Transfer 10 Week 5

Can I just say how amazing it was to see you all on Christmas? Lots of laughter, and I even got to see Steph for a moment. I was so grateful, even though mom made me cry right as I got off. Amanda is getting sassier by the day, Eduardo is probably 6 feet tall by now, Aaron lurked behind as usual, and I see daddy is growing out the winter beard. Grandma is a little prune- Sister Jeffrey was so excited to see grandma! She has heard many stories about both Grandma and Oliver so it was fun for her to see both. I wish she would've sat in with me more. It was especially funny to compare when she got on with her family. They were spread out through a big fancy looking room, whereas you crazies were smashed into a three foot radius, all sitting on each other, made us sing, and laughed lots. They chattered and told little jokes under their breath and talked about how excited they are to have her come home. She has very little time left and we are trying to make the most of it.

Last week half of our week was spent traveling to and from Page, Arizona. It was a lot of driving, especially since we couldn't cut through Flagstaff, cause it's not in our mission! We had fun though and laughed lots on the drive. We hit a mouse. And I had a great time with Sister Panoussi and Sister Steele. They are both timid sisters and I am excited for them to learn to speak up together.


This year, somehow, the forgotten missionaries were not sent any pajamas! Sister Jeffrey and I were devastated. "TWENTY YEARS," She cried out, "TWENTY YEARS, AND THE PAJAMA TRADITION IS BROKEN!"
We saved tradition by stopping at Walmart and getting the most suitable pajamas we could find: French Bulldogs with Santa Hats. It was the perfect pajamas to describe our companionship.
We put them on Christmas Eve after planning, and who arrived at our door? SANTA! He came with
chocolates. And caught us in our PJ's. The best part is that santa is a counselor to our mission president. How embarrassing!
On Christmas, I was still feeling that phone-call-home high. My mind was a little caught up, and I couldn't shake the sad lump in my throat from being away on Christmas in the cold, knocking doors and no one was answering. We decided to go visit a woman from the ward who lives alone. Just as we arrived at her house, snow started falling from the sky. We laughed and ran inside and shared the Christmas story with this older woman. It was amazing for me to walk inside this humble trailer and realize that, had we not come, this trailer would've been the stage for a sad lonely Christmas. Yet she smiled and she laughed and shared stories. Her dog was curled up next to the small heater. The snow fell quietly outside her window, and we sat and talked about the faithfulness of the shepards, the determination of the wise men, and the humble circumstances of Christ's birth. It was such a blessing to get outside of my own head. Sometimes I am my worst enemy. I can get myself so caught up in my own dramatic feelings. But it is such a joy to get outside yourself. We enjoyed our time with her, and ran out into the snow. I tried to nail Sister Jeffrey with a few snowballs. We knocked a few more doors in the cold, and then went home for apple cider and a good Christmas sleep.
I am exhausted this week, I can't lie. Traveling wore me out. I've been fighting sickness since we got home from Page and I am stressed out of my mind over a dumb musical number for MLC. But I cannot lie, this is the happiest time of my life. I can't express the joy I feel in losing myself. In doing something for someone other than me. I love this great work. I love you all so much, hope you're doing well. I miss you every day.
Pinches on your toes,
Sister Valdez

Transfer 10 Week 4

Pictures from a museum!

