the Ward as much as we can! The members are so happy I'm staying! I'm ready to work!

In other news, we're having a mission tour coming up in a couple of weeks and two General Authorities are coming to speak with us! I'm really excited! Mission tour last year was a ball! I learned so much!

Oh, so funny story, Elder Southwick is my new District Leader and he's training. His new greenie doesn't come in for another two weeks because he's undocumented, but he has an elder whose on his last week
of the mission English speaking as a companion for a week or so.

Anyways, we were at dinner and we were teasing Elder Erikson because he's never had real Mexican food.  Well, he ended up puking in front of the member's house... Sister Finau and I ended up getting food poisoning as well... Long story short... Uhh just eat a tortilla.

Well that's all I got for now!

Hermana Greenhalgh
 Breaking into apartments
District
Transfer Day
New Companion:  Hermana Finau






Saturday, July 18, 2015

Happy Days Fly By Way Too Fast!! - Letter 07/13/15

Que Es Bueno!?

How was everyone's week? Flew super fast like mine? Well I hope everyone had a good week, and is enjoying the remainder of the Summer! School is starting up again here in Phoenix. The teachers start today, and students next week! I'm officially at 9 months here in Phoenix in the Cielito Ward! It's so crazy to think I've been here since November. They haven't had a sister stay for 9 months in a long time, then I come along! As I've been here I've learned so much, knocked countless doors, helped 8 people get baptized, and helped lots of in-actives return to church. All in all it has been a ride! So tomorrow we are receiving transfer calls! I'm probably leaving... It's going to be so hard to say goodbye, I'm leaving some amazing people! But I will return! Who knew one could have so much love for strangers? I've served in two areas my whole mission...usually people have 4-5 areas, but I'm needed in areas longer I suppose! 

As far as my week went, it went so rapidly fast that I can barely remember what happened! Just kidding!  But seriously it was so fast! Tuesday we went on exchanges I went to Aguila (Eagle Ward) in South Phoenix about 20 minutes away with Sister Mello. We had an awesome exchange I learned so much from her! Wednesday we exchanged back and went to the food bank. Thursday we got to attend the Phoenix temple! Yay! It is one of the most amazing temples I've been in. I've now attended all 3 temples that the mission allows us to go to, Mesa, Gilbert, and Phoenix.  All beautiful and very unique! After the temple, my district went to "Reyes Del Torta" the guy from "Man vs. Food" did the food challenge there, pretty awesome right? When we finished we went on exchanges again but this time I stayed in my area with Sister Rogers. I haven't been on exchanges in my own area in over 8 months, it was nice! We had two amazing lessons! While on exchanges a member of ours, Hermana Vela, told me my Spanish is so good! She said I sound more native than any of the other missionaries in this Ward! My setting apart blessing is coming to pass! People are recognizing me for my accent! Friday we attended President Packer's funeral, which was sad but spiritual! What an amazing man he was! Saturday we took Eduardo and a part member family to the temple visitors center.  It was awesome! We did all the tours and got to sit outside and look at the reflection pool and temple. Here's a quote I want to share with you "Smile when you think of the temple. It is a place of power and blessing."

Something I want to share with you all is my testimony of the Plan of Salvation! I know that through our Savior Jesus Christ the Plan was made possible! It answers so many of life's great questions, where did I come from, why am I here, and where am I going? Wednesday night this was made clearer to me than ever. I dreamed of my Grandma Pat and we had a great conversation. She's doing good! I miss her a lot! I woke up in tears, but later Thursday morning I  was able to attend the temple. I was able to feel the Spirit so strongly testify to me that I would see my Grandma again! I know that death has no sting because Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins, and overcame death. Everything will work out, and we will see our family again. There is an Elder in my ward who is about to lose his grandma.  Friday night we were at dinner and he shared the message after we ate about the Plan of Salvation, the lady we ate with just lost her mom so she began crying, Elder Southwick was crying, and I was crying. It was really spiritual! Just to finish this paragraph I want to share a scripture with you:
 
"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection--Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." Alma 40:11

One last thing, I finished the Book of Mormon today! As always my testimony grows stronger and stronger every time I read the 2nd witness of Jesus Christ! I was challenged to read the Book of Mormon every single day for the rest of my life, you better believe it's happening! I love the Book of Mormon, it truly is the anchor of my testimony and it has changed my life. I know that if someone reads it, and abides by its teachings they can find no greater peace! I know the Savior lives, and I know this church is true! 

Disfrutan su día! 
 
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Greenhalgh
 
Noe and I
Saying Goodbye
Visitor's Center with Eduardo

Monday, July 6, 2015

Enjoy Life!! Letter 07/06/15

Familia! Amigos! Extraños!

How's everybody doing? How was the 4th of July? My 4th was pretty eventful except Los Mexicanos don't celebrate much, but it was still fun! We decorated my apartment with decorations for the holiday, and then Sister Jensen and I threw together a mini BBQ with Eduardo (my grandpa), Olider, the Elders, and the Rodriguez family! We bought hamburgers, hotdogs, and also ate s'mores! The Rodriguez brought horchata, and tamarindo, and we played with bubbles, glow sticks and with the football. It was quite the makeshift party! I watched a little bit of fireworks by my apartment on the 3rd, but they were nothing compared to Idaho Falls! All in all it was a good weekend!

Miracle time!! So lately our teaching pool has been getting smaller and smaller because people aren't willing to keep commitments so we have to move on without them.  Anyways Sister Jensen and I have been praying all week to find new people before transfers come. Well, Friday morning we went to each companionship in our zone and asked if they had some fun finding ideas. One of the companionships said to talk with the Eloteros, they are the people that ride around on Nacho Libre bikes and sell corn. We thought, why not? Let's do it! So Friday afternoon we were walking around in this apartment complex and its 111 degrees outside, no one is outside for very good reason. So we keep walking and we see this little Elotero, I'm talking little like 4 ft little, selling drinks to two guys. We ran over there and started talking with them. Well, as you see, the Elotero had been talking to these two guys about God, then guess who walks up... Yep the missionaries! BAM! They were so flabbergasted by us because they had just been talking about God. We ended up having an awesome street contact, and set up a return appointment with them! We are stoked! Also, that same night we found 6 new investigators! Coincidence? I think not, God answers prayers!

This week was super good! I had my final doctors appointment for my arm, and everything is healed! Also, we went hiking this morning at Montaña del Sur it was super fun!! I love the outdoors, especially in beautiful Arizona! I hope everyone has a good week! Keep in touch!

Con Amor,
 
Hermana Greenhalgh