For the first time in several weeks, I can see grass!!

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm almost glad that the holidays are over so I can get back to my normal routine. For the past several weeks, things have been very chaotic with trying to arrange dinner appointments, phone calls, study time, planning time.... Now it's back the boring life of a missionary. Yay!

Before I commence with my weekly letter, I am very happy to announce that Karen Emily Ungricht will be heading to the Texas Houston South Mission on March 18th!!!!!!!! (Once you arrive, Miss Karen, it will become the second greatest mission south of the North Pole!)

I am happy to announce that I survived my first Christmas away from home! I dedicate this achievement to the amazing members of the Woodstock ward and their willingness to feed us several times in one day. I loved talking with some of you on the phone and especially glad that the conversations did not lead to any premature trunkiness.

Nothing too exciting is happening right now in my area. We haven't had any repeats of cops, mooners, or car accidents. The work continues to go forth, thanks to the amazing prayers on behalf of family, friends, and ward members. I continue to stay busy with the work and take advantage of the few hours each Wednesday to write letters. Each night I come home with the satisfaction that I did a little bit of good and the feeling that there is still so much more to do. Thankfully, the mission isn't over yet so there is still a little bit of time to accomplish all that needs to be done.

I miss you all and am grateful that you're doing well. You're prayers are appreciated and please know that you're in mine as well. Hugs to all!

Sister Sara

Snow is falling and friends are calling "yoohoo!"

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm sad to report that this has been a rather boring week: no moonings, no cops getting called on us, no car accidents, no old men offering to feed us to his dogs...it's a very strange thing to have a normal week.

Wait! I remembered an interesting story! Several weeks ago, we dropped an investigator but had to do it over the phone. Last week we went over to their home to explain ourselves. I believe I've mentioned this couple before: their living together, she's still married to her husband, he got an amazing blessing telling him that his MS would be healed if he continued to learn about the gospel and did what the Lord would have him do... That should remind you. As we were talking to them, Scott asked why it was so important that a couple not live together before marriage. We explained the church's view on the situation and then Hope piped in with, "tell them why you don't want to marry me." That moment and the next 30 minutes gave us new insight: Scott started explaining that about 20 years ago he dabbled in liqued drugs. Soon after that, he started having dreams where "angels of God" told him that he would be winning the lottery at some point in his life. His ex-wife actually divorced him because he didn't win within 7 years of their marriage. So, if he were to marry Hope, they'd have to sign a prenup to prevent her from taking his winnings. Ending on that note, we told them to give us a call if they were ever interested and quickly left. Oh the people we meet!

A funny story! Sunday morning, Stacey Lindsay walked into church with Owen, but without her husband, Adam. Asking where he was, she informed us that he was home with the chicken pox. Owen got it a few weeks ago, but only broke out with about 15 spots. Adam got it on his scalp, back, arms... Luckilly, he still has a few more days to recover before he has to baptize his wife.

That's all the exciting stuff from my corner of the world! Stacey is getting baptized on Saturday and I couldn't imagine a better birthday present! The light in her eyes is amazing and I wish everyone could see it to receive just a hint of what it feels like to bring someone to the truth of the gospel. Investigators like Stacey make the snow, the cold feet, the slamming doors, and every other hard part of a mission, worthwhile. I love this work!!!! I'll talk to you soon!!!!

Hugs!!!
Sister Sara

Oh the weather outside is frightful...!

Dear Family and Friends,

What a week! Never in my life have I been so grateful for layer upon layer of clothing, or for skirts and the ability to hide all of those layers. I almost feel sorry for the Elders.

We've had a snow storm almost every day this week. The current weather makes me even less happy about having to tract, but I do it anyway. I'm proud to say that during one such tracting evening, I reached a missionary milestone: someone called the cops on us. The woman who we suspect did the calling seemed very interested in our message and even accepted a Book of Mormon, but we're guessing that she didn't like us asking if we could come into her home to talk with her. A few minutes later, a cop car arrived. Apparently, it's against the law to ask to enter a home. They have to ask you. The cop ran our licenses and sent us on our merry way. Have no fear! We'll get that woman converted!

