Guess what? I'm
typing...on my iPad. It is awesome! We got them on
Thursday. I named it Isaiah. Mostly because he talks about tablets in
the scriptures. Anyway! It's so cool I almost have no idea what to do
with it. Well. I do now, but at first it had so many cool things and
options that I didn't know where to start. Also, I get to read my
e-mails throughout the week! Which means you can just send me a little
picture of something every now and then and I'll get to see it! Don't
go crazy though, I still only get Monday to reply.
Speaking of replying, here we go...
Yeah, I totally thought I would be staying in Rolling Hills, but at
the same time I'm so happy to be here. I love it.
My new companion in the bomb! We were together at the MTC so we
already know each other pretty darn well. I have not laughed this much
my whole mission. We work hard, bike hard, and talk with everyone. She
has really helped me to be myself and to just enjoy everything. We
should get paid for how hilarious we are. It's kind of interesting how
we have both been out for the same amount of time and yet we are a
great team. We know how to have fun and to focus at the same time.
I should tell you the funny things we have done this past week.
Every time we have an awesome contact or a contact that hates us we
ride off, put one arm back as if we're holding a cape, and start
saying, "Nanananana." Because being Batman makes everything better.
Oh, we started saying, "Everything's fine." Which interprets to
nothing is fine. It is absolutely hilarious because we're not actually
serious when we say it. For instance, "It's raining. Everything's
fine. Well just use the car we don't have. Ok. Good."
I am sleeping much better since the bugs are gone. Now I'm not so
afraid to sleep at night. The night before I left for transfers I
found a little one crawling up my suitcase and I about had a heart
attack. Luckily, that was the only one. They are NOT following me.
I have noticed that most of the pictures I send I'm wearing different
clothes, haha. So I usually find them in the 'hidden treasure section'
in the apartments, a member gives them, or a companion doesn't want
it. I have banished my winter stuff in my suitcase because it is so
hot outside. Sister Griffiths and I are going to Goodwill today to
scavenge for some cheap short sleeved shirts and biker shorts for me
that will go to my knees.
Man, I'm so bummed that I have to wait to hear the song Josh and Eric
sang....sob of despair. I've been raving all week to the Sisters how
great of a singer Josh is. *sigh* Everything's fine.
We were all in the Adult Session of Stake Conference when they made
the announcement that L. Tom Perry had passed away. It was a huge
shock, because he seemed healthy at General Conference. I re-read his
talk, because I figured that an apostle's last words would be
extremely important to study again. It really helped with my
perspective of eternity and how wonderful it is that only we have that
clear perspective of what that means. Many people here aren't too
amazed when we say that families can be together forever because they
"already know". In reality we will see each other again when we die,
but that's why knowing about the pre-mortal life is so essential. We
were all brothers and sisters in spirit. When we die that stays that
way unless we are sealed under priesthood authority that binds heaven
and earth together.
I have spent months trying to figure this doctrine out and I find it
amazing that when we understand the simple things, pray for
understanding, study it out, and are obedient Heavenly Father gives us
an increase of knowledge.
We'll all miss Elder Perry, but at least we know that he is with his
Father in Heaven in a place where many will call him blessed.
It broke my heart to hear about Jared. It's so hard to believe that
sort of thing could happen to someone like him. As soon as I read that
in your e-mail I immediately bowed my head in prayer. I'm hoping the
prayers of missionaries can make a difference.
Yesterday, I watched the Mormon message 'The Refiner's Fire'. It came
to mind frequently this morning and it made me think of a story I was
told not too long ago. You probably recognize it, but I'll share it
anyway.
....
A bible study class was reading together until they came across a
scripture which talked about a silversmith. One of the members was
curious as to how this related to the passage they were reading so she
decided to go and see just what a silversmith did.
She met the local silversmith and he began to show her how he purifies
his silver. He placed the piece if silver inside the intense flames
until it was entirely consumed by fire. He said, "I can't leave it in
for too long or it will be ruined and destroyed by the fire, and I
can't take it out too soon or it won't be purified. I have to keep
holding it in there and watch it."
