Week 10

Monday, 5 September 2016

Monday was a little rough. Sister Foulke and I were in the middle of personal study when there was a knock at our door. We looked at each other in bewilderment wondering who it could've been. We opened the door to see President and one of the MSTLs. They came in and talked with us for a bit before President asked if he could talk to me alone. As you could imagine thousands of scenarios were running through my mind and I was trying to remember if I could've possibly done something to get into trouble. We sat down in a room by ourselves and I just outright asked him if I was in trouble. President just smiled sadly and shook his head and said that I wasn't in trouble. He then gently told me that my Grandma Rose, my dad' mom, had died that last night. I burst into tears and he just scooped me up and held me just like my dad would and I just sobbed. I knew that Grandma was in a much better state and place, I was mostly upset that I couldn't be there to help support my family through all of this, especially my daddy. When I had calmed down enough President asked if I wanted to call my family and I said that I would. So he gave me his phone and left the room to fill Sister Foulke in on what was happening. It was so wonderful to hear my parents' voices! The rest of the day was a little rough considering.

After they left I decided that I needed to do something with my hands to get my mind off everything so I dyed my hair. I chose an almost-black brown color. One bright spot of my day was that when we went to the church to go email Elder Aitchison told me I look like Snow White (I was wearing red lipstick as well as my freshly dyed black hair). The elders in our district are all pretty tall except for one. Elder L is 6' 2" but Elder Aitchison takes the prize at a height of 6'4". Honestly, I can't imagine what it would feel like to be that tall. To never have the struggles of cabinets that are too high. Or being unable to reach the fan chain. Life must be charmed when you're that tall.

The other bright spot was that we learned that, as a district, we found 42 NEW INVESTIGATORS!!! Which was four more than the bargain for the nose hair required (See Week 9 Letter).... Mwahahaha... So we gathered all around and watched as Elder Shepherd to the massive pliers and pulled one of Elder Hayes' nose hairs out. I needed that laugh SO much! It was glorious. 

----------------

Tuesday, 6 September

Tuesday was my two month mark being on a mission. That was crazy to realize! I only had 16 months to go instead of 18. I literally have NO idea where that time went! My mind is seriously blown.

Sister Foulke was feeling under the weather that day so we stayed in for a bit in order to let her rest. So in order to help her feel better I told her the story of the musical Camelot, I even sang most of the songs for her! :D I love that musical so much! Even though I can't watch the end because it depresses me. :'(

Something that I wanted to do was to record myself singing a song that could be played at my Grandmother's funeral so that I could participate in it some way. So I went over to the mission office and Sister Snow accompanied me while I sang a song (Anthem of Praise by Sally Deford). She then asked if I could sing that song in a half hour for a devotional that was happening for the missionaries that we're going home the next day. So I did. :)

-----------------

Wednesday, 7 September 2016

District Council arrived once again. And Elder Burrup (one of the zone leaders) should be a comedian! I Honestly want emojis of all of his faces.

After District council we had an appointment with Rachel and we taught her how to do family history work a little bit. I was able to get on the FamilySearch app and do a teensy bit of family history work!!! I LOVE FAMILY HISTORY WORK SO MUCH I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWAL!

Later that day we saw Carli which was sad because her mom was in the hospital again. :( Then we had a lesson with Marcus which was a little frustrating because he knows what he should be doing to be happier, he just simply isn't doing them!

We went to dinner and as missionaries we are supposed to leave a spiritual thought with the individual/family that is feeding us. We had forgotten to prepare one and the time came to give it and Sister Foulke simply stared at me. So I pulled out a scripture that popped into my mind out of thin air, Mosiah 28:41 (please read! :) and it turned out to be exactly what the family needed! There are no coincidences in life. And there is modern day revelation from God. Large and seemingly small.

We then had Ward correlation with Ephraim, again none of the Ward missionaries showed up. We feel so bad for Ephraim having to deal with irritating Ward missionaries.

----------------

Thursday, 8 September 2016
So last week during exchanges there was an apartment that I felt strongly impressed to knock on and we finally went to that complex on Thursday (Bay breeze 522) and we knocked on the door and a really nice lady named Kristi opened the door and she talked about how she felt like we had something really special to share... But that we should have come over a week ago because she was moving that day. I cannot tell you how quickly and how low my heart dropped. To think, if I had just followed my prompting and knocked on her door last week she could have come closer to Jesus Christ. I felt so ashamed. I had received a prompting from God and I had put it off. And the consequence was that one of his children would have to wait longer to learn about the truth. 

On a lighter note we went and we visited Reggie (see earlier emails) and he basically said that he wants Sister Foulke to marry him! XD What he actually said was, " I need a woman like you Sister Foulke... How old are you, 24?" I could only drink from my water bottle and cry with suppressed laughter as she just stared at him!!! XD Oh heavens above.... Life is still good when someone basically asks your companion to marry him.

We went home for lunch and we got a call from our STLs saying that one of the sisters was sick and her companion needed to go out with us. We said sure, why not! Another sister is always fun to have! So we had Sister Batulga with us for the day and that was super cool, she's from Mongolia and has an adorable accent!

We met with Victor Lopez who was going to have his baptismal interview the upcoming Saturday (patience, young ones, we'll get there :P). And then we met with Marcus, which is so discouraging because, yet again, he told us that he hadn't prayed, he hadn't read the scriptures, and he had smoked. It breaks our hearts to hear this because we can see how unhappy it makes him!

We then took Sister Baltuga back to her companion before we went to dinner with Khira, a member of the YSA Ward. She was SO much fun to talk to! :D

After dinner we went to a lesson with Luis... And he and his friend Dylan were so instructed the entire time. They would not stop "dipping". If you on't know what that is... Count your MANY blessings.

We then met with Victor Ranga.... WHY DOES HE HAVE SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME WITH PRIESTHOOD????? The one thing he has beef with is the priesthood and the need to make covenants with God by someone holding that priesthood authority. I don't understand.

------------------

Friday, 9 September 2016

Friday was good because we had weekly planning! I love weekly planning! :D

So... Sister Foulke asked me to make up a regency romance story with her as the heroine #Emma&Jason4ever So I made up this huge and involved story about her and the title will be The Baron of Bedlam. I told her the story and she loved it... So who knows... I might be writing a bestseller when I get back :P

We had received a referral a few days before whose name is Jerry so we went to our first lesson with him and it went really well. He's a very sweet man, he was in a car accident a year or two ago which left him with permanent disabilities. But he is so kind and wants to truly come to know what Christ would have him do with his life.

