Monday, December 17 !

Another week come and gone. Christmas is next week! We've had our Christmas tree up for quite some time. We've been putting things away for stockings... (which are actually plastic grocery bags)...we've started receiving small gifts from members so they are "under" our Christmas tree. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

We had Christmas in the mission home this last week as the Chester zone. We played games, watched Emma Smith, ate a big Christmas dinner, received our Christmas packages from home... mine are still en route... But I did get the birthday present from Aunt Diane and Hailey's birthday card with pictures of the munchkins (Thank You!)... Sister Smith commented that there still were no pictures of my sister... I was happy to get pictures though. they are now in my little picture book that Hailey gave me before I left. We did a gift exchange at the mission home so we were all asked to bring a gift less than 3 pounds (money, not weight). since we would be the only sisters there we figured food would be a good bet. We bought some plastic kids bowls for about a pound and then made a red velvet cake to give some slices of cake away in the bowls. Some Elders thought it was brilliant. Elders just don't appreciate food as much as they used to... :)

We had the ward Christmas party on Friday and I was asked to bring a cake. So I made a mint cake. It was really good. We had a few investigators attend and it was a really fun night that everyone got involved in. We left at 8:45 and people were still around playing games. It was really wonderful to see the ward interact with the people we have been working with.

It's getting colder and colder here. I had to call Sister Preston the other night to ask for suggestions on how to be warm because I wear like 5 layers of clothes and I'm still freezing. We've had to spend some nights with feet in hot water and Sister Smith has been kind enough to give me foot massages to help get circulation into my feet at the end of the day. Sister Preston suggested some vitamins and maybe a heated blanket. The blanket really wouldn't help me much when I'm outside, but we may have to look into it.

I haven't gotten my coat yet. I took money out at the ATM and went into the store and they had sold the one that was in my size. They said they would have some more in later in the week and they would call us.... We stopped by this morning and they still haven't gotten any in and they said it might not be until after Christmas. So we'll see about that... I don't know if I should just drop it or go in search of another coat or just live with the ones I've got... meh, I don't know.

Also, in regards to money. We have an activity this weekend for all the Chinese people we are teaching and we are in charge of the "gingerbread" activity, so we have to buy the supplies. We don't know how much it is going to cost and we will try to use our mission funds as much as possible but may need to use personal funds. We did a test run of making "gingerbread" temples. Our model looks so good! I forgot my camera today, so I'll have to send a picture next time!

Dad, I got your email about snow. Sister Smith's parents sent her a picture of their house covered in snow. Also, Aunt Judy sent a picture of their big snow by them. We haven't seen much snow here, thankfully. We've been told that if it snows two inches here everything shuts down. No one can seem to function. It's an ongoing joke for many of the people here. They say it's not a rare occurrence to get snow and yet every time they do everyone freaks out as if it something they have never seen or had to deal with before. I kind of want to see how that goes. The only time snow fell here and stuck was when I was in the MTC and we were sheltered from the outside world...

We are excited to see many of our investigators progressing right now. Ciaran and Gethin helped with the Sacrament yesterday which was very good to see.

I don't have a whole lot else to say, I don't know how emailing is going to work for the next 2 weeks because our P-days fall on holidays (Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve), so no idea what is going to happen. We get basically 5 days off this holiday season... Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day (Dad's Birthday), New Year's Eve, and New Year's. We're excited!

So Mom, let us plan on me calling home around 9 AM your time and if anything changes with that I can let you know later this week, but I will keep in mind if changes need to be made that you are feeding the missionaries probably around 1. Are the missionaries you work with good, friendly missionaries?

I love you lots,

 

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Monday, December 10 !

So we've had a busy week here, don't ask me to recall all the details, because for the life of me I can't... a mission kills your memory.