About an hour previous to the cop incident, my companion and I got in a freak car accident. We were heading straight with no stop signs in sight when suddenly a car starts turning left! I've never been so grateful for the snow because as Sister Youngberg started turning to get out of the way, we slid on the ice and the truck barely touched us. I don't know how it's possible, but he said he didn't see us. As the car was coming towards us, you'll never guess what was running through my mind. It wasn't "I'm going to die" or anything like that. It was "I can't afford to pay for a new mission car!"

We got another commitment for baptism this week and also gained a very interesting investigator. Her name is Tracey and she's a single mom with a very rebellious two year old. We brought them with us to church and things went very well until the last 15 minutes of church. Jerry was brought into RS by a nursery worker because he scratched up a little girls face! Thankfully, her parents handled the situation very well and no fights broke out in the lobby. My companion and I both agree that Tracey has potential for baptism, but it is going to take a lot of work. Missionaries to the rescue!

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Elder Holland last week. His final conference talk-"Come What May and Love It"-was a wonderful way to end his life on this earth. If you haven't read it already, do so.

I must close, but I hope all of you are doing well and staying warm during this winter season. (Angela, I don't want to hear any complaints from you about the weather.) Please know that each of you is in my prayers and I look forward to reading the letters I'm sure you're writing this very moment. The gospel's true!
Sister Sara

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Dear Family and Friends,

Yesterday I celebrated my 3 month anniversary as a missionary of the greatest mission in the world by nursing a stuffy/runny nose, and trying to convince my lovely companion that I didn't need to take a nap. When I'm sick, it's better to keep working, but she doesn't see it that way. Next think I knew, she was putting her senior companion and trainer authority to use: she made me use our dinner break to take nap. I'll grudgingly admit that it helped a lot and was pretty coherent for the rest of the day. For our appointment with the Lindsay family, she tried to convince me to wear a mask, but I can also be stubborn and said "no." I'm proud to say I won that battle. (Sister Youngberg wants me to tell you that her purpose was so Bro. Lindsay would stop teasing her about the time she forgot to wear her nametag and pick on me about something. Actually, he already picks on me for not liking their dog.)

I survived my first big holiday away from home. It was spent with the Ogle family for dinner and then we headed to the Jensen home for dessert. On our way, we stopped at a gas station and I got out to fill up the tank. A car pulled up behind us and the driver started talking to me: asking me where I was from, how my holiday was going, yada yada yada. He then started telling me that he and his band were doing a gig in Chicago and asked if I would like to come. With a big smile on my face, I told him that I was a missionary with the LDS church and told him that my companion and I would be more than happy to teach him about the gospel. In the blink of an eye, he was uninterested and left as soon as his friend came out of the store with a 12pack. I'm really starting to love wearing this nametag!

Tracting has never been one of favorite things to do, but something good finally came out of it: we found a less active! He's been living in Woodstock taking care of his mother, but never made contact with the Bishop. We found out that a friend of his is in the ward and we immediately employed her to get him back to church. We can be a very persistent people. Tracting a little bit later, we got called "nuns."

I'm happy to say that I managed to survive my second Illinois blizzard. The wind chill makes things even worse, but I've decided that 40 degrees is like a heat wave. Slowly but surely I'm getting used to the weather. I would love to hibernate the winter away, but like the mail man our work must go forward.

Ever since I arrived, I've been trying to decide what my favorite part of the work is and I've come to a conclusion: seeing the change take place in a person. We can have an investigator whose way of living is totally contrary to our teachings, but as they feel the spirit and receive their own witness, the most amazing change takes place. By the time baptism takes place, a new person has emerged. After all the hours spent tracting, contacting, walking, driving, and everything else, that change makes this whole work worthwhile.

The gospel's true! Hugs to all!!
Sister Sara

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...

Dear Family and Friends,

I am excited to report that I once again survived another transfer! I still reside in Woodstock with the same wonderful companion, Sister Youngberg. Sadly, however, the Hermanas in my district did not have the same luck. They were whitewashed out of the area so now it is just Elders in the Spanish branch and us in the English ward. A sister in our zone told us about transfers yesterday and said that only two companionships in the mission survived. Right now I consider myself very blessed.