After the lesson with him we had a lesson with Kristin. This time it was just Sister Foulke and I with her and she opened up so much more, it was amazing! She is so sweet, I wanted to just higher until I squeezed all the problems out of her life!

Later than night we had another lesson with Kelly (ship Ephraim and her so much!) (Mom Note: for those of the older generation: "to ship" two people means you think they would make a cute couple.) We were going through the Plan of Salvation and it was incredible! She knew a LOT and she had so many wonderful insights! She is honestly such a blessing!

After our lesson with her we had a lesson with Marcus that just was absolutely sad. He said that he didn't want to use the Atonement to help him quit smoking because he thought it would be so much more impressive if he quit by himself.  I know that a person can NOT escape addiction by themselves. Because it is not just a thing we are fighting. We are fighting the thing we are addicted to, ourselves, the adversary, and all of his followers. We cannot fully and completely overcome an addiction without the help of our loving Brother Jesus Christ. We need His strength.

--------------------

Saturday, 10 September 2016

Saturday was a little bit of a rough day. That morning was my Grandma Rose's funeral. President gave me permission to Skype in so I was able to have that little bit of closure and to see the beautiful faces of the people I love. :)

Twenty minutes before Victor Lopez's baptismal interview was supposed to take place he texted us to say that he couldn't go through with it. We spent the next twenty minutes calling and texting him, trying to get him to respond to us. He finally answered our texts and we simply testified to him by saying "whatever you're going through, the gospel of Jesus Christ can help you if you choose Him." He then said that he would come. We and the district leaders waited an HOUR before he finally showed up. Sister Foulke was ready to strangle him for all of the stress that he had put us all through. I was none too pleased myself. He and Elder Shepherd went into a room to do the interview and another hour later they came out saying that Victor had some struggles that he needed to overcome with the mission president before he could become baptized. So that was super disheartening for us. But it is MUCH better that it happened this way instead of all of this surfacing after the baptism. :) So it all worked out for the good! :)

We had another lesson with Kelly who literally brightened up our day! :D Love her!

After Kelly we had an emergency meeting with Ephraim. We basically just barfed emotions all over him. We just told him what was going on with our investigators and he helped us sort things out and settle down. And then he gave us blessings. 

----------------------

Sunday, 11 September 2016

After church this Sunday Ephraim and we went to Patrick's once again to play chess and talk about the gospel. I was watching so intently to figure out how on earth one plays chess. It was a little bit frustrating to me because it was not coming easily to me. But I slowly understood more and more as their game went on so there is hope for me yet! :D

There was a Young Adult Broadcast afterwards where Elder Cook (one of the 12 Apostles) spoke and here are two quotes that I loved!
"Enthusiasm is common, endurance is rare."
"Being sincerely Christlike is an even more important goal than being "authentic"."

After that we had another lesson with Kelly and it was wonderful, of course. Sister Foulke and I seriously ship Ephraim and Kelly! XD

------------------

Lol, that is pretty much my roller coaster of a week. I love you all! You are all constantly in my prayers! *spiritual hugs and kisses

Sister Longo

Week 9

Monday, 29 August 2016

While we were at the church emailing, Elder Aitchison said that he will be Benedict Cumberbatch's best friend when he gets back xD I died. He said that his favorite band was 21 Pilots and that he loved Star Wars!

After emailing we went to the Villas to proselyte and as we were walking to different potential investigator's apartments and we found Jevon who set up an appointment with us. And as we were walking away from him, a woman came up to US and complemented our dresses! We struck up a conversation and she had moved here a week ago.Her name is Diana and she also made an appointment to talk with us this week! Miracles are real and so awesome! :D

The next thing we had scheduled was FHE (family home evening) with the YSA Ward. The activity was to walk around this pond, eating ice cream and talking to one another. Sister Foulke and I had a conversation with Ephraim about the priesthood because recently I have realized how very little I know about the priesthood so I've really been studying it and trying to find everything I can on the subject. Especially as to women's role in the priesthood. So that was a cool conversation. :)

After FHE we went to find a new investigator who we hadn't been able to get in contact with again. We weren't able to get a hold of him unfortunately :/ and after we tried to catch him at his apartment we had twenty minutes left and I was really tempted to just go home. It was dark and I was tired but Sister Foulke took us to another apartment complex and the entire time I just kept saying in my head "Heavenly Father will bless us for our obedience. Heavenly Father will bless us for our exact obedience." And.... Nothing happened. We didn't find anyone and those we came across were a teensy bit rude. It was 8:55pm so we went home so we would be home by 9. As we were doing daily planning, the phone rang with a number we didn't recognize. We answered and it was a Brother in another Ward in a different area giving us a referral!!! Heavenly Father blesses us when we are as exactly obedient as we can be because that shows that we can be trusted with his work. Obedience brings blessings!!! :D

-----------------------------

Tuesday, 30 August 2016

That morning Sister Foulke and I had to take the car in to get an oil change and have the tire pressure fixed. We thought we would only be there for an hour... It's just an oil change after all. TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER.... I was a tad irritated. I have never liked wasting time, and on the mission that hatred towards time-wasting has only been multiplied.

So there is a recent convert in our YSA Ward named, Alena Kiki, she is super cool! We went with Ephraim to the new convert lesson with her and she was super sweet and her conversion story was so tender. :)

Later that day we a member family took us to dinner and while on the way there we were talking about having spiritual experiences. So here is a question that I want to pose to you all... do deep spiritual things happen more often than we think? I wonder because I know that I rarely share the deep spiritual experiences I have had. Food for thought and discussion!

While we were trying to find a potential investigator we met.... A Scottish man!!!! Not gonna lie. Sister Foulke and I talked to him for as long as he would let us because we loved his accent so much! xD

We then had a lesson with Victor Ranga and it went really well! We started teaching him about the commandments and a lot of the ones we talked about on Tuesday he was ready keeping because it was in the scriptures. so awesome! And he said that he would keep the rest.

