It's amazing how much can happen in one week on the mission or even in one day. We meet all these great people, they say they are interested, and then nothing happens. I think the Lord is really humbling us. It's hard going to church and not having an investigator with us, but I know it will happen soon.
I can see that Crystal Molena feels something different when we teach her, but she doesn't seem to act on the commitments that we give. She hasn't been able to come to church yet, but I am praying that she will. I think a lot of things are holding her back, such as her boy friend and other friends. The other day we drove over to her house for an appointment (with one of the members her age). We pounded on the door, called her phone. We basically have no creeper meter as missionaries. Calling 5-6 times is completely acceptable when it comes to the gospel. We were even considering knocking on her bedroom window because we had a feeling that she was sleeping. Sis. Rodriguez was all for it, but I drew the line there. I guess I am learning to be bold in ways that I never thought I would have to.
It's always disappointing when our appointments fall through, especially when all of them, in the same day, fall through. However, I really care about Crystal a lot, and we are doing everything that we can to give her the opportunity to exercise her faith. So we'll see what happens.
It's really interesting when no one seems interested in our message: people slam the door on us and say that they are Christians, it's over 100 degrees outside, sweat is dripping down my back, yet I still feel happy. I mean we don't feel that way all the time. But I love when Hermana Rodriguez and I are laughing, even in those hard moments going door to door (when most of the people are East Indian and they don't speak any English). We just sing and enjoy all the interesting people that we meet, especially the guy who talked to us about hell for over half an hour, and told us an experience where someone saw Michael Jackson, Celina, and Labron James in hell. This man also asked me if I was expecting! I didn;t know what to say. Hna. Rodriguez looked at me painfully. I stared at my feet. "No I'm not pregnant," I laughed uncomfortably. "Oh it's just the way your dress is set up, ya know? I'm sorry." I wanted to slap him in that moment. However, I figured this experience would be great to write about. So I guess something good came out of it. The Lord is really testing me to see if I can love everyone.
So in our branch there aren't too many people. In fact, they aren't big enough to be a ward yet. But I am sure that it will happen soon. Because the branch is pretty small, everyone must really do their part. Including me, the new awkward missionary. I was asked, last moment, to lead the music in church. I've done it two weeks in a row now. I think I am doing an okay job, but sometimes I just pretend like I know how to do it. There is only one kid who can play the piano, so him and I struggle through all the songs. It's great.
Every Sunday we go to this thing called Branch counsel. It starts before church, and basically all the leaders get together and discuss missionary work in our branch and how we can strengthen the members. They all talk really quickly, and I try to listen as much as I can. But trying to understand the language is like walking in late to a movie, walking out, and coming back in over and over. So I only get bits of what people are saying. They will all laugh for a moment, and I join them sometimes, just so I don't look too lost.
Good news, Mary Pippins went to church (with her gout and all). She left us a really funny message on Sat. saying that she wanted to come to church. "Hey sugar. This is me Mary Pippins. I'm just callin' cause I wanna go to y'alls church tomorrow. I just need a ride. Gimme a call back mmmk," she said in her slow drawl. We made sure to call the English elders to find her a ride.
Mary had a great time at church, and he wants to bring her sister now. I am beaming just writing that sentence. I don't know why, but I feel really connected to Mary, and I am excited for her.
I have eaten some interesting food so far. We were eating at this member's house on Tues, and it was one of the little kid's birthdays. So there were children running everywhere throughout this tiny house. It smelled like beef, and I don't think they had air conditioning. A jolly Hispanic man named Hermano Del Angel greeted us in the kitchen. He told me to try something in a bowl that looked like chunky salsa. So I agreed. Sister Rodriguez whispered to me, "That's pig skin Hermana." I chewed slower. "Seriously?" I asked.
I couldn't believe that I put spicy pig flesh in my mouth. However, I got over it quickly.
I was amazed at the kindness of these people. even though all of their food was fried, greasy, and fatty meats, they were so giving. They had to feed so many people, and I know that they didn't have a lot. Yet, Hermano Del Angel was so excited to slap all sorts of meats and drippy things on my sandwich (which I think is called a Salchicha). I have never had such terrible gas and stomach pains after that food, but I was grateful for their kindness.
Sister Rodriguez and I feel so thankful for all the members who feed us throughout the week. So we decided to make them cookies one night after we finished tracting. We never have a lot of time at the end of the day, so we made them as quickly as possible. It was the first time I had baked something in a long time. (Tyler you should be proud). We used Sister Burroughs's recipe, and they turned out spectacular.
