Home Made Cheez Its, Ice Cream, and Amish Doughnuts- May 15, 2017

Hello every one! Wow this has been such a fast and busy week. But first and foremost, happy mothers day to my awesome mamma! I don't know who I would be without you and your influence, definitely not on a mission though! I love you and miss you tons and seriously enjoyed talking to you! 💜 Also happy mothers day to my mission mamma, Rope Daddy! You da best! 😂 🍦HIGHLIGHTS🍦 1. WE ACTUALLY GOT IN TO TEACH DEE. Dee is an eternitgator who just about never lets us in and we have been bouncing back between dropping her or not since I was a baby missionary. We went in with full intentions to give her what I call the smack down talk (just telling them that if they will not do the things we ask them to do we have to move on and teach other people). So we taught the restoration a little bit and I was just about to get into the smack down and she expresses all these concerns pertaining to the Book of Mormon and baptism that we didn't know she had. By the end she testified to herself that she knew she wasn't making the steps she needed to to know if what we teach is true and had a great desire to change! Let the spirit guide people! 2. We went to the Ellis home on Tuesday! Billy knows that I love hot food, and especially for me he had a habenero waiting for me to eat. I ate the whole thing and didn't even flinch... Until I rubber my eye with my unwashed hand. Long story short, Billy said I am his hero cause I can eat a habenero and not cry😂🌶️ 3. We had a fabulous lesson with our new investigator, chassity! She payed attention so well for her age and had a lot of good things and question during the lesson. She's doing great and it was good for us to remember to teach lessons simply 😄 4. Per usual we went to the Booths and helped garden. Well, I had my first allergic reaction! It must have been some plant, but I broke out in a rash all over my arms and legs, and on top of that, I had got bitten by a spider during the night and my eye was swollen. This Sister was looking rough! The Booths were convinced I needed to go to the ER but I bargained them down to just a benadryl and a nap and I was fine to finish working! 😁 5. We had our final interview with President Johnson before the new President T comes in in June. He had us bear our testimonies to him and share how our mission has changed us and it was so powerful. I will miss the Johnsons! 6.Ummmm....MY UNBIRTHDAY PARTY?! That sneaky Sister Clouse decided she was going to surprise me with an UNBIRTHDAY party! It was so sweet and I was so surprised. She made all my favorite food and gave me some things. I love new bloomfield and it's people so much! 🎂🎉 7. Talking to my family on Saturday! It was so good to see everyone and talk to them and really confirmed to me how important families are and how important it is that I am here on a mission. I also got confirmation that I will be that awkward Return Missionary when I go home 😂😂 8. My final Highlight is just a funny story of my disobedience. Once upon a time Sister Parry noticed they needed to get gas soon, but didn't think anything of it again and they drove a lot that day. Well, as Sister Parry was tossing and turning trying to go to sleep she had a thought, she had forgotten to get gas and there was no way they'd have enough for Sunday and where they would be going. So, at 11:30 at night, far past curfew, Sister Parry wakes Sister Dean from her sleep and makes her go and get gas with her. In the rush to get gas, Sister Parry forgot to put on her seat belt and Tiwi (an electronic system that monitors or driving) harshly chastised me for not having it on. Needless to say, it was an interesting night and the only reason I tell you is because President Johnson already knows! 😂 LOWLIGHT 1.Sister Ellis's 19 year old cat, Fred, past peaceably away this week on Tuesday. He was a good old cat and lived a long life and I'm grateful we got to go and comfort our animal lover, Sister ellis. 🐈 Sorry this is so long, I had a lot to say. I hope you all are doing well and I love you so much! 1-3. For Lunch we went to this cute little park and got to be kids again for a bit! 4. Sister Dean is just cooler than me. 5. This one's for you mom! 6-8. A gorgeous sunset!

1-3. My Unbirthday Party! 4. District meeting (notice how dark I am compared to everyone else lol) 5. Skyping the family!

The Longest Yard- May 8,2017

Hello everyone! I think it's safe to say that this has been the longest week of my mission, and I am so so glad P-Day is finally here. Got to rest up for another crazy week ahead of us! 🦋HIGHLIGHTS🦋 1. Zone Conference! It was probably the best zone conference yet! I am so grateful for the insight and inspiration Sister and President Johnson bring every zone conference, but this one really spoke to me! Also, they showed us a movie, Chariots of Fire, so that's pretty cool. And our zone was privileged enough to be the first zone to watch it 😛 2. We had a really awesome mini lesson with a less active named April and she really wants us to teach her two daughters the lessons and get them towards baptism! Yay! 3. We got to go and visit with Sister Noss, who is doing very well since her surgery. One thing we have been asking people is how the first vision strengthens their testimony and she gave a powerful testimony and then told us after her husband retires they will be going back to church! Blessings! 👍 4. On Saturday we helped at the wards "Mulch and Munch", well only about 6 or 7 people were there and there wasn't any food to Munch on, but it was fun and a lot of hard work! It started POURING half way through and we just kept on working and got it done! Needless to say, many of us have colds now haha😂 5. This Sunday the North America North East region and a conference and we were able to listen to many inspired talks. Elder Oaks gave a powerful talk about the importance of member missionary work that was very inspiring. I'd like to challenge you all to be more involved in the work of the Lord. We all could do better. 6. We got a New Car! Definitely the real highlight 😁 Well I love you all, thank you for all you do for me! Talk to you next week! 1. Waiting for a table for dinner! Describes our companionship perfect😄 2. This week Sister Dean and I listened to nothing but hymns so we rewarded ourselves with some Susquehanna Soft Serve! 🍦 3. Once again, we can't take a jumping picture to save our lives! But we were soaking and nasty and wanted documentation haha 4. The new car! For all y'inz wondering it's a 2017 Toyota Rav4 and its a beaut! Better soak it in before I get transferred (fingers crossed)