-----------------------

Wednesday, 31 August 2016

We had District Council and it went really good! On Monday we started a zone challenge called "Labor to Find" in honor of Labor Day. The challenge was for each companionship in the zone to find 10 new investigators (means that when we talk to a person for the first time [street contact or otherwise] we have to teach a principle, extend one invitation, and set up a return appointment). Sister Foulke (10 months old now) was like "how are we ever going to find 10 new investigators this week when the average is 3 a week?" And little greenie me said "The Lord will provide!" XD I'm such a greenie, but it is good! (Note: A greenie is someone who is still "green" or new to being a missionary.)

But what is even better is that one of the Zone leaders, Elder Hayes, made a deal with our district leader that if we, as a district, found at least 38 new investigators that Elder Shepherd (district leader) could pluck one of his nose hairs with a pair of pliers. We have video proof that this bargain was struck and agreed to For "Labor to Find" we, as a district, only had to find 30 new people to teach. So this was above and beyond the goal.

After district council we met with Diana and it was WONDERFUL! She was raised Catholic but when we give her a Book of Mormon she Sid that she hoped it would fail the void she's been feeling in her life! And I know that it can!

We then had a recent convert lesson with Rachel! She makes us so happy! :D We then met with McKenna, she's the one who was bullied when she was a teen. And I love talking with her. She's thinking of moving though so we don't know how long we'll be able to meet with her. :/

------------------------

Thursday, 1 September 2016

So Thursday I had been in the mission field for six weeks so we had to go to a meeting with all the other people that arrived here the same time I did and it was actually really cool! The thing that I loved the most about it... Was that it ENDED THE TIME IT SAID IT WAS GOING TO END! Very happy camper over here. :)

We then went on exchanges. This time I stayed in our area and worked with Sister Souba, the other STL (Sister Training Leader). We got SO many street contacts while we worked together, it was crazy!

So we were in an apartment complex and we walked by a building and I got an impression to knock on the apartment 522. But we were running late to an appointment so I wrote a note so we could go back later to knock on that door.

Then something a little rough happened. While we were pulling out of a parking spot I clipped the car next to us. I was so scared as to what I was going to see when I got out of the car. But the other car just had a tiny, almost imperceptible scratch and some of our paint on it. Our car on the other hand had one long scratch and the headlights were pushed into the car. I was kicking myself the rest of the day and the next.

While out street contacting in the Crossings we met Andree who was a young father and was taking his 10 month old baby out for a walk in the stroller. We talked to him a little bit about the Restoration and how he and his daughter can be father and daughter for all eternity. :) As we were talking I thought of my own dad: young, tan, full of questions about life,  full head of dark black hair :P And with a little baby girl who he loved dearly. And I couldn't help but long for him to know the truth like my daddy did at that age!

While we were out later that night we ran across this older man who was, no joke, a modern-day Pharisee. He was saying terrible things about his upstairs neighbors and how they needed Christ because they were the basest sinners. Sister Souba and I were horrified at the self-righteousness that could be contained in such a petty man. We tried to keep talking to him about him and he just kept talking about what terrible sinners the people were and then he asked us, "Who do you think needs to learn more about Jesus Christ? Me or them?" And Sister Souba just looked at him calmly with a hint of sadness and said, "Both of you." He was not happy about that. But "the guilty taketh the truth to be hard" (1 Nephi 16:2). And those "abominations" were some of the nicest people I have met. Jdjrhejwksnhcufkenfjcjwbsjksnfjdoemsncidn!!!!

We had taken Ephraim out with us so we could have a member present (super important!) And so after all of this we had a "Tribes of Israel" discussion with him. We just talked about the blessings of the different tribes and their responsibilities. It was super fun!

So after being companions with Sister Souba, I realized that I had a lot of things I needed to repent of (making goals, street contacting). XD

-------------------------

Friday, 2 September 2016

Friday morning we took the car to a body shop where they took pictures of the car so they could send the mission office an estimate for how much it will cost.

That morning we spent two whole hours in the Crossing apartment complex. It was really good! So we were wrapping up to go home for lunch when I got the prompting to go knock on a potential investigator's door. So we went to the apartment and knocked a couple times... But nothing. We shrugged and I was (I'll admit) a teensy bit irritated for wasting our time. But as we walked up to our car, we just barely caught Amanda coming home from work!!! :D We hadn't see her in weeks and were so worried about her! She told us that she was now working two jobs and life had been upper crazy but that she had missed us! I missed her SO much! And we set up an appointment for a couple weeks later when the craziness died down.

So after lunch was the much anticipated meeting with Kristin (the former investigator who texted us to ask us to come over). Sister Souba and I went and talked to her and she is super awesome! She started investigating the church a year ago because her boyfriend is actually a member in the YSA Ward Sister Foulke and I are over. She stopped investigating for a little bit because she hadn't had good experiences with the other sets of missionaries that she had worked with before. That kinda made me a little anxious. My whole life right now is devoted to helping others to come unto Christ in whatever capacity they need. I don't want to leave here and have any of our investigators feel like I hindered their progression towards Christ instead of helping. Kristin was really amazing though! Her questions are deep and important and I spend the entire time we are in the lesson praying that my companion and I can receive the guidance to help Kristin come to the true answers to her questions.

After we met with Kristin we went and tried to contact some potential investigators. We knocked on this one door looking for a Daniel and instead met Nancy. It. Was. So. COOL!!! Nancy is Christian (halfway there, right?) and she writes clean, fun, mystery novels! Her name is Nancy Baldock and she has written the "McKenzie Sparks Mystery Series". She described her series to us and it is now on my list for when I get home, it sounds like a riot! XD Anywho, after talking about her books for a little bit we talked about Jesus Christ, and sadly she refused to take a Book of Mormon but I have hope for her future. Sister Souba and I were just exposing her to the gospel. Heavenly Father will make sure that she will receive more exposure until she is receptive enough to accept it. And when she does, she will be a valiant member of Christ's church. :)

We then went back to our apartment to exchange back. I hugged the stuffing out of Sister Foulke. I love Sister Souba and she is an awesome exchange companion... But I needed my companion back. :D

So Sister Foulke and I went to the Villas and we were singing hymns to ourselves as we were walking from one apartment building to another and we hear a soft shout of, "Sisters!" We turn around and peaking around the corner of an apartment building was Cynthia! She had been outside sweeping her porch and she had heard us singing and had recognized our voices! xD Isn't that sweet?
Singing and Cynthia heard us!

