I had such a wonderful Christmas. Really, really a wonderful Christmas. Christmas
Eve we spent most of the day trying to figure out the bus system, and riding/walking back and forth to Fairfield. Got back in time for dinner at the Hogans'. They always try to keep their Christmas Eve very simple and spiritual, so they had just the immediate family and his parents there and the two of us. We ate soup and sang Christmas songs. Oh, and we listened to Brother Hogan tell stories of his rambunctious childhood and Boy Scout experiences. You know, jumping in fires, shooting various kinds of weapons, getting injured doing stupid things. It was just like being back at home! My favorite part, I think, was Sister Hogan periodically inserting her two cents, which was several different versions of the sentence "What a bunch of idiots." (Mom, you would like her!!)
Earlier in the day some members dropped off presents at our apartment. I ended up opening most of mine and Sister Johnston's. This started because we thought they had mixed us up and labeled some of them wrong. So I was trying to figure out what was whose then I just kept going! and all of our Christmas Eve presents were unwrapped. Who says I'm supposed to be the mature one in the companionship?
On Christmas morning we had planned to do our studying before opening the presents (yes, we still had a lot to open even after the Christmas Eve fiasco I told you we were spoiled!). Monson thought we should be all dignified and such let's exercise and study and act like missionaries. Then I woke up at 6:30 on Christmas and said, "Let's open our presents right now! like a two-year-old.
Don't worry, we did do our studies that day. We read "The Living Christ"
together for part of our companion study. The Spirit was so strong! I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my Savior and for my mission.
On Christmas Day we were super confused about what we were expected to do, the white
handbook says to proselyte on holidays, but we were told we didn't have to proselyte
and also that we shouldn't, but we could if we wanted to you know. So we ended up
watching movies at the church with the other missionaries while we talked to our
families. It was so wonderful to talk to the family!
Family, did you know I am obsessed with sausage? Neither did I. I think I liked it before the mission but I started to like it a lot more out here, because in Fairfield we volunteer at the food bank packing frozen meat which includes every kind of sausage under the sun. I had no idea there was so much sausage in the world, of so many varieties. Anyway, the family we ate with on Christmas Day asked if we had any special requests and I asked for sausage and meatballs. They served us a type of spicy Italian sausage which was a new experience. Mike and Andrea, do you remember the first time we ate at the Saltgrass Steakhouse in Texas and the food made us giddy? It was like that. This sausage was so ridiculously good. It even inspired the "this sausage makes me happy" dance, which has since been recorded on video (don't worry, that was later, at our apartment). And the best part is they sent us home with the leftovers!!!! Oh happy day!!! I know what I'm having for lunch.
The week of Christmas ended with a bang: transfer calls on Sunday night. I had been
praying and praying not to get transferred, but still was fully expecting a call. Waited and waited for the dreaded call, which never came!!!!!! I get to stay here!!!! This will make six months in Fairfield. I am so blessed. I wasn't expecting it to happen, because there are only eight sisters now (seven after next week when we lose our Temple Square sister); this means the Windsor sisters are getting doubled out, and they are going to Torrington and Newport both of them serving with their trainers again. How random is that? That is why I expected to be transferred. I didn't see that coming. But I never do. I can never predict what transfers will be like.
This week we spent a lot of time going through the Trumbull area book and talking to the members about who to work with. Surprise: this area is a gold mine!!! Best kept secret ever. And I actually get to stick around and participate in the gold-mining process. I'm so excited.
Merry Christmas everyone! Love,
Sister Monson
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
20 Dec 09
I made the most beautiful gingerbread house that you all will need to see pictures of,and I will hopefully send them today as well. It started out as a normal enough
gingerbread house and then turned into a white-trash gingerbread house, and then it
became a gingerbread mobile home. Can't even describe it, words don't do it justice,
so just wait for the pictures.
This weekend we had a big snowstorm. On Sunday church was cancelled and we were snowed in for a while. So I went all out with cutesy Christmas cards. Must have made about 100 of them. All for the investigators and members! Woo-hoo. When we were able to go out later we decided to walk (our cars were grounded) to the closest member family in Trumbull to visit briefly, give them a Christmas card and go tracting/caroling in their neighborhood. Well, we learned that even the closest family was much farther away, walking distance, than we had anticipated. When we got to their house they looked at us like we were crazy, and insisted on driving us home (after stopping to visit some less-actives, that was nice of them!). Come on, people, it's all part of the experience! Missionaries used to do that all the time, now they won't let us rough it even a little bit. I think I am the most spoiled missionary I have ever heard of. Our apartment is absolutely bursting with food, we have a car and a cell phone and now we get rides even when we don't drive? I'm sure my brothers are turning green right now.
We've had a lot of success this transfer with reaching out to less-active members. In some ways I really enjoy this part of missionary work. It's very rewarding when the person really does have a desire to come back, and is prevented by some reason or another that we can help with.
We have one investigator with a baptismal date, who is coming to a crossroads. She has to figure out some things and make a decision pretty soon. Not much else is going on. The biggest excitement right now is all the missionaries going home this week (sad!) and transfers happening next week. I hate getting so attached to these missionaries and then they all go home. Lame! And I am praying not to be transferred. I LOVE this area and there is so much to be done, now that the elders are gone and our area covers five towns instead of two. The ward is truly amazing.
Christmas is always such a pondering/reflecting time for me, and it's been the same
even on the mission. I keep thinking about where I was last Christmas. Sitting at home, bored out of my mind and wanting to be here. And now here I am! While I would never say that my mission has been all fun and games, I do still thank Heavenly Father every morning and night that I am here. I miss everyone back home (especially this time of year!) but I don't want to be anywhere else.
With all these missionaries going home (I've been surrounded by trunkiness!) I've
been thinking about the mission and the changes that I hope are occurring in myself. I wonder what will be noticeably different about me when I go home. This brought to mind a cheesy Michael McLean song that I love, called "In the Wink of an Eye." This verse in particular:
In the wink of an eye I'll be home,
And I'll show you the treasures I've found.
And I hope you'll see, that these changes in me
Are ones that will make you proud.
As I'm leaving, I feel sure,
We've all gone through leaving home before.
Really, truly, ten months has felt like about ten minutes and I know the next eight
months will feel like "the wink of an eye," and I just hope that I can get as much
growth and enjoyment out of them as possible. I am so blessed to be here. It's the best thing God could have done for me. That may sound somewhat trite or cliche, but it is so hard for me to express the feelings that are so deep.
Merry Christmas. I love and miss you all, and look forward to talking to the fam on
Friday!
-Sister Monson
gingerbread house and then turned into a white-trash gingerbread house, and then it
became a gingerbread mobile home. Can't even describe it, words don't do it justice,
so just wait for the pictures.
This weekend we had a big snowstorm. On Sunday church was cancelled and we were snowed in for a while. So I went all out with cutesy Christmas cards. Must have made about 100 of them. All for the investigators and members! Woo-hoo. When we were able to go out later we decided to walk (our cars were grounded) to the closest member family in Trumbull to visit briefly, give them a Christmas card and go tracting/caroling in their neighborhood. Well, we learned that even the closest family was much farther away, walking distance, than we had anticipated. When we got to their house they looked at us like we were crazy, and insisted on driving us home (after stopping to visit some less-actives, that was nice of them!). Come on, people, it's all part of the experience! Missionaries used to do that all the time, now they won't let us rough it even a little bit. I think I am the most spoiled missionary I have ever heard of. Our apartment is absolutely bursting with food, we have a car and a cell phone and now we get rides even when we don't drive? I'm sure my brothers are turning green right now.
We've had a lot of success this transfer with reaching out to less-active members. In some ways I really enjoy this part of missionary work. It's very rewarding when the person really does have a desire to come back, and is prevented by some reason or another that we can help with.
We have one investigator with a baptismal date, who is coming to a crossroads. She has to figure out some things and make a decision pretty soon. Not much else is going on. The biggest excitement right now is all the missionaries going home this week (sad!) and transfers happening next week. I hate getting so attached to these missionaries and then they all go home. Lame! And I am praying not to be transferred. I LOVE this area and there is so much to be done, now that the elders are gone and our area covers five towns instead of two. The ward is truly amazing.
Christmas is always such a pondering/reflecting time for me, and it's been the same
even on the mission. I keep thinking about where I was last Christmas. Sitting at home, bored out of my mind and wanting to be here. And now here I am! While I would never say that my mission has been all fun and games, I do still thank Heavenly Father every morning and night that I am here. I miss everyone back home (especially this time of year!) but I don't want to be anywhere else.
With all these missionaries going home (I've been surrounded by trunkiness!) I've
been thinking about the mission and the changes that I hope are occurring in myself. I wonder what will be noticeably different about me when I go home. This brought to mind a cheesy Michael McLean song that I love, called "In the Wink of an Eye." This verse in particular:
In the wink of an eye I'll be home,
And I'll show you the treasures I've found.
And I hope you'll see, that these changes in me
Are ones that will make you proud.
As I'm leaving, I feel sure,
We've all gone through leaving home before.
Really, truly, ten months has felt like about ten minutes and I know the next eight
months will feel like "the wink of an eye," and I just hope that I can get as much
growth and enjoyment out of them as possible. I am so blessed to be here. It's the best thing God could have done for me. That may sound somewhat trite or cliche, but it is so hard for me to express the feelings that are so deep.
Merry Christmas. I love and miss you all, and look forward to talking to the fam on
Friday!
-Sister Monson
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
14 Dec 09
I lied. Our zip code is 06611. Somehow we were given the wrong zip code. So now you
have both the new address AND the right zip code. We're going to try to find some way to check the mail at the old apartment in Fairfield, since the change-of-address forms had the wrong zip code on them too. What lameness! So if anything was sent in the last week or so it might be a while before I get it. Sorry.
This was a great week. We had planned to do an exchange with the Newport (RI) sisters on Tuesday and swap back on Wednesday at mission conference in Bloomfield. But a huge snowstorm was predicted. The Pehrsons were worried about us doing all that driving in the snow. Especially since Trumbull and Newport are almost the farthest, if not the farthest, areas from Bloomfield in the entire mission. So instead of driving to RI, the Pehrsons had the Newport sisters come out to Trumbull and blitz our area for the evening, and then that night we all drove to Bloomfield together and stayed at the mission home so we wouldn't have to drive in the morning snowstorm. It was so much fun!!! We could get twice as much done because they could go visit someone in our area while we were visiting someone else. Plus everyone (members and investigators) in Fairfield and Trumbull LOVES Sister Baird and Sister Timothy so they were really really excited to see them again. Because we stayed at the mission home we only had to drive from West Hartford to Bloomfield in the morning. And the snowstorm did turn out to be pretty bad. I was SO
grateful we only had to drive from West Hartford to Bloomfield it was a pretty scary
drive as it was, the roads weren't plowed yet. My first real Connecticut snowstorm!
Mission conference was wonderful. We had a musical Christmas program that turned out
really well. We had some trainings and then they played a slideshow that some elders made (they had all of us give them our memory cards so they could download our pictures and videos). They compiled all the photos on a CD and put the slideshow on a DVD, and the Pehrsons made copies for all of us (as in the entire mission!) that was our Christmas present. The Pehrsons are so kind! I count my blessings every single day that I have such a wonderful mission president/sister. I have heard some mission president horror stories. But the Pehrsons really are like my surrogate parents out here. They take such good care of all the missionaries but they go to extra lengths to make sure the sisters are taken care of, which is so appreciated.
I was so spoiled on my birthday!!!!! So spoiled!!! Usually we do service at a shelter on Friday mornings, but they didn't need us (which never happens), so we went to lunch at Joe's Bar and Grill which we had heard good things about. And boy did it live up to its reputation! I definitely recommend it to anyone who ever has an inkling to come out to Fairfield.
Anyway, on Friday we were also able to visit with a less-active member for the first
time. We have been leaving her notes and messages ever since August, when I first got here, and this was the first time we got in the door. That was a miracle in and of itself and Heavenly Father blessed me with so many other miracles that day. We didn't have a dinner appointment, but the elders had been invited to dinner at the ward mission leader's house. Elder Allred called and told them it was my birthday and basically weaseled out an invitation for us to come too (I did NOT tell him to do that). The ward mission leader's wife called and invited us, but we already had a teaching appointment scheduled. But then our appointment cancelled so we ended up being able to go! I love when little things like that work themselves out. Heavenly Father and everyone else really spoiled me that day. I don't deserve it. And yes, I know I am only a year away from a quarter of a century. They keep reminding me. These kids! I mean, elders. Elders!
I am so blessed. I couldn't ask for anything more except to stay here one more
transfer at least! I am in my third transfer here and everyone keeps telling me that
sisters haven't stayed in Fairfield longer than three transfers this entire year, ever since the sisters were doubled into Fairfield in January. I want to break that trend. Transfers are the week of the 27th. Everyone please pray that I don't get transferred.
Everyone enjoy your dry Utah snow. :) Merry Christmas! Love,
Sister Monson
have both the new address AND the right zip code. We're going to try to find some way to check the mail at the old apartment in Fairfield, since the change-of-address forms had the wrong zip code on them too. What lameness! So if anything was sent in the last week or so it might be a while before I get it. Sorry.
This was a great week. We had planned to do an exchange with the Newport (RI) sisters on Tuesday and swap back on Wednesday at mission conference in Bloomfield. But a huge snowstorm was predicted. The Pehrsons were worried about us doing all that driving in the snow. Especially since Trumbull and Newport are almost the farthest, if not the farthest, areas from Bloomfield in the entire mission. So instead of driving to RI, the Pehrsons had the Newport sisters come out to Trumbull and blitz our area for the evening, and then that night we all drove to Bloomfield together and stayed at the mission home so we wouldn't have to drive in the morning snowstorm. It was so much fun!!! We could get twice as much done because they could go visit someone in our area while we were visiting someone else. Plus everyone (members and investigators) in Fairfield and Trumbull LOVES Sister Baird and Sister Timothy so they were really really excited to see them again. Because we stayed at the mission home we only had to drive from West Hartford to Bloomfield in the morning. And the snowstorm did turn out to be pretty bad. I was SO
grateful we only had to drive from West Hartford to Bloomfield it was a pretty scary
drive as it was, the roads weren't plowed yet. My first real Connecticut snowstorm!
Mission conference was wonderful. We had a musical Christmas program that turned out
really well. We had some trainings and then they played a slideshow that some elders made (they had all of us give them our memory cards so they could download our pictures and videos). They compiled all the photos on a CD and put the slideshow on a DVD, and the Pehrsons made copies for all of us (as in the entire mission!) that was our Christmas present. The Pehrsons are so kind! I count my blessings every single day that I have such a wonderful mission president/sister. I have heard some mission president horror stories. But the Pehrsons really are like my surrogate parents out here. They take such good care of all the missionaries but they go to extra lengths to make sure the sisters are taken care of, which is so appreciated.
I was so spoiled on my birthday!!!!! So spoiled!!! Usually we do service at a shelter on Friday mornings, but they didn't need us (which never happens), so we went to lunch at Joe's Bar and Grill which we had heard good things about. And boy did it live up to its reputation! I definitely recommend it to anyone who ever has an inkling to come out to Fairfield.
