Tuesday, November 25, 2014

First Week in Chino Hills!

Hello everyone! 


I made it to beautiful southern California! We left the MTC on Tuesday morning around 4am, took the train to Salt Lake, got to the airport around 6:30 and our flight left around 9am. We flew into Ontario, CA and from the airport went straight to the mission office/church building. There, we were able to chillax in the chapel (they even let us take naps on the pews!!!) and we got interviewed by President and Sister Hobbs. That afternoon, we actually went on splits with missionaries in the area and went tracting! It was pretty fun. They fed us some good food and that night, we all ate at President's home (the mission home). The sisters stayed at their home for the night and the elders stayed with the APs in their apartment. 
 
Wednesday morning we all met at the church building/mission office in Rancho Cucamonga. There we did a little training and met our trainers! My companion is Sister Cromwell. She's super cool and a great missionary. She sure knows what she's doing. Everyone tells me that I got a great trainer! although, Sis Cromwell's last companion cried when she found out they were gonna be companions because Sister Cromwell is known around the mission for bad things happening. I guess she prays for growth, so Heavenly Father has given her many trials. She most recently hit her head and got a concussion. So what I'm saying is, pray for me... ;)

My first few days in the mission were great. Surprisingly I never felt too overwhelmed or inadequate. Sister Cromwell tells me that she got a pre-trained missionary, so that's cool. :) Oh, I failed to mention that my first area is Chino Hills, California. It is almost the most southern part of the mission. So there's like two parts to this particular mission: the valley and the desert. I'm in the valley. Chino Hills is one of the most wealthy areas in the mission, so all the houses & landscapes are gorgeous. But unfortunately, because the area is so wealthy, the people here are pretty prideful so we're not teaching much. Luckily the ward I'm in, Carbon Canyon, is SUPER awesome with fantastic members! Also, really good cooks :) So here my comp and I live with a member. Her name is Sister B, or momma B. She has a 13 year old daughter, Emma. They're THE BEST. 

The weather here has been crazy beautiful! Much better than Michigan from what I hear :) whenever people hear I'm from Michigan they say "I bet you're loving the weather here then" yes. yes I am.

Sorry this email is all over the place, I feel like I have so much to do with so little time. I promise I'll get better at this. I hope everyone has a great week & remember: Heavenly Father knows you & loves you so much. Pray to Him for anything! He wants to help you, you just need to ask.
I'm loving being a missionary. 
love you all!

Monday, November 17, 2014

Real quick note!

"Make it to Sunday & you'll be good".  I can't tell you how many times someone told me that & that is exactly what I've been telling the missionaries that came into the MTC this week. This week FLEW BY. I've learned so much in the short 11 days that I've been here; I can't put it into words. Hopefully in my letters to come I can do a better job at that, but sadly I don't have time today.

I'm super sad to be leaving the MTC tomorrow. I've met some really amazing people here that I know I'll be friends with forever. I am, however, excited to get to California, meet my mission President & wife, meet my trainer, and get to work! I've never prayed so hard & so often in my life. I've never felt the presence of the Lord so strong. I've never loved someone I barely know so easily.
 
Sorry for such a short letter! but I'm doing well, the Lord is on my side. I'm about to be a real live missionary now. but first let me finish my laundry and pack!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

First week, first email!