FUN FACT ABOUT MY AREA THAT I LEARNED TODAY: Michael Jackson lives here (Well, lived here, of course.:)!! Yep, his "Neverland" is right here in Los Olivos. Our church is actually next-door to the Jehovah's Witness church he attended. And...his doctor used to be our ward mission leader. (But don't worry...Brother Saunders is not the one that killed him. ;)
Well...with THAT good news out of the way, our week went about like this:
So, Euell had surgery this week. :( It was one that he thought would be just a day in the hospital, but it turned out to be a lot harder than he planned. We had to cancel our lessons, and he wasn't able to make it to church this week. BUT it's okay. Everyone in the ward LOVES him, and has been so supportive as he's gone through these surgeries. They bring him dinners, give him rides to his doctor's appointments, and he says he really feels like part of the ward family. We'll start teaching him again this week, and hopefully we'll be setting him with a baptismal date! Lenore's doing great, too. She's a little bit crazy, but we love her.:)
She says she believes that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that the church is true. She says "She's a Mormon at heart, so she doesn't really need the official label." Ooooh, Lenore. I'll let you know how that turns out. :) We've also been teaching Tomas, a man that we met tracting a few weeks ago. He's Spanish, but speaks English very well. He LOVES everything he's been taught, but we thought he'd understand the Book of Mormon better if he could read it in Spanish, and since we aren't much help with that, we're passing him over to the Hermanas this week. We're a little sad, cause we love him...But it's okay. He'll get baptized and we'll get to see him at church.
We had a really great lesson with one of our investigators, Albert. He's met with us consistently every week since I got here, but he tends to get distracted and sidetracked in lessons. At first, it seemed like he hadn't been absorbing much of what he was being taught. This week though, we were able to teach him about the Book of Mormon, and he TOTALLY gets it all! We took the chance to read with him, and the spirit was so strong. He's committed to reading the Book of Mormon, and we'll keep meeting weekly. We also met with a woman named Christina earlier today (we accidentally planned a lesson on P-day :), and it went SO well! She knows a few families in the ward, and she thinks really highly of them, so she was so excited to be able to learn more about why they do the things they do. She set up another lesson for tomorrow morning!! She also has the cutest little kids in the world -- Jonas and Clive.
Tomorrow, I have exchanges with...SISTER COX!! I seriously couldn't be more excited. She and her companion, Sister Hegstrom, are coming down from SLO (San Luis Obispo) to spend the day in Solvang and Buellton with us. Man, I've missed her. I'll tell you all about how it goes next week! Transfers are coming up on the 12th. It seems like this transfer has gone by SO fast (it was even a week longer than usual!) I have a good feeling that I'll be staying in Solvang, but I guess you can never be quite sure.
Well, I have to go get my haircut...but I figured I owe you a quick update on the work, since I've been such a slacker these past few weeks! (I don't know why, but P-days here are CRAZY busy! Maybe it's because we have to drive to Lompoc to shop, and have sports with the Elders.) I love you all, and miss your cute faces. But I know I'll be seeing them soon, and that I have an eternity to spend with you all.
♥ Love you guys!
Sister ShayShay
Shaylie
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Euell, Lenore and chocolate chip cookies!!
Dear Family,
I'm sorry this letter is so short, but I am nearly out of time. And, I'm also sorry it's been two weeks since I've given an update. I promise all is well here. :)
So what's new? Well, let's see...
Right now we're teaching a man named Euell. He's GREAT. He's about 60, African American, and he's HILARIOUS. He's in pretty bad health, unfortunately. He got in a plane crash a couple years back, and now does dialysis 3 days a week. He's had a lot of hard things in his life, but he loves Heavenly Father so much, and is so grateful for what he has. The other day he said to us, "You know...I"m looking for something...something like...the Mormon Constitution!! I want to know ALL your doctrine, so I can understand what my roll will be when I'm a member." HEY EUELL! What a coincidence! That's what we're here to teach you!! He's started making friends in the ward now, and friends in Priesthood. He's already a part of the ward, and has started the Stake challenge to read Preach My Gospel over these next two months...now he just needs to get baptized.
