Possibly Overwhelmed and in Need of Letter Lovin!

Sounds as if Hermana Myers could use some support.  For me it is hard to know what to tell her in the letters we send her. There is a mission blog that her mission president and his wife keep up.  On Sunday her mission president posted this. So they are working on being more obedient in what they have control over as missionaries and I love the scripture he shared. Doctrine and Covenants 123:17

 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. "

President Van Cott wants his missionaries to work hard in the mornings before they go out into the world and at the evening's planning before they go to bed. I don't know if trying to do all that President wants her to do is where she feels she fell short this week or what, but it would be nice for her to know  how awesome we think she is and that we know she can do all things when she puts her trust in the Lord. Over at the right is her address and email if you would take a minute to flood either her mailbox or inbox, I know she'd appreciate it.

Here is her email this week.  Even though she thinks it is not inspiring I don't only want to share the exceptional weeks.  A mission is a work in progress and sometimes gets tough.  Sounds like she had a tough week.

This is going to be a really short email again. Really sorry but this week was kind of a mess. Not a whole lot of good things to report. You don't need to put this one on the blog. It's not going to inspire anyone.

I haven't been able to yet (get her Hep A shot) because I can't find a place that will take our insurance and I also don't have my immunization record.

We don't find out about transfers until this Saturday.... and even if I don't get transferred my address will change... well the apartment number will. President called us today and told us to start packing because we're moving apartments to a 2 bedroom in the same complex so they can put sisters in one of the English wards. My stress level just shot through the roof.

We have our Noche de Hogar(Family Home Evening, a gathering where the gospel is taught in the home) that we've been planning for the last month tonight. Hope all goes well. Wish us luck.

I wish I could be there with all of you!(maybe sharing even a little of vacation did not help a bad week) I'll try really hard to be interesting next week, I promise.

Love,

Hermana Myers

P.S. I dyed my hair a darker brown for the first time to get rid of my greys. Yay.

Even though Hermana Myers thinks this is not interesting I can still sense she wants to please the Lord with her service and that is what is important because it is His work.  I love her and I am proud that she is willing to stretch herself in His service.

And I Thought the Fire Was on the Other Side of the Mountain

Mama,

Just so you know, I currently look like an idiot because there is something in my eye and I can't get it out so only half of my face is crying in the middle of the library... anywho.

Couple things super duper quick before I forget:

I'm going to buy another memory card at Wal-Mart because the extra one I had only holds like, two pictures and it's lame. Plus I have videos that I really want to keep but are taking up all the room on my current memory card so I'll just keep one in my camera then send the other home so you can put all the stuff on the computer and send it back in time for the next.

 I want to be in Utah with the McCrackens and the Roundys! I didn't even know Ana Maria was pregnant! I'm out of the loop... I hope you're enjoying yourself. I actually had a dream the other day that you decided to come visit California but could never find me.

With transfers right around the corner, we're all a little anxious/dreading the change. Our zone is super tight. Like, super tight. It's so much fun. And I don't want anyone to leave or leave myself but at the same time, I wouldn't mind something new. It'll be interesting to see if me and Hermana Fogg are separated. People keep asking us what we're going to do. I have no idea.

I don't know if you heard anything on the news about the wildfires in southern California, but they were on the mountain range right next to Cat City. Super awesome pictures. A little scary though. Especially because we're the ones that live the closest to the mountains and everyone else lives in Palm Desert. So we're all alone.

We went bowling for our zone activity on Monday and that was an interesting experience. I don't know what happened, but I suddenly am very terrible at bowling. It was still a good time though. That was when all the fires started too. Good times.

 

On Tuesday we tried an English fast.( meaning she and her  companion would not speak English) That lasted until we got out of our apartment and were back in America. It's always interesting when we start talking to people in Spanish and they just reply with, "I speak English." insulted or not. Excuse me for trying to speak the language you're probably more comfortable with. I know I'm not with yours.

I can't even think about all the stuff that happened this week. I'm sorry, I'm a little spacy. I just keep thinking about transfers and the fire. (Ok, now I think I might just live her dream, just a little nervous, but I checked and the fire is now 85% contained and I know members would take care of her.)

This was a super good week. All together we had 13 lessons which is the most I've had since I've been here. We're trying to see members a lot more now so that's always fun.