Anyway, on Friday we were also able to visit with a less-active member for the first
time. We have been leaving her notes and messages ever since August, when I first got here, and this was the first time we got in the door. That was a miracle in and of itself and Heavenly Father blessed me with so many other miracles that day. We didn't have a dinner appointment, but the elders had been invited to dinner at the ward mission leader's house. Elder Allred called and told them it was my birthday and basically weaseled out an invitation for us to come too (I did NOT tell him to do that). The ward mission leader's wife called and invited us, but we already had a teaching appointment scheduled. But then our appointment cancelled so we ended up being able to go! I love when little things like that work themselves out. Heavenly Father and everyone else really spoiled me that day. I don't deserve it. And yes, I know I am only a year away from a quarter of a century. They keep reminding me. These kids! I mean, elders. Elders!
I am so blessed. I couldn't ask for anything more except to stay here one more
transfer at least! I am in my third transfer here and everyone keeps telling me that
sisters haven't stayed in Fairfield longer than three transfers this entire year, ever since the sisters were doubled into Fairfield in January. I want to break that trend. Transfers are the week of the 27th. Everyone please pray that I don't get transferred.
Everyone enjoy your dry Utah snow. :) Merry Christmas! Love,
Sister Monson
Monday, December 7, 2009
8 Dec 09
Don't hate me…but I forgot to mention last week that we were moving. I didn't
know the new address at that point anyway, but I should have mentioned it. Sorry! We
moved on Tuesday. We’ll fill out change-of-address forms ASAP so hopefully no one has sent anything that will get lost.
New address:
6295 Main St.
Trumbull, CT
06006
The move made things a little crazy, which is to be expected. It was rather enjoyable, though, as moving goes. The weather was unusually warm so it wasn't too bad for being in and out a lot. The Trumbull elders came to help us move our furniture. They came to the old apartment and moved all the furniture out, and then the trailer was about 2 hours late. Hmmm...two elders and two sisters outside, can't go inside (un-chaperoned), and there's a bunch of furniture lying around on the lawn. What would you have done? We got creative with our entertainment. Creativity may or may not have included some of the following: throwing furniture, jumping on the mattresses, and Elder Allred testing out the stair-stepper while describing it in his Shrek voice, all on video. (I told you, he does an AMAZINGLY good Shrek accent.) Then somehow Sister Johnston was up in the top of a tree. Don't worry, nothing was damaged. No animals were harmed in the making of those films.
I love missionary life! There is just no substitute for a bunch of kids in their twenties in an environment with no TV. I've really learned how to have fun out here. The best part about this type of "creative" entertainment is that it really doesn't sound fun when you try to describe it to someone else. It's mostly those "you had to be there" moments. So everyone thinks you're strange when you describe what you do to entertain yourself. (Except other missionaries who have experienced the same.)
Then the trailer finally came and the elders had to take my stupid desk apart to get it through the door, then put it back together in Trumbull. It took forever and I felt so bad. Hey, at least I had no control over it. If they'd asked me I would've said gimme a futon instead of a desk. So much easier to transport. I can study on a futon, right? Why not?
The other day Sister Johnston and I were tracting in one of the neighborhoods that's
very close to the Bridgeport city line. Bridgeport is, well, let's just say it's one
of those cities sisters are NOT allowed to serve in. The neighborhood in question is one of those where people always tell us, BE CAREFUL! Bless their grandmotherly hearts. Anyway, someone had told us recently about a bar nearby where people supposedly have shady dealings going on in the parking lot, and then they go out and mug people while under the influence of who knows what, and they have two guys to jump you and one guy to be the lookout. Thanks, that makes us feel really safe! (I know. You don't believe Connecticut would have ghettos. No one does, until they actually get here. Hartford's supposed to be in the top ten in the nation for violent crime, or something like that.)
Long story made longer ”itâ's dark, we're in this neighborhood and are feeling a bit
paranoid anyway from all the recent stories. We're crossing from one side of the street to the other and Sister Johnston stops dead in her tracks, and is staring at something, and starting to freak out. I'm asking her what's wrong, thinking it could be any number of things. Then she points it out to me. What did it turn out to be? A TOY gun, lying on the ground. It sure looked real from far away, though. So have no fear toy guns are the scariest thing we see around here. (Things will really get fun when we get put in the Bridgeport district and have to go to district meetings in Bridgeport. Good thing those meetings are in the daytime!! That's all I have to say about that.)
Side note: I keep forgetting to mention this every single Monday Easton is Helen
Keller's birthplace! Easton's in our area. It's a beautiful town. Y'all should
come see it sometime. (Not while I'm here, though. That could be distracting.)
Trumbull is also a beautiful town. We got the first snow on Saturday, and with all the lights and snow Trumbull looks like a little Dickens village. (People go all out here with decorations, just like they did for Halloween.) The new apartment is fun it's a little in-law type apartment on the side of a house. Apparently the Trumbull Republican party previously had their headquarters in our little apartment. It reminded me of Dad going to Utah Democratic Party conventions in someone's living room. Almost the same thing, just the tables are turned now.
Anyway, we have our own washer and dryer and we're on the main floor and very very
spoiled. It does make VERY weird noises, especially at night. The first night we thought someone was banging on the side of the house, trying to break in. Nope, just the pipes! We're living in Trumbull but will still just cover Fairfield and Easton until the elders leave, the week of Christmas. Then we'll be the only missionaries in the ward. Sad! So right now we live out of our area. "Elder, can we get permission to leave our area so we can sleep?"
Wow, this is a really long epistle, and I talked about very non-spiritual things. But believe me when I tell you that the miracles and spiritual experiences are real, and they happen all the time. Most of them are so personal that I don't put them in the mass emails. You may not hear about them, but they are so real!
Love,
Sister Monson
know the new address at that point anyway, but I should have mentioned it. Sorry! We
moved on Tuesday. We’ll fill out change-of-address forms ASAP so hopefully no one has sent anything that will get lost.
New address:
6295 Main St.
Trumbull, CT
06006
The move made things a little crazy, which is to be expected. It was rather enjoyable, though, as moving goes. The weather was unusually warm so it wasn't too bad for being in and out a lot. The Trumbull elders came to help us move our furniture. They came to the old apartment and moved all the furniture out, and then the trailer was about 2 hours late. Hmmm...two elders and two sisters outside, can't go inside (un-chaperoned), and there's a bunch of furniture lying around on the lawn. What would you have done? We got creative with our entertainment. Creativity may or may not have included some of the following: throwing furniture, jumping on the mattresses, and Elder Allred testing out the stair-stepper while describing it in his Shrek voice, all on video. (I told you, he does an AMAZINGLY good Shrek accent.) Then somehow Sister Johnston was up in the top of a tree. Don't worry, nothing was damaged. No animals were harmed in the making of those films.
I love missionary life! There is just no substitute for a bunch of kids in their twenties in an environment with no TV. I've really learned how to have fun out here. The best part about this type of "creative" entertainment is that it really doesn't sound fun when you try to describe it to someone else. It's mostly those "you had to be there" moments. So everyone thinks you're strange when you describe what you do to entertain yourself. (Except other missionaries who have experienced the same.)
Then the trailer finally came and the elders had to take my stupid desk apart to get it through the door, then put it back together in Trumbull. It took forever and I felt so bad. Hey, at least I had no control over it. If they'd asked me I would've said gimme a futon instead of a desk. So much easier to transport. I can study on a futon, right? Why not?
The other day Sister Johnston and I were tracting in one of the neighborhoods that's
very close to the Bridgeport city line. Bridgeport is, well, let's just say it's one
of those cities sisters are NOT allowed to serve in. The neighborhood in question is one of those where people always tell us, BE CAREFUL! Bless their grandmotherly hearts. Anyway, someone had told us recently about a bar nearby where people supposedly have shady dealings going on in the parking lot, and then they go out and mug people while under the influence of who knows what, and they have two guys to jump you and one guy to be the lookout. Thanks, that makes us feel really safe! (I know. You don't believe Connecticut would have ghettos. No one does, until they actually get here. Hartford's supposed to be in the top ten in the nation for violent crime, or something like that.)
Long story made longer ”itâ's dark, we're in this neighborhood and are feeling a bit
paranoid anyway from all the recent stories. We're crossing from one side of the street to the other and Sister Johnston stops dead in her tracks, and is staring at something, and starting to freak out. I'm asking her what's wrong, thinking it could be any number of things. Then she points it out to me. What did it turn out to be? A TOY gun, lying on the ground. It sure looked real from far away, though. So have no fear toy guns are the scariest thing we see around here. (Things will really get fun when we get put in the Bridgeport district and have to go to district meetings in Bridgeport. Good thing those meetings are in the daytime!! That's all I have to say about that.)
Side note: I keep forgetting to mention this every single Monday Easton is Helen
Keller's birthplace! Easton's in our area. It's a beautiful town. Y'all should
come see it sometime. (Not while I'm here, though. That could be distracting.)
Trumbull is also a beautiful town. We got the first snow on Saturday, and with all the lights and snow Trumbull looks like a little Dickens village. (People go all out here with decorations, just like they did for Halloween.) The new apartment is fun it's a little in-law type apartment on the side of a house. Apparently the Trumbull Republican party previously had their headquarters in our little apartment. It reminded me of Dad going to Utah Democratic Party conventions in someone's living room. Almost the same thing, just the tables are turned now.
Anyway, we have our own washer and dryer and we're on the main floor and very very
spoiled. It does make VERY weird noises, especially at night. The first night we thought someone was banging on the side of the house, trying to break in. Nope, just the pipes! We're living in Trumbull but will still just cover Fairfield and Easton until the elders leave, the week of Christmas. Then we'll be the only missionaries in the ward. Sad! So right now we live out of our area. "Elder, can we get permission to leave our area so we can sleep?"
Wow, this is a really long epistle, and I talked about very non-spiritual things. But believe me when I tell you that the miracles and spiritual experiences are real, and they happen all the time. Most of them are so personal that I don't put them in the mass emails. You may not hear about them, but they are so real!
Love,
Sister Monson
Monday, November 30, 2009
30 Nov 2009
What a wonderful turkey day/week it was. In terms of actual missionary work there's not a ton to speak of. We're supposed to spend all our time proselyting because everyone is at home for the holiday,Yeah, that didn't go so well. Everyone was home, yes. Did anyone want to talk to us or let us in? No. "I'm baking a cake and I'm
Catholic." But we gave away a ton of pass-along cards! Everyone in Fairfield County
will soon have a copy of "Finding Faith in Christ" and "Joy to the World" if they
want one.
We did have one miracle. I'd always heard of missionaries going to a street where a
member lives, asking the members to pray with them, and then tracting the street. I'd never tried it until this week. We were feeling very discouraged and tired. We went to this member's house. They had non-member relatives staying with them for the holiday. But they let us right in, gathered all the kids, and said a wonderful prayer with us. I felt so uplifted and strengthened. There was so much power in that prayer! We didn't even get a nibble until the very last house on the street (which is so often the case). They were a wonderful family who let us come in and teach. They seem quite firm in their own faith and not super interested in what we had to say BUT the fact that they let us come in, teach a lesson AND give them a Book of Mormon was a miracle in and of itself. That was the most tracting success we had had in weeks!
And we give ourselves the same "we're planting a seed" speech that we always give, and then we feel good about what we did. Don't get me wrong, I believe in the "we're planting a seed"speech. I've so often been the missionary to reap seeds sown by others. And that's the way it should be. People sometimes come back from their missions saying, "I baptized so-and-so," or "I taught so-and-so." But really, at least in this mission, RARELY (if at all) does one person get found, taught, and baptized by the same set of missionaries. It's a TEAM EFFORT! That's why there is no room for prima donnas or spoiled children in the mission field. It's not about "I baptized you," or "I tracted into you." I personally don't baptize anyone, of course. Need the help of the priesthood for that. And even if I find someone, it's my companion and I that find them. Just like almost everything else in the gospel, missionary work requires the effort of many, and it is NEVER about "me" or "look what I did."
ANYWAY Monson steps off the soapbox.
Until next time, folks!
Yesterday one of our investigators came back to church. He had been coming consistently for several weeks and taking the lessons before he had a major back problem that prevented him from walking or doing anything. This week he came to church and had to alternately sit and stand on a soft chair in the foyer, because of the pain in his back. What a trooper! We were finally able to introduce him to a WWII vet in the ward (we thought they might get along because this investigator is a Vietnam vet), which went extremely well. He still hasn't been able to start taking the lessons again, but he's been coming to church which I am so impressed by.
For the Thanksgiving holiday we went to the ward mission leader's house. There was
quite a crowd there. We had told them we would come a couple of hours early to help with cooking and table setting, because it was going to be an enormous group. They PROMISED us there would be tons of work for us to do. When we got there, everything had been done. So we folded napkins. Very, very elaborately folded napkins. I'm attaching some pictures of the napkin extravaganza.
After we folded napkins I suddenly had the urge to make gumdrop turkeys for the kids
table, in true Monson fashion. (No one else had ever heard of them. Come on, people, what planet are you from?) They didn't have gumdrops or orange sticks. So we used caramel candies and candy corn. We made a LOT of turkeys we got kinda bored and then we started to get more creative and make turkeys in the likeness of certain people. Whose first names happen to be Elder and Elder. I can't verbally do these justice. Hopefully the pictures will come through and I can attach them.
Anyway, we had a lot of fun listening to these elders quote Disney movies. Elder Allred (the dark-haired one) does an AMAZING Shrek accent. Keeps missionaries entertained for hours. (Hey, we can't watch football on Thanksgiving like the rest of the world. Gotta get creative.)
In all seriousness, there is so much to be grateful for!!! Mostly at this time I'm
grateful to be here, to be surrounded by wonderful and supportive companions/missionaries/ward members, and to have a testimony that keeps growing. My
testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened A LOT on the mission. I've gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the priesthood. And in my hardest times, I have gained a deeper understanding of the Atonement. I also appreciate my family so much more. Thank you for your support, I can't begin to explain how much it means to me!
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
P.S. I forgot to tell you about my crazy morning. I ate leftover Thanksgiving cake for breakfast. While I was chewing I spit out something that I thought was a popcorn kernel. What did it turn out to be? Nothing less than a LADYBUG. I ALMOST ATE A LADYBUG FOR BREAKFAST! Don't worry, it was dead. Yes, Mom, I learned my lesson. I'll stop eating cake for breakfast. Back to the oatmeal. (But THAT has been left untouched for so long, who knows what kind of friends are in there now.)
Catholic." But we gave away a ton of pass-along cards! Everyone in Fairfield County
will soon have a copy of "Finding Faith in Christ" and "Joy to the World" if they
want one.
We did have one miracle. I'd always heard of missionaries going to a street where a
member lives, asking the members to pray with them, and then tracting the street. I'd never tried it until this week. We were feeling very discouraged and tired. We went to this member's house. They had non-member relatives staying with them for the holiday. But they let us right in, gathered all the kids, and said a wonderful prayer with us. I felt so uplifted and strengthened. There was so much power in that prayer! We didn't even get a nibble until the very last house on the street (which is so often the case). They were a wonderful family who let us come in and teach. They seem quite firm in their own faith and not super interested in what we had to say BUT the fact that they let us come in, teach a lesson AND give them a Book of Mormon was a miracle in and of itself. That was the most tracting success we had had in weeks!
