The last week of June ALREADY?!

Hola!

This is Sister Lee, reporting from the little known town of Cruzville, New Mexico and BOY do we have a story this week! haha

So Friday and Saturday were a bit intense. I say intense because we BRANDED cows for 2 different families! I love branding. I was a bit disappointed because I was in charge of the vaccinations both days, so I didn't get to throw (flank) or sit on any of the cows. The first day wasn't super fun. I don't know why, maybe it was because no one laughed at all. The second day was hilarious! It was my companions and I, Sister Snow and her son Garrett, and Brother Laney and his daughter. The hilarious part about it was that Garrett was the one that roped the cow and then brother Laney would grab the rope, leaving all of us girls to wrestle the cow to the ground. It was quite a sight. Some of those cows only required 2 of us, while others required everyone to hold them down. I didn't do much wrestling because as soon as they had that cow down, I had to shoot it with the vaccine. I learned a lot about shots for cows. I also discovered that they aren't huge fans of needles either! The cow that broke my heart was a bigger cow that had broken its leg somehow after it had been born. So it was limping around the corral and then Garrett roped it and everyone had to tackle it and I had to watch that poor thing get branded and castrated. It was sad. I was totally fine with the other cows, though. You get a bit desensitized after your 15th or 20th cow. All in all, this weekend we helped brand and vaccinate over 50 cows. The first time that we helped, we did over 70, so this was a piece of cake.

Anyway, this week we were also able to visit and help several people in the community, mostly non-members, and we've been getting to know the members a lot more. The work in this area is very different. We don't have as many lessons and we currently don't have any investigators. Why? you may ask. We have to strengthen the flock before God will trust us with any more lambs. Roll that around in your mind a little bit.

Just a little bit more.

We have to strengthen the flock before God will trust us with any more lambs. Now, as missionaries, we are called and set apart to teach. That's what we do, and that's what we're doing up here. We're teaching people how the Gospel is lived by serving them. We're teaching members that missionary work isn't as hard as they think it is. We're teaching people in the community that Mormons aren't something to be hated or feared. Apparently Mormons and the missionaries didn't have a very good rep up here, so we're working super hard to dispel that because, until we do, we won't teach. And the people that God has prepared for us will have to wait even longer to hear the gospel. They call it SERVING a mission for a reason folks. It breaks my heart when people don't think that any progress is being made because we haven't had a baptism. Yes, baptism is a focus. But not as a number because these are GOD'S CHILDREN and this is THEIR SALVATION and sometimes the only way to get them to baptism is by SERVING them first. I would like to share a story before I do my miracle of the week (by the way, brilliant idea to do that, Pond).

This is a story of a man who went to preach the Gospel to the Lamanites and, after being captured and taken before the king, he states that he just wants to serve the king. So, he's given the duty of being a shepherd. After a series of events (including quite a pile of severed limbs) the king and his household are converted. Now, how did that happen?! The king went from being ready to kill this guy, to getting baptized by him! (This is Ammon, by the way). The king didn't trust Ammon as a Nephite, but he trusted him when he saw what a devoted servant he was. That opened the door for Ammon to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with this Lamanite king. Yes folks, service is an amazing thing.

Now I'll get off my own personal soap box and tell you the miracle of the week. It really is a miracle. A few months ago (before I got up here), the Sisters tried to contact a woman named Linda. They had called her and she told them that she wasn't interested. (Several months later) We were talking with a member and asking about service in the community. She mentioned that some of the ladies that she plays Canasta with on Wednesdays have recently lost their spouses and that they could use a little help. So, one day we dropped by the community center after they had finished cards and offered to do service. This sweet lady asked us to come by and clean some of her higher windows that she couldn't reach. Lo and behold, her name is Linda, the same Linda I mentioned before. So we went to her house and cleaned her windows. When we finished, she invited us in for some lunch (chilli and salad and it was GOOD). While we ate, we got to know her better and the conversation turned to life after death (the Lord works in mysterious ways) and we were able to share our testimonies with her. Later, we heard from the member, that Linda couldn't stop talking about how sweet we were and about how grateful she was. And now she's invited us back to make cookies. This was a door that was shut a few months ago, but little by little, it's opening and soon, she'll be ready to prepare for baptism.