Then there's Lenore. Ooooh, Lenore. She's ALSO hilarious. She's this little old baptist lady who loves God, and loves Billy Graham. Oh, and she loves us. She seriously thinks we're angels...but literally...
which is somewhat nice, cause she's always excited to hear what we have to say. :) The other day, we sang to her, while she held up her and hands and praised God. After we finished, she said, "That was better than a month-long trip to Bora Bora, staying in a deluxe motel, with FREE room service!" then, "Wow. That was like a shot of Valium, I just feel THAT at peace!" (I've never had my singing described that way before.) We explained to her that that's what we call feeling the spirit. Man, that lady is great.
In OTHER news, Pete and Doenice came to see me on Saturday!! I was the happiest missionary in the world. They took sister Platt and I to Pea Soup Andersen's, Buellton's one and only claim to fame. It was delicious (who knew pea soup was even good?!), and so good to see the wonderful Chavez family again. Mom, Doenice told me the two of you text all the time. Pete says you two are new best friends. I'm glad you get to talk to them, and thank you for all the help you've been. They seriously love you!
We also had President's Interviews this week out in Santa Barbara. Sister Felix sat and talked with the district while each of us interviewed, AND she made us chocolate chip cookies. YUM.
I've got to run, but I'll write again soon. I love you all!!
♥ Sister Shay Shay
I'm sorry this letter is so short, but I am nearly out of time. And, I'm also sorry it's been two weeks since I've given an update. I promise all is well here. :)
So what's new? Well, let's see...
Right now we're teaching a man named Euell. He's GREAT. He's about 60, African American, and he's HILARIOUS. He's in pretty bad health, unfortunately. He got in a plane crash a couple years back, and now does dialysis 3 days a week. He's had a lot of hard things in his life, but he loves Heavenly Father so much, and is so grateful for what he has. The other day he said to us, "You know...I"m looking for something...something like...the Mormon Constitution!! I want to know ALL your doctrine, so I can understand what my roll will be when I'm a member." HEY EUELL! What a coincidence! That's what we're here to teach you!! He's started making friends in the ward now, and friends in Priesthood. He's already a part of the ward, and has started the Stake challenge to read Preach My Gospel over these next two months...now he just needs to get baptized.
Then there's Lenore. Ooooh, Lenore. She's ALSO hilarious. She's this little old baptist lady who loves God, and loves Billy Graham. Oh, and she loves us. She seriously thinks we're angels...but literally...
which is somewhat nice, cause she's always excited to hear what we have to say. :) The other day, we sang to her, while she held up her and hands and praised God. After we finished, she said, "That was better than a month-long trip to Bora Bora, staying in a deluxe motel, with FREE room service!" then, "Wow. That was like a shot of Valium, I just feel THAT at peace!" (I've never had my singing described that way before.) We explained to her that that's what we call feeling the spirit. Man, that lady is great.
In OTHER news, Pete and Doenice came to see me on Saturday!! I was the happiest missionary in the world. They took sister Platt and I to Pea Soup Andersen's, Buellton's one and only claim to fame. It was delicious (who knew pea soup was even good?!), and so good to see the wonderful Chavez family again. Mom, Doenice told me the two of you text all the time. Pete says you two are new best friends. I'm glad you get to talk to them, and thank you for all the help you've been. They seriously love you!
We also had President's Interviews this week out in Santa Barbara. Sister Felix sat and talked with the district while each of us interviewed, AND she made us chocolate chip cookies. YUM.
I've got to run, but I'll write again soon. I love you all!!
♥ Sister Shay Shay
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Happy 4th of July!!
Sorry, I'm 3 days late...but HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! I hope it was wonderful, patriotic, and fun-filled!
