Dear Family,
Sounds like everyone is keeping pretty busy this summer. I like reading the family newsletter because there is stuff in there about the family that I haven't heard yet. This Sunday is Mother's day!! That means that we can celebrate Mom but it also means that I can call home!! I am allowed to call home for 59 minutes and I think I'll call after everyone gets home from church and before Dad leaves for work. I'm way excited. Everyone else better be too!!
Monday after going to our P-day activity at Bear Creek Park (Katy Zone vs. Cypress Zone in capture the flag) we got home just in time before the big part of the storm hit. Our power was out for quite a bit and our parking lot was totally flooded. That night we woke up at 3:30am to thunder and lightening. It was going off every second for a couple hours. Our bedroom was like a strobe light. We had to call and wake up the elders because it was really bad where we lived. The storm flooded several members houses and schools were closed for a couple days. Lots of roads were closed and the park where we had played capture the flag flooded to the tops of soccer goal posts. It is still flooded but the road is open now so you can drive by and see the lake that was once a park.
We had zone meeting this week. Elder AhSue gave a very powerful talk. He spoke in a very loving manner about us in the pre-existance all waiting to come to earth after having chosen the plan. He reminded us that there we probably had hopes that we would do great things in this life, including making good choices and living a Christlike life. I imagined it so vividly. I'm sure each one us knew there would be hard times, but still have a hope that we would find the way through Christ to overcome them. He then related this to the mission. He reminded us of that time before we came out- perhaps as we waited for our mission call or before entering the MTC when we didn't know exactly what to expect but we hoped for baptisms, lessons filled with the spirit, coming to love the people, and working hard all day long. He said when we opened our call, the first thing we hoped/looked forward to out in the field probably wasn't sleeping in, spending lazy days in the apartment, goofing off and spending too much time at members' homes, amazing p-days, etc. He reminded us to be the obedient and perfect missionary we had hoped we would be in that pre-mission innocence. I think that first example is very powerful for non-mission life. We need to come through and actually be that obedient, honest, hard working, kind, charitable, humble person that we hoped we would be here on earth when we received our call to come to earth after choosing this plan. So be that person you wanted to be many years ago!
The Juarez family had their baptismal interviews yesterday. We were excited when everything turned out fine. They still have two weeks until the baptism and we know Satan is going to work at Hermano Juarez. His weakness is the word of wisdom and the kids are good about calling him out if he slipped and had a cup of coffee. The youngest, Gustavo- age 8, reminds me so much of you, Ben! I pick on him a lot but yesterday he had on his suit ready for his interview and he was giving me attitude and I felt like it was something Ben would have said! His primary class is him and 6 or 7 girls. They have fun pretending not to like him. We taught him and his sister Diana (age 9) Dippy Dippy Dip and another version of that game with Ninja sounds and movements. I am going to miss this family if I ever get transferred.
We are working hard and still trying to find more investigators. I am learning so much still. I have learned a lot of deep doctrinal stuff but I have also grown my testimony of the simple principles of the restored gospel such as I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I hope everyone knows and remembers that. I will talk to y'all Sunday.
Love, Camille
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
T3W1 New Transfer
Dear Family,
How is everyone! Congrats on the PR Rae and to Clarissa on the job with Bearman. The weather here in Houston/Katy is gorgeous. We are going to play Capture the Flag today with our zone against our neighboring zone. It should be a lot of fun.
This week we visited a lot of people so Hermana Hollenbaugh could say good-bye before she left. We sent her off on the transfer bus on Wednesday and got back to work. We decided we would focus this transfer on doing more tracting. The whole last transfer we visited people that were not progressing and we decided to change that this transfer and find a new set of investigators. We went tracting several hours this week and it was really successful. We have appointments set this week coming up so we will see if they are the one prepared by the Lord in answer to our prayers.
Hermana Dewey and I got a keyboard from some elders and have been having a lot of fun with it. If I play one hand and she plays the other, we can play all of the hymns in the hymn book perfectly.
Thursday we stopped by the church and it happened to be mutual night. We saw two of our investigators Jose and Rafael-two teenage boys, all sweaty and bonded with the other young men. It made us so happy! They got signed up for scouts and sucked into being on the soccer team too! I bet they didn't know church meant more than just Sundays.
The Juarez family will be baptized on the 17th of May. We realized Julio, the oldest son will turn 16 on the 10th of May and he will be able to baptize his father and his two younger siblings. We also got a baptism date with Victor, the brother of Dolores who got baptized just a couple weeks ago.
I hope you all liked the pictures. Mom made this comment in a card she sent "that picture of you prego was quite disturbing." Haha. What's funny is we received a referral and went to go contact it and it was this very animated lady who had been taught before. She showed us her Book of Mormon that she reads everyday. Her problem is coming to church because she works on Sundays. Anyways, I was wearing the same yellow shirt and she asked me if I was "embarazada" or Pregnant!!! I was so embarrassed! I told her no - she still wasn't convinced and told me I have a beautiful face, I just need to lose a bit of the fat around it!! Ironically I've lost quite a bit of weight. I'm running my mile in 7 min and 34 sec!! (Don't laugh but that's good for me!) We told this less active girl that we visit, Sandy, and she assured me it was just the cut of the shirt and I shouldn't worry.