That's my miracle of the week and it's strengthened my testimony that, not only has God prepared these people, but he accomplishes his purpose in a whole myriad of ways. I know that God really loves us all individually and that he knows what we need better than anybody else and he can help us attain true happiness and discover who we really are, just by following his commandments and striving to live like our savior. I know this church is true, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I've been given to SERVE.  Don't forget to say your prayers, read your scriptures, go to church, and attend the temple. That is what can bring us lasting happiness. And if any of you ever have the chance to brand cows on a dusty day, don't forget to wash behind your ears :) haha You know what they say: cleanliness is next to godliness!

Love,
Steph

sorry, no pics this week. We all forgot our camera cords (oops)
Oh, and have an AMAZING 4th of JULY!!!

Interesting Week

Hi everyone!

I'm going to own a horse. That is all.

Just kidding, but I've realized that I absolutely love the lifestyle out here! Anyway, back to the present. This past week, we've done a lot of service! I think I got to wear my jeans at least once every day. Crazy right? One of the service projects that we did was to plant a non-member's (she was a referral) garden. Ah yes, gardening. She had some amazing ground to plant in. Seriously, she owns horses, so she has a stack of their manure that's been sitting there for at least 3 years. Apparently, however, you can't put fresh manure in the ground or it will destroy the plants. So, her husband had to dig from the bottom of that 3 year old pile to get the "good" manure. Icky. Carol (that's her name) was completely stunned that we wanted to help her with her garden without getting paid for any of it! One day they will understand the concept of blessings in heaven haha. She called us again yesterday and we shoveled wood shavings from a sawmill into bags so that she could use it for her horse stalls. Walking into those horse stalls, it smelled almost exactly like our old gerbil cages when they started getting nasty. But Carol is an amazing lady! She's from Britain/Ireland and she's traveled the world working with and riding horses! Go figure that she'd settle in Cruzville, New Mexico.

Besides that, we've weeded yards, we've done dishes, cleaned windows, branded cows (which we're doing again this weekend), etc. The work up here is a bit different. We are doing a lot of service so that the people trust us. This is a real-life case of people judging you by your actions and not just your words. So we've been helping members and non-members alike. The prophet and apostles were totally serious when they said that members and missionaries need to work together. People will trust those that they've known for a long time over some kid that's only there for a few weeks/months. Members have the "in" and they're the ones that show these potential investigators what we believe.

I say "show" because actions speak louder than words and you have no idea who is watching or what they're seeing. I've discovered that as a missionary. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are watched constantly. We have something that the rest of the world doesn't. And the world is trying to figure out what that is. They don't automatically know that we have the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and that God's priesthood power has been restored to the earth. They don't know that they can be sealed to their families forever. And many times, they don't even know that they are children of our Heavenly Father and that they have infinite worth. They don't know. Hence, they watch. They listen. They search. That's why it's so important to have every member a missionary. They watch YOU. They listen to YOU. You can have conversations with them where you just mention that you're a child of God and they cling to those words. It's not hard to be a missionary. The full-time missionaries teach, yes. And we've been set apart to do so. But you all can do so much more than I can right now. It's truly amazing to see how the Lord works through members. It's miraculous.

In other news, I know you all will be so proud of this (even though I dreaded every bite): I ate a hot dog yesterday and then accomplished the remainder of the day without throwing up. That, in and of itself, is a tender mercy that I'm still thanking Heavenly Father for. Oh, I kind of want to do a miracle of the week as well. My miracle of the week was that I got to see Colin go through the temple and then, the next day, baptize his 70+ year-old father as a member of the church. I love the Tisdell family so much and it's taken a lot of work, but the most amazing thing that I have ever seen was the change in Colin's countenance over the course of the 6 months that I was able to work with him. When he came out of the temple, his face shone. He was glowing. I can't wait to be there for Jen to get her endowments. It's an incredible experience. I love you all so much, and I'm going to say, once again, that I know that this Gospel is true and that Jesus Christ atoned for EVERYONE's sins and mistakes and I know that Heavenly Father loves us all individually and so completely and that he will always be there for us. He won't take our burdens away, but he's promised to make them lighter. He won't take the pain away, but he's promised us comfort. And his will is always what is best for us.

