Nampa or BUST!

Familia y Amigos!

Yes, it is true. I'm headed to Nampa. Transfers were this week and I'm leaving Kuna! It was a great place to be born (mission lingo for our first area) and there are amazing people! I will miss it, but I'm excited to come to Nampa. Hermana Barnes and Turner are staying in Kuna and will take good care of it! This morning, when we were leaving to go to the transfer spot, our gas light was on, but it hadn't been on for very long. So we debated on getting gas in Kuna and being late or just trying to make it to Nampa. What did we do? Of course tried to make it. And what happened? Wellllll, we ran out of gas. So we just sat on the side of the road for awhile while we waited for Sister Fisher to come give us some gas. 2nd time in my life. haha

More big news, they're dissolving the Spanish zones. All the Spanish missionaries are going to be in the English districts. That's going to be so weird! But it'll really help the work. English and Spanish will work together a lot better and more. I'm excited!

This last week we had our branch Cinco de Mayo party. It was a blast! People were swimming and playing volleyball and there was tons of food! And most importantly, a ton of our investigators and non-members showed up! It was a huge success! We had it at the home of Mike Christensen. He owns a lot of potato farms and other things, so he has an indoor pool and a barn with horses and everything. It was the perfect location for the party.

Another thing that happened is we went to El Gallo Giro for the last time and I decided that I'd go all out. I tried lengua. That's tongue. Yep! I did it. It really wasn't bad. It wasn't really that delicious, but it was alright. Tasty because it was a taco (my favorite). We had to eat really fast because we had to leave for a baptism. It wasn't of people we knew, but we had invited Frances to come. AND SHE CAME! Yeah! Sharon Shultz, a lady in Frances' ward brought her. They're basically the same person, it's so cute. And Sharon's the perfect person to bring with us to lessons with Frances. She really understands and relates to Frances, and she's not afraid to testify of things. Stuff that she knows, even if it's really simple. And it means a lot to Frances. So we were crazy excited to have her come to the baptism. It answered some of her questions and made her more excited for her own baptism. She's really close and is really progressing. I love her and am really going to miss her!

And that kinda relates to a big thing I learned this week. It's basically the impact of little things. Alma 36:6-7 is basically the motto of my mission and my life. It's not always the big things that make a difference. Especially in missionary work. It's HOW we talk to people and show them love in little ways, not necessarily in the big, fancy words or being really eloquent. And it's when we do things with sincerity that it makes the biggest impact. That's how it is with Spanish. Because I can't say too too much, I have to show in some way how much it means to me and teach really simply. And I know that makes a big difference. The church is true. Jesus Christ is at the head of it. That's why I'm here and I love it.

Have a great week and take care!

Con amor,

Hermana Shirley

1) Us on the side of the road. Waiting for gas to arrive.

2) Brother Christensen has the setup for homemade fries on the spot! Let's just say, fries bring a party, especially for Cinco de Mayo.

3) My plate at El Gallo Giro. One of those tacos is lengua!

4) Sharon, me, Frances. I love those ladies.

5) Another sunset.

Gasoline and a Troll

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week was really good. Progress is happening! It's really slow, but we're doing what we can to help this work roll on. A new branch mission leader was called and we have a big activity today for Cinco de Mayo! So a lot of this week was spent going around and making contact with people we haven't seen in awhile and inviting them to the activity. We probably invited a hundred people! There were a few days where we got invitation happy. HA! But if that means more people come and have a good experience, GREAT!

On Wednesday, we came up with the idea to print out maps of different neighborhoods that had a high concentration of Hispanics and then knock on all of the doors. Straight up tract! It was kind of cool to get to experience that. That's not normally what we do here in Spanish Idaho. We work almost solely on referrals and people who know Spanish speakers. So it was really different. But we ran into some very interesting people. First of all, we met a really great lady named Grace. She grew up in another religion and then things happened in her life where she basically got disowned. So she really had to turn inward and have a relationship with God. AWESOME! That's exactly what we teach! Another interesting character we met was Troll. Yep. That's his name. He is a high priest of Bell, the Irish god of the sun. He told us all about his "conversion" and how he came to know Bell. He was in a military graveyard, searching for paranormal activity, when he saw a bright light/firey ball that was "unmistakably Bell." I've never heard of anything like that and we never would have met him if we hadn't tracted. It was a fun day.

