Transfer 5 Week 4

Dear People,
I will start out this week with my googleable questions.

- Why is earwax orange?

- How do you declaw a cat?

- What are these red bumps on my legs?

- Greek/Latin root words list

- Define Scrupulous

- Psychology of sleep talking

- Why do old people hurt in bad weather?

- How to reverse french braid

- DIY deep conditioner

Sorry to email so late today, but the college was closed for memorial day! We came to the church but not until after we had lunch and played Phase 10 with an old lady from the ward.

The highlights of the week were:

The 100 year old making us lunch. Crackers with peanut butter and an apple, because (quote)

"There is strength in peanut butter,
and an apple a day keeps the doctor away!"

(/quote)

I need to now describe to you a less-active brother from the ward. We'll call him Bro. A. He wears a cowboy hat, has a thick Texan accent, and squints his left eye when he gets really into a story. He lives next to the dump and right behind the meat factory. So I can't lie and say his trailer smells like petunias. He has a dog that sleeps in a barrel.

"What's the dog's name?"

(Southern drawl) "Dawg."

"Oh... Dawg."

And a cat who I think has a word of wisdom problem. The cat can often be seen being dragged across the street by his tail by a little Navajo neighbor boy. He staggers wherever he walks. Brother A flicked him in the ear and he fell right over like a dead fish. The cat always lays on the porch and stretches, and 3 out of 5 times accidentally rolls off and lands on the ground with a THUNK! I thought cats always landed on their feet but this cat has proved me wrong.

A sister in the ward has taught us how to make flour tortillas and they are nearly as good as the ones at the Tortilla factory that once stood in California Adventure (RIP Tortilla factoria. "Masecaaaaa!"). Sister Garcia and I have made so many this week and it makes our lunchtime quesadilla's taste top notch.

We also had a lesson with a drunk lady. And we met with Blue again. We taught him the Restoration very quickly (so he had no time to interrupt with a story about catching eagle feathers), and after it was over he sat in a few moments of silence. Then he started in on a story. I am never sure how much gets soaked in. But he has said many times that he loves the Book of Mormon. He says the stories he reads in there are similar to those he was told as a child about their ancestors. This week after his lesson he turned to me, and asked "Can I ask you a personal question? Are you a Native?"

I was so excited. He's the third or so to ask me that. I told him that I am half Filipino and he told me "We are from the same tribe. You and I are not so different." He sang a chant that is common among both the Filipinos and the Navajos. We were sitting outside and the rain started beating down harder. I could hear the thunder rolling and saw lightening flash across his face. We asked him to pray. It is amazing that even though was all pray differently, it is all to the same Creator, and he always listens- I can feel it.

We visited the old lady who lived in Hawaii again. She's a sweetheart and repeated 17 stories this time. She told me how to hand-train a parakeet and I hope Cornelius is still alive when I get home.

Mom, no more worrying about me starving to death! There are Filipinos. I will send a picture of me and the food they sent us home with.

Also Sister Garcia hums in her sleep and I can't figure out why. She asks me questions in her sleep too which is almost worse because nothing stresses me out more than being asked questions while I'm trying to sleep. Someone please figure out why she is doing this.

The best spiritual experience I have had this week is when we visited a less active. We had knocked and knocked at this door for weeks. Finally she answered and let us in. She hasn't been to church since she was a teenager. She told us about her dog she had when she was a child. She told us about her four husbands, four divorces, four heartbreaks. She said she often wondered what love really is. She read the bible for that exact reason. She said she didn't find the answer she expected, but she found an answer. It was in Corinthians 13, the chapter about charity. If you haven't read it lately, I highly suggest.

She told us about her niece with down syndrome and how she's taught her to shower herself, to do dishes- When she first came, she couldn't even talk. She told us what a blessing it is to have her in the house. We shared the Plan of Salvation. We told her that her niece is a choice spirit, a noble spirit. I watched tears form in her eyes. "That is truth, that is from God." She said.

It's hard for her to meet often because she is in so much pain she can't get out of bed. But I am excited to continue teaching her. Even if I have to knock that door three times a week. It is worth the one time we get an answer.