We went on our way and while walking towards a potential investigator's apartment we came across a man and he was wearing these light teal headphones (#myfavoritecolorever!) so I called out to him and told him that I liked his headphones. He grinned and we struck up a conversation and talked about the gospel and set up a return appointment!

------------------------

Saturday, 3 September 2016

So Saturday was the day when we got the news about transfers. Transfers are where you can get moved to a different area (different wards) and/or get a different companion. The entire week I had been stressing over this because I didn't want to leave this area and I especially didn't want to leave Sister Foulke!!! They gave us our papers that told us our assignments for this transfer (a transfer is six weeks long). AND I GET TO STAY IN THIS AREA WITH SISTER FOULKE!!! When we got into the car I started crying with relief and happiness. I cannot convey to you as to the amount of anxiety this had given me.

Saturday was simply miraculous and an amazing day! We were able to find 4 new investigators!!! :D

--------------------------

Sunday, 4 September 2016

Sunday was kind of stressful because we had Ward council in both wards that day. So we were in church from 7 am to 4 pm. But what made it a little stressful was that it was my turn to go to the Ward council at the YSA Ward. So because the Ward Council for the YSA Ward is at 11 am and the Family Ward doesn't end until 12, one of us has to stay at the Family Ward while the other goes to the YSA Ward Council. So we went on splits (where the missionary companionship splits in half and pairs up with a member of the Ward who is 16 years or older and in our case, female) and I went with Ellen (my temp companion) to the Ward council. It went well! :)

So that day was Fast Sunday (where we go without food or drink for twenty -four hours on the first Sunday of the month so that, by so doing we deny ourselves physical wants in order to more fully focus on our spiritual needs) which means that for the first meeting of church anyone can get up and simply bear their testimony. One of the members in the YSA Ward, Shannon, got up and said something beautifully profound, "I have been guilty of sacrificing my greater self for my lesser self." Far too many times I have been guilty of this. Where I have sacrificed the better part of myself to please and satisfy the lesser part of my being. Please, remember that there is nothing that pleases the lesser that is worth sacrificing the greater!

Shoutout to Mom and Dad!!! Ephraim came into Relief Society to ask to use the consecrated oil you gave me because someone needed a blessing and none of the priesthood holders had theirs! See everyone who questions me, I am always prepared!!!! Mwahaha.

After church we went with Ephraim to go see Patrick (recent convert) and he and Ephraim started playing chess (I have never played before and it confuses me so very much) and we were able to relate it to the gospel and it was super cool! (P.S. Chess always reminds me of one of my favorite movies. Guess which one :P)

We then had dinner at the Barlow's house. It was an interesting experience to eat with a family of 16. But super fun at the same time! :D

That evening we had an appointment with Victor Ranga and Sister Foulke and I were really worried about it because the Bishop was out of town which meant we had to do it at Ashlynn's house. And the last time we did that, it was not so great. But we went over to talk about the Ten Commandments (which is now my favorite lesson because here are hand signs that we use in order to remember them and they make me so happy!!! #sixyearoldinnineteenyearoldbody
It actually went really well! It was one of the most lighthearted and loving lessons we have ever had with Victor! Hand signs for the win! *fist pump*

Our last appointment for the day was with a referral named Kelly. SHE IS SO AWESOME! She has been going to church with her friend for about a year but has never taken the missionary discussions before. One of the first things she said was, "So I decided that I'm going to get baptized on November fourteenth. Does that work for you guys?" I almost fell out of my chair. We hadn't said a word about baptism yet. And as we discussed her background the more and more awestruck I became. Holy cow, she is literally a miracle! A literal miracle from a loving Heavenly Father that Sister Foulke and I really needed. Her story is a LOT like Ephraim's, and he was there at the lesson with us. And I ship the two of them SO MUCH! SHE AND EPHRAIM ARE GETTING MARRIED!!!!! XD

So, in total.... We found 15 NEW INVESTIGATORS!!!! Which was five more than the goal! :D God is wonderful!

Sister Longo

Week 8: My One Month Mark in the Field

29 August 2016

Monday (last week on August 22)…So today, after P-day, we got texts from Victor talking about how he had asked Danielle out to lunch and she "shot him down hard". Sister Foulke and I were face-palming because missionaries are NOT a dating service. All we could tell him was that it must suck and that he can still be friends with Danielle (much, MUCH more tactfully I can assure you! xD) So yeah.

We tried to contact people for a bit before going to FHE (Family Home Evening). For FHE they were cleaning out a wash (a creek without water).  So, Sister Foulke and I were climbing up rocks and things in our skirts to clean out the wash. There were some sketchy plastic bags that kinda concerned me a little. But all is well!

As we were coming home it started to rain! Lightning and thunder too!!! Sister Foulke (from Oregon) and my lovely self (from Missouri) were SO pumped to see RAIN! :D Both of us love thunderstorms so we were pretty happy!

-------------------

Tuesday (August 23rd) was really interesting xD.  After proselyting in the morning and lunch, we went over to the Barlow's house to do service. They had gotten hundreds of cucumbers to make into pickles to be distributed to the less fortunate. So we spent an hour and a half chopping onions, breathing in vinegar, washing mason jars, and the like. My eyes stung SO bad. :D The onions were really ripe and my eyes were watering so much Nevada almost became a jungle. 

While we were in the midst of this, Ellen was asking Sister Foulke and I what kind of pillow-pets we would want if we were to get one. I had no idea what a pillowpet was so she pulled up the website on her laptop and whilst cutting pickles we oo-ed and awed over the pillow pets. My FAVORITE was the mystical panda! It is so cute and fat and happy! xD Sister Foulke said that she wanted the one that was a plushy of the smiling poop emoji... I love my companion! XD

After we finished with the pickle making we had a lesson with Victor and we had to take Ellen with us because Danielle felt like Victor was crushing on her so she felt awkward. So Ellen came with and it was actually REALLY good! We talked about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life and all of the symbolism in it. The account is in 1 Nephi chapters 8 and 11.   *thumbs up and wink*

Then Sister Foulke and I felt prompted to go over to the Villas (where the Bate's live) a little early and walk around. So we did. As we were walking, planning on visiting some other potential investigators, we saw Alice and her boyfriend outside! We walked over and it turned out that their car had broken down and she was late for work. Sister Foulke and I looked at each other and had a silent-eye-conversation about how cool it was that the Lord guided us there at the right time! We called a member of the Ward and they immediately came and picked her up and took her to work! How crazy awesome is that???