Also, we went to the Kuna stake president's house yesterday, President Beus. They are an amazing family. He owns the dairy we went to last week. We were meeting and talking about how we could help specific people in Melba. Somehow at the end, we mentioned that our gas light came on again. It's kinda a joke with us that our gas light ALWAYS manages to turn on Sundays. But when we mentioned that, President Beus offered to give us a little gas. I was picturing a little red gas can and they'd give us enough to get home safely and drive to the gas station this morning. We pull up and turns out they have a full on gas station (pretty much) and three 500(?) gallon tanks of gas. We couldn't take very much because it would throw off the numbers of our gas log. Then the son who was helping us just went at it! We said, after about 5 seconds, that it was enough. But he just kept going! Hna. Barnes started panicking about how much he was giving us. But he said that his dad had told him to fill it up. Uhh. Not ok. So he stopped at 5 gallons. We laughed/freaked out about it as we were driving home. Mixed feelings. We were just amazed at their generosity but also trying to figure out what we should do. We're just going to tell the office what happened. It'll be alright. I love people who are just so giving! That defines the Beuses.

The last experience that happened this week is with Frances. We're teaching her and since I've been here, I have really seen a change in her. When we emphasized the Book of Mormon and how it's the evidence of our religion is when she really started to read it and put effort into learning. She is amazing. She has a hard time reading, but will read it multiple times to understand it. (I'm getting her the Book of Mormon on CD!) Well, we've been talking to her about baptism and what she thinks about it. She was really hesitant because her parents baptized her in the Baptist faith and she felt like she would be going against their wishes if she was baptized somewhere else. We taught about the plan of salvation and how her parents are in the spirit world, being taught the same things she is. And that they have the opportunity to accept the gospel there. That really comforted her. At that point, we asked her how she was feeling and pointed out that the good feeling she had was the Holy Ghost. That's what it feels like. And we taught that we can temporarily feel the Holy Ghost before we're baptized but we can have Him with us always and feel that good constantly after we're baptized. And that's when I realized how much of a blessing it is for us to be able to have the Holy Ghost with us ALL THE TIME. It was a testimony to me of how amazing it is to be a member of the church and how much Heavenly Father loves us to give us the gift of the Holy Ghost. It really is amazing. It's through the Holy Ghost that Heavenly Father tells us things are true. It's how He keeps us safe. It's how He comforts us. Best gift EVER!

Anyways, I love you all and hope you're doing great!

Con amor,

Hermana Shirley

Photo: The gas setup.

So this is me putting the milker on the cow last week. Whoopee!

We all wore coral! Couldn't resist the photo op.

Cows and Russia

Familia y Amigos!

How is everyone? Hope you had a great week! I'm still plugging along in Kuna. A few cool things happened this week.

We got a new branch mission leader. He's super excited about missionary work, so things are going to really pick up.

This morning, we milked cows. There a ton of dairies in Melba, and I asked the stake president, President Beus, if we could come today and check it out and help him out. It was super fun. We didn't milk cows all close and personal, like you might think. We pretty much went in and attached the machine to them. Bada bing, bada boom. But it was still fun. We walked around and looked at the cows and saw where all the milk goes. I can cross it off my life and mission bucket list!

