Horizon City, Texas, Transfer 12, Week 3

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope that you all had a great Christmas, and that you have a Happy New Year! I had a good Christmas full of lots and lots of turkey (my Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners were mixed up this year, but I definitely got my turkey fix taken care of).

Monday: It was p-day. We went over to the stake center to practice songs for Zone Conference, and I was able to bug the Elders for more talents for the talent show. 12 Days of Christmas: D&C 89:16, fruit granola bars

Tuesday: We made lots of good visits. I did the prep work for the zone conference talent show program, making lots of phone calls to make sure everyone was still going to do what they said they would. 12 Days of Christmas: 2 Nephi 2:25, almond joy

Wednesday: We had a great day of Zone Conference! It was my last one... it really hit me that this is the end (though I'm counting my blessings that President Miller doesn't have missionaries do their departing testimonies in zone conference anymore because that really would have made me cry). I played the organ for a piano/organ duet... and almost had a disaster. We got there to practice and the organ was locked. By the time we figured out where the key was to unlock it, it was time to start, so we didn't get to practice at all before we played it. And we got up there to play the song, and the organ wasn't turning on. The other sister was already starting the prelude and I was frantically trying to get her to stop, and finally turned to the other side to the zone leaders and told them to tell her to stop. They started scrambling and found that the organ wasn't plugged in... they fixed it about 2 seconds before I needed to come in. WHEW! The talent show was a hit! It was so much fun! Everything came together perfectly. It was a really good conference. We talked about how to become a consecrated missionary. My thoughts were "Oh sure. NOW they tell me... just in time to kick me out." But no, it really was good, and will benefit me for the 3 weeks I have left, and as I make the transition from being a missionary to being a normal person again. 12 Days: (I don't remember the scripture), Chapstick.

Thursday: We went and did some service. We had a lunch appointment with a less active sister. The family we ate dinner with gave us some Christmas gifts, including a pair of pj pants and gloves. So I did get Christmas jammies this year! All the missionaries in our wards went caroling... I was only in a light sweater and didn't even freeze! haha to all of you who have lots and lots of snow up north! 12 Days: 1 Samuel 2:9, socks

Friday: It was Christmas eve. We did weekly planning. Then we went to dinner #1 and ate turkey! It was really yummy! I'd been craving turkey since Thanksgiving. From there we went to dinner #2, a Christmas party that one of the families in the stake had for all of the missionaries. That was fun! 12 Days: D&C 103: 9, lifesavers. I also got the wedding announcement for my trainer, Sister Trunnell. She gets married tomorrow, and her open house in Utah is 4 days before I get home. Oh well. Such is life.

Saturday: We got up and opened our presents, though I didn't have much for me here (I'd told mom not to send me anything because I didn't want to have to haul it home, so she sent me a watch and some makeup). We got to call home. My family sure was excited to hear from me! And we ate 2 turkey dinners. Yup... my turkey fix has definitely been taken care of. It was a good Christmas. There is nothing better than having your whole focus on the Savior at the time of His birth.

Sunday: We spent all day at church, as usual. We had a great lesson with Lucy, one of our investigators. We met in the chapel, and the Spirit was so strong. She has told us before that she doesn't want to accept a baptismal date before she knows that this really is what she wants to do because she is the kind of person that when they say they're going to do something they do it. And her husband is a Jehovah Witness, which is also a big hold up for her. They're struggling in their marriage right now and she doesn't want to do anything that could hurt it. But at least Sister Newbold and I felt very strongly to be bold with her and we were. We brought up baptism and how she can know for herself of the truth of the Gospel. I don't think I've ever been that bold with an investigator, but went about it in a very loving manner. We didn't get her committed to a date yet, but she is willing to keep learning and knows that someday she will join. She wants to learn more first and make sure it really is the right thing for her to do.

I hope you all have a great week, and a happy, safe end of 2010 and start of 2011!

See you soon!

Hermana Good

Horizon City, Texas, Transfer 12, Week 2

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week has gone by. I can't believe how fast time is passing, and how little I really do have left. But we don't think about that.

On to my week!