After talking to Alice about how the Lord is always aware of us and wants to help us (#thechurchisSOtrue) we went over to the Bate's to teach them a lesson in preparation of their upcoming baptism. It was wonderful! I love going over to their house.  The Spirit is always there and Sister Foulke and I always leave there feeling better than when we came.

That night my eye hurt so bad that it took me a long time to fall asleep. I tried rinsing it out with water and eye drops. Nada mucho happened.

------------------------

The Elder on the left is our
District Leader

Wednesday (August 24th) was eventful to say the least. Today we had District Council and Monday night. I was asked to give a training during District Council. I was so very nervous but I didn't show it. I was asked to train on "We Invite" because as missionaries our whole purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ and we do that by inviting people to make commitments to begin changing their lives to become more in harmony with Christ's life. Anywho…I gave this whole training on how and why we need to extend invitations... and after the whole District Council was over, I realize that I didn't extend an invitation to my district. *hardcore facepalm* So I felt like a doofus, but hopefully no one else noticed.

We were out proselyting later that afternoon and we came across a man sitting outside his apartment and so we talked to him naturally. His name was... *drumroll* KIRK! I died I was so happy! He said that all his friends call him "captain" and we were more than welcome to do so. And guess what? His favorite Star Trek series is Deep Space Nine!!!!!!!!!!! Do you all know how many people know about DS9? NOT MANY! And his favorite Star Trek couple is Jadzia Dax and Worf! I'm so happy! *nerd tears of joy* So we asked if we could visit with him again and he said yes.

Then we went over to another apartment complex looking for a potential investigator named Breesha and we came just at the right time and just barely caught her! She set  up an appointment to meet with us next week!

We then went over to a member's house from the YSA (Young Single Adult) Ward for dinner and it was just her and her mom. And guess what.... They are Shakespeare nerds!!!! XD So we were able to chat about Shakespeare and twas glorious!

After that was the YSA Ward correlation with Ephraim and it made us a little sad because he is the Ward Mission Leader and has Ward missionaries called to help him. None of them show up to any of the meetings. None of them do their calling. It's very frustrating for both Ephraim and us since Ward missionaries are actually very crucial. I must needs repent when I return. :)

Then we went out to do more street contacting and, as we did so, we knocked on the door of a woman named Bodai (bo-day) and she was super cool and asked us to come over again so we set up an appointment for next week! :D

My eye still hurt really bad all day. So that afternoon we called the mission office to see what we should do and they told us to set up an appointment with the eye doctor. Thankfully they had an appointment available for Thursday at ten in the morning.

----------------------

Thursday (August 25th)  So... We went to the eye doctor appointment and they ran a bazillion tests before the actual eye doctor came in. He came in and was looking at my eye and asked me why I had come in. I told him that my eye had been burning with the wrath of a thousand suns for two days now to which he asked what I had been doing when it started hurting. I replied that I had been cutting onions and he cut me off and he was like, "No way!" He grabbed a q-tip like instrument and he started rubbing my eyeball. Then he said... *drumroll*  that I had an ONION PEEL ON MY EYE!!!!! Yes. You read correctly. The reason my eye was burning with the wrath of a thousand suns and my vision was blurry was because I had an onion contact on my eyeball!!!! Apparently, it had somehow gotten through my glasses onto my eyeball while cutting onions for the pickles. Sister Foulke was shaking with laughter in the corner. XD #neverservingmyfellowmanagain

Yeah. Still a little bitter about that. Afterwards we had a lesson with Victor Lopez.  We brought Ellen again and on the way there I told her the onion contact saga and she cried with tears of laughter. I'm so glad to be of amusement XD

We then went to Shannon's house and she's 60 or so and struggles with her health a lot so we helped her clean up her house and just talked with her and her youngest daughter Carli who is seventeen-ish.

That evening we had a lesson with Victor Ranga and the Bishop's house. And it went SO much better! Sister Foulke told me right before we went in that I was taking the lead on this lesson and I was like "Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?" We taught him from a talk by Brad Wilcox called “His Grace Is Sufficient" Because Victor didn't understand how we viewed Christ's grace. And he understood by the end. Seriously, Sister Foulke and I walked out of that lesson and breathed a few sighs of relief.

That night the STLs (Sister Training Leaders) came and crashed our apartment and watched us daily plan and stuff. They make me laugh. They are a joy! XD

--------------------

Friday (August 26th) morning we had a lesson with Andrew Kay and it was pretty good :) He struggles with chewing tobacco but he is trying so hard. It makes my heart ache for him. But I know how much more happy his life will be when he's free from his addiction.

Afterwards, we went and tried to contact a referral named Shon. This was the second time we tried to contact him and so when he actually opened the door we were surprised yet elated. He then said that his wife had given birth so he was like, "Could you come over again later?" And Sister Foulke and I went "Of course of course!" We were not going to go, "your wife just gave birth a day ago but you should still let us in and teach the two of you." Yeah no. Newborn babies are taxing to say the least.

After that we stopped by Alo's house to find him again and he was there! He and his brother Tano were super nice and told us that whenever we were in the area and needed water to stop by and use the family knock. But they weren't interested in our message. :/

with Boo and Monty

Then we had dinner with Ephraim and he took us to my new favorite restaurant!!! It's called "The Habit" and the only reason it is not a habit is because I am broke XD

When he came he grinned at us and gave us two boxes. Ellen had gotten us the pillowpet/plushy that we had talked about!!!! Ellen had charged Ephraim to give it to us!!! XD SO HAPPY THAT I HAVE MY MYSTICAL PANDA. 

When we went home Victor Lopez texted us. Yeah. He now has a crush on Sister Foulke it's ridiculous.... He texted her saying things like "Why you no text me?" "Why you no send me nice messages?" And things like that. At first it was hysterically funny and then it was just plain irritating for the both of us. We didn't reply because he was ridiculous.