We had an experience earlier this week that was really cool too. We were just walking in this neighborhood and had already knocked on the doors that we had been told about, so we had some time. We decided we would just walk around the neighborhood and knock on houses that seemed like they might be hispanic. So we just walked. And it was kinda a curvy neighborhood. But we were coming across nothing. None of the houses seemed like they would be Spanish speakers. So we reached a point where we stopped and just looked around and thought about what we should do. We decided to go to the corner of the neighborhood, where this house was central and might know a lot of neighbors and most of the people around. We walked up to it and actually got the vibe that they would be members. When we knocked, this lady, Melissa answered the door. She is a young mother of 3 girls. She told us she's actually non-denominational Christian and was actually, right at that moment, writing an essay for her church about Christians who act on their faith. She was specifically studying Jehovah's Witness and Mormons. She had been writing this and JUST thinking why she hadn't had any mormons knock on her door. She had been waiting for us! No, she didn't speak Spanish, but we were guided to that door. It wasn't coincidence. It was really awesome. She is so legit and has a ton of faith. So we talked with her for awhile and after we left, we told the english missionaries in that area about her. YAY! SO COOL!

Also earlier this week, we got permission to watch the Seratov Approach at an activity. It's about missionaries in Russia who get kidnapped. It was intense, but amazingly inspirational. Especially watching it as a missionary, it changed my perspective on why I'm here and what my purpose is on my mission and in life. It really all is up to the Lord. We have a reason for being where we are and in the situations we're in. It taught me about love and light and how it can overcome darkness. Really, any person can change. The Atonement can overcome anything. Heavenly Father has a purpose for all of us and loves us so much. When hard and bad things happen to us, it's for a reason. It's so that we can learn and grow, but also to show His power. I found this verse in the Book of Mormon that is appropriate. Alma 60:13. It's true. And I love this gospel.

Hope the Lord keeps you safe and watches over you all this week!

Con amor,

Hermana Shirley

 

1) Sunset/cloud thing

2) Us at the lecheria (dairy).

This week. Yep.

Familia y amigos!

Well, last Monday we went to Kuna caves. They're one little exciting thing about Kuna. They are literally a deep hole in the middle of a field that connects to a few little crawl spaces. But we had a blast and crawled all around in there last week. Then, we think it was something about the dust or being underground or something, but that night, both Hermana Turner and Barnes got super sick. Sooo Monday and Tuesday weren't too productive. It was super fun to explore down there, but the repercussions... probably not worth it.

This morning, we ran out of gas. Completely. We were driving out of the driveway and it puttered and died. The gas light turned on yesterday, but we couldn't get gas and we had a lot of places to go. So we drove around and made it home last night. We thought we'd for sure have just enough to make it to the gas station, but nope. It was super funny and we felt like classic sisters, running out of gas. We DIDN'T put water in our tank, though. Don't worry. The members we live with had an extra gallon that we used. We put in just enough to make it to the gas station. WE MADE IT!! We were praying that we wouldn't die on the way there.

Then yesterday I had a great Easter! We had a stake conference meeting, then our church meetings, then we went and visited a few people, sharing the Easter video. Then our dinner appointment was really nice. We ate with the Pierces (M&D: they told me they met you!) and when I first walked up, they greeted me, "Sister Shirley, let me guess, you're from Vancouver, Washington." I racked my brain for any idea of how they could know. I just went with it. We walked inside and they had their whole family there. It was kinda crazy but mostly really nice. Being surrounded by people is what I'm used to for holidays. They made us feel really welcome and even gave us little bags of candy. Then after, we went over to our president's house. They had family too. They also had confetti eggs. Long story short, we got into a big fight and their house was covered in confetti. Super fun.

We also were able to go on Facebook this week. I realized that I don't love spending time on Facebook. It's awesome for sharing things, but it takes a lot of time. Plus, it felt weird being on there. But I actually did see some awesome things happen because of it. First off, the video was amazing and I still get chills watching it. Second, being able to remind people that they are cared for and that they're important to me was really good. And realizing how much good can come because of facebook was awesome.

