May 26, 2014

The work here is just MOVING ALONG!!  We are seeing sooo much!!

Here is part of my letter to president, just so you can get to know some of the people we are teaching...and how the work is going! :)

"We had a good week.

We taught Julio.  He is 17, from Honduras.  He speaks more Spanish than English and he has been wanting to go to church for a long time now.  He just hasn't known where to go.  We taught him the Restoration.  He just gets it, he understands it so well!  He has been really excited to read the Book of Mormon.  He loves having a Bible too.  Hermana Rubow and I know that he has such great potential and that he has been so prepared.

We taught Sara and Josue.  They are a nice, younger couple.  They have 2 kids and one on the way.  They were Catholic and converted to Christianity.  And now they are taking the lessons from us.  We taught the Restoration to them.  Sara has a very hard time with modern prophets.   And Josue has a lot of problems with the Book of Mormon.  He wants more physical evidence.  We explained that the only way they can resolve these problems they have is by reading the Book of Mormon.  By reading the Book of Mormon they will be able to know of the truthfulness of this message.  They didn't want to jump right into reading it, they said they would pray and ask Heavenly Father if they should read it and if He says yes, then they will start reading it.  

We taught Armando.  We had a great lesson on prayer.  He hasn't been comfortable with praying in front of us!  So we did a whole lesson on prayer.  He loved it.  It was really neat because baptism came up and we talked to him about what it is, the importance of baptism.  We invited him to be baptized on June 28.  He is praying about it and really is excited about it.  He said he is concerned about being ready, but we let him know that once he has a goal, we can strive for it.  Hermana Rubow and I know that he will be ready by then.  Armando was so prepared from the beginning.  He told us he really wants to be baptized and be a member of the church.  He has come to church 4 times now.  

Jose, we had a great lesson with him.  He has a hard time reading, so we decided to read 3 Nephi 11 with him.  It was a great lesson.  We found that he really understands what is being read when he listens to someone else read, it's the actual reading that is difficult.  So Hermana Rubow and i are working on getting him the Book of Mormon on CD.  Jose really loved the simplicity of the chapter, and he understands the importance of baptism.  We invited him to be baptized and he said yes!  He knows that he needs to come to church first.  He really wants to come to church, he's still working on the transportation.  Jose is so cool!  

We had a good lesson with Mario and Juana.  They are a couple, and they are actually in the middle of a divorce right now.  But we had a good lesson about our purpose and a lot of how to begin teaching.  We also watched the Restoration with them.  It went well.  Juana has been studying with Jehovah's Witness, and so she isn't too interested.  But Mario is very interested.  He is actually a former and he remembers coming to church.  He wants to come back with his kids.  He has a bad leg injury from a four wheeler, but he said once he is healed he is going to come to church.  He wants to study the Book of Mormon and take the lessons from us again.  We are excited."

Well, have a great week!  I love you all.

Love,

Hermana AH Mu

May 19, 2014

PARIS FRANCE!!!!  I love that!!!  Please let her know I am like jumping up and down in my chair right now!!!!  My cousy is going to FRANCE!!!  

2 worlds are definitely colliding right now...I can't take it!  But I love it.  All 4 of us hermanas are so close, we already feel like our moms need to know each other!  Haha.  That's why we gave all of our moms contact info.  

We are seeing miracles here in Paso....by the way!!  WE are starting this new transfer out right!!!  I AM STAYING IN PASO ROBLES for atleast another 5 weeks!! (This transfer is a 5 week transfer).  I am so happy, we have some baptisms to see!  I knew I had more work to do here.  Hermana Martin is leaving though...I am so sad!  But Hermana Miller is going to be companions with Hermana HARDY!!  My old companion.  This'll be a very interesting transfer.  

Mom, I LOVE the EFY 2013 CD.  It is the best efy cd EVER. 

It's been very, VERY hot!!  Over 100 almost every day!!  By 11 am, it's over 90!!  I am literally going to melt here...but that's okay.  Haha, I am just not used to this!  Haha.  

I need the talk "Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep" it was actually a broadcast that President Hinckley gave...It is long, but it would be amazing to have.  

Guess what?  Today is May 19.  I entered the MTC exactly 11 months ago....I still feel like a gringa!  