Monday: It was a great p-day. I really love having other sisters around! Sorry if you write me and don't get a response... I have a couple excuses... 1) There's other sisters around. When I was up in Colorado with the same situation, I didn't get any letters written all transfer. 2) I'm almost out of stamps, and once I’m out, I'm out (Don't worry mom, I've already got stamps on the envelopes for you.) 3) Not gonna lie... I'm tired of writing letters. I'll e-mail ya'll when I get home and back on a computer. I finished the Bible that morning! It took me a little less than a year to read the Bible from cover to cover, but now I can't say that I haven't read the Bible. We had some good visits that night too. I still wasn't having much luck with the talent show that I need to put together for Zone Conference... still am not. But that's okay. I have until Wednesday. Okay, so that's really not much time, but I’ll survive. We had the first of the 12 days of Christmas: 1 Nephi 19:16, 4 Quarters. I also took a picture of our shoes. If I remember to attach pictures today I'll send that one and mom can see how beat up my shoes are compared to the picture I took last year. And my name tag too. Yuck.

Tuesday: It was a good, successful day. We were able to make lots of visits. 12 Days: D&C 89:20, nylons.

Wednesday: Another day just like Tuesday. 12 Days: Psalms 23:4, Candy Canes.

Thursday: We did weekly planning. 12 Days: 3 Nephi 17:21, Kleenex.

Friday: We had district meeting. Afterward, Sister O'Brien and I practiced Silent Night that we're playing for Zone Conference. It took us a while to get it down, but we got it. We went out after and did some visits, then finished weekly planning (the whole bit of having weekly planning on Thursdays is REALLY throwing me off. We went to the Spanish ward Christmas party. We had some good food and good company. 12 Days: Genesis 6:19, Animal Crackers.

Saturday: We went and had correlation with our new Ward Mission Leader for the English ward. He's going to do a great job. We're excited to have him. We also taught an English Class to a sister who is wanting to learn English. Thanks to Marc and Monique for the Christmas goodies that I got in the mail! They were yummy! 12 Days: D&C 84:88, Lotion.

Sunday: We went to Church. We had a couple investigators show up, one in each ward. And a couple less active families. The English Ward had their Christmas Program. I really enjoyed that. And the Spanish ward gave every sister in the ward, including Las Hermanas corsages that one of the sisters had made with silk poinsettias. It was a great idea. 12 Days: 3 Nephi 28, 3 Musketeers.

Okay... so I thought it was a more eventful week than it looks like it was. Anyway... yeah. I'll talk to my family on Saturday and see the rest of ya'll in a few weeks.

Hermana Good

Horizon City, Texas, Transfer 12, Week 1

Dear Family and Friends,

It was a pretty good week. We did have some disappointing times with our investigators, pero asi es la vida de una misionera. I hope you all had a good week.

Monday: It was p-day. We said goodbye to the Elders who were going home or being transferred, 4 of the 6 in our district. The 3 going home were trunky and couldn't have cared less. But they were all looking kind of down... much like I imagine myself looking 6 weeks from now... well not even that. But I don't want to think about that. We had dinner with the McDermed/ Longoria family. I really enjoy spending time with them.

Tuesday: We had a great lesson with one of our new investigators, Lucy, and the Relief Society President, Sister Doyon. Then we headed over to the transfer site because Sisters Newbold and Jarman were bored sitting in their car because, let's face it, the Elders don't like to associate with the Sisters. While there, Elder Moore who used to be in our district came over and visited for a while. He was in disbelief that this is my dying transfer. And quite frankly, so am I. I also saw Sister Stolp (an English sister), and Sister Cabello who was transferred down to Anthony. We have TONS of sisters in our district. FIVE!!! It's great fun. We get along a little too well. The Elders feel like they've been overrun... which they kind of have. It's going to be a great transfer!

Wednesday: We started helping Sister Newbold get to know the area. I'm sitting in the backseat all transfer because they need to learn the area and I can still navigate from the back if I have to, which I have had to do. We had dinner with the Browns and other Sisters. We also helped Sister Brown put up the rest of her Christmas decorations. We'll put it this way... it's a good thing the 5 of us don't live in the same apartment because we get along a little TOO well. I started getting phone calls for people for the talent show for Zone Conference, and constant reminders that I'm dying by anyone who knows me.

