8 March 2011 - Let the miracles rain down!

Hola familia!

Muy buenos dias. Lo siento acerca de la nieve. Ick. Do I really have to return to that? We've had high 60's and 70's with some rain mixed in to change things up. But snow?! Bluh.

So we saw Pres & Sis Cook at church on Sunday and it was SO good to see them. Hna Cook happily told me that she received the Christmas card. And she gave me very wise advice: "It's not the end so don't think about it. It's not here yet. So don't think about it." I've kept that in my head since then and I've felt better! Just have to focus super well and do Heavenly Father's work while I still can! It rocks and I love it! And yes Mom, I don't have a choice about talking to strangers. It usually isn't that bad, sometimes I get lazy though. And Hna Stratton said it well when she said "seeing the Cooks is refreshing and stressful." Te he. We love them lots.

The miracles have started raining down after a long and tough trial period. It has been pretty incredible!! On Sunday we had some good appointments and saw the power of the priesthood excersised (how do you even spell that word?!) with 2 priesthood blessings. And the mom of an active RM accepted a date for baptism. Hna Bailon. She's sweet and has been off and on with learning for some years now. Hopefully now is the time she will go through with it! Her son did a neat presentation with lights and photos in the church building to talk about the pattern of prophets, the Savior's life, and the Restoration. It was pretty cool. We're not exactly sure we could reproduce it but we might try! It was very powerful. Hna Stratton was so excited. Her 2nd most powerful teaching experience in the mission.

Hna Stratton says 'hi'

And then we were in Pala on Sunday to give the gentleman a blessing. A newly married couple, the Atempas (yes they're related to the Atempas I worked with in San Marcos. Small world!!) came with us. They are pretty great. Hno Ramiro received the blessing very humbly. We shall see. We hope to see them Thurs night or sometime. And then a member Hna Gonzalez who has been pretty sick with a kidney stone that would cost a fortune to remove surgically received a blessing. She was super grateful. They made us a tasty Guatemalan dish! And we're heading over today to show them the lazy man's way to make pumpkin pie (we don't know the real way :) and some cookies to give to members. ((We realized that our members are probably having a hard time adapting because we both came in new after the other sisters had 4 transfers here together. That's SO long. Like 6 months?)) But Familia Martinez seems to love us. The 15-yr-old son has a better attitude now and it is pretty great. Probably due to the ward combine/change. He did a wonderful delivery of a beautiful potted yellow calla lily Sunday after church. I heard him come up to my turned back and I turned around, he handed it to me then did a spin and returned to his family's car. Ha ha. It made me SO happy because I have wanted a plant or flower for sometime. Our little porch just looked so dead and uninhabited. Hurray!!

Back to the work. So yesterday was seriously a day of miracles. It was SO neat. We talked in our morning study about how we need to seriously put ourselves to the task and invite people to be baptized in every lesson. Heavenly Father heard us and set things up so we could do it. We set 2 more baptismal dates and we found 3 new investigators. One, Sandra Diaz, investigated in 2009 and she just seems so neat. We were definitely guided by H.F. to find her. And we had a great lesson! I was just so excited to be there with her. Hurray! I love the gospel and I love the energizing power of the Spirit. And how it is the teacher while we are the preachers (just noted that in our district meeting with the other missionaries. It's in D&C...(JJ?) maybe 11.)

It was neat and we are excited to see what happens with Hna Diaz. Her little 3-yr-old boy Jason was super cute too. We tried to get him to fold his arms for the prayer but he thought we wanted him to give us hugs. I was SO okay with that! He gave us each 2. Ba ha ha. Love little kids.

We also visited a new-ish investigator, Hna Maria Reyes. She is so uplifting and happy. She loves bright colors and just brings things around her to life. In our first lesson she told us all kinds of miracles from her life. And we stopped by and she showed us the things she was cooking to make enchiladas (yum!) and we had a long, winding conversation which was good because we answered questions about who we are as missionaries and what we do and don't do. Plus we were able to testify and teach lots. It was neat. H.F. really blessed us with our Spanish ability because she talks relatively quickly and you have to be able to jump in and say what you're going to say. Yeah. She's pretty great. Even gave us cooked beans so we could go straight home and make gorditas. Yum!! (but my tummy doesn't really like fried foods :( )

And yeah. Then we went out to Pala with a different family and set a date with the husband. He seems pretty conflicted because his wife is not interested. She was learning before but now I think she's studying with the JW. Anyway. We will do our best to help him.