And we give ourselves the same "we're planting a seed" speech that we always give, and then we feel good about what we did. Don't get me wrong, I believe in the "we're planting a seed"speech. I've so often been the missionary to reap seeds sown by others. And that's the way it should be. People sometimes come back from their missions saying, "I baptized so-and-so," or "I taught so-and-so." But really, at least in this mission, RARELY (if at all) does one person get found, taught, and baptized by the same set of missionaries. It's a TEAM EFFORT! That's why there is no room for prima donnas or spoiled children in the mission field. It's not about "I baptized you," or "I tracted into you." I personally don't baptize anyone, of course. Need the help of the priesthood for that. And even if I find someone, it's my companion and I that find them. Just like almost everything else in the gospel, missionary work requires the effort of many, and it is NEVER about "me" or "look what I did."
ANYWAY Monson steps off the soapbox.
Until next time, folks!
Yesterday one of our investigators came back to church. He had been coming consistently for several weeks and taking the lessons before he had a major back problem that prevented him from walking or doing anything. This week he came to church and had to alternately sit and stand on a soft chair in the foyer, because of the pain in his back. What a trooper! We were finally able to introduce him to a WWII vet in the ward (we thought they might get along because this investigator is a Vietnam vet), which went extremely well. He still hasn't been able to start taking the lessons again, but he's been coming to church which I am so impressed by.
For the Thanksgiving holiday we went to the ward mission leader's house. There was
quite a crowd there. We had told them we would come a couple of hours early to help with cooking and table setting, because it was going to be an enormous group. They PROMISED us there would be tons of work for us to do. When we got there, everything had been done. So we folded napkins. Very, very elaborately folded napkins. I'm attaching some pictures of the napkin extravaganza.
After we folded napkins I suddenly had the urge to make gumdrop turkeys for the kids
table, in true Monson fashion. (No one else had ever heard of them. Come on, people, what planet are you from?) They didn't have gumdrops or orange sticks. So we used caramel candies and candy corn. We made a LOT of turkeys we got kinda bored and then we started to get more creative and make turkeys in the likeness of certain people. Whose first names happen to be Elder and Elder. I can't verbally do these justice. Hopefully the pictures will come through and I can attach them.
Anyway, we had a lot of fun listening to these elders quote Disney movies. Elder Allred (the dark-haired one) does an AMAZING Shrek accent. Keeps missionaries entertained for hours. (Hey, we can't watch football on Thanksgiving like the rest of the world. Gotta get creative.)
In all seriousness, there is so much to be grateful for!!! Mostly at this time I'm
grateful to be here, to be surrounded by wonderful and supportive companions/missionaries/ward members, and to have a testimony that keeps growing. My
testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened A LOT on the mission. I've gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the priesthood. And in my hardest times, I have gained a deeper understanding of the Atonement. I also appreciate my family so much more. Thank you for your support, I can't begin to explain how much it means to me!
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
P.S. I forgot to tell you about my crazy morning. I ate leftover Thanksgiving cake for breakfast. While I was chewing I spit out something that I thought was a popcorn kernel. What did it turn out to be? Nothing less than a LADYBUG. I ALMOST ATE A LADYBUG FOR BREAKFAST! Don't worry, it was dead. Yes, Mom, I learned my lesson. I'll stop eating cake for breakfast. Back to the oatmeal. (But THAT has been left untouched for so long, who knows what kind of friends are in there now.)
Monday, November 23, 2009
23 Nov 2009
Nothing went according to plan this week. Of course. That is so normal for Fairfield. What a strange place this is. I LOVE those days where every single appointment cancels. (Except not.) But I sure learned a lot. I'll try to summarize some of the highlights.
One of our recent converts has a husband who has been sitting in on the lessons. He is a computer programmer and keeps asking us to bring geeky members to our appointments so that he can have people explain things to him in a way that makes logical sense in his mind. Our new district leader happens to be very good at explaining gospel concepts in a logical way. (Unusually so. Really, this kid is talented. Elder! I mean elder!) So we thought we'd bring the elders to meet Mr. Computer Programmer and see if they hit it off.
The appointment started off a little strangely. The elders (who are both going home in four weeks) were asking him get-to-know-you type questions and he was explaining some of his reasons for being skeptical about religion. Then, out of nowhere, he starts going off on Freudian archetypes (yes, you can all guess where this is going) with some rather descriptive language. Too descriptive. Embarrassingly so and suddenly I'm staring at the ground, red-faced, thinking, "Did you really just say THAT word to the district leader?!" Yes, he did. Indeed. And the elders just kept plowing on through like nothing had happened. Apparently when you've been out 23 months you've heard it all, seen it all, and are not shocked by ANYTHING. :)
Saturday was exciting. My companion woke up with vertigo, of all things. Even more
random, the senior elder who works in the office happened to work in hearing and balance before he retired. He and his colleagues developed a cutting-edge treatment for vertigo. Apparently there are some crystals that belong in the inner ear, that can get knocked out into the ear canals by head trauma or something similar. That's what causes vertigo and all that needs to happen is for the crystals to get back inside the inner ear instead of floating around all over the place. So the treatment involves holding your head down and then jerking it around quickly so the crystals fall back in. Weird huh?
Anyway, the office couple came over and he did the treatment on Sister Johnston.
It seems to have worked so far. But I had to be the designated driver for a couple of days, since she was too dizzy to drive. That was exciting. People in Fairfield drive like it's the end of the world. And using your horn is as regular as breathing. Quite a shock coming from Utah, where using your horn is one of the rudest things you can do,unless it's absolutely a life-and-death situation. It's like crying wolf, though. You get so used to hearing horns that it doesn't even affect you. Then if it ever is a life-and-death situation you might not notice the horn. :)
There was so much more that happened this week! Good heavens! But I am out of time. I must continue this saga next Monday. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
-Sister Monson
One of our recent converts has a husband who has been sitting in on the lessons. He is a computer programmer and keeps asking us to bring geeky members to our appointments so that he can have people explain things to him in a way that makes logical sense in his mind. Our new district leader happens to be very good at explaining gospel concepts in a logical way. (Unusually so. Really, this kid is talented. Elder! I mean elder!) So we thought we'd bring the elders to meet Mr. Computer Programmer and see if they hit it off.
The appointment started off a little strangely. The elders (who are both going home in four weeks) were asking him get-to-know-you type questions and he was explaining some of his reasons for being skeptical about religion. Then, out of nowhere, he starts going off on Freudian archetypes (yes, you can all guess where this is going) with some rather descriptive language. Too descriptive. Embarrassingly so and suddenly I'm staring at the ground, red-faced, thinking, "Did you really just say THAT word to the district leader?!" Yes, he did. Indeed. And the elders just kept plowing on through like nothing had happened. Apparently when you've been out 23 months you've heard it all, seen it all, and are not shocked by ANYTHING. :)
Saturday was exciting. My companion woke up with vertigo, of all things. Even more
random, the senior elder who works in the office happened to work in hearing and balance before he retired. He and his colleagues developed a cutting-edge treatment for vertigo. Apparently there are some crystals that belong in the inner ear, that can get knocked out into the ear canals by head trauma or something similar. That's what causes vertigo and all that needs to happen is for the crystals to get back inside the inner ear instead of floating around all over the place. So the treatment involves holding your head down and then jerking it around quickly so the crystals fall back in. Weird huh?
Anyway, the office couple came over and he did the treatment on Sister Johnston.
It seems to have worked so far. But I had to be the designated driver for a couple of days, since she was too dizzy to drive. That was exciting. People in Fairfield drive like it's the end of the world. And using your horn is as regular as breathing. Quite a shock coming from Utah, where using your horn is one of the rudest things you can do,unless it's absolutely a life-and-death situation. It's like crying wolf, though. You get so used to hearing horns that it doesn't even affect you. Then if it ever is a life-and-death situation you might not notice the horn. :)
There was so much more that happened this week! Good heavens! But I am out of time. I must continue this saga next Monday. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
-Sister Monson
Monday, November 16, 2009
16 Nov 2009
This might end up being a very short email because the computer is going at turtle pace. Boy, am I spoiled. I'm so used to instant Internet, even though I only use the computer once a week. Like I feel personally insulted when the Internet is slow. The nerve! I am so impatient with this computer I want to throw something at it. Who would've thought this would happen. Even yuppy towns have libraries with computers that malfunction occasionally! Even rich people are not spared from every one of life's inconveniences. Let that be a lesson to any of you who aspire to wealth! even if you become wealthy you MAY still have a computer that is occasionally slow. I break to hate it to you. But it is the truth.
I think everyone in this computer lab can hear my angry typing. I'm typing very loud. Banging the keys. It's the only way of venting my frustration discreetly on a computer in a library. Oh, and the person sitting next to me keeps staring. I think I'm entertaining everyone. Or bothering everyone. Maybe I should type more quietly.
I'm so frustrated I might utter one of the ultimate missionary curse words, like
"freakin' heck." I only say that very rarely, when the occasion calls for it, and I
immediately repent in sackcloth and ashes afterwards.
Speaking of reasons to hate technology, my memory card for my camera has somehow damaged itself, so I can't develop pictures from it. Every time I put it in one of the machines, they freeze up, or they print out blank pictures. Last month I tried to develop some pictures, and it ended up being about 300 blank pages. I was SOOOOOOO disappointed when I went to pick up my pictures and they were all blank. My companions kept saying, "Is this funny yet? Can we laugh yet?" Oh yes, I'm so glad you find merriment in my misery. Laugh away,I have no pictures of you to remember you by, so it makes no difference! Ha! And my memory card is full so I have to keep deleting things. Looking in my photo album you would think I've only been in one area!
Okay, seriously, person, stop staring at me. I'm pretty sure you're not reading my
monitor, though. If you are IT'S RUDE TO STARE! Just because I'm silently shaking
my fist at this computer. This isn't a free show! Are you reading? Are you? STOP!
Okay, back to technology. My memory card won't print out pictures so I had this
brilliant plan. Now that I have officially given up on trying to print out pictures (so that I could delete them and have more room on my memory card for NEW ones), I was thinking I would download them and send them to Mom and Dad so they could save them for me. But technology is out to get me today. By the way, Mom and Dad, do you want to send me a new memory card for my birthday/Christmas present? That might make life much more simple for me. As much as I love shaking my fist at this computer.
Oh, yeah, missionary work. Is that why I'm in Connecticut? Things have been really slow lately. Really, really slow. Our goal lately is just to get a new investigator. Anyone! Anyone who will listen to us and make a return appointment. With all the tracting we've been doing you would think I could write the book on it. (I can't, though. I'm probably the worst at tracting of anyone I know.) It's been humbling, to say the least. These are the times when we have to remind ourselves that success in missionary work is measured by COMMITMENT, not by numbers, according to Preach My Gospel. COMMITMENT we are so very committed so committed just don't have anything to show for it.
Oh, and the rumors have become official. The Trumbull elders will be doubled out at the end of next transfer and we will move to Trumbull and take over that area while still covering Fairfield. We'll be the only missionaries in the ward. Sad! Even sadder, Elder Kirkolds (Elders Kirkham and Reynolds) are getting doubled out of there this transfer and we're getting new ones for one transfer. I guess it makes sense because the new elders are dying at the end of next transfer so they can close the area. But it's sad. Elder Kirkolds just got doubled into Trumbull. The area was NOT doing well and they just got some really good things happening, and now they have to leave. And we'll have almost an entirely new district, because one of the West Haven missionaries is dying this transfer. We had SO much fun with the district this transfer. I'm going to miss it. But that's mission life for ya. What can you do? (Sigh.) Poor Trumbull, keeps getting shaken up. No one can replace Elder Kirkolds. Elder Reynolds can do this thing where he sticks ramen noodles up his nose and snorts them until they go down his throat and then come out his mouth. Disgusting, I know, but fascinating.
I'm going to try the Internet one more time. And then officially throw in the towel. I wash my hands of you, computer. You are NOT progressing! Not reading, not praying, not attending church sorry, lame joke. But seriously!
Let me share one more reason why I hate technology. Myldsmail.net keeps telling me my mailbox is "almost full" and that I should delete some messages. I delete them
constantly I have to delete everything, even the warm fuzzy emails and it still keeps telling me to delete more. Come on, kids, these have sentimental value! But it is heartless.
What?! This is too good to be true! It's working! I don't believe it! I don't
trust my eyes.
Jacob: "But how can you believe what you can't see?"
Love interest, covering his eyes: "Can you see me?"
J: "No."
LI: "But you know that I am here."
J: "An arrangement of marriage, would be pleasing to me."
LI: "Is the place of records far?"
What IS the love interest's name? I can't remember. You all know who I'm talking
about. And if you know which movie I am quoting, you have either served a mission or been to Temple Square in the past few years.
Okay. My ranting and raving is officially done. I have faith no longer, for I know,
nothing doubting the Internet is working. I am going to send this.
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
I think everyone in this computer lab can hear my angry typing. I'm typing very loud. Banging the keys. It's the only way of venting my frustration discreetly on a computer in a library. Oh, and the person sitting next to me keeps staring. I think I'm entertaining everyone. Or bothering everyone. Maybe I should type more quietly.
I'm so frustrated I might utter one of the ultimate missionary curse words, like
"freakin' heck." I only say that very rarely, when the occasion calls for it, and I
immediately repent in sackcloth and ashes afterwards.
Speaking of reasons to hate technology, my memory card for my camera has somehow damaged itself, so I can't develop pictures from it. Every time I put it in one of the machines, they freeze up, or they print out blank pictures. Last month I tried to develop some pictures, and it ended up being about 300 blank pages. I was SOOOOOOO disappointed when I went to pick up my pictures and they were all blank. My companions kept saying, "Is this funny yet? Can we laugh yet?" Oh yes, I'm so glad you find merriment in my misery. Laugh away,I have no pictures of you to remember you by, so it makes no difference! Ha! And my memory card is full so I have to keep deleting things. Looking in my photo album you would think I've only been in one area!
Okay, seriously, person, stop staring at me. I'm pretty sure you're not reading my
monitor, though. If you are IT'S RUDE TO STARE! Just because I'm silently shaking
my fist at this computer. This isn't a free show! Are you reading? Are you? STOP!
Okay, back to technology. My memory card won't print out pictures so I had this
brilliant plan. Now that I have officially given up on trying to print out pictures (so that I could delete them and have more room on my memory card for NEW ones), I was thinking I would download them and send them to Mom and Dad so they could save them for me. But technology is out to get me today. By the way, Mom and Dad, do you want to send me a new memory card for my birthday/Christmas present? That might make life much more simple for me. As much as I love shaking my fist at this computer.
Oh, yeah, missionary work. Is that why I'm in Connecticut? Things have been really slow lately. Really, really slow. Our goal lately is just to get a new investigator. Anyone! Anyone who will listen to us and make a return appointment. With all the tracting we've been doing you would think I could write the book on it. (I can't, though. I'm probably the worst at tracting of anyone I know.) It's been humbling, to say the least. These are the times when we have to remind ourselves that success in missionary work is measured by COMMITMENT, not by numbers, according to Preach My Gospel. COMMITMENT we are so very committed so committed just don't have anything to show for it.