Love,
Steph

the pics this week are of 1) a new born puppy 2) ZTM 3) temple pic (I'm on the far right in the green)

Missionaries Arrive in Reserve/Luna New Mexico!

Full post and link on mission website here.

So this week was crazy, hectic, insane....

So, as you all know from my previous letter, I am now in Luna/Reserve New Mexico. Which, I'm actually pretty ok with.... Actually, I'm WAY more than ok with it. I LOVE it up here! The people up here are amazing and even though they're pretty spread out, they still know practically everyone and we got over 10 referrals in just the past 2 days! Unfortunately, we haven't been able to contact many of them because of a certain happenstance that I will mention later.

This week was zone conference and it was AMAZING! President and Sister Sweeney are just the bomb, what else can I say? We actually did a big discussion and we got to pick the topics out of a list of "stumbling blocks" that keep us, as missionaries, from becoming more like Christ. So we all got to vote and we talked about pride (that's what I put my 2 votes on), Lack of faith, and Distractions. It was really amazing to, not only have President and Sister Sweeney teach us, but to have all of the input from all of the Elders and Sisters in the 2 zones that we had meeting together. It was incredible. Afterwards, we had a luncheon and then we all went to the Snowflake temple to do a session. They had to set up a special session for us because we were going to have over 70 missionaries in one session and Snowflake is a smaller temple. That session absolutely blew my mind. The Spirit was so strong in that room that I actually started tearing up. It was incredible to have that many missionaries as well as our mission presidency and their wives in the same room. I also had a really strong experience in the Celestial Room. When I was about to enter, I asked the person, whose name I was going through for (in my head), if she would tell grandpa "hi" for me. I hadn't been sitting in the Celestial Room for 10 minutes when I felt a very warm embrace, and I knew that grandpa was giving me a hug. I felt him there and, in my mind, I saw him sitting next to me, but I didn't see him as an old man. I saw him as a young, blonde man dressed in a tan uniform and I knew it was him. I know that he's ok and I know that he loves us all so very much. And I KNOW that he has been sealed to us for eternity. He's ok, and he's still there for us; all of us and he's cheering us on.

The only downer of the day (which I prefaced earlier) was that our car broke down when we were on our way to dinner. We had 6 cars pull over to help us out, including some Elders that were on their way to Vernon. Surprisingly enough, President Sweeney had asked us to talk to them to get some tips for the work in our area (theirs is very similar) and so we were able to do that while we waited for a mechanic. The rest of the week was... interesting without a car. We got rides from members, but it was really hard to be stuck without a car.

On Saturday
...
...
(wait for it)
...
...
(drumroll please)
...
...
...

WE BRANDED COWS!!!!! As a service project :) In fact I'm including some pictures. But WHAT?! Yeah, because we're basically opening this area, President asked us to work with the members and to do as much service as we possibly could, and it's branding season! It was crazy! They had us cutting ears, castrating (actually Sister Pass is the only one that took on that particular duty), branding, and I actually threw down a cow! It was a little bitty one (otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do it), and it took me about 5 tries, but I felt so accomplished! We were also able to contact a referral(who came to church yesterday!) and we were able to talk with several less-active and part-member families (one of which came to church with him family yesterday!). We've also set up times to brand with some other families in the area, so by the time I actually leave this area, "I's gonna be a bona-fide cowgirl! Boots n' all!" haha just kidding, but President okay-ed boots for us if we felt they were necessary for the types of service we'll be doing up here.

