September 30, 2013 First week in Murphysboro

Familia!
Hola! Como estan? Espero que ustedes estan bien. Me gusta este Ciudad!
Okay, yeah Spanish takes too long.

The St. Louis arch on the way to IL

So i love it here. Murphysboro, IL Population 8000. No joke. It's as big as my college was! But our ward boundaries are humongus. We are the second set of missionaries, which is fantastic because our area goes north 40(ish) minutes and about an hour south. Killer on the miles. however, the ward LOVES us sisters. The elders not so much, but they have not had sisters in about 8 years so they are stoked that we are here. We have seen so much support. It's so great! Especially since we had nothing in our apartment. Except beds, that were still in their boxes, the world sketchiest dinning chairs, and lots of cleaning supplies. Oh and a couch. That was nice. But it is so cute, and huge. I think it has 4 rooms, a kitchen and a huge bathroom. It's sweet! But since we have nothing.. it is pretty empty.

The water here tastes like dirt. It's worse than Riverton water. think on that for a minute! We had to find a solution, and our solution is buying it in jugs at Walmart. It's only 37 cents a gallon, and i'll pay that so i don't get sick. Someone told us that Murphysboro sometimes has a boiling ordinance on their water, which means it is not safe unless you boil it. There is not one right now.. but that freaks me out. I don't wan to drink water!

We got here and had one investigator. One! (we later found out her son is one too... but the elders did not document that) And we have yet to get in touch with her, so that should be interesting. Apparently she is super solid tho! We did get a new investigator this week, her name is Pam. A member that lives across the street from her had given her a BOM and told her to read it. She read the intro, and went back the next day and told her that she wanted to meet the missionaries. Super exciting! We got there and she had a pen and paper in hand to take notes! She is adorable and we love her so much. Unfortunately she is 45 minutes away, so we can only go see her when we can get members to give us rides. We for sure can get down there once a week.. hopefully all works out. She is amazing!

Our car got heart attacked by 3 of the beehives! Two of which are recent converts.

We also had a cool experience this week. There is family, they are called the Burke clan. Which means that there are 5 different Burke families in our ward, and almost every major position in the church here has at least one. They are a powerhouse! But, one of the children, the only girl, married a nonmember at a time where it was not super important to here. Well, now she is active, and the whole family wants he husband, the son-in-law to get baptized. We met the RS pres our first night here(one of the Burkes) and she expressed to us that she thinks he is ready, but that they have sorta been waiting for the right missionaries that they trust to teach him (I guess the whole ward could tell it was the last transfer for the previous elders). That was a huge compliment! Then two days later we were visiting members, and we met the Momma Burke, and she also said that she had a feeling that we would be the right ones to teach Kyle. Sunday, Kyle's wife (a former Burke) came up to us and told us that Kyle wants to have us come teach us, and is very interested in baptism. HOLY COW! So we met him and set up an appointment. It was amazing. I am so excited to teach him, and exceptionally flattered that the ward thinks so highly of us. We have had many people tell us that they can tell we are hard workers and that they think we will work miracles here. Its super motivating to us to be the best missionaries and not let the ward down!

My new companion is Sister Nicholson. She is from  Napa Idaho and she is a sweetheart. I love her to death! She is a hard worker and is ready to go, so that is fantastic. I am really really excited for this transfer!
On a bad note, I am terrible luck. My previous comps had never had car issues their whole mission. Then I come a long, and guess what, we get a big ol' dent. So then I switch companions, and guess what?! She hits a pole. No kidding. SO once again we have to deal with the whole car thing. I am gonna be an old pro at this rate!

Our car dent

Pretty much we have been so busy and I love it here!

Daily miracles:
23:We had a fantastic dinner appointment. The spirit was really strong. At the end, the daughter told us that she really wanted to go on a mission. It was cool
224:We had a great lesson with bob. I really think that he is really close to recognizing his answer and getting baptized
25:The ward! We had dinner brought to us today, and a member brought us a bunch of dishes! The responded so quickly and we feel so loved!
26:We found a way to get clean H2O. Such a blessing!
27:We found our new investigator, Pam! Love her so much!
28:The Relief Society Broadcast. It was amazing. There was also a nonmember there, and before the broadcast she asked us if we had a scripture like James 1:5 in the BOM we showed her one and  then guess what?! That's exactly what the prophet talked on!
29:There were 3 investigators at church. They are not ours, they belong to the elders, but it was still pretty amazing.

