9 years ago
12/26/10
11/2/10
Letter #50
hey fam it was a good week.. HOw was you all's weeks... We have been doin really well... We had FOUR people @ church yesterday.. That was definately a record for greenville... I taught the Gospel Principles class and it was great.. I started out usin the book, but then I was like well forget this I just gonna go by the spirit. It was really well... I taught about christ's church now and then and how its the same.. They investigators were all like... Ohhhhhh wow..... I hope that it made sense.. I think that it did..
Jim is gonna be baptized on Friday @ 7Pm.. and We are teachin his daugter and her boyfriend. They both want god back in their lives...His daughter is overcomin drugs and is tryin to detox herself from them.. We then are teachin a man Named Gary.. He is awesome.. He reminds me of the actor Robin Williams.. He is just crazy and cracks jokes left and right... He told me that the spirit was in the church and that he was comin back.. He is in 1 neph chap 15.... We are teachin him tomorrow... and I think we're gonna teach how he can pray to know about the Book of Mormon that it is of God. I"l llet u all know what happens..
We went tractin on Saturday and we met this funny aftrican american guy.. He was huge.. He was a football player.. He was so friendly and he showed us his bamboo farm.. He took us behin his house into the woods.. At first I was freakin out.. I thought okay here is where he ties us up in bamboo... and I really prayed to God to have him help us, but turned out that it was cool.. He was just really friendly.. hahaha.. It was a funny experience.. It was a journal entry FO SURE...
So it turns out we are getting another sister to comelives with us... We will be in a three-some...... because this is my last transfer and also Sister Jewer's before she goes back to Temple Square......... MY LAST TRANSFER......
We We are definately tearin it up.. I have been tryin to make the most out of my MISSION LIFE.. before I cry when we get on the plane to go back to Ideeho..
Well fam I love you so much.. I am really startin to miss all ya'll.. but I know its for ETERNITY...
See ya in 6 weeks
love
chelz
Jim is gonna be baptized on Friday @ 7Pm.. and We are teachin his daugter and her boyfriend. They both want god back in their lives...His daughter is overcomin drugs and is tryin to detox herself from them.. We then are teachin a man Named Gary.. He is awesome.. He reminds me of the actor Robin Williams.. He is just crazy and cracks jokes left and right... He told me that the spirit was in the church and that he was comin back.. He is in 1 neph chap 15.... We are teachin him tomorrow... and I think we're gonna teach how he can pray to know about the Book of Mormon that it is of God. I"l llet u all know what happens..
We went tractin on Saturday and we met this funny aftrican american guy.. He was huge.. He was a football player.. He was so friendly and he showed us his bamboo farm.. He took us behin his house into the woods.. At first I was freakin out.. I thought okay here is where he ties us up in bamboo... and I really prayed to God to have him help us, but turned out that it was cool.. He was just really friendly.. hahaha.. It was a funny experience.. It was a journal entry FO SURE...
So it turns out we are getting another sister to comelives with us... We will be in a three-some...... because this is my last transfer and also Sister Jewer's before she goes back to Temple Square......... MY LAST TRANSFER......
We We are definately tearin it up.. I have been tryin to make the most out of my MISSION LIFE.. before I cry when we get on the plane to go back to Ideeho..
Well fam I love you so much.. I am really startin to miss all ya'll.. but I know its for ETERNITY...
See ya in 6 weeks
love
chelz
Letter #49
Hey Fam. Wuts up? How was your week? Sounds like Dad is enjoyin retired life. Or least I think he's retired. Did you win all your games? I sure hope so. I hope this email is long enough for you all. ha ha. Sorry my emails are probably gettin lamer by the week. Only like 6 moRE! Then we can just talk in person. YEAH! The weather here is really weird. It gets really HOT like 80's and then the next day its like 50. Its super weird. Reminds me of Idaho. I think I will freeze my butt off when I step off the plane. ha Ha. My cowgirl boots will keep me warm though. HA ha!
The area is doin well. I actually really like it here. Its comfortable and with the Holy ghost its jsut like any other place. It just only has 1 walmart. I have been tryin to be really postivie and optomistic, cuz thats who I am. Its been hard lately though. We are tryin to organize this area. I think I have turned into an organize freak on my mission. You should see our living room. Our whole area is all mapped out with lessactives on the wall to investigators. Its ORGANIZATION.. That is ONE OF THE keys to success. Without it you have no spirit in your home.. Must be clean and neat.. (sounds weird comin from me eh)
We had quite an experience with Jim this week. It was just soo.... weird... On THursday night we went to his apt with a member who is from Mexico (he is really shy)... and we taught Jim about Baptisms for the dead and Family History. It was a pretty good lesson. We told us he understood it and commited to going to the temple and was TOTALLy excited for his baptism.. So we said a prayer and left his apt.. Well the next day he has some major doubts and satan really worked on him. He cancelled his baptismal interview and he fled to Morris Town. He called the Branch President and told him that we told him he could be baptized twice. (WHICH WE DID NOT!)... So he got all scared and cancelled his baptism and got really mad @ us. Which we for about a day had no idea why he wouldn't answer our calls and we went over there Friday night and tried to see him and he slammed the door in our face... Talk about heart ache!! I felt like crap basically.... So I called our Zone Lord (zone leader)... and he told me that we needed to write him a card and make him somethin and tell him how much we love him. I thought that was a great idea. So I did it. My comp was still kinda upset at Jim at this time, so she didn't really want to write a card... So I wrote him a card and bought him a treat and we set it on his chair on his deck.........
Well to end this story Jim talked to Pres Kenney and some other members that are his friends and they resolved this whole concern.... Jim is now back on track and wants to be baptized in 7 days when he is finished smokin. (he started again after 6 days).... His daughter belle also wants to be baptized. She has been to church twice. We are gonna commit her this week. Maybe they can both be baptized on the same day.
I know why I was to come to greeneville and experience the hardest weeks of my mission. That is to see Jim get baptize. and help him change his life thorugh Jesus Christ. That is a great feelin.
Well I hope this email suits u well.. HAHA.. Talk to ya next week
love
chelz
The area is doin well. I actually really like it here. Its comfortable and with the Holy ghost its jsut like any other place. It just only has 1 walmart. I have been tryin to be really postivie and optomistic, cuz thats who I am. Its been hard lately though. We are tryin to organize this area. I think I have turned into an organize freak on my mission. You should see our living room. Our whole area is all mapped out with lessactives on the wall to investigators. Its ORGANIZATION.. That is ONE OF THE keys to success. Without it you have no spirit in your home.. Must be clean and neat.. (sounds weird comin from me eh)
We had quite an experience with Jim this week. It was just soo.... weird... On THursday night we went to his apt with a member who is from Mexico (he is really shy)... and we taught Jim about Baptisms for the dead and Family History. It was a pretty good lesson. We told us he understood it and commited to going to the temple and was TOTALLy excited for his baptism.. So we said a prayer and left his apt.. Well the next day he has some major doubts and satan really worked on him. He cancelled his baptismal interview and he fled to Morris Town. He called the Branch President and told him that we told him he could be baptized twice. (WHICH WE DID NOT!)... So he got all scared and cancelled his baptism and got really mad @ us. Which we for about a day had no idea why he wouldn't answer our calls and we went over there Friday night and tried to see him and he slammed the door in our face... Talk about heart ache!! I felt like crap basically.... So I called our Zone Lord (zone leader)... and he told me that we needed to write him a card and make him somethin and tell him how much we love him. I thought that was a great idea. So I did it. My comp was still kinda upset at Jim at this time, so she didn't really want to write a card... So I wrote him a card and bought him a treat and we set it on his chair on his deck.........
Well to end this story Jim talked to Pres Kenney and some other members that are his friends and they resolved this whole concern.... Jim is now back on track and wants to be baptized in 7 days when he is finished smokin. (he started again after 6 days).... His daughter belle also wants to be baptized. She has been to church twice. We are gonna commit her this week. Maybe they can both be baptized on the same day.
I know why I was to come to greeneville and experience the hardest weeks of my mission. That is to see Jim get baptize. and help him change his life thorugh Jesus Christ. That is a great feelin.
Well I hope this email suits u well.. HAHA.. Talk to ya next week
love
chelz
Letter #48
Hey ya'll. How is it GOIN? Its goin fine here. Today we had a zone activity and went on up to Kingsport and played some basketbaLL. I kept schoolin all the Elders.. haha no jk.. I am still lvin up to my name as "Sister MJ." So I am really late emailing. How was conferencE?? I loved the pics of Dad and Tateer.. I can't wait to go to Temple square. That is definately on my to do list when I arrive home. Ya'll wanna go like the first weekend I get back?
My comp is from Temple square so she tells me some about it how it all works. I am just really glad that I am out in the field doin pros 24 hours a day. I don't think i could have it any other way.
Jim is doin excellent. Sister Cherry and I found him tracting the 3rd day I was here in Greeneville. He is gonna be baptized on Saturday. We are teachin his daughter Belle too. We are goin to commit her soon as weel. She is goin through some problems with addiction. She recieved a blessing of comfort with her dad on Saturday after conference. It was really helpful to her and him.
We are also teachin Connie Whitson. She is really considering baptism. She wants to be able to be "saved" nd be with her daughter again. I took a pic with her that I will send to you guys soon. I am really relying on prayer and scripture study lately. I don't know what it is but I been havin an extremely hard time lately. I think its just nervousness worryin bout my future. But I know that the lord will help me and that I am gonna have a BLAST livin it up when I arrive home.
I really love missionary work. It's been hard for me to think that I have to actually think about my life now. I been thinkin bout other peoples for 18 months. Its just kinda weird. I loved how Elder Holland spoke about the very first talk a bout how nervous he was when he was goin off his mission, but his parents helped make sure that he was okay and he was thankful for them. That helped me a lot! I know I got lovin parents who will make sure I'm okay. That really comforted me. On the mission I went through times where I thought nobody loved me! You get anti'ed or bible bashed all the time and you just feel really low some times.... BUT listenin to the councel of the prophets and havin a family has really helped me relaize that I have friends and family everywhere. Satan really tries to bring you down a LOT on your mission...
I hope you all have a great week and I can't wait to get pics of Easty and Livvie.. I can't even recognize easton.
LOVE YOU ALL
CHELZ
My comp is from Temple square so she tells me some about it how it all works. I am just really glad that I am out in the field doin pros 24 hours a day. I don't think i could have it any other way.
Jim is doin excellent. Sister Cherry and I found him tracting the 3rd day I was here in Greeneville. He is gonna be baptized on Saturday. We are teachin his daughter Belle too. We are goin to commit her soon as weel. She is goin through some problems with addiction. She recieved a blessing of comfort with her dad on Saturday after conference. It was really helpful to her and him.
We are also teachin Connie Whitson. She is really considering baptism. She wants to be able to be "saved" nd be with her daughter again. I took a pic with her that I will send to you guys soon. I am really relying on prayer and scripture study lately. I don't know what it is but I been havin an extremely hard time lately. I think its just nervousness worryin bout my future. But I know that the lord will help me and that I am gonna have a BLAST livin it up when I arrive home.
I really love missionary work. It's been hard for me to think that I have to actually think about my life now. I been thinkin bout other peoples for 18 months. Its just kinda weird. I loved how Elder Holland spoke about the very first talk a bout how nervous he was when he was goin off his mission, but his parents helped make sure that he was okay and he was thankful for them. That helped me a lot! I know I got lovin parents who will make sure I'm okay. That really comforted me. On the mission I went through times where I thought nobody loved me! You get anti'ed or bible bashed all the time and you just feel really low some times.... BUT listenin to the councel of the prophets and havin a family has really helped me relaize that I have friends and family everywhere. Satan really tries to bring you down a LOT on your mission...
I hope you all have a great week and I can't wait to get pics of Easty and Livvie.. I can't even recognize easton.
LOVE YOU ALL
CHELZ
Letter #47
Hey fam.. this is Sister Furniss.. I am doin good. How areu all doin??? I am still in Greeneville and I have 9 more weeks left before I get to see my mom and dad!! I am tryin to love my mission as much as possib because I do.. It gets hard when you know your comp hates it.. so You try and be the uplifting one.. iTs hard.. but I really do love bein in a small branch where you don't get a lot of feedback from members. I'ts like you have a task to do and you try your best to accomplish it.