It's always a little bit weird celebrating holidays away from home...especially with people I met a week ago, and am still learning their names, but it really was great! Buellton is a pretty small town outside of Solvang, and it's sort of got a "country feel." Everyone wears cowboy boots and hats, and has a strangely southern accent. It seems a little out of place, but we like it. A lot of the ward is from Buellton though, so we had a cowboy celebration for the 4th! I was a little worried I'd feel out of place, dressed up in my red, white, and blue, but I've never seen so many button-up, American Flag shirts in my life. It was AWESOME. We all made pancakes at the church, then everyone brought their guitars and we sang "This Land is My Land" together. It was GREAT! We also live pretty close to the old Catholic Mission, so they did a GIANT firework show. It was past our curfew, so we did our best to watch it from the apartment. It didn't work very well. Luckily, we got to pop the poppers Mom sent from our our balcony. It was a LOT of fun! :)
Along with that, we got to go down to Goleta and meet President Felix!! President Felix is WONDERFUL. Crazy Story: He actually had a heart attack 5 weeks before he left for the MTC! At the time, President Castro was unaware, but asked that as a mission, we begin praying for him to be able to come, and be prepared to serve. President Castro said that when he had the heart attack, he knew it'd be okay, because he had 230 missionaries praying for him! He had two stints put in his heart before he came out here...So, we've got something in common! Oh, and he has season tickets in our favorite North Stache Zone--we're basically destined to be friends. This Thursday we'll be going back for ANOTHER meeting, where they'll announce the changes that will be coming to our mission. (Last year they said they'd like to have all US missions to have iPads by this July, so that may be part of it. We'll see, though!)
Sorry my email is so short today--I'll write more next week. I'm about out of time, and we're running off to OstrichLand with the Elders. Love you. ♥
♥Shay Shay
It's always a little bit weird celebrating holidays away from home...especially with people I met a week ago, and am still learning their names, but it really was great! Buellton is a pretty small town outside of Solvang, and it's sort of got a "country feel." Everyone wears cowboy boots and hats, and has a strangely southern accent. It seems a little out of place, but we like it. A lot of the ward is from Buellton though, so we had a cowboy celebration for the 4th! I was a little worried I'd feel out of place, dressed up in my red, white, and blue, but I've never seen so many button-up, American Flag shirts in my life. It was AWESOME. We all made pancakes at the church, then everyone brought their guitars and we sang "This Land is My Land" together. It was GREAT! We also live pretty close to the old Catholic Mission, so they did a GIANT firework show. It was past our curfew, so we did our best to watch it from the apartment. It didn't work very well. Luckily, we got to pop the poppers Mom sent from our our balcony. It was a LOT of fun! :)
Along with that, we got to go down to Goleta and meet President Felix!! President Felix is WONDERFUL. Crazy Story: He actually had a heart attack 5 weeks before he left for the MTC! At the time, President Castro was unaware, but asked that as a mission, we begin praying for him to be able to come, and be prepared to serve. President Castro said that when he had the heart attack, he knew it'd be okay, because he had 230 missionaries praying for him! He had two stints put in his heart before he came out here...So, we've got something in common! Oh, and he has season tickets in our favorite North Stache Zone--we're basically destined to be friends. This Thursday we'll be going back for ANOTHER meeting, where they'll announce the changes that will be coming to our mission. (Last year they said they'd like to have all US missions to have iPads by this July, so that may be part of it. We'll see, though!)
Sorry my email is so short today--I'll write more next week. I'm about out of time, and we're running off to OstrichLand with the Elders. Love you. ♥
♥Shay Shay
Monday, June 30, 2014
Solvang is SO DANG awesome!
Hello, cute family!
Sadly,I don't have a whole lot of time today...but, here's what's happening in the WONDERFUL city of Solvang!
So, we cover North Solvang, and the neighboring city, called Buellton. It's really just this little tiny town, but it's got the friendly small town feel, and the friendly small town people. EVERYONE talks to us. Seriously, everyone. It took us until our 3rd day here for someone to say "I'm not interested." Everyone we talk to invites us in, gives us drinks and cookies, and lets us us them them about the Restoration. I don't know what it is about this place, but everybody loves the missionaries. It's amazing!
Right now, we have one investigator, named Yule, with a baptismal date...He's so much fun! He originally had a baptismal date set for July, but the lessons are going a little slower than planned...So, we're helping him work toward August. :) We're also teaching a woman named Lenore...and Albert, Arturo, Cami, Patty... There's a lot of people that we'll be seeing pretty regularly! We love to drive past the Solvang Center, but honestly we try not to spend too much time there because everyone's a tourist, and it's not really very productive.