So Tuesday, we hadn't had many lessons planned and so we were kind of struggling to find things to plan to keep us busy and productive. Well Tuesday morning came and we got a phone call. A member called to let us know that her mom (another member in the ward) had had a bit of a scare in the night. They own a bed and breakfast (quite a large home), they had no guests in for the night, but then someone decided to make themselves a guest, meaning they broke into the home and decided they wanted a bed to sleep in. The member and her husband woke up and went and found him (startled them!) and the young man who broke in started yelling at them to get out of his house. needless to say the cops were involved and this couple in the ward is a bit elderly so shook them up pretty good. So the daughter called to ask us if we could stop by and see if they were okay and try to calm them a bit. So we changed our plans, went by this member and helped her with a bit of housework and played some Christmas music and when we left she said that it had helped a lot. so that was good.

Monday night we were told that our District meeting, usually held on Tuesdays, was being moved to Thursday. Well I said that didn't work for us because I had a dentist appointment at 12. I was told that it all came down to priorities... I said I had to go to the dentist. So then it was determined that Thursday we would go to the district meeting for an hour and then leave to go to the dentist. So that's what we did. I got my tooth fixed. it was a private dentist and the member that set it up and everything wouldn't tell me an estimate on how much it would cost. Came out of the dentist and he had paid for it. He said it was a Christmas Present from their family. They bought Sister Smith a coat. They said that they would have done it anonymously if they could've so that was their only requirement of us, that we keep them anonymous. So that was very nice.

So my birthday. Sister Smith gave me a present of coupons. You know the coupons we would do in Primary with kind favors on them that we would give for like mother's day and whatnot? yup, homemade. That was sweet. Then we got locked out. That was less fun. Our recent convert, Tracey, found out how cold we've been the last few weeks and we had a lesson with her that day. She gave us hot water bottles to help warm our beds at night. That was nice. Then we had tea with members and they made brownies and put a candle in it and sang happy birthday to me. That was sweet.

Yesterday we had 3 investigators come to church. Laura who has been coming for quite a while. Then a young Chinese couple we've been teaching a while (and their daughter). It was really good to see them there! Sister Smith and I also had to do the musical number in sacrament yesterday. We sang "What Child is this?" the Sally Deford duet arrangement. It went well. lots of compliments. We then were able to watch the Christmas devotional last night. I really enjoyed that. I love President Monson so much. how good would it feel just to get a hug from that man?

I think that covers most of the main points.

I hope the whole family is doing well. I got a letter from Paige a week or two ago and she gave me lots of updates which was nice. REALLY happy to hear from her! I miss her lots! She was telling me how she will be graduating soon. That's weird to think about.

I love you lots!

love,

Kara

P.S. Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

Monday, December 3!

It's December!!! We got advent calendars and had been waiting a long time to finally put them up and start working on them!! I can't believe it is December already!

So, Kade is here!! Yay! He looks so cute and tiny!! I wish I could hold him!! Precious!! :) I'm grateful he's here all safe and sound now! I need good pictures from now on how the kids are growing. I want to be a part of their lives!! Hailey, are you and the family going to be down on Christmas when I am able to skype home? I would really like to see you and your family!!

This last week has been good. We had a bit more flooding. It was an interesting Monday though last Monday. We got a phone call around 2:30 that afternoon saying that we had to go pick up the Newtown sisters that night because they weren't sure if they would be able to get anywhere with the floods and we all had to be at the temple by 9:30 AM Tuesday. We were like okay... Well then they called back and said that because of the flooding, President wanted us to make sure we were driving while it was light. Well, it gets dark here now around 4. So I looked at my watch and said, "So we have to leave like now...." We still ended up driving in the dark part of the way since it is a 2 1/2 hour drive. When they called they asked if we had anymore questions. I said, "You're having us drive down because there is a concern that the Newtown sisters might get stranded in the flooding... what happens if we get stranded trying to get down there?" There was a long pause and then, "We'll face that if it happens..." We didn't have any major problems on the way though. The temple was very nice. It was Sister Smith's first time in the Preston temple since she didn't go to the MTC here. She liked it and it was beautiful weather at the temple. We then had lunch in the temple cafeteria! Yum! Then we had trainings at the chapel. It was a really good day! We then had to drive the Newtown sisters back into their area and because it takes 2 1/2 hours to get to Newtown from the temple, we got into Newtown around 8 that night and obviously we didn't have time to drive back into our area, so we stayed another night. And we were supposed to go on exchange with them so we ended up doing a blitz exchange (where all 4 of us worked in the Newtown area) the next day. So we finally got back into our area Thursday! So what a week! It's been good though.