Singing In The Rain!! April 24,2017

Hello family and friends! This has been one BUSY week in the New Bloomfield area! I can't even begin to explain the craziness that was this week, with all its ups and downs. We definitely had a lot of really great moments and some really low moments. But, it's all part of God's plan! We just have to trust him and let him know he's in charge and we are willing to submit. On a side note, happy birthday to my awesome dad! I'm so lucky to be your daughter and to have grown up around you. I will forever be grateful for your example as a worthy priesthood holder, a great father, and even a friend at times 😛. I'm grateful for you always pushing me to try and to be my best, no matter what. Your example has truly led me to serve a mission and to submit all my time to the Lord. Love you! 🌲HIGHLIGHTS🌲 1. I just have to write a highlight for my awesome companion, Sister Dean. She is just so great and I love being around her! She makes me laugh like crazy and we just have such a good time. We work hard, of course, but it's great to have a companion who really listens to you and doesn't let you sweat the small stuff. She's the best! 👭 2. Trudy took us to her sister's house for dinner and it was so fun! Her sister still had a big nativity up in her living room and I commented about it, and her husband said, "We keep this up all year round. We celebrate Jesus 24/7, 365!" we then got to talk about why Jesus is important to him and it was really awesome. 😊 3. We had a really great lesson with Dylan!! Unfortunately, Dylan is no longer on date for baptism, and doesn't feel any rush to get ready for it, but we continue to work with him and have plans to ask him again this week! 4. SERVICE. We did soooo much service. Literally we didn't even dress up 4 days out of this week. But service softens hearts, I know this to be true! 💚 5. We received a house blessing. The reason why is definitely not the highlight, but I'm grateful that the Thompsons were so willing to come over and do that for us, I love them! We are now I'm the process of making or house a home 💓 6. Josh Rudy gave a talk about King Noah and said, as if her were Abinadi, "yo, check your self, King Noah, or your about to catch these hands!" His Dad proceeded him and said, "alright guys, I'm about to spit fire." 😂😂 7. We got a lot of rain this week, and got very wet. It was awesome! Everything is getting soooo green! 🌧️ 8. Because it rained while we were helping the Booths, Joan took us in and taught us how to paint, so she knew what to teach the class she is teaching soon. I actually surprised myself on how well I did! This week I was really concerned about what I could do to be a better missionary and I read a conference talk called, "What lack I yet?" by Elder Larry R. Lawrence. In the talk he challenges us all to kneel down and ask Heavenly Father what we need to do to be better followers of Christ, and he promised we would receive and immediate answer. I want you to know that I did recieve that answer very clearly. I know that God answers the prayers of the faithful and I am so grateful I can rely on God to help me with whatever I stand in need of! I love you guys! Thanks for the love and support, it means everything! 💛 1-2. Our first attempt at a jumping photo 😂 3-4. Finally got it! 5. Our investigators daughter gave me some flowers. What a cutie! 😊 6. I told Joan I had just a granola bar for breakfast..... She sent us home with giant bags of food😂😛 7-8. Green New Bloomfield! 9-10. I convinced Sister Dean to make chin people with me, and we laughed soooo hard

Gardening and Butchering- April 17,2017

Hello friends and family! It's been a good week in New Bloomfield, filled with a ton of service again! I think it's safe to say Sister Dean and I are very sore and very ready for a P-Day haha. 🐰HIGHLIGHTS🐰 1. Sister Dean! My new companion came into the area on Tuesday. She's a real sweetheart and just loves everyone so that's awesome ☺️. 2. We had a lesson with Sister Stoke and I asked her if I could use the restroom. She said yes and told me to watch out for the cat. I walk in and there is this HUGE 40 pound cat. I was shocked haha. 3. We went to the Booths to help garden for a while. At first we were going to be planting vegetables in the back, but first we were going to plant some flowers in the front, "should only take 30 minutes", as Joan said. Well, we completely relandscaped the whole front of the house and it took 6 hours. But it was awesome and sister Dean and I left pretty sore and sunburnt haha😂 4. We went to the Gallucci's for dinner and afterwards she told us all about this haunted house she used to live in.... Well that wasn't a good idea and sister Dean and I left terrified haha. 5. Trudy! We went to her home for dinner and she told us next week she's going to help us make our own quilts for P-Day! I'm pretty excited about that 😁 6. We spent Easter with the Nultons and it was awesome! There was a ton of food and she made us Easter baskets! We shared the Prince of Peace initiative with them and invited them to share it on social media and everyone there did! 7. Last but not least........... WE HELPED BUTCHER A PIG. You read that right. And it was AWESOME. Pictures to follow, but don't look if you have a weak stomach. Thank you all for your prayers and kindness! I'm especially grateful for all the cards I have been getting! You guys are the best! I love you all and will see ya next week! 1. Behold, the 40 pound cat. 2. My favorite twins ever dropped of little punny boxes of candy for Sister Dean and I.💓 3-5. Gardening for days! 6. Easter Goodies from the Nulton's and Jenny!