Oh, and the rumors have become official. The Trumbull elders will be doubled out at the end of next transfer and we will move to Trumbull and take over that area while still covering Fairfield. We'll be the only missionaries in the ward. Sad! Even sadder, Elder Kirkolds (Elders Kirkham and Reynolds) are getting doubled out of there this transfer and we're getting new ones for one transfer. I guess it makes sense because the new elders are dying at the end of next transfer so they can close the area. But it's sad. Elder Kirkolds just got doubled into Trumbull. The area was NOT doing well and they just got some really good things happening, and now they have to leave. And we'll have almost an entirely new district, because one of the West Haven missionaries is dying this transfer. We had SO much fun with the district this transfer. I'm going to miss it. But that's mission life for ya. What can you do? (Sigh.) Poor Trumbull, keeps getting shaken up. No one can replace Elder Kirkolds. Elder Reynolds can do this thing where he sticks ramen noodles up his nose and snorts them until they go down his throat and then come out his mouth. Disgusting, I know, but fascinating.
I'm going to try the Internet one more time. And then officially throw in the towel. I wash my hands of you, computer. You are NOT progressing! Not reading, not praying, not attending church sorry, lame joke. But seriously!
Let me share one more reason why I hate technology. Myldsmail.net keeps telling me my mailbox is "almost full" and that I should delete some messages. I delete them
constantly I have to delete everything, even the warm fuzzy emails and it still keeps telling me to delete more. Come on, kids, these have sentimental value! But it is heartless.
What?! This is too good to be true! It's working! I don't believe it! I don't
trust my eyes.
Jacob: "But how can you believe what you can't see?"
Love interest, covering his eyes: "Can you see me?"
J: "No."
LI: "But you know that I am here."
J: "An arrangement of marriage, would be pleasing to me."
LI: "Is the place of records far?"
What IS the love interest's name? I can't remember. You all know who I'm talking
about. And if you know which movie I am quoting, you have either served a mission or been to Temple Square in the past few years.
Okay. My ranting and raving is officially done. I have faith no longer, for I know,
nothing doubting the Internet is working. I am going to send this.
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
Monday, November 9, 2009
9 Nov 09
We did an exchange with Windsor this week. Sister Darrington came down to Fairfield. It was fun to spend time with her again. She does such a great job of following the Spirit while talking to people. Everything is SO unscripted and sincere. I am still working to get to that point. I have a hard time trying to get over the feeling that I have to spit out as much information as I can before they run away or slam the door because people are always in such a hurry here.
We had a zone P-Day last week and played dodgeball in the church. Elders are BRUTAL in athletics. But when the two of us joined one of the teams we had the advantage because almost no one dared to throw a ball at us. A sister was always one of the last ones out. I may not be able to throw, but I won't get thrown at! It was fun.
Here are some thoughts I had, which stemmed from a reply to Lisa's email, regarding overcoming fears of sharing the gospel: It is scary to share the gospel. It has been a process, over months and months, that has helped me come to a point where I am more straightforward and less apologetic. We met with a family a couple of weeks ago. The mom has been inactive for years and the daughter goes to the Congregational church with her parents and hasn't been taught anything about the Church, but she loves everything we teach her. We taught about how to observe the Sabbath and the mom FLIPPED OUT! She thinks it's not realistic to get your
shopping and everything done on Saturday so you don't have to do it on Sunday, and
there's nothing wrong with sporting events on Sunday, etc. etc. She kept saying, "I
just don't agree with that." The only thing that helped me stand my ground, and not
back down, was the knowledge that what we teach is from God. It's not just my opinion. As a friend from BYU told me, "Other churches guess, we KNOW." I can apologize for, or take back, anything that is just my own opinion. But God's laws are not up for debate. If people don't like it, they're rejecting God' truths, not ours. I can only imagine what life would have been like if I had figured this all out at the beginning of my mission! I guess what I'm getting at, is that it helps if you don't think of it as pushing your beliefs on people, because these are not just your beliefs. These are truths from prophets of God. It's a big deal! And we open the door for opposition when we move out of our comfort zones, out of "safe" conversational topics like organic food and diversity, and unequivocally declare truth.
I still struggle with talking to people. One thing that does help motivate me is the fact that by accepting my call, this is what I covenanted to do. But really, that promise is also in the baptismal covenant, where we promise to stand as witnesses. We become our Savior's friends by sharing His gospel and by showing that we stand with Him. And again, this is all a process; I am still very bad at talking to strangers; but those are some thoughts that help motivate me.
Thanks to everyone for your love and support!
-Sister Monson
We had a zone P-Day last week and played dodgeball in the church. Elders are BRUTAL in athletics. But when the two of us joined one of the teams we had the advantage because almost no one dared to throw a ball at us. A sister was always one of the last ones out. I may not be able to throw, but I won't get thrown at! It was fun.
Here are some thoughts I had, which stemmed from a reply to Lisa's email, regarding overcoming fears of sharing the gospel: It is scary to share the gospel. It has been a process, over months and months, that has helped me come to a point where I am more straightforward and less apologetic. We met with a family a couple of weeks ago. The mom has been inactive for years and the daughter goes to the Congregational church with her parents and hasn't been taught anything about the Church, but she loves everything we teach her. We taught about how to observe the Sabbath and the mom FLIPPED OUT! She thinks it's not realistic to get your
shopping and everything done on Saturday so you don't have to do it on Sunday, and
there's nothing wrong with sporting events on Sunday, etc. etc. She kept saying, "I
just don't agree with that." The only thing that helped me stand my ground, and not
back down, was the knowledge that what we teach is from God. It's not just my opinion. As a friend from BYU told me, "Other churches guess, we KNOW." I can apologize for, or take back, anything that is just my own opinion. But God's laws are not up for debate. If people don't like it, they're rejecting God' truths, not ours. I can only imagine what life would have been like if I had figured this all out at the beginning of my mission! I guess what I'm getting at, is that it helps if you don't think of it as pushing your beliefs on people, because these are not just your beliefs. These are truths from prophets of God. It's a big deal! And we open the door for opposition when we move out of our comfort zones, out of "safe" conversational topics like organic food and diversity, and unequivocally declare truth.
I still struggle with talking to people. One thing that does help motivate me is the fact that by accepting my call, this is what I covenanted to do. But really, that promise is also in the baptismal covenant, where we promise to stand as witnesses. We become our Savior's friends by sharing His gospel and by showing that we stand with Him. And again, this is all a process; I am still very bad at talking to strangers; but those are some thoughts that help motivate me.
Thanks to everyone for your love and support!
-Sister Monson
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
2 November 2009
Ever since I started serving with Sister Johnston I'm doing this thing where I talk to myself, and refer to myself as "Monson" in the third person, e.g., "Where did you
put that, Monson?" or "Get it together, Monson!" Or last night, when we were late
to dinner at our ward mission leader's house:
Sister Johnston: "Sorry we're late, I think we didn't hear your directions
correctly."
Me: "Monson spaced it. I'm blaming it on fasting brain." [Referring to an
accidental 26-hour fast (that's another story.]
Anyone who knows Grandpa Monson, are you remembering the fishing video my dad took of him? "Monson, you pulled it the wrong way, you idiot!" :)
Anyway, I'm becoming Grandpa Monson (which is definitely a good thing, by the way, for those of you who don't know him). I'm also becoming several of my companions.
Apparently I don't have a personality of my own so I have to mooch off everyone
else's. I'm like this giant leech. "Hi, I'm Sister Leech. I'm here to steal
your personality. Wanna get baptized?" ANYWAY
The baptism went so well. So well! The ward was so supportive and the prelude music
turned out nicely, if we do say so ourselves (wink, wink). She had to go under four
times! First because Bro. Gallardo didn't say her full name the first time, and the
next three times because her baptismal outfit kept bubbling and not going under. She kept saying, "I must have lots of sins to wash away!" But we told her it's really
because she's so pure that she floats on top of the water. What a great day.
Halloween was fun. Apparently in New England the day before Halloween is "Mischief
Day," and that's when all the pranks happen, instead of actually on Halloween. People kept telling us to watch out for flying eggs and toilet paper, and made it sound like it was a huge deal. But nothing happened. The next day we saw toilet paper in a few yards. That was it. On Halloween we had to be inside by 6 for safety. For all the hype, it was a very quiet holiday, except for some random screaming neighbors. Oh, and we found some spiders the size of grapefruits in our apartment (okay, well, not quite that big) and I stepped on a snake at someone's house. And some nice people gave us kids' sunglasses. That was the extent of our excitement.
On "Mischief Day" the Trumbull and Bridgeport wards did a combined trunk-or-treat
which was fun. We handed out candy and pass-along cards. :) Halloween is a blast here because people go ALL OUT with their decorations. It's a HUGE deal. Utah, take
notes sorry, but your Halloween decorations are weak sauce.
We've been teaching a sweet Puerto Rican woman who is progressing really well, along
with an older Irish gentleman. It's so great when you find people and they just GET IT-things click and they make sense and most of the stuff they're already living/believing anyway.
Hope you are all doing well, and reading the Book of Mormon every day. No, really!
Really! (Sometimes I feel like a nagging parent. Read your Book of Mormon! If I
don't see you at church you're grounded from the car for the next two weeks!
Okay, not such a good way to motivate people. Good thing I'm not a parent yet.)
Love,
Sister Monson
put that, Monson?" or "Get it together, Monson!" Or last night, when we were late
to dinner at our ward mission leader's house:
Sister Johnston: "Sorry we're late, I think we didn't hear your directions
correctly."
Me: "Monson spaced it. I'm blaming it on fasting brain." [Referring to an
accidental 26-hour fast (that's another story.]
Anyone who knows Grandpa Monson, are you remembering the fishing video my dad took of him? "Monson, you pulled it the wrong way, you idiot!" :)
Anyway, I'm becoming Grandpa Monson (which is definitely a good thing, by the way, for those of you who don't know him). I'm also becoming several of my companions.
Apparently I don't have a personality of my own so I have to mooch off everyone
else's. I'm like this giant leech. "Hi, I'm Sister Leech. I'm here to steal
your personality. Wanna get baptized?" ANYWAY
The baptism went so well. So well! The ward was so supportive and the prelude music
turned out nicely, if we do say so ourselves (wink, wink). She had to go under four
times! First because Bro. Gallardo didn't say her full name the first time, and the
next three times because her baptismal outfit kept bubbling and not going under. She kept saying, "I must have lots of sins to wash away!" But we told her it's really
because she's so pure that she floats on top of the water. What a great day.
Halloween was fun. Apparently in New England the day before Halloween is "Mischief
Day," and that's when all the pranks happen, instead of actually on Halloween. People kept telling us to watch out for flying eggs and toilet paper, and made it sound like it was a huge deal. But nothing happened. The next day we saw toilet paper in a few yards. That was it. On Halloween we had to be inside by 6 for safety. For all the hype, it was a very quiet holiday, except for some random screaming neighbors. Oh, and we found some spiders the size of grapefruits in our apartment (okay, well, not quite that big) and I stepped on a snake at someone's house. And some nice people gave us kids' sunglasses. That was the extent of our excitement.
On "Mischief Day" the Trumbull and Bridgeport wards did a combined trunk-or-treat
which was fun. We handed out candy and pass-along cards. :) Halloween is a blast here because people go ALL OUT with their decorations. It's a HUGE deal. Utah, take
notes sorry, but your Halloween decorations are weak sauce.
We've been teaching a sweet Puerto Rican woman who is progressing really well, along
with an older Irish gentleman. It's so great when you find people and they just GET IT-things click and they make sense and most of the stuff they're already living/believing anyway.
Hope you are all doing well, and reading the Book of Mormon every day. No, really!
Really! (Sometimes I feel like a nagging parent. Read your Book of Mormon! If I
don't see you at church you're grounded from the car for the next two weeks!
Okay, not such a good way to motivate people. Good thing I'm not a parent yet.)
Love,
Sister Monson
Monday, October 26, 2009
26 October 2009
Update on Foodfield
Mission time is so weird! Just like everyone says. The days often drag, but the weeks FLY and before you know it the transfer is over again.
Foodfield is holding its own in spite of being threatened with closing in December (and that's almost a definite at this point). When it closes Trumbull will absorb Fairfield and Easton, and the Trumbull ward will have one set of missionaries instead of two. BUT,we are still holding out the hope that sisters will be doubled into Trumbull so we can stay in the ward (meaning that the ward would still have only one set of missionaries,but they would be sisters instead of elders), which is always a possibility. This ward is AMAZING. We love it and would love to hang around a lot longer.
We have a wonderful baptism scheduled for November 1st. The investigator had a lot of music she wanted to sing at the baptism that wasn't from the hymnbook. We felt so bad because the music is really important to her. So we told her we will learn the songs and play them for the prelude (Sister Johnston plays the violin). It's like her own private concert that no one will be listening to except her. I'm so excited!
Other than that the teaching pool is draining out gradually. Our numbers have dropped because of some health problems and other challenges we've had this transfer. (Yes, I know, excuses excuses. Oh well.) BUT, we still have about five investigators that are ready or almost ready to be baptized, and for one reason or another haven't gotten there yet. But they all progress at their own rate. And for the past several weeks we've had two or three investigators at church which is a lot more than we've seen in a while. So we're seeing small miracles and many blessings.
Here are some random/funny moments.
1. We were in the parking lot of Old Navy (we stopped to use their restroom) and a lady pulled in, in her SUV. She steps out of the car and gets out her stroller like she's going to put a kid in it. The stroller's wheels are falling off. Instead of bringing out the kid, she gets back in her SUV and drives off. Almost as if on cue, a security van pulls up and someone gets out and grabs the stroller. It was like they planned it. And it was so strange.
2. We found a "dead book" in our apartment this week. A dead book is where
missionaries take old teaching records out of the area book and separate them somewhere, because they think those former investigators are never going to progress, or something for whatever reason. Anyway, they are very strongly discouraged and I didn't think I'd ever see one. But we found one. And it's a gold mine! Teaching records that go back as far as the early 90's (that's old in mission time). All these people to go find again! And they're now back in the REAL area book where they belong.
3. One of the teaching records in the dead book listed the ompanionship "Elders Reid and Wright." Take a moment to read it out loud to yourself.
4. We saw a little girl attacking a tree with a rake. Like there's not enough leaves on the ground already? Gotta pull down some more, I guess.
5. We had a very discouraging moment one night we came home and heard the message from one of our golden investigators, that they were dropping us. So we made a paper target and attacked it with Smarties for half an hour. Very therapeutic. I felt much better. Can't attach the video- I tried but that is too complicated for me, I guess.
I'm attaching one of my pathetic attempts to capture the beauty of New England autumn on camera. I really don't know how to take decent pictures, so I can't do it justice. Plus there's not much time to take them. The other picture is the celebration of my eight-month mark. Yay!
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
Mission time is so weird! Just like everyone says. The days often drag, but the weeks FLY and before you know it the transfer is over again.