When we went home we tried to name our new pets. Sister FOulke Named hers "Montezuma's Revenge" to which I replied that she could call him "Monty" for short XD And I named my beautiful mystical Panda "Boo". I LOVE HIM!!!

--------------------------------

Saturday (August 27th) was my one month in the field mark! CRAZY!!!!

I made Snickerdoodles for Alyssa because apparently her member boyfriend broke up with her when she went to visit him in Utah. She is literally the sweetest thing so Sister Foulke and I were quite indignant on her behalf. But we made Snickerdoodles and dropped them off at her apartment to let her know that we love her. We really hope she won't stop investigating the church because of her stupid ex. There is so much joy and peace waiting for her if she would accept the gospel!

After proselyting in the morning, we went over to Ashlynn's apartment for lunch (she is Victor Ranga's girlfriend) (and yes, Sister Foulke and I do get confused by the two Victors). It was super good! She Mae us paninis along with some tomato BISQUE from a place called Smith's. We talked about her and her life and about Victor and just got to get to know her. It was really awesome!

Saturday was the day that Elijah (14) and Arquarius (11) got BAPTIZED!!! XD It was crazy stressful for Sister Foulke and I, but everything went smoothly and we were SO HAPPY!!! And afterwards we took the entire Bates family to the temple for a tour and it was amazing!!!! While we were at the temple there was an LDS family there and a little girl came up to Sister Foulke and I and asked us if we were missionaries. We said we were and she said her name was Logan (about eight years old) and she told us that she had a fake missionary tag and that she wanted to be a missionary. I started to tear up because I suddenly had a flashback to eight-year-old Moriah and I just hope that Logan makes her dream come true just like I have. :)

Bates Family at the temple.

Then we went to dinner at a YSA member's house for dinner.  She still lives with her parents and they live in a gated community where they call the residents to make sure that you are actually invited #willneverbethatrich. It was awesome because Erin is a huge “Doctor Who” nerd so we were able to talk about all of that.

------------------------

Sunday (August 28th) was long but good as always. Sister Foulke and I had to go on splits so she could go to Ward council and so I could stay and make sure that everything went smoothly for the investigators and the recent converts. It was CRAZY! Elijah and Arqaurius were confirmed in Sacrament meeting today!!! It's where they are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands and it' super cool! :D

Later at the YSA Ward a young man gave a talk about "His Grace is Sufficient" and Victor Ranga were there and Sister Foulke and I were amazed because there was NO way that was a coincidence! (See Thursday’s summary above.) In his talk, he spoke about how every day in his journal he writes an entry of "In remembrance of Him" where he talks about how he saw Christ in his life that day.

It was super cool because Nyja Bates (19) came to the YSA Ward with us and she really liked it. We're hoping that she will want to get baptized soon!

We then had dinner with the Roberts (Ward Mission Leader and family) and it was super cool. I was in charge of the spiritual thought and I had no idea what I was going to say but I was prompted to read this one scripture and after I did I was prompted to say something else, and then prompted to say something else until the whole spiritual thought was complete. The Holy Ghost honestly does reveal what we need to say when we need to say it. And it's usually not all at once but step by step.

That night we taught Victor about the Word of Wisdom and it was super cool! He really agreed with everything we taught and it was a refreshing change. XD

--------------------

Today (August 29th) Sister Foulke and I cleaned really well and then we grabbed groceries before making a batch of chocolate chip banana muffins. We had put all of the wet ingredients together before we realized that we didn't have enough flour... We didn't want to go back to the store so Sister Foulke and I got creative. XD We had two and a half cups of flour and we needed four. So we had oats so we put them in the smoothie blender and blended the oats up as much as possible and just prayed that it would work as well as normal flour. IT IS SO GOOD! XD Points for creativity!

Then we went out to Goodwill because Ellen works there and she wanted us to stop by so we did. :) After that we went to this really good restaurant called "Great Harvest" where missionaries eat for free once a week because members pay in advance for us. :D Aren't members so sweet???

Then Sister Foulke and I had extra time before emailing so we went to Petco to look at all the pets we couldn't have xD

Transfers are next Tuesday and I'm a bit terrified. But it's all good.

I love you all!!! Be good human beings, my lovelies! :)

Sister Longo

Week 7 #TheChurchIsSOTrue!!

22 August 2016

So my mother called me to repentance and said that I should be counting the weeks I was at the MTC. xD So I'm reporting on week seven...

I saw this yesterday. xD

So last Monday Ephraim came to the Stake Center while we were emailing and he was a wonderful human being because he put music on Sister Foulke and my USBs! Hallelujah! Music beside three CDs! (He put the music [I have on my SD card] on the USB drive because the car will only play music off of CDs or USBs :)

We get our packages at the Stake Center which is where we also do P-day sports and Elder Aitchison (who's from England. He lives between London and Oxford #IamanAnglophile) got a package from his family and it was full of British candy! It was extremely cool and he let all of us try the different kinds he had. One kind was called "Humbug" which is a mint with a caramel center.

We then went to see Alice at 6 but she missed our appointment. We were able to meet her father Johnny and he is deaf! He was very excited when he realized that I could speak sign language! It was super cool! I've missed being able to talk to people in sign language so it was wonderful for me. However he is a native and not a crisp signer so luckily I was able to get the gist of things, even if I didn't understand every single little thing. :)

FHE (Family Home Evening) was super cool!!!!!! A man named Bishop Larry Burns came and gave a presentation about the importance of putting on ALL the armor of God! He is a retired SWAT team leader. He got special permission to bring all of his SWAT gear (including weapons) to the church! SO AWESOME!!! He told the coolest stories that had my heart racing from anxiety and adrenaline and my hands were shaking. It was AWESOME! XD I will never look at the armor of God the same way again and it is wonderful!

What was even more wonderful is that Patrick (a recent convert who has been struggling) came! It made Sister Foulke and I so very happy because there were a lot of things that helped him!