Merry Christmas! I love you all so much. The woman we live with bought us necklaces for Christmas from a little Native American lady who came selling jewelry to our door. It turns out that the little woman used to live here, this story reminded me of Mommy. But they had found this woman when she was young, rummaging through one of their closets. She was about the age of Sister Shumway's daughter. Anyway, it turned into this fiasco and they eventually ended up taking her in for quite a few years. She eventually joined the church but is no longer actively involved with it.
The house is ours this week since she went to be with some of her children in Eager for Christmas, but she left our necklaces under the tree along with a couple other presents and a sweet note.
Sister Jeffrey turned 21 this week! We celebrated by getting her some root beer and working hard on exchanges with Sister Brady and Sister Waite. I sang happy birthday to her 21 times. I sang it a couple times with the piano.
Sister Brady and I went and taught someone who lives down our street, a sweet woman and her mother. They are less active- the mother only because of her health. She has had four strokes in the past year or so. Her daughter takes care of her. But her faith is so strong. She just keeps saying "We just have to trust in the Lord". Her daughter has been less active since she was in high school. And the strokes are really trying her faith. Her mom gets cramps in her legs and wakes up in the night in extreme pain. The daughter cares for her and sometimes she just cries because there is very little she can do to make the pain stop, since they don't know why it's happening. We had visited them a couple times before, just shared quick scriptures, and a week ago I felt impressed to ask if they would listen to the lessons. They agreed. When I went with Sister Brady we had planned to teach the restoration. We never got past the first bullet point: God is your loving Heavenly Father.
I asked her "How do you know that God loves you?"
Instantly her eyes filled up with tears and she was silent for a few seconds.
"I've been thinking about that a lot this past week. And it's funny you ask that, because... I'm not sure he even does. I mean I know that He's there. But I have always struggled knowing that He loves me."
I read with her in Moses where Enoch asks "How is it that thou canst weep?"
I told her that I've had moments where I wonder the same thing, but I testified her that God does love her. That He knows her. That He isn't punishing her, but if she turns to Him then He can build her up. Her mother sat in a wheelchair in the corner, grinning from ear to ear as we testified of God's love. I looked her in the eye and told her that God sent us to here. That it wasn't planned for us to even come and teach her. We were initially there to check up on her mom and offer service, but God Himself was the one who prompted us to invite her to listen. He's reaching out to her. That's the message of Christmas. That's the point. That's what this is all about. God's love. He loves us infinitely. He loves us unconditionally. He loves us in the moments when we stray, and when we turn our back on Him, His arm is stretched out still. We were able to testify of the atonement of Jesus Christ- the very center of our message, and the very purpose of Christmas. Because God loves us He sent His son. That's not a fairytale, it's not just historical fact- it's eternal truth. Because of Christ we can overcome all. We can grow from our trails. We can turn ourselves around and act upon even the smallest fraction of faith, and the moment we do our lives can be flooded with the love of God. We begin to see small miracles. And the greatest miracle of all is that we can change, and become filled with hope.
Now, I don't know where things will go, if she will choose to act and come closer to Christ. I sense rebellion in her, she's been stubborn for quite some time. But I do know this:
God loves that woman. Immensely. He misses her. He wants her back home. He wants her happy. I know that because I can feel it in the room when we teach her. And this is why I'm doing this work, to do what He would have me do, to bring to pass the immortality, the eternal life, the great and marvelous work. This work is small simple miracles. It's small moments of a loving God reaching out to His children. And as much as I miss you all and wish to be with you and open u presents in our jammies, I know that there is nothing more I would rather be doing this Christmas than the very work of Christ.
I love you more than words can say,
I will see you Thursday.
- Sister Valdez

Transfer 10 Week 3

So excited for Christmas! I'm going to the post office after this to mail off everyones little Christmas goodies. They aren't a lot, but I hope you enjoy the little souvenirs I was able to pick up the past few months.
We had a Christmas party with the surrounding zones in Tuba City this week. We drove up in complete fog and had a blast playing games with the elders and sisters. We played one that involved some vigorous rock-paper-scissors action, and the next day half of my left hand was PURPLE! Dark deep purple, bruised by my competitive spirit.
The best DA we had this week was a strange answer to my cravings: frozen lasagna and cap'n'crunch cereal! The RS president in Woodruff had us over last minute and fed us what she had. She had made some homemade fudge too- this is the same woman who made homemade noodles. Anyway, she had some Cap N Crunch on the table and I kept sneaking handfuls and she let me eat them with my lasagna and it was so delicious.
Corvette was baptized this past Saturday! The baptism was great. Her grandma was asked to speak on the Holy Ghost. Can I tell you how nervous I was for that? Grandma is a Scientific Christian preacher. I didn't think it would be awful, but I also didn't know what kind of doctrine would come out. But all went well, she gave a really great talk and it made me realize how some truths are generally universal. I can't lie, she spoke by the spirit. It was there strongly as she testified of the mission and power of the Holy Spirit. She had to get baptized three times because the man baptizing her was so nervous! It was the same member who got us out of the mud. We will be buying brownies to bring to him this next week. I thanked him again on my family's behalf after the baptism was over. But little Cory was so happy. She bought a new little white dress to wear after her baptism. She was so nervous she had us walk her to the font when it was time. I played the interlude while she changed into her new dress. Her mother, who isn't a member, came and sat quietly in the back. She's a very strong catholic. But I noticed her eyes were wet by the end of the baptism and she quietly thanked us before she left.
This evening we will be on exchanges with the sisters from Gallup! And this weekend I'll be with Sister Garcia and Sister Clark. And within the next couple of weeks we will be traveling to Page. I love you all so much!
I miss you lots
xoxoxo
Sister Valdez