Thursday: One of my companions was sick, so we got lots of good studying done. We were able to do weekly planning which was weird. President switched weekly planning and district meeting days, so I've been all sorts of confused. We got a phone call that Elder Gust got his visa to go to Mexico. He left this morning... meaning that now the sisters in the district outnumber the Elders. Perfect! For us anyway. The Elders don't think it's so great. But for us sisters it's great fun!

Friday: We had district meeting. We started out with a get to know you activity, because of the 10 missionaries in our district, 6 were new. We had to say how long we've been out, so I said that I've been out for a while. Then lovely Elder Evans, who was in my MTC district and sat by me on the plane down, piped up and said that he'd been out for 17 months and 10 days, the same as Sister Good. We said goodbye to Elder Gust who is going to rock it down in Veracruz! We went to lunch with the other sisters. I LOVE having other sisters around. It's quite the way to die. We also had dinner with them at the Gonzales' house. I've missed them SO much. But while we were driving over there, it really hit me that this is my last transfer. I was sitting in the back seat trying to stay happy. Sister Knight told me later that she could tell that something was up, and that she assumed it was something to do with my leaving. I love the mission so much, and now that I'm here at the end I don't want it to end. It is so hard to believe that more than 17 months have passed by oh so quickly. I also got a letter from Hermana Windous in Chile. That made me smile. She was talking about how much she's learned in her first month in the field and that she can't imagine how much she'll have learned by the end of the mission. I can't wait to write her back. Even if I do get her written back today and sent this week, she won't get my letter until after I'm home. That's weird to think.

Saturday: We spent the morning tracting. Then we went and helped Sister Greaves decorate cookies for the ward Christmas party. It was so much fun! The Christmas party was good too. It was good food. I had the turkey and stuffing I’ve been craving (and had a turkey sandwich for breakfast today with the leftovers they loaded us up with--I'm out of cereal until we go to the store later), and a bit of honey-glazed ham. And someone made homemade oreos. I was in heaven!

Sunday: We spent the day in church, then went to dinner at Bishop Zuniga's with all the missionaries. We had a good time. We get along good together... which is a good thing, because we thought for sure that we'd drive the Elders nuts, and we probably do but that's okay.

I love our companionship. It is great to be able to work with Sister Newbold and Sister Batchkoff. This is the 5th transfer that I have spent in a trio on the mission, but I think this is the best one I've had. We get along well. It is hard to figure out how to teach together, but we're getting there. Sister Newbold has some really great ideas to bring to the table that will bless and benefit Sister Batchkoff for the rest of the mission.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve through another Christmas. Last Christmas in the mission was a wonderful experience for me, so focused on the Savior. I've never experienced anything like it, and after this year I probably never will again. I am greatly looking forward to Zone Conference next week to be able to celebrate the spirit of the season with the other missionaries.

I have also decided personally to do the 40 day fast again this transfer. I noticed a huge difference in the Spirit last transfer, and there are still things that I have that I want to improve before I return home. It really stuck in my head what Elder Jensen said at Zone Conference on 30 June "You'll never be better than your best self as a missionary." I have noticed a huge difference in myself over the past 17 months, and still have another 5 weeks to continue to improve.

I hope you all have a good week and enjoy the holiday Spirit!

Love you all!

Hermana Good

Horizon City, Texas, Transfer 12, Week 1

Dear Family and Friends,

It was a pretty good week. We did have some disappointing times with our investigators, pero asi es la vida de una misionera. I hope you all had a good week.

Monday: It was p-day. We said goodbye to the Elders who were going home or being transferred, 4 of the 6 in our district. The 3 going home were trunky and couldn't have cared less. But they were all looking kind of down... much like I imagine myself looking 6 weeks from now... well not even that. But I don't want to think about that. We had dinner with the McDermed/ Longoria family. I really enjoy spending time with them.

Tuesday: We had a great lesson with one of our new investigators, Lucy, and the Relief Society President, Sister Doyon. Then we headed over to the transfer site because Sisters Newbold and Jarman were bored sitting in their car because, let's face it, the Elders don't like to associate with the Sisters. While there, Elder Moore who used to be in our district came over and visited for a while. He was in disbelief that this is my dying transfer. And quite frankly, so am I. I also saw Sister Stolp (an English sister), and Sister Cabello who was transferred down to Anthony. We have TONS of sisters in our district. FIVE!!! It's great fun. We get along a little too well. The Elders feel like they've been overrun... which they kind of have. It's going to be a great transfer!