I spoke in church yesterday in our new ward, and it went really well! I actually wrote my talk while on the stand. But, it was based on "Following Up," by Elder Ballard, and somewhere in there, I told a little bit of Pete's story. And Pete's got a PRETTY good story. So, of course, the talk went well. :) I'm slowly getting over my fear of speaking in church. Slowly, but surely!
We travel quite a bit here: Our district meeting and sports are in Lompoc, so we make the drive every Monday, and every Thursday. Then this Saturday we'll be driving up to Goleta to see President Felix. We're so excited!! We'll miss the Castro family, for sure, but we'll keep writing them letters and updates. :)
This transfer has been bittersweet. I'm going to miss the Chavez family SO much. They really do mean so much to me. You'll probably be seeing them sooner than I will, when they come to Utah to be sealed! But, I love this work, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. ♥
I'll talk to you soon! I love you all.
♥Sister Shaylie Raylie
Sadly,I don't have a whole lot of time today...but, here's what's happening in the WONDERFUL city of Solvang!
So, we cover North Solvang, and the neighboring city, called Buellton. It's really just this little tiny town, but it's got the friendly small town feel, and the friendly small town people. EVERYONE talks to us. Seriously, everyone. It took us until our 3rd day here for someone to say "I'm not interested." Everyone we talk to invites us in, gives us drinks and cookies, and lets us us them them about the Restoration. I don't know what it is about this place, but everybody loves the missionaries. It's amazing!
Right now, we have one investigator, named Yule, with a baptismal date...He's so much fun! He originally had a baptismal date set for July, but the lessons are going a little slower than planned...So, we're helping him work toward August. :) We're also teaching a woman named Lenore...and Albert, Arturo, Cami, Patty... There's a lot of people that we'll be seeing pretty regularly! We love to drive past the Solvang Center, but honestly we try not to spend too much time there because everyone's a tourist, and it's not really very productive.
I spoke in church yesterday in our new ward, and it went really well! I actually wrote my talk while on the stand. But, it was based on "Following Up," by Elder Ballard, and somewhere in there, I told a little bit of Pete's story. And Pete's got a PRETTY good story. So, of course, the talk went well. :) I'm slowly getting over my fear of speaking in church. Slowly, but surely!
We travel quite a bit here: Our district meeting and sports are in Lompoc, so we make the drive every Monday, and every Thursday. Then this Saturday we'll be driving up to Goleta to see President Felix. We're so excited!! We'll miss the Castro family, for sure, but we'll keep writing them letters and updates. :)
This transfer has been bittersweet. I'm going to miss the Chavez family SO much. They really do mean so much to me. You'll probably be seeing them sooner than I will, when they come to Utah to be sealed! But, I love this work, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. ♥
I'll talk to you soon! I love you all.
♥Sister Shaylie Raylie
Monday, June 23, 2014
Transfer Monday!!
As always, I have a fun and exciting week to tell you about:
Who's getting transferred to Solvang?! Oh, just this sister. I don't know much about the city, but I guess it's a little bit further north...and is a little Dutch town! There's a HUGE Dutch festival there every summer as well, so I'm getting there just in time! My new companion will be Sister Platt, who I don't know well, but I've met a few times. She's super nice, and I'm sure it'll be great!
Also, I ran my first 5k this morning!! I don't know if I've mentioned in the past, but Pete is an ULTRA runner. Like, a few weeks ago he ran a 100k. Crazy. But he always talked about how when we were home from our missions, he'd come to visit us, and to run the neat marathons that they have in Utah. Everyone planned to run the Provo Marathon together...then we realized I'd still be on a mission! So instead, we decided to run a 5k together before we left. So, this morning, Pete met us for exercise, and we ran a route that he had made for us around Camarillo. As fun as it was, it was mostly just nice to get to spend our last day with Pete. :) On that same note, he got to pass the sacrament for the first time on Sunday! He was so nervous, but so excited, and of course...he did great. He seriously amazes me, and I just love him.
