Monday, January 28

"Last Monday morning" - before the fall!

"pose for a dramatic photo"  - which, of course I can't post straight!

 

Good morning! This letter will probably be relatively short because not a lot has happened this week!

We've been taking it a bit easy this week to allow my back adequate time and energy to heal proper.

We've gone out teaching a bit, but not a whole lot. We tried to avoid walking on ice as much as we could, because slipping on ice wouldn't help.

We've spent a lot of time studying in the flat. I've come to realize just how much I love the story of Joseph Smith. We already knew I liked it because I had that documentary of sorts at home that I would watch, but I just really love Joseph Smith and all that he did. I look forward to the day that I get to meet him in heaven. I think that would be one of the best things ever. Just an absolutely extraordinary man. I really enjoy learning more about everything. I don't know if I've told you already yet, but I've read Jesus the Christ, The Book of Mormon, Our Search for Happiness, Our Heritage, and The Miracle of Forgiveness within the last like 6 months. I just learn so much through study! So although we may have had to spend some time in the flat this week, we were able to have a bit more study time.

Mom, as for the schooling prospects in regard to me extending my mission... the fall semester for each school shouldn't start until beginning or mid September and I would only be able to extend my mission until mid to late August. So I've thought about it. We'll see. I don't know if President will want to keep me around after yet another injury. I'm probably a bit of a handful.

Love you all very much!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

So you were probably wondering why I didn't write yesterday... no it wasn't a holiday and yes it was still our P-day. Sister Fortuna and I had a bit of an adventure...

So we woke up yesterday morning to lots of snow. (well, by our standards it was nothing really.) It was about 6-7 inches of snow. maybe less. Then we found out they had closed all of the schools for the day. We got a call from the young women's president and a few of the young women to see if we wanted to go play in the snow with them. So we finished our flat cleaning and went out with them (intending only to be out 1/2 an hour) before heading to email. Well the girls wanted to go "sledging" (sledding for us). We went to the field not too far from our flat. Well they went out and offered us a turn. We went down and it was well fun. Then I went to go down a second time. I ended up going off a part that was a 5 foot straight drop to the ground. So I flew off that and dropped and landed straight on my rear, sending all the pressure through my spine. I just collapsed. I thought I was paralyzed the pain was so bad. Couldn't breathe, couldn't move. Just rolled over on my side. Sister Fortuna was there in an instant and she is trained as a masseuse. So she was asking me what was wrong and I was able to push out through my pained gasps, "If I roll onto my stomach, can you put pressure on my back?" I rolled over and she started putting pressure on my back, relieving some of the pain. I couldn't move still, I couldn't lift myself up, I could feel my legs which was a comfort to me. I told the young women I'd be fine and that they should keep playing. I laid there in the snow probably for a good 1/2 hour just unable to move without causing even more excruciating pain. I finally tried to stand up and I was shaking, my legs weren't wanting to hold my weight and whenever I put weight on my lower back at all, the pain was unbearable. The young women ended up pulling me up to the YW president's home via foam sled, where they helped me into the house and laid me on the floor. Laid there for a while, trying to get the pain to go away (Sister Fortuna did an assessment of my back and said nothing was out of place). After a few hours I gained the strength enough to be able to walk home with the support of my companion, and the YW president's mom got in touch with another member who is a physiotherapist to come by and see me after she was off work. I laid on our flat floor for a while and then Sister Teal (the physiotherapist) came by around 8. She felt up my spine, found two spots of interest and worked with them a bit. She gave me some exercises to do to help relieve the pain. Told me what meds to take. But she said I needed a blessing. So she called her husband and her brother-in-law and they came by to give me a blessing. It was a lovely blessing. I woke up this morning very sore and achy, but able to move much better than I could yesterday. So I'm taking it a bit easy and trying not to over exert myself and let the muscles and joints and all that feel better. Don't worry, I'm not dying and I will make a full recovery. We did discover last night however that sledging is against mission rules. They probably should have made that a bit more well-known. Oh well.

Other than that... We had a good week. All of our investigator lessons fell through (not good), but we were able to see a lot of members and I think we are learning to get along well with them.

We had interviews with President on Tuesday, and that's where we got the ecclesiastical endorsement sorted. It was really funny, I called Sister Preston the other night about something and she asked about our day... I said, "We had a LOVELY day of finding." Rather sarcastically. She asked if that was sarcasm and I said never. She then said, "I just finished submitting your ecclesiastical endorsement and I was sure to include in the comments that you are very sarcastic... No I'm only joking, I said some really wonderful things about you... I had to lie a bit here and there, you know, had to make you sound reasonably good.... no I'm only joking..." She's funny. We get along well.