I took this week before Easter to REALLY think about Christ and how I have been, am, and will be blessed as a result of Jesus Christ. I've never thought about it that way, how the Atonement of Christ personally affects me, past, present, and future. It's really cool. I know I have been strengthened, physically, mentally, and spiritually by Him. And I'm overwhelmed with peace and comfort when I think that Christ is how we can be perfect. I'm hard on myself sometimes and especially when I think of all the responsibility I have and the promises I made with Heavenly Father, I know that I haven't been perfect and I make mistakes. To think, though, that when I try my best and humble myself to repent, He will cover when I fall. That's amazing. That's what Easter is about and that's why I'm here. This knowledge makes me so happy. And I want to share that with others. I want other people to make changes for the better and know that they can be happy. Even if they think they're happy, they can be even happier. Even cleaner. Even more at peace. All because of Him.

Love you all and hope you have an amazing week!

Con amor,

Hermana Shirley

1) I look kind of mentally insane, but I had a good easter.

2) Using the emergency gas this morning!

3) This is a house. We just saw it as we drove by and we HAD TO take a picture.

4) In Kuna caves.

5) Us on Easter!

Killer Weeeek!

Familia y Amigos!

How are you all doing?? This was a super good week. We got a TON done! We almost doubled our number of lessons taught! Maybe we're just really starting to get the hang of how we can work together to be most effective.

And we've been doing a lot of service for people. We actually were talking to Frances about all her animals and how she always has so much to do, so we offered and insisted that we help her with her irrigation system and with the animals. It was super fun! She has probably 20 different types of birds and a ton of chickens. So we collected eggs and helped feed them. I can cross off "collect an egg JUST laid by a chicken and still wet" off my bucket list. Hah! Then after, she fed us lunch. You could tell she had just gone shopping and bought a bunch of food to make this special for us. She even bought each of us a chocolate bunny for easter! She is such a sweetheart. She collects broaches and pins, so we got her one from the thrift shop in Kuna. You could tell it just made her day!

A huge part of missionary work is showing people love in any way possible. But not just through being an example. By ACTING. And when you love the gospel and have a desire to share it (and not let excuses get in the way), the acting part will become natural. That is one huge thing I've learned this week. Being an example isn't enough. It's a big part, for sure, but that's not all. EVERYONE can be a missionary. Showing love and caring about others is where it's at. DOING things for people. And another thing is sincerely praying for missionary opportunities and for the missionaries. I totally have a testimony that prayer works. When we need something, and ask for it, Heavenly Father will bless us.

ALSO, this week we got permission to go on facebook because of an AMAZING easter video that the church has come out with. If you haven't heard of it already, it's called "Because of Him." It's on mormon.org. It's truly beautiful. And please repost it on any social media. Everyone needs to see it. :)

You all are awesome and I hope things go well for you this next week!

Con amor,

Hermanita Shirley

 

PS Sorry no pictures this week. Our hookup isn't working.

...And stuff.

Familia y amigos!

This email is dedicated to a little lady named June who we've been talking to lately. She turned 93 this last Friday. She isn't Spanish, but she's the neighbor of one of the people we teach. So we stop by and say hi when we make it out there. She's still up and kicking. She tells us if she sits down and stops going, she'll stop indefinitely. So she's very stubborn, but even since we first met her, she's softening. And she says "and stuff" before and after every sentence she says. It's a trademark June-thing. We love going by there and seeing how she's doing. We're planning on coming and helping her with her yard and other things this next week. We are just being her friend and showing her how much we love her and the gospel.

There was a talk in General Conference about loving our neighbors and showing them how much the gospel means to you and that that's what they need sometimes (I forgot who it's by... Elder Scott I think). It is so true. June is a perfect example of that. Everyone is ready for a friend and wants to feel loved and appreciated.

We have a senior kid who we're teaching who is really interested in the church (I think I actually told you about him maybe). He actually works at a local famous restaurant, El Gallo Giro. We've talked about going to see him when he's at work, but we never did until this week. We had about 40 minutes left in the day before 9:00 (when we have to be home) and we had to figure out something to do because our appointment fell through. So we actually felt like that would be the perfect time to go see if we could run into him. As we were walking up, he actually came out and had to sweep outside. PERFECT TIMING. Not a coincidence! So we just got a few desserts (fried ice cream), talked to him a bit, and talked to another senior kid who works there and is a member. Anyways, it was a really cool experience. We felt kinda like we were slacking, but we had a purpose and saw the blessings that confirmed it's where we were supposed to be.