We also got the chance to teach Ava this week, our cute 11 year-old investigator! We got a little lost on the way (her house is way up in the hills and ranches of Somis), so when we called to get directions, her grandma said, "OH! We're so excited to have you over! Ava's sister wants to take the lessons too, so she'll be here!" We were so excited! And when we walked in the door, our jaws dropped...because we KNOW her older sister!! She's a less active member named Athena, who came to help us the day we cleaned the crazy house (the one where we found the morphsuit.) So Athena already loves us! And she'll be taking the discussions with Ava, and helping her learn. We were able to commit Ava to baptism for the 1st week of September, but I won't be here to see it. So, I'll send pictures as soon as I get them!
We had our "goodbyes" with President and Sister Castro at Zone Conference on Thursday. I love them and I will miss them so much. But, I get to meet President Felix tomorrow!
We'll be spending today packing and saying our goodbyes to our favorites in the ward. It's definitely bittersweet. But I'm excited to see what this week has in store. I love you, and I'll talk to you soon!! :)
Love,
Shay Shay
PS - The ward missionaries had us over for Sunday dinner last night, and we all made our own pizzas. It was a fun night to spend with all the sisters I love, since we're getting split.
Who's getting transferred to Solvang?! Oh, just this sister. I don't know much about the city, but I guess it's a little bit further north...and is a little Dutch town! There's a HUGE Dutch festival there every summer as well, so I'm getting there just in time! My new companion will be Sister Platt, who I don't know well, but I've met a few times. She's super nice, and I'm sure it'll be great!
Also, I ran my first 5k this morning!! I don't know if I've mentioned in the past, but Pete is an ULTRA runner. Like, a few weeks ago he ran a 100k. Crazy. But he always talked about how when we were home from our missions, he'd come to visit us, and to run the neat marathons that they have in Utah. Everyone planned to run the Provo Marathon together...then we realized I'd still be on a mission! So instead, we decided to run a 5k together before we left. So, this morning, Pete met us for exercise, and we ran a route that he had made for us around Camarillo. As fun as it was, it was mostly just nice to get to spend our last day with Pete. :) On that same note, he got to pass the sacrament for the first time on Sunday! He was so nervous, but so excited, and of course...he did great. He seriously amazes me, and I just love him.
We also got the chance to teach Ava this week, our cute 11 year-old investigator! We got a little lost on the way (her house is way up in the hills and ranches of Somis), so when we called to get directions, her grandma said, "OH! We're so excited to have you over! Ava's sister wants to take the lessons too, so she'll be here!" We were so excited! And when we walked in the door, our jaws dropped...because we KNOW her older sister!! She's a less active member named Athena, who came to help us the day we cleaned the crazy house (the one where we found the morphsuit.) So Athena already loves us! And she'll be taking the discussions with Ava, and helping her learn. We were able to commit Ava to baptism for the 1st week of September, but I won't be here to see it. So, I'll send pictures as soon as I get them!
We had our "goodbyes" with President and Sister Castro at Zone Conference on Thursday. I love them and I will miss them so much. But, I get to meet President Felix tomorrow!
We'll be spending today packing and saying our goodbyes to our favorites in the ward. It's definitely bittersweet. But I'm excited to see what this week has in store. I love you, and I'll talk to you soon!! :)
Love,
Shay Shay
PS - The ward missionaries had us over for Sunday dinner last night, and we all made our own pizzas. It was a fun night to spend with all the sisters I love, since we're getting split.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Happy Monday!
First of all, sorry I didn't update ya last week...I'm slacking. I know. But, THIS week was absolutely wonderful! And as always, there are always miracles!
For one, Pete received the Priesthood on Sunday. Oh jeez, I can't even tell you: He's just the greatest! He takes his new responsibility as a Priesthood holder so seriously, and realizes how important it is to his family. He's going to the temple this week, too, with Brooke and Doenice. Woohoo!
Another miracle: So we were tracting in Somis this week, a little Spanish town that we're not in very often. We had been told by a member that there were lots of little houses down a back alley, so we though we'd check it out. When we got there, there really were no houses, it was just a back alley to some liquor stores and a few little shops. I'll admit, we were a little discouraged. But as we were leaving and finding our way back to the car, we heard a shout, "Hey! Are you the Mormons?!" Well, we sure are! We walked up to find a grandma and her granddaughter sitting in a car, outside of the stores. The grandma said, "I'm from the church of Religious Science, but the Mormon church is something I admire, and something I want for my granddaughter. Is this your lesson teaching day?" Luckily, EVERY DAY is out lesson teaching day,so we got to teach her the Restoration, and are going back next week. Ava, the cutest 11 year old EVER, is our new investigator. It's amazing to see that Heavenly Father's always preparing the people around us to hear the gospel. It's a good reminder that this is his work, not ours!