We are in a prank war with the elders in the district. (Big surprise huh?) Sandy helped us come up with something we will do today. DON'T WORRY MOM! We are still working hard and it's all within reason. Friday after district meeting, the district was going to Wendys, we thought they were waiting for us so we could follow them but when we turned on the car a huge cloud of flour blew into our faces. They had turned the A/C on high and pointed it right at where we would sit. This morning we went and wrapped their car in plastic wrap. 600 feet of plastic wrap!! We had one set of elders help us but little do they know we have something for them later today. Sandy works at Buffalo Wild Wings where all the elders like to eat. They do something called the Blazin' Challenge. It's the most spicy of their 15 different kinds of wings. She told us to be careful a million times because if you're not Mexican, it can do some bad damage. Haha. We'll see how they like it later today.
We had a meeting with the bishopric and ward mission leader Saturday night. They are excited and expressed their trust and support for us this coming transfer- especially with Elder Nelson training. We have a really young set of missionaries in our ward. Elder Nelson- the really blonde one from my district pic that I sent is training Elder Lang who just got here from the MTC this week. We speak better Spanish so we're trying to help them out. The Spirit in the meeting was very strong. We each shared our testimony and it was another confirmation to me that I am in the right place. I know with all my heart this gospel changes lives and is the only way we can receive exaltation. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here and I appreciate the support of you, my family. Thank you for everything!
Love you,
Camille
How is everyone! Congrats on the PR Rae and to Clarissa on the job with Bearman. The weather here in Houston/Katy is gorgeous. We are going to play Capture the Flag today with our zone against our neighboring zone. It should be a lot of fun.
This week we visited a lot of people so Hermana Hollenbaugh could say good-bye before she left. We sent her off on the transfer bus on Wednesday and got back to work. We decided we would focus this transfer on doing more tracting. The whole last transfer we visited people that were not progressing and we decided to change that this transfer and find a new set of investigators. We went tracting several hours this week and it was really successful. We have appointments set this week coming up so we will see if they are the one prepared by the Lord in answer to our prayers.
Hermana Dewey and I got a keyboard from some elders and have been having a lot of fun with it. If I play one hand and she plays the other, we can play all of the hymns in the hymn book perfectly.
Thursday we stopped by the church and it happened to be mutual night. We saw two of our investigators Jose and Rafael-two teenage boys, all sweaty and bonded with the other young men. It made us so happy! They got signed up for scouts and sucked into being on the soccer team too! I bet they didn't know church meant more than just Sundays.
The Juarez family will be baptized on the 17th of May. We realized Julio, the oldest son will turn 16 on the 10th of May and he will be able to baptize his father and his two younger siblings. We also got a baptism date with Victor, the brother of Dolores who got baptized just a couple weeks ago.
I hope you all liked the pictures. Mom made this comment in a card she sent "that picture of you prego was quite disturbing." Haha. What's funny is we received a referral and went to go contact it and it was this very animated lady who had been taught before. She showed us her Book of Mormon that she reads everyday. Her problem is coming to church because she works on Sundays. Anyways, I was wearing the same yellow shirt and she asked me if I was "embarazada" or Pregnant!!! I was so embarrassed! I told her no - she still wasn't convinced and told me I have a beautiful face, I just need to lose a bit of the fat around it!! Ironically I've lost quite a bit of weight. I'm running my mile in 7 min and 34 sec!! (Don't laugh but that's good for me!) We told this less active girl that we visit, Sandy, and she assured me it was just the cut of the shirt and I shouldn't worry.
We are in a prank war with the elders in the district. (Big surprise huh?) Sandy helped us come up with something we will do today. DON'T WORRY MOM! We are still working hard and it's all within reason. Friday after district meeting, the district was going to Wendys, we thought they were waiting for us so we could follow them but when we turned on the car a huge cloud of flour blew into our faces. They had turned the A/C on high and pointed it right at where we would sit. This morning we went and wrapped their car in plastic wrap. 600 feet of plastic wrap!! We had one set of elders help us but little do they know we have something for them later today. Sandy works at Buffalo Wild Wings where all the elders like to eat. They do something called the Blazin' Challenge. It's the most spicy of their 15 different kinds of wings. She told us to be careful a million times because if you're not Mexican, it can do some bad damage. Haha. We'll see how they like it later today.
We had a meeting with the bishopric and ward mission leader Saturday night. They are excited and expressed their trust and support for us this coming transfer- especially with Elder Nelson training. We have a really young set of missionaries in our ward. Elder Nelson- the really blonde one from my district pic that I sent is training Elder Lang who just got here from the MTC this week. We speak better Spanish so we're trying to help them out. The Spirit in the meeting was very strong. We each shared our testimony and it was another confirmation to me that I am in the right place. I know with all my heart this gospel changes lives and is the only way we can receive exaltation. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here and I appreciate the support of you, my family. Thank you for everything!