Well, I love you all! Have a fantastic week!
Love, Hermana Sirrine

September 23, 2013 Transfers are this week!

This is the fattest cat ever. Seriously 28 lbs

This is a card we made for an elder going home. We are so cleaver!

My district. My DL is the one that is in a chair looking like a weirdo (Oh, dad, he's from Canada!)

Whoa! I feel like all I do as a missionary is weekly planning, and p-day. Just kidding. I do WAY more than that. But whenever either one comes it really feels like i JUST did it! Time is FLYING here! Which is really good.

Cutest tire swing ever!

Man this week was crazy. We had so much going on and have been running all over the place. We got an estimate for our car. Guess how much? $3,200 and some odd. Ick. I am so glad that it was not one of us that did it! Poor guy that hit us.

So this week we have done a lot of walking. Due to the ET last week and some poor planning on our part, we are very low on miles and so walking it is! Which I actually really have enjoyed, but let's just say our companionship is not in the best of shape and our bodies are hating life right now. Oh, and my feet, well, good thing I have moleskin. Yeah, real good thing.

Well, as my really obvious subject line suggests, transfers are this Wednesday  and guess what?! I am being transferred !! No one expected that. We all figured I would be here until my visa came, but guess not. I am so crazy excited about it. I am going to be companions with a girl that is in my district, sister Nichols  I love her so very much, so i am quite pleased about it. Oh and guess what?! We are opening a new area! I am not sure weather we are going to be a second set of missionaries in and area, or if the area has been closed and we are re-opening it. I will let you know later. We are going to Murphy's borough, Illinois (i don't think I spelled that right at all) So i won't even be in Missouri anymore! Cool right?! I cannot wait.

Our investigators are doing well. Slowly progressing, but at least most of them are. We had to drop a few this past week, which was really sad, because we love them so much! It's hard to watch some one that you really have come to love not do what they need to in order to have the blessings that they want. We had one that had been progressing really well, but every time his baptismal date would come up, he would drop off the map. He has now had 4. So we were already talking about having a really serious discussion with him and possibly dropping him, and then we saw him. A member that he lives by had gone over to say hi, and he knew that we had been trying to catch up with our investigator, so when he found him home he called us over. When we got there it was super obvious that he was intoxicated with something. We set up a return appointment for a couple days later, because we were short on time. As we were walking out and talking to the member, he expressed his concern and confirmed what we had been thinking about him being intoxicated. Since the member is a law student he then took the liberty of looking our investigator up. Apparently he has been arrested 5 times since Feb. and Once right before each baptismal date. Also, they are for violence and distribution of controlled substances. Crazy. So to be safe, we are not going to go back. Maybe when elders come back to this area...

On a better note, we had a fantastic lesson with Bob W. He has 2 boys, about 20 that live with him and both desperately need the gospel (as does bob, and he's working on it) Bob always has a bunch of people over for Sunday dinner, and usually has at least one companionship of missionaries there. This week there were five of us! as we were leaving we sang God be with you till we meet again, since three of us are being transferred out. Then we bore our testimonies, and it was so very powerful. They were all tearing up. It was amazing! I cannot wait to see what happens with that family.

Since we found out that both me and Sister Dutson are being transferred out, we have stopped by a lot of member's and investigators houses to say goodbye. At each one, we have borne our testimony. It is amazing the power of a simple testimony. God truly does not use the eloquent to spread his gospel. We have been challenging people to write down their testimony, and seal it up. Then, to either give it to some one, anyone, or to keep it and take it out a later point in life. So, Will you all write your testimonies down? ;) I can promise you that it will be strengthened as you do so, and that as you write and share your testimony you will be blessed!