She asked, "How do you know when it has been in there long enough?"
He replied, "When I can see my reflection in it."
...
Things happen that we don't understand and are out of our control.
Things that are hard and make no sense. But Heavenly Father is in
control and as we put our trust in Him everything will be okay. Trust
God and believe in good things to come.
He does it because he loves us and wants us to become something better
than we were before.
I'm glad my card was better. :)
So, I should probably tell y'all about Bluegrass.
I'm in Lexington which is the home base of UK. Everything is blue and
white. Or it's red and white for all those Ohio fans around here. But
it's not as everywhere as UK is.
I'm on a bike. Yah! It is the best ever! There is no better way to do
missionary work than on a bike! Unlimited miles! The first day of
work, it just dumped buckets of rain and there was thunder. Before
that it was boiling hot and my legs were not happy with the hills we
had to climb. The funny thing was that I was still super happy.
However I am always tired and hungry. Sometimes I'm not and other
times I can eat the whole room. Don't send me food...unless it's beef
jerky. We always have enough food.
After that first day my legs were almost gelatin and they really hurt.
Sister Griffiths told me to pray for strength. I did and now have a
strong testimony that Heavenly Father answers prayers in great timing.
The next day I stretched, got on my bike, and I could keep up with
Sister Griffiths and make it up those hard hills.
I realized just how much of a bike Sister I'm not yet, haha. I just
grasped how to get off my bike gracefully while it's still moving.
Working on riding with no hands. Only the really good sisters can text
at the same time.
So, Sister Griffiths and I are going to start a band. I'll play the
harmonica and she'll play the ukulele. Her name is Monica. Thus,
HarMonicaRayely is our name. We'll be so famous.
We live with the Hermanas. Hermana Failner and Imaly are super cool
and funny. Right now I'm typing in the hospital because we went with
them for Hermana Failnure's check-up appointment with the
cardiologist. She frequently passes out for reasons we don't know yet.
The last time it happened was in the middle of a lesson. It's really
sad and she really hopes she doesn't have to go home for it. Keep her
in your prayers.
There's this train. The train has been in every...single...one of my
areas. It is extremely loud and Satan sends it every now and them to
interrupt our conversations with people, block the roads to make us
late, and many much more. This time it is right next to our apartment.
It doesn't blow it's horn, but it moves at incredibly fast speeds
which makes this terrifying sound during the night. It scared me so
much the first few nights I was here. Luckily, I have gotten used to
it. :)
It's awesome how we're able to get ready in the morning with four
sisters and one bathroom. We're just boss like that. We are finished
getting ready in only thirty minutes. Boom.
So, our investigators....we only have a few and they won't do
anything. We might have to drop all of them. Well, except for J.
He's still a good egg and reads the Book of Mormon. He won't come to
church yet because he has severe PTSD from the war and can't be near
crowds. He's super sweet, but is kind of scared of moving forward.
We're not sure how to help him overcome his PTSD other than prayers,
but we would like to back up those prayers with action.
Seriously, they refuse to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.
It's not that hard! One wants to know everything about the church but
doesn't want to know its true. He thinks that he will get his answer
from the Bible. His philosophy is that if our beliefs match up with
his then it must be true. One question he asked was, "When did Jesus
become God?" We basically told him that had nothing to do with his
salvation and if he really wanted the answer he should study and pray
about it. He won't pray because he thinks the human heart is deceiving
and God won't answer through that. He asked us to answer his question
through e-mail. We did...by sending him a ton of bible verses about
the Holy Ghost and prayer and a talk about receiving answers by Deiter
F. Uchtdorf. We're so sneaky.
Just pray with a sincere heart and read the Book of Mormon...so frustrating.
We are going to work our tails off this week trying to find the
prepared. We have a goal of four baptisms in two transfers. I called
the funeral homes in our area to sign us up as clergy. Hopefully
someone calls us.