Love you,
Camille
T2W6 Yessica's Baptism
Dear Family,
How is everyone? What are the plans for summer? Clarissa are you back at Chevys? How is the job for Emma? What is Miriam doing? Can you believe yesterday was my 5 month birthday in the mission!? We found out about transfers this week and I am staying in the same area- Bear Creek for at least the next 6 weeks with my baby Hermana Dewey. Hermana Hollenbaugh is being transferred to the ghetto-est part of the mission to open a new area with a really fun Sister. We are excited to for the next transfer it will be a lot of fun.
Last night I had my second baptism! Her name is Yessica C and she is 27 years old. We have worked so hard preparing her for baptism and it was such a great experience last night. Her mom was baptized almost 2 years ago and she bore her testimony for the Holy Ghost talk and it was so powerful. Her mom and her were crying as us sister missionaries sang a musical number "Venid a Cristo" or "Come Unto Jesus." We had two of our investigators at the baptism and we think they really enjoyed it so we might just have several more baptisms in the near future. Her mom made this almond cake and sandwiches for refreshments. It was a beautiful baptism.
Last P-day (Monday) the elders invited us to their barbeque and when we got there they had set up a really intricate prank that dropped water balloons on us from the ceiling in front of their door step. They video taped it and everything. They say they were fulfilling their purpose by doing everything in their power to "baptize". Haha. If anyone has any ideas- let me know- we are trying to get them back! Two of them are getting transferred on Wednesday and we are sad. Elder Lawry and Elder Nelson are the other Spanish elders in our district that also serve in our same ward-Bear Creek 2 and so we see them very often. Elder Lawry is leaving but Elder Nelson is training this transfer so him and I both will be with our babies.
Last week we stopped by an inactive member we found on the ward list. Hermana Alcantara- she is good looking and lives in a big fancy house. She came to church for the first time in years yesterday because of our invitation and she has a few boys that are getting started in scouts too. The Lord really guides us to the people that need us! She loved church and we hope this means she is reactivated. Maybe we'll get to baptize the sons!
We worked hard this week and taught some great lessons even despite the rain. We were driving in water 3/4 up our tires. We met an old man named Facundo that invited us to the beaches in Acapulco. We also had interviews with President. He asked me about each one of you and I'm sad to say I didn't know what was going on with everyone. Please fill me in!
I am grateful for the sacrament. We truly can be cleansed through it if we repent and allow the atonement to take effect. I am not perfect and have so many weaknesses but the whole plan of salvation is about being able to progress. That is the purpose of this life but also it is what differentiates the celestial kingdom for the others. There we will still be able to progress until we ourselves have our own kingdoms.
Hope all is well! Ciao!
Camille
How is everyone? What are the plans for summer? Clarissa are you back at Chevys? How is the job for Emma? What is Miriam doing? Can you believe yesterday was my 5 month birthday in the mission!? We found out about transfers this week and I am staying in the same area- Bear Creek for at least the next 6 weeks with my baby Hermana Dewey. Hermana Hollenbaugh is being transferred to the ghetto-est part of the mission to open a new area with a really fun Sister. We are excited to for the next transfer it will be a lot of fun.
Last night I had my second baptism! Her name is Yessica C and she is 27 years old. We have worked so hard preparing her for baptism and it was such a great experience last night. Her mom was baptized almost 2 years ago and she bore her testimony for the Holy Ghost talk and it was so powerful. Her mom and her were crying as us sister missionaries sang a musical number "Venid a Cristo" or "Come Unto Jesus." We had two of our investigators at the baptism and we think they really enjoyed it so we might just have several more baptisms in the near future. Her mom made this almond cake and sandwiches for refreshments. It was a beautiful baptism.
Last P-day (Monday) the elders invited us to their barbeque and when we got there they had set up a really intricate prank that dropped water balloons on us from the ceiling in front of their door step. They video taped it and everything. They say they were fulfilling their purpose by doing everything in their power to "baptize". Haha. If anyone has any ideas- let me know- we are trying to get them back! Two of them are getting transferred on Wednesday and we are sad. Elder Lawry and Elder Nelson are the other Spanish elders in our district that also serve in our same ward-Bear Creek 2 and so we see them very often. Elder Lawry is leaving but Elder Nelson is training this transfer so him and I both will be with our babies.
Last week we stopped by an inactive member we found on the ward list. Hermana Alcantara- she is good looking and lives in a big fancy house. She came to church for the first time in years yesterday because of our invitation and she has a few boys that are getting started in scouts too. The Lord really guides us to the people that need us! She loved church and we hope this means she is reactivated. Maybe we'll get to baptize the sons!
We worked hard this week and taught some great lessons even despite the rain. We were driving in water 3/4 up our tires. We met an old man named Facundo that invited us to the beaches in Acapulco. We also had interviews with President. He asked me about each one of you and I'm sad to say I didn't know what was going on with everyone. Please fill me in!
