Thursday, March 24, 2011

Email chat…….sort of…….3/23/11

Okay so I'm guessing that right now you are having a wonderful, yummy lunch with Maria Carr... tell her I say hi and wish them the best, also I am very grateful for her letters. Thanks for your letter, I always love reading them, I always feel like I know what is happening over there. It is so crazy cuz I see people living real life, but I feel like I don't know how to live that way anymore. It’s hard to explain, but it's like I'm losing memory of living a normal life. LOL.

Oh boy, have things been insanely awful!!!! The stress is just ridiculous and the changes in this mission are a constant go. We never know what is happening until the night before, and the efforts for those things to happen are big. It's a very stressful mission to be serving in. I'm sorry I'm always complaining to you, but it’s just that you are the only one I can really talk to. Yes I can talk to Hermana Angel, but dang it’s all in Spanish. Man do I miss English.  LOL..... (I don’t think she really wanted me to put this on the blog, but it’s SO Jessie and I couldn’t resist the “it’s all in Spanish” line.  J)

So not too much has happened, just stressful changes as usual…….

I have a sticky with information of things I need to mention to you and its funny cuz I read my letter, and within my letter from you, you explained about my debit card. That was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about... 100 would be fantastic.... to be honest with you the amount they give us in our mission card is 200 a month and is not enough sometimes. I hear that some missionaries suffer while others have a ton of money in their cards, I don't know the secret, but I need to learn what it is. It could be that I pay for ice cream and it's expensive here. LOL. jk (just kidding).... but anyways sometimes I use my personal card when things are tight with the other card. Also my bike was 90 and the supplies for it were 60, so that was a good chunk. Other reasons are supplies (paper, tape, pens, hair stuff, I bought a thing of perfume because mine is dwindling and I need to smell good, and some souvenirs for some people), these are some of the reasons I have spent money, so you know.

Good news we have a limited amount of miles every month... February was a miracle for us.  We had 200 miles left from our limit which is rare for my area. So when we received the bikes everyone in the mission had a minus of 100 miles so it went from 900 miles to 800. We were like oh great we have 4 different areas that are very far.... but we told the elder in charge of miles that we had only 760/900 and he was like "WHAT THAT IS AMAZING" and we were like yeah we know, how cool eh....

Remember how I was telling you about Ponce and the new project that we had?  Well apparently the results weren't great, so for now we are not doing it. In a sense it's a relief, but at the same time, poor people having so many changes of missionaries teaching them. No one is going to trust anyone. It's sad, but if the leaders feel like it’s the right thing, then I guess we are going to do it. This mission just has so many changes, it's wild.

Things have been tense with Hermana Angel and I lately, I think it's just the stress and some of the communication and a bit of girly attitude. We are trying, but at the same time, we both have so much weight on our shoulders. And by the way almost every missionary I have talked to have a problem with PR people, I love them, but don't at the same time. They are different than the other cultures, very, very worldly, confused people, no values.

So good news we had 5 investigators at church a family, Nestor, and Jose. Jose is really progressing and loves church. He can sense the difference of our church to others and is always expressing his gratitude to us. I think going to church helped open up his eyes a bit. It’s interesting because we were going to drop him as an investigator, then he went to church at all. He calls us when he can't make it or change of plans with lessons... also he walked to church in the rain (things that PR's do not do). He's been great and we are hoping to invite him to be baptized tonight. We invited him before and he said no... we mentioned it again and he said probably, so now we are hoping the answer is yes. J The family that we have been teaching is very interesting and very difficult to teach. We have heard rumors that they have mental problems, but we don't know the facts... but it doesn't matter because everyone needs the gospel and to be baptized. It's interesting I have been thinking why (we are) so persistent in baptism (and) the need to wait til they have a firm testimony, so they really understand the commitment (which is true), but I read a talk that explains another reason of why as a missionary my purpose is to baptize. It's because every good person can go to heaven. They can either go to the Telestial kingdom or Terrestrial, but we don't want people just to live in those kingdoms, we want people, every one of God's children to achieve eternal joy, eternal happiness.... this is why we baptize people and find people for baptism as a missionary.  To help people have the chance to live in the Celestial kingdom with our Heavenly Father. I was like why it’s so true, so now every time I think of baptism I'm going to think of that concept.

I FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!!!! It's my second time and wow what an eye opener for me. Before I read it, but now I can say I understand it. I love the Book of Mormon, there is so much good information, love, doctrine, stories, and guidance. It really is a special book... right now I have been reading the bible, BOM (again), and D&C (Doctrine and Covenants) and wow (the) BOM is easier. LOL....

The missionary tag I was talking about is the "future missionary" for kid’s plaque, in English. Don't buy them, but how much are they?

Oh mom I know that when I come back, I'm going to need a Disney vacation with the family. YEP CUZ I NEED IT NOW LOL......
.... I got your envelope with the pictures of them love them and love how Kyle is smiling, thanks for sharing……………... I pray for your guys every day. Kelly how scary but cool she's getting married. I'll keep praying for her. I want to send them a postcard too.  It’s the only way I can write to people, LOL, because I have no, no, no time.

Congrats on your tacos and St. Patty's award. LOL..... and our next transfer is April 13, I think (Wednesday) and I'm guessing I will be moving.

I have not received the hymn book for Nestor, we have ours... which thank you.   LOL. Hermana Angel keeps leaving hymn books at people's houses (it's kind of becoming a joke) and so now she has one thanks to you. LOL.....  (I sent one for each of them with their names engraved.)

We only get to go to General Conference if we get all our contacts, which is 140 families in a week.... sounds easy, but it’s not.
The end of this month Lou is going to find out if he is going back home or staying in the mission because he is sick.... please pray for him   (her friend from Key West)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Email Chat 03/16/11

Is Kelly okay? I just finished reading the letter.... I have a postcard that I want to send them, once I finish.... it's so hard because I have so much I want to share and write to people, but there is seriously no time whatsoever to write, you I write in emails, and I try real hard to be regular with Lou.... which I don't know if you know, but he might be going home (from his mission in NY) because his health is really bad.... Poor thing!!!! Such a hard worker!!!  

(Please pray for Lou.   He is a friend of Jessie’s from the Key West, FL branch.   His father passed away when he was young causing Lou to become the ‘man of the house’.  He is a convert of 4 or 5 years.   His mother is not a member, but his 12 year old brother is.   Lou didn’t get out on his mission until he was 23 because he had health issues which he thought were resolved.   Things surgery was supposed to take care of.   Lou and his family need the blessings of his service.   Please pray for them.   Thank you!)