Along with that, we've been named "The Singing Sisters" of the Camarillo 6th Ward. After singing at Pete's baptism, we were asked to sing in sacrament meeting. After that, we are just know to sing. If one of our Sunday School classes runs short, they ask us to sing. If they think of a song in Gospel Essentials, they have us stand up and sing it. At every dinner appointment, people ask us to sing! So we've gotten into the habit to find a short hymn that goes along with our lesson. We're always prepared for a song. :)
This week is Zone Conference, for President Castro to come and say his goodbyes. We'll miss him...:(
But we're excited to meet President Felix. I wish I could write more, but I'm about out of time. I love you. The church is true. Have a good week. :)
Love, Shay
P.S. - Picture of the week!
There's this potential that we call Tom the Turkey Man. From his bio, he sounds SO GOOD, and we want to meet him! But, he lives in Somis...and he has a pet turkey, that is usually blocking his front door. (Turkey's are mean, right?) This week, though, we got past the turkey, and got to knocking! Sadly he wasn't there...But we'll be back. :)
For one, Pete received the Priesthood on Sunday. Oh jeez, I can't even tell you: He's just the greatest! He takes his new responsibility as a Priesthood holder so seriously, and realizes how important it is to his family. He's going to the temple this week, too, with Brooke and Doenice. Woohoo!
Another miracle: So we were tracting in Somis this week, a little Spanish town that we're not in very often. We had been told by a member that there were lots of little houses down a back alley, so we though we'd check it out. When we got there, there really were no houses, it was just a back alley to some liquor stores and a few little shops. I'll admit, we were a little discouraged. But as we were leaving and finding our way back to the car, we heard a shout, "Hey! Are you the Mormons?!" Well, we sure are! We walked up to find a grandma and her granddaughter sitting in a car, outside of the stores. The grandma said, "I'm from the church of Religious Science, but the Mormon church is something I admire, and something I want for my granddaughter. Is this your lesson teaching day?" Luckily, EVERY DAY is out lesson teaching day,so we got to teach her the Restoration, and are going back next week. Ava, the cutest 11 year old EVER, is our new investigator. It's amazing to see that Heavenly Father's always preparing the people around us to hear the gospel. It's a good reminder that this is his work, not ours!
Along with that, we've been named "The Singing Sisters" of the Camarillo 6th Ward. After singing at Pete's baptism, we were asked to sing in sacrament meeting. After that, we are just know to sing. If one of our Sunday School classes runs short, they ask us to sing. If they think of a song in Gospel Essentials, they have us stand up and sing it. At every dinner appointment, people ask us to sing! So we've gotten into the habit to find a short hymn that goes along with our lesson. We're always prepared for a song. :)
This week is Zone Conference, for President Castro to come and say his goodbyes. We'll miss him...:(
But we're excited to meet President Felix. I wish I could write more, but I'm about out of time. I love you. The church is true. Have a good week. :)
Love, Shay
P.S. - Picture of the week!
There's this potential that we call Tom the Turkey Man. From his bio, he sounds SO GOOD, and we want to meet him! But, he lives in Somis...and he has a pet turkey, that is usually blocking his front door. (Turkey's are mean, right?) This week, though, we got past the turkey, and got to knocking! Sadly he wasn't there...But we'll be back. :)
Monday, June 2, 2014
Birthday and Baptism!!
Of course, this week was absolutely FANTASTIC!!
