Week 19

12/8/14

Hi Family!!

I hope that everyone is good, enjoying the snow and the spirit of Christmas.  I hope that you all have been able to watch the video "He is the Gift"....if not, go watch it!  We have shared it with our investigators and with other people we know and it has helped us be able to talk to them because all (or almost all of them) celebrate Jesus Christ during this time of Christmas.

Saturday, was the Christmas party for the Branch and one of our investigators came!  We were so excited because she was able to talk to other sisters in the branch and her daughter knows some of the other kids in the branch.  The only thing I didn't like was that after the party they had a dance....and I wanted to dance!  That is something that I miss a lot :(

Last week we had our Christmas dinner with the Sisters and we were cooking the entire afternoon!  But everything turns out really good and we had a lot of fun :)

This week we also had a lot of opportunities to service.  We helped the brother of one of our investigators paint, and then after helping for two days, he let us come back to teach him somthing :)  We gave him a Book of Mormon and he is studying it.

Well, sorry this is so short.  I don't have anymore time.  Hope you all have a great week!

I love you all! <3

Our ugly sweater party

We were helping getting ready for the branch Christmas party and I got to iron

One of the Elder's investigators became our friend

Now we are ready for the party!

Week 18

12/1/14

Hi Family!  Happy first day of December.

Before anything, this week the internet was not working at the Stake Center where we normally send mail, so I am at the library and I can't send pictures.  And it's too bad because I have some really good pictures that we took this week.....but it's ok!

Last Monday we went to see Rosario, an investigator, and the Zone Leaders and another brother from the church went to give her a blessing.  She is going through a really hard time and doesn't know what to do.  I really enjoyed the blessing and she said that she felt as though Heavenly Father was right there talking to her.  It made us so happy to see that she could feel the Spirit and we're hoping that it will help her.

Also, I gave a talk this week at our District meeting about the Holy Ghost.  I really enjoyed being able to study all week long about this topic.  I spoke a little bit about how the Holy Ghost is always there to guide, comfort, help, and support us in our lives.  Then I shared a quote from the prophet Joseph Smith.  I don't have it here with me, but it said something about how we should always the Spirit with us to have the power to do everything.  He will help us know where to go, who we should talk to, and what we should say to them.  And not just as missionaries, but anyone.

For service, we have been helping at a "Thrift Store" to hang clothes, organize, and clean up.  The ladies that work there are so thankful for our time and help.  And we really like it because we can set aside some clothes that we like and we go buy them on Monday.  And yes, it is super cheap!  The shirt and skirts are about $1.50!!  We love it!

For Thanksgiving we went to Lozenzo, one of our investigator's home.  We have only had two discussions with him but he has a great desire to follow Jesus Christ and change his life.  His family is not interested in learning more but they are a really loving family.  We ate turkey, ham, potatoes, posole, and many many desserts!!  We had a lot of fun with them :)

Also, this week while we were visiting an investigator, they gave us "chapulines" to eat.....they are like crickets!  I loved them!! I couldn't stop eating them....I will send pictures later :)

I hope that all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and that you could think of all the things and blessings that we have in our lives :)  like the Gospel.

I am so thankful to be a missionary and be able to serve my brothers and sister here :)  I love you all and I hope you have a good day and an excellent week!!

The crickets that I ate at Thanksgiving....

The Sisters that we live with :)

We went to a small town called Guadalupe....this is the Jail

Our District activity from last week :)

Week 17

11/24/14

Well Family and Friend, Happy Monday :)  I hope that you all are healthy and have a heart full of happiness.

This last week was an excellent week!  (As always)

Monday we went to visit an investigator and just as we were arriving, another group of older women arrived and also went into the house.  Our investigator Rosario told us that they were from her sister's church but that we could stay as well.  So we stayed and it was very interesting....the women said that were going to say a prayer.  So they all stood up, covered their heads with fabric and started to prayer (in a very loud voice) to the heavens.  Hermana Newman and I were just looking at each other and we didn't know what to do.  We decided to stay until they finished and then leave.  So, after 30 minutes of standing and doing this, finally we were able to leave.  It was a very different experience and I am so thankful that we pray with more reverence.

Tuesday we had Zone Conference and it was so cool!  We talked a lot about Obedience.  If we want to show our Heavenly Father love then we have to be obedient to all of His commandments.  We also talked out how we are all different.  We were made this way in order to help each other in different way.  It was a good reminder that the Lord need me, my personality, my spirit, my testimony, and nobody can take my place. Just like each one of you :)

We had exchanges and I stayed here in Santa Maria working with Hermana Killpack and Hermana Newman went to work in Santa Maria with Hermana Smith for the day.  We had a day full of miracles!  We found many people who are ready!  I really enjoyed working with her :)  She is a great missionary and a really nice person.

The other day we also went to teach a Woman and she gave us batter to make Mole and tomatoes and chiles to make salsa.  So I'm going to make it next week.  We'll see how it goes.  We are going to have a party for Thanksgiving/Christmas next Monday with our district.  I'm really excited :)

I hope that you all have a nice week :)  Enjoy Thanksgiving, don't eat too  much, and always remember to say thank you to the Lord for all things and blessings that He has given us.  We are blessed and I am blessed to know all of you.  I love you all!!

Me and the Zone Leader........he's SO BIG! 