Butchering!! 1 and 2. Selfies with the pig! 3-5. Packaging and cutting. RIP Winston

This Mortal Stuff Sucks!!! April 10, 2017

Another week has come and past. Transfer boards came this Saturday and I will be staying in New Bloomfield for at least another 6 weeks. Sister Roper will be leaving and I will be getting a new companion, Sister Dean, tomorrow. God still has work for me to do here in New Bloomfield I guess, so I'm excited to find out what that is! This was a pretty slow week, filled with a lot of people saying goodbye to Sister Roper and showing the Easter initiative, Prince of Peace with EVERYONE. It was also very rainy haha. But we got a good bit of work done. It's getting really green now so that's awesome! 🌿 HIGHLIGHTS 🌿 1. Exchanges! I lead out the area with my STL named Sister Pena and we had so much fun! We went and had dinner with Ginny and she and her husband made us Amish doughnuts and home made ice cream. AWESOME. She also introduced us to some of her Amish friends 2. We went and visited Sister Noss, who just had a knee replacement. She was in terrible pain and exclaimed, "I wish I was half immortal like Jesus, because this mortal stuff Sucks!" 😂 3. We went to the Galluccis and she did Reiki on us. If you don't know what that is, look it up. I think it changed my life. 😅 4. Sister Roper and I had a goal to hand out 3 Book of Mormons and hadn't handed any out by Saturday. So, we decided to go to Loysville and knock a few doors. Long story short, we handed out all 3 copies right in a row, which NEVER happens. We may even have a very promising new investigator. 5. We had a lesson with Dylan. Need I say more? Haha Dylan brought up a lot of concerns we didn't know he was having and didn't realize there was some things he didn't quite believe that we had taught him. The spirit was just so strong there as we both testified of what we know and he committed to putting in a lot more effort to know for himself if what we taught was true. I was a little discouraged to be staying in the same area for another month and a half and even more worried about having to be the Senior Companion, but I know that God has a plan for me here in New Bloomfield and I just have to work hard and keep a positive attitude! I do love the people and this area, despite how hard it can be at times. I hope my new companion is ready to hid the ground running because I sure am! I love you all, I hope you have a great Easter season! 🐣 "Hope and Healing and not found in the dark abyss of secrecy, but in the light and love of our savior, Jesus Christ"-Carole M. Stephens 1-2. Green fields and Amish schoolhouses! That one's for you mom! Haha 3. Ginnys new cows! 4. Sister Pena, Kayla and I. Also excuse my gang signs. Leave it to me to ruin a good picture. 5-6. Rainy day tracting! We were soaked! 7. Life is good in PA 8-9. My favorites, Axton and Azlyn Clouse!

Can It Be Just Be Spring Already!!! April 3, 2017

Hello everyone! I can't believe it is P Day AGAIN. You'll be happy to know I survived week 11! It was a close one, but I survived haha. Not a whole lot happened this week that I feel the need to report on, so instead of giving a weekly run-down I am going to just do Highlights! 🌻HIGHLIGHTS🌻 1. Last Sunday Billy Ellis gave the closing prayer for Ward Conference. Instead of saying "please bless we will be valiant in keeping the commandments" he said violent. It was hilarious and we have been giving him heck haha 2. Tuesday I hit 3 months! This is my last week as a greenie! 3. We did Family History and in one hour I found 17 names who needed temple baptisms, and indexed 50 names! I love Family History! 4. We had a game night with the Gallucci's and played settlers of Cataan and I was epically bad haha 5. The #PrinceofPeace easter initiative came out! It is INCREDIBLE. I would like to invite you all to watch the video and find ways to learn principles of peace, from the Prince of Peace at mormon.org!🌞 6. Interviews with President Johnson! He's the best and always enlightens me on how I can be a better misisonary 7. Dylan came to General Conference all of Sunday and watched it on his phone at home on Saturday. It was so awesome to watch him listen to Elder Coasta speaking specifically to non members! 8. President Gessell, who was the stake president who helped me with my missionary application, got called as an area seventy! How cool is that?! As always, Elder Holland gave my favorite talk. One of my favorite things that he said is, "Brothers and sisters, we live in a mortal world with many songs we cannot or do not yet sing. But I plead with each one of us to stay permanently and faithfully in the choir, where we will be able to savor forever that most precious anthem of all—“the song of redeeming love”. Fortunately, the seats for this particular number are limitless. … “Come as you are,” a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, “Don’t plan to stay as you are.” We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be." I hope and pray we all continually try to change and let God mold us into the person we are to become. I love you all and am excited to hear from you! Have a great week!