Play Ball!!!! and classic Whitney awkward moment

So this week has been a week of blessings.

On Monday we had our p day and hung out with the Bedford sisters.

On Tuesday, we went to the old folks home and painted their nails and got to talk to a lot of them. It was so much fun and all the ladies there were so sweet and cute! After we finished up there it was pouring! We got soaked as soon as we walked outside!

Wednesday we had a great district meeting and had a great discussion about the Atonement. One thing I never really thought of is that Christ suffered through everything that we have ever been through but that is including the way we felt while going through it and our emotions and reactions. It makes the Atonement that more real and amazing. Another thing about the Atonement: Jesus Christ had to go through it both spiritually and physically. The Spirit could have just shown him in his mind what we go through but that wouldn't make it so he would know exactly what we go through. Just like a doctor can see the signs and know the symptoms of a heart attack, he never truly knows what the person is feeling unless he has had one himself. So Jesus Christ had to feel what we feel in order for us to truly have someone always there with us who knows EXACTLY what we are going through.

Also another cool thing to think about is the story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham knows a little piece of what it feels like to have to sacrifice his only son for a greater purpose.

We also had dinner with JoAnne. We then talked about some questions she had and told her to always rely on the Lord.

Thursday, we went and visited a lot of the members. We had lunch with Sister Keplinger and talked about how when you are obeying the commandments and doing all that you can, He will help you through anything. We then had dinner with some members who live in our area but go to the Lawrence Spanish ward. They fed us some really good Dominican Republic food and I was stuffed afterwards. We then had another discussion about the Atonement.

Friday, we planned a little bit and then went to a cute, spunky older member's house. She taught us how to make really good apple crumble pie and fed us some German bean soup. Later we saw JoAnne again and she fed us again! She fed us this really good chili and rice. We brought the rest of the apple pie with us and had that for dessert (little did we know that apple pie is her favorite dessert). We talked about prayer and how to have a sincere prayer. We then picked up the elders and had them give her a blessing before she left to go visit her family out of state.

On Saturday, we had lunch with another member. She fed us salad, corn, potatoes, ice cream, and meatloaf. It was so good! This member is so cool too! She is super talented but humble about her talents. She quilts, paints, cooks, sews, carves wood, and tons of other cool things. We shared with her a Mormon message about how we are all creative because we come from our Creator who created this beautiful world for us.

Later that night, we got to go to the Fisher Cats' baseball game. It was Mormon night there so our whole district got to go. We set up a booth with copies of the Book of Mormon, pamphlets, and pass-along cards. We got to talk to a lot of people and also got to see part of the game. President Stoker even bought us all hot dogs and fries.

So if you can't tell already, the blessings that we saw this week is tons of meal appointments and getting to know the members better :)

Have a great week! Love you!

 As usual, here's a little more from our side conversations:

I was surprised when she said that her dinner with meatloaf was good.  She has always hated meatloaf, no matter who made it.  Her reply:  Yeah.......it was WAYYYYYY good......  I guess her tastes are changing.  She used to be the pickiest eater ever. ;)  The member sent leftovers home with them.  She was so excited. 

Whitney also said she is having camp withdrawals.  She was excited to get Chelsea's updates but want pictures from camp.  I guess we know what we will be sending next week.  To help with her withdrawals, she has been singing camp songs.  Her companion told her she should get voice lessons.  She isn't sure if that was meant as an insult or a compliment...  She is also looking forward to receiving a t-shirt or hoodie from Brighton so she can "represent."  Ummm, I better have Chel buy one soon.  Summer's going to be over before I know it.

I told her about our neighbor's mission call.  Her response, " NICK IS GOING ON A MISSION!?!?!?!?!?! WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" If any of the Ereksons read this.  She is so excited for Nick.  She laughed when she heard he was leaving so quickly and said at least he got 8 weeks, not the 6 she had. :)

Awkward moment:  Most awkward question that has been asked me by a man: "Sister Collins, I have to ask, where do you get your dresses?  I really like them and would like to get some like them for myself." ... Wait, What???

