Transfer 13 Week 2

Sister Steele:

White and camera shy

 Sister Navarro:
Samoan, Chinese, and Filipino

The week started out with transfers. I met Sister Navarro and Sister Steele in Farmington. We hit the road... in the WRONG direction! We went south instead of west, and headed towards Gallup instead of Page. It wasn't till we were almost in Sheep Springs that we realized we were going the wrong direction. Sister Steele was crammed in the back with all of the suitcases, Sister Navarro was the driver, and I was in the passenger seat. I pulled out the map as we pulled over on a reservation road. I pointed to where we were, and where we were supposed to be. Sister Navarro burst into the loudest laugh I've ever heard. She got me going, Sister Steele politely giggling in the back, until tears were streaming down our faces. We collected ourselves and figured out the best shortcut through the Indian Reservation. Sister Navarro is such an absolute delight. I was so happy for her laughter in a situation that could've otherwise been SO stressful. She brings laughter to every situation and I am so grateful for that. So our drive which should've taken only a few hours, ended up taking around 7 hours with a fun scenic route through the rez.
My body isn't doing super well, I've had stomach problems the whole week I've been here. But the sisters are good at telling me to take a break when I start to get really lightheaded and tired. Just trying to drink a lot of water. I was so grateful for the California oranges daddy sent. They are so delicious! I haven't had any fruit as good as that since I've been out here. I gave a piece to Sister Campbell on our drive to Farmington and she was absolutely surprised that an orange could even taste that good.
I'm glad to be in Page. I'm just trying to figure out what I have to contribute here. I'm trying to learn what I can from Sister Steele and her quiet dignity. I'm learning from both of these sisters and their dedication to the work. I love being in a trio, as scary as trios sound. 

We had a great zone training in which one of the elders trained on resolving baptismal invite concerns. I have been trying for the past few months to role play as me; what I would say and feel if I were investigating the church. I figure if I can ask the questions and have the concerns I would really have, I will really learn what the spirit wants me to learn. So far I haven't been super impressed with how my baptismal concern has been resolved. I watched the elder as he sat silently and listened to the spirit. He asked me about my personal prayers. That was an inspired question, and one I hadn't been asked before for my concern of "I just don't want to commit until I know for sure". It made me think. Since that role play, I sincerely have been paying more attention to my personal prayers. Does it really feel like I'm talking to God? Does my conversation with Him reflect the relationship of Father and child? I told the elder that he did wonderful. That it was an interesting way to resolve my concern, one I hadn't heard before. He said it was tricky and that his mind kept jumping from place to place, led by the spirit. I know it was led by the spirit because I felt it. I then practiced and his concern was one that hit close to home. His was on personal worthiness. "I don't feel like I deserve it." As I promised him that he did, and testified of the love of God, the spirit taught me. I answered concerns that I have for myself. It's wonderful to learn so much from a few minutes of role play. An interesting thought came to my mind as I taught him, God decides who deserves His love and forgiveness- not us.

That's true when we struggle loving and forgiving others, and when we struggle loving and forgiving ourselves. Sometimes the only thing standing between us and salvation is us. 

We taught a man this week named Kevin. Such a wonderful young man. He has an 8 year old son and has partial custody of him. The spirit was in his home so strong. He was raised Christian. He kept saying "I'm just trying to find the truth". We taught him about the plan of salvation. He's already been taught the restoration. He reads and prays and comes to church every week. But he said something interesting when we asked him about his prayers to know whether or not the church is true. "I'm asking. But I don't expect an answer either way." That seemed wrong. We should expect answers. That's faith. If we understand the nature of God, specifically that He is a perfectly loving father, we should know that He wants to give us answers. He wants us to have the truth. He wants nothing but happiness for us. We can't be upset when we don't receive answers, that's sometimes a test of our patience and faith. But we can expect that God will communicate with us in some way. Because He loves us. But Kevin doesn't trust God in that way yet. I know he'll get answer. And I told him that. I know because there was a spirit in his home that suggested his frequent communication with the Divine. God knows him. God hears him. God listens. God is there. And He'll answer, in His time, when Kevin himself is ready to act on that answer. Real intent is key.

I love you all so much. 

I included a picture of me and Sister Garcia, and one also of a shirtless man at the parking lot chasing a mini poodle, along with a view of the reservation and of Page

Transfer 13 Week 1

TRANSFERRED:

PO Box 86 

Page, AZ 86040

I'll be just down the street from a perfect view of Lake Powell. My companions will be Sister Navarro and Sister Steele. I'll be in a trio for my last six weeks. I was shocked, to be honest. Totally shocked to be transferred. But I'm delighted, since the sister taking my place with me a brand new missionary trained by the lovely Sister Campbell! She'll do so great. I've had great anxiety about packing and she's had great anxiety about training since we got the call. We give each other hugs and say "It's gonna be okay" every few hours. 

The Lord is wonderful and He has taught me a lot throughout my time in Holbrook. One big thing I've been learning, and am still learning, is to be a "God fearing woman". I'm learning to say what God needs me to say, even when it's not what others want to hear. I've gained so much greater of an understanding of what love is. And I am learning better to love myself. 

Sister Campbell made me do weird self-affirmation things like Sabrina used to do. "I am awesome, and will become more awesome, and that's okay. I am called because God needs me here." She made me repeat it to myself once a day or else she would pester me mercilessly. She's been such a blessing to my self-esteem. She's so well educated in psychology, so she understands feelings from an "intellectual standpoint". We had many good conversations on long drives, and did a lot of problem solving a goal setting to help improve my future relationships and friendships. Best of all, she shared her contagious faith, hope, and obedience. 