I have a new comp from the temple squire mission.. She is here for 4 months.. and she is from Canada. I really do enjoy bein around her and she is easy to talk to. We work really hard.. We are trin to get this area all figured out . She leaves to go back to Temple square Dec 8th and I leave Dec 1st.. So We aren't sure whats gonna happen to the area.
We have a commitment named Jim Salsburty. I tracted into him befor Jewer came and he was totally prepared.. He came to church yesterday and has to overcome smoking. I will feel you in on more later.
I am workin so hard.. I am real tired. haha.. After 17 months You can just feel the burn of GO GO GO.. I don't know how I"ll get used to goin to the cabin and sitting and relaxing at Christmas time. I might have to go out and tract the other cabins or somethin.. hahah. jk...
I just love teachin the gospel. I love teachin in general. It's my favorite thing o do.. I can't wait to teach health and PE...
I got the pics from jiller. I loved them.. I'll be a waitin for the package with printed ones..
I am doin a lot better.. I am lovin the people I meet.. I just try and love everyone and be the best friend I can be. Its my new motto or goal in life.
The area is doin really well. I know that we will build it up again and find more people to teach. Its gonna happen I know it..
Today we are goin to go to the mall.. YIPPEE!!!
Well I hop you all have a great wekk. I love you all and can't wait to see u in 9 weeks.. Did u like the womens brodcast?? I loved it.. this week we will be goin to the church to watch it.. I love it cuz I know you guys are watchin it and I can feel all ya'll.. I lOVE CONFERECE..
well talk to yall later
love
chelz
I have a new comp from the temple squire mission.. She is here for 4 months.. and she is from Canada. I really do enjoy bein around her and she is easy to talk to. We work really hard.. We are trin to get this area all figured out . She leaves to go back to Temple square Dec 8th and I leave Dec 1st.. So We aren't sure whats gonna happen to the area.
We have a commitment named Jim Salsburty. I tracted into him befor Jewer came and he was totally prepared.. He came to church yesterday and has to overcome smoking. I will feel you in on more later.
I am workin so hard.. I am real tired. haha.. After 17 months You can just feel the burn of GO GO GO.. I don't know how I"ll get used to goin to the cabin and sitting and relaxing at Christmas time. I might have to go out and tract the other cabins or somethin.. hahah. jk...
I just love teachin the gospel. I love teachin in general. It's my favorite thing o do.. I can't wait to teach health and PE...
I got the pics from jiller. I loved them.. I'll be a waitin for the package with printed ones..
I am doin a lot better.. I am lovin the people I meet.. I just try and love everyone and be the best friend I can be. Its my new motto or goal in life.
The area is doin really well. I know that we will build it up again and find more people to teach. Its gonna happen I know it..
Today we are goin to go to the mall.. YIPPEE!!!
Well I hop you all have a great wekk. I love you all and can't wait to see u in 9 weeks.. Did u like the womens brodcast?? I loved it.. this week we will be goin to the church to watch it.. I love it cuz I know you guys are watchin it and I can feel all ya'll.. I lOVE CONFERECE..
well talk to yall later
love
chelz
Letter #46
Hi Fam. How was your labor day? I hope it was super. I had a good labor day. How is Easty and Livvie?? I am still waitiin on those pics from JILLER... : ) he he.... Was the water pretty cold in Island Park? I bet it was cold. I had a great labor day. Dottie and Laney got baptized!!! They knew that I was gettin transfered on sunday when I told them and Dottie and Laney started to cry and so did I.. and Dottie said.. You have to be there.. so She changed it to Monday. It was the best Pday ever... I really love them a lot. I will send pics soon. I spoke on the Holy ghost at the baptism. I think it went alright
I got the call on Saturday that I was getting transferred. I have been here in Grove park for 6 months. I am very sad! I don't want to go at all. It really hit me that my next move will be home to Idaho. It really made me cry. BUT I am willing to do whatever the lord wants me to do and I'll finish out strong these next 3 months. I am really gonaa miss my friends here. I hate goodbyes.. So I just tell them "see ya later"... Taylor and Courtney were crying in church and it made me cry too.
It was a great way to leave Grove park! I feel blessed to be able to see people get baptized. This whole transfer I have been pouring out my heart and soul to Heavenly Father to help me know how to baptize. He has really blessed me.. I never worked so hard in all my life. I have noticed that I say "I love you" a lot to random people we teach and my friends here. That is definatly not somethin I did before my mission.. haha..
My companion might be gettin her tonsils out soon. She is talkin to her parents about it and hopefully she'll get somethin worked out. She always has a sore throat. I feel pretty bad for her.
Sister Collette is takin me to transfers on Wedneseday. She hates when Missionaries leave. I will be sad to tell her bye. I told her I'll be back dec 1st though and I'll visit her.
The work is great! I love missionary work and I love doin it. Today we are seeing a lot of people. The Aubreys wanted me to come by for dinnner and then we have a lot of people that told me to come by before I left. So we will get a lot of lessons. We are teachin a lady named Paula and her less active friend Nita.. PAULA has ticked to the lady vols basketball games (season tickets)... She wants to take us.. I told her that was my dream... BUT I am gettin transferred and she doesnt' know it yet.. So maybe she can still hook me up with some tickets.. Paula once had a baptismal date 2o years ago... I know she will enter into the wanters of baptism again.
I hope ya'll have a great week!! I will see ya'll soon!
Love
Chelz
I got the call on Saturday that I was getting transferred. I have been here in Grove park for 6 months. I am very sad! I don't want to go at all. It really hit me that my next move will be home to Idaho. It really made me cry. BUT I am willing to do whatever the lord wants me to do and I'll finish out strong these next 3 months. I am really gonaa miss my friends here. I hate goodbyes.. So I just tell them "see ya later"... Taylor and Courtney were crying in church and it made me cry too.
It was a great way to leave Grove park! I feel blessed to be able to see people get baptized. This whole transfer I have been pouring out my heart and soul to Heavenly Father to help me know how to baptize. He has really blessed me.. I never worked so hard in all my life. I have noticed that I say "I love you" a lot to random people we teach and my friends here. That is definatly not somethin I did before my mission.. haha..
My companion might be gettin her tonsils out soon. She is talkin to her parents about it and hopefully she'll get somethin worked out. She always has a sore throat. I feel pretty bad for her.
Sister Collette is takin me to transfers on Wedneseday. She hates when Missionaries leave. I will be sad to tell her bye. I told her I'll be back dec 1st though and I'll visit her.
The work is great! I love missionary work and I love doin it. Today we are seeing a lot of people. The Aubreys wanted me to come by for dinnner and then we have a lot of people that told me to come by before I left. So we will get a lot of lessons. We are teachin a lady named Paula and her less active friend Nita.. PAULA has ticked to the lady vols basketball games (season tickets)... She wants to take us.. I told her that was my dream... BUT I am gettin transferred and she doesnt' know it yet.. So maybe she can still hook me up with some tickets.. Paula once had a baptismal date 2o years ago... I know she will enter into the wanters of baptism again.
I hope ya'll have a great week!! I will see ya'll soon!
Love
Chelz
Letter #45
Hey everyone! How ya'll doin this week? I hope all are getting ready to head to schooL. People are in school here. I'ts quite nice. I am glad that the summer is over. How are Easty and Livve? I am still waitin for jill to send me pics (Snail MAiL). I had a really hard week. I haven't had a week this hard since I first got out here. I think it's just cuz like Dad said.. Satan is tryin to pull you away. Your first 3 months and last 3 months in the field are the hardest. I think I had a hard time just hearing about all the hard stuff goin on @ home and then not feelin like I had anyone to talk to here. I have felt like my comp is always tryin to compete with me. I just wanna be her friend. I tell her everyday how great she is and that I love her. You can't make people love ya can ya? I just do the best I can and then ya still feel like crap for doin it.
This week I got my trunky call by the office ladies. They wanted to know how I am getting home cuz they had to tell SLC. I told them to call you guys. Did they? They have to know 15 weeks in advace. Now that was weird.. It threw me off guard. Then I started to think about how I feel like I got nothin for me at home besides my family.
Taylor got confirmed on Sunday. That was a great thing. We are doin an exchange with WHITLEY CITY!!!!!!!!!!!
This week I got my trunky call by the office ladies. They wanted to know how I am getting home cuz they had to tell SLC. I told them to call you guys. Did they? They have to know 15 weeks in advace. Now that was weird.. It threw me off guard. Then I started to think about how I feel like I got nothin for me at home besides my family.
Taylor got confirmed on Sunday. That was a great thing. We are doin an exchange with WHITLEY CITY!!!!!!!!!!!
Letter #44
GOod Mornin from the volunteer state. How are things goin over to the west in Idadaho? I reckon it's quite cold. I'ts hotter than a fart here. I'm glad that easty and Livvie are doin good and ya'll are enjoyin your summer. When does Tate and Alvin go back to school? I bet it's pretty soon or somethin.
Thanks for the package MOM. It was like christmas but only in July. It has also been rainin a lot down here. So I have these brown shoes and they have rocks in them that won't come out. So when it sounds like my feet are clickin. I like it. It reminds me of my hard work. haha.
I am not sure what changed Taylor's mind about baptism. She just up and said she wants to be baptized. I think that you all's letters really helped her out. Which I read some. Tate and ALvin sound so grown up. I don't even think it sounds like them at all.
I am really gettina love for the people here. Yesterday we went with Sister Collette to get her Patriarecl Blessing. She kept calling it her Patrotic blessing. haha. She was really nervous. (Being in the south my spelling has really gone down hill)... She is doing really well. She is definately grateful for the gospel in her life.
Ya know it blows my mind because we run into a lot of people who think the bible is perfect and without flaw. We tracted into this nice man who let us in and we started to teach him about the restoration. As we told him that his family could be together forever. He Flipped out on us. I told him that I know I can be wiht my mom and dad and brothers and sisters through eternity as a "FAMILY UNIT"... He totally disagreed. He thought that we would only be as brothers and sisters and we wouldn't have our moms and dads.. We would just all be brothers and Sisters.. And I told him that God doesn't work that way. We can know who is who in heaven as we accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. He totally got mad at me.. and Told me I was worshipping my parents and putting them before god... I was TOTALLY CONFUSED about this dude. Then the spirit told me to smile and speak kindly and we casually ended the lesson......
So yeah.. haha.. It was a great experience.. but I really let satan get to me cuz after he yelled at me I felt so sad and just not loved.... I love being a tool for heavenly father.. but sometimes when you get yelled at over and over again.. It does get to you... So I went home that night and read my Patrarecel blessing and my book of mormon and I felt better...
We had a really good lesson last night with a guy named TJ. He is really seeking and wanting to get back into church. He is awesome. He is going to come this Sunday. He is a nurse and he comes from Europe in the navy or army or somethin like that. I'll feel ya'll in on it.
OH I almost forgot. WHen ya'll come do you want to go to the Nasvhille Temple???????????????????????? and we can go to Kentucky. and then Knoxville.. and then go to Nashville TennessAy!
Well I hope you all have a great week and have fun with the summer.. KEep ridin the water weener! cuz I had a dream the other day I was on the water weener and bearing my testimony about the Book of Mormon. HAHA.....
HALAIEHA!
lOVE
SISTER FURNIZZLE
Thanks for the package MOM. It was like christmas but only in July. It has also been rainin a lot down here. So I have these brown shoes and they have rocks in them that won't come out. So when it sounds like my feet are clickin. I like it. It reminds me of my hard work. haha.
I am not sure what changed Taylor's mind about baptism. She just up and said she wants to be baptized. I think that you all's letters really helped her out. Which I read some. Tate and ALvin sound so grown up. I don't even think it sounds like them at all.
I am really gettina love for the people here. Yesterday we went with Sister Collette to get her Patriarecl Blessing. She kept calling it her Patrotic blessing. haha. She was really nervous. (Being in the south my spelling has really gone down hill)... She is doing really well. She is definately grateful for the gospel in her life.
Ya know it blows my mind because we run into a lot of people who think the bible is perfect and without flaw. We tracted into this nice man who let us in and we started to teach him about the restoration. As we told him that his family could be together forever. He Flipped out on us. I told him that I know I can be wiht my mom and dad and brothers and sisters through eternity as a "FAMILY UNIT"... He totally disagreed. He thought that we would only be as brothers and sisters and we wouldn't have our moms and dads.. We would just all be brothers and Sisters.. And I told him that God doesn't work that way. We can know who is who in heaven as we accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. He totally got mad at me.. and Told me I was worshipping my parents and putting them before god... I was TOTALLY CONFUSED about this dude. Then the spirit told me to smile and speak kindly and we casually ended the lesson......