Foodfield is holding its own in spite of being threatened with closing in December (and that's almost a definite at this point). When it closes Trumbull will absorb Fairfield and Easton, and the Trumbull ward will have one set of missionaries instead of two. BUT,we are still holding out the hope that sisters will be doubled into Trumbull so we can stay in the ward (meaning that the ward would still have only one set of missionaries,but they would be sisters instead of elders), which is always a possibility. This ward is AMAZING. We love it and would love to hang around a lot longer.
We have a wonderful baptism scheduled for November 1st. The investigator had a lot of music she wanted to sing at the baptism that wasn't from the hymnbook. We felt so bad because the music is really important to her. So we told her we will learn the songs and play them for the prelude (Sister Johnston plays the violin). It's like her own private concert that no one will be listening to except her. I'm so excited!
Other than that the teaching pool is draining out gradually. Our numbers have dropped because of some health problems and other challenges we've had this transfer. (Yes, I know, excuses excuses. Oh well.) BUT, we still have about five investigators that are ready or almost ready to be baptized, and for one reason or another haven't gotten there yet. But they all progress at their own rate. And for the past several weeks we've had two or three investigators at church which is a lot more than we've seen in a while. So we're seeing small miracles and many blessings.
Here are some random/funny moments.
1. We were in the parking lot of Old Navy (we stopped to use their restroom) and a lady pulled in, in her SUV. She steps out of the car and gets out her stroller like she's going to put a kid in it. The stroller's wheels are falling off. Instead of bringing out the kid, she gets back in her SUV and drives off. Almost as if on cue, a security van pulls up and someone gets out and grabs the stroller. It was like they planned it. And it was so strange.
2. We found a "dead book" in our apartment this week. A dead book is where
missionaries take old teaching records out of the area book and separate them somewhere, because they think those former investigators are never going to progress, or something for whatever reason. Anyway, they are very strongly discouraged and I didn't think I'd ever see one. But we found one. And it's a gold mine! Teaching records that go back as far as the early 90's (that's old in mission time). All these people to go find again! And they're now back in the REAL area book where they belong.
3. One of the teaching records in the dead book listed the ompanionship "Elders Reid and Wright." Take a moment to read it out loud to yourself.
4. We saw a little girl attacking a tree with a rake. Like there's not enough leaves on the ground already? Gotta pull down some more, I guess.
5. We had a very discouraging moment one night we came home and heard the message from one of our golden investigators, that they were dropping us. So we made a paper target and attacked it with Smarties for half an hour. Very therapeutic. I felt much better. Can't attach the video- I tried but that is too complicated for me, I guess.
I'm attaching one of my pathetic attempts to capture the beauty of New England autumn on camera. I really don't know how to take decent pictures, so I can't do it justice. Plus there's not much time to take them. The other picture is the celebration of my eight-month mark. Yay!
Love to everyone,
Sister Monson
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
13 October 2009
Life goes on, transfers come and go and Sister Johnston came. Lots of tracting, lots of teaching, lots of rejection and discouragement and then, last night, Heavenly Father reminded me why I'm on a mission.
We have been trying to teach a particular family since I got here in August—the
previous sisters found them over the summer. At the beginning of last transfer, we went there so Sister Pulham and I could meet them and that was when we actually set up an appointment and started teaching the mom. The rest of the family isn’t interested. But, when the three of us went over there for the first time, the dad asked us why we had come to see them that particular day. We told him that every night we pray about who to visit the next day, and that's how we always choose where we go. He didn't say why he had asked, and we didn't think about it again. That was in August.
Last night we met with the mom, who has been reading the Book of Mormon and asking lots of questions. She told us the reason why her husband had asked us that question the first day we came. The family had been struggling with some serious problems. She had been praying for guidance, and lo and behold, the sisters started coming around. The dad had just received some bad news the day before the three of us came to meet them, and had started praying for answers, which is why he asked us why we had come. Apparently he was expecting us to say, "God sent us here in answer to your prayer!" The mom knows that we are the answer to their prayers, albeit not the one she was expecting, and that's why she is still taking the lessons from us. Please pray for this family. They need the gospel so badly right now, if they will only soften their hearts enough to recognize that we were sent to them in answer to their prayers.
I think I usually believe, in a theoretical sense at least, in the authority and reality of my calling. But I don't always have the faith to recognize that as missionaries we are here for the specific needs of certain people. It's not like God just turned us loose and said, "Go do some good stuff for someone." God is aware of every single soul in Fairfield and their specific needs, at specific times. Every once in a while, with experiences like this, he reminds me. It's the time in between those reminders that I need to strengthen my faith.
Being the wussy missionary I am, it is easy not to try too hard when people are so quick to reject the message. They tend to say something along the lines of, "I'm a good person, I read the Bible, I don't kill anybody, I'm doing okay. I'm all set! Thanks anyway!" I tend to give up too easily rather than challenge people on this when I receive this type of answer. The reasoning is something like, "Sure, they look like a good family, they're good people, at least they're Christian, maybe they'll accept it in the spirit world, I won't worry about them." But it would have been easy to think the same thing about this particular family. They look like they don't need too much help, like they don't have too many problems. Just by meeting them one would never guess what they are struggling with. And only the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored in its fullness, has all the answers they need. There are bits and pieces of truth everywhere, but only the restored gospel has all the pieces of the puzzle. I learned from this experience that I should never assume that I know who "needs" the gospel more or who is more likely to accept it. It is always the people that you think would be the least likely, who end up being the ones that surprise you.
We have a baptism scheduled for November first! One of our investigators came to church this week after only meeting with us once! Those are the other highlights of the week. We are very blessed, as always.
Everyone enjoy your pathetic Western autumn. (Sorry to say it, but it really is. Everyone raves about New England in the fall, New England in the fall and there's a
good reason for it.) Love you,
Sister Monson
We have been trying to teach a particular family since I got here in August—the
previous sisters found them over the summer. At the beginning of last transfer, we went there so Sister Pulham and I could meet them and that was when we actually set up an appointment and started teaching the mom. The rest of the family isn’t interested. But, when the three of us went over there for the first time, the dad asked us why we had come to see them that particular day. We told him that every night we pray about who to visit the next day, and that's how we always choose where we go. He didn't say why he had asked, and we didn't think about it again. That was in August.
Last night we met with the mom, who has been reading the Book of Mormon and asking lots of questions. She told us the reason why her husband had asked us that question the first day we came. The family had been struggling with some serious problems. She had been praying for guidance, and lo and behold, the sisters started coming around. The dad had just received some bad news the day before the three of us came to meet them, and had started praying for answers, which is why he asked us why we had come. Apparently he was expecting us to say, "God sent us here in answer to your prayer!" The mom knows that we are the answer to their prayers, albeit not the one she was expecting, and that's why she is still taking the lessons from us. Please pray for this family. They need the gospel so badly right now, if they will only soften their hearts enough to recognize that we were sent to them in answer to their prayers.
I think I usually believe, in a theoretical sense at least, in the authority and reality of my calling. But I don't always have the faith to recognize that as missionaries we are here for the specific needs of certain people. It's not like God just turned us loose and said, "Go do some good stuff for someone." God is aware of every single soul in Fairfield and their specific needs, at specific times. Every once in a while, with experiences like this, he reminds me. It's the time in between those reminders that I need to strengthen my faith.
Being the wussy missionary I am, it is easy not to try too hard when people are so quick to reject the message. They tend to say something along the lines of, "I'm a good person, I read the Bible, I don't kill anybody, I'm doing okay. I'm all set! Thanks anyway!" I tend to give up too easily rather than challenge people on this when I receive this type of answer. The reasoning is something like, "Sure, they look like a good family, they're good people, at least they're Christian, maybe they'll accept it in the spirit world, I won't worry about them." But it would have been easy to think the same thing about this particular family. They look like they don't need too much help, like they don't have too many problems. Just by meeting them one would never guess what they are struggling with. And only the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored in its fullness, has all the answers they need. There are bits and pieces of truth everywhere, but only the restored gospel has all the pieces of the puzzle. I learned from this experience that I should never assume that I know who "needs" the gospel more or who is more likely to accept it. It is always the people that you think would be the least likely, who end up being the ones that surprise you.
We have a baptism scheduled for November first! One of our investigators came to church this week after only meeting with us once! Those are the other highlights of the week. We are very blessed, as always.
Everyone enjoy your pathetic Western autumn. (Sorry to say it, but it really is. Everyone raves about New England in the fall, New England in the fall and there's a
good reason for it.) Love you,
Sister Monson
Monday, October 5, 2009
5 Oct 09
Sorry about last week. The Internet gave out before I could send the last email. So
I sent a bunch of pictures but no email. Hopefully the parents got the snail-mail letter with the explanation of the pictures, and maybe if they are very bored they can post that on the blog. But here are some more pictures!
1. Don't worry, this is as close as we got to the water.
2. Wind. And lots of it!
3. Want a boat? This was at Captain's Cove in Bridgeport. It's like a mini-outdoor mall on the beach. And apparently a great place to dump off the boats you don't want anymore.
4. Awww, cute little shops.
5. Yay for fun district pictures!
6. New England in the fall if only I had a photography skills, I could really do it justice. This was somewhere in Easton. The leaves are finally turning, yay!
7. Yes, yes, I know, we have womanhood and not priesthood. But isn't this the greatest picture?
Conference was wonderful as always. It went by way too fast! So many amazing talks, but of course Elder Holland's talk on the Book of Mormon…it was so gratifying to hear the Book of Mormon defended so powerfully. Especially when you spend all your time trying to defend it, to some who don't understand or don't want to. Why would you not want more scripture about Christ, more help in finding peace in a crazy world? And why attempt to put limits on how God speaks and when and where?
As I've studied the Book of Mormon, especially this transfer, I've noticed how many anti-Christs keep coming and going in the book. Take Rameumptom, for example. I'm so
special and God, who is a spirit, has told me there will be no Christ! All I need to do is stand on my tower once a week. In our day we have people not only disbelieving Christ, but attempting to prove that He never existed. This is not a new thing. People have been fighting, and still are fighting against Christ. Why so much animosity against something that has done so much good for so many? You would think that one could choose not to believe in Christ, but still allow others to do the same. But all of this opposition just proves how true and real He is. And it is so important to our Heavenly Father that the world knows about Him important enough to send another witness in the Book of Mormon. That's all it is a second witness. Christ is real! God is still speaking! Why would anyone not want to believe that? Anyway, to step off the soapbox
In mission updates, Foodfield is starting to pick up, slowly but surely. We have a
baptismal date set for November, and another ALMOST set. I found out yesterday that my companions are getting transferred. My new companion will be Sister Johnston, from Kaysville. So bittersweet! It's been such a joy to be in a trio, and it will be so hard to part with my wonderful companions. At the same time, I feel very good about the change. It's what needs to happen right now.
Until next week,
Sister Monson
I sent a bunch of pictures but no email. Hopefully the parents got the snail-mail letter with the explanation of the pictures, and maybe if they are very bored they can post that on the blog. But here are some more pictures!
1. Don't worry, this is as close as we got to the water.
2. Wind. And lots of it!
3. Want a boat? This was at Captain's Cove in Bridgeport. It's like a mini-outdoor mall on the beach. And apparently a great place to dump off the boats you don't want anymore.
4. Awww, cute little shops.
5. Yay for fun district pictures!
6. New England in the fall if only I had a photography skills, I could really do it justice. This was somewhere in Easton. The leaves are finally turning, yay!
7. Yes, yes, I know, we have womanhood and not priesthood. But isn't this the greatest picture?
Conference was wonderful as always. It went by way too fast! So many amazing talks, but of course Elder Holland's talk on the Book of Mormon…it was so gratifying to hear the Book of Mormon defended so powerfully. Especially when you spend all your time trying to defend it, to some who don't understand or don't want to. Why would you not want more scripture about Christ, more help in finding peace in a crazy world? And why attempt to put limits on how God speaks and when and where?
As I've studied the Book of Mormon, especially this transfer, I've noticed how many anti-Christs keep coming and going in the book. Take Rameumptom, for example. I'm so
special and God, who is a spirit, has told me there will be no Christ! All I need to do is stand on my tower once a week. In our day we have people not only disbelieving Christ, but attempting to prove that He never existed. This is not a new thing. People have been fighting, and still are fighting against Christ. Why so much animosity against something that has done so much good for so many? You would think that one could choose not to believe in Christ, but still allow others to do the same. But all of this opposition just proves how true and real He is. And it is so important to our Heavenly Father that the world knows about Him important enough to send another witness in the Book of Mormon. That's all it is a second witness. Christ is real! God is still speaking! Why would anyone not want to believe that? Anyway, to step off the soapbox
In mission updates, Foodfield is starting to pick up, slowly but surely. We have a
baptismal date set for November, and another ALMOST set. I found out yesterday that my companions are getting transferred. My new companion will be Sister Johnston, from Kaysville. So bittersweet! It's been such a joy to be in a trio, and it will be so hard to part with my wonderful companions. At the same time, I feel very good about the change. It's what needs to happen right now.
Until next week,
Sister Monson
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
21 Sep 09
(The Rush part comes from August Rush. They love to play the "guess that note"
game with me.)
Sometimes I think Sister Baird is Craig Monson, the girl version and about thirty years younger. She just wants to run around all day long, talk to people and jump up and down and never eat or sleep. I'm exhausted! But it's a good exhausted. I don't think Sister Pulham is as exhausted as me. Maybe I'm just one of those people who was born with a low energy level. That's why my chosen career is to sit around playing the guitar with God's special children all day long. And that's why Sister Baird is a dance major. Crazy people.
What a memorable week this was. The best part was when we crashed a wedding and a
birthday party in the same day. Then I tracted into an old man with no pants (that was in between the birthday party and the wedding). I've heard so many tracting horror stories like this and now I finally have my own! People in Connecticut have a different definition of the amount of clothing required in order to answer the door. I knocked on the door and heard, "Come in." I opened the screen door a crack and there was an old man sitting on the couch holding something on his lap. He invited us in again, and I started trying to talk to him and then I realized that he was holding his pants on his lap, not wearing them. My companions didn't help me out much, they were trying too hard not to laugh out loud, and I was flipping frantically through my pass-along cards trying to find a Finding Faith in Christ card to toss at him and run away…I was mumbling something about,"Can we leave you a card for a free DVD about Christ? then I gave up and just grabbed some random card and stuck it in his mailbox and took off with a, "Have a good day, sir!"
Yeah, about the rest of that day, the birthday party crashing wasn't intentional. The wedding crashing was. We were visiting a part-member family and remembered a less-active family that lived down the street, so we stopped by to say hello and lo and behold, someone had just gotten hitched. We ended up talking to the band who was there to play at the wedding (they're also friends of the family) and almost got a return appointment with the drummer. Lesson learned from my companions: any situation is only awkward if you make it so. Crash a wedding like you were invited to it, and everything works out fine!
Today we are going to take a tour of Yale. I can't wait. My excitement is beyond
anything I can describe in words. There is SO MUCH going on and no time to write about it. I wish I could. But there will be lots of pictures of YALE (!) next week, and also pictures of the famous New England fall. Rumor has it the leaves will start changing color in a week or two. Nothing much has happened yet.
