April Showers Bring May Flowers

Dear Family and Friends,

What a true statement that is! However, it seems that all of the April showers have been saved for the last week of the month because rain has been a common occurrence the past several days. In the midst of the rain, we had one 86 degree day and it felt wonderful! My fingers are crossed that more days like that are just around the corner.

As I see my 9 month anniversary coming around the corner, I feel myself getting into a rut. Not with the work itself, but with the unending cycle of "sameness." Every day I wake up 6:00 and work out for about 30 minutes. Every day I study out of Preach My Gospel and the scriptures. Every day I study with my companion. Every day....the list goes on and on. Even my weekly letters seem to be lacking the excitement that they had at the beginning. If you're feeling the same way, I apologize. During my time as a missionary, I've found several similarities between my life and the tv show MASH. You're probably thinking I'm crazy at this moment, but allow me to explain myself. Just like Hawkeye, BJ, Charles, Hotlips, Frank, Trapper, Colonel Potter, and the other characters, I'm cut off from family and friends except for the occasional letter or phone call. Like them I have been forced to find new ways of releasing my frustrations. (However, while they usually turned to alcohol, I've turned to my Heavenly Father.) Like them, my routine gets so monotonous, my brain goes into overdrive trying to think of something to do that will make this day stand out from the others. I actually look forward to the challenges that come my way because they're something to rejuvenate me. Well, thanks for allowing me a few minutes to vent. Let's see if I can come up with anything that will make reading this letter worthwhile.

Ummmm.....

*R.A. is getting baptized on Saturday! Yay!!
*I spoke in Sacrament for the first time as a missionary on Sunday. I think it went well. Consider this: FAITH=Fearless Action shows Inspired Trust in Heavenly Father.
*Elders Ross and Fisher threw a frozen pie onto our porch the other day. I thought it was a rock and wondered who would hate us enough to do that. A pie is much better.
*Three of the Elders in this area got emergency transferred yesterday. As a going away present, Elder Fisher gave me one of his ugly ties.

Sadly, that's all I can come up with. I hope things are going well for all of you and that your life is more exciting than mine. Despite the monotony at this time, I still love this work. I know this is where I should be because I've been told so many times. I am so grateful Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves! The gospel's true! Tune in next week for more adventures.....

Sister Sara

Dodah dodah

Dear Family and Friends,

It may not be very thrilling to you, but I consider it worth mentioning that green buds are now visible on the trees here in my corner of the world. I love walking to the gym in the morning and seeing the pond as smooth as glass, ducks in the sky flying towards it, and little flowers pushing their way through the dirt after a horribly long winter. Just seeing these little things rejuvinates my spirit and I look forward to the day ahead.

It's been a good week despite the fact that nothing too exciting has happened. However, I do have a few good stories to tell you:

Last week, we had an appointment with A.A.. Upon arrival, it was discovered that we would have to meet outside because his mom wasn't home. No big deal. The backyard is the second most normal place to teach someone. However, I closed the back door, not realizing that it and all of the other doors were locked. Whoops! That minor detail didn't get in the way of teaching a lesson so we taught but felt bad about leaving A.A. alone outside so another lesson was taught. Finally, we had to leave for another appointment so I started racking my brain as to how he could get back inside. Suddenly, I remembered that some friends had used a credit card when they locked themselves out of their apartment. From my bag, I produced a Panera Bread card, praying that A.A. would know how to use it. He did and got inside just before it started raining.

I'm slowly starting know members of the ward, especially the ones that are willing to help missionaries in any way. One of the members, K.W., is a chiropractor and he gives the missionaries free alignments. Brother Worth is a convert, making it no secret he loves the church: his office is decorated in a Villa-ish style and a painting on a wall shows two missionaries knocking at a door; other walls have the B-Attitudes painted on them. Currently, Brother Worth is writing a book about missionary miracles by compiling stories from missionaries he meets. While I was getting my back aligned, he felt several knots in my neck. After taking care of them, he made the comment that all of those knots prove Sisters study more than Elders.