So yeah.. haha.. It was a great experience.. but I really let satan get to me cuz after he yelled at me I felt so sad and just not loved.... I love being a tool for heavenly father.. but sometimes when you get yelled at over and over again.. It does get to you... So I went home that night and read my Patrarecel blessing and my book of mormon and I felt better...
We had a really good lesson last night with a guy named TJ. He is really seeking and wanting to get back into church. He is awesome. He is going to come this Sunday. He is a nurse and he comes from Europe in the navy or army or somethin like that. I'll feel ya'll in on it.
OH I almost forgot. WHen ya'll come do you want to go to the Nasvhille Temple???????????????????????? and we can go to Kentucky. and then Knoxville.. and then go to Nashville TennessAy!
Well I hope you all have a great week and have fun with the summer.. KEep ridin the water weener! cuz I had a dream the other day I was on the water weener and bearing my testimony about the Book of Mormon. HAHA.....
HALAIEHA!
lOVE
SISTER FURNIZZLE
Letter #43
HEy HEY FAM! um whts up? Not much here. I am just sittin here at the library. Today was like 100 degrees and i sweated like a dude. We went and played frizbee @ this park and I thought I started to see stars I was so hot. Then we went and walked around this huge mall and I emailed kass on a mac book air. Then we came back and I fell asleep while eating a tomato and now we are here emailing ya'll.
I will be stayin here in Grove park another transfer. That means I'll be here for 6 + months. I hope I can just finish my mission here. I really like it. I will be with Sister Yarrington. We are gonna kick some butt. So I know that Taylor reads my blogs... BUT I have to tell you all that she is gonna be baptized on August 15th..... BOO YA!!! (SORRY TAYloR) HAHA
We are helpin her prepare to be baptized. Jerry got confirmed on Sunday. We had a scare with him cuz he smoked between getting baptized / confirmed. I really had to lay down the law. I felt really bad. I had to be one BOLD Sister. He knows though that smokin drives the spirit.
We have another lady and her son that have been to church for 3 times and they are talkin baptism. Her name is Dottie and his name is Cody. Don't we have an aunt Dott???? We are planning on commiting them soon for baptism. Hopefully Heavenly Father will let them be baptized this transfer.
I have really learned that if YOU WANT SOMETHIN in life YOu can get it. You just have to work for it. I have had companions disagree. BUT I really feel that if I want to baptize or do anything I can. Some people say "Well if god's willin" I say heck no. He will provide and bless me if I work my tail off cuz THAT IS GOD"S WILL.. I guess my whole outlook on life has changed. I can do anything! I am SISTER FURNIzzle!
umm OH YES>. Okay so last Pday.. We went into this Christian store to look for some mini bibles.. and I was looking around and I saw some ANTI moRMON litature!! It said all this crap about us and it wasn't true at ALL!! I got really upset and I almost went to go talk to the manager, but then I thought That wouldn't be good. So this is what I did. I got all the anti- mormon crap they had and hid them behind a wall full of bibles. They are gone now and stuck in a shelf. It makes you sad to think that people have a lot of lies out there about us.
We run into a lot of people that have re-searched the Internet and dug up things about us that is so not true. I just pray for them.
So do you have the plans for when you're pickin me up? Are we gonna be back the 4th of December? I don't really want to spend the night in the mission home. I would prefer to just go with you guys after the testimony meeting at 6 PM (dec 1st). I have a whole list of things to see and people to see including DOLLYWOOD. So you might want to borrow someones Linda (GPS).
I am havin a ball in the TKM. I am really happy, but its a different kinda happy. Even if I wear the same skirt everyday. I still am Happy. It's hard to explain. I am glad that everyone is doin well. When does school start? School starts August 17th here in Knoxville. They say it Knox - vull. That is how you pronounce it. So Mom and Dad you better start sayin it that way so when you come you can fit it.
Well I better go. I will talk to ya'll alter
love
chelz
I will be stayin here in Grove park another transfer. That means I'll be here for 6 + months. I hope I can just finish my mission here. I really like it. I will be with Sister Yarrington. We are gonna kick some butt. So I know that Taylor reads my blogs... BUT I have to tell you all that she is gonna be baptized on August 15th..... BOO YA!!! (SORRY TAYloR) HAHA
We are helpin her prepare to be baptized. Jerry got confirmed on Sunday. We had a scare with him cuz he smoked between getting baptized / confirmed. I really had to lay down the law. I felt really bad. I had to be one BOLD Sister. He knows though that smokin drives the spirit.
We have another lady and her son that have been to church for 3 times and they are talkin baptism. Her name is Dottie and his name is Cody. Don't we have an aunt Dott???? We are planning on commiting them soon for baptism. Hopefully Heavenly Father will let them be baptized this transfer.
I have really learned that if YOU WANT SOMETHIN in life YOu can get it. You just have to work for it. I have had companions disagree. BUT I really feel that if I want to baptize or do anything I can. Some people say "Well if god's willin" I say heck no. He will provide and bless me if I work my tail off cuz THAT IS GOD"S WILL.. I guess my whole outlook on life has changed. I can do anything! I am SISTER FURNIzzle!
umm OH YES>. Okay so last Pday.. We went into this Christian store to look for some mini bibles.. and I was looking around and I saw some ANTI moRMON litature!! It said all this crap about us and it wasn't true at ALL!! I got really upset and I almost went to go talk to the manager, but then I thought That wouldn't be good. So this is what I did. I got all the anti- mormon crap they had and hid them behind a wall full of bibles. They are gone now and stuck in a shelf. It makes you sad to think that people have a lot of lies out there about us.
We run into a lot of people that have re-searched the Internet and dug up things about us that is so not true. I just pray for them.
So do you have the plans for when you're pickin me up? Are we gonna be back the 4th of December? I don't really want to spend the night in the mission home. I would prefer to just go with you guys after the testimony meeting at 6 PM (dec 1st). I have a whole list of things to see and people to see including DOLLYWOOD. So you might want to borrow someones Linda (GPS).
I am havin a ball in the TKM. I am really happy, but its a different kinda happy. Even if I wear the same skirt everyday. I still am Happy. It's hard to explain. I am glad that everyone is doin well. When does school start? School starts August 17th here in Knoxville. They say it Knox - vull. That is how you pronounce it. So Mom and Dad you better start sayin it that way so when you come you can fit it.
Well I better go. I will talk to ya'll alter
love
chelz
7/6/10
Letter #42
Hey all... How was boatin?? I heard that the weener gots a hole.. GOSH DArn IT!! Maybe you could sew it back to gether or somethin..
We went cavin yesterday with some members. It was awesome. It was a real adventure. Taylor and Courtney went with us and it was a blast. They are just like my little sister, but only in TN. It has been pretty hot here. I'm still sportin the braid so that keeps me pretty cool durin the days.
I am havin a lot of fun on my mission, not really ready to go home yet. I meet a lot of interesting people here. It is pretty funny. How is Livvie and Easty and all ya'll doin?? I noticed that you all's emails just get shorter and shorter through the mish. haha.. Mine do too!
We are teachin a lady named Laura and she is commited for baptism on the 24th of July. She is a member referral. Gotta love the member referrals!! We meet her this week. So that will be excitin.
I found out that people here call shopping carts - (Buggies)... and that I am a East Tennessian! People say fixin and they call pop - COKE.... It's funny...
We done did a lot of tracting this week. This week has been bible bash week. We taught a guy last night named Jason and he says "I am gonna convert you 2 girls over to bapist"... and I thought oh gosh... He was so so very confused about every thing about god. I said to Him Jason look how confused you are! You gotta read and pray about the Book of Mormon before we'll even come back to visit you! I asked him if he would come to church and he flat out said NO I will convert you all to baptists. So that was a red flag for me. I knew we had to go.. I thought he prolly just wanted some sweet luvin too. lol....gross...
We have had some very spiritual experiences this week as well. Heavenly Father sure does have an important part. One thing I've learned this week is that you have to rid yourself of ALL DISTRACTIONS..... I can't believe how one type of conversation can distract the spirit from you.. It is really hard for me now since I have almost completed my mission. I just really wanna stay focused.
Well I gotaa go family.
Hope you all have a great week!! Send me more pics!!
Love
Chelz
We went cavin yesterday with some members. It was awesome. It was a real adventure. Taylor and Courtney went with us and it was a blast. They are just like my little sister, but only in TN. It has been pretty hot here. I'm still sportin the braid so that keeps me pretty cool durin the days.
I am havin a lot of fun on my mission, not really ready to go home yet. I meet a lot of interesting people here. It is pretty funny. How is Livvie and Easty and all ya'll doin?? I noticed that you all's emails just get shorter and shorter through the mish. haha.. Mine do too!
We are teachin a lady named Laura and she is commited for baptism on the 24th of July. She is a member referral. Gotta love the member referrals!! We meet her this week. So that will be excitin.
I found out that people here call shopping carts - (Buggies)... and that I am a East Tennessian! People say fixin and they call pop - COKE.... It's funny...
We done did a lot of tracting this week. This week has been bible bash week. We taught a guy last night named Jason and he says "I am gonna convert you 2 girls over to bapist"... and I thought oh gosh... He was so so very confused about every thing about god. I said to Him Jason look how confused you are! You gotta read and pray about the Book of Mormon before we'll even come back to visit you! I asked him if he would come to church and he flat out said NO I will convert you all to baptists. So that was a red flag for me. I knew we had to go.. I thought he prolly just wanted some sweet luvin too. lol....gross...
We have had some very spiritual experiences this week as well. Heavenly Father sure does have an important part. One thing I've learned this week is that you have to rid yourself of ALL DISTRACTIONS..... I can't believe how one type of conversation can distract the spirit from you.. It is really hard for me now since I have almost completed my mission. I just really wanna stay focused.
Well I gotaa go family.
Hope you all have a great week!! Send me more pics!!
Love
Chelz
6/28/10
Letter #41
hey you all. how ya doin. Things are good here. Brother Collettes funeral was on Thursday. The spirit does amazing things cuz I sang in the funeral. My comp and I sang "I stand all amazed" ocapella!!! Yeah I couldn't believe my ears when I said I'd do it. This sister sure don't sing. But I thought Brother Collette is one guy I would do it for. haha.. I think it sounded good. I won't ever sing in sacrament again though. The funeral was amazing. We had our ward mission leader speak and he centered it around the gospel. All of Brother Collettes family aren't member except him and his wife. We got some referreals too after the funeral. The gospel works wonders.
So how are the children? I don't hear from them. I know you can count the number of months I will be home on one hand, but no excueses. just kidding... I am doin good though. I soft commit everyone I meet and see for baptism. That is pretty cool. You really find out the ones that are seeking.. Sometimes when I say "As you come to know the truth of our message you will have a desire to be baptized...." people go.. "Well I already done did been baptized"........... lol... then I explain authority.. and then they were like... Ohhhh... It is a good sifting tooL to find those who are thee elect. I said it to one lady and she was like "OH I"M SCARED OF WATER".. haha. It was funny.
Taylor is still takin the lessons.. She is so awesome.. I love her. and then Haylee came to church yesterday she is 16. Just like alvin.
I was wonderin if all y'all could bare your testimonies and write them to Taylor. She would just LOVE THEm.. Maybe at family home evenin or somethin??????? and then send a picture of u guys.. If you thik you can handle writin a letter or 2.
I had a real neat experience on saturday. I read that thing dad that you sent me about Andrew Horner and baptizin people from wally world.. It really made me think about listenin to the spirit when I see people.. So Saturday we went to this Wedding of a family member in our ward (Sister Crowe).. and I saw this lady with a yellow dress and I felt this huge prompting to go talk to her. I got this impression. "She is the one"... SO of course I went and sat by her and started talk to her. She is Sister Crowe's sister. I started to be her friend and she started to tell me that she always loved Mormon people. lol.. I then was like well have you ever heard or been to our church???? She was like no, but my sister is a mormon (Sister Crowe).... She then started to tell me that she has had cancer and realy big health problems and she knows that she won't be here much longer and is worried she won't see her son in heaven. She started to cry. I then started to tell her about the plan of salvation and that everything that is unfair about life is made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ and that through the gospel she will see her son again and she shouldn't worry. She then had this light in her eyes and I told my companion to go get my purse and I gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet and told her to read and pray about it and then to call us. She was really worried at first cuz her husban is a penocostal preacher and realy abusive towards her. I told her it would be okay. I gave her a hug and left.