 She is on exchanges with two sisters in the Exeter, NH area.  She is having a great time, but she is sad that a package has been waiting at the mission home for her since Monday.  I told her that Chel and I added a special surprise for her.  She may be disappointed when she sees that surprise is ant traps.  Yes, she is getting more than that.  There are treats and cds, but she knew those were coming.  She HATES ants like most people hate spiders, so we laughed when we saw them and had to add them to her package.

She also went to the doctor to have her ears cleaned out.  Gross, I know, but she can hear better now.  While she was there they said her blood pressure was high.  She has to go back next week to have them test it again.  Please pray it is just because she has had added stress with getting used to this transfer, or, like me, that just happens at DR offices.  She really doesn't want to go on meds for that.

We also talked about how many cousins are getting close to dating age (and are already there).  She said that she is going to send questionnaires that the boys have to fill out and send to her for approval before they can date any of them.  I feel especially bad for Katherine. . . her dates will have to deal with Whitney AND Denny!!!  I told her that she might scare them away.  "HAHA well the good ones will stay :)"

Last thing, they will be getting ipads which is a great tool for them, but AHHHHHH, one more expense!  It will all work out.  It always does.

A few pics this week:

 The apple crumble pie they made with a member

 At the Fisher Cats baseball game

 Her district at the game

 Whitney and Sister Fratcher

  

The meatloaf dinner that she loved.  Didn't take a picture of the salad.  Gotta love food pictures.

 

Still working hard in Manchester, NH

Whitney and Sister Fratcher after church

So this week we were able to find a new service opportunity that is connecting us more with the senior citizens. The lady who is in charge of the senior citizens' home is going to try and pair us up with people who are interested in talking about the gospel and scriptures. It is going to be a really good service and it's going to be fun too.

We also had a great lesson with JoAnne. She missed the Gospel principles class when they were talking about signs of the second coming so that's what she wanted us to teach her. We focused the lesson on the hope of the second coming and how it will be an amazing moment. Afterwards she told us that the fears she had about it before are gone and that it doesn't worry her anymore.

On Friday night to Saturday night I went on exchange with Sister Jensen. She is an amazing missionary! We had a great discussion about our studies. We had a great day that was full of work to do and it felt so good to feel like we were productive. Right away we were able to develop comp unity. We taught Ruth and Danielle, both are recent converts. We read the family proclamation with Ruth, and helped her see how many people love her. With Danielle and her two sons, we taught the restoration pamphlet and the Spirit was so strong in that lesson! 

Yesterday, Sister Fratcher and I were able to find three potentials that are searching for truth. Two of them said that they are going to come to church on Sunday.

Oh, I have some real maple syrup that I am sending you and a surprise for Chel too.  

I made chicken in the crockpot and roasted potatoes in the oven.  I also made pasta salad that day.  My companion really enjoyed it.  I was hoping to make leftovers last the week, but I don't think that is going to happen.  I copied what I saw you doing when you made dinner.  It was really good and reminded me of home.


When the Elders found out what I made for dinner, they were really impressed and want me to teach them how to cook or at least give them some easy recipes.
 

 
I can't believe it has been 3 1/2 months.  Sister Morgan and Sister Jensen (Sister Blume's Trainer)  both told me that I don't seem like a new missionary.  Sister Jensen said that going on exchange with me felt like going on exchange with a missionary who has been out a lot longer because I knew what we needed to do and at what times we needed to do it.  We try hard to always be on time.  Sister Jensen and I formed great comp unity right off the bat.  

I really enjoy the members here.  My comp asked how I know so many people.  It is because I have taken the time to say hi to all of the members and have also spent time talking and building relationships with them.  This really helps our work.

We had the opportunity to serve a sister in the ward.  We went over and helped clean her home.