I am grateful for the sacrament. We truly can be cleansed through it if we repent and allow the atonement to take effect. I am not perfect and have so many weaknesses but the whole plan of salvation is about being able to progress. That is the purpose of this life but also it is what differentiates the celestial kingdom for the others. There we will still be able to progress until we ourselves have our own kingdoms.
Hope all is well! Ciao!
Camille
T2W5 Exchanges in West Green
Dear Family,
How is everyone?! I can't believe Clarissa is home for the summer already. Miriam, I am glad you had a bumpin' birthday. Haha. I just wanted to clear up a joke I made a few weeks ago about Rae kissing someone. She didn't just kiss one boy. She kissed two! Haha. Just kidding. We found some bubbles today and the elders invited us to their barbeque so it should be a good p-day. The weather is gorgeous.
We have some investigators that are really progressing. This one that was referred to us from one of our member friends is named Angelica. We have been teacher her and her "husband" and just this week we taught the law of chastity and this weekend we found out that she moved out because they weren't married. She is a hair stylist and we have made good friends so it will be sad if I have to leave.
We find out this weekend about transfers and I really have a feeling I am leaving again based on the situation with the other Spanish Sisters. We'll see though.
This week we did exchanges. In the Katy Zone where I am right now, we are far from the city so we have to just do exchanges with the one other companionship of Spanish sisters in our zone. Their area is West Green. Hermana Dewey and I went to be companions with Hermana Willis who I met in the MTC. She came out the transfer before me and wrote me while I was still in the MTC. We get along well together. Anyways, the exchange was really fun. I love change and especially getting the chance to learn from another Sister's teaching style. She made us cookie dough brownies that were delicious. We taught some really good lessons where the Spirit was really strong. They have some really great investigators there too! Funny thing though- she got a huge envelope of pictures of her best friend's wedding while we were there. I was thumbing through them just glancing and she says "hey the groom is actually from DC too."
I say "oh yeah? what's his name?"
"Gary Anderton," she says.
"AHHHHH!!! He licked the chalk board when I was in primary!" I said. It was really crazy. I looked at the picture I was holding and there he was! Crazy!!!
The zone leaders found out we had exchanged and arranged for us to play poison at the stake center for exercise the next morning. There are 4 other companionships that live close by the Katy Stake Center so we all got there at 6:00am and played this game that our zone plays every p-day down at the stake center called Poison. It's dodgeball with a few more rules. It was really fun because we had only gotten to know all those elders a little bit before that. We switched back to our normal area of Bear Creek on Wednesday.
Yesterday when we went out contacting/tracting we found a lot of latinos in this one trailer park celebrating Easter with colored powder and confetti. It was smeared all over their faces. They invited us to play with them. We had to decline (they had beer) but got several appointments set with some new people for the next week.
Dolores got confirmed yesterday and we will have another baptism this coming Sunday for a 27 year old girl named Yessica (Jessica). We are all excited. We worked really hard preparing her for the interview and after deliberation between the bishop and the Mission President we are able to go through with it.
Please offer to go out with the missionaries!! We always need a member testimony or a familiar face when the investigator gets to church on Sunday. I love you guys! I love this work and and I am grateful to be in the service of the Lord. I know that He is at the head of this, His church on the earth today.
Love, Cam
How is everyone?! I can't believe Clarissa is home for the summer already. Miriam, I am glad you had a bumpin' birthday. Haha. I just wanted to clear up a joke I made a few weeks ago about Rae kissing someone. She didn't just kiss one boy. She kissed two! Haha. Just kidding. We found some bubbles today and the elders invited us to their barbeque so it should be a good p-day. The weather is gorgeous.
We have some investigators that are really progressing. This one that was referred to us from one of our member friends is named Angelica. We have been teacher her and her "husband" and just this week we taught the law of chastity and this weekend we found out that she moved out because they weren't married. She is a hair stylist and we have made good friends so it will be sad if I have to leave.
We find out this weekend about transfers and I really have a feeling I am leaving again based on the situation with the other Spanish Sisters. We'll see though.
This week we did exchanges. In the Katy Zone where I am right now, we are far from the city so we have to just do exchanges with the one other companionship of Spanish sisters in our zone. Their area is West Green. Hermana Dewey and I went to be companions with Hermana Willis who I met in the MTC. She came out the transfer before me and wrote me while I was still in the MTC. We get along well together. Anyways, the exchange was really fun. I love change and especially getting the chance to learn from another Sister's teaching style. She made us cookie dough brownies that were delicious. We taught some really good lessons where the Spirit was really strong. They have some really great investigators there too! Funny thing though- she got a huge envelope of pictures of her best friend's wedding while we were there. I was thumbing through them just glancing and she says "hey the groom is actually from DC too."
I say "oh yeah? what's his name?"
"Gary Anderton," she says.
"AHHHHH!!! He licked the chalk board when I was in primary!" I said. It was really crazy. I looked at the picture I was holding and there he was! Crazy!!!