Mom,
Frost,
Me yelling at my companion

Transfer 10 Week 2

A sneak peek at our Christmas pictures

the lack of rain drainage system in arizona

my companion in puddles

                                                            and my new flamingo pajama dress

My stomach is really full of delicious food from last night! A member asked us "What kind of food have you been craving?" and instead of the normal "We'll eat anything!" I told him I've been craving Italian. Apparently he used to work in the catering business and would cater in Hollywood for famous actors who I'm too young to recognize the names of. He made bread sticks the size of my forearm, soup with sausage and mushrooms (Mommy would be proud, I ate every single one), a fresh salad with raspberry vinaigrette, lasagna, and some stuffed noodle that I can't pronounce the name of with homemade Alfredo sauce and home made marinara for the bread sticks. I ate so much and was so full and had to say a silent prayer of gratitude when he told us that he had made a cake but it wouldn't be ready on time to eat. They had three teenage boys, one of them had a black eye from wrestling and told us how he broke someones leg this weekend. They were rowdy and loud and definitely teenagers, they had us laughing the whole time and- as always- made me miss the chaos of home. 
We have an investigator who is hopefully getting baptized this Saturday. Her name is Corvette and she's the most tender sweet little thing. This week at her lesson, we called someone to give the closing prayer, and instinctively Sister Jeffrey and I shut our eyes and began the prayer. We heard shuffling and both peeked as Cory slipped off the couch and onto her knees. We had completely forgotten to kneel! But she didn't. It's such a blessing to realize how well she understands the sacred nature of prayer. 

The great miracle this week involves a very stressful experience of getting very stuck in some muddy clay. We had gone to a valley with dirt roads to contact a referral, and were doing fine and dandy on the paved road until we had to turn onto the street we were looking for. We had received the media referral a few days before and I was determined to contact it as soon as possible. We got to the dirt road, and Sister Jeffrey looked hesitant. 
"We came all this way! We might as well try." I said, knowing she was thinking of turning back when she saw the house in front of us. 
It was a poor excuse for a house, pieces of metal and junk all tied together, worn out couches on the front porch, and no lights on. I persuaded her to keep going, and we headed down the small dirt road. Suddenly, the terrain became slippery. With her skills earned from years driving in the snow, Sister Jeffrey maneuvered us halfway down the road to the house. "We probably shouldn't park here, our car will sink." She said. 
So we decided to park on the paved road and walk down instead. We slipped and slid some more, and right when we were about five feet from the pavement, our car refused to move. We drove forward again and again, turning and maneuvering but to no avail. We got out and realized it was very stuck in the mud. I said the most sincere pleading prayer I've probably said in a long time, and then we got out and called just about everyone in a panic. A member said he was on his way to help us out, but it would take about 40 minutes or more. So I grabbed my bag and started heading up the road. "We might as well!" We both laughed sadly and nervously at the sight of our stuck car and we started walking through the sludge. 
We arrived at the front door, covered in mud, my hair frizzy from the rain, and we knocked. We asked for Betty. Betty came. And Betty told us her story. She's been taught all the lessons in Gilbert, and then she moved here. She wants to be baptized. We set up a return appointment, got her a ride to church, and walked back in the sludge to our car. The member arrived: a short little man resembling the father from Beauty and the Beast with a high nasely voice. He instructed Sister Jeffrey on how to "pull forward, back up, pull forward, back up, turn the wheel, pull forward, back up!" over and over until the car started to move. I noticed it was moving a few more feet and I started cheering. He kept instructing her. He pushed the car forward and back as she drove. Soon I was laughing with excitement. Sister Jeffrey's worried face turned to a grin.