FUNNY: we were kicked off the Pala Indian Reservation. We have no idea what the laws are and all that so we just submissively and quietly left the little area. We did see the big "no solicitation" sign but they have those in nearly all the apartments and it doesn't stop us. The police lady said it like this: "You preachin' the word? You know you can't do that around here." Ba ha ha. i thought it was exhilirating and fun. And sad to think how many of those people can't have the gospel. We actually set an appointment with a lady before the 'kick-off' moment and so we shall see how that goes. She, Victoria, was the one we were sent there to find. Heavenly Father answers our prayers and it is so amazing! I love it!!

And I love you guys. You are super fabulous. Thank you Mom and Dad for always getting the things I ask for and sending them out quickly. Thank you Shantaye and JJ for the great letters I received this week (which I will likely not respond to. How about a face-to-face chat later? Awesome, thanks for understanding.) And thank you Chez for all the letters sent before.

I'm excited to give you all some big hugs!! And yeah.

Elder Denos is an older gentleman who lives in Mission Viejo and is serving with his wife their 3rd mission in our office. Just the other day we found a door dent in the pretty car. Gr!

I don't know why H.F. has some of his missionaries change their language assignment. Well, I do. He needs them in a certain area of His vineyard. And that's just how it is. It happens more with elders than sisters.

Keep on being super great! And keep on growing and sharing your testimonies. It is the neatest thing to be able to share the "fruit that is most delicious and desirable" with other people and watch as their lives change and improve immeasurably. I know that Jesus Christ lives and I feel very humbled and privileged to have the assignment to testify of His name here in Fallbrook (and surrounding areas). I love how Heavenly Father guides our lives. And how He wants us to be happy! He is so willing to give us what we want - we just ask Him in prayer. And He is very willing to allow us to be part of miracles. So go ask for and work to have miracles in your lives!!

I love you all bunches and bunches. Sunshine and hugs being sent from me!

Hna Green

PS There is a house in Pala with a pet tortoise eating the grass and moving around slowly. We snapped pictures yesterday :) I was so surprised when I first noticed it. Who has a pet tortoise?!

PPS An awesome 12-yr-old who has aunts who are members walked in the church door this Sunday. We were so excited and surprised. Osvaldo is just awesome. I'll work to snap a picture with him. ha ha.

PPPS We went to the Mexican store Northgate market last week and it was super great. Bought too many Mexican treats. Te he! It was a cultural experience I've wanted my entire mission. Pres. Cook was super nice and gave us permission to go there even though it isn't in our area.

And we had a fun district activity with volleyball and a super huge 36-slice pizza. Fun times!!!

1 March 2011 - True Disciples of Christ

Buenos dias familia!

Ustedes son buenisimos. Gracias por todo!! Your e-mails brought lots of smiles to my face this fine sunny day in CA. (I think spring is coming and I love it!) Thank you, thank you for all you do. Mum said I'm an example of what a true disciple of Christ should be. Wow. That's weighty. I know that I have tons of flaws and imperfections but that is exactly how God loves me (and each of us) and that is exactly why He created the beautiful plan of happiness and sent His Son Jesus Christ. I love the gospel!!

And I love all of you so much. You have all helped me to become who I am and thus you have all had a part in the miracles and changed lives that I have seen firsthand. Isn't it amazing how we are really truly super connected?! I love ya!

Yesterday Hna Stratton and I did a touch of exploring and we went to this tiny piece of the Pala Indian Reservation that is in our area. Crazy, huh? It was ok, but we were nervous that we weren't allowed to be there. We're pretty sure we're good. We met a couple who had studied before with missionaries. The husband seems pretty interested but the wife is studying with another church. We shall see what happens. And before we went there we chose a random street to find people. We found 3 workers :) Those are the people we look for when we are surrounded by beautiful hills and million-dollar homes (eek). It was funny because we spotted the first gentleman and said "just what we're looking for!" and I quickly pulled over causing Hna Stratton to laugh. She partly didn't expect me to do it. But that is why we went there!