We're going to be hardcore talking with everyone and preaching the
gospel. It will be glorious and we are going to find them this week! I
can feel it!
Oh, our district leader is Elder Kovolov. He's from the Ukraine and
speaks Russian on occasion.
What else...oh, yeah, when Sister Griffiths and I go shopping for
food, we determine which cereal well buy based on how cool the toy is
inside the box. Today we got Honey Nut Cheerios because there was a
Star Wars poster inside. Last week was Fruit Loops and an Avengers
frisbee. Making great adult decisions. Check.
I noticed at the transfer meeting something interesting. So, every
meeting, the missionaries who are going home give their words of
wisdom and say goodbye before President announces where we're going. I
have noticed a significant difference between those missionaries who
gave their heart to the mission and those who didn't. There were
Elders who made jokes and gave a little advice and then there are
Elders like Elder Newbold who couldn't say anything because he was
trying to stop crying. Those are the missionaries that I want to be
like. I don't want to just come on a mission but to be a missionary.
The mission will inevitably change me into something amazing and
different, but only if I forget myself. Elder Christofferson said
something along the lines of the more we give of ourselves the more we
find. At the end I don't want to feel like leaving. I realize it is
okay to miss my family and be excited for the day I get to see you all
again. I want to get so attached to my brothers and sisters here. I
want to be more focused on what I leave than when I leave.
Wow, this e-mail got long...fast! I love this iPad thing. Im still
typing...in the Hermana's car! Technology! The only unfortunate thing
is I need to find a place with wifi to send this.
If you want to see an example of a part of what we're doing with these
iPads you can download LDS Pamphlets from the App Store. The icon is a
picture of Jesus holding a lamb.
The only bummer is that I don't know how to send pictures through
this...I'll ask Dallyn later. We might have to go to the library just
to do it, but I'll send at least something this week.
Anyways! I love you all and can't wait to hear from you again!
I LOVE YOU!!!!
Raye :)
Thursday. I named it Isaiah. Mostly because he talks about tablets in
the scriptures. Anyway! It's so cool I almost have no idea what to do
with it. Well. I do now, but at first it had so many cool things and
options that I didn't know where to start. Also, I get to read my
e-mails throughout the week! Which means you can just send me a little
picture of something every now and then and I'll get to see it! Don't
go crazy though, I still only get Monday to reply.
Speaking of replying, here we go...
Yeah, I totally thought I would be staying in Rolling Hills, but at
the same time I'm so happy to be here. I love it.
My new companion in the bomb! We were together at the MTC so we
already know each other pretty darn well. I have not laughed this much
my whole mission. We work hard, bike hard, and talk with everyone. She
has really helped me to be myself and to just enjoy everything. We
should get paid for how hilarious we are. It's kind of interesting how
we have both been out for the same amount of time and yet we are a
great team. We know how to have fun and to focus at the same time.
I should tell you the funny things we have done this past week.
Every time we have an awesome contact or a contact that hates us we
ride off, put one arm back as if we're holding a cape, and start
saying, "Nanananana." Because being Batman makes everything better.
Oh, we started saying, "Everything's fine." Which interprets to
nothing is fine. It is absolutely hilarious because we're not actually
serious when we say it. For instance, "It's raining. Everything's
fine. Well just use the car we don't have. Ok. Good."
I am sleeping much better since the bugs are gone. Now I'm not so
afraid to sleep at night. The night before I left for transfers I
found a little one crawling up my suitcase and I about had a heart
attack. Luckily, that was the only one. They are NOT following me.
I have noticed that most of the pictures I send I'm wearing different
clothes, haha. So I usually find them in the 'hidden treasure section'
in the apartments, a member gives them, or a companion doesn't want
it. I have banished my winter stuff in my suitcase because it is so
hot outside. Sister Griffiths and I are going to Goodwill today to
scavenge for some cheap short sleeved shirts and biker shorts for me
that will go to my knees.
