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

 

 

 

Letter 07/28/14

Buenos Tarde Familia!

How is everyone doing? Hopefully enjoying the rest of the little bit of of summer you all have. It's summer here 24/7.. This whole week has been 115 and higher. DYING! Just kidding, but it has been really hot here. 

 

So here's a weekly round-up of my week:

 

Monday: We went hiking, hopefully you got all the pictures I mailed home. Later that day we played zone sports, and then I got a surprise package! Thanks MOM! 

 

Tuesday: BEST DAY OF THE WEEK. I got to go on exchanges with Sister Westfall in the English area. I absolutely loved it!  I made my first street contact in full Spanish! I was so happy! It was a big accomplishment for me because my companion usually buts in as I start speaking so it was nice to actually have a chance. That night Sister Westfall, who is actually from Boise, and I went to a members home to eat dinner. They had 8 cats... EWW. But they also has like 5 baby kittens that were really cute.  They gave a us pizza which I was super happy about because I was afraid I might eat cat hair. Later that night we went to a guy named Victor's house, and his niece started painting my nails during the prayer.. haha she was only 6, she did a great job!... except for the fact she got nail polish all over my Ipad case, but it's all good!

 

Wednesday: We went the the Mejias Barber Shop. They are a couple in our ward who always go to lessons with us. Hermano Mejia played in the movie 3 Kings with George Clooney and Mark Walberg, He also played Saddam Hussein in a Madonna video. He looks identical to him haha. Anyways when we got to the Barber Shop we taught a lady named Marianna. She is awesome, and we put her on date for September 13. While we were there, there was this lady named Sandy, who is in the Episcopal Church, who was Bible bashing us the whole time. It was one of the worst bible bashings I've been in yet. Well we finally got out of there, and headed to dinner. I have never been so happy to leave some where in a long time. We had dinner at the Seabrings, the husband is from here, and the wife is from Argentina. They are super nice, and really ODD. 

 

Thursday: We went to Arizona City today, and found Alma and her mom Marianne. They are solid investigators, and are super interested in finding the truth. When we got to the end of our lesson we asked them to kneel in prayer with us, Marianne kneeled and then cramped up and was stuck on the floor.. it was super embarrassing.. Later that night we taught our English class again, it wasn't as good of a turn out as the first one.

 

Friday: Today we had weekly planning, and then went to Chick Fil A for lunch, the Elders went to InNOut Burger and snuck it into Chick Fil A.. The cow wasn't very happy, but they wouldn't kick missionaries out haha. There was about 25 missionaries in there! Later that night we had dinner with the Montelongos, and then went to Coldstone with our investigator Antonio.. He hates ice cream... Awkward. We just got it anyways.. He didn't tell me thank you or anything for buying it. Oh well, he later told me my Spanish sucks. 

 

Saturday: Today was Waylin's Baptism. Waylin is a foster kid who lives with the Carr Family (they have 14 kids.). It was a really neat baptism, later we had dinner with the Sanchez Family, She gave us pizza and donuts... UGH So much unhealthy stuff. But it's all good.

 

Sunday: Today was a really bad day, I woke up with a migraine, and had it all day. I also made Antonio cry because we showed him a video and it reminded him of his home back in Honduras, and he got mad and stormed off. He came back later and wouldn't talk to me.  Later that night we watched scorpions fight with black widows. Don't ask me why we do weird stuff. When you're a missionary you have to find ways to entertain yourself.

 

Today: We went golfing at this members golf course. We got to drive the golf carts, and I'm really bad at golf!! But it was still super fun, after we went to Coldstone!

 

Well that about sums up my week.

Have a good week everyone! 

 

Love you all,

Hermana Greenhalgh

Playing golf with the District

My district. Elder Bronson the one with the glasses on went to Hillcrest. I've known him since 7th grade.

Little girl painting my fingernails

Letter - 07/21/14

Hola Familia,

Como Estas? Hopefully everyone had a good week. Thank you all for emailing me. I hardly get letters to it's good to get emails. So just a recap of the last week:

 

Monday: Today we played Zone sports, and did our usual preparation day things. Later that night we found a guy named Antonio, he is from Honduras, and doesn't speak a word of English. but we have been teaching him. He knows a lot of stuff on the Bible, but doesn't believe that there is only one true church. 

 

Tuesday: We had interviews with President Toone, and had a training on how to be more Christ-like disciples. My interview went really good, and I also had one with Sister Toone. She is awesome, she reminds me a lot of Mom.

 

Wednesday: We had District Meeting and talked about the Christ-like attribute of Charity. This week we are focusing on Hope. Each week we try to implement a Christ-like attribute. 