We did exchanges with the English sisters last Wed night to Thurs. The dinner appointment was pretty much awesome. I could've stayed and chatted with them for another hour easily! It was great. The Hna is writing a book to help new converts adapt to the "mormon culture" and so asked me some Q's relating to Spanish work. I served with Hna Burris who started in Spanish work and is now in English work. It was good. We did quite a bit of walking and not much teaching :( They (in English work) actually have very few lessons - a handful each week. Wow! I am SO grateful that I have been in Spanish work all my mission. It's a whole different world. eeii.....

And our investigators are only so-so this week. Hno Munoz decided he isn't ready and they are leaving for a vacation to Mexico this week so we stoppped teaching him last week :( And the Romero Family promised they would come to church and we stopped by 80 mins before but they did not come. Ah well, we keep working. We've learned tons about respecting people's agency and just having pure love. We haven't felt that the members really trust us and it makes things difficult. Hna Stratton's testimony of the Book of Mormon has really grown as she noted that is the way new members would survive in the branch with its very few member fellowshippers. But on we go! Learning, stretching, and growing. Heavenly Father has helped us greatly. And yesterday we felt guided by the Spirit the whole day which was super great.

Missionary life is great!!

Well, I can't believe that I return home semi-soon! Eek. To answer Q's -- please invite everyone that you want to. Mostly for the after gathering (maybe through face book?) And please, only have our fam come to the airport. Those are the rules and I am striving to be exactly obedient. Thanks! The food....I don't know exactly what Mexican food. I'd love to make some. We could do a little of Pounders and a little Mexican. I'm pretty flexible because don't want to spend too much time thinking on it :) If Pounders has rice then that is pretty perfect. We just need tortillas and salsa and aguas frescas...maybe Horchata. And I'd LOVE to have arroz con leche -- could the family help in bringing that? It would convert to our version of rice pudding, basically. Which won't be quite the same but close enough. Just rice with cinnamon and milk. Yum. I definitely plan to do a bunch of cooking with you, but with such short notice let's go simple. :) oh and we should have some fruit - is anything in season in Utah at this time? :( I'm going to miss a tropical climate.

Packages have been received and greatly appreciated. I forgot to mention that Hna Weatherford said she LOVED the scarf you sent her directly. And Hna Stratton was super excited about the dictionary. THANK YOU! And I'm super grateful for the contact lenses because I need to change them out this week.

Request - I would really like to attend 1 session of general conference in the conference center this April. Could you look into the ticket situation, please? Thanks for the recipes again, Mum. Now I need one for a pie shell because a Guatemalan family here wants to learn how to make pie :)

DAD -- yes, the San Diego Temple. And I'll surely sing for you when I return home. I'm not that practiced in some ways and yet I do feel my ability has improved some on the mission - maybe because so many of my friends don't know how to sing ;)

Hna Stratton says "hi" back with a smile when I delivered your salutation. We gave the spinny toy away in a raffle yesterday and they seemed to enjoy it. Thanks! We drive a 'sandy beach' Toyota Corolla. "A lady's car" according to the vehicle coordinator. Ha ha. Elder Denos. He's fun. Keep enjoying beautiful Thailand!! I'm very excited to go back.

MOM -- I'm sure the LP ward would pull out a mini fiesta for our visit. I'm not sure who to contact about it. I could probably just do it when I get back. They are pretty good at impromptu stuff. Would you want it at the church building even? And I don't need a copy of the note from Pres. Cook. I'll see it later.

22 February 2011 - From truck to ... car?

Hola familia!

Muy buenas tardes. Fuimos al templo hoy entonces estoy contenta. (We went to the temple today so I'm content/happy.)

So yeah. On Fri morning they changed out our truck for a brand new car. Eek. So glad we took some pics last week!! Thanks for pushing us. I miss the truck and having a brand new car is stressful, but all is well. We can turn around more easily. We've broken it in really well by driving in a crazy rain & hail storm to the most muddy member's home. Perfect! And then we've gone exploring to a few remote areas. Yesterday the road ended but we needed to keep going so we were on dirt. It would work out that we tell Bro. Denos (car coordinator) that we don't really need the truck so he takes it and then we actually do sort of need it. Oh well. It makes life exciting. Change is great!!