Yesterdy at church Sister Crowe comes up to me and says "I need to talk to you concerning the conversation you had with my sister yesterday" ... I thought to myself.. OH GOSH WHAT DID I Say WRONG THIS TIME.. I felt really bad cuz I thought I scared her or somethin.......Sister Crowe was then like ....."NO I want to give you a hug and thank you for takin to my sister yesterday. I have tried and tried for 20 years to get her into the church and to take discussions.. but she never was willing. Since you talked to my sister she says she wants to come to church and she wants to meet with u sisters. She called me at 2 in the morning wanting to know more about this plan of salvation and her sons family is very interested in the church as well. I just want to thank you sister Furniss.. I will call you this week so we can set up a time where you and your companion can teach my sister and her family".....
I was just in shock! I thought oh my gosh.. If I wouldn't have listenend to the spirit tellin me to talk to this lady this would have never happened. It really made me realize that openin your mouth is somethin we MUST DO. I will keep ya updated on what happens next.
Yesterday we went to a baptist church (for sister yarringotn) and it was so weird. We had a guy come up to us after the service and say... "so you're interested in christianity.. there is no evidence of the B of M.. we have manuscripts for our new version bible to prove ours"... and then he wanted to bash about the book of mormon.. I then was like "ya know sir we disagree, but we don't come here to bash.. this isn't really worth our time .. " I then started to bare testimony of the b of m and tell him about it more.....I was in a bad Mood! ha ha.. I just am sick of people wantin to bash.. We as latter day saint to comdemn other religions or talk bad about people. sheesh
well I hope all is well.. Have a great week!
love
chelz
So how are the children? I don't hear from them. I know you can count the number of months I will be home on one hand, but no excueses. just kidding... I am doin good though. I soft commit everyone I meet and see for baptism. That is pretty cool. You really find out the ones that are seeking.. Sometimes when I say "As you come to know the truth of our message you will have a desire to be baptized...." people go.. "Well I already done did been baptized"........... lol... then I explain authority.. and then they were like... Ohhhh... It is a good sifting tooL to find those who are thee elect. I said it to one lady and she was like "OH I"M SCARED OF WATER".. haha. It was funny.
Taylor is still takin the lessons.. She is so awesome.. I love her. and then Haylee came to church yesterday she is 16. Just like alvin.
I was wonderin if all y'all could bare your testimonies and write them to Taylor. She would just LOVE THEm.. Maybe at family home evenin or somethin??????? and then send a picture of u guys.. If you thik you can handle writin a letter or 2.
I had a real neat experience on saturday. I read that thing dad that you sent me about Andrew Horner and baptizin people from wally world.. It really made me think about listenin to the spirit when I see people.. So Saturday we went to this Wedding of a family member in our ward (Sister Crowe).. and I saw this lady with a yellow dress and I felt this huge prompting to go talk to her. I got this impression. "She is the one"... SO of course I went and sat by her and started talk to her. She is Sister Crowe's sister. I started to be her friend and she started to tell me that she always loved Mormon people. lol.. I then was like well have you ever heard or been to our church???? She was like no, but my sister is a mormon (Sister Crowe).... She then started to tell me that she has had cancer and realy big health problems and she knows that she won't be here much longer and is worried she won't see her son in heaven. She started to cry. I then started to tell her about the plan of salvation and that everything that is unfair about life is made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ and that through the gospel she will see her son again and she shouldn't worry. She then had this light in her eyes and I told my companion to go get my purse and I gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet and told her to read and pray about it and then to call us. She was really worried at first cuz her husban is a penocostal preacher and realy abusive towards her. I told her it would be okay. I gave her a hug and left.
Yesterdy at church Sister Crowe comes up to me and says "I need to talk to you concerning the conversation you had with my sister yesterday" ... I thought to myself.. OH GOSH WHAT DID I Say WRONG THIS TIME.. I felt really bad cuz I thought I scared her or somethin.......Sister Crowe was then like ....."NO I want to give you a hug and thank you for takin to my sister yesterday. I have tried and tried for 20 years to get her into the church and to take discussions.. but she never was willing. Since you talked to my sister she says she wants to come to church and she wants to meet with u sisters. She called me at 2 in the morning wanting to know more about this plan of salvation and her sons family is very interested in the church as well. I just want to thank you sister Furniss.. I will call you this week so we can set up a time where you and your companion can teach my sister and her family".....
I was just in shock! I thought oh my gosh.. If I wouldn't have listenend to the spirit tellin me to talk to this lady this would have never happened. It really made me realize that openin your mouth is somethin we MUST DO. I will keep ya updated on what happens next.
Yesterday we went to a baptist church (for sister yarringotn) and it was so weird. We had a guy come up to us after the service and say... "so you're interested in christianity.. there is no evidence of the B of M.. we have manuscripts for our new version bible to prove ours"... and then he wanted to bash about the book of mormon.. I then was like "ya know sir we disagree, but we don't come here to bash.. this isn't really worth our time .. " I then started to bare testimony of the b of m and tell him about it more.....I was in a bad Mood! ha ha.. I just am sick of people wantin to bash.. We as latter day saint to comdemn other religions or talk bad about people. sheesh
well I hope all is well.. Have a great week!
love
chelz
Letter #40
Hey Family. Happy Fathers Day Dad!!! I have somethin for ya.. I just haven't sent it yet. I just been busy preachin the good word of god. I will hopefully get it sent today. If not maybe I'll give it to ya for CHristmas. HAHa.. just jokin..
Will Tate be 13?? When I left he was barely 11.. WHOA! I bet he is studly hunk. How is Livvie and Easty and their parents? I don't hear from them much. I bet Livvie is cute.
Well it's been a pretty nice Sauna lately. Ya know I got my own for free here in TN. They say it's been the hottest it's been for awhile. So that is just far out crazy. I got a new companion her name is Sister Yarrington. She is from Riverton, Utah. She has been out for like 4 months. I am bascially her trainer breaker. Try and guess what that means family. ha ha .. I told her the other day that it would be a good idea if she read PGM on her mission. She agreed! hA Ha!
I love my PMG.. Man It is just marked up with every color of the rainbow. I almost love PMG as much as I love my scriptures. I heard that the only way the brethern will know if PMG is effective.. Is if my future children stay active in the church and live righteously. PRESSURRE! haha jk..
Well this week has been rough. I have lots fill ya'll in on.
Well so they were getting ready to take Brother Collette of Life support on last tuesday and guess what he WOKE UP!!! Yeah flat out miracle... He was starting to respond to people and so they decided to keep him on life support. he was progressing quite well.... On thursday they took the breathing ventilator thing out of him.. and he was doin just fine.. He even kissed Sister Collette.lol.....
So my companion and I have been meaning to go over and see Brother collete all weekend. We made him a gift basket with quotes and stuff. We just never made it.. Then when we went to church on sunday.. I was talkin with Courtney.. and I told her we were gonna go see him today. and she was like I'll drive you girls after church.. So we were like okay great.. We can go see Brother Collette and sing him some hymns!!!! As we went to go to his room.. The nurses were like.. Well he isn't here anymore he's back down in the ICU. We were like Oh......... So we go back down to the ICU.. and I see his whole family in the hallway. I go up and talk to the son named Zane.. and He told me that Brother collette had another heart attack and they were letting him go right now. I was in total SHOCK!! I did not want to be there at this time.. So we kind of just talked with the family and were there for support while they were goin in to say goodbye to brother collette. I had to call the bishop and inform him of this because no one knew about it... We talked with some of brother collettes family and they asked us about life after death and how we can be saved. We then waited for Sister Collete to come out and she said "he's gone"... I gave her a hug and told her that I loved her and talked with her a bit. It was one of the saddest things I've ever had to do. I assured her that he was teachin the gospel in the spirit world and loving every minute of it. She knew it to be true as well.
The family is still havin a really hard time. I know this will bring their kids closer to the gospel. (none of them are members). Keep the family in your prayers that they will accept the gospel to help them cope with their dads death. The funeral should be this week sometime. He will be cremated. He lived such a good life!!! I loved him so much. He was one the best guys.
On a better note. I am just workin like a mad mad dog. I feel like my time on my mission is runnin out and I still have so much to do. It's kinda bugging me. So I have been workin SO HARD. Every breathing waking moment is either talking to someone or praying for someone.. My companion thinks I'm nuts.. But she will soon come to understand her purpose as a missionary and do the same thing!!!!Yesterday I came home after we had tracted for awhile and colapsed I was so tired. I couldn't quite move to well.. My feet are really sore after walking for 14 months.. HAHA.. WOOT WOOT!!!! They are kinda lookin weird too. My feet are gettin a weird shape. lol
We are teaching Taylor and we are fasting with her on sunday so she can feel good about baptism and then we're gonna commit her for a date. The other 17 year old we're teachin is doin okay. We haven't been able to teach her very much cuz her DAD is so against bein baptized. Keep those parents in your prayers.
I don't have a desesire to hang out or talk with other missionaries either. I don't know if its cuz Im 24 and older than most missionaries or what. I'll I want to do is teach the gospel 24/7..
Well I hope ya'll have a great week. I look forward to hearing from those people who took to the cabin.
Have a good one!!
Love
Chelz
Will Tate be 13?? When I left he was barely 11.. WHOA! I bet he is studly hunk. How is Livvie and Easty and their parents? I don't hear from them much. I bet Livvie is cute.
Well it's been a pretty nice Sauna lately. Ya know I got my own for free here in TN. They say it's been the hottest it's been for awhile. So that is just far out crazy. I got a new companion her name is Sister Yarrington. She is from Riverton, Utah. She has been out for like 4 months. I am bascially her trainer breaker. Try and guess what that means family. ha ha .. I told her the other day that it would be a good idea if she read PGM on her mission. She agreed! hA Ha!
I love my PMG.. Man It is just marked up with every color of the rainbow. I almost love PMG as much as I love my scriptures. I heard that the only way the brethern will know if PMG is effective.. Is if my future children stay active in the church and live righteously. PRESSURRE! haha jk..
Well this week has been rough. I have lots fill ya'll in on.
Well so they were getting ready to take Brother Collette of Life support on last tuesday and guess what he WOKE UP!!! Yeah flat out miracle... He was starting to respond to people and so they decided to keep him on life support. he was progressing quite well.... On thursday they took the breathing ventilator thing out of him.. and he was doin just fine.. He even kissed Sister Collette.lol.....
So my companion and I have been meaning to go over and see Brother collete all weekend. We made him a gift basket with quotes and stuff. We just never made it.. Then when we went to church on sunday.. I was talkin with Courtney.. and I told her we were gonna go see him today. and she was like I'll drive you girls after church.. So we were like okay great.. We can go see Brother Collette and sing him some hymns!!!! As we went to go to his room.. The nurses were like.. Well he isn't here anymore he's back down in the ICU. We were like Oh......... So we go back down to the ICU.. and I see his whole family in the hallway. I go up and talk to the son named Zane.. and He told me that Brother collette had another heart attack and they were letting him go right now. I was in total SHOCK!! I did not want to be there at this time.. So we kind of just talked with the family and were there for support while they were goin in to say goodbye to brother collette. I had to call the bishop and inform him of this because no one knew about it... We talked with some of brother collettes family and they asked us about life after death and how we can be saved. We then waited for Sister Collete to come out and she said "he's gone"... I gave her a hug and told her that I loved her and talked with her a bit. It was one of the saddest things I've ever had to do. I assured her that he was teachin the gospel in the spirit world and loving every minute of it. She knew it to be true as well.
The family is still havin a really hard time. I know this will bring their kids closer to the gospel. (none of them are members). Keep the family in your prayers that they will accept the gospel to help them cope with their dads death. The funeral should be this week sometime. He will be cremated. He lived such a good life!!! I loved him so much. He was one the best guys.
On a better note. I am just workin like a mad mad dog. I feel like my time on my mission is runnin out and I still have so much to do. It's kinda bugging me. So I have been workin SO HARD. Every breathing waking moment is either talking to someone or praying for someone.. My companion thinks I'm nuts.. But she will soon come to understand her purpose as a missionary and do the same thing!!!!Yesterday I came home after we had tracted for awhile and colapsed I was so tired. I couldn't quite move to well.. My feet are really sore after walking for 14 months.. HAHA.. WOOT WOOT!!!! They are kinda lookin weird too. My feet are gettin a weird shape. lol
We are teaching Taylor and we are fasting with her on sunday so she can feel good about baptism and then we're gonna commit her for a date. The other 17 year old we're teachin is doin okay. We haven't been able to teach her very much cuz her DAD is so against bein baptized. Keep those parents in your prayers.