The zone leaders found out we had exchanged and arranged for us to play poison at the stake center for exercise the next morning. There are 4 other companionships that live close by the Katy Stake Center so we all got there at 6:00am and played this game that our zone plays every p-day down at the stake center called Poison. It's dodgeball with a few more rules. It was really fun because we had only gotten to know all those elders a little bit before that. We switched back to our normal area of Bear Creek on Wednesday.
Yesterday when we went out contacting/tracting we found a lot of latinos in this one trailer park celebrating Easter with colored powder and confetti. It was smeared all over their faces. They invited us to play with them. We had to decline (they had beer) but got several appointments set with some new people for the next week.
Dolores got confirmed yesterday and we will have another baptism this coming Sunday for a 27 year old girl named Yessica (Jessica). We are all excited. We worked really hard preparing her for the interview and after deliberation between the bishop and the Mission President we are able to go through with it.
Please offer to go out with the missionaries!! We always need a member testimony or a familiar face when the investigator gets to church on Sunday. I love you guys! I love this work and and I am grateful to be in the service of the Lord. I know that He is at the head of this, His church on the earth today.
Love, Cam
T2W4 Temple and General Conference
Dear Family,
I receive this email today from Mom about a rental car and had to go search through the Dukelow newsletter to read about the Hawaii trip. I feel so out of the loop! Don't forget about me!!! I hope you guys enjoy it. Happy Belated Birthday to Mom (did you like the card I sent?) and Happy Birthday to Miriam!!! I read the story about the nail artwork in the newsletter too. That was pretty funny.
This week has been full! We taught a lot like usual and had some really great lessons where the spirit was really there. My favorite family that we are teaching is the Juarez family (if we can have favorites). The last Saturday before this transfer, Hna. Hollenbaugh and her companion stopped by to invite Hna. Juarez and their oldest son Julio to church because they saw their names on the ward list but had never seen them at church. He is 15 years old and does karate and plays trombone. Hermana Juarez and Julio were baptized five years ago in another ward but have not been active since they were baptized. The father was supposed to get baptized with them but could not go through with it when the date came. The whole family, Hno. and Hna., Julio, and the two little kids Diana (age 9) and Gustavo (age 8) came to church that Sunday after Hna. Hollenbaugh and McMurtrey passed by and invited them. Since then, they have gone to everything! All the activities, church, conference, the baptisms! After working with them for the whole month, yesterday we were able to set a baptism date with Hermano Juarez to be baptized with the two kids!! They feed us a lot and Hermana has a purse fettish that I can relate to. Yesterday they made my favorite tacos with barbacoa meat. Monday we had delicious tortas with the Bishops family! I am glad we get fed authentic food because I just found out Sister Hansen (President's wife) doesn't want us eating at the taco trucks for safety reasons.- probably one of the hardest rules of the mission!
Friday this week we went to the temple with out zone. I love the temple. It was such a great experience. I went in having prayed for more understanding. I didn't know exactly what I was looking for but my experience there was amazing and I feeling like I have such a greater appreciation for Christ as my Mediator with the Father. Last transfer the temple was across the street from my area's border and now we have to drive quite a bit to get there. We had a testimony meeting right before the session and I bore my testimony of the joy I receive from this work. I received a letter from Ashley Cooper saying she was putting her papers in and asking me for advice. It made me think of just six months ago when I had the same questions. It is indescribable though the joy I've had for example when Dolores came up out of the water, when I are teaching the Juarez family and Hermano Juarez agreed to be baptized or even yesterday when we went to go teach a young girl and the whole household of 10 people sat in and listened. We asked each one of them how they felt and they said they felt so good about the first vision being true!
To finish the week I just loved general conference. I had to watch a couple of the sessions in Spanish because we had investigators there. That was fine. I think all of the talks really speak to how the heavens are still open and how much we still need revelation to guide us in all of these difficulties of the economy and temptations that keep us from being firm in the faith. I especially like the Provident living talk and Holland's talk about our Savior Jesus Christ.
The elders in our ward have a bread machine so they are always making us food and we tried to return their container with some chocolate no-bakes but totally ruined them TWICE! If you have any other easy ideas let me know. Last transfer Hna. Draney and I bought some $1 silly string at Walmart so that plus post-it notes on the cars made for a fun April Fools. It's probably my fav holiday ever. I hope everyone is doing well. I love you guys and will get some pictures printed and in the mail today!
Ciao!
Camille
I receive this email today from Mom about a rental car and had to go search through the Dukelow newsletter to read about the Hawaii trip. I feel so out of the loop! Don't forget about me!!! I hope you guys enjoy it. Happy Belated Birthday to Mom (did you like the card I sent?) and Happy Birthday to Miriam!!! I read the story about the nail artwork in the newsletter too. That was pretty funny.