The leaves are just starting to change colors and it is amazing! I can't wait for them all to be colorful! I will send you a picture when they are. I can't tell you how many trees there are here. They are everywhere! Oh and bunnies. there are lots of those too.
Unfortunately dad I cannot listen or watch the clip. Against the rules :( We email at the Library here. Which is nice!

I am learning to appreciate fall. It has been around 70 the last couple days, and it has been amazing. It went from over 100 to 75  so quick, and I am not complaining  Oh, you think i'm crazy in hot weather? I've got nothing on my comp. She wears a cardigan almost every day. Even when it was over 100. I do not know why. She is crazy! And my other companion, well, she is turning orange from too many carrots. We are going to have to ration them...

 

We had zone p-day and we went bowling. I broke 100 and had 3 strikes! I cannot tell you how proud of myself i was! It was really great! I have never even broken 70 before. Guess with God, all things are possible! right?!

My bowling score! (zone p-day) I am Avita. and I broke 100! First time EVER! I feel so very accomplished.

Pretty much it has been a really good week. We have been real busy, and I have enjoyed it so much. What a perfect way to end the transfer!


Daily Miracles:
16- My studies were STELLAR today. I really got a lot out of them. All 4 hours! Which really is a miracle
17-We figured out that Bob W has a hard time with the restoration. Why could he not just tell us that months ago you ask? Yeah so do we. But that's ok. We now know what we need to focus on!
18- The moon was beyond beautiful today. Crazy beautiful. Looking at it I just knew how much God Loved me right then.
19- We had dinner with some members and they had THREE non members there! It was a really great dinner, and they all accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. Unfortunately they are not in our area :( but hopefully something comes of it!
20- I finished the book of Mormon! In two months none the less! I am so happy. It was great :)
21- We walked 10+ miles today. Not to mention my 30 min run this morning. You don't want to see what my feet look like... but we all survived! It was a great day. Crazy as it sounds I prefer walking over the car. I feel way more productive. weird.
22- Dick Campana came to church! He has been investigating for over a year and he finally came!!!! So happy!

Love you all so very very much. I love hearing from you!
Les Quierro!
Hermana Sirrine


Make sure to write me at the mission address if you choose to do so. Just put my full name on it. Not that i think there are other Hermana Sirrine's...
1850 Craigshire Rd. Ste 205
Maryland Heights, MO 63146

September 16, 2013 Last week of the transfer...how sad!

Me and my cute companions

The fanciest bank ever. All banks in Missouri are fancy! It's great!

Oh man what a week!
First of all the ET (emergency Transfer) I spent some time much closer to the city of St. Louis, in Frontenanc. It was weird to be in the city! Not that I am in the boonies.. but there is much of my area that is real wealthy and they have lots of land. I guess it was like being on exchanges, and it was really good to see how another missionary works, and ways that I can improve. The change was good!

This was my temporary companion sister Vilingia

Then, we had a TON of appointments fall through, and Lots of plans changed last minute. It was stressful, because I like having plans. That is why we do backup plans I guess! This past week we also spent FRI and SAT volunteering at the Color Run. Sorta like the Color Festival, but you run and people throw color. Sounds fun right? Unfortunately we were just helping out with pre-race stuff... so there wasn't color involved :( But, it was great exposure. There wer 4 or 5 missionaries there at all time, and it was really great because thousands of people had to come through to check in and pick up T-shirts, and they had to talk to us to do it! We started to get questions and it was fun to answer. Also, it was  a great thing for the staff, because they were so appreciative of the help and that we worked hard and happy. Thank goodness it cooled down so we were happy! haha Just kidding it would have still been fun. Just, warm.

Our car got a dent this week. (no dad, I did not do it!) In fact none of us did. We parked in a culdasac while we went to contact and teach a referral (and we even saw and talked to the guy that owned the house we were parked by and he said it was fine) and we come back and there is a real big dent in our car! It was sad! he was so nice tho and left his number for us so we could get it taken care of. Some of the members have given us a hard time about our poor car.