So the temple today was fabulous. Lots of traffic in the morning. I just love the temple and am so grateful we can attend there as often as we like! I saw Hna Denker there too :) (And she has been in English work for a really long time but she continues studying Spanish.) Then we stopped by Pedro's Tacos for a yummy lunch! Speaking of food, you went and ordered Pounders for after my talk? Oh. I had a few ideas in mind - mostly yummy Mexican food. But I know Pounders tastes good so...ok

Sunday night was fabulous because..........we went to Escondido for Javier & Mariela Lule's baptism! Woo hoo! It really was so great. Las Posas members have so much of my heart. I realized I need to get to that point with the branch here in Fallbrook - and I only have a little time to do it! :) I saw Hna Mercado and gave her quite a few hugs. I think she was happy to see me too. And the Lules of course were very happy. I'm excited to return in about a year to be with them at the temple! Desteny gave me some long hugs. And I received a great letter from Mari Arango in Oceanside. She'll probably prep to go to the temple soon (maybe in April) which is super awesome. I've told a few people that we'll be back to visit and I think they are excited. (Actually Hno Potrero of Las Posas ward made me pinky swear I'd come back.) I know I am! We can visit a few "off-limits" spots which will be fun. I've decided I'll probably have to wear a stick-on name tag because I'll feel so lost without one *sigh* Happily, the bishop and a few other members of LP ward said that I'm a really good missionary. Yeah! I have made a difference. Sometimes I have to pull out the stored memories to help me go on in the rough spots of each day/week.

And then Sat night we had some pretty awesome miracles. Finally! All the hard work that seemed to get us nowhere showed some fruits. We taught a gentleman who had so many little questions and is interested in the church as a social help for his sons who just came here from Mexico. They were very gungho about attending church but then they didn't. It was hard to get out of the lesson because he was asking so many questions - we didn't really even teach the first lesson about the Restoration. But it is always exciting when they are interested and curious. Then we had a good church tour with the family of a strong RM. Bailon Family. They've been on and off and the grandma who lives with them is very Catholic and doesn't like our church much. But Hna Bailon said she thinks sometime soon she will be joining her sons. Sweet! And we ended in the chapel where I felt like I should sing for them so I sang 'Asombro me da' (oh yeah I Stand All Amazed) while Hna Stratton played the piano. I think it was good. Hna Bailon had a great light in her face which made me very happy. I love the gospel and how it helps families to be stronger...they just have to embrace it and allow it to do so! FHE is super fabulous. Sadly we just had one last night. We taught the Plan of Salvation to the Romeros (not Hno) and had shapes to move around the home a little. They had gloves from a doctor visit earlier that day and it was perfect as we talked about our spirits (hand) and our bodies (glove). They are fun and continue praying lots. They came to the branch FHE on Thurs night which was great. All because we stopped by beforehand. They weren't going to come then I 'shared my heart' and explained how I was really sad they always say they'll come to church but then they don't. It was almost unnerving how Hno responded with an "ok. We'll be there." I almost felt manipulative but I was just sharing my true feelings. Interesting.

Saturday was great because Hna Atempa took us and Melissa to the Stake Women's Conference. I just love Relief Society!!! There was a program and a presentation on Haiti as one service project was donation of white shirts for the Haitian missionaries. I learned lots which was great because I knew so little since I was on my mission when the large earthquake struck. And then we cut fringe on blankets which will be given out to families in the ward that need them. And a tasty lunch. We sat at a table with the sisters from the Vista Spanish ward and it was such fun. They have part of my heart too! The RS president shared her wish that we serve there even for a week. I had to whisper that it just isn't possible for me even though I would love it. I did have my one day there with Hna Weatherford and it was fabulous.

Hna Stratton received the scarf yesterday and really like it. Her response: how am I going to find time to wear all of these before it gets warm?! Tee hee. She wore the purple one last night and has the orange one on today. Thanks for sending another.

Speaking of sending things, what is this note that Pres. Cook sent to you all about? I didn't think they sent families anything. That is really comforting to hear -- thank you for passing it along. My motivation dipped down a little so I'm working on recovering it. Sat and Sun and today were really good with the different activities. I am working on the Christlike attribute of diligence right now :) It's definitely what it is all about. And I'm still striving to enjoy the moment. Hna Stratton and I have talked about how it is beautiful to do and then to realize that time is fluid and changing and all good things and all bad things have an end. I'm so grateful that our family DOES NOT have an end because I love you guys so much and am super grateful for your love and support. THANK YOU!!!