In terms of miracles, this week has been surreal, just a lot of little things, some
things I couldn't even explain if I had time to write them. I wish I could describe
what the mission is like and how much I learn every day. But I can't! There's no
possible way. But the Church is true! Woo-hoo.
Love,
Sister Monson
game with me.)
Sometimes I think Sister Baird is Craig Monson, the girl version and about thirty years younger. She just wants to run around all day long, talk to people and jump up and down and never eat or sleep. I'm exhausted! But it's a good exhausted. I don't think Sister Pulham is as exhausted as me. Maybe I'm just one of those people who was born with a low energy level. That's why my chosen career is to sit around playing the guitar with God's special children all day long. And that's why Sister Baird is a dance major. Crazy people.
What a memorable week this was. The best part was when we crashed a wedding and a
birthday party in the same day. Then I tracted into an old man with no pants (that was in between the birthday party and the wedding). I've heard so many tracting horror stories like this and now I finally have my own! People in Connecticut have a different definition of the amount of clothing required in order to answer the door. I knocked on the door and heard, "Come in." I opened the screen door a crack and there was an old man sitting on the couch holding something on his lap. He invited us in again, and I started trying to talk to him and then I realized that he was holding his pants on his lap, not wearing them. My companions didn't help me out much, they were trying too hard not to laugh out loud, and I was flipping frantically through my pass-along cards trying to find a Finding Faith in Christ card to toss at him and run away…I was mumbling something about,"Can we leave you a card for a free DVD about Christ? then I gave up and just grabbed some random card and stuck it in his mailbox and took off with a, "Have a good day, sir!"
Yeah, about the rest of that day, the birthday party crashing wasn't intentional. The wedding crashing was. We were visiting a part-member family and remembered a less-active family that lived down the street, so we stopped by to say hello and lo and behold, someone had just gotten hitched. We ended up talking to the band who was there to play at the wedding (they're also friends of the family) and almost got a return appointment with the drummer. Lesson learned from my companions: any situation is only awkward if you make it so. Crash a wedding like you were invited to it, and everything works out fine!
Today we are going to take a tour of Yale. I can't wait. My excitement is beyond
anything I can describe in words. There is SO MUCH going on and no time to write about it. I wish I could. But there will be lots of pictures of YALE (!) next week, and also pictures of the famous New England fall. Rumor has it the leaves will start changing color in a week or two. Nothing much has happened yet.
In terms of miracles, this week has been surreal, just a lot of little things, some
things I couldn't even explain if I had time to write them. I wish I could describe
what the mission is like and how much I learn every day. But I can't! There's no
possible way. But the Church is true! Woo-hoo.
Love,
Sister Monson
Monday, September 14, 2009
14 Sep 09
My new name for this area is Foodfield. I have never, ever been fed so much. People
are practically throwing food at us. Thank goodness President has a rule: no more than four dinner appointments a week, so if someone else tries to feed us a fifth time in a week we have to politely decline. I'm going to forget how to turn on a stove by the time I go home. I am so blessed to have a senior companion with the energy of a small child; if I weren't going like crazy to keep up with her pace, I would definitely be packing on my own personal food storage. Isn't it wonderful the members love us so much! I'm grateful.
Fairfield could also be called "The Area Where Nothing Ever Goes According To
Plan" ”Ever Not Even A Little Bit." My last area was so predictable. (Well,
"predictable" is relative. Probably as predictable as missionary work can be.) But
it's amazing to see God's hand in every detail. People boach (don't show up for)
appointments, maps are inaccurate, we get lost, and then we always end up in the right place at the right time for the right person that needs to be found right then! This was one of those weeks where that sequence of events occurred over and over. We found some amazing new investigators.
One in particular, we found after we had spent most of our morning tracting a street
where not a single person answered the door. I've never had that happen to me before. Ever. Of course we finished the street quickly and needed something else to do before our community service, so we decided last-minute to go street contacting on Post Road. This is one of the main roads with a gazillion yuppy stores; they charge arms and legs for things like organic rice and hand-painted oil pet portraits. I kid you not. People really do love their animals like children, and pay ridiculous amounts for oil portraits of their precious pooches. ANYWAY, after we tried to talk to a lady who said, "GO AWAY! I don't want to talk to you" (usually people say something to that effect, but a little more tactfully), we ran into this woman. She was sitting on a bench outside a store with her baby girl in a stroller next to her. She is a young mom who has recent-convert friends in Norwalk, and they've been trying to convince her to meet with missionaries. When they saw us her baby girl started giggling, like she recognized us, and she immediately invited us to sit next to her on the bench. She told us she felt very safe in our presence, even though we were strangers. It was the craziest thing. Anyway, we have a
return appointment with her this week. Pray for her, please!
Here are some tidbits of the wisdom of Connecticut children.
Investigator trying to convince her son to eat breakfast: "Don't you want to grow up
big and strong?"
Son: "No, I want to be cute."
Member's son, when we asked him if he wanted to be a missionary: "No, I want to be a
spaceman."
Member's daughter, when saying the closing prayer for our lesson: "Bless the
missionaries that they can go far away and go to the doctor."
Member's daughter to the three of us: "Where are your moms?"
Member's daughter to her nonmember father: "Jesus isn't happy when you smoke!"
There you have it. Children are smart. Lessons learned: be cute, go to the moon, go to the doctor, don't smoke, and don't forget your mom. Until next P-day,
Sister Monson
are practically throwing food at us. Thank goodness President has a rule: no more than four dinner appointments a week, so if someone else tries to feed us a fifth time in a week we have to politely decline. I'm going to forget how to turn on a stove by the time I go home. I am so blessed to have a senior companion with the energy of a small child; if I weren't going like crazy to keep up with her pace, I would definitely be packing on my own personal food storage. Isn't it wonderful the members love us so much! I'm grateful.
Fairfield could also be called "The Area Where Nothing Ever Goes According To
Plan" ”Ever Not Even A Little Bit." My last area was so predictable. (Well,
"predictable" is relative. Probably as predictable as missionary work can be.) But
it's amazing to see God's hand in every detail. People boach (don't show up for)
appointments, maps are inaccurate, we get lost, and then we always end up in the right place at the right time for the right person that needs to be found right then! This was one of those weeks where that sequence of events occurred over and over. We found some amazing new investigators.
One in particular, we found after we had spent most of our morning tracting a street
where not a single person answered the door. I've never had that happen to me before. Ever. Of course we finished the street quickly and needed something else to do before our community service, so we decided last-minute to go street contacting on Post Road. This is one of the main roads with a gazillion yuppy stores; they charge arms and legs for things like organic rice and hand-painted oil pet portraits. I kid you not. People really do love their animals like children, and pay ridiculous amounts for oil portraits of their precious pooches. ANYWAY, after we tried to talk to a lady who said, "GO AWAY! I don't want to talk to you" (usually people say something to that effect, but a little more tactfully), we ran into this woman. She was sitting on a bench outside a store with her baby girl in a stroller next to her. She is a young mom who has recent-convert friends in Norwalk, and they've been trying to convince her to meet with missionaries. When they saw us her baby girl started giggling, like she recognized us, and she immediately invited us to sit next to her on the bench. She told us she felt very safe in our presence, even though we were strangers. It was the craziest thing. Anyway, we have a
return appointment with her this week. Pray for her, please!
Here are some tidbits of the wisdom of Connecticut children.
Investigator trying to convince her son to eat breakfast: "Don't you want to grow up
big and strong?"
Son: "No, I want to be cute."
Member's son, when we asked him if he wanted to be a missionary: "No, I want to be a
spaceman."
Member's daughter, when saying the closing prayer for our lesson: "Bless the
missionaries that they can go far away and go to the doctor."
Member's daughter to the three of us: "Where are your moms?"
Member's daughter to her nonmember father: "Jesus isn't happy when you smoke!"
There you have it. Children are smart. Lessons learned: be cute, go to the moon, go to the doctor, don't smoke, and don't forget your mom. Until next P-day,
Sister Monson
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
8Sep09
We got the news not too long ago that we were getting a Temple Square sister in our
mission. (The sisters that serve on Temple Square get to go somewhere else in the US for two or three transfers at some point in their mission.) Then we found out she was coming to Fairfield! Sister Puhlam, from Lehi, arrived last Wednesday. I was nervous about being in a trio but it's been SO MUCH fun. It's like having roommates again. And I learn so much from both of my companions every day. They are so full of faith, and so positive. We're working on building up a teaching pool here in Fairfield. It goes slowly but surely.
Here is the explanation for some pictures I sent.
1. Saying goodbye to the Mazda 3 I drove in Windsor. (Well, my companions drove.) We have
a Corolla out here in Fairfield. Yay!!!
2. Sister Baird, me, Sister Darrington and Sister Thomas on transfer day.
3. Driving through New Haven for the first time!!! I was so excited.
4. More New Haven from the car window.
5. We got lost on the way to Fairfield and couldn't find a good place to turn around. Finally we found a place where we could pull in. And of all places, what was it? A Budweiser factory. Nice. :)
6. The random purple store we drive by on the way to district meeting every Thursday.
7. Sister Baird and I declared last Monday an official "Fight the Frump in Fairfield Day," which consists of sister missionaries doing their best to look like
twentysomething-year-old women that educated, wealthy people want to listen to, instead of something that crawled out of the dumpster at the crack of dawn. In spite of the schedule I still have the hope that I can look like a decent human
being for the rest of my mission. Especially here in Fairfield, it's very important.
Long story made longer, I bought some new clothes at Old Navy (it's so nice to have
actual stores! They don't have many in Windsor) and chopped the mane again—now I kind of look like a flapper. It's cool. Something different.
8. Want a pony? Or a castle? Here you go! Free toys for your children. All you have to do is move to Connecticut and you can get all sorts of free stuff. Just go curb-shopping. People especially like to put their old couches out on the curb. All part of a conspiracy to transport fleas and ticks into the apartments of naive elders, too eager to show off their muscles and cram their apartments with all sorts of stuff. (There was an apartment out here that was known for its spare bedroom, all full of hubcaps. Yes. Hubcaps. President Pehrson had to bribe the elders to finally get rid of the hubcaps and hang up some pictures of, oh, I don't know, the temple or something? :)
I am so blessed! Can't wait to see what fall is really like in New England.
Love you
all,Sister Monson
Saying goodbye to the Mazda 3 I drove in Windsor. (Well, my companions drove.) We have a Corolla out here in Fairfield. Yay!!!
Sister Baird, me, Sister Darrington and Sister Thomas on transfer day.
Driving through New Haven for the first time!!! I was so excited.
We got lost on the way to Fairfield and couldn't find a good place to turn around. Finally we found a place where we could pull in. And of all places, what was it? A Budweiser factory
Sister Baird and I declared last Monday an official Fight the Frump in Fairfield Day, which consists of sister missionaries doing their best to look like twentysomething-year-old women that educated, wealthy people want to listen to, instead of something that crawled out of the dumpster at the crack of dawn.
Want a pony? Or a castle? Here you go! Free toys for your children. All you have to do is move to Connecticut and you can get all sorts of free stuff. Just go curb-shopping.
mission. (The sisters that serve on Temple Square get to go somewhere else in the US for two or three transfers at some point in their mission.) Then we found out she was coming to Fairfield! Sister Puhlam, from Lehi, arrived last Wednesday. I was nervous about being in a trio but it's been SO MUCH fun. It's like having roommates again. And I learn so much from both of my companions every day. They are so full of faith, and so positive. We're working on building up a teaching pool here in Fairfield. It goes slowly but surely.
Here is the explanation for some pictures I sent.
1. Saying goodbye to the Mazda 3 I drove in Windsor. (Well, my companions drove.) We have
a Corolla out here in Fairfield. Yay!!!
2. Sister Baird, me, Sister Darrington and Sister Thomas on transfer day.
3. Driving through New Haven for the first time!!! I was so excited.
4. More New Haven from the car window.
5. We got lost on the way to Fairfield and couldn't find a good place to turn around. Finally we found a place where we could pull in. And of all places, what was it? A Budweiser factory. Nice. :)
6. The random purple store we drive by on the way to district meeting every Thursday.
7. Sister Baird and I declared last Monday an official "Fight the Frump in Fairfield Day," which consists of sister missionaries doing their best to look like
twentysomething-year-old women that educated, wealthy people want to listen to, instead of something that crawled out of the dumpster at the crack of dawn. In spite of the schedule I still have the hope that I can look like a decent human
being for the rest of my mission. Especially here in Fairfield, it's very important.
Long story made longer, I bought some new clothes at Old Navy (it's so nice to have
actual stores! They don't have many in Windsor) and chopped the mane again—now I kind of look like a flapper. It's cool. Something different.
8. Want a pony? Or a castle? Here you go! Free toys for your children. All you have to do is move to Connecticut and you can get all sorts of free stuff. Just go curb-shopping. People especially like to put their old couches out on the curb. All part of a conspiracy to transport fleas and ticks into the apartments of naive elders, too eager to show off their muscles and cram their apartments with all sorts of stuff. (There was an apartment out here that was known for its spare bedroom, all full of hubcaps. Yes. Hubcaps. President Pehrson had to bribe the elders to finally get rid of the hubcaps and hang up some pictures of, oh, I don't know, the temple or something? :)
I am so blessed! Can't wait to see what fall is really like in New England.
Love you
all,Sister Monson
Saying goodbye to the Mazda 3 I drove in Windsor. (Well, my companions drove.) We have a Corolla out here in Fairfield. Yay!!! 
Sister Baird, me, Sister Darrington and Sister Thomas on transfer day.
Driving through New Haven for the first time!!! I was so excited.
We got lost on the way to Fairfield and couldn't find a good place to turn around. Finally we found a place where we could pull in. And of all places, what was it? A Budweiser factory
Sister Baird and I declared last Monday an official Fight the Frump in Fairfield Day, which consists of sister missionaries doing their best to look like twentysomething-year-old women that educated, wealthy people want to listen to, instead of something that crawled out of the dumpster at the crack of dawn.
Want a pony? Or a castle? Here you go! Free toys for your children. All you have to do is move to Connecticut and you can get all sorts of free stuff. Just go curb-shopping.
Monday, August 31, 2009
31 Aug 2009
What an insane week! It started off really rough. I didn't realize how hard it would be to adjust to a new area after six months. I feel like a greenie again. The culture and the people couldn't be more different from the people in Windsor it's amazing how much variety you can get in such a tiny state! (We were thinking yesterday about how many Connecticuts you can fit in one Utah. We decided it's at least 3 or 4.)
My new companion is Sister Baird. I've decided she's not really human I think she's a translated being or something. Really. So obedient and so hardworking, and she's happy ALL THE TIME. I have a lot to learn from her. And already have learned a lot. It doesn't even occur to her to be offended by anyone she just smiles and loves
everybody especially when they're rude. I've decided she's a Mormon hippie. (Except
for the obedient/hardworking/non-smoking part of course.) Missionary work is all about peace and love here!
It's interesting how I find myself changing and adjusting to adapt to each
companion not just in the missionary work, but my attitude and my personality changes with each new companion. President Pehrson told us once that missions are the place not just to find yourself, but to define yourself. Really, this is a process that involves agency. I get to choose exactly who I want to become, and what I'm going to take from each companion to make myself into the new person that I will be after my mission.