We had the BEST FIRST LESSON EVER this week! it was the bomb.com. seriously! The guy's name is Bob M. (we are now teaching 2 bob's and have a less active named bob that we are visiting. Little confusing if i do say so) Two weeks ago last Thursday we had a mini lesson with him where we gave him a Book of Mormon, and he committed to read the Intro. The next week, we were supposed to have a lesson with him, but he got sick. The day after, we dropped by his house and left him a restoration pamphlet. He told us that he was so excited about our book, and that he was going to meet with us the following week, sick or not. In fact he said 'I don't care how I feel. I'll put a bag over my head." It was great. So Thursday we went back to teach him. When we got there, he was so excited! come to find out, he is in 2 Nephi. No joke! And he had only committed to read the intro! Then, he proceeded to teach us the first lesson, based off what he had gotten out the the Book of Mormon. He gets the apostasy, and we didn't even have to tell him about it. Then, we started talking about Joseph Smith, and he filled in with dates, how long he had to wait to get the plates, and other details. Not only did this guy read the pamphlet, he understood and really learned it. It was AMAZING! he told us he wants to be on the path towards baptism, but he needs to take baby steps. Apparently he has gone to many churches, and he told us that he feels like the book of Mormon is right when he reads it, and he feels like he belongs with us and the member we brought. Talk about someone who the Lord has been preparing! I am so excited for him! Oh, and he would be the best sunday school teacher ever. Just sayin. The main challenge his is going to face is he needs to marry his significant other. but they know that. I asked them if they were married, and Theresa said 'no, we're sinners. I know we need to get married, but i'm reluctant' So we are going to help them get married and then baptize them both :)

I had a really cool experience this week at a member's house. We had dinner, and then sang a song and shared a message. After the song I started sharing my testimony and telling her something (I really don't remember now..) and I knew as I was talking that they were not my words. She started crying, and after told us how grateful she was for us coming  and that we were an answer to her prayers. It was such a great experience for me. it really showed me how much all people need to feel the spirit and be buoyed up, even really strong active members!

Pretty much I love it here. Sometimes it's a little hard not to feel like a 'visa waiter' because everyone asks me about it all the time. I feel very un-permanant. it's weird to know that I am going, but not when. It's not even like I can just worry about it when transfers come up either! that's okay tho, I am enjoying it here. The leaves are just starting to change, and my oh my are they pretty! When they are really changing I will make sure to send you a picture!

I had a really awkward 'you can't hug me because I am a missionary' moment this week. Oh man. So weird. I almost had a huge freak out that a boy almost touched me! i am going to be the weirdest Return Missionary ever! hahaha

I forgot my journal, so I can't send you my 'daily miracles' but i promise they are there! Don't worry!
I love you all so much! I pray for your happiness and that you will have the spirit with you. That is the most important thing in this life!

Les Amo!
Hermana Sirrine
P.S. What is johnny's email so I can email him?
P.P.S. Congrats on being member missionaries!!! That's what it's all about! We never go tracking because we do it all through the members (which is sometimes like glorified tracking, but that's okay, at least you know they might be interested and they do know mormons.)

September 10, 2013 Another week down. Holy Cow!

Man! I cannot believe that I have been in the field for 4 weeks already. That flew. It's crazy that transfers are already so soon!!!

Well, unfortuantely, our investigator cory dropped his date. Or rather, he is MIA and we have no Idea where he is right now. Sorta frustrating. he seems to really want it, but at the last minute, he keeps backing out. it's hard because we love him so much! Hopefully we can get in contact with him and help him to resolve what concerns he has!

This week we did some service again at our investigator, Bob's house. I wore Jeans. Bad Idea. I didn't realise/ forgot that the MTC food is WAY fattening and people in Missouri feed the missionaries beyond amazing food. (For them it's a special occasion, but for us, we are getting that every night... and so our size is increasing....) Anyway, putting on my jeans re-motivated me to be active! Holy cow! One downside to having a car! So, I am going to make more of an effort to make my 30 min a day really count :)

Monday morning I got a call from the AP's. Of course the first thing that went through my head was "Is my visa HERE?!?!?" Nope. it wasn't, which was disappointing  BUT Instead I got a great opportunity! A sister had to go home because of health issues (not the good part of the story) and since I am in a TRI they asked if i would be here companion for a couple days until they can get her a new permanent companion. Of course I said yes! Due to mission conference this week, they could not get the girl who will be her new comp (who is currently in the Illinois side of the mission) here to her. So, I get to be real close to the city! It's about 30 minutes away from my area and so it's cool to be able to see more of Missiouri! My temporary comp is Sister Vilignia (said vilinia) and i love her so much! I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve with her! She is so great!