Oh, also, I have been able to spend time with this lady who got baptized about 5 years ago then went less active, but has recently become active again.  We have grown pretty close.  We were talking on Sunday and she was looking at my necklace with my medallion on it and said that she wished she had one.  I told her that she could do personal progress and earn it and that if she wanted, we could help her.  She got really excited and now I am going to help her earn her medallion. :) We talked to one of the YW leaders.  She didn't realize that sisters outside of YW were able to earn it.  

I have decided I really want to do more with Family History when I come home.  I wonder what opportunities there are with school and careers in that field.

On Thursday, the Bishop invited us over because he needed to talk to us about some things.  We went over and he gave us ice cream and told us that he wants us to go visit this member that just moved here from Utah and is a recent convert. She moved in with her parents because she went through a divorce.  She has two sons and the 6 year old has cerebral palsy and is the cutest little guy!  When we visited her he just gave us a huge smile and while we were teaching the three of them the restoration he would get really excited when we turned to the pictures of Jesus Christ and the picture of the first vision.  He really made me miss Berkley, Callie and peer tutoring.

When you send music, you can just put it on a flashdrive.  The cars in the mission are super fancy and pretty much spaceships so they have USB ports for those. ;)

Happy Birthday to my MANY family members with July birthdays!!! Wish I was there to celebrate with you (kinda). :)

Love you!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Transfer Week

So this week I got a new companion her name is Sister Fratcher and this is her last transfer and then she goes home!! I don't know her too well yet but so far she has been super spunky and super funny!

On Monday it was the last day Sister Morgan and I were together which was super sad! We went and visited quite a few people and Sister Morgan said her goodbyes. At one of the members house, she had 40 water balloons filled up and other water fight supplies ready for when we got there. We got there a little early so she wasn't home yet and then the Elders showed up because on of them got transferred. The member ran in and got the water fight stuff and made us have an awesome water fight.

On Tuesday was transfer meeting. Sister Morgan ended up going to Yarmouth, Maine. I also got to see Sister Blume, Sister Oliphant, Elder Thomas, and Sister Victoria Brown which was super cool. Especially since I haven't seen Sister Brown since High School. 

The first counselor in young womens call us and invited us to help with with mutual on Wednesday. Only two girls showed up and not form our ward but one is investigating. We talked about prayer and asked a lot of questions about how prayer had helped them and who we talk to in our prayers. Then we watched the Restoration and the Spirit was so strong!!

Thursday we had district meeting and come to find out we might be singing at a baseball game here on July 19! I guess it's going to be LDS night and we are going to have a booth set up too. Then we were able to contact almost all of our referrals! Right as we were talking to this one guy though dark clouds rolled in and we had this huge thunder and lightning storm! It was great but everyone here thinks I am crazy for how much I love storms. Later that night we had dinner with one of the members. She is from the Dominican Republic and makes AMAZING food. We had rice with beans and pork in it, this salad with avocados and cilantro and tomatoes in it, and tostones. It was so good!!!!

On the Fourth of July it rained all day! But we got to go do service with the Elders at the soup kitchen. It was great but it amazes me and breaks my heart to see how many people have to get food from there. 

Then on Saturday we got to go to another members house for dinner and had a BBQ. 

Sunday we were finally able to finish planning! 

Oh and the week before Sister Morgan and I were pretty much out of money on our support cards and didn't even have time to go to the grocery store on Monday. So on Saturday we did a milk drive with the food bank. from 9am-2pm we stood outside the local grocery store with a booth and invited people to buy some milk to donate to a family in need and we had a big refrigerated truck to store them in. We ended up collecting about 157 gallons of milk. We met a lot of people and the lady in charge took tons of pictures of us on her phone to post to their Facebook page. The biggest miracle that came from that is for helping them out they gave us both a $15 gift card to the grocery store so we were able to buy groceries! 

 I have had some really great studies this past week. Pretty much I learned that we are put through trials to learn and grow but also that sometimes they wrought upon your minds once more so that you can resolve them and set them to peace for the future. That in order for you to find peace after the trial you must go through all of those feelings again, figure out why you felt them, use the Atonement, pray for strength and guidance, and work it out so that you can over come it and find long-lasting peace. Because Heavenly Father could give you peace right in that instance, but it wouldn't last for too long because the problem or trial is still there. So instead, He gives you a way to overcome that trial over time with patience and faith that with grace you will come off conqueror. Grace is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ

The scriptures I found and learned this from are Alma 34:40-41; D&C 121:7-8; Job 23:10-11; and grace in the BD.