Another member worth mentioning is Sister Clark, an 85 year old widow. Her husband died last November after being married for 63 years. Just after his death she had a hip replaced so when I met her at church two weeks ago, that was the first time she'd been in about three years. Last week we paid her a visit and listened to stories about her marriage, how they met, the places she's lived (She lived in Logan,UT for about 21 years.), and how she refuses to enter an assisted living home because she can take care of herself. We started looking at some of her recipe books and she pointed out her favorite one, an applesauce cake. She invited us over this week to help her bake one so that's what we'll be doing tomorrow afternoon. Sister Clark is exactly the way I want to be when I get old.

Well, I just looked at the time and realized that it's time to close this letter. Each day I am reminded of why I am on a mission and each day I try to take advantage of this opportunity I have been given. There will never be another time in my life when I can devote myself so much to serving those around me. I know this gospel is true and that alone makes me willing to do this work, despite the hard days or the hard companions. As President says, those days and those companions come to make sure you're getting your money's worth. I agree. Until next week....

Sister Sara

Black Name Tag

Black name tag upon their chest
They are men, the church's best.
Some may boast and some may bray,
But only a few wear the black name tag.

Twenty-four months without a date-
But they are though, they can wait.
The girls sit home- they'll never bray-
Their brave young men wear the black name tag.

On returning home, they resume life-
Start a search to find a wife.
But finds are few and efforts say-
Such a life for the black name tag.

You find a fox, she has a man,
You find a chick, she has a plan.
You find the one, but what a dray-
'Cause now she's wearing...
The BLACK NAME TAG!

Ugly Rumors and Abundant Blessings

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week, Sister Cunningham and I had the opportunity to attend the adult session of Stake Conference in Buffalo Grove. This was my first as a missionary because President only lets you go if an investigator will be accompanying you. I'm happy to report that we had not only one investigator, but two! Anyway, while waiting for the meeting to start, I ran into several members from Woodstock. Has it only been two months since I left that area? How time is flying! It doesn't seem possible that I'm in my third area with my third companion. Missionaries literally live in their own time zone: things change every six weeks. My time here is so short and I pray every day that I take advantage of every moment I have to be here serving Heavenly Father.

It's no surprise, but once again my companion and I have been blessed abundantly. For the past week or so, we've been meeting with a young man by the name of A.A.; his story is one that makes people realize life is not a coincidence: he was coming home one day and found a Finding Faith in Christ pass along card on the ground. Wanting to strengthen his faith in Christ, he called the number to have the DVD delivered. A few days later, we showed up at his door and began to share with him the amazingness that is the Gospel. A.A. has grown up in a Hispanic home, but knows surprisingly little about the Bible or it's history. Saturday morning he called us to confirm his invitation to the adult session and we took a few minutes to ask about his Book of Mormon reading. You have no idea of the feeling that enters my heart when an investigator describes feeling the Spirit for the first time; it's something that can't be described.

At our last appointment with A.a., we showed him how to use the topical guide to encourage him to start learning by topics. A few days later, he told us that he'd looked up all the scriptures dealing with "forehead." It's silly, but very cool to see the little ways investigators progress.

On Sunday morning, I awoke to a beautiful sunny day and was very excited to experience spring weather once again. My thunder was literally stolen when rain appeared the next day and the next and the next. Sadly, I was informed by a member that this is the spring weather offered to those in Illinois and will stay this way until Summer comes in June. JUNE! I have definitely decided not to live in this state when I'm older unless I'm told by a Superior Being to do so.

I have still yet to meet very many members, but the ones I have are not only wonderful, but are amazing cooks! Last week, Sister Petgrave made us a traditional Jamaican dinner consisting of chicken curry and jerk chicken. Apparently, she's always been afraid to cook traditional meals because she's not sure if the missionaries can handle the heat-more specifically the Elders. What a bunch of wooses! Another member made us real buffalo wings. No, not wings that come from a buffalo ;), but real Buffalo New York wings. Along with that, she had a dish called beef on wek. It's a beef sandwich with gravy poured over it and horseradish on the side. There are a lot of things I miss about Utah, but I am definitely going to miss the unique cuisine of Illinois.

The Elders have also proven their ability in the kitchen. To welcome me to the Districe, they baked me an apple pie and then showed up at our door a few days later with chocolate covered strawberries! It makes me realize how little cooking/baking I've done since becoming a missionary and am very tempted to show them my skills, but time doesn't allow such a thing. I'll just have to prove it to them in 9 months.