The cute little man kept helping us until we were just about out and he yelled "Floor it!" And she sure did. She floored it right out of the mud. His hands were on the back of the car pushing it, so he immediately fell face first in a pile of mud and I ran to him exclaiming "BROTHER SMITH! YOU ARE WONDERFUL!" 
I then backed her out for what felt like half a mile until we were on a main road, and we rode off in our mud covered car. I have never been so happy for the service of a member. I have never been so happy to contact a referral. I have never been so grateful for a God who gets us out of the mud, even when we were the ones who made all the wrong turns. Our car has been filthy ever since despite our attempt to get the mud off. We'll be heading to a carwash today. And we'll be meeting with the new investigator tomorrow. God is good, and I'm so sure he was laughing at the two of us stressed out in the mud. 
I love you all so very much, though I am disappointed at the lack of mail this week. Come on! 
Not a single letter from anyone! Very sad week at the mailbox. I miss you all, it's hard being away for the holidays, but I am grateful to be doing the most important work that there is to do. It really is a great and marvelous (and sometimes muddy) work. 

- Sister Valdez

Transfer 10 Week 1

This week was MLC! I carpooled again with Sister Heck. We stayed in Farmington YSA's apartment- talk about flashbacks. So, we got ready for bed, Sister Heck shoved two armchairs together to form a bed, and I took the couch (she insisted since I got the floor last time). We prayed, crawled into "bed" and then I got up to go to the bathroom. I came back, cautiously, walking in the dark. I was so sure I was going to crash into something. I laid down, got cozy in my covers, and then I felt a HAND crawling up my body! I yelped, Sister Heck burst into giggles from her hiding spot under the coffee table. We laughed for a while and I reminded her of the time I scared her when her mouth was full of mouthwash and she punched me. She had one last scare! She goes home two weeks into this transfer and I'll be sad to see her go. The mission won't be the same without my GooGoo Monster watching over me from out on the reservation. 
In other news, I'm staying in Holbrook with Sister Jeffrey so get those packages over here for Christmas! I will be going to exchanges this transfer with St. Micheal's, Gallup, and Page. Page is about a four hour drive. Sister Panoussi is there. I'm excited. Sister Garcia is in St. Micheal's now too! I can't wait to see her again. 

This week we met yet another Jailbird. His name is Tim and he is the significant other of a woman named Brittney. Brittney has nine kids and we've taught her two lessons- then Tim showed up. He used to push away the church pretty hard, but now he seems so open. He apologized to the members who are their fellowshippers telling them "You must've thought I'm a jerk, but I really am willing to learn now." He had a sudden change of heart, agreed to take the lessons, and agreed to come to church. Yesterday two of his kids showed up to church with the members who usually give them a ride. Their heads were hung low, and the member told us that Tim's father (strict catholic) found out they were planning on going to church and didn't take it very well. They sent the two sons to go, but they did not show up in hopes to calm down his father. The night before when we taught them the plan of salvation, I felt impressed to warn them of the upcoming opposition. And I'm glad I did. I told them that the greatest followers of Christ have faced all kinds of opposition. And what they need to worry about is what's right for them and what will help their family be together forever. I hope they took that to heart and don't get discouraged. 

Thanksgiving was great! We had several appointments to eat. Lots of homemade delicious cranberry sauce. The first big meal we ate, they killed their own turkey. It was 42 pounds! All the families we visited were partly less-active so it was an interesting crowd. We ended the day at our ward mission leaders house, counseling with him over three layer (apple, pecan, pumpkin) pie. 

We've started on the He Is The Gift initiative. I am so excited for all the contacts we will make this next week, and up until Christmas. So far we have met a woman named Carol, and her three dogs: Domino, Yatzee, and Snuffles, and a wicken named Cameron. Those've been the most interesting, at least. 
I have to constantly keep in mind why we are going out every day. The why is the most important. I try my hardest to remember to have charity at every door we knock, because charity fuels this work. I am getting frustrated with some missionaries who insist on never tracting. It's a nice idea in theory, but I believe there's someone behind those doors who might need us. And I knock for that one. We also get awesome referrals from members who are doing such good work in this area! Family, I hope you're one of those awesome families who is actively engaged in the work of salvation. Missionary work isn't a side-job, it's a full time work for all of those who have been fortunate enough to call themselves disciples of Christ. People need this message, especially this Christmas season.

And now a message on charity, from Marvin J Ashton:

“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.” (Moro. 7:46–47.)

 "Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with thosewho are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you arenever the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt orremain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to becomeoffended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgivesomeone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

Charity is the greatest of all Christlike attributes. It really is.

I miss you all and I love you all so much! Hope your thanksgiving was great. 

Ridiculous Sister Jeffers,

The local library

and our month of december!