Love you!!!!!!!!!!! 

A couple other things she mentioned in subsequent emails:

They did get to see fireworks this weekend.  Their neighbors were lighting off some arials and they got to watch.

She loved seeing pictures from this weekend.  "Isaac's hair is getting so long." ;)

Sister Morgan is now serving in Maine. (Katherine - so close!)

 This week she has been run in to people who chew with their mouth open (Chelsea's pet peeve) and play with their feet (Whitney's pet peeve).  

Also asked if "the thief" took the purse she gave me for Christmas.  Nope, not that one.  Just the one I got because it was yellow and reminded me of her.

She is doing great.  Just trying to adjust to a new companion and changes that come with that.

 Dinner with the Skidmore's the weekend before transfers. with Sister Morgan and Elders Sowby and Warner.

 Played in the rain storm at the end of their day.

 Milk service project

Love the aprons!!!

 

Tracting in 100 degree heat brings blessings

So this week has been quite the week...
We dropped all of our investigators so that meant a week full of tracting.  On Monday we went to the very bottom of our area.  We went to a less active's house and met her mom who was super cool!  She is from Vietnam and met with missionaries in Massachusetts.  She wants us to come over another time when her daughter is there and asked if we could keep her in our prayers and pray that she would gain faith again.

On Tuesday we went tracting again and walked everywhere!!!  It was almost 100 degrees and we were sweating a ton! We both forgot to bring water so we stopped at this convenience store and asked if they had any tap water.  The employee waled to the back room and gave us a water bottle for free.  After that we walked a little further and saw one of the members working so we went and said hi and he gave us more water.  We found out that another member works there too and she invited us over for dinner that night.  As we were leaving, the first member insisted that we let him get us ice cream and so we got ice cream. :)  Even though we didn't really find anyone that day, we were super blessed for working hard to find.

Wednesday we walked again.  We had a lesson with a member who is starting to prepare to go through the temple.  She is so service oriented and is a hard worker even through her tribulations.  She is taking care of one of her friends who is on her death bed.  Last week we had a great restoration lesson with both of them and her friend told us that she believed everything that we have said and taught.  We got the prompting that we should invite her to be baptized.  We asked if she would like to be taught and she said that she would love that and to come over anytime she is feeling well.  So next lesson we have with her we are going to invite her to be baptized.

Thursday we visited one of our new investigators.  Her name is T and she is a young, hard working mom with two cute little kids.  We shared the restoration pamphlet with her.  The Spirit was so strong!!!  We told her that this could be an answer to her prayers and with tears in her eyes she nodded and said that it was.  We told her about the Book of Mormon and gave her a copy and committed her to start reading it and shared some of our favorite verses out of it about Jesus Christ.

Friday was our planning day, as usual, but we got to go over to Sister Keplinger's and had lunch and shared an amazing message.

Saturday we found another new investigator.

Sunday we had dinner at the Spencer's with them and the Raferty's.  We had them role play with each other sharing the gospel and inviting someone to church or a church activity.  We had them line up in two rows then face each other and role play.  After that we went and visited T again.  She didn't have time to talk or have a lesson but she asked if we would pray with her and then we set up another time to come visit her.

So, cool studies I had this week:

I was reading in Isaiah 62:6 

6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence,

Then I read Ezekiel 34:11-16, 22-31

11 ¶For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

 12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.

 15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God.

 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

 22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.

 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

 24 And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.

 25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

 26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

 27 And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

 28 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.

 29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.

 30 Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God.

 31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.

Then I read 3 Nephi 12:13-16

 13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.