I love my companion so much. She is so giving and patient with me. She shares everything. I mean everything. For example, she got some shampoo and conditioner from her mom, and she insisted that I use some. I love serving with Hermana Rodriguez, and I know that I am learning so much from her.
Monday, August 1, 2011
The First Fist-Full of Texas
Wow, I don't even know where to begin. My heart is pounding right now thinking about all the experiences that I have had already and trying to write about them. First off, I am in the Plano, Texas area, and we have a car (which is a huge blessing). However, I am the driver! I was terrified in the beginning because people have serious road-rage here, but Hermana Rodriguez assured me that and spiritual gift that I ask for the Lord will bless me with. So I have been praying to be a better driver. My directional awarement is still awful, but I the Lord has truly blessed me to drive safely and to stay calm.
My companion's name is Hermana Rodriguez. She is from Washington. She had long, shiny black hair, and pearl-white teeth. It was so crazy because at the transfer meeting (my first morning in Texas) I saw her, and I knew that she would be my companion. After we were paired up, I sat down next to her in the church pews. She introduced herself, and she told me that she knew that I was going to be her companion. "A few days before I called the Elders to see who the new missionaries coming in were. And when they said Hermana Lamb, I felt that you would be my companion. People thought I was weird for trying to guess, but here you are," she said smiling.
Even though I haven't known Hermana Rodriguez for very long, one thing I have learned it that she is so in tune with the spirit. I love being around her because she acts on those promptings and feelings. I know that the Lord has answered my prayers with this companion. My prayers before the mission field consisted of something like, "Lord please don't give me a hard companion my first transfer, please. I am not ready. I need someone that I can get along with." And wow we clicked right away. I really love her.
The other day--while we were tracking-- we introduced ourselves to this man fixing his car. He shook our sweaty and slightly swollen hands. "Que bonita contraste," (what a beautiful contrast) he said looking us up and down. He was slightly creepy, but it was funny to hear him explain the difference between us. Hermana Rodriguez is dark naturally, but from this sun, she is very dark now. Standing next to me (a pale-white girl), I am sure people are shocked to hear me attempt Spanish.
So Hermana Rodriguez and I live with a ward member named Sister Burroughs. She is an older lady in her 70's I think, and we also live with her Granddaughter. It's really nice to be in a home, especially one with air conditioning. Everything in pretty spread out here, so there is a lot of driving involved. Hermana Rodriquez was on a bike last transfer, and I don't know how she survived. She said that they would be dripping sweat every time they knocked a door. She said that they would run their hands along their arms to squeegee the sweat away (pretty gross huh?) I hope I don't have to ride bikes anytime soon. It's crazy because I am dripping sweat just standing outside. It's like breathing through a warm rag. I guess the kind of heat the have now is not normal (check of the weather). It's over 100's; however, I think it helps for us to get pity contacts: haha people probably feel sorry for us walking around in the heat, so they sometimes let us in.
One day I said dramatically to hermana Rodriquez, "Where is the shade?" We were tracting in this trailer park, and we literally could not find any shade to say our prayer in. It was pathetic but also humorous. I hope someone saw us wandering around looking slightly delirious.
Cool experience that I want to share:
So Hermana Rodriquez told me to just start driving one day. "You know what we are gonna do. . . I just want you to drive wherever you feel you should go," she said dabbing her face with a hanky. So I drove around for a while. I really don't know this area, so I was pretty confused. We eventually ended up in this neighborhood where Hna. Rodriquez said there would be Hispanic families. I drove slowly past this one street called Frances. My heart literally hurt as I started going further. So, I found a place to turn around.
"Are you going back to Francis?" Hna. Rodriquez asked.
"Yeah I really feel like we need to," I said.
"I was just going to tell you to turn around," she smiled.
We said a prayer together, and we made sure to make our prayers very specific. We prayed that we would get in two doors. We started knocking the doors on one side of the street. We got into one house. "That was an answer to prayer," we decided. We continued knocking doors. Eventually we knocked this one door--the screen was dirty, and the house looked dim.
A large black lady spoke to us from behind the screen. We introduced ourselves, and this woman (Mary Pippins) let us in. She had a slow southern drawl, and she ushered us to take a seat on a dingy, sunken-in couch.
Mary sat down in a love-seat across from us. She wore a cut-off yellow shirt that read: Lend a helping hand to the homeless." Her hair was short and fuzzy. She sat with her hands resting on her knees.
"I'm cookin' fish, and I don't have no air conditionin. Sorry bout that," she said wearily. We assured her that it was fine, and that it felt better than outside (which was partly true).