Yesterday was Mission Conference (which is why you didn't get an email) and it was amazing, of course. The biggest thing that I learned from it was the importance of evalutating your relationships, and what you are doing daily. It's interesting to see the things that you need to change when you look at a week or so at a time instead of just daily. It was super motivating!

Ya know how in the South they say Ya'll? Well here they say You'ns (or youins i have no idea how you would spell it) and you's. No joke. It's weird. that is not something that I will pick up on!

One great thing they have is pizza! There is this amazing place that has super thin crusted pizza (like cracker thin) and it has a special sauce on it that is sorta normal pizza sauce, but not quite. mom, you would love it. It is so amazing! If you ever come to MO you have to try Imos pizza. So good. Here are a couple MO facts. The roads/ addressed don't make sense. This number sequence would not be weird for house numbers, 12 13 14 20 21 16 17 15 22 23 24. No joke. They really do this. It makes finding people tricky, but that's okay, missionaries are pro. Other weird things, there are multiple roads with trees in the middle. They just split the road and you go around it. (those are two lane roads) it's strange.  Also, everyone has cute doors or wreaths, and mailboxes. I saw a firetruck mailbox the other day. Oh, mom you would love it.. There are round abouts EVERYWHERE! Seriously. Every culdasac has one, and culdasacs are everywhere. Also they just randomly stick them in, and they are beautiful!

We also had exchanges this week, which are so great. They deffinitely help you to step up your game and see the things that you can change to be better. The Sister Training Leaders are amazing and such great examples. That day was also so cool because it was super multi-cultural. We taught a Pakistani, African American, Brazilian, and Russian.  It was so cool! And it was cool to see how even though they all have way different backgrounds, the gospel can bless them! Amazing.

Random part of missionary daily life: We have to back each other. You are not aloud to back up unless the other companion is standing behind you guiding you. i spose that helps prevent accidents, but I am sure it looks real weird to people that are driving by and we are just backing out of a parking stall!

In MO There are tons of frogs. In random places. There are two pics, on of a frog on a door handle to the chuch that scared me so bad when it moved! I did not see him. I made my comps laugh. And another of the tiniest frog I have ever ever seen. He is smaller than my thumbnail!

The work here is going great! I love it. I have found so much joy in sharing the gospel. We have a bunch of new investigators that seem really excited and ready to progress. I am so glad that I am here! I have learned so much from the people that I am around, and my comps. It's really nice to be able to say what I want to in lessons and not struggle for words!

Daily Miracles:
Sept 4:We got a new investigator! And, it came from one of our member referrals. She is amazing and Family is SO important to her! She has the cutest little kids, and loved the Family Proclamation to the World. It's really great to meet people that have really high standards and are already living pretty close to the gospel standards.
Sept 5:We had a phenomenal first Lesson with Rene (a brizilian GUY). He really opened up to us, and he told us that he'd get baptized if he knew it was true. Which is nice to know he's open to it! He has not lived here very long, and has broken english, and I have such a respect for how well he does talk! I now know how hard it is!
Sept 6:One of our investigators asked us a question a couple days ago, about what worship is/how you define it. I hadn't really thought about it. So we told him that we would search for it and get back to him. Today we had a scheduled lesson (that fell through because he was sick) and I found the answer to his question in the last 5 minutes of Language Study! It's amazing what happens at the tail end of whatever you do...
Sept 7: Our companion inventory was amazing. We reset expectations with each other  and we were really able to bring more unity in our companionship. It was so great because we were able to be re-motivated and excited to work!
Sept 8:We have been trying to get in touch with a less active family for weeks! and they keep being busy or cancelling at the last minute. It's been really frustrating. Finally today at 7:15 (after a REALLY Busy day) we get a call from them and they said they wanted to meet in an hour! Boo-ya!  We had a really good lesson with them and it was nice to establish a relationship there and try and get them back at church! It is amazing to find out all of the petty reasons why people may or may not go to church. It really strengthened my reslove to not get offended easily!
Sept 9:Being temporary companions with sister Vilignia!