I will press on in the wonderful work of the Lord knowing that He has a plan for me and for each of us. I do know that is true. And I received a letter from Hna Merrill which eased some unnecessary stress and worry I had. She is doing well and thanked me for being a strong person while I was her companion. And she loves Hna Zehuancatl too! She is now in Mission Viejo. He he. It's a small world.

In my studies I found Isaiah 57:14 and it really struck me that Heavenly Father has called us (especially His full-time missionaries) to "take away the stumbling blocks from before my people." ...or something like that. It's cool in Spanish. It is incredible how we have been able to help people overcome difficult things as they accept the Savior's Atonement and embrace the gospel. I KNOW this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I love the temple and the truths that we learn therein. I know I am a daughter of God and He loves me perfectly. I love you all so much! Thanks for being fabulous and faithful to the gospel. It fills my heart with joy to know it.

Love you!! Praying for you too but knowing it is unneeded because God is caring for you super well.

Love,

Hermana Green

The Truck

Isn't it a beauty?!

Amberlee with her mission truck!

15 February 2011 - De-robotizing the Robot

Hola familia!

Les quiero muchisimo. Son magnificos! Seriously, thank you for all the love and support. This week wasn't all that great in some ways but very good as well. Crazy. Just some hard trials before all the really great stuff. Like happens with our investigators!!

Well, we didn't have many lessons. Then Sunday we had a 2-hr heart to heart chat after church to learn tons by the Holy Ghost and work out some problems. We are feeling grateful and better. I really have learned some amazing lessons on the mission. It's just incredible! and then yesterday..V-day was zone conference. So Good!! I'm sure the Cooks will love to receive the note and Christmas card. Sis Cook said I can't leave and she's just going to keep me...then said "wonder what your mom'll say about that." I chuckled and responded with a "probably won't let you." But all is well. It was SO good to see them. I just love them so much! We took a bunch of pics with the three of us and had a whispered conversation. Pres Cook expressed his gratitude for me (which I needed to hear because even now I still doubt that I'm doing my best and that what I'm doing is acceptable. crazy huh?) and I asked why good things have to end but then promised I'd never forget them because they are my mission parents. :D And I thought it would be great if you contacted the Bradys and invited them to come meet you when I return home...need their contact info?

Also it was super great to see Hna Denker. She's in my zone as she is serving in Vista in English work. We're gonna party it up on the way home!! Woot woot. And we dubbed the special musical number next transfer meeting already. :) She claims that she has "5 months left" one for each week. I'm ok with that thought. I was hoping you could find another scarf (spring color) and send it to me to be given to her. Thanks!! I'm loving the "give your companion a scarf" ritual. It rocks because it is practical, like me giving them a hug, and something they'll remember for a long time.

Oh yeah. Hna Stratton and I learned that communication from the heart is crucial. So we're working to communicate better. And in our zone conference we spent the whole time talking about studies. Pretty sweet. The coolest lesson for me as we discussed and practiced was that as we focus on others' needs, our own are met! Just like that. And Hna Stratton and I had just talked about how if we do what God wants we end up getting exactly what we want. So just do what He wants us to do!

And the subject line comes from my statement that I was a really good missionary robot and Hna Stratton has helped me de-robotize. At the end of our chat I started chuckling because an image of us smashing a toy robot came into my mind. We're totally going to do it ... and we'll document it on film :D

Besides that, well missionary life is great! Yes, I'm staying in Fallbrook. It's a pretty great place to be. And thank you Dad for the pictures that I received today. And thank you Mom for the V-day pacakge. It was the best one I've ever received on the mission. Full of love and everything doubled. Perfect!! Even addressed to us both. We are loving the toffee. I knew Hna Stratton would :)

Let's see, let's see. I love the Book of Mormon...and the Bible I'm starting to love too. Today I read in Romans 10:17-18. I didn't remember 18 before and it's such a cool verse! The word has gone out to the world. We're so blessed to have ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ. In zone conf we talked about how God is the one who gave us the written language with the purpose that we know His gospel and His plan. (see Moses 6: 46? )

I haven't worked on the member dinners. I need to work more on having members accompany us to appointments!! The change is slowly coming out just fine. We visited the YW this Sun to animate them to do missionary work. It was very fun. Priesthood and RS are in Spanish. Most of the kids speak both (because of school) but most of the adults only speak Spanish.