Armando is doing amazing!!  We hope to set him with a baptismal date this week.  HE has come to church 3 times in a row!!!  Which is RARE!!!!  He LOVES it.  

I will write a letter for the ward.  Soon!  I promise!! 

Don't have too much time,

Have a GREAT week!

Love,

Hermana Ah Mu 

May 5, 2014

I am just going to apologize NOW.  I don't have much time, this was a full week so I had MUCH to say to President!!  But, I am sure that my call home should make up for it all.  :)  We have church 1-4 so we will be calling after we are done there and after we grab some snacks.  My companion's family is 3 hours ahead of us.  So she will be calling her family first.  i should be calling about 6 o'clock my time.  8pm your time.  I hope that works, i have no idea why it wouldn't.  I will call mom's cell phone.  Conference call should be fine.  Please be prepared with questions!  I will have a few good stories and thoughts for you all as well.  :)  I am very, VERy excited to talk to y'all!!  This will be the last time before I go home, weird, huh?  

This week I will be hitting my year mark of the time I got my mission call.  May 10.  Crazy to think about.  I can't even pretend that I am even close to the Alex that you were with then.  I am so much different.  I am a better me, and continue to be better and better.  It is all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  This is a gospel of change, I love it.  

I have a favor to ask, Could yo uemail me the talk from I think October 2012 by Elder Ballard.  It's about bee's...I have no idea if that helps...maybe if yo uhave the October 2012 conference issue, that would be amazing to have.

Read "His Grace is Sufficient"  By Brad Wilcox.  It is AMAZING.  Also, the 4th missionary by Lawrence E. Corbridge.  This is a talk that seriously EVERY missionary should have.  Ask the missionaries in our ward about it, if they don't have it, print it off for them.  It is like 30 pages long, but those missionaries would LOVE you forever.  

Just know that I am doing SO well.  I am still sick, but it'll go away!!!  This week was full of miracles.  I know it is because we made a more concious effort to be exactly obedient.  That is the only way we can really see the work move along.  This week is proof of that, we saw miracles EVERY DAY.  These miracles are things that would be in preach my gospel.  I will share them on Sunday.  An apostle said, "Obedience brings blessings.  Exact obedience brings miracles."  (maybe Elder Nelson?  Elder Oaks?)  I KNOW that is true.  Paso Robles, Templeton and Atascadero is BOOMING. 

I love you all!!

Hermana Ah Mu

Hot!!

Hermana AhMu and Hermana Higgs (exchanges)

April 28, 2014

Hola familia,

It sounds like y'all had a fantastic week.  I am so happy for that.  I wish I could have been with all of you.  Soon we will all be able to hang out again, but right now I have things to do haha.  Katie just keeps getting bigger and bigger!!  I can't wait to meet her.  I put a few pictures of her on my planner so I see her everyday, all day :)

About more music, Mom, EFY Cd's are good.  Mindy Gledhill.  Anything missionary related!

Everything you talked about sounded just like my family.  I am so happy I grew up in a family that knows how to work hard.  I am just so happy I learned these things when I was younger.  

It wasn't the easiest week.  It is kind of discouraging to be in an area that doesn't have people progressing.  Other than that, things are great.  Our numbers don't seem to reflect just how much we are really doing.  I feel like those elders on the District 2.  Elder Tuituu and Elder Murray.  I know that they had to be filmed at that time because there are MANY missionaries that need to have someone to relate to.  We try and try to see success, but then it seems to greatest successes we see are referrals that we give to the English Elders.  Which is great!  We are so happy about that, but we want golden investigators too!  Haha, we knocked so many doors this week it's not even funny.  But it's okay.  We are trying hard to do what we are supposed to.  All we can do is carry on and keep filtering out all the little distractions and any bit of disobedience that exists.  We know that obedience helps us to have clean hands so we are worthy of the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  Our obedience directly correlates to our investigators.  In our church, we are a covenant keeping people.  Elder Nelson told us that we need to help our investigators keep commitments because that is what prepares them to make and keep sacred covenants.  If those we teach can't keep commitments then they can't keep a covenant.  We need to help those we teach understand that members of our church are a covenant keeping people.  NEAT huh?!  

I am studying the talk, "Jesus: The Perfect Leader"  by President Kimball.  Read it.  It is amazing.  I want to strive for THOSE qualities of leadership.  We are all leaders and can strive for it.