There are two people I've failed to yet mention in my letters thus far. Their names are Elder and Sister C****, a senior missionary couple from Bountiful. They work on the Navy base so we don't see them on a regular basis, but their apartment is used as a retreat for the missionaries in the area. You might be wondering about the Navy Base I just mentioned. It's part of the Gurnee/Waukegan/N. Chicago area, but is covered by Elders and does not allow any proselyting. Many of our members are employed by the Navy meaning that they could be here one month and be gone the next.

Looking at the time I realize that I must quickly end this letter so I can click one out to President. Thanks for all of the support you continue to give through your letters and prayers! I miss you all! Stay tuned for next weeks edition of "The Mormon Nun!"

HUGS!
Sister Sara

You can't google a testimony

Dear Family and Friends,

What a relief it is to say that I managed to survive my first week in Gurnee/Waukegan. I'm getting used to the whole transfer/new area/new companion thing. I'm not sure how long President will keep me here, but I hope it's for longer than six weeks. Either way, transfers make life exciting!

After many surveys, I've concluded that this area is ready for the Gospel that we have to offer. Yesterday, we set a baptismal date with Richard and have high hopes to set one with another very soon. Waukegan and Gurnee remind me of a very quiet, residential, New York City. It's a very humble area and most of our investigators are struggling to make it day to day. That's fine with me because the humble are usually more willing to listen to us.

One struggle I've had is not knowing very many members. Last week we had General Conference, this week we have Stake Conference, so it'll be another week before I can meet most of the ward. I have met Bishop Bourgeois, the Ward Mission leader Brother Bourgeois-Bishop's son-, and a few others by going to member's homes for dinner, but I hope things will really start to roll when the ward is back to the usual meeting schedule.

Speaking of General Conference, what a great weekend it was!!! As is required, Sister Cunningham and I watched the sessions at the local chapel with the other missionaries. The spirit filled the room during each session and I was particularly moved by Elder Scott, Elder Holland, President Uchtdorf, and President Monson. I wish I could describe the feelings I had when President Monson spoke on Sunday morning, but it's impossible. Heavenly Father has blessed me with so much these past several months and I am very humbled that he would once again bless me with another witness of the truthfulness of this Gospel.

We went over to Bishop Bourgeois' home for dinner on Sunday and he asked me to share a little bit about myself and my testimony as an introduction. As I was speaking, the spirit once again filled the room and several "ah-ha" moments occurred. I bore my testimony about being on a mission and realized that many of you don't know the story behind my decision. Let me tell you a story...

It had been decided: I would not go on a mission. However, the next few weeks proved to me how persistent and determined the Holy Ghost is. I was at a movie with some friends a while later and suddenly the thought came to me that I should go on a mission. "This is not a good time," I thought, but the thought stuck with me. Later that week, I was at a Committee meeting for my student ward in Logan and Brother Nelson was giving the spiritual thought. The thought was taken from Alan Alda's biography. In one of his chapters, Alan Alda makes the comment, "If it scares me, then it must be good for me." That was the clincher. A few hours later, I called my brother to get his advice and to talk about the thoughts that were swarming my mind. He asked a single question, "do you think you should go on a mission?" Yes, I did.

So many things pointed to me that this is what I needed to do, but I was still scared, even after the papers were turned in and everything was being made ready. One day, I was sitting in Sacrament praying that Heavenly Father would tell me once again that a mission was the right decision for me. Flipping through my scriptures, I came to Enos 1:26. After reading that verse, I have never looked back. The days came when I was still terrified, but knowing that the mission was something I HAD TO DO brought me comfort. I wasn't thinking about how many people I would have the privilege of seeing baptized or about the companions I would have; I was thinking that there is something Heavenly Father wants me to learn from this experience. I have learned so much and can't even imagine what the second half of my mission will bring.

As I have told you this story, there is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father knows me so much better than I know myself. I can't imagine what my life would be like without this opportunity and am grateful that He is more stubborn than I am.

Well, I must write a quick letter to President and then accomplish my other P-day tasks. I love you all and hope that this message has helped a few of you in some way. If anything, I hope that you remember why this Gospel is so important. Until next week...