Ephraim came up to us after it was down and said that Marcus had texted him saying that he was outside. So Sister Foulke and I rushed outside with Ephraim to see Marcus shuffling his feet. We asked him why he hadn't come in and he said that he didn't feel like he could. We talked with him and helped him to understand that he is always welcome to come to church! He seemed to relax a bit after that. :)

-----------------------

Tuesday we had an appointment with Amanda. I LOVE Amanda!!! XD She is one of my people! We were talking about the Plan of Salvation and temples and we got the prompting to ask her what her beliefs were (we had asked her the first time we had a lesson with her but her answer had been very vague). Amanda looked at us nervously and then took a deep breath and said that she trusted us because any other time she has told someone what she believes in they freak out. Sister Foulke and I are understandably on edge wondering what on earth Amanda is going to throw at us... And then Amanda said that she believes in magic. My eyes widen and I grin! I was on cloud 9... Not going to lie. I knew how to relate this to the gospel. B) So I asked her if she had seen the movie "Thor" (she's a huge nerd so I was 99% sure that she had) she said she had and I told her that my favorite part is when he talks about how magic and science are one and the same, magic is just simply science we don't understand yet. Her eyes widened and she grinned and said that was her favorite quote too! Sister Foulke and I then told her that we do believe in things we don't understand yet. God is the master scientist and His science is so far beyond our understanding at this time that it is "magic" to us. We do believe in forces that we can't see with these mortal eyes. We just use different terms than "magic". She was ecstatic that we essentially believed the same thing, we just had a more correct understanding. And that blew her away. She is SO awesome! I'm so excited to watch her progression! XD

Later that day we went to the Barlow's house to do service. They were peeling a wheelbarrow full of oranges to made dried orange slices for those in need of food. So for the next hour we were peeling oranges. Which (I am such an odd child) I really enjoyed! xD

We then had an appointment with a woman named Jolene, which was interesting. We talked and it was clear she was kind of set in what she wanted to do right now and when we talked to her about it (more tactfully I assure you) she said the same of herself and asked if the missionaries would drop in once a month to see if she was at a point in her life where she was willing to change. And we said sure. :) It was refreshingly honest.

Sister Foulke and I have been SO happy to have a repository of music that consists of more than three CDs!!! xD Plus we have NASHVILLE TRIBUTE BAND NOW!!!! SO pumped! We have the new CD by them called "Redeemer" check it out. It is glorious!!!

---------------------------------------

Wednesday was fun because while we were finding some potential investigators we knocked on an apartment of a man named Mikey... He was a strange child :) we were talking to him and he just kept teasing us (in a flirty way) and Sister Foulke and I were like "sir, stop being a punk" :P We didn't say that, it was just what we were thinking. And then he made me double over in laughter, he asked Sister Foulke what she was on because she looked "stoned". I couldn't help it. The look on Sister Foulke's face killed me! That plus the fact that out of all of us the person who looked the most stoned was Mikey. XD Oh heavens above... It was great!

Later we had a convert lesson with Rachel about the Plan of Salvation, Ephraim was teaching her since he's the Ward Mission Leader and we were mostly there for support. It was good. :) Rachel is so sweet.

We went and taught the Bates after that and that was good. Then we went to have a meeting with the YSA Ward missionaries.  We hadn't had time for dinner and we had a meeting right afterwards so Ephraim bought us pizza which was awesome! I haven't had pizza since before my mission, so over a month.

Later that night we went to Institute with one of our investigators and the teacher said something that really struck me, "Don't just believe in Christ, but also BELIEVE CHRIST!"  I mulled over that for a bit and realized that the only changing power is when we not only believe that Christ is capable of changing us, but believing that Christ WILL change us if we allow Him to do so. So many times we feel like, even though Christ has the ability, we don't feel like we are worthy of His changing Grace. We need to remember to trust that Christ WILL do as He promises and our lives can and WILL be changed for the best!

--------------------------

Thursday was loooong but a good long. :) We had interviews today which meant that half of our zone got together to be individually interviewed by our mission president, President Snow. That was super cool because, as these interviews were going on, the rest of us participated and gave training to those who weren't in interviews and that was super cool. :)

We had a lesson with Luis later that day. Sister Foulke and I love Luis, he's really earnest in his desire to come closer to the Savior and take the steps necessary to join Christ's true church. So awesome!

We also taught the Bates family and at the end of the lesson we asked if Nyla would give the prayer and Aquarius (who is eleven) his pestered to her to say no so he could say the prayer! XD Isn't that precious?!?!?!?! Heavens above, I love that family!

We then taught Victor Ranga who is the boyfriend of Ashlyn the member... That was interesting, as always. He is always so focused on the negative or the concerns he has about the church and he won't focus on the Book of Mormon. It's really discouraging to Sister Foulke and I and especially Ashlyn.

Something that is super cool about Sister Foulke and I is that when I came to the mission field she was nine months along in her mission and I am her "child" (mission vernacular for trainee). 9 months... Her child... We have a field day with that! XD And because I was "born" (started my mission) in the summer she introduces me to other missionaries as her "sweet summer child"!  XD  I adore Sister Foulke!

----------------------------

Friday was super cool! Okay, this is going to sound odd to the return missionaries among you, but I LOVE weekly planning! I love it! I really enjoy praying over each investigator and pondering and receiving inspiration as to what the vision, goal, and plans should be for each individual. I just love it. :D

Sister Foulke, Sister Longo at Tiana's Baptism (Tiana's in white)

Later that day we went to my first baptism in the mission! Tiana got baptized on Friday!!!! WHOOOO! So much excitement! And, since Sister Foulke and I had taught her, we were able to go. Also, they asked if I could be the pianist for the program so that also happened. I don't enjoy playing in front of people, I get really anxious. But they had no other person that was coming that could play the piano so I said that I would. It wasn't too bad. My hands were shaking the entire time that I wasn't playing the piano. xD

You can see me sitting at the piano on the left. :)

 We had a lesson with Luis and Sister Foulke and I were so excited because Luis' baptismal date was the 26th and we were hoping to talk to him about getting a baptismal interview the next day. But after we got through the last few commandments and talked to him about it, he said that his mother refused to give him permission to be baptized. And because he's a minor (17) he can't get baptized unless he has her consent. All of us at the lesson were devastated because Luis has been looking forward to his baptism ever since we set the date! Sister Foulke and Luis' friends in the church are praying that his mother's heart will be softened so that he can get baptized!

