A Fishy Smell has a Fishy Taste

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm sure you're wondering what I mean by this weeks topic. Well, allow me to explain. (Dad and Vicki, please try to restrain yourself from fainting after you read the following.) Last week I mentioned that we met a couple from Africa with plans to start teaching them about the gospel. They invited us back for another appointment and said that they would love to cook an African meal for us. Naturally, Sister Morris and I accepted, immediately trying to imagine the menu possibilities. We told several members about the invitation and they quickly gave their vote: monkey. I prayed that it wouldn't be so. Monday evening, we arrived at their home and stepping inside, I was hit with the unmistakable smell of....fish. Fish, fish, fish, and more fish. A large platter in the center of the table had large pieces on it, with the eyes staring right at me. A red sauce containing more fried fish was offered to pour over a mixture of rice and beans. Thankfully, I was taught good manners as a child, so I managed to make several comments about how good everything tasted while taking several sips of water every few minutes. I can now say I've had African food and can also say that I would never try it again.

After several days of WONDERFUL weather in the 60s! it turned sour again with several days of rain. Saturday afternoon, Sister Morris and I were walking along a main road, trying to find the home of a former investigator, when a speedy car drove through a large puddle, splashing the front of our clothes. Every time I think about that, the opening scene from "That Touch of Mink" pops into my head. Unfortunately, Cary Grant wasn't in that car. By the time we got to our next appointment, we were both soaked with credit going not just to the car and the puddle, but the rain in general. The natural curl look has been working well for me these past few weeks, but the rain caused them to go BOING! so I went around for the rest of they day looking like a strawberry blond-ish version of Little Orphan Annie.

The area continues to get better each day. Talking to President about the messy Area Book and not really knowing anything about former investigators, he said we should just pretend that we're detectives trying to solve a mystery. Just call me Sherlock Holmes.

Well, I must be off; Sister Morris is waiting for me so we can get on with the rest of our wonderful p-day. Adventures continue in next week's edition of "The Mormon Nun!" (I can tell you're excited!)

Hugs!
Sister Sara

In my former life, I was a Pioneer

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week, another mile. Do you remember the primary song about the Pioneers? "And they walked, and walked, and walked, and walked." Each day, that line plays over and over in my head. Mainly because it seems that walking is all Sister Morris and I do each day. That and knock on doors that never get opened. Such is the life of a missionary. Each area has a certain number of miles to use each month; this area isn't very big so we've been given the grand total of 950 miles. In the past week, I'm estimating that we've walked about 15 miles. I don't mind walking because it offers me a different perspective (like all the trash that gets thrown out of windows), but it's scary on a main road. Oh well. There are worse things.

Several people have asked me if this week has been any better than the past ones in the area. Thankfully it has been. Sister Morris and I were both getting very discouraged because of our empty teaching pool, but for several days during our personal study, we both realized a few things: 1)Attitude is very important. 2)As long as we're being obedient there isn't anything to worry about. 3)Happiness should not depend how many people we're teaching. It's all about doing the Lord's work. Last week, I was reading an older copy of the Ensign and came across this quote from Mother Teresa: "I have not been called to be successful but FAITHFUL!" I've made the quote my theme for this transfer. As long as I'm doing all I can to make sure this work is going forward by knocking on every door, talking to every person I can on the street, and making sure the spirit is present during a lesson, this area will be blessed. An apostle compared missionary work to a fisherman: the line might be in the water for hours, but is the fisherman doing all he can to make sure fish will be caught? Whenever I just want to give up for the day and go home to sleep, I think about that analogy and decide to stick with it.

I'm happy to tell you that the Lord has blessed us for our labors this week. We've found several new investigators and the ward is stepping up its missionary work. One member in particular, Bro. Gifford, is making sure that we are taken care of. In PEC on Sunday, he suggested to the Bishop that he make an announcement encouraging members to give us referrals so we'll have people to teach. That same day, Bro. Cox informed us that his neighbor would like to learn about the church. We stopped by the other day and had a wonderful first lesson with them. They're from Africa and invited us over for an African dinner next week. We've also found a part member family and a young mom who was previously taking lessons, but the Elders neglected to make note of her in the Area Book. Very exciting!