Fairfield is on the southwest coast of Connecticut, near the New York border. The best part about it is that we're close to New Haven! This means we get to go explore Yale on an upcoming P-day!!!!!!!!! Does anyone else think that's the most exciting thing in the world, or is it just me? Anyway, yes, our area includes the towns of Fairfield and Easton which are in the New Haven stake. We drove through New Haven on the way down here. It's beautiful. (Of course.) AND, we are on the coast. I have yet to go contacting on the beach, but look forward to doing that very soon.
Fairfield is a pretty wealthy place. Rumor has it Fairfield County is the wealthiest
county in the nation, or something like that. The city of Fairfield is a lot bigger than Windsor and the culture is different because it's so close to New York. Needless to say, people are always in a hurry to get somewhere and a lot of them are commuting to Manhattan. A little different from Windsor Locks, where half the people don't even have jobs or anything to do except sit around and smoke. Much easier there to find someone willing to talk to you. :)Anyway, Fairfield is a lot closer to what I thought all of Connecticut would be like, and probably closer to what most people think of when they think of Connecticut--lots of rich and educated people, Ivy League students, etc.
I LOVE meeting new people and telling them what my name is. If they're a member, of
course it's all about, "Are you related?" and their disappointment when I'm not.
If they're not members, they can't pronounce my name correctly. Munson Real Estate
and Munson Chocolates are huge here and no one has ever heard the name Monson. So people automatically hear "Munson" and say it that way. If I'm really in the mood to push it, I'll point to the name tag and say, "Two 'O's." But most of the time I just don't bother. It's too much work. If you won't read the tag, just call me Sister and that's fine! As long as you don't insist on calling me by my first name. (This applies to strangers, not family members.) It happens more than you might think. People sometimes feel uncomfortable with the title of "Sister" for someone so young or for someone who's not a Catholic nun, so they'll ask for our first names and try to use them. No, random old man on the street, please don't call me Kaelynn. Really. ONLY on a mission, would you ever get offended by someone using your first name.
Life is good. I'm so blessed! Love to everyone,
Sister Monson/Munson/Monster/Manson/meh, whatever.
My new companion is Sister Baird. I've decided she's not really human I think she's a translated being or something. Really. So obedient and so hardworking, and she's happy ALL THE TIME. I have a lot to learn from her. And already have learned a lot. It doesn't even occur to her to be offended by anyone she just smiles and loves
everybody especially when they're rude. I've decided she's a Mormon hippie. (Except
for the obedient/hardworking/non-smoking part of course.) Missionary work is all about peace and love here!
It's interesting how I find myself changing and adjusting to adapt to each
companion not just in the missionary work, but my attitude and my personality changes with each new companion. President Pehrson told us once that missions are the place not just to find yourself, but to define yourself. Really, this is a process that involves agency. I get to choose exactly who I want to become, and what I'm going to take from each companion to make myself into the new person that I will be after my mission.
Fairfield is on the southwest coast of Connecticut, near the New York border. The best part about it is that we're close to New Haven! This means we get to go explore Yale on an upcoming P-day!!!!!!!!! Does anyone else think that's the most exciting thing in the world, or is it just me? Anyway, yes, our area includes the towns of Fairfield and Easton which are in the New Haven stake. We drove through New Haven on the way down here. It's beautiful. (Of course.) AND, we are on the coast. I have yet to go contacting on the beach, but look forward to doing that very soon.
Fairfield is a pretty wealthy place. Rumor has it Fairfield County is the wealthiest
county in the nation, or something like that. The city of Fairfield is a lot bigger than Windsor and the culture is different because it's so close to New York. Needless to say, people are always in a hurry to get somewhere and a lot of them are commuting to Manhattan. A little different from Windsor Locks, where half the people don't even have jobs or anything to do except sit around and smoke. Much easier there to find someone willing to talk to you. :)Anyway, Fairfield is a lot closer to what I thought all of Connecticut would be like, and probably closer to what most people think of when they think of Connecticut--lots of rich and educated people, Ivy League students, etc.
I LOVE meeting new people and telling them what my name is. If they're a member, of
course it's all about, "Are you related?" and their disappointment when I'm not.
If they're not members, they can't pronounce my name correctly. Munson Real Estate
and Munson Chocolates are huge here and no one has ever heard the name Monson. So people automatically hear "Munson" and say it that way. If I'm really in the mood to push it, I'll point to the name tag and say, "Two 'O's." But most of the time I just don't bother. It's too much work. If you won't read the tag, just call me Sister and that's fine! As long as you don't insist on calling me by my first name. (This applies to strangers, not family members.) It happens more than you might think. People sometimes feel uncomfortable with the title of "Sister" for someone so young or for someone who's not a Catholic nun, so they'll ask for our first names and try to use them. No, random old man on the street, please don't call me Kaelynn. Really. ONLY on a mission, would you ever get offended by someone using your first name.
Life is good. I'm so blessed! Love to everyone,
Sister Monson/Munson/Monster/Manson/meh, whatever.
Monday, August 24, 2009
24 August 2009
It's true! six weeks over already and I"m getting shipped outta here. I can't
believe I've already been with Sister Darrington for six weeks! Yes, I know I keep
saying how much the time flies and people told me it would but I didn't believe them.
I'm going to Fairfield which is in southwest Connecticut on the coast, kinda by New
Haven but not really. It's really close to the mission boundary (the far southwest
corner of Connecticut is in one of the New York missions). The address is 170 Ruane St., Fairfield, CT 06824. My new companion will be Sister Baird. She's from Sandy and has been out about fourteen months, I think. I'm excited this will be a very different experience. Fairfield is pretty wealthy, I hear. It is definitely bittersweet to leave my greenie area I absolutely love Windsor and not just because I was born here, but it really is a wonderful area. The other sisters called it the "fairy-tale area." I think it's almost everyone's favorite. But Fairfield will be wonderful too, I'm sure.
Funny story for the week: we were on I-91 driving to district meeting and saw a
motorcyclist. Not only was he not wearing a helmet, but he was texting while driving. Yes. Texting while driving. On the freeway. Sometimes I think Connecticut drivers have a death wish. Or maybe just the East Coast in general.
Girls camp was this week. The Young Women in this ward are great about member missionary work. Two nonmember girls went to camp this year, and they both came back committed to be baptized. YEAH BABY!!! One of them is in our area and the friend who brought her to camp is going to have us teach her in their home. Every missionary's dream, right there. "Hi Sister Monson, I have a friend who wants to be baptized, can you teach her the lessons?" Um, yeah, I think so. We'll try and squeeze it into our schedule. :)
One thing President Pehrson has really been pushing is having us extend the baptismal challenge really early in the teaching process, in the first or second lesson. I think the reasoning behind it is that you can weed out, very quickly, the people who are not committed. If they're not ready to commit to baptism they won't commit to reading or praying or any other commitment. That way we can move on more quickly instead of just hanging on to people so we can have someone to teach to fill up time. AND, this is what Preach My Gospel says to do. Anyway, I wish I had taken this counsel to heart earlier in my mission. I challenged one of our new investigators to baptism this week and she accepted. I need to have more faith! And less fear of offending people or scaring them away. Lesson learned: Preach My Gospel knows better! Better than me or what my trainer taught me or what everyone else thinks;hmm, it's like the people who wrote it were inspired or something. :) Yeah, I know this sounds like a "duh" statement but you'd be surprised how many missionaries in this mission, including myself, could do better with sticking to Preach My Gospel. Time to become a Preach My Gospel missionary!
Thanks to everyone for your love and support. I'm off to the coast for the tail end of summer (summer is short here, it's going to get cold soon). Love you!
~Sister Monson
believe I've already been with Sister Darrington for six weeks! Yes, I know I keep
saying how much the time flies and people told me it would but I didn't believe them.
I'm going to Fairfield which is in southwest Connecticut on the coast, kinda by New
Haven but not really. It's really close to the mission boundary (the far southwest
corner of Connecticut is in one of the New York missions). The address is 170 Ruane St., Fairfield, CT 06824. My new companion will be Sister Baird. She's from Sandy and has been out about fourteen months, I think. I'm excited this will be a very different experience. Fairfield is pretty wealthy, I hear. It is definitely bittersweet to leave my greenie area I absolutely love Windsor and not just because I was born here, but it really is a wonderful area. The other sisters called it the "fairy-tale area." I think it's almost everyone's favorite. But Fairfield will be wonderful too, I'm sure.
Funny story for the week: we were on I-91 driving to district meeting and saw a
motorcyclist. Not only was he not wearing a helmet, but he was texting while driving. Yes. Texting while driving. On the freeway. Sometimes I think Connecticut drivers have a death wish. Or maybe just the East Coast in general.
Girls camp was this week. The Young Women in this ward are great about member missionary work. Two nonmember girls went to camp this year, and they both came back committed to be baptized. YEAH BABY!!! One of them is in our area and the friend who brought her to camp is going to have us teach her in their home. Every missionary's dream, right there. "Hi Sister Monson, I have a friend who wants to be baptized, can you teach her the lessons?" Um, yeah, I think so. We'll try and squeeze it into our schedule. :)
One thing President Pehrson has really been pushing is having us extend the baptismal challenge really early in the teaching process, in the first or second lesson. I think the reasoning behind it is that you can weed out, very quickly, the people who are not committed. If they're not ready to commit to baptism they won't commit to reading or praying or any other commitment. That way we can move on more quickly instead of just hanging on to people so we can have someone to teach to fill up time. AND, this is what Preach My Gospel says to do. Anyway, I wish I had taken this counsel to heart earlier in my mission. I challenged one of our new investigators to baptism this week and she accepted. I need to have more faith! And less fear of offending people or scaring them away. Lesson learned: Preach My Gospel knows better! Better than me or what my trainer taught me or what everyone else thinks;hmm, it's like the people who wrote it were inspired or something. :) Yeah, I know this sounds like a "duh" statement but you'd be surprised how many missionaries in this mission, including myself, could do better with sticking to Preach My Gospel. Time to become a Preach My Gospel missionary!
Thanks to everyone for your love and support. I'm off to the coast for the tail end of summer (summer is short here, it's going to get cold soon). Love you!
~Sister Monson
Sunday, August 23, 2009
17Aug2009
What a week. Please pray for Elder Ginatto who was diagnosed with a heart problem,
and Elder Worthington who tore his Achilles tendon. Elder Worthington (the financial
secretary, they just got out here in July) was giving out pass-along cards to everyone in the hospital. :) He came right back to the office and has been working with his foot propped up on a chair. He refused to go back to Salt Lake for surgery and recovery. I am so blessed to be surrounded by missionaries with all this enthusiasm for the work.
Windsor Locks is as exciting as always. This week we tracted into a guy and set up a
return appointment. When we went back he had his computer and headset all set up, and said he had a friend in Cairo who wanted to listen to the lesson! She wants to get a copy of the Book of Mormon and learn more. We couldn't tell her a whole lot except to go to mormon.org and that we would try to find out if there were any members or a church in the area. As far as I know there are not proselyting missionaries in Egypt. But miracles happen. We'll see how this one turns out. We taught someone in Egypt! How cool is that?
We are still teaching the 17-year-old that we found a couple weeks ago and things are going really well. He reads everything like crazy and accepts it all. Yesterday we were teaching him the 10 Commandments. When we explained about keeping the Sabbath day holy, he exclaimed, "So I shouldn't work on Sunday then!" Yes, that is the perfect answer! He kept asking us why more people don't live the 10 Commandments. Teaching him has been a challenge because his parents didn't raise him with any religion, so this is all really new to him. You don't realize how much silly jargon we have in the Church until you try to teach it to someone who's never heard of it before. But it's been good for us, hopefully we're becoming better teachers. Now we just need to get him to go to church.
I've received many tender mercies this week and little insights into the Atonement that have strengthened me as I continue to fight my own personal battles. One thing that I learned was that the Atonement means I don't have to hate myself for my shortcomings. I need to work on them, yes, but because of the Atonement I don't have to dwell on them and get bogged down. Ammon said that "in his strength I can do all things," and that's another thing I have learned-- it is not in my strength that I can do this. Because I, alone, can't do this. But through God all things are possible and in God's strength I can do all things! Once I changed my perspective and started to exercise more faith in God, things started changing. Not overnight, but they are getting better. I'm working on being more positive and patient with everyone, including myself.
Heavenly Father knows us perfectly and he knows what we need. I was never so sure of that as I am right now on my mission. And Jesus Christ is where it's at...He is everything, the reason for everything, the only solution to every problem. Sorry if I sound preachy, it tends to happen when that's all you do every day. :)
Lots of love and thanks for your prayers,
Sister Monson
and Elder Worthington who tore his Achilles tendon. Elder Worthington (the financial
secretary, they just got out here in July) was giving out pass-along cards to everyone in the hospital. :) He came right back to the office and has been working with his foot propped up on a chair. He refused to go back to Salt Lake for surgery and recovery. I am so blessed to be surrounded by missionaries with all this enthusiasm for the work.
Windsor Locks is as exciting as always. This week we tracted into a guy and set up a
return appointment. When we went back he had his computer and headset all set up, and said he had a friend in Cairo who wanted to listen to the lesson! She wants to get a copy of the Book of Mormon and learn more. We couldn't tell her a whole lot except to go to mormon.org and that we would try to find out if there were any members or a church in the area. As far as I know there are not proselyting missionaries in Egypt. But miracles happen. We'll see how this one turns out. We taught someone in Egypt! How cool is that?
We are still teaching the 17-year-old that we found a couple weeks ago and things are going really well. He reads everything like crazy and accepts it all. Yesterday we were teaching him the 10 Commandments. When we explained about keeping the Sabbath day holy, he exclaimed, "So I shouldn't work on Sunday then!" Yes, that is the perfect answer! He kept asking us why more people don't live the 10 Commandments. Teaching him has been a challenge because his parents didn't raise him with any religion, so this is all really new to him. You don't realize how much silly jargon we have in the Church until you try to teach it to someone who's never heard of it before. But it's been good for us, hopefully we're becoming better teachers. Now we just need to get him to go to church.
I've received many tender mercies this week and little insights into the Atonement that have strengthened me as I continue to fight my own personal battles. One thing that I learned was that the Atonement means I don't have to hate myself for my shortcomings. I need to work on them, yes, but because of the Atonement I don't have to dwell on them and get bogged down. Ammon said that "in his strength I can do all things," and that's another thing I have learned-- it is not in my strength that I can do this. Because I, alone, can't do this. But through God all things are possible and in God's strength I can do all things! Once I changed my perspective and started to exercise more faith in God, things started changing. Not overnight, but they are getting better. I'm working on being more positive and patient with everyone, including myself.
Heavenly Father knows us perfectly and he knows what we need. I was never so sure of that as I am right now on my mission. And Jesus Christ is where it's at...He is everything, the reason for everything, the only solution to every problem. Sorry if I sound preachy, it tends to happen when that's all you do every day. :)
Lots of love and thanks for your prayers,
Sister Monson
Monday, August 10, 2009
10 August 2009
I have great news! There is a former investigator in Windsor Locks that I have been
wanting to meet with ever since I got out here. We've been dropping by his house and
calling him and he hasn't ever gotten in touch with us. He's from Albania. Last week I called and left him a message and yesterday he called back and agreed to set up an
appointment. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am! I just really want to
teach him because he's Albanian.