Speaking of health, I had a little bit of a health scare, not serious, but a little bit.... so we finally rode our bikes, horrible!!! The streets here are miniscule and there are potholes the depth of a volcano.... anyways so we were riding and usually people mistake us as Jehovah's witnesses, but when they see our plaques or we tell them then they know we are Mormons. Heheh who needs a plaque when you have a bicycle.... yep I think every soul in Adjuntas knew that we were Mormons. Girls in PR don't usually ride bikes, so that was something new for them and then the moment they noticed skirts, yep they knew who we were. I’m surprised we didn't cause accidents because every eyeball was focused on us, every conversation was about us on bikes, and we even had someone help us. Hermana Angel fell a little in a very crowded, trafficy place, and a man stopped the traffic, and tried helping her, and she was nice, but in her head "Por Favor" I'm okay LOL.... very interesting... then later we parked our bikes in some railings. I stepped down to lock my bike, and all of a sudden I had serious jolts of pain in my legs. I thought I rubbed my leg against a bush with thorns or pricklies... nope I stepped on an ant hill with good sized ants. I was attacked and I was slapping myself, and so another reason for everyone  to check out the Mormons. The health issue was (not as bad now) was my legs were getting red and puffy around the spots and then they were painful, not itchy, but aches in my legs (different pain) Then they were bruising around the spots, so I talked to someone about this and they said my legs were infected.... I took pain killers and it helped.... good thing is they are better and I don't think its infected.
(I asked her if previous sister missionaries rode bikes……….)
No the women here are girly girls and the roads are awful.  Who would want to ride bikes anyways? LOL.  They know cuz elders ride bikes.....
1. I've learned something very important this week.... the importance of less-actives. Mom you are the Relief Society president make sure you search for less-actives until they tell you or their visiting teachers no more. Rescue them, I've learned that so many reasons our less-actives aren't coming or are lost is because they don't have people visit them or people just gave up on them, but a less active should never be forgotten or given up on until they have come back and repented. I know that's hard for you to have a responsibility like that, but have the sisters in the ward search for the less active and do their visiting teaching with no judgments or rumors about that person.
2. Oh Nestor, love the man, but he's killing me..... he will not be baptized.... I think I have a curse with the people. Every time we have a date or someone progressing we lose them, they don't want to work, or be baptized (at all or until I leave).... that’s hard to take. We lost one and we lost our investigators in Guaynabo, a family in El Tuque, and now Nestor's baptism, and Pedro was baptized after I left, and all it's rough having that. Anyways smoking is still the issue and I tried helping him the other day. Nestor is special for me, but at the same time I'm disappointed in him. He is allowing the worldly thing like smoking stop him from receiving something like the will of our Heavenly Father and salvation. We are still working with him and still trying to help him. The other day I bought gum and brought tape to put the gum with his box of cigarettes. I wanted to tape them together to help him get in the habit of gum rather than cig. He didn't accept my gum and explained that he was a little bit offended and that he didn't want to offend me. I felt horrible beyond belief and this was before our lesson. He is prideful. He thinks he can stop if he says it, but isn't doing something different about it, and he won't let us help him. So I was hurt that he rejected my help. Anyways we had a lesson that completely changed from what we planned and ended up being about 3 Nephi 11.... and then we talked about listening to the voice of the Spirit and the importance of repentance and being clean for the second coming.... after our lesson, right before we left, he wanted my pack of gum

3. I'm almost done with the BOM (Book of Mormon). I am in Ether 7.

In El Tuque we had two baptismal invitations where the people accepted. I have a hard time believing people and giving invitations because every time has been a failure. Anyways One is to a girl the sisters have been working with and is pregnant at 15 years old, really sad... and the other is with the woman that is like a mom here (for Jessie). We invited her and her boyfriend, ex-husband.... and she accepted (but is strong Catholic so a lot of work to do) and the husband was like I was already baptized.... we explained about the priesthood and the difference. He was like “we'll see. I'm going to read this book (BOM) and listen to your messages.” We had him pray and ask specifically if the baptismal date was the correct choice. He prayed which was a great prayer, and actually asked specifically, which is rare for any person. He then meditated and it was long silence for all of us, then he said “my heart is clean, but I will learn this new gospel and change my life.”  He didn't quite accept the invitation, but he accepted to change and learn more.

Jose R. who was shy to go to church, went and loved it. We were going to basically drop him from our investigators, but then he showed up unexpectedly.  (Before I forget…the stake president talked with us and with all his dreams and desires, and has the crazy idea of having a stake in Adjuntas.  We told him, um we need a ward first.  LOL)  Anyways, he loved it and it was interesting because when he went to church and we went to teach him, his interest was better. It was like he wanted to accept the gospel more openly. We asked if he would be baptized and he was like probably. LOL. So we are hoping he will improve and will become baptized.
It's just hard because everyone around is seeing positive results from their work, and for me every person is falling, leaving, or disappearing.. OUCH!!!!  Anyways, I just want to have that desire to keep going, but wow no more energy left. I really need Disney and sleep, and a serious mom hug!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

LOVE YOU TONS!!!!!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Email - March 9, 2011

Jessie with Hermana Jiminez in Ponce

Jessie with Hermana Jiminez in Ponce

OKay here are some pointers....