Mary had heavy eyes, and I could literally sense this woman's pain. She told us about herself, her family, and her health problems: she suffers from gout in her feet so she can't work. She also told us that she suffers from depression.
I inched forward in my chair as I listened to her talk. I could not believe how much love I felt for this woman. I wanted to grab her hand, take her to the car, and drive her to church. She was searching for something better in this life, and I knew that the Savior wanted to help her so much.
After I explained to her that I also suffer from depression, I asked her when she feels most at peace.
"When I'm on the computer, or the TV. I love me some T.V.," she sighed.
I bore my testimony to Mary. I said a lot of things that I don't really remember, but I do remember telling her that the gospel and Jesus Christ are the only things that have helped me when I feel down.
"Mmmmhmm. Yes i would like that," she said rocking her head slowly up and down.
We invited her to church.
"I would really like that. I don't have any friends. I would like some friends," she said.
"Well you got two now," I assured her. She smiled leaning back in her chair.
We prayed with Mary, and tears filled her eyes. The spirit was so strong, and I was so happy in that moment.
However, I felt a little bummed because we would have to hand this woman over to the English speaking missionaries, but I knew that the Lord sent us to her house. This woman was searching for something higher than herself. And her heart was so humble. She was so beautiful to me. And we are definitely going back to visit her soon because she wasn't able to come to church this Sunday.
We have met so many great people already. It's amazing how the Lord works when we are obedient. He is literally bound when we do what he says. So whatever we ask for in his name, it will happen. I have seen this in different ways here. It's so cool.
Right now we are teaching this 18 year-old girl named Crystal Molena. She is 18, and she has a really great knowledge of the important things in this life. She used to be Christian of some sort, I think. But her family doesn't go anymore. They have already listened to the J-dubs, but for some amazing reason they wanted to hear us also. Her mom said that the JDUBS gave her a headache. This made me laugh. Her mom only speaks Spanish, so I do my best to talk to her as well, but I do better explaining myself in Spanglish to Crystal who speaks both.
We have taught them twice. The second time we talked about faith, read some scriptures, and showed them the Joseph Smith video. The kids are usually super rowdy, and their is always Spanish rap music playing in one of the bedrooms. But this time they invited all the kids to come in. The two teenage boys dragged their feet to the table and mostly texted the whole time (which reminded me of someone). But what was so cool about that experience is that during the movie, I watched as all of them grew quiet, even the little seven year old. It was amazing. We tried to ask them how they felt. They said they felt good even though they weren't sure if the Restoration was true. We tried to explain that what they were feeling was the spirit, and we read them scriptures about that. However, I am coming to find that people don't always understand when and how the spirit speaks to them, and they don't understand what it takes to get an answer.
We are praying for Crystal to feel that it's true and to come with us to church. But she has her agency. But I wish people would just realize that they can get an answer if they read and pray. "Prove God," I want to say to everyone we meet because they can, and they won't be able to prove him wrong if they ask.
My companion's name is Hermana Rodriguez. She is from Washington. She had long, shiny black hair, and pearl-white teeth. It was so crazy because at the transfer meeting (my first morning in Texas) I saw her, and I knew that she would be my companion. After we were paired up, I sat down next to her in the church pews. She introduced herself, and she told me that she knew that I was going to be her companion. "A few days before I called the Elders to see who the new missionaries coming in were. And when they said Hermana Lamb, I felt that you would be my companion. People thought I was weird for trying to guess, but here you are," she said smiling.
Even though I haven't known Hermana Rodriguez for very long, one thing I have learned it that she is so in tune with the spirit. I love being around her because she acts on those promptings and feelings. I know that the Lord has answered my prayers with this companion. My prayers before the mission field consisted of something like, "Lord please don't give me a hard companion my first transfer, please. I am not ready. I need someone that I can get along with." And wow we clicked right away. I really love her.
The other day--while we were tracking-- we introduced ourselves to this man fixing his car. He shook our sweaty and slightly swollen hands. "Que bonita contraste," (what a beautiful contrast) he said looking us up and down. He was slightly creepy, but it was funny to hear him explain the difference between us. Hermana Rodriguez is dark naturally, but from this sun, she is very dark now. Standing next to me (a pale-white girl), I am sure people are shocked to hear me attempt Spanish.