I'm grateful that my letter from last week received such attention. Some of you have made the comment that receiving a letter in my inbox should be the same as receiving a letter in the mail box. Not true. Seeing a letter in the mail box shows that people took the time and effort to write, licked a yucky tasting stamp, and placed it in the hands of our men and women in blue. Email is: "oh, I have a few minutes so I'll send a quick message." Missionaries live for the letter with the stamp!

Onto more exciting events. Last week, Sister Youngberg and I held "Shine Forth" at the home of Sister Cooper. It was the social event of the season and you could only come if you had an invitation. Ever since we had our triple baptism a few weeks ago, we'd been trying to come up with a way that they could get to know the ward along with our other recent converts. This was the perfect event. Sister Boyce cooked an AMAZING early Thanksgiving dinner and everyone who attended was enthralled. I've never seen people so happy or the recent converts feeling so loved. Needless to say, it was a huge success. (Note to Aunt Kristen: your pineapple and green onion cheeseball was a hit!)

This is a relatively short letter, but that is the most thrilling thing to mention from this past week. Wait! I forgot to tell you that Cary was able to go to the temple on Saturday and do baptims. From the way he was talking about it on Sunday, it must have been an amazing experience for him.

That's all to report. I look forward to talking with you next month and hearing all that has been going on. As a challenge to all who are able: please invite the missionaries over to your homes, even if they already have an appointment, so they don't have to spend the day tracting and being hated by society. I love you all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sister Sara

Tears on my pillow, pain in my hear caused by you...

Dear Family and Friends,

I would like to bring your attention to the fact that each day I eagerly approach the mailbox with hope of seeing a letter with my name on it. Sadly, each time I open the box, no such thing exists resulting in anguished cries-for the past two weeks- of "why doesn't family and/or friends love me? Why? Why?" (My companion can testify to this fact.) In case you need a reminder, I have only been gone for 3 months. This kind of thing isn't supposed to happen until I've been gone for 12 months. That is Sister Youngberg's situation, but it shouldn't be mine...yet. Please know that I am a missionary that does a little dance each time a letter appears, but this privilege has been denied to me. How does that make you feel? To summarize: write me a letter! (Or two, or three, or four...)

Now, I will step off of my soapbox to tell you the exciting happenings of another week in the greatest mission on earth. To start off, here is a story that will make some you laugh, some of you gasp in shock, but most of you I'm sure will do both.

Sister Youngberg and I were contacting some referrals on a lovely Saturday morning. As it is traditionally done, we walked up to the door, rang the doorbell, and waited for someone to answer it. Instead, we heard a tapping on the window and looked over expecting to see a cute child possibly trying to get our attention. A cute child was not there. Instead, much to my revulsion, a person's bum appeared at the window. Needless to say, Sister Youngberg and I quickly walked away vowing never to return to that house.

Did you see that sky today? Talk about blue! Anyway, last week, we were visiting with one of our LA and her investigator boyfriend. It was mentioned by Hope that Scott has been struggling with his MS and they're both worried about how quickly it's been progressing. Scott also mentioned that he'd recently had several dreams depicting his being able to walk without any struggles. Thinking for a moment, my companion and I asked Scott if he would like a priesthood blessing the next week. He said yes, so we challenged him to do as much studying and praying as he could to prepare for it. When the day come, Brother Laws and Brother Kinder were there to give the blessing. Before anything happened however, Bro. Laws took some time explaining to Scott what a priesthood blessing was and the things that were required of him. Mainly, faith in the things said would be the words of God. He also told him that his meeting the missionaries was not a coincidence and he should take advantage of the knowledge we have to offer him. The blessing commenced and amazing things were said: that his disease would be cured, but slowly; he must be obedient and do the things that he knows to be right; he must have patience to see the miracles happen. The spirit was so strong that Scott said he could feel the energy surging through his body.

After everyone else had gone, Sister Youngberg and I stuck around to discuss a few things with Hope and Scott. We went over the things that were said in the blessing and made sure he knew how important it was that the blessings weren't going to happen unless he was willing to work for them. Talking to Hope, she also has to help Scott in every way she can. Speaking boldly, that consists of her getting a divorce from her husband and no longer living with her boyfriend. Sister Youngberg and I are both very excited to see the changes throughout the next few weeks....