 14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

 15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;

 16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

As members of the church and as part of our baptismal covenant of taking the name of Christ upon us, we become the watchmen, the shepherds of His flock.  We are called to help find those who are lost or in other words those who have not found the restored Gospel.  We are called to help bring again that which was driven away - those members who have stopped coming to church and are losing faith.  We learn and gain testimonies so that we can share them with the rest of the world, with our brothers and sisters, our light shall not be hidden under a bushel.  For we know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ better than the rest of the world and we know the higher laws.  And if you know this, then keep not silence.

D&C 88:80-81, 126

80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.

 81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.

126 Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.

She also encouraged youth (16 and up) to go teaching with the local missionaries.  It doesn't matter if you are planning on going on a mission or not.  She has seen so many in her mission who have done that and have really strengthened their testimonies.  

 As they were tracting, they almost stepped on this little bird.  They saved it by moving it off the road.

 Whitney with Sister Morgan.  They almost look like they could be sisters with those eyes!

Great food and neighbor troubles

On Monday we had FHE with one of the families in our ward and they gave us a referral.  So we went to visit the family and the mom is a less active member and the dad is agnostic.  We taught them the Restoration pamphlet and we are meeting with them again later today. :)

On Wednesday the Skidmores came teaching with us.  The lesson was super powerful and spiritual!  Then when we got home to plan for the next day the power went out.  We found out that it went out at all of the houses on our street.  Our neighbors who live on the third floor let us borrow a lantern flashlight so we could see.

On Thursday Bishop invited us over for dinner with some of the members who were finishing up their temple prep class.  It was sooooo good!!!!  He fed us steak, BBQ chicken, caesar salad, pasta salad and cake and ice cream.  It was delicious.

On Friday our next door neighbors were being horrible to each other! We called Child Services and they are going to pay them a visit.  They told us that if it sounds like it is doing damage that we should call the cops.  Later that night it got worse so we called the cops and they came but we left to go visit a member.

Also we went over to this older member's house to help wash off some things for her to sell in a yard sale.  She had so many cool things and she is also an amazing painter!!!

So, S is not getting baptized this weekend.  He's actually in the Bedford area but we got special permission to teach him since he was friends with one of the members in our ward.  Now we are going to have the Bedford Elders teach him. (Some information omitted for privacy)

On Sunday we had our Linger Longer after church which was a blessing because we didn't have to worry about having to figure out lunch.  Then later that night Bishop had all of us missionaries come over for a meeting and dinner.  So, pretty much we were fed great this week!  While we were there we were saying and guessing move quotes.  I gave "Is this water sanitary?  It looks questionable to me." Sister Morgan, bless her heart, was like, "OH OH OH I know, LION KING!!!!!"  Everyone else bust up laughing and said uh no try again....

Awkward moment:  We met two men this week who are totally okay with polygamy and think that we should still practice it (GROSS!!!). One of them is from Africa and we shared the pamphlet with him and  after he was asking questions like where are you from? what do iyou do? are you dating anyone? and after we answered that question and said no, he said well I'm available and was giving us these gross looks.  Let's just say that we got out of there pretty fast...

Oh, also, the Bedford Elders met someone street contacting and shared the restoration pamphlet with him and invited him to be baptized and he said yes and come to find out he is actually in our area!!!!

Well, that's all.  Love you!!!!

Additional Whitney randomness shared in follow-up emails:
She has worn out her first pair of shoes.
She is getting her hair cut today.  Keeping the A-line.
Did you know that apple juice can give you more energy than coffee? 
She sent a picture of a yellow house that she loves and wants to have one like it some day.  She didn't remember that she sent a picture of the same house during the first couple weeks of her mission. :)

 She said that the lady who owns this car was once hit by a moose!!! The moose take things quite literally in New Hampshire.

 Not sure why she sent this one, but it is a cool house.

 I received an email from a member on Sunday with this picture.  He said it was taken during their "Linger Longer"

 


 

Crazy week!!!