Well, I love you all so much!! I'm so grateful for your love and support. Keep being fabulous and keep living the gospel! God does want us to be happy and everything favors us being that way - often we just have to realize it and choose to be so. I'm still working on it. But I'm better :) And last week we walked down main street, stopped in at Swirlz (candy store which reminded me so much of Sweet Aftons!) and then visited 2 Mexican markets. Hna Stratton bought the makings for sopes which we made Sun night for dinner. yum! It was a fun ramble. We are heading to a park today to do some writing and such. Hna Stratton is all about relaxing and having fun on P-day. I've always just worked to get everything done. Another great lesson: enjoy the doing and don't just do it to say it's done!! We talked about that in terms of "reading" versus "studying" yesterday in zone conf. Oh man, so many good things but time is up!

Love,

Hna Green

PS Melissa Cruz came to a baptism on Sat after the worldwide training which we attended. both were super fabulous and awesome!!!! And familia Romero made it to the baptism (yes!) but not church and we don't know why. *sigh

8 February 2011 - Thank you for walking down my street

Hola familia!

Muy buenos tardes. Que bueno que todos estan bien y felices. Nosotras tambien! Aunque hemos tenido un poco menos exito y algunas personas no estan actuando o progresando. Seguimos! Y aprendimos mucho.

Hey guess what - I just LOVE you guys!! Thanks for being so great. Fallbrook is just fine. It has been a touch warmer the past 2 days :) And last night I found out that avocadoes come out in April. Sweet. Today we are going to stop by a little house that is a gem and mineral musuem - cute and probably go to a park for some letter writing. Hna Stratton wants a break and relaxation. Me? Well, I'm pretty good.

And the subject line comes from a (rather) drunk gentleman last night who was out walking with his 6-yr-old twin girls. He was pretty fun. It's great the funny moments that we have in the mission..and in life!

Church was pretty interesting as it was our first week combined with an English ward. Now we have classes first and sacrament last. The biggest issue - the Hispanics arriving on time! It's going to take a few good months I feel. Most people were pretty ok with the changes. I think the parents were much more concerned than the kids were bothered. Kids are so flexible! Sadly, none of our investigators made it. Don't know why with Fam Romero and Melissa's work was the problem. sad. BUT! 2 inactive members showed up. Rosi and Victor Cardona. She is late 20s and he is 16. He has "muchas ganas" to return to activity so we're gonna do our part this transfer to help with that. And Victor shared his testimony which was pretty great. His 12-yr-old sister seems interested in learning...and she was never baptized. We shall see!

Sweet that mom could use the RS picture. Sorry you weren't invited Dad but that would just ruin things! ;) I printed a handful of the pictures and gave them to the presidency. They are going to matte them or something then give them to the sisters :) Fun fun. I just LOVE VT! On the mission (naturally) I have seriously seen the absolute necesity of doing home and visiting teaching. As our ward mission leader Hno Kolb says It's the glue that holds everything together! If we were 100% on visiting there would be such fewer less actives! And I still love the little branch. We're doing what we can to help and support them. No, the members don't feed us much. Not because they aren't willing but because Hno Kolb hasn't set up dinners for us. Rather frustrating. I'm probably going to jump the ropes and set some up again. I want to be with the members! (And I want good food :) Yesterday we went to the high councilman's home who visits and supports the ward. Hogans. WOW I want Grandma B to meet Hna Hogan. She made and decorated her whole house and it's fun. He is in the military and they've lived all over the world. She told me that Macchu Picchu is a MUST - it's on my list :D But yeah. Tasty food too.

Mission president: Pres. Bruce M. Cook Wife: Sis. Karla Cook. They are super fabulous. Right now they are getting ready to say goodbye to some missionaries and are welcoming others in!

Transfer day. And my package should be delivered to my leaders so it can arrive to me tomorrow. Sa-weet! I could use some love and goodies from home. OH! Happiness = I made a chocolate cake on Friday. Woo hoo. Later Hna Stratton helped me realize it was the first cake I've made from scratch. Fun. It turned out pretty tasty.

Well, I can't think of too many exciting things to share with you. Sorry! Things are pretty good but we'd like them to be even better. Fallbrook is great and we've had a few drives out to Rainbow and Oceanside. Fun fun! I'll work on the pic with me and the truck. No worries, pops.