Well, I think that's all for the week... We have a super full week coming up, and I am so excited for it. I love being busy! There is nothing more frustrating that being unproductive (we had a couple days where we were not feeling good and didn't do much, I almost went crazy!

I'm glad that you are all doing well! Nate, congrats on a better season this year! Dad, I hope your garage and barn go up quickly :)
Alma 23:41-43

Love you all so very very much!
Hermana Sirrine

P.S.Johnny, your sister want's to hear about your life :)


Pics:

Leigh, these are all Pilot G2 pens. You should be jealous. And then go get them (only at Sam's Club). One of my comps, Sister Dutson collects pens, pencils, and erasers. You two would get along so well.
The other random pic is of a guy's model car collection. The room has 4 walls covered in cars. They were pretty cool. He said that the elders would love just staring at them. I did not have the same appreciation, but they were still cool!

September 4, 2013 I cannot believe it is September!

FIRST DAY IN THE FIELD!! With President  & Sister Morgan 

All 36 new missionaries.  6 are visa waiters.

Me and my two companions

Our backless Chairs

With one of my companions, we looked like Africa

Hola Familia!

I'm gunna start with answering some questions, and go from there. First off, Debbie Doss is just outside of my area. Sad day, but it's crazy how small this world really is. I do not get updates on my visa. I will just get a call one day and find out i'm going! I have mixed feelings on the ARG thing, because I am loving it here! However I am super duper excited to go. That's a bummer that another solid family just moved out. More opportunities to be member missionaries! :) (Yeah, I know, I am totally missionary minded on that point)
This week has been hot. Over 100 hot. And it's real humid. I have found that I like the humidity though... And we did a ton of service. Thurs we helped our upstairs neighbor (and investigator) move apartments. He didn't move far, but both apartments are on the 3rd floor. We were dripping sweat.  It honestly felt really good to do some hard physical labor! Then Friday we threw out a lady's food storage. All of the food was expired and for her to move it requires her taking 3 or 4 cans at a time. For us it didn't take long, but again it was real hot. She had a box of cereal from 2000! NO JOKE! it was crazy. Everything was ancient! Then Friday we helped a potential (now two new) investigator move his significant other's sister in to their place. again real hot. It's been really good, even though I am sorta sore, and we feel so productive! Just in case you are wondering, moving someone and being in a Tri limits productivity. We always have to be within sight and sound of each other... so production decreases. Little difficult to stay together. Sometimes it left one or two of us standing around while the other one or two finished something. It was weird!
Dad, don't worry, me and my companion still really like each other! They are so great! I am constantly amazed at how great it is that we are in companionships and that we are all different. We could not be nearly as effective by ourselves.
The past couple days has cooled off a little and it is SO NICE! However, last week gave me a new respect for elders on bikes.
Monday was Labor day, so we could not email and therefore we had a little extra time on our hands. Since I gained... weight in the MTC and since the members feed a sooo good, a couple of my skirts don't really fit me. So we went shopping. The big thing here is thrift stores. They are everywhere! And they have sales on holidays! best time to go shopping! It was really fun. Great p-day.
I have like 5 bug bites. That is probably the most I have ever had at one point in my life. I'm lucky i am not eaten alive like my companions!  Oh and mom, carrots are not a repellant, because my companion eats more than I do and she get's eaten alive!
This week we have done a lot of member visits, trying to get them excited and involved in missionary work. At church the theme has been Divine nature and that we are children of God. We have chosen to carry that theme and talk to the members about it, because it does two things. 1) The members need to hear it. No one can here that enough, and it really invites the spirit 2)Everyone knows someone who needs to hear that message, so it brings a great opportunity for referrals. As I have been studying the Atonement, plan of salvation, and our nature as children of God, I have come to realize how central and powerful that knowledge is. It's amazing how simple, and yet under appreciated that statement is. One of the members said something that really struck me: "The only person who can take away from my self worth is me". How true that is.
This week I have also learned a lot about how important it is to validate other people. Its super cool to really look at other people and try to see what God sees. They are amazing! God makes no mistakes, and every one is SO talented. Even if they don't feel that way. I am blown away at how many people don't realize how amazing they are. So today, try and let people know how great they are.
Yesterday was zone conference. It was super good. It was all about perspective. It is crazy how much we limit our own potential. It is also amazing how much we can do with God. (if you have not read the bible dictionary definition of Grace, do it!) Me and the other sisters in my zone sang for it, too. That was fun!

