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.)

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

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

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

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