Hugs!
Sister Sara

Hola

Dear Family and Friends,

Hola. Como esta? "Hola," you say? Well, allow me to tell you a very interesting and surprising story. Very early Tuesday morning, I received a wakeup call from President Stoddard. In his very boistrous voice he asked me how the work was going and how I thought I was doing as a missionary. Finally getting passed all of the small talk, he informed me that there was an opening in the Spanish program and he thought that I would make a great addition. Shocked is an understatement, but President is a very inspired man so he must know best...right? I can imagine all of you back home reading this with your mouths open and running to the kitchen to grab a paper bag. Don't worry about me, it'll all be okay. Do you know why I know this?

Because it's April Fools! (Don't hate me; I couldn't resist! Did I have you fooled?)

Actually, some exciting things have taken place the past few days. Tuesday morning I really did receive a call from President informing me that I am once again getting transferred. It's sad, but I've had the feeling for quite a while that I wouldn't stay very long in Lake Villa. President also asked me how I felt about going Senior. Crazy! Of course I told him I would do my best and then he gave me some information about my new area. I now reside in the town of Gurnee, somewhere close to Lake Michigan. (Ironically, Bishop Trump in Lake Villa told us that we have to see the lake at least once on our missions. I wonder if he knew something I didn't when he said that.) My new companion is Sister Cunningham and she arrived just last transfer. Just like I mentioned six weeks ago, I know President is inspired when it comes to transfers. If he wasn't, there is no way I could do this job.

At the transfer meeting today, the inevitable awaited me: saying goodbye to my mom/trainer, Sister Youngberg. She's off to bigger and better things...wait. I'm wrong. Nothing is better than a mission! So, she's off to bigger things. Her going home makes me realize how short my time here really is. In a few weeks it'll have been 8 months...what a scary thought! My hope is that I won't have one regret about the way time was spent as a missionary. Thankfully, that is one thing I have complete control over.

It's officially been spring for about two weeks, but I don't think Mother Nature got that memo. Last Saturday, Sister Morris and I got caught in a blizzard while we were tracting. People really have no compassion because most of them just quickly shut their doors after a few seconds. To make things easier, and to perk our spirits a little bit, we started making jokes when someone poked their head out: "How are you doing on this lovely spring evening?" And, "Obviously we know this message is true or else we wouldn't be out here." Thankfully we managed to survive 45 minutes, dreaming all the way home of spending the rest of the evening inside. Sunday morning we woke up to what looked like December. Several inches of snow had covered everything and it was an adventure getting out of the parking lot. Lake Villa 1st canceled their meetings so I called our Ward Mission Leader to find out if ours was still planned. He told me that it was by saying, "The first ward is a bunch of wimps." Since it was fast Sunday, we decided to distract ourselves from hunger pains by building a snowman infront of our apartment. I must say, he was quite cute. Sadly, someone knocked him down a few hours later and then the April showers started soon after. Oh well. Such is life.

My time is short so I must close my letter. I know this gospel is true and I love being a missionary. Knowing that God is entrusting me with finding and teaching His children is very humbling. My life has found more meaning by realizing that everyone is a Child of God. How wonderful that is to know! I love you all and look forward to hearing from you soon!

Hugs!
Sister Sara

Nothing too exciting

Dear Family and Friends,
My time is short today so I'll just mention a few of this weeks highlights:

*It's only been spring for a few days, but I've already had the first sunburn of the season. Sister Morris and I were outside on Saturday for several hours and I didn't take any thought to the sun being on my neck until it was too late. I'll be stocking up on sunscreen later today.

*We got stopped by another cop at the end of last week. He was driving by and suddenly flipped a U to come and talk to us. We knew we hadn't done anything wrong, but I was quite nervous. It turned out to be a member of the Lake Villa 1 ward stopping to say "hello" and offer us a ride. Sadly, we were only walking about a block so his offer was declined. That would have been a great story to tell!

*Bro. Romig informed me that USU lost by 1 point in March Madness. Apparently, he now owes several of his friends lunch because his team lost. In his words, "that's the last time I'll ever bet on the Mormon's!"

I hope none of you fell asleep while reading this letter-that was not my intention. As it is with "real life," some weeks are just more exciting than others. I miss you all and look forward to hearing from you soon. The gospel's true!

HUGS!!!
Sister Sara