I don't have a desesire to hang out or talk with other missionaries either. I don't know if its cuz Im 24 and older than most missionaries or what. I'll I want to do is teach the gospel 24/7..
Well I hope ya'll have a great week. I look forward to hearing from those people who took to the cabin.
Have a good one!!
Love
Chelz
Letter #39
Hey Fam. How ya doin? Guess what I turned 13 months old yesterdee. Cool EH??? Hows the weather? It's 95 today. We went to the park and played like frizbee and stuff. It was okay. I feel like I am in high schooL when I am with other missionaries. It's not the greatest thing in the world. I get Elders ask me what college I'm goin too and I am like well I graduated.. then they're like WAIT HOW OLD ARE YOU? YOU LOOK LIKE YOUR 21... I then am like no 24.. Then they get all scared.. A lot of the sisters are out there flirtin it up as well. I JUST have NO DESIRE to do that. Oh well. I know I am here to baptize and thats all. LoL....
These are some cooL pics. The one of me and sister Nygren is us on the way to Elder Ballard in Nashville. We took a bus and it was fun. The other one is of me and Ricardo. We found him a couple weeks ago and he was baptized Sunday. Cool huh?? He is spanish so the Spanish Elders taught him a little bit. HE IS THE MAN!! He thinks he is famous and he works a chucky cheese.
It has been a really crazy week. We first off were goin to a recent converts house who had a baby (with a nother member)... and we pull up to her driveway and her neighbor comes running out and tells us that her husband tried to hit her and she is putting a restraining order on him. We were BLOWN away. We thought this couple was the perfect little couple in the gospel and tryin to do right. It blew my mind. We found out that the husband has been into drugs and has been doin a lot of bad things. It goes to show you that even good members have problems and they hide it very well.
THEN .. so Remember that man who called you guys and left a voice mail and he was from TN? His name is Brother Collette and he has a big southern accent? Well this man was just baptized with his wife about 3 months ago. They are an older couple. They are so great. I LOVE them so much. Brother Collete always makes us salads at his house and gives us big jugs of water. Well anywyas. It turns out Brother collette had a heart attack on saturday and he isn't gonna make it. He has major brain damage. His wife Sister Collette is devasted because she was waiting to go to the temple with him in FEB (their year mark from bein baptized)... Sister Nygren an I were crushed. Yesterday after Sacrament meeting we decided we need to go be with Sister Collete and help her feel the spirit. So we went to the ICU in Knoxville and she took us back where Brother Collette was. He was on a respirator and not responsive. It was the most awfullest thing I have ever witnessed. I have never been around anyone who was about to die. Sister Collette was just crying and asking WHY WHY WHY and we had to comfort her. She kept saying "Dennis please wake up.. DENNIS the SiSTERS ARE HERE"....... He didn't even wake up though. Sister Nygren and I just were crying and crying and hugging Sister Collette. We sang Brother Collette a song "I stand all Amazed".. and his heart beat started to go up a little on the moniter. We knew he felt the spirit...
Tomorrow they are taking the respirator out of Brother Collette. They told Sister Collette that he will not make it. It was such an awful thing to see his wife trying to make him wake up. Sister Collette is taking it terrible. She is in totaly shock. I have just been thinkin about this experience for all day. I have just been sick about it. It makes me thankful for the Plan of Salvation and that we can be with our families forever and the gospel helps us in ways we can't even imagine. I hope I don't ever have to witness that again.
BEfore Sister Nygren and I left we gave Brother Collete a Kiss and his face was so cold. We are waiting word of how he is doin. So I think you guys could keep her family in your prayers. Brother and Sister Collette are the only on baptized and hopefully this event in their families life will bring the kids closer to the church.
On a brighter note. We have a 2 young girls getting ready to be commited for baptism. They are both 18!!! I have sure taught a lot of people that age. I think its preparing me for teachin Health. I think my callin in life is to teach the youngens.... I'll let ya know when the baptism is.
Sister Nygren is getting transferred on Wed and I will be getting a new companion. I have really grown to love Sister Nygren. She is exactly like my sister Kassie. She has taught me how to serve others more.
I love you all so much. I am grateful for the gospel and I am gonna finish out my mission strongr than when I started. Tomorrow is my 1 year mark in Tennessee!!!!! Whoa that is sure crazy.
Love
Chel
These are some cooL pics. The one of me and sister Nygren is us on the way to Elder Ballard in Nashville. We took a bus and it was fun. The other one is of me and Ricardo. We found him a couple weeks ago and he was baptized Sunday. Cool huh?? He is spanish so the Spanish Elders taught him a little bit. HE IS THE MAN!! He thinks he is famous and he works a chucky cheese.
It has been a really crazy week. We first off were goin to a recent converts house who had a baby (with a nother member)... and we pull up to her driveway and her neighbor comes running out and tells us that her husband tried to hit her and she is putting a restraining order on him. We were BLOWN away. We thought this couple was the perfect little couple in the gospel and tryin to do right. It blew my mind. We found out that the husband has been into drugs and has been doin a lot of bad things. It goes to show you that even good members have problems and they hide it very well.
THEN .. so Remember that man who called you guys and left a voice mail and he was from TN? His name is Brother Collette and he has a big southern accent? Well this man was just baptized with his wife about 3 months ago. They are an older couple. They are so great. I LOVE them so much. Brother Collete always makes us salads at his house and gives us big jugs of water. Well anywyas. It turns out Brother collette had a heart attack on saturday and he isn't gonna make it. He has major brain damage. His wife Sister Collette is devasted because she was waiting to go to the temple with him in FEB (their year mark from bein baptized)... Sister Nygren an I were crushed. Yesterday after Sacrament meeting we decided we need to go be with Sister Collete and help her feel the spirit. So we went to the ICU in Knoxville and she took us back where Brother Collette was. He was on a respirator and not responsive. It was the most awfullest thing I have ever witnessed. I have never been around anyone who was about to die. Sister Collette was just crying and asking WHY WHY WHY and we had to comfort her. She kept saying "Dennis please wake up.. DENNIS the SiSTERS ARE HERE"....... He didn't even wake up though. Sister Nygren and I just were crying and crying and hugging Sister Collette. We sang Brother Collette a song "I stand all Amazed".. and his heart beat started to go up a little on the moniter. We knew he felt the spirit...
Tomorrow they are taking the respirator out of Brother Collette. They told Sister Collette that he will not make it. It was such an awful thing to see his wife trying to make him wake up. Sister Collette is taking it terrible. She is in totaly shock. I have just been thinkin about this experience for all day. I have just been sick about it. It makes me thankful for the Plan of Salvation and that we can be with our families forever and the gospel helps us in ways we can't even imagine. I hope I don't ever have to witness that again.
BEfore Sister Nygren and I left we gave Brother Collete a Kiss and his face was so cold. We are waiting word of how he is doin. So I think you guys could keep her family in your prayers. Brother and Sister Collette are the only on baptized and hopefully this event in their families life will bring the kids closer to the church.
On a brighter note. We have a 2 young girls getting ready to be commited for baptism. They are both 18!!! I have sure taught a lot of people that age. I think its preparing me for teachin Health. I think my callin in life is to teach the youngens.... I'll let ya know when the baptism is.
Sister Nygren is getting transferred on Wed and I will be getting a new companion. I have really grown to love Sister Nygren. She is exactly like my sister Kassie. She has taught me how to serve others more.
I love you all so much. I am grateful for the gospel and I am gonna finish out my mission strongr than when I started. Tomorrow is my 1 year mark in Tennessee!!!!! Whoa that is sure crazy.
Love
Chel
Letter #38
Hey yall. Sounds like Livvie's Birthday was fun. She looks a lot like Jill hen she was a baby doesn't she? Does Easton ever answer the phone and talk to people? I bet he does. ha ha. I was thinkin I haven't rode the weener in 2 years! and it will be 3 before I can Ride it again. Crazy! Ya'll better ride that weener and not pop it so I can ride it next year.: )
Things are goin good. We had 3 of our solid investigators tell us they don't want to meet with us anymore. That was kinda a bummer. We found some more people to teach though. We found 5 new investigators on Saturday in the 90 degree weather. We were wet but so wanting to find more people to teach.
I noticed that I have been dreaming about teaching the discussions like 3 times a week. I will just wake up and catch myself promising blessings or bearing my testimony and I'm like oh snap. I have been havin dreams about our investigators too. It's pretty funny if ya ask me.
We met a lady who spoke in toungues to us. She was condeming us and then spoke in this "O roo ya ha booga bogga boo" and told us that we have a major problem as mormons. We were just tracting too. It really scared the poo outa me. She made us read her a scripture out of the "mormon bible".. too. We read the one where it says "We talk to christ, we rejoice in christ and we write according to our prophecies that our children may know to which source they look for a remission of their sins"..... She was like okay good day and left. It was so weird.
There is a lot of persecution in the south. There is this family in the ward that really has somethin against us. I don't know if they have had a bad experience with the missionaries or what. They just will NOT go out with us on team ups. They are a really great spiritual family as well. It's like man we get enough persecution and rejection we sure don't need it from any members. I was reading a talk that one of the general authorities said that happiness doesn't come from your circumstance. It comes from your faith is Jesus Christ. So I just try and remember that when that time comes where I feel like I am the most hated person in the world.
I really do love my companion Sister Nygren. She keeps me goin. We are a lot a like. She has such a love for people and really wants to work hard. We get along great. Sometimes we work so hard that we forget that we are even companions. We than have to stop and be like "oh hey!".. ha ha..
Today Courtney is gonna take us to Norris Lake to look at and then we are gonna go to "Delias" in the west town mall. Sister Nygren wants to buy a new outfit for Elder Ballard. He he... Mom do u remember that Magazine Delias???? I think I might buy a new somethin somethin too. Elder Ballard is the only man I'll dress up for here in TN!! Oh and of course President. ha ha...
Well family I love you. I don't hear from any of you very much. But I know that it doesn't matter. I know I'll be home in like 5 months.. BUT I still need encouragment! The last months of your mission are the hardest. But if you don't want to write you don't have 2. : )
well talk to ya later
Love
chelz
Things are goin good. We had 3 of our solid investigators tell us they don't want to meet with us anymore. That was kinda a bummer. We found some more people to teach though. We found 5 new investigators on Saturday in the 90 degree weather. We were wet but so wanting to find more people to teach.
I noticed that I have been dreaming about teaching the discussions like 3 times a week. I will just wake up and catch myself promising blessings or bearing my testimony and I'm like oh snap. I have been havin dreams about our investigators too. It's pretty funny if ya ask me.
We met a lady who spoke in toungues to us. She was condeming us and then spoke in this "O roo ya ha booga bogga boo" and told us that we have a major problem as mormons. We were just tracting too. It really scared the poo outa me. She made us read her a scripture out of the "mormon bible".. too. We read the one where it says "We talk to christ, we rejoice in christ and we write according to our prophecies that our children may know to which source they look for a remission of their sins"..... She was like okay good day and left. It was so weird.
There is a lot of persecution in the south. There is this family in the ward that really has somethin against us. I don't know if they have had a bad experience with the missionaries or what. They just will NOT go out with us on team ups. They are a really great spiritual family as well. It's like man we get enough persecution and rejection we sure don't need it from any members. I was reading a talk that one of the general authorities said that happiness doesn't come from your circumstance. It comes from your faith is Jesus Christ. So I just try and remember that when that time comes where I feel like I am the most hated person in the world.
I really do love my companion Sister Nygren. She keeps me goin. We are a lot a like. She has such a love for people and really wants to work hard. We get along great. Sometimes we work so hard that we forget that we are even companions. We than have to stop and be like "oh hey!".. ha ha..
Today Courtney is gonna take us to Norris Lake to look at and then we are gonna go to "Delias" in the west town mall. Sister Nygren wants to buy a new outfit for Elder Ballard. He he... Mom do u remember that Magazine Delias???? I think I might buy a new somethin somethin too. Elder Ballard is the only man I'll dress up for here in TN!! Oh and of course President. ha ha...