This week has been full! We taught a lot like usual and had some really great lessons where the spirit was really there. My favorite family that we are teaching is the Juarez family (if we can have favorites). The last Saturday before this transfer, Hna. Hollenbaugh and her companion stopped by to invite Hna. Juarez and their oldest son Julio to church because they saw their names on the ward list but had never seen them at church. He is 15 years old and does karate and plays trombone. Hermana Juarez and Julio were baptized five years ago in another ward but have not been active since they were baptized. The father was supposed to get baptized with them but could not go through with it when the date came. The whole family, Hno. and Hna., Julio, and the two little kids Diana (age 9) and Gustavo (age 8) came to church that Sunday after Hna. Hollenbaugh and McMurtrey passed by and invited them. Since then, they have gone to everything! All the activities, church, conference, the baptisms! After working with them for the whole month, yesterday we were able to set a baptism date with Hermano Juarez to be baptized with the two kids!! They feed us a lot and Hermana has a purse fettish that I can relate to. Yesterday they made my favorite tacos with barbacoa meat. Monday we had delicious tortas with the Bishops family! I am glad we get fed authentic food because I just found out Sister Hansen (President's wife) doesn't want us eating at the taco trucks for safety reasons.- probably one of the hardest rules of the mission!
Friday this week we went to the temple with out zone. I love the temple. It was such a great experience. I went in having prayed for more understanding. I didn't know exactly what I was looking for but my experience there was amazing and I feeling like I have such a greater appreciation for Christ as my Mediator with the Father. Last transfer the temple was across the street from my area's border and now we have to drive quite a bit to get there. We had a testimony meeting right before the session and I bore my testimony of the joy I receive from this work. I received a letter from Ashley Cooper saying she was putting her papers in and asking me for advice. It made me think of just six months ago when I had the same questions. It is indescribable though the joy I've had for example when Dolores came up out of the water, when I are teaching the Juarez family and Hermano Juarez agreed to be baptized or even yesterday when we went to go teach a young girl and the whole household of 10 people sat in and listened. We asked each one of them how they felt and they said they felt so good about the first vision being true!
To finish the week I just loved general conference. I had to watch a couple of the sessions in Spanish because we had investigators there. That was fine. I think all of the talks really speak to how the heavens are still open and how much we still need revelation to guide us in all of these difficulties of the economy and temptations that keep us from being firm in the faith. I especially like the Provident living talk and Holland's talk about our Savior Jesus Christ.
The elders in our ward have a bread machine so they are always making us food and we tried to return their container with some chocolate no-bakes but totally ruined them TWICE! If you have any other easy ideas let me know. Last transfer Hna. Draney and I bought some $1 silly string at Walmart so that plus post-it notes on the cars made for a fun April Fools. It's probably my fav holiday ever. I hope everyone is doing well. I love you guys and will get some pictures printed and in the mail today!
Ciao!
Camille
T2W3 My First Baptism!
Hi Family,
How is everyone? I hope all is going well. Mom and Miriam's birthdays are coming up. Yayyy! This week has been great.
We had 12 new investigators that pretty much all seem promising. I think my favorite part of the mission so far has been teaching a first lesson and just seeing the eyes of the investigator light up as they feel the power of the story of the first vision. One of these lessons this week was a member referral from Hermana Medina. We had dinner with her and her husband last week and shared member missionary plan outlined by Elder Bednar to ask with faith specifically for missionary opportunities. Two days later we called to ask her to accompany us to an appointment and she said she had a referral for us. She was able to start a religious discussion that day with the stylist when she was getting her hair done and found someone who was being prepared by the Lord to hear our message. We called her up immediately and set an appointment. In spite of her hesitancy whether her husband would be supportive of her learning or not, he was the one that was asking if it was alright with her if they had us return to teach more! We found several other similar situations this week and I just love how powerful the Spirit is in testifying of the what we teach!
Saturday the English stake in which we live hosted a 5k Family Fun Day for the community. All of us missionaries in the Katy Zone were invited to come help as well as work the booth "1 Min or Less: Ask a Mormon!" We had to be there at 6:30am so we woke up at 5am. Some other elders that live quite a bit further than us had to wake up even earlier. It was a fun day. I loved seeing all the adults show up in their running garb. I thought about Rae when I saw all of these people sporting their marathon paraphernalia. After the race there were several booths setup in the cultural hall- like free 5 min massage, blood testing, finger printing, emergency preparedness, fitness advice hosted by LA Fitness, and more. Outside they had healthy snacks and games, fire trucks and a moon bounce. It was a great activity.
Yesterday was the highlight of the week. I had my first baptism! We baptized a man named Dolores that Hermana Hollenbaugh and Hermana McMurtrey (her previous companion/trainer who just went home) had found when tracting in a trailer park. He says that while he usually just spends time inside he was constrained to get some fresh air when the answer to his prayers came. He is a great example to me. The baptism started almost an hour late because the Hermano that was going to baptize him needed to get his clothes. However, Dolores was very patient and loved the hymns we sang to pass the time. There was a good turn out from the ward. Just in the past couple of lessons, we found a bit of interest in his brother and have taught him a couple times. He was able to be at the baptism to support him. He was so happy afterwards. We had refreshments and mingled and it was an amazing feeling for me to see someone so clean and ready to continue on with a life of learning in the church, now with the necessary ordinance of baptism.