I have another wonderful story! Late last week, my companion and I contacted a referral by the name of Estella, taught her the first lesson, and made a return appointment. When we came back, her sister Margarita was there and told us that she'd been taught by sister missionaries about a year ago and had planned on getting baptized. Soon after, however, she'd gone to Florida and lost contact with the church. Have no fear! We're back!!!

Estella left the room to get her son ready for school so it was just us and Margarita. We showed her "The Restoration" and the spirit filled the room to such an extent I was ready to cry. After the movie, my amazing companion followed a prompting and asked Margarita if she would still like to be baptized.... Before she could answer, Estella came back with several screaming children. The rest of the meeting was spent answering questions so we never quite returned to the issue of baptism. Luckilly, we're meeting with her again on Friday. I can't wait!

Stacy Lindsay continues to do amazing and everyone is getting excited for her big day on December 20.

I experienced my first Illinois blizzard this week and it was a very thrilling experience. The snow didn't stick, but I can now say I've lived through one. Sadly, the rumor has it that many more will be following.

Well, my time is up and I must "get thee hence." I miss everyone and you're in my prayers each night. I look forward to the letters that I'm sure you'll be sending me in the next day or two!

Hugs to all!
Sister Sara

Cold!

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm cold. The weather has turned an ugly gray and for the past week the temperature hasn't been above 45 degrees. Sister Youngberg has lent me some winter clothing, but it doesn't do much when the wind blows up my skirt. A few days ago, I was wearing a skirt with the following underneath: a thick pair of nylons, regular nylons, socks, and some thermals. Despite all of that, I'm still cold. If President could give me permission, I would go and hibernate for the rest of the winter like the squirrels that scamper around outside. However, I am not a squirrel. I am a missionary and the work continues to press forward despite weather. I've decided that missionaries are kind of like the mail man: we go out in every kind of weather and nothing can stop us! Look out world!

It's been another wonderful week in the greatest mission on earth. I've been talking a lot lately about Stacy Lindsay-the investigator who's getting baptized next month-and I'm pleased to report that she is still doing well. She's given up her coffee and all forms of caffeine. Actually, she can't even stand the taste of coke anymore.

Last night, we went over to the Lindsay's home for dinner and they left us alone for a moment so they could go have family prayer. Yay! After dinner, the conversation turned to temples and being sealed together! That is a HUGE "yay!" She is so excited and the difference in her since I first met her and now is astounding. I can't wait until next month when her husband will baptize her. The missionary tag prevents me from jumping up and down, but I totally would if I could.

The past week, Lynn has been struggling with her smoking. Before being baptized, she gave it up for 3 weeks, but the past few days have been really hard on her. (Her daughter finally called after ignoring her for almost a month.) Sister Youngberg and went over to see Lynn and immediately smelled fresh smoke in her house. Without hesitating, she handed over the cigarettes and we decided to do an empowerment activity. Going outside, we threw the cigarettes on the ground and told Lynn to stomp on them until they were unrecognizable. Using what little energy she had, she stomped those buggers out. I think the only other time I've seen a bigger grin on her face was her baptism day. Sadly, a few days later we had to do the process again. However, I have no doubt that she'll be able to overcome this with a little help from us and from other members in the ward. Several have told us remedies that they used to quit smoking.

We had Zone Conference last week and it was nothing new, but I was very flattered by one event: near the end of the meeting, President allows some time for testimonies. I am never one to say very much, but this time I was prompted to bear by testimony. Later, Sister Youngberg told me that when I started speaking, President had moved the podium down to see me speak. Thinking about it, I've decided that I need to speak more often so people won't be so shocked when I do!

One more story: on Sunday, Sister Youngberg and I were driving to one of our areas to meet with some members. We saw a car pulled over and decided to offer assistance. They said they were fine so we pulled a U-ie to turn around. When it comes time to backing up, I have to get out of the car to make sure we don't hit anything. Sister Youngberg started reversing, but the car got stuck in the mud! The more she tried, the deeper the tires sunk! Fortunately for us, the car we had just tried to help was only a few yards away so they came running over to help us! The moments of missionary life....

Well, that's all the time I have for today. I hope that things are going well for everyone and I look forward to talking to you next month. Hugs to all!

Sister Sara