I saw Hermana AhMu at our Zone Conference :D

It was a long day.....we were tired

 My District Leader is going home at the end of this transfer

Hermana Killpack and I on exchanges :)

Me :D

Week 16

11/17/14

Good Morning!

I can't believe that we are in the middle of November!  So, this week we had a Zone meeting and I saw Hermana AhMu!! She told me that they are still teaching Richard and that he want to get baptized!!  He has been praying and receiving answers.  They still don't have a date yet, but he is praying to know when.  I am so happy and excited for him :)  I hope that is it soon so that I can attend :)

We are going to have Zone Conference tomorrow and I am so excited because it is always such an amazing experience and I can see the other missionaries, Presidente Felix, and Hermana Felix, and we get to share our testimonies and be strengthened.

One of our Zone goals this transfer is that every week we are going to pray that the people who have been prepared will be dressed in one color.  This past week the color was RED.  So we were looking for all the people dressed in red!  We were able to see many miracles!  One day we were walking and a man with a red shirt stopped us and asked us more about what we do as missionaries.  He told us that he wanted to change his life and that he wants us to come teach him how to come closer to Christ.  We are excited to keep working with him and with this goal :)

Our investigator Julian (the 10 year old boy) told us that maybe his mom will let him get baptized when he turns 11.  And his birthday is in February!  So, we'll see if we get to plan his baptism :D

I gave a talk on Sunday at church, and spoke about the role and importance of women in the church.  I think it went ok and I really enjoyed studying how important we women are this week....well all the mothers :)

Also, this past week some Elders in my district found out that I like to sew and so they have been giving me their pants and white shirts to fix.

Ok, well that's all for today.  Hope you all have a great week!!

I love you all!

Our room is a little small, so I have to sleep in the closet

We found a vender that sells Elotes

Relief Society activity dinner

Week 15

11/10/14

Hey, hey, hey!!

I'm writing from Santa Maria!  The town that smells like Broccoli all the time.  I'm serving in the branch here in Santa Maria and there is so much work to do here!  I'm so excited to serve here :)

We have an investigator who is 10 years old and we already taught him everything and he knows that it is true but his parents don't want him to get baptized :(  And we can't talk to his parents because they live outside of our area (the boy somtimes stays with his grandpa who does live in our area).  So we are trying to see what to do with them.

On Wednesday Hermana Newman wasn't feeling very good so we stayed inside.  The day goes so slow when we are not working.

We have another investigator (Jose) who is so nice!  He's like 72 years old and every time we go to visit him he feeds us.  He always give is fruit, salads, or vegetables....he is very healthy.

Also, this week we were visiting some people when we found a less active member!  He was baptized in Mexico but when he came to California he didn't know where the church was.  So, we gave him the address and we'll see if he comes!

Well, other than that....

We are singing in a Christmas choir and one of the songs is "Mi Burrito Sabanero".....I know.....yes very Mexican.

Ok, well hope you all have a great week!  I love you all :)

Hermana Newman drew me

The District :)

We went to buy fruit :)

The Cornejo family :)

Me and Hermana Newman

Me and Hermana AhMu

Week 14 Transfers!!

11/3/14

Well! This week was my last week in Arroyo Grande!  But it was a really great week!  Last weekend Richard tried to go to church but he got hurt and he couldn't go.  Then he tried to go to the Halloween party, but he go couldn't either.  He asked us why so many bad things were happening to him when he was trying to do something good like go to church.  We had a discussion with him and we explained to him that in the Pre-Mortal world he was a very special spirit and he was a leader who was able to influence others.  Satan knows that so he is working extra hard to make sure that Richard doesn't choose the right.  So we promised him that if he learns more and if he tried to be better, the Lord and the Holy Ghost will help him, but Satan will keep working as well.

Last Saturday was a baptism for some little girls and Richard loved it.  He was able to meet Presidente Felix and his wife and other members of the church.  And yesterday he went to church and he stayed the three hours and he was able to meet a lot more members. :)  We are really excited to see his progress.  He is sad that I will be leaving this area.  But I promised him that the new missionary is supposed to be here at this moment.

Also this week I was sick for three days but I continued to work anyways.  The Halloween party for our ward was on Tuesday and it was super fun.  Then Thursday on Halloween we went a sister's house to eat and we had a lot of fun with her.  When we were leaving it was raining A LOT, it was like they were dumping buckets of water.

Tomorrow I will be leaving to Santa Maria (it is only about 30 minutes away from Arroyo Grande) but I'm really excited :)  I will also be getting a new companion! Hermana Newman, and this will be her last transfer!  I'm really excited to work and learn from her.  I'm really sad to leave my first area and Hermana AhMu because I love her a lot, but I know that I'm supposed to be in Santa Maria.  I will be in a Spanish ward so I'm really excited for that :)

Something that Heremana AhMu taught me is that missionary work and being happy go together!  We need to always be happy because we are sharing a happy message!

I hope that you guys have a good week and remember to always stay valiant like Abinadi!!

Hugs and Kisses :)

Hermana Cuevas

Our district and our pumpkins!

Heremana AhMu, Hermana Hiapo, and I

I love Lucy!

 The Halloween Party

Hermana AhMu, a young woman, and I went to eat at a "Rock and Roll Diner"

This week I was a little sick so the Elders in our District brought me Oranges, Kleenex, and Vitamin Water

My favorite girls: Loralei and Quinny

 My Plant!!