I really love this area and I hope I get to stay here for next transfer. Speaking of: transfers are next week, so I won't be emailing until Wednesday. Oh, and one of my less-actives in Eagar has asked me to come see him get his endowments on Friday! I'm so excited for him!

pics 1.me branding 2. Sister Christensen and her pile of cow ears 3. Sister Pass being "Herman Macbeth" 4. and me after wrestling the cow

The craziest week of all time!

Hi everyone!

So this week has been super crazy and super emotional. First off, I want to tell you that transfers are in 2 weeks, so I'll be emailing on Wednesday (I think). Otherwise, you'll just have to be surprised to get an email from me that Monday! So this week we got back from trek. As soon as we got back, we showered (we really stank) and then hopped in the car and went down to the valley. Sister Goodwin is officially in Brazil! I'm super excited for her and grateful that I have Sister Heap as my new companion. When we got back to Eagar Tuesday afternoon, we finished our P-day chores and proselyted for a few hours and we had one of our less-active members (who is now active) finally decide on a date to go through the temple!!! It was awesome and I'm so exited for him.

On Wednesday, we taught Ron Dailey. Let me tell you a little bit about Ron. He's an extremely fit older gentleman who was raised Catholic, but has a thing against religion because a high-ranking Catholic Bishop came to his hometown and he was required to kiss the Bishop's ring (which he refused to do) and he decided that there was something really wrong with organized religion if that's what it required you to do. Anyway, we've been teaching him and we've been able to answer questions and he's been reading the pamphlets and he's read the chapters that we've assigned him in the Book of Mormon and he's really progressing. On Thursday we did an exchange in Taylor so that my companion could go to a leadership meeting in the valley. By the way, I met someone that's related to the Lee family from Tooele (you know, the one in the Benson Gristmill pageant). I didn't get back from Taylor until Friday night and on Saturday we had some drama. We had a Sister that was emergency transferred and I was asked to take her place in Luna/Reserve New Mexico, so I am now companions with Sisters Pass and Christensen. It was a bit hard because I thought I would still have 2 weeks to say all of my goodbyes to the members, investigators, etc. in Eagar but I know that the Lord has something in mind for me up there, so I'm going to keep serving with a smile.

In other news, yesterday we had a trek fireside with President Sweeney and it was awesome! I got to see most of my trek siblings and they are all planning on getting together pretty often! Too bad I won't be there, but they'd better prepare themselves for some facebook requests next year! Today we stayed in Eagar because we'll be going to Zone Conference and the temple on Wednesday, so we'll be here the next few days. Most importantly, we went fishing today!! Yep, I caught 4 fish and got my arms completely fried because (of course) I forgot to bring sunscreen. It was really fun, though, so I fully expect to go on a fishing/shooting expedition with dad next summer!

About grandpa, I really feel at peace. It's going to be really sad, not having him physically here, but I know that he's in that paradise that is reserved for those who have not only made covenants at baptism and in the temple, but have also kept those covenants. We know that those who have made and kept their temple covenants will be blessed in the eternities and that we will have the joyful experience of seeing them again soon. This life is really just a blink of an eye when compared to the eternities. I KNOW that we will get to see our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. And I know that, when we do, we'll see grandpa. We'll get to see grandpa in his perfected form and we'll get to hear his voice singing with the angels in heaven.

Death is only just the beginning. He's just taken that next step in his eternal progression and we are blessed to have been able to be a part of his life and to be a part of his earthly family. I love you all so very much and I know that, no matter what happens, I will get to be with you all for eternity. Christ broke the bands of death and through the power of God, we have been sealed as an eternal family. NOTHING can change that. I love you all and I hope that you will look to Heavenly Father for the comfort that only he can give.

Grandpa Lee is free from toil and sorrow. And with the just, he now dwells. All is well

Love,
Steph

pics: 1. I decided to attach some pics from the trek and very carefully avoided getting people in them :) They'll be giving us a disc with all of the pics soon, soo you won't be bereft for long!
2. Unfortunately, I only have photographic documentation of 3 fish, but I promise that there were 4! (oh, and there's one of Sister Heap)
3. Me gently guiding a cricket out of the house in Cruzeville (he's under the orange cup)

Summer time!