That's what Heavenly Father does. He gives us little blessings. Little ways to show us if we're doing the right things. Little "tender mercies" and feelings of comfort. That's one thing I've learned through this whole process of deciding to go on a mission and since being here. Heavenly Father doesn't normally answer in huge, fantastic ways. It's the little things. And feelings that you get when you do things. That's how I know the church is true and how the Book of Mormon is true. And Joseph Smith. If I try to think about it logically, it's kinda crazy and technical. But when I think about what I know and how I feel when I read the Book of Mormon or testify of these things, THAT'S when I know it's all true. The spirit testifies of truth. And that's how we can know ALL things. That was one of the big themes of General Conference, TRUTH. Or at least, that's what I got out of a lot of talks. THE HOLY GHOST TESTIFIES OF PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL TRUTH. That is so cool! I love the gospel. I know it's true.

Con amor,

Hermanita Shirley

1) June!

2) Our district this last transfer. More hermanas than elders!

Here we go again!

Familia y Amigos!

We had transfers again this week and for the first time, I'm staying with my companions!! Weird. And I'm staying in Kuna. They're not dividing it, so our trio is staying together covering the whole area still. Allllright! Here we go again!

As for things I've done this week, I made homemade tortillas!!!! That was one thing on my mission bucket list and I already did it! It was so easy, too. And I was dubbed the roller because mine were most round. HA! And they were delicious. I'm actually going to make those again!

Another monumentous thing that happened this week is I basically went to a visit all in Spanish, all by myself. Not by myself, but with a Sister in Melba who doesn't speak very much Spanish at all and I actually speak more than her... We were on splits. So I was talking the whole time. I didn't teach a lesson, but she had a ton of questions and I answered them!!! In Spanish. The lady we visited knows the Bible forward and back and had a lot of questions basically trying to prove us wrong. I didn't answer all her questions perfectly because I had never even encountered them before and didn't know what to say, but I brought it back to doctrine and just said what I could. It was intense! When we were leaving, I couldn't believe I had just done that. And I wasn't even nervous for it or anything! It was kinda an out of body experience that blew my mind a little. To give you a concept of this, my Spanish is pretty iffy. I can figure things out of how to say it in Spanish, but just knowing what to say is what I struggle with. That'll all come with practice and experience and study. I just have to have patience with myself.

Our little branch also had an activity on Friday. It was a sports night and we played volleyball. It was super fun and people came!!!! A lot of people, actually. People were really good and got really into it. In general, things are really really good. And I feel so good about the work we're doing!

This week, I studied more about action. Faith has to lead to action or there's no point in having it. And we do this when we have a purpose for doing it. When we know the purpose of life and that there's a reason for all things, it motivates us to act. This life is a time to prepare to meet God (Alma 34-study it.) and to always work to be better. It gives us a goal for life even when we feel like we're stuck or in a rut. And when we are working to be better and change every day, Heavenly Father will help us and strengthen us. I love that SO MUCH. He gives us purpose and then helps us to accomplish that when we show that we're willing to try and to act on what we know. It's amazing. The gospel is amazing and I know it's true.

Love you all! Have a safe, fantastic week!!

Con todo mi amor,

Hermana Shirley

1) The puppy that Brother Zeyer bought.

2) We were given clothes and we couldn't pass up the photo op. of these lovely polka dotted dresses.

3) They're pretty thug, I know!

4) My perfect tortilla!

5) Maria Guttierez, who taught us to make tortillas! (She's a hoot!)

6) Whenever we help our branch president with his new house, he feeds us, whether we like it or not.

7) Let's just say this is not the first time this has happened. We have the exact same color schemes.

 8) KARCHER MALL!

 9) The seagulls have started to attack the fields.