I'm really sorry this email is a little short and I probably won't write a hand written letter because I don't think I'll have time to today. I'm just exhausted. This whole heat thing is really getting to me. And it was humid this week. What's that all about? I thought I was in the desert.

How're Kara and Rhina doing with their mission papers? Anyone else decide to serve a mission? How's the branch doing? I sometimes just want to come home so I can help the missionaries. It's a little hard when the ward doesn't work to help the missionaries but now that we gave talks on missionary work and all that jazz, the branch(in CA) is super excited.

Hope all is well in Iowa and Utah!

Hermana Myers

I realized all my pictures were of the fire and a giant bug(sorry I couldn't find the bug ones on my gmail so I will try and remember when I get home)... so I took some of me.

Don't worry, the bright yellow is the sunset, not the flames.

The Quick Email with More to Come in A Written Letter Later.

Mommy,

I actually don't remember everything I wrote in the hand written letter. You're welcome to! I'm an open book. (I waited to post the letter until I was given the OK)

Thank you so much for the dictionary! I haven't gotten it yet but I appreciate it!

We're thinking it's just this heat. We're never hungry, we're staying really hydrated (and I'm not saying that to make you happy as a mother, but we seriously have to pee every five minutes. Luckily we're on the same schedule) and we just have stomache aches a lot. I'm pretty sure it's just the heat. Although it only got up to 98 the other day. It was weird... and humid... also a weird sinsation that I haven't felt in a while.

I'm keeping an eye on it. Thanks for takin' care of me :). I try not to spend my money frivorously, I promise.

HE GOT AN IPAD FROM THE MTC?!?!

Sorry... I pushed a button and it sent that message. My bad... Where was I? Oh yeah...

HE GOT AN IPAD FROM THE MTC?!!?!? That's lame.( A friend of mine's son entered the MTC at the end of June and was issued an Ipad for his mission on day 1, notice the jealousy in Hermana Myers tone.)

I did not get Man's Search for Happiness... is it that one or is it Our Search for Happiness that's in the missionary library? I dunno.(Just checked I did order her the right one)

 

I have no clue what President Park's family does with the goat... I think they feed it (which sounds really dumb, but President Parks does a lot with palm trees like make date paste and goat food... so I think he's the taste tester).

If Dad could send it in the mail(I emailed her my English version of the letter to her investigator whose young daughter passed away. Ken will translate it into Spanish and then we will send it on.) so I can give it to her, that'd be great. Thank you so much! And her name is S. Yeah, I know, interesting name.

 

So I would love to tell you all about this week in email... but I don't have a whole lot more time and I want to make sure I send all my pictures/videos BUT I did read 2 1/2 chapters of Jesus the Christ WITHOUT a dictionary and understood most of it. Like a boss.

 

I'll write more in my handwritten letter. 

 

Much love,

Hermana Myers

A Very Newsy Handwritten Letter- Love it!

Wow this mission thing is really changing our Chloe. We hear from her more now than we ever did while she was at college!

Hola Familia!
     Sorry I've been kind of bad about hand written letters.  P-days fill up fast and I'm really starting to not enjoy them because of stress.  But I digress.
     The last few weeks have been a roller coaster between being sick,(yes I freaked a little but she explains in her email this week) Spanish, and just being a new missionary.  I'm proud of myself for surviving.  This week was actually pretty good.  On Monday we had a lesson with a lady  named M.  She's in her 50's and from Guatemala.  She's super sweet and was really interested in the Restoration.  The Spirit was so strong and it actually flowed really well.  I can see the progress Hermana F and I have made in our teaching.  There aren't as many awkward pauses because we don't know what to say.  We're more in tuned with the Spirit because we are not worrying (as much) about the language.  Unfortunately we haven't been able to get back with M. This is always the hardest.  We get in for a harvesting blessing, then for the first lesson, then after that they just stop being home.  I really hope that doesn't happen with her.
     Before I forget, I will be sending  back the Spanish/English dictionary.  Although I appreciate it, I now have 3.  So you will be receiving 2 and if you could send an English pocket dictionary, I could use it for when I start reading Jesus the Christ.  Also, could you send my sheet music for "Christmas Time is Here?" I think that's all the business stuff I forgot in my email.  Oh yeah, and if you could let me know my current account balance, I'd appreciate it. :)
   Our other investigator's name is J. She's also from Guatemala and speaks perfect English which is nice because we try to teach as much in Spanish as we can and if we don't know something, she helps us.  She's interesting because she's already religious so whenever we ask about prayers or reading the Book of Mormon, she gets defensive, especially about the Book of Mormon.  Not in a bad, like we insulted her defensive, just in a way that she wants us to know she does do it.  It's actually pretty endearing. We had a lesson with her on Thursday about prayer and on Saturday about the Restoration.  She seems really receptive so I'm excited to see her progress.  When we talked about the Book of Mormon I made sure that I stressed how important it was to read.  I'm excited to see if she did or not.  We left her Alma 36.  She seemed excited so we shall see.
    Our last investigators are actually a family.  They just recently lost their 10-year-old daughter.  I didn't catch how, or if they even said how, but we watched the Together Forever videos.  The members that were with us talked to them a lot more than we did which was a little frustrating because we didn't actually get to teach but we appreciated their enthusiasm.  I really wanted to talk to the mom about Sarah, but then I realized that I didn't really understand what was going on when she died so I actually have a favor to ask of you, Mom and Dad.  could you write a letter to her about how the Gospel helped you when you lost your baby daughter?  Her name is S.  if you just want to send it to me, I can give it to her and then she'll know who it is from.  I won't read them if you don't want me to though. But if you could do that I think it would help a lot.
     I think that's all I've got on the spiritual side of the mission.  I told Carter I'm reading the Book of Mormon and marking all the important scriptures to me right now and all the ones about how I can be a better missionary and I'm going to send it to him when I'm done.  The scripture he should put on his plaque is Alma 42:31.  I don't know why everyone complains about Alma.  It's long, but it's so good!

Hermana Myers

I can see the progress, can you?

Wow, She Loves the Place and People Where She Serves

Parents:

I did learn how to make tamales... kind of...(hopefully she will practice so she can teach me)

Oh. I get you about not coming out. I guess I didn't realize that was in the Church Handbook.(Church Handbook of Instructions, " The Church discourages parents from picking up missionaries.") Oh well. So Christmas Break 2014, Palm Desert, CA yeah? There's a LegoLand near by! That's aweseome that Sam is District Leader! And Mary started sending me her weekly emails plus we email each other anyway but I appreciate it because I don't usually have time to read the weekly email.

 

There is a reason it is called Palm Desert

So every P-Day we tend to hang out with the other sisters in our zone. Last Monday we were at their house and we had to leave some food there while we taught a lesson in Palm Desert (where they live). We went back to their apartment when they weren't there to pick up the food and also to take pictures on Sister M's camera... it was great.

 

On Tuesday we had a ZDM(guessing Zone District Meeting) that was pretty awesome. We were working on OYMs (Open Your Mouth, as in initiate a gospel conversation with someone.) and it was pretty much like an improv game. It made me happy. The last one there was about 6 elders all acting like a family having a BBQ when the ZLs(zone leader) had to OYM them. It was great.

 

On Wednesday we met President Van Cott. Get this: within a year, all of the responsible companionships will have an iPad and be able to use Facebook for missionary work. Jealous? I think it's weird but the work is hastening. We're also no longer accountable for OYMs. With the new look on missionary work, we're really focusing right now on visiting less actives and just members in general and teaching them lessons. It's pretty interesting in trying to teach someone to come closer to Christ instead of teaching to convert. Our purpose is to invite everyone to come unto Christ, but your teaching method changes a little if they're already a member.

 

On the Fourth we went to President Park's house for a BBQ. That's what most of my pictures are from. Elder Christensen was in charge of lighting the grill and getting the T.V. set up to watch Mormon messages. As you can see, he did a great job.

 

Now for the sad news. Hermana R got transfered to Fontana because she's allergic to severe climate changes so every time she walks into air conditioning, then into the heat, then back into air conditioning, she would get really sick. So that was bad. But yeah, we got about an hours notice to clean our apartment and get her packed so President Van Cott could come pick her up. That was interesting. That night Hermana F and I decided to have a little bit of Christmas. All day we were feeling sick anyway, so when we got home we just changed into our pajamas and watched Joy to the World(The Church's video about the birth of Christ). Now today our hangout session with the Sisters is Christmas, hot coco and all.