At interviews on Tuesday, I talked to President about maybe extending my mission. It's always been on my mind since day one and I figure it must be there for some reason. He said they would love me to extend, but it's not something that necessarily needs to be determined at this point. (extending for a sister is only 30 extra days after the 18 month mark). So I'm thinking about it and praying about it, but I thought I'd let you know.

I couldn't find my camera cord this evening so I will have to email you pictures of the snow and all next week.

Well, I hope your kitchen is looking a bit better, mom and dad. I hope Hailey was able to make it back up home safely. Mom, I can't open the videos you send because they come through as quicktime files and these computers at the library aren't compatible with that, but thank you for trying.

I love you lots, and hope all is well, hope the weather is improving over by you!

Monday, January 14, 2013

So it snowed. We looked out the window to see a light dusting this morning when we woke up, but now there's quite a bit more. I was just thinking to myself last night that I've made it through a large part of the winter and have not frozen completely yet, but then look what turns up!

It's been a good week. We've been fairly busy with seeing members, less-actives, and a few investigators. We had a really good experience with a less-active the other day. Last Sunday we had asked the relief society president if she knew any less active sisters we could go visit. She suggested Jean. We called by her house the other say and were let in. We started with basic questions about her day and she gave us one word answers and wouldn't seem to look at us. The feeling was a bit hostile and we were wondering if she was going to kick us out. She then started telling us how she doesn't believe in the plan of salvation and how she doesn't believe in the Book of Mormon. She argued many points and we just let her ramble for a bit. (she's a bit elderly). Finally I just asked, "Why did you even get baptised?" (Sometimes I ask very blunt questions). She looked a bit taken aback. She sat there for a minute and then said, "Because I knew it was the right thing to do." She then proceeded to tell us how she wanted to be baptised, but then as she got older she experienced more things, and grew in intelligence, but she knows she did the right thing in being baptised, but because she's become more intellectual and doesn't know what to think. I just said, "Intelligence is an an amazing thing. The knowledge we gain in life is included in the few things we can take with us when we leave this earth. But, it's also a delicate thing. We can either choose to let us draw us away from our Heavenly Father or we can let it lead us closer to Him. Which way do you feel you've gone?" She paused. Thought. Then quietly said, "I haven't thought of Heavenly Father in a long time. I don't think I thought of Him once when I was in the darkest part of my life." I then said, "Jean, our Heavenly Father loves us so much. In our darkest times, Satan doesn't want us to find comfort through our Heavenly Father. He will try everything he can to keep our thoughts from God. I know that in dark times, you can feel so very alone, but I also know that as we look to our Father in heaven, He can help lighten the darkness and help us with the burdens we carry." As I spoke she turned down the television. She looked at me and said, "It's often said, the loudest voice will be heard"... I thought she was going to tell me off for speaking too quietly.... "You don't have to speak loud, you speak powerfully. You're right. I know you're right. Thank you for saying that. You speak with such power. You're not the loudest, but I definitely heard you and I know what you just said is true. I do need to think of Heavenly Father more." We left a house where the Spirit was very strong. We entered to hostility and left completely awed at what happened. Sister Fortuna looked at me and said, "I'm glad you knew what to say, because I had no idea." To be honest, at the time, I couldn't really remember what I said. I know the Spirit does work through us to touch others.

I'm glad that I am making some difference here. It really brightens my day when people tell me I'm different from other missionaries. we had a lovely talk with a sister in the ward the other day. We chatted for quite a while and she said that she's glad that I've come and brought a balance into this companionship. She said she was worried about Sister Fortuna for a while because she kept being with companions that seemed to have such strong personalities that Sister Fortuna was kind of getting shoved to the back. This Sister said that we seem to have found a good balance and get along. She said she likes me, which apparently can sometimes be an uncommon thing from some of the things she said. We were getting dropped off and Sister Fortuna got out of the car and the sister turned to me and said, "Thank you for bringing normalcy back into the Oldham ward." I don't know, it made me feel good that she feels like I'll get along with the members.

We have interviews with President tomorrow. I'll try to get the ecclesiastical endorsement printed off and bring it to that. I'll get started on the other things that need to be done. I'm still trying to make sense of the emails.

I hope things are going well, and, mom, your kitchen turns out to be everything you want it to be.

Hailey, I got the pictures you sent. Thank you! Oh, and Happy late Anniversary!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Well, it was a good weekend. Nothing too terribly exciting. Went to church yesterday and met a lot more of the members which was really good. We don't have many people to teach. The last sister who was here had some health problems and so they didn't go out like at all last transfer and that sister actually just went home because of her health issues, which will be for the best for her, but at the same time it puts me in an area with maybe 1 investigator who could be promising. So I wish we were teaching more, but it will come in time.