Owen.  You aren't allowed to date now that you are turning 16.  You know that, right?  Okay, I am half way kidding right now.  But for real, always listen to Mom and Dad if they have advice for you.  Always listen to them when they have a doubt or concern or even just a bad feeling about some girl you'd go out with!  You better only go out with girls that dress modestly.  Her language and humor better be clean.  Alright? :P  And you better realize we are going on double dates when I get home  >:)  NEVER EVER ask the girl, "So, what do you wanna do on our date?"  NEVER!!  YOU HEAR ME?!  Only LAME guys do that.  Always, ALWAYS have a plan, and a plan B.  And plan C...all the way to plan z.  If you need ideas ask ME!!  I have PLENTY.  (And they're all cheap).  

Tell Mike I need a job when I get home....I know it's far away, but I could work Christmas and for inventory!!  Then I could be gone just in time for when things get slow...maybe present that to him when you can...I'm pretty sure he would be willing to do that for me.  He knows I would work hard and that I'm reliable.  That's what Owen can thank me and Ollie for ;)  Owen, you have alot to live up to!

Well, any way.  That's all folks!  I love you!  I will try to write a letter to you, Owen and Olson!!  Have a great day!

Love,

Hermana Ah Mu

April 21, 2014

Hola.

First.  All I really need is money for clothes!  (BTW that blue and white shirt I am wearin in the pic with Hna.  Martin is one of the new shirts I got!  It is so stinkin cute...from JC Penney!  I only baught one other and it is grey and white striped).  It is VERY hot here, and Paso Robles get VERy warm during the summer.  I only have 4 or five short sleeve shirts...the rest I have to wear with cardigans.  No me gusta eso.  Haha.  I did get my package, THANK YOU.  I got the one from Ollie, Ashley and Katie too!  I LOVED it.  They know what I like, Kool aid and poptarts.  And chocolate.  Hahaha.  :)  I loved the talks!  All the fun Easter things.  It was Great!

We had a referral come to church.  That was neat.  We were finally able to meet him and set up an apponitment with him.  It is just a bit hard when he's homeless.  Homeless people are so hard to teach because you can't ever find them.

The work is just moving forward.  SO many things to do in this area,  it isn't fun to come some where where there is literally nothing going on.  Hermana Rubow and i are really trying to get things going!  

We had an AMAZING meeting on Saturday!  The entire mission gathered in the Ventura Stake Center and we were able to listen to Elder Nelson, Elder Bowen, Elder Garns, and their wives!  It was incredible!  The mission conference was absolutely amazing.  I loved it.  I really learned SO much.  I received answers to questions that I didn't even know I had.  And not just questions I had acquired on my mission, but questions I have had for years.  It was amazing.  I thought it was particularly interesting that Elder Nelson's talk was basically question and answer.  His answers to the questions that were asked didn't focus solely on our responsibilities as missionaries.  The answers he gave were things that we will definitely want to apply for the rest of our lives.  I loved that.  I loved being there.  It was a testimony builder.  It was kind of sad though, we weren't able to talk to President and Sister Castro at all.  They are leaving soon.  It was great to be together as a mission, but we all feel sad to know that they are leaving soon.  We may see them one of two more times and then they're gone.  

Hermana Rubow and I are really working on finding new investigators.  We want to have a larger teaching pool.  So we have been knocking some of the places that we see potential in.  Well, we were knocking an apartment complex.  No one had opened their doors!  We had 2 doors left and decided we would move on after we knocked them.  Well, we met this woman named Ami.  We introduce ourselves and the first thing she said was, "My house is a mess, do you mind?"  We said no.  And she had us come right in.  She was scrambling around the house tidying it up, getting us seats.  She was in the kitchen and said, "I know you don't drink tea, but do you want some soda or just a glass of water?"  Hermana Rubow and I were surprised to hear her say that she knew we didn't drink tea.  Haha, we were also confused as to why she invited us right in...and really what we were doing there.  Finally we all sat down and were able to introduce ourselves.  And the first thing she said was, "I had been praying to God for help.  I asked him for some sign of guidance.  And then you knocked on my door."  We talked with her for a while and she knows a ton about the church!  She had gone to church with her good friend back in Arkansas.  Ami remembered going to cottage meetings, firesides, Relief Society, and so many other church terms that not just everyone can pick up very easily!  Hermana Rubow and I were amazed!!  We told Ami that this was not coincidence.  It was us being led and guided.  It was proof to her that God listens to her prayers, He loves her and knows her, and He answers prayers.  I thought that it was so neat.  Those kind of situations don't happen everyday!  It was a miracle.