So Hermana Rodriguez and I live with a ward member named Sister Burroughs. She is an older lady in her 70's I think, and we also live with her Granddaughter. It's really nice to be in a home, especially one with air conditioning. Everything in pretty spread out here, so there is a lot of driving involved. Hermana Rodriquez was on a bike last transfer, and I don't know how she survived. She said that they would be dripping sweat every time they knocked a door. She said that they would run their hands along their arms to squeegee the sweat away (pretty gross huh?) I hope I don't have to ride bikes anytime soon. It's crazy because I am dripping sweat just standing outside. It's like breathing through a warm rag. I guess the kind of heat the have now is not normal (check of the weather). It's over 100's; however, I think it helps for us to get pity contacts: haha people probably feel sorry for us walking around in the heat, so they sometimes let us in.
One day I said dramatically to hermana Rodriquez, "Where is the shade?" We were tracting in this trailer park, and we literally could not find any shade to say our prayer in. It was pathetic but also humorous. I hope someone saw us wandering around looking slightly delirious.
Cool experience that I want to share:
So Hermana Rodriquez told me to just start driving one day. "You know what we are gonna do. . . I just want you to drive wherever you feel you should go," she said dabbing her face with a hanky. So I drove around for a while. I really don't know this area, so I was pretty confused. We eventually ended up in this neighborhood where Hna. Rodriquez said there would be Hispanic families. I drove slowly past this one street called Frances. My heart literally hurt as I started going further. So, I found a place to turn around.
"Are you going back to Francis?" Hna. Rodriquez asked.
"Yeah I really feel like we need to," I said.
"I was just going to tell you to turn around," she smiled.
We said a prayer together, and we made sure to make our prayers very specific. We prayed that we would get in two doors. We started knocking the doors on one side of the street. We got into one house. "That was an answer to prayer," we decided. We continued knocking doors. Eventually we knocked this one door--the screen was dirty, and the house looked dim.
A large black lady spoke to us from behind the screen. We introduced ourselves, and this woman (Mary Pippins) let us in. She had a slow southern drawl, and she ushered us to take a seat on a dingy, sunken-in couch.
Mary sat down in a love-seat across from us. She wore a cut-off yellow shirt that read: Lend a helping hand to the homeless." Her hair was short and fuzzy. She sat with her hands resting on her knees.
"I'm cookin' fish, and I don't have no air conditionin. Sorry bout that," she said wearily. We assured her that it was fine, and that it felt better than outside (which was partly true).
Mary had heavy eyes, and I could literally sense this woman's pain. She told us about herself, her family, and her health problems: she suffers from gout in her feet so she can't work. She also told us that she suffers from depression.
I inched forward in my chair as I listened to her talk. I could not believe how much love I felt for this woman. I wanted to grab her hand, take her to the car, and drive her to church. She was searching for something better in this life, and I knew that the Savior wanted to help her so much.
After I explained to her that I also suffer from depression, I asked her when she feels most at peace.
"When I'm on the computer, or the TV. I love me some T.V.," she sighed.
I bore my testimony to Mary. I said a lot of things that I don't really remember, but I do remember telling her that the gospel and Jesus Christ are the only things that have helped me when I feel down.
"Mmmmhmm. Yes i would like that," she said rocking her head slowly up and down.
We invited her to church.
"I would really like that. I don't have any friends. I would like some friends," she said.
"Well you got two now," I assured her. She smiled leaning back in her chair.
We prayed with Mary, and tears filled her eyes. The spirit was so strong, and I was so happy in that moment.
However, I felt a little bummed because we would have to hand this woman over to the English speaking missionaries, but I knew that the Lord sent us to her house. This woman was searching for something higher than herself. And her heart was so humble. She was so beautiful to me. And we are definitely going back to visit her soon because she wasn't able to come to church this Sunday.
We have met so many great people already. It's amazing how the Lord works when we are obedient. He is literally bound when we do what he says. So whatever we ask for in his name, it will happen. I have seen this in different ways here. It's so cool.
Right now we are teaching this 18 year-old girl named Crystal Molena. She is 18, and she has a really great knowledge of the important things in this life. She used to be Christian of some sort, I think. But her family doesn't go anymore. They have already listened to the J-dubs, but for some amazing reason they wanted to hear us also. Her mom said that the JDUBS gave her a headache. This made me laugh. Her mom only speaks Spanish, so I do my best to talk to her as well, but I do better explaining myself in Spanglish to Crystal who speaks both.
We have taught them twice. The second time we talked about faith, read some scriptures, and showed them the Joseph Smith video. The kids are usually super rowdy, and their is always Spanish rap music playing in one of the bedrooms. But this time they invited all the kids to come in. The two teenage boys dragged their feet to the table and mostly texted the whole time (which reminded me of someone). But what was so cool about that experience is that during the movie, I watched as all of them grew quiet, even the little seven year old. It was amazing. We tried to ask them how they felt. They said they felt good even though they weren't sure if the Restoration was true. We tried to explain that what they were feeling was the spirit, and we read them scriptures about that. However, I am coming to find that people don't always understand when and how the spirit speaks to them, and they don't understand what it takes to get an answer.