Man, I'm so bummed that I have to wait to hear the song Josh and Eric
sang....sob of despair. I've been raving all week to the Sisters how
great of a singer Josh is. *sigh* Everything's fine.
We were all in the Adult Session of Stake Conference when they made
the announcement that L. Tom Perry had passed away. It was a huge
shock, because he seemed healthy at General Conference. I re-read his
talk, because I figured that an apostle's last words would be
extremely important to study again. It really helped with my
perspective of eternity and how wonderful it is that only we have that
clear perspective of what that means. Many people here aren't too
amazed when we say that families can be together forever because they
"already know". In reality we will see each other again when we die,
but that's why knowing about the pre-mortal life is so essential. We
were all brothers and sisters in spirit. When we die that stays that
way unless we are sealed under priesthood authority that binds heaven
and earth together.
I have spent months trying to figure this doctrine out and I find it
amazing that when we understand the simple things, pray for
understanding, study it out, and are obedient Heavenly Father gives us
an increase of knowledge.
We'll all miss Elder Perry, but at least we know that he is with his
Father in Heaven in a place where many will call him blessed.
It broke my heart to hear about Jared. It's so hard to believe that
sort of thing could happen to someone like him. As soon as I read that
in your e-mail I immediately bowed my head in prayer. I'm hoping the
prayers of missionaries can make a difference.
Yesterday, I watched the Mormon message 'The Refiner's Fire'. It came
to mind frequently this morning and it made me think of a story I was
told not too long ago. You probably recognize it, but I'll share it
anyway.
....
A bible study class was reading together until they came across a
scripture which talked about a silversmith. One of the members was
curious as to how this related to the passage they were reading so she
decided to go and see just what a silversmith did.
She met the local silversmith and he began to show her how he purifies
his silver. He placed the piece if silver inside the intense flames
until it was entirely consumed by fire. He said, "I can't leave it in
for too long or it will be ruined and destroyed by the fire, and I
can't take it out too soon or it won't be purified. I have to keep
holding it in there and watch it."
She asked, "How do you know when it has been in there long enough?"
He replied, "When I can see my reflection in it."
...
Things happen that we don't understand and are out of our control.
Things that are hard and make no sense. But Heavenly Father is in
control and as we put our trust in Him everything will be okay. Trust
God and believe in good things to come.
He does it because he loves us and wants us to become something better
than we were before.
I'm glad my card was better. :)
So, I should probably tell y'all about Bluegrass.
I'm in Lexington which is the home base of UK. Everything is blue and
white. Or it's red and white for all those Ohio fans around here. But
it's not as everywhere as UK is.
I'm on a bike. Yah! It is the best ever! There is no better way to do
missionary work than on a bike! Unlimited miles! The first day of
work, it just dumped buckets of rain and there was thunder. Before
that it was boiling hot and my legs were not happy with the hills we
had to climb. The funny thing was that I was still super happy.
However I am always tired and hungry. Sometimes I'm not and other
times I can eat the whole room. Don't send me food...unless it's beef
jerky. We always have enough food.
After that first day my legs were almost gelatin and they really hurt.
Sister Griffiths told me to pray for strength. I did and now have a
strong testimony that Heavenly Father answers prayers in great timing.
The next day I stretched, got on my bike, and I could keep up with
Sister Griffiths and make it up those hard hills.
I realized just how much of a bike Sister I'm not yet, haha. I just
grasped how to get off my bike gracefully while it's still moving.
Working on riding with no hands. Only the really good sisters can text
at the same time.
So, Sister Griffiths and I are going to start a band. I'll play the
harmonica and she'll play the ukulele. Her name is Monica. Thus,
HarMonicaRayely is our name. We'll be so famous.
We live with the Hermanas. Hermana Failner and Imaly are super cool
and funny. Right now I'm typing in the hospital because we went with
them for Hermana Failnure's check-up appointment with the
cardiologist. She frequently passes out for reasons we don't know yet.
The last time it happened was in the middle of a lesson. It's really
sad and she really hopes she doesn't have to go home for it. Keep her
in your prayers.