Yesterday at church, Ciaran and Gethin got the priesthood. We had no idea that was happening. All of a sudden Bishop asked if ourselves and Laura would come into Priesthood. I was like Why? Surprise! Well, I mean we have been preparing them for it, but I had no idea it was happening yesterday! It was good though, they were well behaved which was very good. It just shows how good the ward is here that we don't have to be on their case all the time pushing them to get these things done!

We started singing Christmas songs at church! Yay! I've only been singing them since October. I like the Holidays!

Mom, at our meeting the other day, I got the make up package (Thanks A LOT!), but I haven't gotten the boots yet... Did you mark the package "For Christmas"? Because I kind of was confused and someone said that if the package is marked for Christmas then the office holds it until our Christmas conference. So I don't know if you did that or whether I need to be worried about what happened to them... I'm a bit confused because they should've been here by now. I don't know if you want to do anything about that or just wait and see if they come eventually. :)

Anyway, not a whole lot new happening. Sister Smith and I might go on an adventure today. New Mileage month! I'm going to try to put together a Christmas package for Kimber and Tucker (and Kade now too), but I don't know when I'll get it sent, so I don't know if it'll be there before Christmas, but I'll try and make sure it gets there before February... :)

Well, I love you all lots and only a few more weeks until I get to call home! Thanks for the Birthday wishes!! We hope to do something fun!

 

November 26 - PM

I'm sure Aunt Kara would post this picture if she could!  Kade Michael Clark was born in the evening on November 26, 2012.  Seven pounds, one ounce.  He's a cutie!  Papa and Nana Orr had to go spend some time with him!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Tell Kade to hurry up!!! I had a dream last night that he was born and so I was really excited to get on and see pictures of a new little one!! Oh well, in due time. He can be born on my birthday, that's okay with me.

So it's been an adventurous week this week. And I just wrote you on Wednesday! Already new stories to tell.

So I don't know if the American news has been talking about it at all or if you've heard much, but Wales has been badly flooded the last few days. Bridges collapsed. Highways become rivers. And all in our area. :)

Let's start at the beginning. So Thursday we had arranged to go over to the Quilters for Thanksgiving. We had decided to drive out there around 11:30 or 12 ish (it takes about an hour to drive out there) do a few hours of service and then have Thanksgiving dinner at 3 and then leave after dinner. Well, we woke up Thursday morning and it was really eerie. As we were studying we saw the sun rising and there was an eerie purple glow to things and the wind and rain picked up and looking out our window there were leaves and all sorts of things flying through the air. We didn't think much of it since it is Wales and it rains quite a bit here as does it have bad wind since we're on the sea. So we stopped by the petrol station on the way out of town and the wind was blowing so hard we had to hold our skirts down. Then we headed on the long drive out of town to the Quilters (who live out by Mt. Snowdon area- Just beyond Betws-Y-Coed if you look at a map). On the way out there we were driving down the curvy mountain lanes and were just getting pelted by sheet after sheet of rain. We got stopped at a construction traffic signal and we just saw this huge gust of wind coming at us as it knocked down sign after sign as it came towards us and I gripped the steering wheel tight as the wind shook the car heavily. Still thinking just a spot of bad weather, we pushed on driving through puddles on the old highway. We reached the Quilters safely and had a wonderful afternoon cooking, eating, all of that wonderful stuff. Had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing, pies, the whole 9 yards. It was after dinner as we were sitting in the living room that bishop phoned (Bishop being Sister Quilters brother). He was informing their parents (Brother and Sister Gill, who also came for dinner) that the A5 (the old highway) through Bethesda was closed due to flooding. Making the main route home impassible by flooding. Sister Quilter did a bit of research and discovered that not only the A5 was closed, but the A55 (main highway into and around Bangor-where we live-was completely flooded waist high). As well, Llanberis was flooded waist high as well, another route that we could have taken home, but no. So we called Sister Preston and asked her what to do and she just said to stay at the members for a while longer and maybe the flooding would subside, but "don't do anything silly." So we got to stay at the Quilters for a while longer. We couldn't do much tracting their neighborhood or anything because no one lives near them, they're out in the woods. Then President called because he had heard the A55 was flooded and wanted to know what was happening with us. We told him and he said to not risk anything and "don't do anything silly." I was like what is with this don't do anything silly thing? Do I just seem the type that is just going to go do something stupid? So it came to be about 8 PM and we were still seeing image after image of flooding in our area. Cars being swept away on the main highway. Bad stuff. So then it came down to, do we stay the night? Sister Smith and I both thought we could get home as we had been told that there was one route clear to get home, we did have a meeting that we had to be at Friday in Manchester by 10 AM. Then everyone was telling us how dangerous it would be and that it's a really dark road and it's along a cliff and the winds were being reported to be 110 MPH... on and on... So then they all looked to me being senior companion to make the decision. Most stressful situation of my life. In the end I decided we better not risk anything. So we decided to stay. Good thing the Quilters own a hostel and they have lots of extra beds. So that's what the picture is of that is attached. Us, in our borrowed pajamas, in the hostel rooms at the Quilters, staying the night because we got flooded in. In the morning it was clear enough to get us home and then on to Manchester, but we did grab an overnight back just in case we got stranded somewhere else. A fair bit of damage from what I hear though. Now if only we had a bunch of Priesthood around we could have literally baptised everyone in our area! Haha just kidding. That'd be a bit blasphemous. But it's raining again and we're supposed to get another dosage of flooding tonight or tomorrow. Or snow. depending on how cold it gets. Everyone keeps telling us that they've predicted this to be the coldest winter in 100 years or something. I hope they're lying. But definitely an adventure this last Thursday with flooding! I am so grateful for the hospitality and love of the Quilters. I don't think we can ever repay them for what they were willing to do for us on Thanksgiving. We did clean the kitchen for Sister Quilter that night. She told us not to, but we did.