I am enjoying my time in Texas even though it was pretty rainy this week. All of the Hispanics ask me where I am from as if I am one and I have to explain that I'm not. Most don't believe me but that's good- it means my Spanish is getting good enough to fool some into thinking I'm native. Haha. Oh, and Hermana Dewey has family that has lived on Udall Street in Mesa for many many years. I had to laugh.
I love this work and this gospel. Everyday counts, especially when we're on the Lords time- but I've noticed with our investigators the principle that President Monson taught last conference something about 'too many tomorrows makes a lot of empty yesterdays.' If you have things to get done. Do it now. I love you guys.
!Que les vaya bien!
Camille
How is everyone? I hope all is going well. Mom and Miriam's birthdays are coming up. Yayyy! This week has been great.
We had 12 new investigators that pretty much all seem promising. I think my favorite part of the mission so far has been teaching a first lesson and just seeing the eyes of the investigator light up as they feel the power of the story of the first vision. One of these lessons this week was a member referral from Hermana Medina. We had dinner with her and her husband last week and shared member missionary plan outlined by Elder Bednar to ask with faith specifically for missionary opportunities. Two days later we called to ask her to accompany us to an appointment and she said she had a referral for us. She was able to start a religious discussion that day with the stylist when she was getting her hair done and found someone who was being prepared by the Lord to hear our message. We called her up immediately and set an appointment. In spite of her hesitancy whether her husband would be supportive of her learning or not, he was the one that was asking if it was alright with her if they had us return to teach more! We found several other similar situations this week and I just love how powerful the Spirit is in testifying of the what we teach!
Saturday the English stake in which we live hosted a 5k Family Fun Day for the community. All of us missionaries in the Katy Zone were invited to come help as well as work the booth "1 Min or Less: Ask a Mormon!" We had to be there at 6:30am so we woke up at 5am. Some other elders that live quite a bit further than us had to wake up even earlier. It was a fun day. I loved seeing all the adults show up in their running garb. I thought about Rae when I saw all of these people sporting their marathon paraphernalia. After the race there were several booths setup in the cultural hall- like free 5 min massage, blood testing, finger printing, emergency preparedness, fitness advice hosted by LA Fitness, and more. Outside they had healthy snacks and games, fire trucks and a moon bounce. It was a great activity.
Yesterday was the highlight of the week. I had my first baptism! We baptized a man named Dolores that Hermana Hollenbaugh and Hermana McMurtrey (her previous companion/trainer who just went home) had found when tracting in a trailer park. He says that while he usually just spends time inside he was constrained to get some fresh air when the answer to his prayers came. He is a great example to me. The baptism started almost an hour late because the Hermano that was going to baptize him needed to get his clothes. However, Dolores was very patient and loved the hymns we sang to pass the time. There was a good turn out from the ward. Just in the past couple of lessons, we found a bit of interest in his brother and have taught him a couple times. He was able to be at the baptism to support him. He was so happy afterwards. We had refreshments and mingled and it was an amazing feeling for me to see someone so clean and ready to continue on with a life of learning in the church, now with the necessary ordinance of baptism.
I am enjoying my time in Texas even though it was pretty rainy this week. All of the Hispanics ask me where I am from as if I am one and I have to explain that I'm not. Most don't believe me but that's good- it means my Spanish is getting good enough to fool some into thinking I'm native. Haha. Oh, and Hermana Dewey has family that has lived on Udall Street in Mesa for many many years. I had to laugh.
I love this work and this gospel. Everyday counts, especially when we're on the Lords time- but I've noticed with our investigators the principle that President Monson taught last conference something about 'too many tomorrows makes a lot of empty yesterdays.' If you have things to get done. Do it now. I love you guys.
!Que les vaya bien!
Camille
T2W2 Nacho and Alva Baptized!
Dear Family,
How is everyone? I guess Emma is in NC? Miriam how are youuuu? Did you get my letter?! I still haven't taken pictures with my new/semi-new companions sorry. We have been working hard as usual. I am finally at a computer where I can see the pictures Clarissa sent with her and Miriam. Looks way fun... not gonna lie, it made me feel weird seeing you guys actually touching a guy. That's not allowed in the mission. Haha.
It is hard writing this email without my journal in front of me. I lost my journal last week and someone in a ward way far away took it with them from the Stake Center so I haven't been able to get it back. Last Monday we met up with most of the zone at the Stake Center to play this game they play every p-day called Poison. It's like dodge ball. The elders have no fear in pelting the balls at us two sisters who were brave enough to play. It is a whole new group of elders that I hadn't met before this transfer but they all seem like fun. I've been getting to know them pretty fast.
Just yesterday there was a stake fireside for recent converts and investigators in my old chapel hosted by my old Louetta ward. Just before that Alva and Nacho got baptized! I wasn't able to attend the baptism because my ward meets from 3pm-6pm. It's way late. We did get to go to the fireside though and Alva and Nacho were there. It made me tear up to see them so clean and living their new life. Their son Angel was taking millions of pictures of me. We were also able to see all of the other Spanish Missionaries that are in the city that we never see. That means my madre Hermana Draney! It made me homesick to see a lot of the ward members there. I miss that ward.