Each Sunday, I realize more and more how amazing the members of the Lake Villa 2nd Ward are. It's an understatement to say that they're excited for Sisters. I just mentioned Bro. Gifford, but his entire family is amazing. They invited us over for dinner on Sunday and it was one of the best evenings so far of my time here. Bro. Gifford and his wife met on their missions and are now raising 4 daughters and one son. After dinner, Bro. Gifford asked Sister Morris and I what made us decided to come on a misson; they are very encouraging of their daughters pursuing a mission and are showing it by example. They are very excited to help us in our callings and made a goal to pray for someone who might be ready for the gospel. Before heading back to our apartment, Bro. and Sis. Gifford made sure we're taken care of by sending us off with quarters to do laundry and about 20 gift card to Panera Bread-a Paradise Bakeryish type place. I think I have a new favorite family.

So, things are getting better. I fully realize that a missionary has extreme highs and lows, but they're better handled if I have the assistance of my Heavenly Father. Somehow, he'll make sure everything works out the way it should.

I love you all!
Sister Sara

P.S. The Chicago Temple is reopened! The infamous Jack Rasmussen will be going for the first time in the next week or so! Yay Jack!

The area that is Lake Villa

Dear Family and Friends,

It's been confirmed that I've survived my first week in the Lake Villa area. I don't think a week has ever gone by so slowly except for my first week in the MTC. Being in a new area is a strange experience, especially when you add to it a new companion, new ward members, fewer miles, a bad area book, some crazy referrals, and no investigators. The highlight of the week was a warm welcome from the Lake Villa 2nd ward; everyone is excited for sisters-it's been almost 2 years since sisters were in the area-and there is such a desire from the ward to help us with the work. Sister Morris and I are praying that the combination of those two things will mean a lot of member referrals.

Because the Elders left us with no one to teach, we've been spending several hours each day tracting-something I've never done so much of until coming to Lake Villa. Funny story: Sister Morris and I were business contacting the other day on a busy street when we heard someone shouting at us. Turning around, we saw a woman running and asking if were the Sister Missionaries. I said a little prayer that this would be someone who just had to learn about the gospel, but it didn't work out that way. It turned out to be a member of the church who wanted to know if we needed a ride anywhere. We assured her that our car was parked a few blocks away and went back to contacting. What a way to meet someone.

Even though the work is going very slow, Sister Morris and I have no doubt that things will start to pick up. There are a lot of things you learn on a mission, but I think that patience is one of the biggest. Without a doubt, God really does make us strong where we are weak.

That's all for now, I know you're praying-and so am I-that next week's letter will be more exciting. Maybe we'll have an investigator! How thrilling would that be?!

Hugs to all!
Sister Sara

P.S. 2Kings 2:23-24 (A little Bible humor.)

"Good Morning, Sister Waters. This is President Stoddard..."

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, the inevitable finally arrived: transfers came and with it a phone call from President informing me that I would be leaving Woodstock to whitewash a new area. (Whitewash means that an entire companionship leaves and a new one comes in.) It's no surprise, but the tears came, sticking around for about 15 minutes. What a strange feeling it is to know that 24 hours later I would have a new companion. Sister Youngberg was informed that she would be staying in Woodstock for her last transfer, training a greenie. (She's praying that this new companion is already a missionary and that 6 weeks of training will be enough for her.)

The morning was spent packing with a few moments of anxiety wondering how everything would fit into my bags. With little help from amazing Sister Youngberg, it did and the anxiety decreased slightly. By far, the hardest part was saying goodbye to investigators and to my favorite members of the ward. They couldn't believe that I'd been in the area almost 6 months and kept making comments about "how far I've come since arriving in the mission." Bro. Jensen made a promise that he won't let anyone forget me in the area. I'm sure he'll have fun with that.