This week has been crazy. So we decided that we needed to go up to one of the towns that we cover in one of our wards (Nutrioso) and got hopelessly lost before finaly calling our ward mission leader to come lead us to his home. Fun stuff. The area up there is incredibly beautiful and all of the seasonal residents are heading up there for the summer because they can't stand the 120 degree weather in the Valley. Right now I'm feeling a bit jet-lagged because we just finished trek and completed the 4 hour drive down to Scottsdale to drop off Sister Goodwin. Yep, she's going to Brazil! We had about an hour and a half from the time that we got back from trek to shower (we were disgustingly dirty and stinky) and then we were on our way to the Valley! But as for the trek itself, it was one of the most physically challenging things I think I've ever done! We started trekking on Friday and we didn't receive any food the entire day. We got water breaks every so often, but the trail was constantly going straight up and down and we covered around 12 miles. We pulled those handcarts from noon until 10pm with limited water and we didn't receive any food until after 10pm and it was a cup of broth and a roll. Yep, we did the true pioneer diet... ish.

We then set up camp and slept under the stars. The next morning we had blue corn mush (nasty stuff without sugar) for breakfast, but we did only about 3 miles and they gave us a roll and an orange for lunch. Yes, I have been told that I have an odd relationship with food, but that's how I remember things, so deal with it. On saturday, we made it to base camp and then we washed our hair in the creek, made molasses taffy and perafin wax candles, shot black powder rifles at targets (no worries, I just watched because I'm an obedient missionary) and THEN we had the opportunity.... NO. the PRIVELEGE of killing a chicken for our supper. It's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. I kind of want to do it again, except maybe let it's blood drain a bit longer before de-feathering it just so I don't get blood on my clothes... Anyway, we made chicken stew with it and sopapillas so it was a pretty good dinner. On Sunday we had preisthood/relief society and sunday school in the morning and then we were given our lunch (2 bags of beef jerky and an apple) and told to go have our "solo" time for 3 hours until the cannon "rang" for dinner. I realized during this time that I didn't have an incredibly strong testimony of God's will for us. I honestly have had a massive struggle with that for quite some time now and I had been letting that effect me negatively. It's always good to have some quiet time, away from the distractions of the world, to deeply ponder the questions in your heart. The most important lesson that I learned on trek is that God's will trumps ours EVERY TIME. I've been very prideful when it comes to figuring things out on my own without any help from anybody. This trek humbled me. It stripped me of my pride in my physical and spiritual strength. It brought me to the lowest spot I could be physically and mentally and then I was able to see that my pride was my fall. I didn't realize that my pride was hurting me until it was taken away. The hardest thing that I've ever had to do was watch my family struggle up those hills while I had to walk behind because I had been made physically unable to push that cart. God had to show me that pride causes us to fall. Pride in ourselves can cause us to overlook the spiritual needs of others or to ignore the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We are nothing. God has given us our talents, our likes and dislikes. He allows us to cultivate those talents, but they are ultimately his. I had to be compelled to be humble. Thank goodness I was able to recognnize that and to make the necessary changes to begin my spiritual progress again. This trek has changed my perspective and, therefore, has changed my life. Besides the fact that there were countless opportunities to share the Gospel and my testimony, this trek helped me truly love and respect others for how God sees them rather than how I see them. So, like I said, it was life-changing.

Today we finished the trek with ice cold water, watermelon and an air-conditioned drive home. Oh how we get to appreciate the simple things in life after not having them. On a positive note, I believe that my stomach has officially shrunk even more and I've grown a taste and a liking for fresh fruit and fry bread. Yep, they're pretty delicious. Oh! And one of our investigators that was on trek with us bore her testimony in front of the whole camp and wants to be baptized within the next month! And one of our investigators has moved back into town with her 5 kids, 3 of which want to be baptized, and we may still have a waptism coming up! The Lord blesses us when we put our lives in his hands. It may be the absolute scariest thing that we've ever done, but it is definitely worth it.

Love,
Steph

sorry there aren't any pics. I forgot my camera cord :)