We are praying for Crystal to feel that it's true and to come with us to church. But she has her agency. But I wish people would just realize that they can get an answer if they read and pray. "Prove God," I want to say to everyone we meet because they can, and they won't be able to prove him wrong if they ask.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Ol' Farewell Thing. . .
So, I had my farewell talk this Mother's Day, and man was it a trip. I was so lucky to have family and friends there to support me. I woke up that Sunday morning after sleeping on an air-mattress expecting to feel groggy and sore; however, I actually felt refreshed. As I got ready for church my little sister Tiff said that I was breathing weird. "It's because I am really nervous," I said through tight and shallow breaths of air. I tried to relax a little, forcing myself to take deeper more controlled breaths; it didn't seem to help.
I asked my dad to give me a blessing of comfort before church started. In the blessing he said something along the lines of, "Mallorie as you speak from your heart and with the spirit you will be able to convey the message that you have prepared. And if you forget about the eloquence of the words and focus on the spirit behind the words the Lord will lift you." This line from my blessing really stood out to me. I tried to focus on these words as my mom drove Tyler Beus and me to the chapel.
Not only was I speaking today, but I also had to sing a song. I would much rather sing, but the Bishop insisted that I do both. I said a quick prayer before sacrament began, asking the Lord for confidence in the words that I would give that day, and I prayed to have the spirit. As I sat up on the stand tapping my leg rhythmically, I peeled open the note that Tyler gave to me before sacrament. After reading the note my feet were steady, and I felt a little more at ease. I winked to my mom and waved to baby Jackson. I really just wanted to get this over with.
As it came time for me to sing "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," combined with "I Need Thee Every Hour" I could feel my knees start to shake. But as I thought about the feeling behind the words that I sang, I forgot about my nerves, and I began to feel peace. Luckily, after I sang there was another boy who gave his talk, so I had a little time to regenerate myself.
Right when I got up to the pulpit to speak, I felt fear creeping over me. But as I began to speak that fear literally just fell away. I was able to connect my thoughts and share experiences without having to look down at my papers too often. I felt really blessed that day because I know that the Lord lifted me to be able to do those things.
I feel so grateful to have family that cares enough to drive up to Boise to spend time with us this weekend, and I will miss the Henkels very much. Also, my mom was so incredible for sacrificing her Mother's Day in order for me to have a farewell and an open house later that evening. She was so great because I had no idea how to run an open house. I would have just had my talk and called it good, but I am lucky to have a mom who pushes me to ya know, like talk to people n' stuff.
I asked my dad to give me a blessing of comfort before church started. In the blessing he said something along the lines of, "Mallorie as you speak from your heart and with the spirit you will be able to convey the message that you have prepared. And if you forget about the eloquence of the words and focus on the spirit behind the words the Lord will lift you." This line from my blessing really stood out to me. I tried to focus on these words as my mom drove Tyler Beus and me to the chapel.
Not only was I speaking today, but I also had to sing a song. I would much rather sing, but the Bishop insisted that I do both. I said a quick prayer before sacrament began, asking the Lord for confidence in the words that I would give that day, and I prayed to have the spirit. As I sat up on the stand tapping my leg rhythmically, I peeled open the note that Tyler gave to me before sacrament. After reading the note my feet were steady, and I felt a little more at ease. I winked to my mom and waved to baby Jackson. I really just wanted to get this over with.
As it came time for me to sing "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," combined with "I Need Thee Every Hour" I could feel my knees start to shake. But as I thought about the feeling behind the words that I sang, I forgot about my nerves, and I began to feel peace. Luckily, after I sang there was another boy who gave his talk, so I had a little time to regenerate myself.
Right when I got up to the pulpit to speak, I felt fear creeping over me. But as I began to speak that fear literally just fell away. I was able to connect my thoughts and share experiences without having to look down at my papers too often. I felt really blessed that day because I know that the Lord lifted me to be able to do those things.
I feel so grateful to have family that cares enough to drive up to Boise to spend time with us this weekend, and I will miss the Henkels very much. Also, my mom was so incredible for sacrificing her Mother's Day in order for me to have a farewell and an open house later that evening. She was so great because I had no idea how to run an open house. I would have just had my talk and called it good, but I am lucky to have a mom who pushes me to ya know, like talk to people n' stuff.
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