1.Tried Sesame Seed juice, NEVER TOUCH THE STUFF, I repeat, DO NOT PUT IN YOUR MOUTH……..LOL. 
(Her first companion, Hermana Miller, said exactly the same thing in a letter to her family (which was posted on her blog) after Jessie left for Adjuntas.   Too funny!)
2. I think I found my PR mom (you know how people find their wanna be moms, there is an adorable, sweet woman that we are working with that already wants me and Hermana Jimenez a return to visit them when we are done with the mission. She also wants to adapt us, and set me up with her son.  LOL.... Very cool family
3. I got my bike, but haven't ridden it too much, Hermana Angel needed to have something checked with it, so we haven't ridden them too much, until the problem is fixed
4. I ate Lasagna (beef), rice with vegetables, and the sesame drink for a meal, not my favorite
5. I asked someone to be baptized and they accepted, but the thing is it was to an 11 year old boy.  LOL.
6. We have an investigator in Utuado, but not sure how it’s going to turn out....
7. I'm struggling emotionally still, I don't know why I have such an urge to leave my mission and go back home.... it's not usually this bad.
8. I received your package today, thank you so, so, so, so much, you are the very best, even with or without packages or letters.  LOL.... one pointer to save you money, I don't need Liahona's or cards (supplies) because we are blessed with a mission that supplies them
9. Puerto Ricans do not know how to drive, keep praying for me with that..... I have a tough time with them
10. I loved the photos of Kyle
11. I'm in 3 Nephi 20 in my reading, so close to be finished, I love the Book of Mormon
12. I miss you guys so, so, so much
13. I just found out that Lou is not doing well at all health wise, he has been hurting really badly
14. Time does not exist in a mission because there isn't time to even say the word.  jk (just kidding)
15. I've had some creepers hit on us....

I'm sure there is more, but I can't think of much, I can explain more about the pointers you want to hear next time. Sorry ended up staying in Ponce for the other hermanas and for Walmart. So we decided to use the computers at the library in Ponce, but while we were there, the Internet went out, so we didn't get to write, and then we had to drive back, do laundry, and have a short amount of time to email. Sorry.....

I LOVE YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO So S o MUCH!!!!!!!!! AND MISS YOU GUYS TONS!!!! Give Kyle and Cody a big hug from me!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
ME