I love you all and miss you all!
Sister Valdez

Transfer 5 Week 3

This week was fantastic! Sister Garcia and I started pushing to get more lessons and we did. The Lord blesses us for every bit of effort we put forth. Oh, just a note before I forget, if you are wondering if theres anything else I want sent to me: my polariod pictures. The ones I've already taken. There are some up in my room and some in a treasure box in my room. I just miss looking at them! So you can slip some in your letters if you find any.

On Monday we went Pawn Shopping and desert exploring. In other words, we did pretty much all there is to do in Kirtland. We also ate Navajo tacos with flaming hot sauce on it and I think my tongue fell off. I have been inspired by the people here to take up birdwatching and the hula. If I listen to anyone talk about anything long enough I am convinced that their hobby is the best hobby though. 

We have a blind less-active and one time me and Sister Garcia almost roasted her dog like a rotisserie chicken. I have started a list of Do's and Don'ts in Kirtland.

DO: 

Save room for dessert. It always comes.

Ask about their grandchildren, it will make them happy.

DON'T:

Lean back in the couch, you will fall asleep.

Blow in their fluffy dog's face, it will bark and alert the owner.

The best service we've done so far is wipe the puss off of someones back-blisters. An investigator on the reservation also asked us to burn his weeds. I am pretty sure that has to be illegal because it goes against everything smokey the bear has taught me. But he gave us what I can only describe as a flame thrower and we lit up the side of his yard. The pyromaniac in me came alive and I think I let out an evil laugh or two. 

Someone fed us enchiladas with an egg on top. They were not rolled up enchiladas. They were stacked. I can't figure out who decided an egg on an enchilada was a cool idea. It's not bad, it's just that my idea of an enchilada is similar to a burrito and theirs is more like a lasagna with tortillas. And EGG!! I must also mention that the meat was elk meat. You should have seen how wide my eyes got when the member told us. 

The 100 year old in the ward told us about how when she was a rebellious young girl she used to change from her stockings into risky looking "ankle socks" once she got to school. I met a toothless Navajo and now I understand how our Elders feel when they try to figure out what grandma is saying. 

Someone fed us Adobo and I was on cloud nine! 

The best spiritual experience this week was teaching a young Native girl and her father. Her father gave us question after question and was near the point of arguing. But we were able to answer and speak by the spirit. I could see the light grow in her eyes as the spirit filled the room. She nodded even though her dad was as receptive as a brick wall. She told us she has read from the Book of Mormon that the other sisters had left with her parents. When we left she was still flipping through the pages. I am excited for her though her father will take a long time to come around. He is very loyal to the traditions of his culture. But the Lord works miracles.

Hope you've all had a good week!

I love you all and miss you! 

I will try to write everyone letters today.
 Sister Valdez

Transfer 5 Week 2

Dear People!

First of all it was amazing to see everyone yesterday. For 45 minutes I was home in the noise and chaos. Laughing with you all was what I needed more than anything. And seeing Sabrina and hearing her laugh too was a breath of fresh air. I can't believe that by next mothers day I will be home and we will all be laughing together except it will be better because I will be able to pinch all your little tummies. 

Monday was chaotic getting ready to get transferred, there were quite a few things I didn't get to shop for and so I was pretty bummed. But a member made me some CD's and they changed my life because having new music is the best thing in the world as a missionary. We now have songs from a band called All Things New, and let me tell you- I am in love. 

Our branch president practically made me cry when he said goodbye. He put his hand on my shoulder very dramatically (as he often does), paused for dramatic effect, looked straight into my eyes, and told me he loved me. He said he was so grateful for the work we had done in YSA. I am so grateful for the time I spent there. It was a constant party over there and a lot of hard work. The branch is amazing and I miss them so much already. But God has great plans for me! I'm stoked to be in Kirtland with all my prunes. Sister Garcia is from Clovis (shout out to Bri), California, but she has moved so many times all over the US. She has been to 49 states, she just needs to go to Hawaii and she's been everywhere! Last night she told me about colored toilet paper in France. If anyone wants to send me some of that junk, my life will officially be complete. Sister Garcia also loves doing nails so I am going to take full advantage of that and will, as senior companion, assign her to file my nails as soon as they grow out. She was Sister Huch's MTC companion and her and I have been laughing so hard. She loves psychology so we have already psychologically evaluated ourselves and each other. There is nothing I value more than a good laugh and a quality conversation and she offers both. She's very sweet and has a very understanding heart. She also has the best dating horror stories.