There's this train. The train has been in every...single...one of my
areas. It is extremely loud and Satan sends it every now and them to
interrupt our conversations with people, block the roads to make us
late, and many much more. This time it is right next to our apartment.
It doesn't blow it's horn, but it moves at incredibly fast speeds
which makes this terrifying sound during the night. It scared me so
much the first few nights I was here. Luckily, I have gotten used to
it. :)
It's awesome how we're able to get ready in the morning with four
sisters and one bathroom. We're just boss like that. We are finished
getting ready in only thirty minutes. Boom.
So, our investigators....we only have a few and they won't do
anything. We might have to drop all of them. Well, except for J.
He's still a good egg and reads the Book of Mormon. He won't come to
church yet because he has severe PTSD from the war and can't be near
crowds. He's super sweet, but is kind of scared of moving forward.
We're not sure how to help him overcome his PTSD other than prayers,
but we would like to back up those prayers with action.
Seriously, they refuse to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.
It's not that hard! One wants to know everything about the church but
doesn't want to know its true. He thinks that he will get his answer
from the Bible. His philosophy is that if our beliefs match up with
his then it must be true. One question he asked was, "When did Jesus
become God?" We basically told him that had nothing to do with his
salvation and if he really wanted the answer he should study and pray
about it. He won't pray because he thinks the human heart is deceiving
and God won't answer through that. He asked us to answer his question
through e-mail. We did...by sending him a ton of bible verses about
the Holy Ghost and prayer and a talk about receiving answers by Deiter
F. Uchtdorf. We're so sneaky.
Just pray with a sincere heart and read the Book of Mormon...so frustrating.
We are going to work our tails off this week trying to find the
prepared. We have a goal of four baptisms in two transfers. I called
the funeral homes in our area to sign us up as clergy. Hopefully
someone calls us.
We're going to be hardcore talking with everyone and preaching the
gospel. It will be glorious and we are going to find them this week! I
can feel it!
Oh, our district leader is Elder Kovolov. He's from the Ukraine and
speaks Russian on occasion.
What else...oh, yeah, when Sister Griffiths and I go shopping for
food, we determine which cereal well buy based on how cool the toy is
inside the box. Today we got Honey Nut Cheerios because there was a
Star Wars poster inside. Last week was Fruit Loops and an Avengers
frisbee. Making great adult decisions. Check.
I noticed at the transfer meeting something interesting. So, every
meeting, the missionaries who are going home give their words of
wisdom and say goodbye before President announces where we're going. I
have noticed a significant difference between those missionaries who
gave their heart to the mission and those who didn't. There were
Elders who made jokes and gave a little advice and then there are
Elders like Elder Newbold who couldn't say anything because he was
trying to stop crying. Those are the missionaries that I want to be
like. I don't want to just come on a mission but to be a missionary.
The mission will inevitably change me into something amazing and
different, but only if I forget myself. Elder Christofferson said
something along the lines of the more we give of ourselves the more we
find. At the end I don't want to feel like leaving. I realize it is
okay to miss my family and be excited for the day I get to see you all
again. I want to get so attached to my brothers and sisters here. I
want to be more focused on what I leave than when I leave.
Wow, this e-mail got long...fast! I love this iPad thing. Im still
typing...in the Hermana's car! Technology! The only unfortunate thing
is I need to find a place with wifi to send this.
If you want to see an example of a part of what we're doing with these
iPads you can download LDS Pamphlets from the App Store. The icon is a
picture of Jesus holding a lamb.
The only bummer is that I don't know how to send pictures through
this...I'll ask Dallyn later. We might have to go to the library just
to do it, but I'll send at least something this week.
Anyways! I love you all and can't wait to hear from you again!
I LOVE YOU!!!!
Raye :)
#1So, we didn't get a chance
to go to the library to upload
pictures...so this is adventures in the car.
pictures...so this is adventures in the car.
#2My awesome tan. Makes me
feel like a hobbit.
#3My lock screen
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