Well.  That is about it.  I hope you all have a great week.  The number of weeks until I talk to you on the phone is getting smaller and smaller.  Next week we can start talking about times and such.  

I so appreciate the love and support I receive.  I love you.  Thank you for the prayers. 

Love,

Hermana Ah Mu

April 14, 2014

Hola. 

Let me just say, what a relief it is to be HERE in Paso Robles!  Ohh wow.  This last week has been great.  

My new area.  Paso Robles!!  Hermana Rubow and I work in half of Paso, All of Templeton, and All of Atascedero.  We are working in a TEENY Spanish Branch.  I actually wonder why it isn't just a unit...But oh well haha.  I don't think I will ever understand the way Hispanics do things.  I had forgotten how chaotic and noisy church is with Hispanics.  But I love it!  

My companion.  Ohhh, I LOVE her!!!!  She is SO funny!!  We have a blast together!!  We both don't really know Spanish, so we have a ton of fun messing up everything.  Especially phone calls :)  Oh well, her favorite phrase is, "Oh, lo siento.  Somos humanos, no somos perfectas.  Estamos aprediendo Espanol."  Or "Oh, we're sorry.  We are human, we aren't perfect.  We are learning spanish."  Hahahaha.  We live with 2 other Hermanas (I LOVE THEM).  Their names are Hermana Martin and Hermana Miller.  They are so stinkin hilarious it's FUNNY.  We all four have so much fun.  We are serving in the same branch.  It's awesome because we all love the same things, have the same sense of humor.  Oh.  It's just perfect.  Hermana Miller is from Olathe, KA!!  Hermana Rubow is from North Carolina.  Hermana Martin is from Pennsylvania.  We all get along real well.  Hermana Miller went to BYU before.  Hermana Rubow and Martin did BYU-I.  

The work here is interesting....Hermana Rubow and I have MAJOR finding to do.  I know that we will see success during this transfer.  We have many goals.  I know things will be better soon!

I really do love it here. The Branch really is good. They are SO great. 

It is pretty cool here.  Nothing like Solvang, the only similarity is there are lots of vineyards.  I miss things about Solvang.  But, I know I will learn to love it here more and more.  

I got an email from Maggie Johnson, a member from Solvang.  I LOVE her so much.  She is just great!  She has already offered her home to any of my family members that need a place to stay while in Solvang!  

Well, this week was great. 

Love you all!

Love,

Hermana Ah Mu

First pic is Me, hermana Schmidt and MAggie and her sons.

Second,  Me with this awesome Viking man.

3rd Hermana Martin and Hermana Hernandez being like Auntie and her comp!!  Hopefully it doesnt offend...because it CRACKS me up!

April 6, 2014

Wow.  Transfers always seem to surprise me.

I am leaving Solvang.  I will be serving in Paso Robles.  I will be in the Paso Robles 3rd Branch!  I have heard many great things.  I just think it is funny because last week I said, "The one place I don't wanna go to is Paso!  Because i don't wanna sit in the car for 3 hours after transfer meeting just to get back to my new area!!"  Paso is THREE hours away from Ventura!!!!  CA-RAZY.  Haha.  And look where I am going.  Heavenly Father knows all.  He obviously sees me serving there when I didn't.  Hahaha.  I am going to be companions with Hermana Rubow.  She was in the MTC with Hermana Corniea and Hermana Howell!!!  I've heard GREAT things about Hermana Rubow.  I am excited to meet her.  I am hoping that this new area, new transfer, new companion will help me.  I am hoping I can finally feel better.  

Hermana Schmidt will be a Sister Training Leader.  She is going to be serving in Santa Barbara.  She is going to a fantastic area!  So there will be 2 new sisters coming to our area.  ("White washing") just like Hermana Howell and I did just 3 transfers ago.  

I will miss Solvang so much.  This is definitely a place that I will have to come back to.  But this will forever be a place of growth.  I grew so much.  Still am.  And I know I will continue to grow so much from the experiences I had here.  I love the ward.  I love the people.  I know I will love my new area.  It's just bittersweet.  