Then Friday and Saturday Sister Smith and I were both ill. Yesterday was church and it rained a lot again, some minor flooding. Now here we are writing as it rains outside again.

Yup, adventures you can only experience in the wilds of Wales.

I haven't gotten my boots yet, tomorrow we have our meeting where we get post. Probably too soon to get make-up though. we'll see.

Did Kimber get my card?

I hope, Hailey, you're doing well. Super pregnant and all. Is Kade still causing some pains with kicking and whatnot? Hope he settles down. You're going to have 3 active kids to keep you fit! Everyone talks about their kids and nieces and nephews loving to just sit and cuddle. I am always like, you should meet my Niece and nephew! They take power naps while running! :) Sure do miss and love your family!

Mom, thanks for the recipe for the apple bars. The Quilters want us over again for Christmas so I'll make apple bars for them then.

Well, I don't know much else to say! I hope you are all enjoying each others' company! Remember me and give cuddles to one another for me!!

I love you all very much and thank you for all that you do and have done for me!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

So it's a Transfer Wednesday and I'm writing this morning ,which means I'm still here in Gaerwen with Sister Smith. We kind of knew it was going to stay this way when we talked to President a while back, but I wasn't going to say anything until it was announced because sometimes President says one thing and does another. Ya know, don't count your chickens before they hatch sort of thing. I wanted to stay in this area for the holidays so I'm happy I get to. Every other companionship in the zone got moved around though, including our District leader, Elder Roberts, who is now a zone leader for a different zone. We were talking last night when we did our call in and we've been in the same district for the last 6 months and we were the 2 that had been in the zone the longest, now it's down to me, so I'm now the person who has been in the zone the longest. President says I can probably count on being moved next transfer though.

Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! We are spending Thanksgiving with the Quilter family. The dad is American and they lived in America for 8 years as a family. We are excited to go. So I think we will have a pretty good Thanksgiving.

I have scheduled a dentist appointment. The 6th of December. So that will be sorted in the not too distant future. A member was able to get me in at their dentist. I don't know if it is private or NHS yet, but I'll talk to the member more about the details.

Sister Smith and I are both ill with cold at present and to be honest I'm having a hard time thinking of things to write about. I discovered here on my mission that when I get ill I get a bit delusional. It can be rather funny at times, but it's rather obnoxious when you're trying to keep thoughts straight...