We have a baptism this Sunday! His name is Dolores and every time we teach him he is just great even when it is going to be difficult for him. He committed to paying a full tithe even though he struggles to pay for other necessities. He's told us about several times in his life when he almost died but was miraculously saved. We tell him that Heavenly Father must have some great purpose for his life.
I am getting to know the ward members in the Bear Creek II ward slowly but surely. I made friends with this older sister- Sister Luna- after Relief Society last Sunday and she invited us over to eat on Saturday. She is from Nicaragua but we call her a viajona because she travels like crazy! She lives in this big fancy house and has been to NYC, SLC, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua all in the past year or so. Her and I are like BFF because I told her about my NYC Chinatown experiences and she new exactly what I was talking about. My companions just had to sit back and listen. She piled our plates really high with delicious food and we literally could not walk afterwards because we had to eat everything. Sister Luna and I will probably be friends forever.
It is amazing to me still how I am able to speak this language-how I can carry on conversations about Chinatown and listen to broadcasts, read the scriptures, etc. There are several Americans in the ward that married people from their missions. Interesting huh?
My companionship has been an experience! Hermana Dewey and I probably just missed each other so many times when were at BYU. We've found so many mutual friends and talked about certain parties that we were both at! Heremana Hollenbaugh and I still have a lot of differences but it is good that we have Hermana Dewey there to make us laugh about things. That was something we didn't ever do in the MTC.
I hope everyone is doing well. Our ward mission leader told us about his brother who was a bishop, had several stake callings, and converted over hundreds of people on his mission. His brother this week decided he did not believe the church to be true anymore. I think this is the reason why enduring to the end is so important. When we have made a covenant with the Lord- there can be nothing worse that not keeping our promise. I know this church is true with all my heart.
Love, Camille
How is everyone? I guess Emma is in NC? Miriam how are youuuu? Did you get my letter?! I still haven't taken pictures with my new/semi-new companions sorry. We have been working hard as usual. I am finally at a computer where I can see the pictures Clarissa sent with her and Miriam. Looks way fun... not gonna lie, it made me feel weird seeing you guys actually touching a guy. That's not allowed in the mission. Haha.
It is hard writing this email without my journal in front of me. I lost my journal last week and someone in a ward way far away took it with them from the Stake Center so I haven't been able to get it back. Last Monday we met up with most of the zone at the Stake Center to play this game they play every p-day called Poison. It's like dodge ball. The elders have no fear in pelting the balls at us two sisters who were brave enough to play. It is a whole new group of elders that I hadn't met before this transfer but they all seem like fun. I've been getting to know them pretty fast.
Just yesterday there was a stake fireside for recent converts and investigators in my old chapel hosted by my old Louetta ward. Just before that Alva and Nacho got baptized! I wasn't able to attend the baptism because my ward meets from 3pm-6pm. It's way late. We did get to go to the fireside though and Alva and Nacho were there. It made me tear up to see them so clean and living their new life. Their son Angel was taking millions of pictures of me. We were also able to see all of the other Spanish Missionaries that are in the city that we never see. That means my madre Hermana Draney! It made me homesick to see a lot of the ward members there. I miss that ward.
We have a baptism this Sunday! His name is Dolores and every time we teach him he is just great even when it is going to be difficult for him. He committed to paying a full tithe even though he struggles to pay for other necessities. He's told us about several times in his life when he almost died but was miraculously saved. We tell him that Heavenly Father must have some great purpose for his life.
I am getting to know the ward members in the Bear Creek II ward slowly but surely. I made friends with this older sister- Sister Luna- after Relief Society last Sunday and she invited us over to eat on Saturday. She is from Nicaragua but we call her a viajona because she travels like crazy! She lives in this big fancy house and has been to NYC, SLC, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua all in the past year or so. Her and I are like BFF because I told her about my NYC Chinatown experiences and she new exactly what I was talking about. My companions just had to sit back and listen. She piled our plates really high with delicious food and we literally could not walk afterwards because we had to eat everything. Sister Luna and I will probably be friends forever.
It is amazing to me still how I am able to speak this language-how I can carry on conversations about Chinatown and listen to broadcasts, read the scriptures, etc. There are several Americans in the ward that married people from their missions. Interesting huh?
My companionship has been an experience! Hermana Dewey and I probably just missed each other so many times when were at BYU. We've found so many mutual friends and talked about certain parties that we were both at! Heremana Hollenbaugh and I still have a lot of differences but it is good that we have Hermana Dewey there to make us laugh about things. That was something we didn't ever do in the MTC.
I hope everyone is doing well. Our ward mission leader told us about his brother who was a bishop, had several stake callings, and converted over hundreds of people on his mission. His brother this week decided he did not believe the church to be true anymore. I think this is the reason why enduring to the end is so important. When we have made a covenant with the Lord- there can be nothing worse that not keeping our promise. I know this church is true with all my heart.
Love, Camille
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