Well family I love you. I don't hear from any of you very much. But I know that it doesn't matter. I know I'll be home in like 5 months.. BUT I still need encouragment! The last months of your mission are the hardest. But if you don't want to write you don't have 2. : )
well talk to ya later
Love
chelz
Letter #37
HEy FamiLY. hOW ya all doin? Sounds like you had a blast @ the cabin. I loved the Pictures you all sent. That was sweet. Easty looks way grown up and Livvie is gettin big too. So she can walk? Thats cooL. You'll have to send me some pics. Did you all go Boating yesterday?
All the libraries were closed yesterday because of memorial day so we didn't get a change to e-mail. We went to the mall.. HAha.. My first time in a year. I couldn't believe that I was actually in a mall. I saw real people and I was a real person too. ha ha.. I felt like a sinner when I tried on a shirt in hollister. I never felt so weird in all my life. My companion felt weird too. HAHa. We felt like even a bigger sinner when we went into Victoria Secrets to smell the perfume. We ran out real fast. LOLL.. But ya I just felt weird bein around people and when the worker guy got me a room to try on this shirt I was like oh my gosh I can't be in here!!! funny eh?
We then went to Bishop Dixons house and had a bbq. I had a dog on a bun. Then we went to wally world and bought some groceries. and came home and took a nap. What a great PDAY HUh.
So When I was training sister bean we were tracting and it was freezing and we came across this house that was full of poop. Their front porch was there litter box. I wouldn't even go up and knock on the door. I was like "OH MY GOSH I CAN"T HANDLE THIS and I ran.." But it was quite funny. Sister Bean and I called it the house of poop. BUT I mention this cuz last week Sister Nygren and I were tracting and I was gettin ready to knock on this door.. and I smelt poop.. I was like oh NOT AGAIN.. I then look down at my shoe and I stepped in POOPY! I screamed and then did the truffle all down the lawn.. The things we go through as a missionary. HA HA..
Well the bugs are out so I bought me some bug spray to prevent against West Nile. I also got me some sun screen and my spanish is gettin really good dad. I can like understand people por quito. (a little bit)..... I LOVE SPANISH PEOPLE. My next mission I am goin to pureto rico. I play in the branch and I can now understand when it's my turn to play.. cuz I hear HErmana Furniss.. HAHA.
I am pretty excited for Elder Ballarad. President Griffin told me that the best thing I can do 2 prepare for his visit is to baptize. So all be darn Im gonna do it. I miss Kentucky so badly, but I am tryin to just live in the moment in Grove park.
We are commiting 2 young girls for baptism this week. So keep them in your prayers. One new thing that I started doin.. I dunno if I told ya'll.. BUT I got a copy of the Book of Mormon and I put like my life in there. I take it tracting and I mark it up like a journal. So when I am teachin people on the streets I just look at my copy of the book of mormon and it is so HELPFUL. I keep quotes and stuff and put sticky notes in it.. It is so marked up. I carry it in my hand everywhere I go. President Griffin has asked us to carry a copy with us everywhere in public. He wants it noticable and so I even carry it to the bano with me. Thats how much I love the Book of Mormon. When cars pass us we wave it in the air so they know we are LDS missionaries. Oh its great fun. I am gonna keep it with me for the rest if my life. And after the mish I will carry it in my purse everywhere I go. COOL hUH?? Ya'll should try it. You never know when someone is gonna ask you about the church.. You can just look in your purse and pull out your Book of Mormon and then share some of your fav scriptures..
I"LL BE DARN. I can't believe it's already June and Livvie will be 1 on friday. My companion asks me what I was doin 1 year from now.. And on June 4th I was like.. Well I got a letter from my Dad that my neice was born.. I went into the bathroom in the MTC and cried.. and then went back to class like nothin ever happened and haven't cried about it since.. ha ha.. June 2nd was the day I was suppose to fly to TN.. BUT COULDN"T cuz of the piggy flu.. Then June 15th was the day I arrived into the field and greeted my Trainer Sister Allen. I then asked my trainer why there were smoke comin outa the mountains.. She was like "SISTER FURNISS ITS CALLED THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS"... HAHAHA That tells ya how smArt I am!
Well there is a tid bit from the journal for all ya'll..
THIS YEAr on June 15th we are havin a baptism.. SO what a great way to celebrate my 1 year in the field anniversary.
Well today we are goin tracting and goin to 2 appointments.. and then we are gonna go eat dinner at a house at 7:30. They have a lot of animals... : /
Well hope yall have a great week I'll takl to ya next monday
Love chelz
All the libraries were closed yesterday because of memorial day so we didn't get a change to e-mail. We went to the mall.. HAha.. My first time in a year. I couldn't believe that I was actually in a mall. I saw real people and I was a real person too. ha ha.. I felt like a sinner when I tried on a shirt in hollister. I never felt so weird in all my life. My companion felt weird too. HAHa. We felt like even a bigger sinner when we went into Victoria Secrets to smell the perfume. We ran out real fast. LOLL.. But ya I just felt weird bein around people and when the worker guy got me a room to try on this shirt I was like oh my gosh I can't be in here!!! funny eh?
We then went to Bishop Dixons house and had a bbq. I had a dog on a bun. Then we went to wally world and bought some groceries. and came home and took a nap. What a great PDAY HUh.
So When I was training sister bean we were tracting and it was freezing and we came across this house that was full of poop. Their front porch was there litter box. I wouldn't even go up and knock on the door. I was like "OH MY GOSH I CAN"T HANDLE THIS and I ran.." But it was quite funny. Sister Bean and I called it the house of poop. BUT I mention this cuz last week Sister Nygren and I were tracting and I was gettin ready to knock on this door.. and I smelt poop.. I was like oh NOT AGAIN.. I then look down at my shoe and I stepped in POOPY! I screamed and then did the truffle all down the lawn.. The things we go through as a missionary. HA HA..
Well the bugs are out so I bought me some bug spray to prevent against West Nile. I also got me some sun screen and my spanish is gettin really good dad. I can like understand people por quito. (a little bit)..... I LOVE SPANISH PEOPLE. My next mission I am goin to pureto rico. I play in the branch and I can now understand when it's my turn to play.. cuz I hear HErmana Furniss.. HAHA.
I am pretty excited for Elder Ballarad. President Griffin told me that the best thing I can do 2 prepare for his visit is to baptize. So all be darn Im gonna do it. I miss Kentucky so badly, but I am tryin to just live in the moment in Grove park.
We are commiting 2 young girls for baptism this week. So keep them in your prayers. One new thing that I started doin.. I dunno if I told ya'll.. BUT I got a copy of the Book of Mormon and I put like my life in there. I take it tracting and I mark it up like a journal. So when I am teachin people on the streets I just look at my copy of the book of mormon and it is so HELPFUL. I keep quotes and stuff and put sticky notes in it.. It is so marked up. I carry it in my hand everywhere I go. President Griffin has asked us to carry a copy with us everywhere in public. He wants it noticable and so I even carry it to the bano with me. Thats how much I love the Book of Mormon. When cars pass us we wave it in the air so they know we are LDS missionaries. Oh its great fun. I am gonna keep it with me for the rest if my life. And after the mish I will carry it in my purse everywhere I go. COOL hUH?? Ya'll should try it. You never know when someone is gonna ask you about the church.. You can just look in your purse and pull out your Book of Mormon and then share some of your fav scriptures..
I"LL BE DARN. I can't believe it's already June and Livvie will be 1 on friday. My companion asks me what I was doin 1 year from now.. And on June 4th I was like.. Well I got a letter from my Dad that my neice was born.. I went into the bathroom in the MTC and cried.. and then went back to class like nothin ever happened and haven't cried about it since.. ha ha.. June 2nd was the day I was suppose to fly to TN.. BUT COULDN"T cuz of the piggy flu.. Then June 15th was the day I arrived into the field and greeted my Trainer Sister Allen. I then asked my trainer why there were smoke comin outa the mountains.. She was like "SISTER FURNISS ITS CALLED THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS"... HAHAHA That tells ya how smArt I am!
Well there is a tid bit from the journal for all ya'll..
THIS YEAr on June 15th we are havin a baptism.. SO what a great way to celebrate my 1 year in the field anniversary.
Well today we are goin tracting and goin to 2 appointments.. and then we are gonna go eat dinner at a house at 7:30. They have a lot of animals... : /
Well hope yall have a great week I'll takl to ya next monday
Love chelz
Letter #36
Hey family. HOws it goin? ? ? Things are goin good here. I am lovin the TN weather. Where you're always hotter than a fart. How was Shrek? I didn't even know there was a 3rd one till we walked passed a Mcdonalds and it said it on a poster. ha ha. Easty likes to sit still now?? Whoa he is growin up fast. So I guess I will just mention this right now and then I'll never again. Mom and dad you can pick me up on Dec 1st at 11:00 AM (TN time) in Farragut, TN at the church house we have our meetings in. I can get released on the phone or whatever and then we can go to nashville and travel around. I will still wear my tag of course. ha ha. THen we can still have everyone at the air port when I get home right??? ALRIGHTY!!!
This week has been good. It has been rough, but very rewarding. Thanks for the package mOMM!! I realized when I got it that bein gone for 1 year.. I really do miss my family... Then I realized that I really do love my mission....I am gonna finish these 6 months out really strong wit NO distractions!!! WHoeeeee I also noticed that I am just gettin tired of begging people and members to come with us or just tryin to be the happy one all the time. : ) It sure has blessed me though and it will continue to bless me as I forget about my problems and get 2 work.
I played the piano at a baptism for the spanish Elders and Sister GRiffin and PResident Griffin were there. They told me that Elder Russel M. Ballard is comin to nashville to speak to the missionaries in the Nashville mission and they invited all the missionaries from the knoxville mission to go. So June 10th all us missionaries are goin to NASHVILLE!!! OH I am totally excited. They don't know if we are gonna take a bus or have members go wit us. So it should be rather excitin. I will fill you all in on the details as I get them.
Yesterday at church we had a couple of members bring some friends and they were all interested in learning more!!! OH the blessing of member missionary work!! We had 3 people at church yesterday and it was great. I am startin to really love it here in grove park. I am finally gettin comfortable. I hope I can spend my last 4 transfers here. That would be great.
I am have had a lot of companions that were really concerned about their weight. It can be such a distraction 2 the work. It's kinda like havin a girlfriend or boyfriend waitin at home for some missionaries.. It kinda bugs me. You can really tell who is focused and who is distracted when u look at missionaries. I aint sayin I am always focused. But even when were teachin.. I can tell when my words get all jumbled and I cant hear what the spirit wants me to say... That is when I know there are some distractions in my life.. I then gotta re-evaluate myself and think of what I need to get rid of out of my brain..... I can also tell in my companions when somethin is on their mind or they are worried about somethin within themselves (like appearance)........ I try and just be confident.. but then I think well I gotta be ware of pride.. so then I am like okay be where is my humility... Ha ha
I really do love it here in TN. I told myself I love the west.. But now that I am almost done wit my mission I think I'll probably be back quite frequently. I think we should all come back next summer and go to the TN and KY state FAIRS!! Then we can go to a KY and TN basketball game. I dont' know if I could live here either... cuz the youth have it very hard here.. The persecution that goes on here agains the mormons is very totally un - real. I think it would be hard to raise a family here. I totally am blessed and had it easy had a youngen.
THings are goin good. I am still wearin a big braid and my hair is gettin down right long. My correspondance with the out side world has basically stopped.. (besides you guys).
Well I hope all is well wit ya'll.. I will talk to ya'll next week..
LAterz
CHELz
This week has been good. It has been rough, but very rewarding. Thanks for the package mOMM!! I realized when I got it that bein gone for 1 year.. I really do miss my family... Then I realized that I really do love my mission....I am gonna finish these 6 months out really strong wit NO distractions!!! WHoeeeee I also noticed that I am just gettin tired of begging people and members to come with us or just tryin to be the happy one all the time. : ) It sure has blessed me though and it will continue to bless me as I forget about my problems and get 2 work.
I played the piano at a baptism for the spanish Elders and Sister GRiffin and PResident Griffin were there. They told me that Elder Russel M. Ballard is comin to nashville to speak to the missionaries in the Nashville mission and they invited all the missionaries from the knoxville mission to go. So June 10th all us missionaries are goin to NASHVILLE!!! OH I am totally excited. They don't know if we are gonna take a bus or have members go wit us. So it should be rather excitin. I will fill you all in on the details as I get them.