I was hoping I'd get an email of a new little baby, but still nothing eh? Unless Hailey's in labor as I write this. I keep telling everyone that I'm getting a new nephew soon. I loved the video of Kimber and the puppy. I had to watch it without sound since we write in a library. It was cute though. Did Kimber get my birthday card yet? I never know if my letters make it to the states or not. I never hear back on any of them. I wrote to Paige, McKae, and Emily and haven't heard back so I don't know if my letters even made it.

I really like the ward here. We had tea with Bishop and his family Monday night and we told bishop that we were both staying. He thought it was good. Then his wife came in and he told her that I was leaving. She said, "You can't leave, you're our missionary." That made me feel nice, then I had to tell her that her husband was a liar...

I don't have a lot more to say. We have a meeting up at the mission home Friday for the Chinese missionaries. We are going to the temple next week. So we've got some good things planned.

I can't believe you got a fake tree. Just not the same!

I hope everything is going well! I hope little Kade comes soon! I'm excited! :)

Monday, November 12

Well, the baptism did happen for all 3 boys...as you can probably assume from the picture. It was really good and there were quite a few people there! We were happy so many turned up to support! It was fun last week trying to locate enough baptismal suits in the right sizes though. The young men's president who baptized them had to wear like a triple XL suit and he is such a skinny man that we had to find a white belt to tie around so it would help keep it on. :) So that was fun! The talks were given by (the boys' choice) one of the young men who is 13 and a primary boy who is 7. It was really cute and touching. So we have 3 new members in our ward.

Yes Thanksgiving is next week. We don't necessarily know who may feed us. We have 2 American families in the ward (one parent being American) who said they would like to feed us, but when the list got passed around for the month, a Canadian couple signed up for that night and I don't even think they know that it is Thanksgiving that day for us. So we'll see. In answer to mom's questions, we do get fed quite a bit here. Depends on the week but most weeks we get fed about 4 times. This week we have tea appointments Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. So not fairing too bad this week. Bishop says we should be more persistent in getting members to have us over for tea, but in a small ward like this it's hard because we are only allowed to eat at the same member's home twice in a month and we also have to watch the mileage on the car so we don't go completely over our limit.

 

When I was budgeting our mileage for this month, oh boy are we not going to be under. We are going up to the temple the week after transfers for a session and then a holiday meal together as a mission (well half the mission, the other half will go the next day). It's 115 miles to the temple from our area, but President tells us it is always cheaper for the mission to use the cars than it is to take the train. So if we know we are going to go over our miles we have to call President for an extension (I called Halloween night to get an extension of 350 miles for November). It's a bit crazy with our area. Our limit is 1600 miles a month, it's hard to believe that it's only been under that amount once in the last year (we keep track of the records). Our area is not small.

We taught Sharing time yesterday and they wanted us to talk about missions. We let them have a kind of Q & A session with us. We got questions like, "Do you have to wear certain things as a missionary?" Why yes, we, as sisters, have to wear skirts for instance. "What?! Are you serious?! You HAVE to wear a skirt?" Yes. "How many doors do you have to knock on?" It depends. "On average?" Well, yesterday we knocked on probably about 40. "What?! 40?!" Yes.

It was great. I love little kids. Sister Smith asked the question, "Where do you think I'm from?" "America!" "Yes, which state?" "China?" oh so close.

The other night we got marshmallows and have been roasting over the hob (stove). That's been a nice thing in this bit of cold damp weather we are getting.

We are doing pretty good at staying warm when we are out and about lately, everybody keeps telling us it is going to be a horrible winter though... I'm like, thank you... Some members tell me I won't survive.... Once again, Thank you.

I'll try to get my tooth fixed. It's so hard with their health care over here... All the NHS dentists are full and the private dentists are supposedly really expensive. So we'll see.

I'm assuming Kade is still waiting a little bit. I'm getting excited for him to come. I have it marked on every calendar in our flat when he is supposed to be coming.

Well, I don't have much else to say since I just wrote on Friday, but I hope you are all still doing well and that Baby Kade isn't causing too much grief in his momma's belly.

I love you all very very much!