Manchester Cemetery

So this week has been crazy!!!!
Wednesday we had interviews with President Stoker and also had a zone meeting.  They taught us more about how to use the pamphlets and it is so cool!!! Pretty much you show them the pictures and ask them what they see and then testify.  Like with the restoration pamphlet:  (cover) "What do you see?" "That's right.  It's Jesus holding a lamb.  What if that lamb were you?"  (first page picture) "God is our loving Heavenly Father.  He blesses us with family and this family is happy because they have the gospel." And so on and so forth.  Pretty much doing it this way we are able to testify of simple powerful truths and talk about the whole restoration, Plan of Salvation, etc in 5-10 minutes.  Then after we ask if they want to learn more.  It is so cool! And so powerful! It is just like how it is in 1 Nephi 11.
Look
Establish Understanding
Expound
Testify.

On Thursday we had to drive the other missionaries all over the place, but luckily most of the miles were excused.  (they are on a car share and only get so many miles per week)  Oh and in the past two weeks 5 missionaries have gone home early. :(

Friday was the beginning of media splits.  Members went out with us through out the weekend and took pictures of us and posted it on their social network accounts.  We went to our ward mission leader's house (Brother and Sister Young) to study because our apartment was getting fogged so we can hopefully officially get rid of all the bed bugs.  (I may make her leave everything there when she comes home.  We don't want bed bugs!!!)

Saturday  we had the chance to do Mormon Helping Hands.  We went to the oldest cemetery and helped paint the fence.  I got paint all over my hands and arms because it was so runny and the wind kept blowing it.  The paint was green so it kind of looked like I was molding.  But it was fun and I have a lovely awkward tan line on my legs.  After that they bought us ice cream and we had lunch at a member's house.  After lunch we helped clean at this other member's house.

Sunday we had ward council and church.  That night us and the District Leaders got to have dinner with President and Sister Stoker at the mission home. It was delicious! And a tender mercy because we are out of food.  (she ensured me that they are out of food because they didn't have time to shop last week, not because of money.  They were headed to get food after the finished at the library)

Throughout the week we went tracting when we could and had lessons with some of our investigators.  For all of it we used the pamphlets and through those we were able to teach the lessons quicker and establish more understanding.  Satan knows how powerful this method is because with tracting every time we get to the first vision something happens right before to break our concentration, like someone tells us that we need to go, or their dog will all of the sudden go crazy and break the leash and run off.  But we always ask for one more minute and after we give the first vision the Spirit testifies so strongly of its truthfulness.  Then we talk about the Book of Mormon and sometimes something will happen right before that too.  But there is never an interruption while we are talking about either of them.

By the way... I do not like Rhubarb (I think that's how you spell it) pie....


AT ALL!!!!  


(I told her that her grandpa loves strawberry rhubarb pie.  I also told her I haven't had it forever and just remember it being tart)  It didn't have strawberries, just fresh rhubarb and it was super tart.  Luckily the lady didn't notice that I didn't like it.  I ate all of the slice she gave me but I had to choke it down and hide my face every time I could feel I was making a face... it was NASTY!!!

Molly, the ward member that did the 24 hour mission with us, got her mission call to San Antonio, Texas!!!

Well, that's all.
Love you!!!!!

Tacos they made with homemade refried beans (a member taught them how to make them), cilantro, cheese, and chicken cooked with salsa in the crock pot.  Unfortunately, there is only one crockpot and the elders keep stealing it.  I told her to go buy one.  It will save her time and money in the long run.

 Whitney and Sister Morgan with two sisters from their ward who got baptized just over a week ago.

 Mormon Helping Hands

 Picture sent to me by a sweet member.  This is her daughter with Whitney at the Manchester Cemetery.

 

 

 

Whitney's District tackles the Vermonster!!!

We were so excited to hear from Whitney again after missing last week.  I only wish she had longer to email so we could get all of the details.

The past two weeks have been crazy!!!!!!

We had district p-day two weeks ago.  We went to the park and had an epic game of ultimate frisbee/football.  Afterwards we went to Ben and Jerry's and had a Vermonster.  The Vermonster is 20 scoops of ice cream plus toppings.  Our whole district finished it in 7 minutes and 54 seconds and now our picture is on their wall of fame which is pretty awesome since you can see our name tags.