Yesterday at church we had a couple of members bring some friends and they were all interested in learning more!!! OH the blessing of member missionary work!! We had 3 people at church yesterday and it was great. I am startin to really love it here in grove park. I am finally gettin comfortable. I hope I can spend my last 4 transfers here. That would be great.
I am have had a lot of companions that were really concerned about their weight. It can be such a distraction 2 the work. It's kinda like havin a girlfriend or boyfriend waitin at home for some missionaries.. It kinda bugs me. You can really tell who is focused and who is distracted when u look at missionaries. I aint sayin I am always focused. But even when were teachin.. I can tell when my words get all jumbled and I cant hear what the spirit wants me to say... That is when I know there are some distractions in my life.. I then gotta re-evaluate myself and think of what I need to get rid of out of my brain..... I can also tell in my companions when somethin is on their mind or they are worried about somethin within themselves (like appearance)........ I try and just be confident.. but then I think well I gotta be ware of pride.. so then I am like okay be where is my humility... Ha ha
I really do love it here in TN. I told myself I love the west.. But now that I am almost done wit my mission I think I'll probably be back quite frequently. I think we should all come back next summer and go to the TN and KY state FAIRS!! Then we can go to a KY and TN basketball game. I dont' know if I could live here either... cuz the youth have it very hard here.. The persecution that goes on here agains the mormons is very totally un - real. I think it would be hard to raise a family here. I totally am blessed and had it easy had a youngen.
THings are goin good. I am still wearin a big braid and my hair is gettin down right long. My correspondance with the out side world has basically stopped.. (besides you guys).
Well I hope all is well wit ya'll.. I will talk to ya'll next week..
LAterz
CHELz
5/17/10
Letter #35
HeY FAmiLY. Wuz up? not much here. Sounds like you'll had a greeat week. I had a good one too. We have been busy knockin and talkin. We walked for 18 hours and my feet got lil swollen. HAHA... Today the weather is pretty rainy and we just washed our car. GO FIGURe. We just got done bowling with the Elders. I sent you guys some pics. The one is of the car is where the Elders pranked us and the other one is at bowling today. It was pretty fun. This week should be pretty good too. We should be havin a blasty.
We are workin hard to build this area. It is comin up strong. We found a couple of great people tracting and one guy even came to church. He is a big smoker and when he came in and sat down a member started to cough really loud and walked out. I then saw him walk to another seat. I think it was cuz the smell of smoke from this guy was so strong. lol.. I don't think John (the investigator) noticed too much. We are teachin machines here.
Hows the FAM doin? Do ya'll have plans for the summer time? It's really hot here. I forgot how hot summers were here in TN till this weekend. Whooo eee I got hot. I was just so wet all day saturday. It was fun.
I had an experience with some recent converts in our ward. It really pushed my buttons. I really love them though. One of them started to talk about President Griffin and how he wasn't very friendly person. I really stood up for President. I really love him and I won't sit there and listen to gossip. I kindly just said I love President Griffin and he is a man of god and I respect him fully. We then just changed the subject. I think it really shocked the lady I said this though. I know she will respect me though for it.
We taught a neat lady named Paula yesterday. She is really prepared. She is reading from the Book of Mormon and everything. She just hasn't been passed her front bush in like 10 years. (She is very un sociaL). We told her that if she reads from the Bookf of Mormon than it will help her get over her anxiety. She was thrilled. She wants to overcome this really badly.
Tonight we have an appointment with a lady named Hailie. She is a younger gal and she has like 1 lil baby. She says she really wants to get into church so we will see how it goes.
I loved Alvin's pics. They were so HOT! An elder walked by my comp while I was lookin at them and he was like.. "wow"... HAHA.. Alvin u got the looks!!
You guys can write me some snail mail. I need some. But things are just goin great here in Grove Park. I hope you'll have a great WEEK!!!! Talk to ya'll soon.
Love
chelz
We are workin hard to build this area. It is comin up strong. We found a couple of great people tracting and one guy even came to church. He is a big smoker and when he came in and sat down a member started to cough really loud and walked out. I then saw him walk to another seat. I think it was cuz the smell of smoke from this guy was so strong. lol.. I don't think John (the investigator) noticed too much. We are teachin machines here.
Hows the FAM doin? Do ya'll have plans for the summer time? It's really hot here. I forgot how hot summers were here in TN till this weekend. Whooo eee I got hot. I was just so wet all day saturday. It was fun.
I had an experience with some recent converts in our ward. It really pushed my buttons. I really love them though. One of them started to talk about President Griffin and how he wasn't very friendly person. I really stood up for President. I really love him and I won't sit there and listen to gossip. I kindly just said I love President Griffin and he is a man of god and I respect him fully. We then just changed the subject. I think it really shocked the lady I said this though. I know she will respect me though for it.
We taught a neat lady named Paula yesterday. She is really prepared. She is reading from the Book of Mormon and everything. She just hasn't been passed her front bush in like 10 years. (She is very un sociaL). We told her that if she reads from the Bookf of Mormon than it will help her get over her anxiety. She was thrilled. She wants to overcome this really badly.
Tonight we have an appointment with a lady named Hailie. She is a younger gal and she has like 1 lil baby. She says she really wants to get into church so we will see how it goes.
I loved Alvin's pics. They were so HOT! An elder walked by my comp while I was lookin at them and he was like.. "wow"... HAHA.. Alvin u got the looks!!
You guys can write me some snail mail. I need some. But things are just goin great here in Grove Park. I hope you'll have a great WEEK!!!! Talk to ya'll soon.
Love
chelz
Letter #34
Hey Ya'LL.. How u doin??? No flooding here yet..... We had our ward go do baptisms for the dead in Nashville.. and they didn't get home till way late cuz of all the flooding.. It was bad.. It has killed 9 people in Nasvhille.. Nashville is about 2 1/2 hours away from me here in Knoxville. We have been gettin some rain but not like bad. Our AC is broke....So I been just one sticky mess wit my hair in a bun. Its startin to get really humid here. Sister Bernard is gettin transferred and Sister Nygren and I will be here in Grove Park for 6 more weeks. Sister Bernard was pretty upset about it. She cried all during church. I felt really bad for her cuz I know how it is to be transferred and have to pack your bags. It stinks.
I found out that another guy I taught in Kentucky just got baptized. His name is Mike and he is 18 years old. Cool huh?? I jumped for joy when I found out. He was referred to us by a member. Members sure are the KEY! Courtney Stirling is getting baptized on May 7th here in Grove Park. She is almost 18 years old. She gave her testimony in sacrament yesterday and it was awesome. She has a reallly great conversion story. She has some really good fellowshippers too. Her boyfriend is on a mission in Argentina.....
My shoes are gettin worn out.. so that is a good sign huh???? This has been the fastest year of my life... I have learned so many things I never could have in Idaho. Its pretty amazin...I really am just gonna live every day up... We went on an exchange on tuesday with the Sister from West Knoxville area. That was pretty fun. The sister I was with used to date Kendall Horman... She says that his mullet was so sexy.. sick!
Poor Easty still has the mud butt. I know how he feels. I never been so sick than I have on the mission with that kinda stuff. Some food is just gross... I try and stay with fresh fruits and vegetables.. cuz thats all I can handle.
We were at some Recent converts house yetserday and they are a great couple that was baptized in Feb. The lady reminds me of Grandma PUPHAL. She is so funny and loving. She was havin a really hard time. Cuz she went to the nashville temple for the first time and wanted to have this big spiritual experience and she didn't feel nothin. She was very sad. She thought she wasn't worthy enough to go to the temple. We had to really help her and read scriptures with her to lift her back up. We then watched the movie Legacy with her and she was so much better after that. PS - How is grandma Puphal doin??
So yes... U will u guys write me some snail mail??? I sure need some this last part of the mish... I been thinkin a lot what I was doin at this time last year.. and I was PACKED and ready to Go!!! crazy huh?? President won't let me extend for 2 years.. so that is outa the question... I have been tryin to ponder and write down all the things I have learned over this past year.. I have been writin down all the lessons I've learned... I will send ya'll a copy of my thoughts... Did u get the post card I sent you guys????
So yesterday we were teachin these 21 year old guys.. and there stupid cat kept comin over and meowin at me.. and I got so scared.... I kept tryin to push it with my scriptures.. and finally the guy was like are u alergic to cats I can get him out???....> So of course I tell people I am allergic to cats...It works everytime.. So I honestly one time told a family I was diabetic.. cuz they kept offering and pushin me to eat a brownie and ice cream!!!! LOL.. I repented after that.. Members sure do push you 2 do things.. hHAHA.. jk...
Well I'll talk to ya'll sunday!!!!! Tell the apontes to be there.. I gotta talk to easty too!!
Love
CHelz
I found out that another guy I taught in Kentucky just got baptized. His name is Mike and he is 18 years old. Cool huh?? I jumped for joy when I found out. He was referred to us by a member. Members sure are the KEY! Courtney Stirling is getting baptized on May 7th here in Grove Park. She is almost 18 years old. She gave her testimony in sacrament yesterday and it was awesome. She has a reallly great conversion story. She has some really good fellowshippers too. Her boyfriend is on a mission in Argentina.....
My shoes are gettin worn out.. so that is a good sign huh???? This has been the fastest year of my life... I have learned so many things I never could have in Idaho. Its pretty amazin...I really am just gonna live every day up... We went on an exchange on tuesday with the Sister from West Knoxville area. That was pretty fun. The sister I was with used to date Kendall Horman... She says that his mullet was so sexy.. sick!
Poor Easty still has the mud butt. I know how he feels. I never been so sick than I have on the mission with that kinda stuff. Some food is just gross... I try and stay with fresh fruits and vegetables.. cuz thats all I can handle.
We were at some Recent converts house yetserday and they are a great couple that was baptized in Feb. The lady reminds me of Grandma PUPHAL. She is so funny and loving. She was havin a really hard time. Cuz she went to the nashville temple for the first time and wanted to have this big spiritual experience and she didn't feel nothin. She was very sad. She thought she wasn't worthy enough to go to the temple. We had to really help her and read scriptures with her to lift her back up. We then watched the movie Legacy with her and she was so much better after that. PS - How is grandma Puphal doin??
So yes... U will u guys write me some snail mail??? I sure need some this last part of the mish... I been thinkin a lot what I was doin at this time last year.. and I was PACKED and ready to Go!!! crazy huh?? President won't let me extend for 2 years.. so that is outa the question... I have been tryin to ponder and write down all the things I have learned over this past year.. I have been writin down all the lessons I've learned... I will send ya'll a copy of my thoughts... Did u get the post card I sent you guys????
So yesterday we were teachin these 21 year old guys.. and there stupid cat kept comin over and meowin at me.. and I got so scared.... I kept tryin to push it with my scriptures.. and finally the guy was like are u alergic to cats I can get him out???....> So of course I tell people I am allergic to cats...It works everytime.. So I honestly one time told a family I was diabetic.. cuz they kept offering and pushin me to eat a brownie and ice cream!!!! LOL.. I repented after that.. Members sure do push you 2 do things.. hHAHA.. jk...
Well I'll talk to ya'll sunday!!!!! Tell the apontes to be there.. I gotta talk to easty too!!
Love
CHelz
Letter #33
(PLEASE FORGIVE MY {SISTER} FOR NOT UPDATING RECENTLY... I {sister} will Repent)
Hey Fam. How is goin? It good here. I am jus sittin here in the Lib writin online. This week has been a good one. I have had to learn how to be patient with my comp, I learned a lot though. Somedays I feel like a mommy makin her do things. BUT when its got to get done its GOT 2 get DONE. I hope Easty's mud butt is doin better. I tend to get it a lot down here in the south where they cook that southern cookin. bLAH! : ) One year from yesterday I gave my farwell talk. Crazy huh?? It went by super fast. I was so different back then. ha ha.. We had interviews with President this las week. He made me feel so good. The first thing he told me was how proud he was of me and how highly he thought of me and he said that I was doing great things. He said that I should never worry about what he thought of me cuz it was always great. I sure do love President Griffin. He is a little intimating @ first, but such a great man.