The flat here is much warmer. nice and comfortable. doesn't change how freezing cold it is outside though. Oddly enough though, it is warmer here than it was in Wales. Away from the sea and away from the nice fresh country air... makes it warmer. This is the first time on my mission I have served away from the ocean. I've always been in cities right on the ocean. That was weird to think about.

Also, before I forget, the address for the mission office has changed a little bit, nothing major, but apparently they've added a new road in that area and it's thrown off the postcode and street or something. So the address now is written:

Springwood Suite G5

Chelford Road
Knutsford, Cheshire
WA16 8GS
United Kingdom

So there's that. It's kind of annoying isn't it?

I don't honestly know much else to say. It's only been 3 or 4 days since I last emailed. The members feed us really well here. It is the area that is notorious for sisters putting on the most weight. I'm not very happy about that. Honestly, some sisters leave this area 40 pounds heavier. Meh. I will beat that stereotype. I'm going to carefully watch my weight.

Well, I'm glad Kade's baby blessing went well.

Glad the kids are active and busy.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

"Auntie Orr" with Kai Ling and her mother.

                                                                   Worn Out Boots!

Welcome to the New Year! The Mayan calendar has been proven not to have predicted the end of the world and now we have a ton of disaster movies from the last year that 20 years down the road the kids will all wonder why we seemed to be so obsessed. It's wonderful! :)

Well, first email of the new year.

And it's Thursday which means I've been moved. I'm now in Oldham, near Manchester. Sister Smith stayed in Gaerwen and another Chinese speaking missionary was moved down there to be with her. Sister Smith is senior companion now in the area. We found out Saturday what was happening and Sister Smith went a bit into panic mode. She said she wasn't ready to be senior companion and that she wasn't ready to be separated from me. Bless her heart. She told me once she never cries. She cried all of Sunday and Monday. I tried everything I could to make her feel better, but nothing seemed to help. I called President for advice and he asked to talk to her. She now has permission to call me if she needs to and he might put us back together before the end of my mission. I'm glad we became such good friends.

My new companion's name is Sister Fortuna. She's from California and has been out since June. She's really sweet and also has described herself as a bit shy. I don't know a whole lot about her yet, I have only met her once before and now we've only been together for less than 24 hours. But I am sure we'll get to know each other very well.

So, back track a bit to last week.

Christmas was really good. We got lots of sweets for Christmas as well as tights and hand warmers. I got the boots from Amazon which are Italian (OoOo fancy!) and the nativity. We spent the day at the Quilters home and had lots of fun playing games, helping make Christmas Dinner, and watching the Grinch. Also, it was very nice of them to allow us to use their computers to skype home. I was so happy to see you! It was nice to see Hailey and the kids via the ipad as well (and I think I saw Dusty for a second)!  (Note from mom:  We held the iPad-Facetime up to the computer for Kara to see, since Hailey's family wasn't with us.)

New Year's Eve (since the ward found out I was leaving), the Quilters had us over again since no one was on our schedule. So we headed over there for the evening and had an enjoyable time. Gabrielle (who is 6) sat next to me the whole night and was talking and talking and talking. I loved it. She even fell asleep on my shoulder. Oh little kids! I really love their family. Brother and Sister Quilter have 5 kids. Tristan (21), Connor (17), Ethan (14?), Aiden (12), and Gabrielle (6). Brother Quilter's from America.

So we had good holidays.

It was very hard to say good-bye to the ward. The love in that ward was incredible. They were honestly just like family. Some people cried when I said good-bye. I tried to make a note of personally thanking everyone who really made a difference during my time there. I got teary eyed quite a bit. I've got their addresses written down and plan to keep in touch. Bishop and his wife Jana (also from Idaho), the Quilters, the Gills, the Sansomes, oh so many wonderful people.

It'll be interesting to be in this new ward. I hear they take care of the missionaries properly. There's 2 sets of missionaries in this ward... us and the zone leaders. And President is like personally friends with everyone. I called President the other day and asked if I was in trouble. I feel a bit like I'm under a microscope. Not to mention I'm a short drive away from the mission home.... oh that reminds me... I no longer am in a car area. Back to buses. Yup. It'll be a good adventure still!

I love you all very much! Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve/Day.

Take care of yourselves. I'll start writing again on Mondays starting this coming Monday.

Monday, December 24, 2012

 

I'm not going to write much today since I will be skyping tomorrow! We are still planning on skyping at 4 PM our time (9 AM your time). I'm very happy and excited to talk to my family! I took pictures of our Christmas tree this morning to show all the presents we have received from people. We will have a good Christmas morning. We plan to build a fort to sleep in tonight and we will be spending this evening at the Bishop's house with his family. We get 3 days off this week! Boxing Day and all! It's going to be a really fun week! I hope everyone has a good Christmas morning!

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!