Wednesday: We started helping Sister Newbold get to know the area. I'm sitting in the backseat all transfer because they need to learn the area and I can still navigate from the back if I have to, which I have had to do. We had dinner with the Browns and other Sisters. We also helped Sister Brown put up the rest of her Christmas decorations. We'll put it this way... it's a good thing the 5 of us don't live in the same apartment because we get along a little TOO well. I started getting phone calls for people for the talent show for Zone Conference, and constant reminders that I'm dying by anyone who knows me.

Thursday: One of my companions was sick, so we got lots of good studying done. We were able to do weekly planning which was weird. President switched weekly planning and district meeting days, so I've been all sorts of confused. We got a phone call that Elder Gust got his visa to go to Mexico. He left this morning... meaning that now the sisters in the district outnumber the Elders. Perfect! For us anyway. The Elders don't think it's so great. But for us sisters it's great fun!

Friday: We had district meeting. We started out with a get to know you activity, because of the 10 missionaries in our district, 6 were new. We had to say how long we've been out, so I said that I've been out for a while. Then lovely Elder Evans, who was in my MTC district and sat by me on the plane down, piped up and said that he'd been out for 17 months and 10 days, the same as Sister Good. We said goodbye to Elder Gust who is going to rock it down in Veracruz! We went to lunch with the other sisters. I LOVE having other sisters around. It's quite the way to die. We also had dinner with them at the Gonzales' house. I've missed them SO much. But while we were driving over there, it really hit me that this is my last transfer. I was sitting in the back seat trying to stay happy. Sister Knight told me later that she could tell that something was up, and that she assumed it was something to do with my leaving. I love the mission so much, and now that I'm here at the end I don't want it to end. It is so hard to believe that more than 17 months have passed by oh so quickly. I also got a letter from Hermana Windous in Chile. That made me smile. She was talking about how much she's learned in her first month in the field and that she can't imagine how much she'll have learned by the end of the mission. I can't wait to write her back. Even if I do get her written back today and sent this week, she won't get my letter until after I'm home. That's weird to think.

Saturday: We spent the morning tracting. Then we went and helped Sister Greaves decorate cookies for the ward Christmas party. It was so much fun! The Christmas party was good too. It was good food. I had the turkey and stuffing I’ve been craving (and had a turkey sandwich for breakfast today with the leftovers they loaded us up with--I'm out of cereal until we go to the store later), and a bit of honey-glazed ham. And someone made homemade oreos. I was in heaven!

Sunday: We spent the day in church, then went to dinner at Bishop Zuniga's with all the missionaries. We had a good time. We get along good together... which is a good thing, because we thought for sure that we'd drive the Elders nuts, and we probably do but that's okay.

I love our companionship. It is great to be able to work with Sister Newbold and Sister Batchkoff. This is the 5th transfer that I have spent in a trio on the mission, but I think this is the best one I've had. We get along well. It is hard to figure out how to teach together, but we're getting there. Sister Newbold has some really great ideas to bring to the table that will bless and benefit Sister Batchkoff for the rest of the mission.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve through another Christmas. Last Christmas in the mission was a wonderful experience for me, so focused on the Savior. I've never experienced anything like it, and after this year I probably never will again. I am greatly looking forward to Zone Conference next week to be able to celebrate the spirit of the season with the other missionaries.

I have also decided personally to do the 40 day fast again this transfer. I noticed a huge difference in the Spirit last transfer, and there are still things that I have that I want to improve before I return home. It really stuck in my head what Elder Jensen said at Zone Conference on 30 June "You'll never be better than your best self as a missionary." I have noticed a huge difference in myself over the past 17 months, and still have another 5 weeks to continue to improve.

I hope you all have a good week and enjoy the holiday Spirit!

Love you all!

Hermana Good

Transfer & Baptism News

Well, my family and friends, Another transfer has absolutely flown by. 6 VERY short weeks from today, I will be writing ya'll about my last week in the mission field. I can't believe how fast the time I have spent as a missionary has flown by.