Finally, the sea was parted and the new companionship announced. The person who will be sticking with me for at least the next 6 weeks is.....Sister Camille Morris from Oregon. We'll be working in the city of Fox Lake, but our ward is Crystal Lake 2. It's kinda confusing and very overwhelming right now, but I'm sure I'll adjust. The last Elder was here for the last year of his mission and kept horrid records in the Area Book. Sister Morris and I are both thinking that a letter to the Elder will be necessary so we can find out names of formers, recent converts, less actives...and all that good stuff. It should be a blast! (I'm serious about that.)

So, let me tell you a little bit about the happenings of my last week in Woodstock:

*Jack Rasmussen informed us that he'll be going through the Chicago Temple on March 3!!! My fingers are crossed that President will give me permission to attend. Sister Youngberg and I made him a "yay for you" card and I think he got a little teary eyed when he read our message.

*One of our newly reactivated members, Bro. Samuelson, decided that he also wants to go through the temple. He asked if Sister Youngberg and I would still be around to go with him, but we'll both be home. Thank goodness for the Wright Brother's inventing the airplane!

It's nothing too exciting, but I loved every moment that I spent in Woodstock. The great thing about a mission is that you really learn how to let God direct your life. If I'd had my way, I would have stayed in Woodstock and Sister Youngberg would have left, but thank goodness I don't make the decisions. I'm sure that there was/is a reason for the transfer and that it will be revealed to me in its own time. I love this gospel and I love the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father, no matter where I get sent to do it. Lookout Fox Lake! Here I come!!

Adventures to continue next week! Hugs to all!

Sister Sara

Weather Report: sunny and warm, with signs of grass!

Dear Family and Friends,

I can feel it in my bones that spring is finally coming to the Illinois Chicago North Mission. For the most part, my thermals, boots, wool stockings, ear muffs, and feet warmers have been tossed aside. By removing all of that, it feels like I've lost 20 pounds! Yay for spring! At this moment, I'm choosing to ignore the fact that a small snow storm is reported for later this week. Everywhere I look, grass can be seen and it's a beautiful sight! Yesterday, temps were in the 60s and I took a few moments after lunch to bask in the wonderfulness that is sunshine. As it continues to get warmer, people will be seeing a much happier Sister Waters.

Have I told you about the Area Book? I don't think I have so I'll take a few minutes to tell you about "my baby." The Area Book consists of all of our current and past investigators, recent converts, potential investigators, progress reports (how our investigators are doing), less active members we work with, and anything else a missionary needs to know about the Woodstock area. A few weeks ago, one of the Elders posed the question: "how would you feel if God looked at your Area Book?" Right away, I took the responsibility to make sure that Sister Youngberg and I would not be ashamed of the book's contents. Fortunately for my companion, I love updating the records; times are few when I've actually let her write in it and she's more than happy to let me. I really hope that my next companion will let me adopt that Area Book as well.

Speaking of companions, can you believe that transfers are next week? Sister Youngberg and I have been together for 4 transfers so chances are not good that we'll be together for a fifth. We have 5 new sisters coming into the mission which is amazing because that hasn't happened since I arrived. I'm praying that I'll stay in Woodstock, but I'm praying even harder that I won't be training any of the greenies. I'm not ready for that yet!

Last week, Bro. Laws came with us to our appointment with Brandy so he could give her a blessing. She's struggling with the weight of several decisions she'll have to make in the very near future and eagerly accepted to opportunity to receive advice from her Heavenly Father. The blessing was amazing and it's no surprise that Bro. Laws said the exact things Brandy needed to hear. Talking about it, she said that what stood out to her most was that she'll have the courage to filter out the opinions of family and friends. She's been trying to get everyone's opinion as to what she should do, but they're currently just a jumble in her head. The time has come for her to do exactly what Nephi asked his brothers to do: inquire of the Lord.

I love this gospel and teaching those who I know have been prepared to hear the gospel. The change we see in the investigator from the beginning and throughout their conversion is so drastic that it could not have happened without Heavenly Father's help. Even for me, a person who's been a member for about 14 years, the person I was before my mission and the person I am now, I couldn't have done it alone. None of us can do it alone. Yesterday, a member made the following comment: "Everyone in our church has the motto of 'God will never give us anything we can't handle.' Without a doubt he's given me things I can't handle, but we'll always be able to handle them WITH HIS HELP." It gives you a new outlook doesn't it?