Later that night we had Molly (she is preparing to go on a mission) come over and stay with us for 24 hours for a mini mission.  For dinner we went to a member's home and they have a trained goat!!

The next day was transfer meeting and my b-day.  Sister Morgan made me pancakes which were super good!  Molly bought my lunch and then that night we had dinner with her family and they bought me a cake.  

Thank you for the package, it was great!  Thanks for all the stick notes and colorful pens. :)
The rest of the week was great and had awesome lessons.

Then this past Monday we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial.  It was so beautiful there!!!! We rode up with a part member family and got to know them better.  They also fed us which was great. 
On Tuesday we were really busy and kinda forgot to schedule dinner.

Sister Stoker came teaching with us for the night.  We taught S (our investigator), J (Member preparing to go through the temple), and E (PMF, T is one of our investigators).

For weekly planning the week before, we made a list of miracles we wanted to see happen with people in our area that we were teaching.  Well, on Tuesday, one of our miracles came to pass.  Our neighbor has a lot of questions and wants us to come over and teach her!!

We are constantly learning new ways to teach people and to tract better.  One of the ways we learned is to ask someone if they want to be baptized.  If they say, "No, I've already been baptized." Then you say, "Are you 100% positive that your baptism will get you into His kingdom?"  Most people will say no but if they say yes then tey are either deceived or lying to themselves.

We went teaching with a sister from our ward on Thursday and visited G who is Catholic but three of her children were baptized in our church and are now grown up with their own kids.  We taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We were praying for a miracle that she would be baptized.  She said no because she was baptized when she was a baby.  So we asked her, "Are you 100% positive that your baptism will get you into His kingdom?" Without hesitation she said no, but then she realized what she she said and hurried and said, "I mean, yes, I am 100% sure...'  But she couldn't say that she was 100% sure her baptism would get her there.  We testified of the true order of baptism and said that we knew without a shadow of a doubt that our baptism would get us through the gate.

After that we had exchanges and Sister Morgan went with Sister Hoffman to Canterbury and Sister Escobar came to Manchester with me.  We went tracting around the church and found a potential investigator.  Then on Friday we went tracting again and found another potential.  After that we exchanged back.

On Saturday three sisters got baptized and the spirit was so strong and they were so happy.  Their parents are getting baptized later this month.

Then we went and helped this lady pack up some of her house.  She's friends with someone from our ward.  Right from the beginning we were talking about Jesus Christ.  She told us that she was Catholic her whole life but then it didn't feel right so she left and feels like that was the best thing she has ever done.  She stays spiritually strong by reading the Bible and reading books from Barnes and Noble with quotes and scriptures.  So we gave her a Book of Mormon and she was excited and wanted to start reading it!  And she also taught us how to make really good homemade re-fried beans.

Then on Sunday we get to the church and find out that someone super glued all the doors and locks.  Luckily they missed a door and we were able to get in and also us a crowbar to open the other doors.  

A member is also working on having us over for dinner with a new family that moved in that aren't members so we have another potential.

All in all it's been a great two weeks. 

Love You!!!

A couple side items.  I mentioned that it looked like she isn't the shortest in her district based on the above picture.  Her reply, "Actually she was squatting down...she is a little taller than me."

She is really excited for Kate who she roomed with who just got married.  Kate, if you read this, congratulations!!!  She said the pictures you sent are beautiful and that you look sooooo happy!  We are happy for you and wish you the best.

Also, It is starting to get really humid in New Hampshire.  Unfortunately most of the summer shirts aren't very modest or require a t-shirt underneath because they are sheer.  If you happen to see any mission-appropriate summer shirts that don't require layering, let me know.

Here are a few more pictures that she sent.  I sure love this girl!!! Oh, and she passed her 2 month mark last week. :)

 Birthday pancakes made by Sister Morgan.  Candles we sent in her B-day package.

 Cake from Molly's family

 Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial