Transfer 4 Week 4

Happy Birthday to Sister Huch (Huchie Mama)! She's 20 today and I told her that means she's an adult which means no more baby-talk in the apartment and no more doing that thing where she squeals and flails her arm and runs around like a chicken.

It's now the last week of the transfer! A part of me hopes to stay in YSA for the rest of my mission, but I'm also excited to see if they send me somewhere with a bunch of cute pruney old people. Last Monday I was able to play a big of the piano while the Elders were playing basketball and it was both relaxing and completely frustrating. I want to scream at my hands sometimes: "TEN YEARS of ten piece guild programs, Certificate of Merit honors award, and all you can remember is the RUBBER DUCKIE SONG?!" Get with it, hands.

So I got that tooth filled and Sister Huch had a field day because half of my face was numb and I can only imagine how attractive my droopy smile was. I also couldn't lick my lips, but it was very funny when I tried to. We had a member come to lessons with us that day and she started laughing the moment she saw me. We got semi-harassed by a woman in the wal-mart bathroom that day, and ended up stuck in there trying to talk ourselves out and leave her with a pass-along card. Sister Huch was panic-central and the wal-mart janitor was banging on the door yelling "MAINTENANCE!". And all day long I was holding up the droopy half of my face. 

We started meeting with a less-active who reminds me of my high school friends, if not more extreme. Chains hanging from his pants, lots of knives, and very theatrical. He is a delight and a half. His lightbulb on his front porch has been unscrewed and replaced with bones. One of them looks like a human foot, he unscrewed the light and showed it to us. He has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and is so educated in the scriptures! He just needs to do what most less actives struggle with- Nike: Just do it!

On Wednesday a member told me that dogs go to heaven and provided scriptural proof. (I can now die happy, thank you Heavenly Father) and we had correlation with our branch mission leader. He brought us a giant box of McDonalds cookies (my one weakness), he ate half of them, and then proceeded to eat a Tupperware of brown rotting apple slices that had been sitting in the institute for at least ten hours. Just another day-in-the-life-of.

Dad, one thing I wanted to tell you about was that pamphlet you sent me- the QPR Suicide Prevention. You must be in tune with the spirit. I remember opening that package and laughing because it was such a strange thing for you to send. But sure enough, a few days later, we sat with someone who was worried sick because her friend keeps talking about suicide and she doesn't really know what to say to him since she's struggled with those thoughts herself. The spirit nudged me to check my bag. In the front pocket was that pamphlet daddy had sent. I told her I didn't know why, but that my dad had sent me it a few days earlier. She started reading through it and asked if she could keep it. Everything happens for a reason. God is a very clever guy.

We also met an old lady this week with missing teeth. She told us so many stories I lost track. We started out hearing about her kittens with ringworm, then her teenage pregnancy, then the "chicken wire" that they put on her artery after her heart attack, then her alcoholic son, and finally she told us about the two homeless men who are currently living with her. We met one. He was very nice. 

The funniest thing that happened this week was when we were TERRIFIED out on the mesas, because we got to a house and they had a rottweiler and a pitbull in their front yard. I grabbed the bag of dog treats out of my bag, we said silent and audible prayers for our safety. Then we began to walk down their dirt driveway, holding our breath with every step. Suddenly we heard jingling coming closer. Then we see, running up the driveway, the SMALLEST little dog that I can only describe as being a cross between yoda and a gremlin. She had on a pink polka dot dress. We laughed so hard with relief, and luckily the other two dogs were on chains.

The cutest thing that happened this week was that at baskin robbins we were getting dollar scoops and behind us we hear a voice say "Excuse me? Sisters? Sorry, my daughters really want to say hi to you!" Ahh.. the Sissionary Fandom. #everydaylife #can'tescapethefans We got down on our knees and smiled and talked with this families two girls and one little ice cream covered boy. They told us they pray for us every night. The ice cream covered boy yelled "Bless da missionaries!"

Despite all the fun stories and laughter, this week has in fact been another one of the harder weeks of my mission. Internal battles are the hardest, and I have spent many of my spare moments on my knees pleading and sometimes literally crying to my Father in Heaven. I know that He has been listening. I know that the prayers from home and from those around the world are what support me from week to week. I am grateful for all the letters and love. I am grateful for such a wonderful area with members who give us hugs and meals and make us laugh. I am always inspired by the Sons of Mosiah. They left behind so much. And they gave all they had to the people they taught. I pray that I can be faithful enough and do the same.

I love you all,

I miss you always,

you are in my thoughts, my prayers, and my heart.

Sister Valdez

pictures: A very cool leaf I found

my companion being a babe

a picture of us coming home from a lesson at homestead trailer park

and a picture to make dad proud- we have started hoarding water bottles behind our couch. we have over 150 by now. I just need to find a recycling center. 

Transfer 4 Week 5

 

 

Dear People,

first things first: Dentist business. Here's the deal. I have a cavity, which I assumed. And I also have a lil bit of TMJ or whatever going on. My gums are also mad that my teeth haven't been cleaned in a while so they're all swollen around my back teeth and whatnot. I grind my teeth too much and they suggested a mouthgaurd which would cost like 200 billion dollars or something so forget that! Sister Huch is having a heart attack and she lectured me about my teeth being ground to bits or something. I just told her I'm gonna find my zen and stop stressing out and not grind my teeth ever again. I'm not paying 200 bucks to chew on a piece of plastic while I sleep. That's crazy talk.

Last Pday our less-active moved to Arizona. I was super sad to see her go, but very excited for the possibilities ahead of her. Moving, for her, will be a bad thing or a good thing depending on her diligence and obedience. (Sabrina: I shed a single tear for her that fell into my hand, turned into a dove, and flew away). I will miss her a lot, we've been working with her meeting several times a week since December. I have watched her fall time and time again, but I have also watched her use the atonement of Jesus Christ to get back up and to restore hope. And that had made it all worth it. Working with her has strengthened my testimony of the atonement, and the power it can have in people's lives. Everyone is salvageable. Christ does not believe in "too far gone", pretty sure Satan came up with that one. I have learned so much from the things we have been able to teach her, and if anything else, I have been changed for the better. She left without saying goodbye which was heartbreaking, but I trust that God will take care of her. 

Tuesday was Zone conference, super exciting and inspiring. Maybe I bore my testimony and cried like a baby. I also saw Sister Fackrell (MTC comp) again! The opening song was Nearer My God to Thee, which we used to sing in the shower every morning and walking to classes every day, and even though we weren't singing together, we were still singing together. Make sense?

Wednesday our lessons all canceled! We got lost driving to Aztec. Look up a map of Aztec and tell me why anyone would decide to name every street after NUMBERS. NUMBERS!!!! That is a deathtrap for Sister Valdez who needs to find an address and only has a ripped up map with VERY tiny numbers all over it. We laughed when we got there though and they fed us something with a lot of green chili in it, so all is well. 

Thursday, we finally got a new investigator! Adam (not real name) was a referral from the Elders. We had given them one earlier in the week and they returned the favor. He told us he has been to quite a few churches and they feel good, but none of them quite feel right. CUE LESSON 1: THE RESTORATION. We taught the first half and the spirit was there so strong. We ran out of time because he had questions and comments and the member there shared her testimony (amazing!). But in the end we asked him to pray. He said he hadn't prayed in years. And of course, the spirit hit us all like a ton of bricks when he got down on his knee and started talking to his Father in Heaven. Moments like that are what the week is all about. Moments like that is why we knock on doors and spend hours planning and hours practicing and preparing. Moments where God can connect with one of His children. 

I was reminded of the prodigal son. The cheesy gospel art shows the father holding his son tightly, and they both shed tears. That is the moment it felt like. It felt like a son coming home. You could feel the relief of a desperate father. And I felt the Lord whisper his thanks to me, through the spirit. We all left that lesson with soggy eyes. He came to church on Sunday and thanked us again and again. He says he felt peaceful. We told him that peace is the spirit. 

Easter was great. Whoever put the eggs together but the wrong things in the wrong eggs however, but I thought it was hilarious and very typical Valdez behavior. We made baskets and dyed eggs and hid them around the apartment when we could find spare moments to do so. 

I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. For the opportunity I have to share His joyful message with the people of New Mexico.

I miss and love you all

Sister Valdez

Pictures:

Me with a dog named Tiny Dancer (to whom I sang the appropriate song)

Tiff with the words tiniest shivery dog

A family of Nutella jars (I think I'll be good for a while) to which several people have contributed. (dont worry some of it is Sister Huch's too. Sister Heck also got me a jar at one point. And one of them is pretty much empty)

And me being a fantastic dishes do-er during our lunch hour (mom, be proud of me)

Sister C Valdez

       

Transfer 4 Week 4

Dear people,

it turns out that after hurling on Saturday night I was not done being sick. I thought I was fine, but we went on exchanges the next week and my body still refused to hold any food in. For the first time since I've been out, I just took some time to sleep. My sister training leader insisted that I rest and let my body heal. I don't have any pictures of myself since from Saturday to Wednesday I couldn't hold any nutrition and so I looked truly awful all week. I find it hilarious but my companion was very concerned. As soon as I could get my body to hold down food, we went out and went to the one good sushi place in town. I had mochi ice cream (SHOUT OUT TO SHEILA) and died inside with joy. 

I have started to record Sister Huch's best door approach starters:

To a black man with a very angry barking pitbull tied up in his yard "Hi. Hullo.... is that your dog?"

To a woman with a cherry blossom tree in her front yard "I notice you have a.... tree. It's pretty."

Very suave. We'll work on it. 

We got a new branch mission leader and he is absolutely stellar. There is probably nothing I love more in the world than RMs.

On exchanges I went to Kirtland with Sister Baird (my grandma). She's an absolute sweetheart and we had a great discussion about Asian culture and the flaws of the American education system. Do you know how much I've missed conversations like that? A lot.

The greatest thing I've learned this week is how often God will carry us if we just ask. I have had so many moments where I just asked him to please lift me. And He does every time. I am grateful to be using this time of my life doing such a great and marvelous work. I love every moment and I miss all of you.

Sister Valdez

Pictures: my pencil squish from E

my cute companion in the NM glow

and the "duckies" we put up between our desk that actually make us feel significantly less grumpy while we plan.

Transfer 4 Week 3

Dear loves,

I am trying to internalize one of the things we learned in conference this weekend which is: gratitude! So hit me if I complain in this email. I am grateful for humbling weeks. For the kind of hard days that bring you to your knees. I am grateful for warm blankets. I am grateful for the prophet and for his uplifting words this weekend. I am grateful for awesome members who take a ton of stress off our shoulders by giving rides to investigators. I am grateful for a companion who knows to let me sleep when my body is beyond the point of exhaustion. I am grateful for Tiff who gives amazing hugs that keep me going. I am grateful for the many emails and all the encouragement I receive from week to week. I don't think many of you know what a difference it makes to make it to P-day exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and have so many kind words to lift me back up. I am grateful for the ability to get lost in the work. I am grateful for little moments of laughter with my companion. I am grateful for an amazing and supportive bishopric. I am grateful for bottled water. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who sustains me from day to day. I am grateful for letters from home, and from Bri. I am grateful for the promise of tomorrow, for hope, for faith. I am grateful for the scriptures and all the things the Lord is able to teach me through them. 

I am grateful for my health and for my hands. This week we went to visit a nursing home. as we do every Wednesday. One of our favorites, Flossy, rolled herself close to the piano as I played a quick song for them after their morning exercises. Once the song end, she held my hand tightly, and thanked me. "That's just beautiful." She said. One of the nurses told me to ask her to play us a song. I walked back over to her wheelchair and asked if she would play for us. Her left hand is almost all taken over by arthritis, and two fingers in her right hand as well. She clunked out the tune of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart". Flossy, being a perfectionist, scolded herself and her hands for not being able to play as she used to. She told us how she used to play in a band. I tried to pick out the tune of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" but I don't know much other than the first line. I left that day very humbled. I want to use these hands as long as I can. For playing, for helping, and especially now for the Lord's great work.

I am grateful for the Lord who has a plan for everything. We went to visit an investigator one afternoon and she wasn't there. She's on a welfare phone that's out of minutes so we couldn't get a hold of her. We left frustrated, sighing, and sad since we had prepared to make a prayer rock with her and were really excited to show off all of our artistry skills. 

After that we had a lesson with a less active (of which there is a picture of her sleeping during conference). We asked if she'd come with us to a lesson after hers. That lesson canceled as well, and we thought we'd stop by the investigators house from before, who wasn't there when we tried her. When we got there, a woman answered the door who we didn't recognize. The investigator was there this time and they both invited us in. We asked the woman if she was staying with our investigator, I thought maybe it might be her cousin. She started to tell us and tears welled up in her eyes. Her boyfriend had severely beaten her the day before. Our investigator had let her come and stay the day over in her apartment. She choked on her words, telling us she didn't know where to go or what to do next. Our less active chimed up. This less active, just last month, had ended her stay at the local Women's Shelter. She wrapped her arm around this discouraged woman and offered her not only the number to the shelter, but advice and encouragement. She bore her testimony that God loves us, that he is aware of our specific situation, and that only he can help us in these desperate times of need. We left her with a Book of Mormon and with a testimony born by our less-active that was much more meaningful and powerful than we could've given to her at that time. We all left so humbled and inspired knowing that God always has a plan. Whether we are frustrated with plans that fall through, or heartbroken by trials that we face, we must trust that He knows us, loves us, and has a plan for us. Everything I have learned in the past five months, and nineteen years, has testified of that. 

On a funnier note, I threw up Saturday night. I stopped counting after about the 6th or 7th time hurling my guts and ended up spending most of the night curled up with my blanket on the bathroom floor. Sister Huch is mad that I didn't wake her up. What was I gonna do?! "HEY SISTER HUCH IM PUKING MY GUTS OUT, WANNA WATCH?" So I let her keep snoring. (Yes, she snores. And yes I love it. It reminds me of Daddy) I have no idea what I ate especially cause I've actually been eating fairly healthy besides whatever fun dinners members decide to feed us. I finished all the granola mom sent but I also think I puked most of it back up! It was all pink. Super weird. I puked so much it was unbelievable. I wish you could've seen. Don't worry about me though, I took a nap and kept trucking on! 

I love you and miss you all

keep sending prayers, love, and letters!

Sister Valdez

Transfer 4 Week 2

This week was an amazing and hard week. Last Monday our recent convert (code name: Shanaynay) met with us before family home evening. She told us what she had told the branch president as well, she wanted to be excommunicated from the church. She wants her records removed. She has it in her head that she'll leave the church, and the persuade her family to come into the church with her. She kept saying she will live the gospel and says she knows its true with all her heart. But she told us, her face wet with tears, "I need my family. I need them." She is so torn between the gospel and the ones she loves. She finally "came out" to her parents as a baptized Mormon and I can only imagine that it wasn't pretty. We all cried. All three of us. I cannot describe the heartache I felt for her. Godly sorrow is the only term that seems fit.

On one hand, I cannot blame her for taking the "easier" route. On the other hand, I know all the blessings that await her if she stays strong. We shared all that the spirit directed us to. We pulled out every scripture, every valid doctrinal point we could make. But you could see in her eyes that her mind had been made up. The last commitment we extended was after we shared the scripture: Seek ye first the kingdom of God. We asked if she would trust the promise that the Lord has given, that he will add all things unto us if we do so. There was silence for what felt like eternity. Then she responded, "I know what the answer should be." More silence. "I won't." She shook her head, tears streaming down her face, "I won't." 

My heart crumbled as I realized her faith was not sufficient. I questioned whether or not mine would be in this situation. I told her that, like she said, she knows what the answer should be. She only knows that because it has been told her to by the Holy Ghost, and that, as she knows, the Holy Ghost speaks for God himself. She nodded her head. She offered a closing prayer in which we all whimpered and sobbed. 

We then all met with President Frost, who refused to take her records out of the church. He bore a heartfelt testimony of the precious truths of the gospel. He said to her "Do what you need to, but I won't remove your records. We'll be here when you come back".  President Frost then offered the most heartfelt plea to the Lord. Absolute peace filled the room. I cannot describe how strong the love of God felt. President then said "Yes, thank you, Lord. I can feel that Shenikah knows now the love that you have for her." And we as the missionaries were filled with the unbelievable peace knowing that no matter what, it'll all be okay. And I know it will. I trust in the Lord and in the plans he has set. I know that I have done my best as a missionary, and that now is the time for faith.

It goes without saying that this week had a lot of heartbreak. But I trust that the man upstairs knows what He's doing. I trust Him.

We had a hard time meeting with people because it's spring break, but we have an awesome member who went to lessons with us all day on Wednesday! She is a sweetheart and often sends uplifting texts in the mornings. It was very windy this week as the pictures show. One morning we had a couple members join us for our morning studies, one of them to prep for his mission, and another because she needs the spiritual boost! They even role played with us and then afterwards, as the picture shows, picked me up! I have started to make papusas and hope to perfect them by the end of my mission! If anyone has solid advice on how to make them delicious let me know! I also would love the recipe for meat papusas. 

We also have lots of stuffed animals. 

Other than that the week has been great! One of our investigators bore his testimony in sacrament meeting and he's on date for this month so we're really excited. I love you all and I'm so grateful for the package I received this week. The granola is delicious, mommy! 

love you all!

Sister Valdez