Kirtland is a whole different world, everything moves slower. Literally I think time goes slower here. I have time to do my hair and to eat breakfast (luxuries). They have knocked almost every door here in Kirtland and its about 80% members here (made up statistic). I have already met a lady who says she can hear cats talk. I have sat down with an old couple for "tea time" during which we got fed cranberry cakes and cheese. I've been adopted as a grandaughter to an old Native who calls himself "Blue" and blesses the insects when he offers his half-Navajo half-English prayers. 

A couple of days ago we met with a less active lady who is often ill and doesn't get to church much. She served a mission quite some time ago and is now very old and sweet. She told us story and you could see her sweet spirit glow. She has beautiful bright blue eyes and a gorgeous smile. Age cannot hide her beauty. As we left I felt very prompted to tell her how beautiful she looked. I thought it was very strange but I said it anyways. She was very sheepish after my compliment and looked away as if I had said something silly or embarrassing. The next time we visited she shared a story from a book she had been reading. It was about self-worth. She told us how she often looked in the mirror and struggled to love herself. She felt that one day she just woke up and she was old and frail. I was able to testify of her divine worth and beauty. She is a wonderful daughter of God.

Till next week

Transfer 5 Week 1

TRANSFER NEWS: First of all, little Sister Huch will be training! I am very excited for her and very nervous as well. I will be transferred out of YSA (tears fall from my eyes) and into Kirtland 1st Ward. I look forward to the hiss of oxygen tanks and the chorus of crying children. Serving in a family ward will be very different. But I'm stoked for some change.

Last Monday Sister Huch turned 20 and we celebrated hard! We bought party hats and I sang to her at least 15 times throughout the day. Sister Heck and Harrah came in to stay the night for a meeting the next day. Heck and I frantically shared stories and pictures and jokes in the brief moments we had together. 

On Wednesday we were able to teach seminary to the FHS students. Those kids are probably the best representation of the Army of Helaman. They put my old snot-nosed seminary class to shame. We look like a bunch of delinquents in comparison. Shout-out to my poor seminary teachers who put up with rowdy, rude, and sometimes sleeping, students. I, of course, was not one of them. I would never. It was really awesome though. The tender moment of the day was when we were cleaning up after, we found a sticky note on which one of the students had written down notes of what each of us had said. Things that had inspired him/her. 

That same day, contrasting the very spirit-filled seminary classes, we had a lesson at a starbucks. Since when did starbucks play latin-techno? Probably the most obnoxious music of all time. I think I was yelling scriptures at our poor investigator. I think I committed her to pray and read, but I couldn't hear over the majestic call of the wild barista: "VANILLA FRAP!!!!!!". In her defense, it was happy hour, and we should've asked to at least sit outside. 

On Friday a member made us probably the fanciest meal of all time. He served in France so he made us quiche and crepes, and a salad with vinaigrette. After dinner is when we received the call from president that Sister Huch is training! She screamed. I cried. Tiff hugged me. All was well. 

Probably the most awesome experience we had this week was with our investigator, Adam. We went to meet with him and both felt like we needed to bring up the Word of Wisdom. We've seen him smoke before and he's on date for baptism on the 7th. So for me and Huch there was an elephant in the room. We read out of 3 Nephi with him and then Sister Huch asked "What can you do to better turn yourself to Christ?" 

And then he proceeded to tell us,

"Well... I guess the last thing that I needed to do, I've already started. The only thing that was in my way, I felt like, was smoking. And two days ago I just decided I'm gonna quit. I threw out my last pack and I've committed myself not to buy another."

He had heard about the Word of Wisdom from his less-active friend and decided to start living it. If you listened closely on May 3rd at approx. 6:35 pm, you'd be able to hear the echo as our jaws hit the ground. Amazing. It is fantastic to invite someone to make changes in their lives to come closer to Christ, it is even better when they make those decisions for themselves. 

I am heartbroken to leave behind the branch. I had dinner with a member of the branch presidency on Sunday night and, in true Sister Valdez fashion, cried a few hidden tears. But I am ready for whatever God has in store for me next.

Faith is always pointed towards the future.

Notes from my journal this week:

Mankind abandoned mediocrity when he left the garden of eden,

It is in Gods plan for us to be more than carnal,

more than content,

more than just man. 

We are to be "more than conquerors" through him who loved us. 

xoxo

Sister Valdez