Here are my daily miracles for this week! :)

Aug 26: This member of our ward, Sister Islaws is from Mexico. Tonight we had dinner with her and her family and I UNDERSTOOD HER! It was so exciting. I didn't understand every single word, but I got the gist of it. Yay!
Aug 27:Our investigator Bob said he is going to pray about being baptized. He said that for the first time in the year and a half since he has been investigating, he is really considering it!
Aug 28:God has changed my taste buds! No kidding! I have eaten things that I previously really really did not like (such as avocado and tomato  and I did not gag. I am not saying that I found them profoundly scrumptious, but they were good. It is truly a blessing. We eat such a variety of food and members houses and it is great that i enjoy them!
Aug 29:We had dinner with some members. Last week, these members told all of us that our expectations were too high, and we needed to lower them (needless to say that was a rough lesson). However, today (despite our worries) we had a really really good lesson with them. The brother told us that if he had our faith he could do anything. Talk about confidence booster! It was great!
Aug 30: We did some service for a Lady in our ward. She is SOLID! But her husband is really not active. Almost no one in the ward has even met him, but today we did! he introduced himself to us and we talked for a minute. He was really nice.
Aug 31: A couple weeks ago, while trying to contact a less active (who had moved and no one knew it) My companions met this nice man named Bob. When he opened up the door and they introduced themselves, he immediately told them he needed to be baptized. Crazy right? So they said okay! and have been trying to set up an appointment with him since. He was moving apartments and was really busy, but today we finally were able to catch up with him. Turns out his significant other's sister is moving in with them, and so we offered to help. They made it seem like it was this huge ordeal, but us girls got the truck unloaded real quick. We then started talking with Bob, and his significant other, Theresa. Theresa told us bob needs to be baptized, which is true. He is super sincere and knows that he has to be baptized to be saved, we'll help him see that it's also essential that he is baptized in our church :). I then told Theresa that we'd baptize her too. She sorta laughed but she doesn't know I'm serious. We had a great mini lesson with them answering some questions and getting to know them. I can't wait for our lesson with them next week!
Sept 1: We got our 20 lessons this week! Our Zone has a goal to teach 20 lessons a week, and it is seriously a miracle that we got our lessons, because we had 2 cancel today and had to scramble to get our lessons. But we did it! It's amazing what you can do with god's help.
Sept 2: We have another investigator, Cory, who we haven't seen a ton lately. Last week we had a lesson and he committed to (and did) take out his earrings. That is something we have really had a hard time getting him to do, since he has had them for years and years. Today we made a surprise visit just to stop by and say Hi, and..... HE HAD THEM OUT STILL! It was sweet! We were really worried that he would put them back in as soon as we left, but he didn't. I really think he wants this and I can't wait for him to be baptized.
Sept 3: Cory set a baptismal date for next Saturday the 14th!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HECK YES!

All in all, it has been a real good week that went oh so fast. Remember to love every minute, because one day you will wish for what you have now.
How is everyone doing? Is Sarah in that immersion program? You all sound great, which is nice to hear! I love the pictures!
Just FYI, next week we have mission conference on Monday, so I will have p-day (and emails) on Tuesday.

I love you all SO MUCH!
Love,
Hermana Sirrine

P.S. JOHNNY, EMAIL YOUR SISTER :) I want to hear all about your life!
P.P.S Leigh and Nate, hope you are doing great and loving school! Miss you both!