December 9, 2013

Hola!

Solvang.  I haven't been around so many white people for a long time!!  I hadnt been to church in Enlish since I gave my farewell talk!!  It was so crazy!!  Solvang covers a few little towns surrounding it as well.  Hermana Howell and I, we cover the northern part of Solvang, and then Buellton.  There is only one ward that meets here.  It is much different here than Oxnard.  Oxnard is known as little Mexico...and here in Solvang, it's like a Dutch village!  MUCH different.  I've eaten dinner in mansions....I never imagined this!  I'm not used to teaching in English either.  We are looking for Spanish work here, we are working on starting a Spanish unit here.  Hopefully that can happen soon.  

Let's see....we have gotten lost SO many times!!  It's so funny, we work in the smallest little towns...but we get lost haha.  This ward though...Oh my goodness.  I am honored to serve in such an amazing ward!  We get dinner every night.  We get members to come out on lessons with us all the time.  Many of the members bring us the investigators!!  I went to ward council for the first time since I've been on my mision.  And our bishop said, "I feel like we as a ward are failing when we hear that you are knocking on doors.  That needs to stop.  It is our job to provide the investigators."  The thing is, we never knock doors here!! :D  IT's amazing!  I met atleast 10 members before we even came to church yesterday.  This ward is fantastic.  THe people are great too.

I love Solvang.  It's VERY different.  But I love it.  I guess Solvang brings over 3 millions tourists every year....let me tell you!!  I NEED to come back here again as a tourist.  IT is such a fun place!!  But as amissionary I need to work!!  I am coming back!  hahaha.  

It's freezing here.  It's been in the 40's and 30's....I need gloves.  Haha.  I love it though..

My companion is from Virginia.  She has been out for about 8 months.  (As long as Hermana Corniea...in fact they were in the MTC together).  It's always an odd start getting a new companion.  I think we are still trying to get to know each other a bit better.  She is very different from me.  She is SO smart!  She KNOWS her scriptures very well.  She knows Spanish too.  She really relates to people well.  

That's about all I've got for y'all!!  

Have a great week!!  Enjoy this season of Christ.  He is the center of this season...It's Him.  Not Christmas.  I really enjoyed the Christmas devotional from the 1st Presidency last night!  If y'all didn't watch it, WATCH IT. :)

Love,

Hermana Ah Mu

December 2, 2013

Oh man!  I love them so much.  Thank you.  Hey Owen!!

 

Hola familia y amigos,

 

This week was crazy!!  It was fantastic!!!!!  Besides the fact that all of our lessons fell through except 2.  (We had like 15-20 lessons planned...).  We saw many, MANY miracles!!  There were just many instances where we were in the right place at the right time.  It was cool. 

 

We were on our way home to eat dinner.  We decided to get gas (We didn't have a clue why, other than the fact that the next day was Sunday...but we had enough gas...it was weird.).  We were at the pump and some man walked up to us and started asking us about our Ford Fusion.  Then we told him who we were (missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of...)  And he said, "What happens after we die?"  You can imagine how this went on.  We left him with a mormon.org card because he wasn't from around here.  He commited to contacting missionaries and going to the website.  We truly feel he will do it.

 

Another.  We had met this man named Juan....a few months ago.  But we couldn't ever find him after an appointment had fallen through (because of lack of planning on our part...it was FRUSTERATING).  We decided to go visit a woman that is not progressing at all...not really ready to be taught just yet.  but on the way to her house Juan walked up to us.  We found him!!  HE FOUND US actually!!  We talked with him.  It was cool

 

There were many many more!!  But I don't have time!!  I guess I should tell you..........I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED.  I'm kind of freaking out...but not at the same time!  I am getting moved to Solvang (Tell Dianna Smith...she really wanted me to go to Solvang and I know she would love to hear that I'm going!).  My new companion's name is Hermana Howell.  I will meet her tomorrow.  I have been packing today.  Packing stinks.  I just think of all the people that are here.  Oxnard is all I know.  I love the people here.  Most of all....as much as I struggle with Spanish, I love teaching in Spanish.  Solvang is English.  We are supposed to be looking for Spanish work....but it's ENGLISH.  We are supposed to work on getting a Spanish unit up there.  Also, Hermana Howell and I are white washing in.  Which means that we are both NEW to the area.  I am the driver....so this'll be interesting.  Haha.  Hermana Howell has been out a while.  I am excited to meet her.  I am just really afraid of forgetting my Spanish.  But I know that I am supposed to be in Solvang now.  I expected to leave...but It makes me so sad.  I just keep thinking, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord."  Isn't that a common theme as a missionary? 

 

Oxnard has treated me very well.  I know this will be a place I come back to.  I love the people here so much.  I have loved the areas I proselyted in.  I love the missionaries I worked with.  I am getting a fresh start.  A clean slate.  ....going to church in English will be odd....but it's OKAY!! :)  Bring it on!!  I love this work.  I learn so much...I think I've said this before, but I feel like the biggest convert I've seen on my mission so far is myself.  Funny how that works, huh?  I know that the message that we as missionaries teach is true.  It's amazing.  This work is fantastic.  I love it!! 

 

I love you all.  Sorry for not writing more!!

 

Love you!!

 

Love,

Hermana Ah Mu

November 25, 2013

I am sorry!!  This letter might be a bit short, I spent most of my time writing President Castro.

 

This week was fantastic!  We have SOO many golden people we are teaching!!  I am really wondering what will be in store for me next transfer.  (A week from now I will know what happens to me!)  Yes.  I am in the last week of this transfer...ALREADY!!??  I can't believe it!!

 

Okay, zone conference.  AMAZING.  I loved it so much.  Doctrine and Covenants Section 4 was the theme.  We focused on "sharpening our sickles."  Which is quite important, I might add!  :)  Never let it get dull. 

 

My companions and I have been singing a ton...We sang for President and Sister Castro.  And all the Sister Training Leaders, and the Assisstents to the Presdient....We don't sound too bad!  Hhaha, you know me, I love to harmonize.  We are a fine trio (don't worry though....Kristen, Holly, and Charlee!  Y'all are WAY better :)  And you always will be!)  We are going to sing for the special Christmas program our mission does...so that's pretty exciting!!  We sang at a beautiful baptism a few days ago.  Baptisms are amazing. 

 

How is everyone's assignment going?  Anyone thought of a family/friend to give a Book of Mormon to??  :) 

 

Happy Birthday Ollie!!  You are such an old man!!  You're a DAD!!!  WOW!!!   Weird.... :)  Be expecting something...hopefullly that adress you gave me is correct this time!

 

Happy Birthday Mom!!!  You also should be expecting something :)  I love you mom, you helped me get out here.  I think of you a lot.  And this sunday I will be thinking of you!  I love you!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!  We are going to eat with La familia de Vero.  They asked us about 3 weeks ago!  Haha they beat the rush, apparently everyone wants missionaries over for Thanksgiving...

 

I hope that I am still here in Oxnard, we have baptisms coming up next transfer.  But if I'm not here, then that's what is meant to be.  I will let you know in a week!! :)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

 

Love,

Hermana Ah Mu

 

P.S.  Hey.  Owen. Olson.  Donde esta mis cartas?!  ;)