Thursday, March 3, 2011

Email chat March 2, 2011

Okie Dokie Arta Chokie.... are you ready for this rollercoaster of another week? Actually we don't need an amusement park here in PR because every road, especially in El Tuque the other area we serve, is our own personal free rollercoaster where the car is in a complete, un-normal angle. It's intense. I always wonder if we are going to flip over..... But anyways today was transfers and we had no idea what was going to happen because Hm. Angel has been here forever and I had only been here for 1 transfer, and we had the new changes in the area. So we were completely clueless. Anyways we had to drop the other Hermana's at a different chapel in Ponce for their district meeting and then we headed to ours. Problem was we were running late, and note last transfer we heard the changes 10pm the night before and had to be somewhere to move at 8am, so we figured if anything we would hear later. We arrived at the chapel for our meeting and lo and behold I hear "Hermana Comoletti" in the voice of the almighty man, President Alvarado. I was like uh oh we're late, the only time we have been really late for our meeting. LOL... anyways he was like how's it going and chatting.... I really love President Alvarado (we do have a special relationship, I think LOL, but probably all the missionaries feel that way).... we talked and he kept asking us if we were happy..... we were like yeah... it was kind of strange he kept asking us this, and we were like what is he going to do.... then he was like (to Hermana Angel) "do you realize how much you are loved in Adjuntas. People there love you so much." The stake President is best friends with President (Alvarado) and so is his wife. The president and his wife are in our ward and they have been able to get to know Hermana Angel well. Apparently President had been praying tons and tons and he wanted to move both of us out to other areas and make Adjuntas an area for Elders, but with his prayers and the comments from the President’s wife about Hermana Angel, he kept us together for this transfers in the same area. They were going to completely change us, our area, and elders. Crazy huh.... so it was cool to be able to stay with Hermana Angel and try another transfer here. I'm still trying to get used to it, and its hard cuz the people seriously love her so much and know her well, and I'm still a stranger ya know. But wow that would have been insane if I was transferred, that would make me wonder if I was a trouble maker or something..... jk (just kidding)
(Please note that Jessie has only been in Puerto Rico for 12 weeks.   She was transferred after the first 6 weeks (they do transfers every 6 weeks for all missions around the world) and she was almost transferred after her second 6 weeks.   That’s highly unusual.   The norm is that missionaries stay in their assigned areas for at least 2 or 3 months.   That’s why she would’ve been inclined to think she’s a troublemaker or something.  J)
Okay so there are many, many, menos activos (inactive members)..... Hermana Jimenez and I were doing our normal searching for people because I'm the one with the car. LOL (which by the way we only used 787/900 miles this month which I don't know how because we traveled tons this month, and will be blessed for our good behavior from Elder Pietz (senior in charge of cars) that we can use our extra miles for this month that means we'll probably have 920 miles this month YEAH!!!!! shhhh don't tell anyone this, but possibly less bike usage. LOL..... anyways it’s really sad cuz this week I have heard and somewhat encountered a couple menos activos with sad stories. First is one that we were trying to find and we found her, we have a return date with her.... but she has been endowed in the temple and right now she is a pastora for the Presbyterian Church, another who I didn’t meet is a witch, and the other is one that Hermana Jimenez and I visited this Monday. SO SO sad, that these people who have had the gospel have turned to things this serious and deny the gospel WOW!!! Anyway back to the story.....with Hma Jimenez
Wow mom this woman is intense, the menos activo in El Tuque. She wasn't very happy I was there and not the other sister missionary and she apparently is someone they have been working with for a while and is always hard. Hma.  explained that she wasn't sure what we should teach because it was always something new or this woman had a lot of needs. I didn't know what to expect, but I was like okay let’s do this..... wow it was intense. We got there she wasn't liking me, then first thing she started explaining that she had been really studying the Bible and find out two things that were kind like eye openers for her. 1st: None of the churches here are true. The Bible is the key, but none of the churches teach completely everything correctly. Like our church had many faults, one of them she was explaining was a rumor about Joseph Smith and having multiple wives, and she got mixed up with the fundamentalist church and junk like that. 2nd: are you ready for this one..... Adam or Miguel is Jesus Christ. Hma Jimenez and I were like WHAT????!!!!! Where did she get this.... so as she is explaining some of this Hermana Jimenez was trying to search her scriptures about some things about Adam and trying to clear things, while Nancy was trying to throw evidence. THere was definitelty some tension. And a lot of the time Hermana Jim... was like let’s sing a hymn, but then Nancy would keep trying to talk. We talked about some things before the hymn because I think Nancy wanted to get out what was in her mind, which is understandable. It's sad too cuz her son was recently baptized and her husband has a baptismal date.... anyways. We read some scriptures and she shared her comments and she kept reading from this little book that was clarifying the Bible.... but the things the book was saying were not clear.....and this is still before the hymn LOL.... and I asked her what is the book you’re using. Duh Duh Duh... TESTIGOS DE JEHOVAH aka Jehovah’s Witnesses ( I can't remember the name in English) LOL..... So we were like uh huh.... anyways so we finally sang and prayed and were like okay let’s look in the scriptures and find why you believe that Adam is Jesus Christ... we looked at many and you could tell it was starting to click where her misunderstanding came from.... It was amazing our teamwork and our spirit went from contention and stress to completely calm. We could see a change in her face and personage. Then the other day I was studying in one of my resources and usually I don't study from this. I had read it to do something different in my studies, and had looked in the references to learn more. I found a scripture in Romans 15: 30-31 I think that is cool cuz it is evidence that the Book of Mormon is necessary. I was like cool.... and mom there was a perfect moment to share this with her, I shared Romans and then the first paragraph in the BOM (Book of Mormon) introductory and they matched perfectly, then we found another scripture that was perfect..... I explained to her something that I learned on my mission with Hermana Miller and with myself how at times our minds and hearts fight with one another... making it hard for us to really understand things. Many times people listen with their minds with knowledge and such, not allowing themselves to listen in their hearts. She was like yes exactly you understand me... then I testified what I knew and things that I have been experiencing lately and the spirit was strong, calm, and the atmosphere completely changed. We told her not to use the Jehovah’s book and the Bible she had was incorrect, so we are going to give her a better one. Mom it was really crazy, but very powerful experience... I hoped this helped her!!!!

Nester... oh Nester.... he is interesting, great, and we worry about him LOL.... we set another baptismal date on March 26 and pray that will be good for him, he is still struggling with smoking and I think I'm going to buy him gum LOL.... he's trying. He is even a mini missionary for us.

Okay another thing... so the mission right now has had a billion changes and tasks that seem impossible, but through miracles we have made things possible. For example, we really only have 2.5 days to work in Adjuntas and 1 day in Utuado. In total 3 days to fulfill our foundations  which includes 20 lessons and 140 contacts a day. It may not sound too bad, but it’s not extremely easy, especially when people are not at home or in the streets. Anyways we were really stressed not knowing how we could get it done this last week. We worked hard and tried our best, praying, and doing what we were supposed to, and on Sunday afternoon a little after church, we had completed our foundation and even had extra. We thought it would not be possible and we were really scared about being stressed, but this week we were like no more stress and we will just see how things go. It was a huge blessing and miracle because early and extra we had finished our goal. It was wonderful, it’s like how the Lord has trust in us, more than we have for ourselves. When we think we can't do anymore, there we go proving that we can. It's so interesting cuz seriously if you knew all the things the mission are asking of us you would be like uh how can you do that, when do you have time.... they believe we are super humans, but at the same time the Lord is definitely helping us try our best and he knows that when we prove that we can accomplish one thing, he gives us something harder, making us stronger. Step by step, line upon line, precept upon precept. It's not fun, it's extremely intense, but it’s possible and a step of faith and trust and dedication!!!

The story of the little girl- Her name is Nychelliz and her mom is a menos activa.... she is our next door neighbor, I don't know if you knew that we live with members. We live with the first counselor of the branch presidency (downstairs)....anyways, so the mother of the daughter only went to church once since Hermana Angel lived here.  We started teaching her daughter some of the discussions cuz her daughter went with her grandma to church and wanted to be baptized. But because the mom is a menos activa we needed to teach her daughter, it was a debatable topic cuz we didn’t know if the mom would support her daughter. Then one study after teaching her once, the family came to church with another, the mom's sister and her kids. Apparently she hasn't gone to church either, but used to be very active, one of the best in the branch. And she drifted away for 7 years and the missionaries never had the chance to get an appointment with her or find out where she lived. So we saw the mom of the girl and were like what this is great.... everyone in the ward was shocked. We kept teaching and helping the daughter become prepared. The mom kept coming to church.... and the sister. Then we wanted to search for some more of the family and they all came for her baptism. It was wonderful and Nester went to the baptism. At the baptism we asked if we could come over to the house of the sister and she gave us her number and directions to her house. We found her house, taught her about the importance of the BOM and she accepted another visit with us. She explained that she felt the Spirit at church and thought of her baptism when she saw her niece get baptized. She said she wanted this for her family and it was really neat. So lately they have all been going to church and have been somewhat reactivated. There is still a lot of work with them, but we are seeing some progression. It’s amazing. It’s like this little girl was the example and the key right now. With her and our efforts the family is hungering for the gospel just like Enos 1:3 He hungered in his soul.... so we'll have to see, but it’s definitely neat!!!!
SOME OTHER COMMENTS FROM OUR EMAIL CHAT:
I don't want people to worry about me, but at the same time I am extremely stressed. Man I wish I could talk to you in person cuz I just never have time to write to you sorry. I try but i just don’t know how to get it all to you. ... I have learned a lot of things spiritually, but yet I'm still experimenting and learning.
ahhh man I wish Ii could just talk with you it would be a millions times better to share things and probably less time LOL

Can you put the name "Judith Medina" in the temple prayer roll?
.... I just read Tricia's email it was really good this week (Tricia is Jessie's cousin who is serving a mission in California)...... and sorry my blog is boring I just don't feel like there is enough time to be funny and clever....