Keep up the great work! You are super examples! I sure love you all TONS A great scripture I found today is in D + C 42:41. Simple, straightforward, and sweet. Do all things in purity before me. Yep, I can do that.

OH! Hna Stratton and I decided that one great lesson we learned last transfer was to be happy and content in the moment. We're still working to improve our ability at that but we have both come far. And we're happy. And we've set good goals for this transfer - 4 baptisms! Woot woot. Speaking of...the Lule baptism was going to happen this Sat and we had 2 investigators ready to go but then it was changed. Hopefully it happens Feb 20. I have no clue what is going on and it is a little frustrating.

Well, I just love you all lots! Keep being great. And keep reading, praying, and going to church. I KNOW they are the little basics that keep the testimony plant growing and flourishing and thus we are able to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost to achieve eternal life. Woot woot! Awesome. The gospel rocks. Can ya feel it?

Love ya!!

Hermana Green

1 February 2011 - Faith brings about miracles

Hola familia!

Estoy muy contenta y mi companera tambien. Ella apenas recibio un e-mail de su mama. La primera que se mama ha escrito. Sweet! (JJ, please translate)

Well. First of all. Tell everyone THANKS for the letters! You all rock. I have so many that I'm now stressed about writing back -- and so I might just sit you down later and answer the questions in person, cool?
Especially a thanks to Tiff & Gma Barlow. They arrived the same day (feast or famine, no?) and they were such energizing awesome letters with love and excitement. I love you both so much!!

Happy, happy news: Hno B. Romero and Hna Magayon went to San Marcos on Friday and got married. Woot woot! Seriously a miracle as we talked of it when we first arrived and then didn't say anything. A very good sign. They didn't come to church but Vanessa is now reading the children's Book of Mormon in Spanish (it has pictures and is awesome. I totally want one.). Yeah! Last night Hna Stratton offered to bring more star stickers so they
can mark their chart. Vanessa's answer that made our hearts sing: "I don't think we need stickers because we're reading now." oh that's right! Ba ha. The whole point of the reinforcement was just shot down exactly as we
want it to be. We still don't quite know what Hno is missing that will make him avoid work on Sunday and bring his family :( But we keep searching! Last night as reinforcement for Vanessa's reading we watched a movie and ate popcorn in FHE. Super awesome.

I am SO SO happy to hear about your great FHE experience! Yeah!! I want to see that video so keep it on hand. I don't remember ever watching it. And Mena/Mina....we talked of dogs yesterday and I remembered faithful Mena/Mina. Loved her. We talked about temples in 2 of our 3 FHEs yesterday - I guess it was the theme in a few states :) Hna Alejandra Ramirez (less-active but I think we've helped her rekindle the fire and we might
have helped create a testimony/missionary monster ... yes.) shared a powerful testimony to Hna Bailon whose son is an RM and recent convert and whose mother is a staunch Catholic. We can see in Hna Bailon's eyes that
she is searching, but she feels stuck between a rock and a hard place (is that the English version? It's rock and wall in Spanish....) Then her son shared powerful testimony too. Hna Stratton and I didn't say much at all :)

We gave a church tour on Thursday. It worked out well even though we had some headaches beforehand. (Hna S more than I. I'm grateful for a relatively relaxed, even personality that I have now. Scott in Taiwan
mentioned it often. Never realized how I would need it later.) Hno R. Romero and his mom Hna Torres 'carried' Melissa and us to and from the church. We explained some things and just helped them acclimate themselves
to the building. Hno still goes to the desert each weekend but we have a secret card we'll use this week -- a picture of a desert inside the temple! It struck Hna Stratton strongly during weekly planning as she too feels very
close to God in the desert. I just LOVE the temple. We should be able to go this month. Sweet! One 2011 goal is to attend the temple at least once each month....there aren't any in Thailand, are there? I'm thinking no.
What's the nearest one then? Oh and Melissa was really nervous but she came and was a good sport. We'll see her again tonight. We just love her. Hopefully....well, hopefully she'll be converted soon and get baptized and confirmed. Ha ha. That is the overall goal.