Sister Darrington and I made a goal to be more positive and expect miracles-- and things like that are happening. Lots of little miracles all over the place.
We picked up a new investigator this week--a really neat kid. He graduated high school a year early and doesn't know what to do with his life. Windsor Locks is kinda depressing that way--it's a working-class town and college isn't really part of the culture or the expectation of kids when they graduate.
Sister Darrington has pushed for ways to improve our relationship with the ward, and good things are happening. We're also trying to come up with new ideas for finding. Our latest thing is that we choose different themes for tracting/street contacting. We tried tracting with a family history theme, and with inviting people to church events, and offering service. Yes, may I be struck down for saying it but tracting gets monotonous, so you have to come up with ways to make it different so you don't dread it.
Transfers are coming up (yet again,this transfer flew by) in two weeks, and I'm kinda sorta hoping to get moved. (Yeah, after I've been saying all this time that I would be happy to spend my entire mission here.) I love this area so much and I will miss it, but four transfers is enough time to be in one area, I think. I need to leave my "birthplace" and get other learning experiences that I can't get here.
This week I had a couple of small miracles happen that helped me feel more strongly that I am where I need to be right now, in Connecticut. One of our recent converts called us up needing "faith CPR"he was having doubts about the Book of Mormon. We went over there and I shared some things that I have learned over the years that have helped me through times of doubt. Then he said, "I keep wondering if I joined this church just because I loved the people and they were so nice." I said, "I don't believe that. Tell Sister Darrington about the way you felt when the first sisters knocked on your door." Then I reminded him of other miraculous parts of his conversion and asked him to tell Sister Darrington about all of them. He later called to thank us and said the things we had shared really helped strengthen his faith.
Earlier this week he was having some reservations about accepting a calling in the
church. When I said the prayer to end our lesson I started spewing out something about how he would be blessed to magnify his calling and he would have many good memories of his service in the Young Men, that would be a blessing to him for many years. Something I wouldn't have said. I've heard stories of missionaries having the Holy Ghost speak through them and say things they didn't know to say. I think this was what happened to me. The point of these two stories is that I felt God was using me, and that I specifically had unique things to offer that were needed at that particular time. I haven't really experienced that before on my mission and it was a very satisfying feeling. Even if those two little things were the ONLY reason I was supposed to come out here at this time, I'd be satisfied with that—at least I feel like I have something to offer.
End of the novel. Lots of love,
Sister Monson
P.S. If ANY of my old friends/roommates are reading this, PLEASE PLEASE, I need Loraine's address! Gotta send her a very belated wedding card.
wanting to meet with ever since I got out here. We've been dropping by his house and
calling him and he hasn't ever gotten in touch with us. He's from Albania. Last week I called and left him a message and yesterday he called back and agreed to set up an
appointment. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am! I just really want to
teach him because he's Albanian.
Sister Darrington and I made a goal to be more positive and expect miracles-- and things like that are happening. Lots of little miracles all over the place.
We picked up a new investigator this week--a really neat kid. He graduated high school a year early and doesn't know what to do with his life. Windsor Locks is kinda depressing that way--it's a working-class town and college isn't really part of the culture or the expectation of kids when they graduate.
Sister Darrington has pushed for ways to improve our relationship with the ward, and good things are happening. We're also trying to come up with new ideas for finding. Our latest thing is that we choose different themes for tracting/street contacting. We tried tracting with a family history theme, and with inviting people to church events, and offering service. Yes, may I be struck down for saying it but tracting gets monotonous, so you have to come up with ways to make it different so you don't dread it.
Transfers are coming up (yet again,this transfer flew by) in two weeks, and I'm kinda sorta hoping to get moved. (Yeah, after I've been saying all this time that I would be happy to spend my entire mission here.) I love this area so much and I will miss it, but four transfers is enough time to be in one area, I think. I need to leave my "birthplace" and get other learning experiences that I can't get here.
This week I had a couple of small miracles happen that helped me feel more strongly that I am where I need to be right now, in Connecticut. One of our recent converts called us up needing "faith CPR"he was having doubts about the Book of Mormon. We went over there and I shared some things that I have learned over the years that have helped me through times of doubt. Then he said, "I keep wondering if I joined this church just because I loved the people and they were so nice." I said, "I don't believe that. Tell Sister Darrington about the way you felt when the first sisters knocked on your door." Then I reminded him of other miraculous parts of his conversion and asked him to tell Sister Darrington about all of them. He later called to thank us and said the things we had shared really helped strengthen his faith.
Earlier this week he was having some reservations about accepting a calling in the
church. When I said the prayer to end our lesson I started spewing out something about how he would be blessed to magnify his calling and he would have many good memories of his service in the Young Men, that would be a blessing to him for many years. Something I wouldn't have said. I've heard stories of missionaries having the Holy Ghost speak through them and say things they didn't know to say. I think this was what happened to me. The point of these two stories is that I felt God was using me, and that I specifically had unique things to offer that were needed at that particular time. I haven't really experienced that before on my mission and it was a very satisfying feeling. Even if those two little things were the ONLY reason I was supposed to come out here at this time, I'd be satisfied with that—at least I feel like I have something to offer.
End of the novel. Lots of love,
Sister Monson
P.S. If ANY of my old friends/roommates are reading this, PLEASE PLEASE, I need Loraine's address! Gotta send her a very belated wedding card.
Monday, August 3, 2009
3Aug09
Windsor “Locks Your Heart.
Lame, I know, but I am running out of ways to make fun of the name. Anyone else read
the talk called "Lock Your Heart" by Pres. Kimball? It's a good one. I read it for
the first time this week. You know what else is good? The Nashville tribute to Joseph Smith. We just got the CD and I'm obsessed with it. (Well, as obsessed as you can be with any music while you're on your mission, which isn't much.) Any country fans out there should check it out.
Not much new to report. Still working on building up a Windsor Locks teaching pool.
It's going slowly. We had some really great new investigators who have all started
ignoring us. Sad! Time to find more new ones. There are people here, it's just a matter of finding them.
It seemed to be the week for referrals. People just started giving us referrals out of the blue. It was great. Let's get the trend to continue, folks! We're really working on strengthening our relationship with the ward.
Our one progressing investigator agreed to be baptized by her next birthday, which is in November. Woo-hoo! We'll take that for now.
Yesterday we knocked on some doors on the way home from church. We hadn't broken our
fast yet and were both trying very hard not to be hungry/ornery, but almost no one was home. At one of the houses the cat was hanging out on the porch (Connecticut is obsessed with animals) and meowing at us while we rang the doorbell and waited. Sister Darrington said something to the effect of, "I'm starving." Right on cue the cat moved to its dish (on the side of the porch) and started crunching on kitty treats. Way to rub it in!
God definitely takes care of us out here. Yesterday in Gospel Principles we had a great discussion on women and the priesthood, trying to address some concerns that a recently reactivated sister had. I was really impressed with the brethren involved in the discussion. One of them, who is in the Young Men's presidency, told the sister that they are always trying to impress upon the young men the responsibility that they carry with their priesthood. They want them to understand that the priesthood is a responsibility to serve and be worthy and Christlike, and that it's not about a power trip or "exercising unrighteous dominion." I think it helped her feel a lot better about what her sons are being taught in church. They addressed her concerns very humbly and respectfully. It was very clear that they take their priesthood callings seriously, especially the responsibility to be worthy. I love this ward!!!! The way the discussion turned out couldn't have been more ideal.
Can you believe it's August already? Hope you are all well (staying relatively cool), and thanks for your support.
Love,
Sister Monson
Lame, I know, but I am running out of ways to make fun of the name. Anyone else read
the talk called "Lock Your Heart" by Pres. Kimball? It's a good one. I read it for
the first time this week. You know what else is good? The Nashville tribute to Joseph Smith. We just got the CD and I'm obsessed with it. (Well, as obsessed as you can be with any music while you're on your mission, which isn't much.) Any country fans out there should check it out.
Not much new to report. Still working on building up a Windsor Locks teaching pool.
It's going slowly. We had some really great new investigators who have all started
ignoring us. Sad! Time to find more new ones. There are people here, it's just a matter of finding them.
It seemed to be the week for referrals. People just started giving us referrals out of the blue. It was great. Let's get the trend to continue, folks! We're really working on strengthening our relationship with the ward.
Our one progressing investigator agreed to be baptized by her next birthday, which is in November. Woo-hoo! We'll take that for now.
Yesterday we knocked on some doors on the way home from church. We hadn't broken our
fast yet and were both trying very hard not to be hungry/ornery, but almost no one was home. At one of the houses the cat was hanging out on the porch (Connecticut is obsessed with animals) and meowing at us while we rang the doorbell and waited. Sister Darrington said something to the effect of, "I'm starving." Right on cue the cat moved to its dish (on the side of the porch) and started crunching on kitty treats. Way to rub it in!
God definitely takes care of us out here. Yesterday in Gospel Principles we had a great discussion on women and the priesthood, trying to address some concerns that a recently reactivated sister had. I was really impressed with the brethren involved in the discussion. One of them, who is in the Young Men's presidency, told the sister that they are always trying to impress upon the young men the responsibility that they carry with their priesthood. They want them to understand that the priesthood is a responsibility to serve and be worthy and Christlike, and that it's not about a power trip or "exercising unrighteous dominion." I think it helped her feel a lot better about what her sons are being taught in church. They addressed her concerns very humbly and respectfully. It was very clear that they take their priesthood callings seriously, especially the responsibility to be worthy. I love this ward!!!! The way the discussion turned out couldn't have been more ideal.
Can you believe it's August already? Hope you are all well (staying relatively cool), and thanks for your support.
Love,
Sister Monson
Monday, July 27, 2009
27 July 2009
Yes, that's right. Suffield, which is, like, two minutes out of our area. I went
there at the end of last transfer because our ward mission leader lives there. It's
beautiful. And Frederick G. Williams was born there. Ha!
Guess what else is really close to our area? There's a Six Flags in Agawam, Mass. which is right by the border. A recent convert actually offered to take us there. If only! Just barely outside mission boundaries. :(
Last night we had the third and final performance of our "The Living Christ" music fireside, this time in Woodbridge which is the stake center for the New Haven stake. So we drove through New Haven. Didn"t see much of it, it was getting dark and we were just rushing through. BUT, at least I can say I've been to New Haven. Not Yale itself, but New Haven. The fireside went really well. The Spirit was so strong there especially when several converts bore their testimonies. I have so much respect for people who convert,especially later in life. It is such a big change and I am so impressed with those who stick with it. Their testimonies are always so amazing to hear.
So begins Week 3 of the transfer. My fourth transfer (out of 12 or 13), my sixth month. Already! I have this constant sense of urgency, a feeling that my mission is going by too fast. Six months is a third of the mission.
As far as the work itself, things have slowed down a bit because almost all of our new investigators fell through the cracks or dropped us. But we still have so many recent converts to teach the new-member lessons to, that we are still very busy. Lots of time teaching the recent converts in Windsor means very little time left to find people in Windsor Locks. Don't misunderstand me I'm not complaining by any means. Too much time teaching and not enough time finding is a good problem to have. But we're struggling a bit with finding. Sister Darrington and I are both naturally more reserved and every minute of every day is a challenge to force ourselves to talk to those who come in our path. Some days are better than others, of course. You would think it would get easier over time and just stay that way, but it fluctuates.
Not much else to report. Hope you are all enjoying the summer, thanks for your letters.
Love,
Sister Monson
there at the end of last transfer because our ward mission leader lives there. It's
beautiful. And Frederick G. Williams was born there. Ha!
Guess what else is really close to our area? There's a Six Flags in Agawam, Mass. which is right by the border. A recent convert actually offered to take us there. If only! Just barely outside mission boundaries. :(
Last night we had the third and final performance of our "The Living Christ" music fireside, this time in Woodbridge which is the stake center for the New Haven stake. So we drove through New Haven. Didn"t see much of it, it was getting dark and we were just rushing through. BUT, at least I can say I've been to New Haven. Not Yale itself, but New Haven. The fireside went really well. The Spirit was so strong there especially when several converts bore their testimonies. I have so much respect for people who convert,especially later in life. It is such a big change and I am so impressed with those who stick with it. Their testimonies are always so amazing to hear.
So begins Week 3 of the transfer. My fourth transfer (out of 12 or 13), my sixth month. Already! I have this constant sense of urgency, a feeling that my mission is going by too fast. Six months is a third of the mission.
As far as the work itself, things have slowed down a bit because almost all of our new investigators fell through the cracks or dropped us. But we still have so many recent converts to teach the new-member lessons to, that we are still very busy. Lots of time teaching the recent converts in Windsor means very little time left to find people in Windsor Locks. Don't misunderstand me I'm not complaining by any means. Too much time teaching and not enough time finding is a good problem to have. But we're struggling a bit with finding. Sister Darrington and I are both naturally more reserved and every minute of every day is a challenge to force ourselves to talk to those who come in our path. Some days are better than others, of course. You would think it would get easier over time and just stay that way, but it fluctuates.
Not much else to report. Hope you are all enjoying the summer, thanks for your letters.
Love,
Sister Monson
Monday, July 20, 2009
20 July2009
It was a hectic week. I said goodbye to my trainer after three transfers together (about four months). Not the easiest thing in the world, especially for being still so new and not as confident as I would like to be. But the change is good for me and for the area. Sister Darrington, from Malta, Idaho, is my new companion she's been out a year. She has lots of good ideas for ways to improve our finding and teaching and our relationship with the ward members. I'm really excited for this area—there is so much potentialhere and the change in companions will be good. Things have been very good in the area, but they will get so much better. I can't wait! Sister Darrington told me this week that this is the busiest area she's ever served in. That is both a good and bad thing, good because it means we've been doing something right, and bad because that means whatever area I go to next will feel dead to me, since this is all I know. But maybe that will be a good thing also. More motivation to work hard in my next area and make it busy. I love this area so much. Getting transferred out of here is my worst fear.
Again, we're running into the problem that all of our teaching appointments are in
Windsor, so we do a lot of commuting. With limited mileage, this means we have to walk whenever possible and scrimp and save on our miles. The middle of July in Connecticut is a fun time to walk. :) With all this humidity it's like walking in a sauna. One nice thing about it is that people see how sweaty we are and feel sorry for us, so they might offer us water even if they won't listen to us. I also have the world's greatest farmer's tan.
Thanks to everyone for your letters and support. God loves everyone and the Church is true (yes, it's a well-worn cliche but worth saying again).
Love,
Sister Monson
Again, we're running into the problem that all of our teaching appointments are in
Windsor, so we do a lot of commuting. With limited mileage, this means we have to walk whenever possible and scrimp and save on our miles. The middle of July in Connecticut is a fun time to walk. :) With all this humidity it's like walking in a sauna. One nice thing about it is that people see how sweaty we are and feel sorry for us, so they might offer us water even if they won't listen to us. I also have the world's greatest farmer's tan.
Thanks to everyone for your letters and support. God loves everyone and the Church is true (yes, it's a well-worn cliche but worth saying again).
Love,
Sister Monson
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