We tracted a lot, had a lot of doors slammed. It wasn't too bad. Whenever I get rejected I tell myself "YOU ARE A SEXY BEAST"........ that boosts my confidence a lot . ya know? I noticed that we were never praying and asking Heavenly Father where we should go tracting. So I thought that maybe we weren't tracting where he wanted us to and thats why we weren't enjoying the tracting. So we started to pray where to go and it was so much more happenin. Yesterday we talked to a couple of people and I met 2 people who said they reminded me of their grandaughter. LOL. . My companions are very discouraged with the work. I tell myself to NOT get discouraged cuz that will break you as a missionary. I have 2 tell my one companion to do things like (add up mileage, call people, what to say in lessons, what we're gonna teach, and who to talk to at church)....cuz she just thinks she can't and won't do it unless I push her.... She got way mad at me yesterday for tellin her that she needed to get the job done cuz we receive blessings as we are obedient even in the little things (like keeping track of our miles) . . . ..It is weird, but hey I love her.
I been havin like a 1 year crisis or somethin. HAHA.... I noticed I set all these goals ya know at the begginning of my mission and I was like CRAP what if I don't accomplish these and reach my fullest potential... THen I told myself these goals I set are LIFE LONG GOALS.. and even though I won't have a tag in 7 months.. I will still be a member missionary. THAT MADE ME FEEL BETTER.. I then ya know hear all these missionaries saying how they are goin to this college and that college and seeing all there friends again... I kinda think man.. all my friends are not even there when I get home and they all are poppin out babies... and I have to go be a grown-up.... I just try not to talk about it.. haha...lol..
THings are REALLY REALLY good though. Man I am just so comfortable with bein a missionary. I felt like this is what I have been born to do. ha ha. The people here live in these huge million dollar houses. They are like really lonely though so thats good. We met a lady named Margie that loves Glen Beck and Mitt Romney. She thinks she is already a mormon. She is a hypocondrach though and she is on pills. She lives in a way HUGE HUGE house that is super nice... She lives a lone so when we go talk to her at her house she just TALKS UP A STORM. She says thats what happens when u live a lone.. u want to talk a lot. lol..... she read us this really nasty letter about me and my companions that her sister wrote her. It was about how we are a cult and not true christians. I about cried. I couldn't believe she read it to us... I then just bore my testimony that we are not a cult and that we are christains.
There are so many stupid mis conceptions about our church. Members here in the south have it ROUGH...
Well fam I hope that that one BYUI teachers husband is doin good. What a tragedy. I am glad that I don't hear about these tragedys on a missions. I feel like I in a nother WORLD.. lol....LOVE IT...
Well have a great week. I'll talk to all ya'll on mothers day. That is the last time I will ahve to talk to ya'll on the phone.. then You'll JUSt see me!whoa
Love
chelz
Hey Fam. How is goin? It good here. I am jus sittin here in the Lib writin online. This week has been a good one. I have had to learn how to be patient with my comp, I learned a lot though. Somedays I feel like a mommy makin her do things. BUT when its got to get done its GOT 2 get DONE. I hope Easty's mud butt is doin better. I tend to get it a lot down here in the south where they cook that southern cookin. bLAH! : ) One year from yesterday I gave my farwell talk. Crazy huh?? It went by super fast. I was so different back then. ha ha.. We had interviews with President this las week. He made me feel so good. The first thing he told me was how proud he was of me and how highly he thought of me and he said that I was doing great things. He said that I should never worry about what he thought of me cuz it was always great. I sure do love President Griffin. He is a little intimating @ first, but such a great man.
We tracted a lot, had a lot of doors slammed. It wasn't too bad. Whenever I get rejected I tell myself "YOU ARE A SEXY BEAST"........ that boosts my confidence a lot . ya know? I noticed that we were never praying and asking Heavenly Father where we should go tracting. So I thought that maybe we weren't tracting where he wanted us to and thats why we weren't enjoying the tracting. So we started to pray where to go and it was so much more happenin. Yesterday we talked to a couple of people and I met 2 people who said they reminded me of their grandaughter. LOL. . My companions are very discouraged with the work. I tell myself to NOT get discouraged cuz that will break you as a missionary. I have 2 tell my one companion to do things like (add up mileage, call people, what to say in lessons, what we're gonna teach, and who to talk to at church)....cuz she just thinks she can't and won't do it unless I push her.... She got way mad at me yesterday for tellin her that she needed to get the job done cuz we receive blessings as we are obedient even in the little things (like keeping track of our miles) . . . ..It is weird, but hey I love her.
I been havin like a 1 year crisis or somethin. HAHA.... I noticed I set all these goals ya know at the begginning of my mission and I was like CRAP what if I don't accomplish these and reach my fullest potential... THen I told myself these goals I set are LIFE LONG GOALS.. and even though I won't have a tag in 7 months.. I will still be a member missionary. THAT MADE ME FEEL BETTER.. I then ya know hear all these missionaries saying how they are goin to this college and that college and seeing all there friends again... I kinda think man.. all my friends are not even there when I get home and they all are poppin out babies... and I have to go be a grown-up.... I just try not to talk about it.. haha...lol..
THings are REALLY REALLY good though. Man I am just so comfortable with bein a missionary. I felt like this is what I have been born to do. ha ha. The people here live in these huge million dollar houses. They are like really lonely though so thats good. We met a lady named Margie that loves Glen Beck and Mitt Romney. She thinks she is already a mormon. She is a hypocondrach though and she is on pills. She lives in a way HUGE HUGE house that is super nice... She lives a lone so when we go talk to her at her house she just TALKS UP A STORM. She says thats what happens when u live a lone.. u want to talk a lot. lol..... she read us this really nasty letter about me and my companions that her sister wrote her. It was about how we are a cult and not true christians. I about cried. I couldn't believe she read it to us... I then just bore my testimony that we are not a cult and that we are christains.
There are so many stupid mis conceptions about our church. Members here in the south have it ROUGH...
Well fam I hope that that one BYUI teachers husband is doin good. What a tragedy. I am glad that I don't hear about these tragedys on a missions. I feel like I in a nother WORLD.. lol....LOVE IT...
Well have a great week. I'll talk to all ya'll on mothers day. That is the last time I will ahve to talk to ya'll on the phone.. then You'll JUSt see me!whoa
Love
chelz
4/12/10
Letter #32
Hey Family. How ya all doin? It sounds like you all had a good time in sin City. I should have had u meet one of my companions who lives in Vegas. Her name is Sara Hales. She lives right by the Temple. She got home in January. I wished I could have gone to vegas, but I'm glad I am in TN. Were ya'll there for a Basketball Tournament right? I couldn't quite remember.
Well I am serving in Knoxville (the city). I am in the Grove Park Ward. It is the biggest ward I have been in as of yet on my mission. It isn't quite as big as Labelle 1st ward. I am in a 3-some. We sleep in a little room with 3 beds crammed in it. It gets a little muggy, but usually I am so tired I just hit the bed and don't wake up intil 6:30 AM. I have almost been out for 11 months!
I feel like I am gettin more more confident with bein a missionary and the routine. I LOVED training and that was where I learned to be happy on the mission. That really boosted the confidence, cuz I had to be the big girl.
It is already in the 80's here and I am sweatin 24/7. We get a lot of good member referrals here in the Grove Park Ward. We knocked doors for 18 hours and 30 minutes this las week. I got a little dehydrated (you know what that means). I was on the golden throne for a couple days. I am kinda over that sickness though. I have been tryin to drink more water cuz I hear u can get kidney stones if u dont drink enough water. We tracted in a ghetto trailor park and there was some guys playin some bball so I told the comps that we should play with them.. We played a game of lightenin with them and then said they had to come to church with us. They rejected. It was funny cuz they all had ciggarettes in their mouths while they were playin basketball with us.. HA HA. No wonder they suck cuz they can't BREATHe!
We had a man that was commited for baptism, but now he is not. His girlfriend got really mad at us for teaching him. One day she stormed in the room while we were teachin him and oh my goodness guess what lesson we were teachin LAW OF CHASTITY. She was very upset at me.. LOL... She thought that I was tellin her boyfried that if he slept with girls before marriage that he wasn't worthy to be with god.. (she was just pickin at everythin)... We tried to meet all her concerns. She was fumin though. LOL... The next week we went back to continue to make daily contact with this man who was commited and we showed up at his house and he was drunk. It was horrible. I knew being the senior companion that we shouldn't be there, so I told him that the only way to be happy is to stop drinking and smoking and then I told him when he wants to be baptized to call us. He then called us when we left and I said to him "Don't call us ever again if you're drunk, we are here to help you draw closer to christ, but you won't learn by the spirit if you're drunk"... He said okay and said I won't call u when I'm drunk anymore. We haven't heard from him since.
We also met a guy named CARLOS tracting!! He needs a good member to fellowship him that speaks spanish. He is so awesome. He comes from El Salvador and he wants to know christ better. He has a big accent, but he still speaks english. He is gonna be baptized soon.
I found out from the Blacks (whitley city senior couple).. that 2 people that I taught in Whitley City are commited to be baptized the end of this month! WOOT!!! I really miss my home in Kentucky and it's been hard to be away cuz we had to much success there. I know that more success is to come here though.
I love ya'll so much. I get to talk to ya'll in 1 month! Then after that I'll see ya'll in person! No more phone calls.. woot woot... How is kass doin?? I know since she has a boyfriend her emailing me will probably stop. Keep writin me and emailin me! I promise I will write back. My correspondance with the outside world has basically stopped.. lol.. I don't even write my friends at home anymore. I write my friends on the mission. lol
Well I'll talk to ya'll soon! I love you all so much
Chelz
Well I am serving in Knoxville (the city). I am in the Grove Park Ward. It is the biggest ward I have been in as of yet on my mission. It isn't quite as big as Labelle 1st ward. I am in a 3-some. We sleep in a little room with 3 beds crammed in it. It gets a little muggy, but usually I am so tired I just hit the bed and don't wake up intil 6:30 AM. I have almost been out for 11 months!
I feel like I am gettin more more confident with bein a missionary and the routine. I LOVED training and that was where I learned to be happy on the mission. That really boosted the confidence, cuz I had to be the big girl.
It is already in the 80's here and I am sweatin 24/7. We get a lot of good member referrals here in the Grove Park Ward. We knocked doors for 18 hours and 30 minutes this las week. I got a little dehydrated (you know what that means). I was on the golden throne for a couple days. I am kinda over that sickness though. I have been tryin to drink more water cuz I hear u can get kidney stones if u dont drink enough water. We tracted in a ghetto trailor park and there was some guys playin some bball so I told the comps that we should play with them.. We played a game of lightenin with them and then said they had to come to church with us. They rejected. It was funny cuz they all had ciggarettes in their mouths while they were playin basketball with us.. HA HA. No wonder they suck cuz they can't BREATHe!
We had a man that was commited for baptism, but now he is not. His girlfriend got really mad at us for teaching him. One day she stormed in the room while we were teachin him and oh my goodness guess what lesson we were teachin LAW OF CHASTITY. She was very upset at me.. LOL... She thought that I was tellin her boyfried that if he slept with girls before marriage that he wasn't worthy to be with god.. (she was just pickin at everythin)... We tried to meet all her concerns. She was fumin though. LOL... The next week we went back to continue to make daily contact with this man who was commited and we showed up at his house and he was drunk. It was horrible. I knew being the senior companion that we shouldn't be there, so I told him that the only way to be happy is to stop drinking and smoking and then I told him when he wants to be baptized to call us. He then called us when we left and I said to him "Don't call us ever again if you're drunk, we are here to help you draw closer to christ, but you won't learn by the spirit if you're drunk"... He said okay and said I won't call u when I'm drunk anymore. We haven't heard from him since.
We also met a guy named CARLOS tracting!! He needs a good member to fellowship him that speaks spanish. He is so awesome. He comes from El Salvador and he wants to know christ better. He has a big accent, but he still speaks english. He is gonna be baptized soon.
I found out from the Blacks (whitley city senior couple).. that 2 people that I taught in Whitley City are commited to be baptized the end of this month! WOOT!!! I really miss my home in Kentucky and it's been hard to be away cuz we had to much success there. I know that more success is to come here though.
I love ya'll so much. I get to talk to ya'll in 1 month! Then after that I'll see ya'll in person! No more phone calls.. woot woot... How is kass doin?? I know since she has a boyfriend her emailing me will probably stop. Keep writin me and emailin me! I promise I will write back. My correspondance with the outside world has basically stopped.. lol.. I don't even write my friends at home anymore. I write my friends on the mission. lol
Well I'll talk to ya'll soon! I love you all so much
Chelz
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