The gospel's true!
Sister Sara

The sun'll come out tomorrow! Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun!

Dear Family and Friends,

Before getting into the weekly happenings, I would like to announce that Sister Youngberg has added a little bit more to her caterpillar bedtime story: "One day a butterfly was flying around and landed on a caterpillar saying, 'hey! I used to be you!' The caterpillar said, 'get off my back.'" (I know. We're stranger than you thought we were a few weeks ago.)

Anyway...Thus far, it's been a wonderful week! After several weeks of doing "toe stretches", Sister Youngberg and I have started getting up early once again to go to the gym. It feels so good and the change in my mood has been very obvious. However, I still have the tendency to be silent in large groups. On Sunday, Jack called very worried as to why I was so quiet at church. I think he's one of the few that knows about my "other side." It's also helped to see letters with my name on them in the mailbox. You have no idea how much that brightens my day. Last night, I read one of my letters to Sister Youngberg and she mentioned that it's been a while since seeing me so happy. Keep the letters coming!

Exciting news!!! Last week, we committed another investigator to baptism!!! I'm pretty sure I've mentioned her in my letters, but her name is Brandy and she's the granddaughter of one of our members. When we arrived to teach her a lesson, she was happier than we'd ever seen her. It's so amazing to see how much just learning about the gospel is changing her life! Some big changes will be coming as she continues to learn, but there is no doubt in my mind that if she stays faithful to the messages and her commitments, somehow things will work out for her. When Brandy came to church for the first time on Sunday, I asked her what she thought of it and she replied with, "I like it. I thought there would be a lot of brainwashing, but it's fun." I guess that when someone has a baptism date, it's good to know that the LDS church avoids brainwashing.

This past week, Sister Youngberg and I have started teaching a few members of the homeless community. Bill is the most interested in our message and has almost finished reading the Book of Mormon. His desire to learn is amazing and the only thing that's stopping him from getting baptized is he wants to get more information about the history of our church. Meeting with him is difficult at times, but the library has become our official spot. Teaching him last week, a patron near by started trying to bash with us. Very calmly, Bill looked at Sister Youngberg and I and said, "Don't listen to him. He's just not ready to hear the message." What a cool moment!

Well, my time has ended. I miss all of you more than could be imagined, but I love this work and it's where I am supposed to be. I'll see you soon!

Hugs!
Sister Sara

Oh there's sunshine, blessed sunshine!

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm happy to report that the sun is finally shining and that the temperature is in the 30s. Heat wave! You have no idea how good it feels to walk outside and feel the sun on my back. (Actually, I'm sure those of you living in cold climates know what I'm talking about.) Feeling the warmth makes me feel so much better and I'm praying that the last few months of winter go by quickly.

Last week I think I mentioned the interesting couple we are now teaching. Joe and Sherri Paratorre incase I didn't or you forgot. We got a call from them on Thursday during our planning session; Mr. Paratorre was a little worried because he'd just read about the Word of Wisdom and wanted to find out what we wanted to drink when we came over for lunch in a few days. He started off with, "I know you can't drink soda..." We calmed him down and assured him that we're both water drinkers. When we arrived at their house on Monday, his wife mentioned to us that he'd been up since dawn cooking. The menu: spaghetti and homemade apple pie. (Mom, you've got more competition!) He is a fabulous cook and asked us what we would like to eat at our next meeting. I have no doubt that the pounds I've worked so hard to get rid of will be coming back while we're teaching this family. They both seem very excited about the things they've read about the LDS church online and promised to start reading the Book of Mormon.

We had Zone Conference this past week and managed to once again avoid giving a 5 minute talk. However, as President said, I still have plenty of time. I found out the exact date of my departure from Illinois, but I'm not going to tell you because I don't want to make you trunky. ;)

I'm almost out of time so I need to close. I wish I had more time to tell you about the excitingness that is Woodstock, but that'll have to wait. I miss you all and can't wait until Mothers Day rolls around. I've been blessed so much in my life and the one way I can thank Heavely Father for so many blessings is by giving the gospel to those around me. This work is amazing and I love it. The church is true!

Love you all!
Sister Sara