 

Thursday: We drove out to Arizona City for the first time, as we were looking for one of our investigators who recently moved.  We found her mom. Her name is Deanna. We began teaching her and it went awesome. She is legit, and we are super excited to be able to teach her. Later we went to Eloy, and had dinner with Hermana Bautista! We love her she reminds me of Grandma Pat because she will feed you and feed you and feed you even when you don't want anymore! After dinner we went to the Church. My companion, me, and the trio of elders are teaching an English class. We had about 8 students show up, so we are teaching them all how to speak English. It's super funny to hear how they pronounce words. I'm sure people feel that way about me when I try to speak Spanish. The class was a success, and we will continue every Thursday to teach.

 

Friday: Today we had Weekly Planning, and got to go to INandOUT Burger! It was super good, I love it! They have scriptures on the bottom of all the cups and trays! We also got new updates on our Ipads, that now show us when we get emails. It's super distracting because I get everyone's emails! As if Facebook isn't a big enough distraction. Anyways later that night we ate the Montelongos and they know Marde Rutt, one of the nurses that works at Onesource! They wanted me to tell her Hi! 

 

After we got this weird phone call from Hermana Habana to come over to her house. We have been working with her daughter Kelcey since I got to Casa Grande. Missionaries have been working with her for over 3 years. She has a strong desire to be baptized, but her dad won't let her. Anyways we went over to their house and she made us dinner.. again! YAY.. Anyways she goes "do you want the bad news or the good news first?" I said "hit me with the bad" she then preceded to tell us that Kelcey couldn't get baptized... the goes JUST KIDDING KELCEY's getting baptized! She is on date for the 9 of Agosto! We are so stoked, and humbled to finally have this miracle brought to pass. Kelcey has been waiting for a really long time. Many prayers have been in her behalf.

 

Saturday: We had an awesome lesson with Deanna, and she is super excited to continue learning more about the Gospel. Oh... so I ate cow stomach... that was the nastiest thing ever. Don't ask me why I eat the weird stuff I just kinda have to. The goat wasn't that bad, but still after watching die.. yeah no fun.

 

Sunday: Today we had the Mission President's Fireside. It was really good, and super spiritual!

  

Today: We hiked CG Mountain and 5 this morning! It was so much fun, I got jumping cactus caught in my foot! Woohoo. Next P-day we are going golfing, and the next one after we are going to the TEMPLE! I'm so excited. It's been forever seems like.

 

Well that's about all I got right now! PLEASE send me letters, everyone in my house gets letters everyday except me.. And I never got Melissa's letter that she sent a week ago.

 

Have a good week! Love you all

 

Hermana Greenhalgh

Letter - 07/14/14

Hola Familia,

Thank you for all the emails. I love hearing from all of you each week. This week has been pretty good. There have been some rather interesting things happen, but I will get there haha!... How is everyone doing. Sounds like everyone had a pretty busy week. Glad to hear Mandie and Kip are moved in to their house. Also sad to hear Zach, and Joe are home. But they will be back out soon enough! 

So some things that have happened this week is we had a horrible Monsoon. My companion and I were in a middle of a lesson and the dust came out of NO WHERE. We had to run to our car and were stuck there for an hour. When I send my memory card home, you will be able to see the lightning and dust. The lightning was every second...literally pretty much the coolest thing I've ever seen. 

Next we found several more people to teach this week, they are also interested in what our message is. I asked a lady to be baptized and she accepted. She is on date for August 2. Francisco still won't commit to a date but we continue to teach him. Raul is on date for July 26, and then Kelcey is on date hopefully for August 12. We also found our former investigator Anel! YAY! We have been trying to locate her for the last 2 weeks. She finally accepted us in, and we plan to teach her the Plan of Salvation tomorrow. That's about it for investigators right now.

Next we had a surprise baby shower for a lady in our branch. It was so fun! We took lots of pictures. Our branch is really growing. Yesterday was a day to remember we got to use the Chapel for the first time! It was super spiritual, and I'm glad to not be cramped in a small room with 80 people anymore. I had to lead the music during sacrament. I don't know why, but every where I go they ask me to lead the music. I'm either singing at baptisms, or leading the music never fail. But it's okay I didn't take 5 years of voice lessons for nothing, right!?

Now to the gross part... So we were in Eloy #tootoughtodie City, and we found this cockroach that was the size of a mouse. You bet your socks I screamed. It was so sick! Next on Saturday we went to a investigators house and watched him kill a goat... then we ate it. Don't ask me how I did it.. I just did. I deleted the nasty picture of the bloody head for everyone's well-being not a sight anyone would want to see. But me and my companions faces are pretty priceless in some of the photos.

Well that's about all I got for this week. I hope everyone has a good week! Stay safe! 

Love,

Hermana Greenhalgh

Baby shower for Hermana Carr

 Goat killing at the Habanas