Monday: It was p-day. We played volleyball... I probably shouldn't have because I really didn't feel good... but we'd been pestering the Elders all transfer to play with us so I did anyway. And my team dominated all 3 games that we played. I did go home and take a nap afterward. And Delia Lincoln took us to dinner. I actually ate, which was a nice thing because I hadn't really eaten anything since breakfast on Saturday.

Tuesday: We had a great lesson with Lucy. We did lots of walking to save miles... not that we needed to, but we knew the Elders would run out of miles and would need more. Celali had her baptismal interview that night.

Wednesday: We contacted former investigators and went tracting. While we were out, we got a phone call from the Martinez'--who had been the housing inspectors in the old NMAM. They finished their mission and I thought I'd never see them again. So that made me happy. I'd gotten a book of missionary stories from mom, and as it was December 1st, we read the first story. It made me cry like a baby. And last but not least, WELCOME HOME WHITNEY! Although... I'm not exactly home to welcome you yet. But I hope you're enjoying your time with your family.

Thursday: We had district meeting, and took district pictures as 3 elders are dying. We also had the Zone Leaders at District Meeting, so they were in the picture too. We did service for the Browns again, and put up their Christmas tree. That night, I walked upstairs to hear the phone signaling that we had a message. I listened to it, and it was from President Miller for me, asking me to call him back. That way made me freak out! But it wasn't anything big... he just asked me to take charge of the talent show for the Christmas Zone Conference along with the other dying sister, which will be December 22.

Friday: We had apartment inspections. It was so fun to see the Martinez' again! Our inspection was at 8:00, and they called at 7:40 saying they were outside. I'd just gotten out of the shower... so I really scrambled to get ready. I disfrute (sorry... can't think of that word in English) of her knowledge of cleaning tricks. We did weekly planning... for week 1 of transfer 12. (As a Spanish Sister, I only have 12. That was weird.) We had a marathon lesson with Celali to finish teaching everything that she needed before baptism. And I played the piano for a baptism that the Elders had. What are they going to do without me?

Saturday: We spent the day tracting--it was 70 degrees! I finally got the letter from my family--it included a letter from Bear (my puppy for those who don't know). It made me smile. And we got transfer calls. The Zone Leaders called us directly instead of having the District Leader call us, because they wanted to tell us that I'm going to be a grandma. Some of you probably think that sounds really weird and awkward... but it just means that Sister Jardine is training. Sister Batchkoff and I are both staying here, and are getting Sister Newbold. And two of the other elders in our wards are being replaced by sisters as well, so we'll have 5 sisters in our wards/district. 2 elders in the ward--one of whom is Elder Evans who was in my MTC district (all the elders say that I’m going to make him SUPER trunky) and 5 elders in the district because there will be a trio in Fabens. The Elders aren't looking forward to being in a "Relief Society" district. But they'll get over it.

Sunday:
Celali was baptized! It was such an AMAZING baptism! The Spirit was so strong, and there was such a good turn out from the ward. which was good, because no one in her family ended up coming. What a great blessing it was to see her enter the waters of baptism. The bishop also wanted to confirm her right after the baptism so she didn't have to wait a whole week. Her blessing was incredible. She was promised so many wonderful blessings. She is going to be such a strong influence to her family and friends. She also told us yesterday that she is thinking about applying to BYU--which I think would be an amazing way for her to strengthen her testimony even more. It was weird to listen to Elders Pearson and Hatch give their departing testimonies in the wards. And I realized that it will be ME next month. I only have one more fast Sunday as a missionary. I can't believe that.

Overall, it was a good week. It was a good transfer. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. But what a blessing it has been. I am excited to finish my mission here in Horizon. This has been a wonderful area, and I am excited to be with Sisters Newbold and Batchkoff. It will be a great transfer!

And yes, mom, I have felt completely fine since Tuesday. I still can't open my mouth 100% like I could before, but it's fine. It hurts if I try to open it more than it wants to, or if I try to bite something tough. It doesn't pop and it hasn't locked up again. It would be best to at least wait until I get home with our regular dentist if you want to have it checked out. I did get the journal--Thanks! I decided it's a good thing you sent it, because I've been a woman of many words the past few nights.

I hope you all enjoy your Christmas season!

I love you all!

Hermana Good