I am hoping the new area will be a refresher!!  I just want a refresher.  Haha.  I found out my companion from the MTC, Hermana Brown is a Sister Training Leader!!!!!  Which I am SOOO excited about!!  She is amazing, and I know that this calling is HERS.  She will do amazingly!!  I am SO excited for her....I hope that I will be able to go on exchanges with HER!! :D  I love her.

Karen is gone.  I have not enjoyed seeing her house empty.  It was GREAT being her neighbor.  but seeing her house empty is sad.  I have asked Elder Young about his area, and I think that Karen moved into HIS MISSION BOUNDARIES.  How crazy is that?!  Elder Young actually served where we think Karen moved!!  How crazy is that?!  I want him to teach her and her family!!

I said goodbye to Erik yesterday.  It was very sad.  I will miss him so much!  He is such a solid recent convert!!  He is just so great.  I'm pretty sure he will be the unit leader here in Solvang....when there is a Spanish unit ;)  Haha He'll be the leader!!!  :)  

I am excited to recieve my easter package.  Thank you for the General Conference package.  Loved it!! :)  Tell ashley my mission office address.  Because I don't know my address right now.  She asked me last week for my real address.  I am excited to get the CD too!!  Thank youu!

Sister Castro loved the happy book I gave her!!  :)  She said she would carry it with her every where.  Thank you for that idea, Mom.  My happy book has helped me more than I ever thought it could, especially this past transfer.  

I may go to the doctor this week.  I am going to talk with Sister Castro tomorrow after transfer meeting and we will figure out what to do...I had to get some prescription nasal spray for my cold.  I am still using it...haha.  But just in case something notifies you about our insurance, I used our insurance!  (I don't know anything about insurance...haha).  

Well.  I love you.  I appreciate your support, love, and prayers.  

Love,

Sister Ah Mu

March 30, 2014

Oooo.  I'm pretty excited to get the general conference package:)

That address is correct.  I did receive the package with taxes in it.  Also the letter from Michelle!! :)  Dang, her letter was SO inspired.  Tell her she is amazing!!

I would probably stop sending anything to my home address because I am probably getting transferred in a week.  

Oh Jon...always getting into trouble!!  He and I have a blast writing each other.  I think it is hilarious that I've known him since like 3rd grade!!  

I am also keeping in contact with Elder Richardson still, yes.  He is doing GREAT!!  He is just an amazing Elder, I know he works so hard.  He goes home in September D:

I also keep in contact with Elder Young in Kennewick, Washington mission.  He is awesome too!!  We have fun writing each other in Spanish.  It's always good practice to do that.  (Karen and Carlos and their family are probably moving into his mission boundaries!!!!)

Also, I keep in contact with Elder Johnson, he is in the Bulgaria Sofia mission.  He an amazing Elder Too!!!  He an I hit our year mark soon...which is CRAZY.  I still like to think that is in 2 and a half months...that's a long time, right?  Psh.  Not on a mission.

How did you like the Women's broadcast??  I LOVED IT.  All the talks were fantastic!! :D

Karen and Carlos moved...I pretty much wanted to cry.  I was just sad because  I may not ever see them again....I'm hoping that isn't true.  I will have to go visit them in Washington...and they'll probably be baptized by then ;)  I'm positive!!!  They're ready!!

This is the last week of the transfer.  I can't lie and say I'm not excited to start a new one again.  This has been the longest transfer of my ENTIRE mission.  The hardest one ever.  The scariest.  The lonliest.  But I've learned SO much.  My testimony has been tried.  But I am coming out a lot stronger.  But, yes.  I am excited to start over again.  hopefully go to a new area, I feel like it's time.  But I guess we will see if The Lord feels the same, won't we?

Thank you for everything.  I am doing better than I have been for a long time.  I loved the package.  And guess what??  I sent in my taxes on time :)  Sister Castro sent with the Sister Training Leaders a little package for me.  She is so funny, she sent me some aromatherapy things...but hey!  It works!! :)  And I really appreciate it.  I love her so much!!  So I sent her a talk that has really helped me, some chocolate, and I sent her a happy book (You know what I'm talking about, right mom?).  

I love you all.  Hope you're donig well.  I will let you know what is to come next transfer on Monday!!

Love,

Sister Ah Mu