For one, I TURNED 20!! Woohoo! Mom, you're all out of teenagers now! It was definitely a little strange to be so far away, but everyone made it a home away from home. :) I was lucky, because Wednesdays are my nights with a dinner and lesson at Pete and Doenice's house. They made us breakfast for dinner, and they got me the cutest "California Love" shirt! It was so nice of them! Thank YOU much for your sweet birthday packages. You set us all up to have a party in the apartment after! And oh, we partied! We had so much fun with our Twinkie cakes, and we lit the candles after lights out (actually, we turned the lights our early so we could still be in bed by 10:30. :) It was a wonderful day, and even though I missed you, the sisters made it a lot of fun! Also, your homemade muffins made me the happiest girl in the world--no exaggeration there. I was SO happy. Thank you so much!
As far as missionary work goes, this was the big week: Pete got baptized on Saturday! I had mentioned to you that Pete had been interviewed by President Castro, and he had said he wanted to come to the baptism. But, as we know, he's a pretty busy guy, and we didn't know if he'd actually be able to. But, sure enough, the entire Castro family was there! We couldn't believe it! There were so many people there to love and support Pete, and he was just GLOWING! After the baptism, he stood up and bore his testimony, and made the whole room cry. It was such a simple, but powerful testimony, and we were able to see how much the gospel really has changed his life. Then, the 4-sister missionaries (me, Sister Cox, Sister Reneer, and Sister Proctor) sang Joseph Smith's First Prayer, to the tune of Come Thou Fount. By the end, Pete and Doenice were crying, so we all started to cry. We hadn't really though it through that we'd be a little emotional right after hearing Pete speak. But, Pete was excited that we sang, so that's all the matters, right? We'll be singing it again in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday, and I'll be playing the piano. Sister Cox gave an amazing talk on the Holy Ghost, and I think we all cried some more. Honestly, the spirit that was at that baptism was so strong, I can't even begin to describe it. We love Pete, Doenice, and Brooke SO much, and have seen how much Heavenly Father loves them, as well. They're already planning their trip to Utah next June to be sealed as a family. :)
I wish I had more time to tell you about this week, but there are all kinds of things to do today. Just know that I love you, I think of each of you every day, and I'll see you soon!
♥Shay
For one, I TURNED 20!! Woohoo! Mom, you're all out of teenagers now! It was definitely a little strange to be so far away, but everyone made it a home away from home. :) I was lucky, because Wednesdays are my nights with a dinner and lesson at Pete and Doenice's house. They made us breakfast for dinner, and they got me the cutest "California Love" shirt! It was so nice of them! Thank YOU much for your sweet birthday packages. You set us all up to have a party in the apartment after! And oh, we partied! We had so much fun with our Twinkie cakes, and we lit the candles after lights out (actually, we turned the lights our early so we could still be in bed by 10:30. :) It was a wonderful day, and even though I missed you, the sisters made it a lot of fun! Also, your homemade muffins made me the happiest girl in the world--no exaggeration there. I was SO happy. Thank you so much!
As far as missionary work goes, this was the big week: Pete got baptized on Saturday! I had mentioned to you that Pete had been interviewed by President Castro, and he had said he wanted to come to the baptism. But, as we know, he's a pretty busy guy, and we didn't know if he'd actually be able to. But, sure enough, the entire Castro family was there! We couldn't believe it! There were so many people there to love and support Pete, and he was just GLOWING! After the baptism, he stood up and bore his testimony, and made the whole room cry. It was such a simple, but powerful testimony, and we were able to see how much the gospel really has changed his life. Then, the 4-sister missionaries (me, Sister Cox, Sister Reneer, and Sister Proctor) sang Joseph Smith's First Prayer, to the tune of Come Thou Fount. By the end, Pete and Doenice were crying, so we all started to cry. We hadn't really though it through that we'd be a little emotional right after hearing Pete speak. But, Pete was excited that we sang, so that's all the matters, right? We'll be singing it again in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday, and I'll be playing the piano. Sister Cox gave an amazing talk on the Holy Ghost, and I think we all cried some more. Honestly, the spirit that was at that baptism was so strong, I can't even begin to describe it. We love Pete, Doenice, and Brooke SO much, and have seen how much Heavenly Father loves them, as well. They're already planning their trip to Utah next June to be sealed as a family. :)
I wish I had more time to tell you about this week, but there are all kinds of things to do today. Just know that I love you, I think of each of you every day, and I'll see you soon!
♥Shay
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