I am so grateful for Holbrook. It's sad to leave, because it feels like home here. This charming strange corner of the universe feels more like home than home itself does at this point. The members here have been amazing, the work has been great, and I have learned so much. I look forward to all that Page will teach me, as well as my great companions there. 

Conference was fantastic this week, I was so grateful to watch and find so many ways I can improve and goals that I can set. I had questions answered through the speakers, revelation flowing like river rapids, and the spirit was so strong. God is teaching me so much. The most important thing I am coming to a greater understanding of is the Atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the center of everything. There is no time I have felt the Holy Ghost stronger than when I hear about the Atonement. There is nothing more that I feel I need to have a stronger testimony in than that event. I am realizing that my testimony of the Atonement is directly influenced by how much I am using it in my life. I am grateful for repentance. I am grateful for the perfect love of a perfect Father in Heaven. I am grateful that because of the even we celebrated this past week, I do not have to be who I have been.

"'Twas I, but 'tis not I." I am grateful to be able to say that with full confidence in a God who forgives sins, who heals wounds, and who urges me to press forward.

I love and miss you all,

many apologies if I don't send much mail this week,  

xxoxoxoxoxo

Sister Valdez

Pretty view on our drive

A dog irritated by all the traffic in Gallup

and packing packing packing

Transfer 12 Week 6

Happy Monday! It looks like it was a super fun week, I had so many pictures to look at in my inbox today! Everyone looks beautiful and wonderful and I'm so excited for all the fun things happening. I got a letter from Aaron today in the mail and I will consider that a miracle. 
I've been still sick this week, trying to fight this sinus infection, but never quite getting enough time to rest. It's not horrible just pretty painful and inconvenient. Also one of our relief society presidents kept momming me throughout the week, and doing an unwise mom-habit which is still hugging people when they're sick. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the science behind why mom's never get sick has to do with them being the moms of their children and since my RS mom is not my genetic mom, she caught the sickness and I feel so bad for her! She came to church pinching the top of her nose like I have been for the past week and I was so sad that I gave it to her. 
Sister Campbell and I are having such a blast in Holbrook. This week we found a beetle and put it underneath a cup and left it for someone else to deal with (aka no one). And then we came back and the beetle was GONE! This morning on my way to shower I saw the same beetle again and I said "NOT THIS TIME, BUDDY." and put a study glass cup over him and now he will remain there until we get back from Farmington and have the courage to deal with that whole gross bug situation. Last time we just let the centipede rot under there until he was dry and crumbly and then we threw him away.
This week one miracle was a small learning experience about listening to the spirit. Me and Sister Campbell were walking on the sidewalk in a slightly more questionable part of town. There was a group of men standing by their car, a couple of them had cans in hand. We were on their side of the street and we came to a four way stop. We both looked at each other and silently agreed to cross so that we wouldn't cross paths with these men. I felt bad, because I know we're supposed to talk to absolutely every human being breathing and living, but I also didn't feel comfortable. So we took a different route. I didn't think much of it. 
Just ten minutes or so later we passed by a house where we had previously taught a sweet little old Hispanic lady. There was a man on the porch drinking a beer, and evidently other men inside the house. We walked right up and started talking to the man on the porch. People started popping out of the front door and soon we were surrounded with at least seven or eight men of a rougher looking crowd. Some of them had cans of beer, others were lighting cigarettes. The man on the porch didn't seem interested, but someone approached Sister Campbell and told us how young we looked, asked how old we were. "Aren't you girls scared going out like this?" One man named Jesse walked up to where I was standing and began telling me all about his ex and how she used to be a Mormon. He was lighting a cigarette and had tattoos along his hands, arms, and neck. He told me about their failing relationship and his addictions, and how he really is ready to give his all to God. "I'm actually really glad that you guys walked by." He said he wants us to help his ex girlfriend, and that he's ready to listen to whatever we have to share. I testified of the healing that comes from the Atonement of Christ. I gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon while Sister Campbell gave another copy to the man she was talking to. As we walked away we both pondered the first man's question. "Aren't you girls scared going out like this?"
We talked about the feeling we got when approaching the first group of men, the feeling that we needed to walk across the street. We also talked about the unnoticed fearlessness we had approaching the whole house full of the same looking crowd. We talked about the man Sister Campbell contacted: humble, quiet, asking about the church, and the Book of Mormon. And the one I contacted: open, spilling his guts out, looking for someone to vent to, and ready to open his heart to whoever God sends to teach him. We learned two things: 1)  The spirit is guiding us even when we don't realize it ourselves. Why else could we not  feel scared around a group of men like that? That's the difference between the first and second group. One we didn't approach, one we did. The outward appearance showed little difference between the two groups of men. But God sees their hearts. And He guides out footsteps. 2) God matches us with who He knows we can touch. I could not have contacted the man that Sister Campbell talked to- not in the same way. She's good with the facts, the explanations, she feels more comfortable with people who are timid and uncomfortable. His timid nature made her comfortable. Jesse's soul-bearing made me feel comfortable. Whereas Sister Campbell would not have responded the same to someone talking so openly to her. God knows who will connect. 
I know that God put us in their path. If only to teach me that small lesson on the way that the spirit works, and how to recognize how God uses our different strengths to reach different people.  

Theres a picture of my totally adorable companion and some medication that got me through the week. 

Also a picture of a totally adorable time that me and sister campbell took a nap on exchanges and a picture of when I made mistakes by eating an entire bag of cookies in one sitting. 

The car is packed and we're off to Farmington after I send this email, wish us safe travels! I love you all mucho grande, hope you enjoy the letters I sent off last Monday. Pinchy pinch between your toes.

OH I ALMOST FORGOT. This week I met a little girl who found it really necessary to tell me that both her and her grandpa have "twin toes"- AKA: two toes that are WEBBED TOGETHER.

You're welcome.