Other happy things: well. Missionary life is just great. Often it is hard to condense and summarize it into words for you guys or for my journal. I hope you can feel some of the spirit of it as JJ and Dad talk of their missions and you read some of my experiences. It is just absolutely incredible to be so focused on the work of the Lord. Hna Stratton and I are realizing what a blessing it is because now we have this strong foundation so we can be faithful members all our lives and help others to learn, grow, and progress. I KNOW Jesus Christ lives and guides His church through prophets and apostles. I am so grateful for my knowledge. And I'm grateful to all of you for all you've done and continue to do so that I am who I am with this strong testimony. I know God has a plan for each of us - that's a lesson I've learned on the mission. I look back and clearly see how certain things needed to happen or be learned before other things could come about. And we are working even harder now to give our hearts and maintain our faith so that miracles can truly happen in this branch. Just the other night we found 2 or 3 girls who are interested in attending YW activities. That doubles the amount! Woot woot. We will keep pressing forward "in the service of our Lord" (- a song for the mission written by Pres & Sis Brady).

I also LOVE church because I walk away refreshed and motivated. This week I had questions answered and felt the love of the members, even though they are few. It is such a blessing to go to one of the Lord's buildings EACH
week to partake of the sacrament. I love it.

I love you all very, very much. This week was pretty great and the next will be too because I have you backing me up.

Love,
Hna Green


Funny: I received a haircut last Tues and it did not turn out as I wanted - much much shorter. But Diane was very nice and we chatted it up. She felt bad and enjoyed talking to me so didn't charge me :) I just gave her a tip. She's from Vietnam and told me to come back and visit. I probably will :)

Also, I GAVE my first haircut last week. To Hna Stratton. Just a little trim. It was nerve wracking but fun. And it looks good. :) Yes, I have photos. (JJ -- I almost said "took out fotos" ja ja)

PS We found a service opportunity doing manual labor outside at the Boys and Girls Club. So super awesome! We'll get dirty and work with muscles and help the community. We start this Wed and we're excited. And on Sat the branch president called us in as reinforcements and we helped clean the church building. It was very fun....and I got to wear jeans! First time in months, I believe.

Dad, I snapped a picture of the pickup and one with Hna Stratton by it but we won't be printing pics this week. Sorry. I didn't think to do it last week. Before we go I'll get a pic of myself by it. No worries. And another color of scarf...I don't know. (maybe a rich purple) I do know that she would really love a picture dictionary like Mom sent me for my b-day....so that's a present option. And Hna Denker wrote me and mentioned that the cards are perfect. Thanks again! I was super confused about 23 Mar and why that is such an important day. ha ha. I figured it out. Your schedule does sound super crazy but it's great to have work!! And OK about Taiwan. I will definitely have to plan a trip solo to go there. I miss my friends! And the food and yeah. The wife of the ward mission leader served in the Kaohsiung mission about 3 years ago. Sweet!

Mom, speaking of Taiwan if you have a moment could you please send a quick e-mail to Scott and give him a touch of chastisement and invite him to communicate with me and let me know how things are? Thanks. And your
summary of the weekend made my heart sing and my mouth smile big. So happy you're nourishing each other 'with the good word of God'. It's awesome, isn't it?? I really like my mission president too, he he. You could always
send him a note and let him know. I know he would appreciate it. And his wife too. Duh, just realized I should've had you send a family Christmas card to them. Oops. This year. I'll enjoy the sunshine a little more today thinking of you guys in the freezing cold :) I still can't believe it is January sometimes. And then I look at the dead trees (weird contradiction to everything) or the calendar. Ha ha. Oh wait, we've now hit Feb. whatev.

JJ THANKS for the letter! You're fab. How goes the EMT class? I love ya! We're going to have to speak in Spanish basically every day because I don't want to lose it and it's so much fun!! PS Have you written or called
your converts and friends from the mission lately? Do it! --Will you this week? I know they'll be so grateful and you will too.

Chez You are just a rockin' example to me, ya know that? I love you tons. And I honestly don't know how late I'll be able to stay up but we can definitely have some little procrastinating chats. I'm excited. How was the dance?

Shantaye Glad the camera rocks and you had warm weather in NY. Super awesome. What is your favorite color these days? I'm super excited you are part of girl's choir this year. I'm sure it will be awesome. And you'll
be grateful later for your musical talent. Many people have felt the Spirit as my companion and I have sung the hymns.

Rosko - woof woof wut woof? But really, how is he? Better behaved?

EVERYONE 3 Nephi 11:38 The flip side is a true PROMISE The kingdom of God will be ours if we repent, are baptized, and become as little children. I know we can do it together! I love and thank you all.