That night we had a lesson with Alyssa, who is the friend of Danielle's who came to church on Sunday.  So we and Danielle went to her apartment to discuss the Restoration. Alyssa is a

Sister Foulke, Alyssa and Me

young single mom of a year old daughter named Juliette... And oh my heavens!! Juliette is SO RIDICULOUSLY CUTE!!! Sister Foulke and I were dying because the cuteness level was dangerously high! Oh my goodness! XD Anywho, we were talking with Alyssa who is THE sweetest creature on the planet and we were filled with so much love for her. She is a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father and we are so excited to help her realize who she is and what she can become!

-------------------------------

Saturday did not go as planned, it was crazy! (In a good way though xD) Sadly, Amanda had to cancel her appointment because her daughter Phoebe had a doctor's appointment that she had forgotten about. That made Sister Foulke and I a little sad because meeting with Amanda always makes our day (she is the best). But we went in search of new investigators in the apartment complex who we hadn't been able to get in touch with. We were able to meet with a woman named Debbie who is grandma-age and is really struggling with her health. :( It was wonderful though to see her spirits lift as we talked to her about the gospel. :) The gospel is such a blessing!

We then went to the church because two of the Bates children (Elijah and Aquarius) were having their baptismal interview!!! I'M SO PUMPED!!! So the district leader came and interviewed the two of them to make sure that Sister Foulke and I had taught them all they needed to know before getting baptized and we passed! Cynthia (their mom who is a recent convert), the boys, Sister Foulke, and I were all super ecstatic! :D Their baptism is going to be the 27th! :D

We then had a lesson with Victor Lopez and that went pretty well. :) We then went to contact a referral and Ephraim came with us since it was a referral for the YSA Ward. We set him with a baptismal date!!! :D It was awesome! He is having some struggles with the Word of Wisdom but with God's help I know he can conquer it and anything else that Satan throws his way! :)

We then went street contacting and trying to find potential investigators, the entire time Sister Foulke and I were doubled over in laughter. Ephraim is one funny guy. xD

After that we parted ways and Sister Foulke and I went to this apartment complex to find some new investigators and as we were walking we bumped into this man in his sixties. He was standing at the bottom of the staircase and he looked as though he was searching for something. We asked if we could help him and he said, "It's a fly. It's the first fly I've seen here. There are too many chemicals here." Sister Foulke and I were kinda speechless because we have seen MANY a fly. Before we had to struggle to find something to say for too long a woman came out of the apartment where he was going into and invited us in. She was about sixty as well and she was super nice and the way she was talking to us made it seem like she was a member but then some things she said indicated the opposite so we were a little confused. Then she asked us if we would like lemonade and (as missionaries you never refuse water/lemonade) we said we would love some...... We do not know what she gave us. But we do know it was not lemonade. It. Was. Nasty. Oh my goodness I thought that I was going to throw up it tasted so nasty! Sister Foulke later told me that after her first sip she waited a few minutes to drink anymore to make sure that it wasn't lethal (she wasn't joking, folks). We could tell that we weren't going to be allowed to leave by this kind, grandma lady until we drank all of our "lemonade". Heavenly Father blesses His missionaries. Why do I say that? Because I was able to gulp down the huge glass of "lemonade" that I was given. Even then she kept talking and she literally talked to us for an hour. Not talked with us, talked TO us for an hour. Her name is Celeste Celestial and she is a geneticist who worships the tetrahedron and how there are 9 spirit helpers, us, and the trinity (tetrahedron) and... It was just strange. Cool. But strange. I'm going to have to read her book when I get home because it was just so fascinating (I do not believe her, but now I'm curious because it is rather strange xD).

We then got Cafe Rio!!!!! After which we went to the Saturday session of Stake Conference which was really cool, one of the Seventy came and spoke.

-------------------------------

Stake conference was super good, Elder Arnold of the Seventy spoke again today and so did my mission president and his wife!!! :D It was so much fun! What was awesome is that Marcus came!!!! Without any prompting he then stayed and sat in a lesson that we had with a recent convert, Christian, who received the Melchizedek priesthood after Stake Conference.

We then had a meeting with Victor Ranga... It was really hard He doesn't want to believe and so he is not believing. Sister Foulke and I left the meeting with him feeling really yucky. Something is not right. Neither of us feel good about continuing to meet with him. But what can we do with the Bishop and his wife and Ashlyn pressuring us to keep meeting with him? Oh dear me...

Sister Foulke and I volunteered to sing a duet for a fireside called "Why I Believe" here recent converts are asked to share their conversion story. It was REALLY cool! Sister Foulke and I sang "Be Still, My Soul". I LOVE Sister Foulke's Alto Voice!!!!!! It's so beautiful (she has a hard time believing so) and the two of us blend really well together! I love singing with my Sister! :D Especially when we're rocking out in the car and she's making up some crazy good harmony!

At the fireside I saw Sister Bradley who is Marcelle's (my roommate this last semester) best friend! It was awesome! I then met a girl who is going to my home mission in six weeks... I forgot to ask for her name though. *sheepish grin*

MISC:
Wearing skirts all day everyday has not been that much of an adjustment oddly. Other than I hate sitting ladylike and I kinda have to in a skirt. #rardlife

Shoutout to the best coworkers in the world!!!! I just got a card today in the mail and all of my coworkers wrote a note in it! You guys are the best!!! XD ❤️❤️❤️

Shoutout to my bro, Ethan! Lol, you know me so well. Of course flag football was my favorite unit in P.E. Though it was more contact than flag than it should have been.... XD

My allergies are sososo bad here, and I've gotten two sinus migraines so far. But I've found things to help me deal. And we use cars so that helps a LOT! :)

Lol, apparently people here in Las Vegas suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. Sister Foulke was confused by that, but I laughed. Of course they do! It's so ridiculously hot that people stay inside as much as they can and therefore don't get the sunlight they need. Isn't that hysterical? xD

Everyone needs to read this talk!!!!!!!!!!!! "Notwithstanding My Weakness" is the bomb! I wish I could send you my notes and stuff for it!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1976/10/notwithstanding-my-weakness?lang=eng

Sister Longo

Brother Gardner sent this of our last day together as a district in the MTC.
(to the left of Moriah are her teachers Sister Gregerson and Brother Gardner)

So missionaries here in the mission send one another these kind of mission memes and I LOVE THEM XD

This may not be humorous if you haven't been a missionary. :)