 

In case you were worried about me, don't be. Yesterday in Relief Society, they were passing our calender around to fill it out and one of the sisters, Hermana C says (in Spanish),"Now sisters, these girls' mothers trust us to take care of their daughters. Their mom's aren't here to feed them, we are. We need to take care of them." And a bunch of other sweet stuff about them being our temporary moms and all that jazz. It was cute. And now we have a full calender for dinners. Also, don't be affraid to give the Elders money sometimes. It's nice to be able to eat whatever you want, whenever and not have to worry about pleasing anyone with how much you eat.

 

My Spanish is starting to come along. If we only talk about Gospel related things, I do pretty well. I need to work on that conversational stuff... We'll see how that goes.

 

Much love,

Hermana Myers

Oh yeah, President P(the branch president) has a pet goat...

Day 1: California Redlands Mission

Hola Familia!

First off: You didn't say anything about picking me up in Cali.

In response to what you wrote:

I'm am good on clothes for the next few months! I actually was able to get a few from a sister that went home this transfer.

I thought it was July 17th that I had to get it done? Anywho, I'll get going on that.

Hermana Rosales is from Mexico City. She says about 10 minutes away from the temple but I don't know Mexico City very well so I couldn't tell you more.

THANK YOU FOR SENDING ME THE BABY NAME!!!! I've been wondering about that for awhile :).

We'll save the discussion about heat for later in the email...

I'm glad Carter's enjoying euph. It's a good instrument. Is Polly seriously done on Tuesday?! That's ridiculous! It went so fast. I wonder if it did for her too.

For the 4th of July we're having a party at our branch president's (President Parks) house. He's the one who had us over to Skype and he's the only other American in our branch. (Not sure if she means English-speaker or actually American.) So it's going to be a blast!

Thank you for sending the music and everything! We don't necessarily get bored of the same music, we just start thinking of other music from home that we could get. Were you able to find my CD case?

Also, from what I understand is you can send it(snail mail) to the Redlands mission home, but they won't forward it on so it would just be faster to send it to where ever I'm living. They also have the map of the Redlands mission up now. It's pretty much half
of the Riverside mission, with parts of San Bernadino.

Random question: Are you going to keep both my plaques up? Because that would be funny... Don't have to though

Now for my weekly adventures:

We volunteered at a dog kennel on Monday. That was interesting... I'm really bad at catching dogs, in case you were wondering. Also, we were walking around trying to talk to people and this family had a HUGE tortoise in their front lawn. WHAAAAT?!?!! It was great. Only in Cali. We also were walking to our car after visiting a member and three cop cars drove by. Low and behold, one block down there was a drug bust... only in Cathedral City... I also was playing on the play ground at the P-Day activity and fell and bruised up my leg pretty bad. First time I had gotten hurt on a play ground in a loooong time. And that was all on Monday. Phew.

Last picture with President and Sister Smart

Guess what I ate on Wednesday... If you guessed chicken foot soup and tacos de lengua, you would be correct. We always eat weird things at the Cardosos but it's always an adventure. And he's a really good cook. I like tacos de lengua... I can deal without the chicken foot. Oh yeah, we also OYMed a Jehovah's Witness... who thought we were Jehovah's Witnesses... awkward...

So on Friday we had the big mission split, mostly because that was the day that President and Sister Van Cott arrived. So that was when we had the big trainer/trainee meeting. We were saying goodbyes and guess what. President Smart hugged me. It was sweet but probably the weirdest thing that has happened to me on my mission. I was doing so well with the whole, no-contact-with-opposite-sex thing... but apparently he and Sister Smart got permission to hug the leaving missionaries. So it was great. I'm going to miss them.

Proof it really was hot in the desert on Saturday

So who wants to play guess how hot it was on Saturday? Anyone, anyone? I'll tell you: 122 degrees. I thought I was going to melt. And you know what doesn't go well with that kind of heat. Menudo. That's right. I, Hermana Myers, ate menudo. Ewwww. At the Cardosos too. Like I said, always an adventure.

Then there was yesterday. We were struggling to find the last few people we needed to talk to but we drove by a fireworks stand and saw a ton of people. Perfect opportunity, right? You would think so. We walked over and started talking to people, turns out the stand was run by a local Baptist church and this was all their youth and volunteers from their church... oops.

Anywho, hope everything is well in Iowa and everywhere else! Enjoy the pictures!

Hermana Myers