So much in my head!

Well hello family!

 

Going on week three since my surgery and yes, I'm still in the mission home. BUT! I go out with my companions a lot and they come here in the mornings to do studies. I still get worn down so fast and the President doesn't want me to be a burden to them if they have to be out for hours at a time. And I don't want to be that burden either. So I'm still getting the taste of real missionary life! I have WAY too much time to think, and like I said last time, sometimes it's a problem if my silly 20 year old brain can't stay focused on a mission. I remembered this morning, as I woke up so sore from last night( I'll tell that story in a minute), about what President Eyring said in my new favorite book. He said that we get to choose everything in life. And we are accountable for our choices. Of course I've always known that. But he pointed out that we are responsible for our faith, but also our lack of faith. And we are also responsible for our hope, and lack thereof. We get to choose, every monring, to put that hope into our hearts and live joyfully! Grandad wrote me a little note and he told me of the 17 year old he home teaches with that explained why he was so happy, because he knew about the Gospel, so why not?? I have so much to be grateful for every day! Just because what is happening right now isn't ideal in my head, it's ideal for my individual plan!

 

So last night was INCREDIBLE!!! Did everyone listen to the broadcast about the new changes they are making to the missionary cause?? EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY PEOPLE!!!!! There is so much work to be done, so many people that are searching for the happiness of the Gospel, and in reality, not many missionaries to find everyone. Do something different this week to be a member missionary. Reach out to a friend and help them with whatever they need. Goodness, they don't even need to be your friend yet! Just be the natural diciple of Christ that you are and share your glowing examples! So right after the broadcast we went straight to our baptism... Nataly Gomez was baptized!! I am pretty sure I mentioned her in a previous email home. We found her the day I got here. I love her so much! I was a little nervous about getting there on time but we did it! A true miracle! She just cried and cried, it was beautiful. The Spirit was just so strong the entire time. I was very honored that she asked me to sing as well. It wasn't great because I'm so out of shape, but it was enough to feel the Spirit. It was an awesome experience. And after she was baptized...well...breaking the Sabbath never tasted so good. Members went out and bought pizza. Ha ha ha...we're working on it. Oh! We also had stake conference in the morning, in Spanish, and I understood a lot of what was going on! WOO!! I was up walking around and sitting in uncomfortable chairs from 10-9... Something my body is not used to yet. I was able to take a small half hour nap in the car but man...just so tired today!! I'm quite sore but it was great to be out and about! Only one new small bruise on the belly this time. It's an improvement people! I get to go out every other day or so with my companions, we are slowly working my way up. It's all good.

 

I got my letter from Camille and Scott today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for it like...all my life. It was just what I needed! So much going on, it's exciting!! I have letters written out for you two already, I have to wait to find my stamps, I think I left them at my apartment. Oops. From Camille's letter I think hashtags are still in? Woof Mimi...overlaod. :) It cracked me up!! Kid, your hand writing is a puzzle. It's a mix between Camille's and Dad's. It's pretty funny! And thank you for the real picture! I showed it off in the mission office to everyone. :)

 

Bradley!!!! I ate my first Texas BBQ today!!! It was amazing. I had a brisket sandwich with the most awesome sauce! And of course, fries. It's called Vasos BBQ in Sugar Land. It was the cutest little place too! True Texas pride all the way in that resturaunt!

 

Well Fam I love you all so much! I am so grateful for your prayers, I can really FEEL them every day! Remember to be good, safe, and a missionary every day! LOVE YOU!!

 

Siempre con Amor,

Hermana Florence

A week + One more

Hi Family!

 

I sure do love you all! It was SO SO great to be able to hear all of you being loud in the background of trying to hear dad. I don't remember a whole lots...just Ry asking if I was stoned, yep I was. Dallin doing his Darth Vader voice for me. Did Ryker call me something silly? I just remember him laughing. And Charley blew me a kiss on the phone. And I believe Maryn said something about her writing me and I haven't written her back yet, sorry Mar, I love you and I'm working on it. Good thing I have lots of time now! So I've been here in the mission home for a week. I saw the doctor today and she said another week of resting and I should be good to start getting back out into the field! Woo!! But you'll never guess what the best part is...no bikes for 2 months!! Virtual high 5's all around ya'lls!! I think it's a blessing in itself. I keep coming up with silly reasons why my situation is what it is. Like I tried Thai food today for the first time! - there is a reason. :) And this last Saturday I went to the aquarium in the heart of Houston with President Ashton and his family! That was just so fun! I slept well that night, let me tell ya. Before that all happened it was a serious treat to go with Sister Ashton to the grocery store, time out of the house is just so precious! Sister Martinez, the medical advisor, is just wonderful! She took me to my doctors appointment today and we got Shiply's Donuts, which is HUGE in Texas, and we took our sweet time getting home. She totally gets me, I love her! And she bought me a Dr. Pepper...sweet, sweet nectar of life. :)

 

I have really appreciated this last week though, I have been able to read and study so much for myself. I have read a couple books from President's library, but the last one I read was To Draw Closer To God, by President Eyring. I'm pretty sure we have it at home, I've seen it around somewhere. I think my favorite part in it was how it talks about the Holy Ghost as so many things, The Comforter, A Teacher, A Testimant, ect. But my favorite one was A Reminder. The Holy Ghost helps us remember so many things, when he teaches us, it's really us remembering what we have already known. In Mosiah, When King Benjamin is preaching(more like really laying it down the chastize potatoes with a slice of humble pie) to his people. He reminds them that they are nothing without God and the dust of the earth. I think this is all in Chapter 4. After he is done telling it plain it is recorded that his people were stirred up into rememberance and praised God with one voice, that they remembered all they have been given, that their fathers were lead out of captivity because of God. Now, the rememberance part of this is so interesting to me. Because it was the Holy Ghost that stirred them to remember. And he can do that to us as well. The Spirit helps us remember all that we have been given and we know that when we are grateful and show our gratitude, that God will be generous in His blessing for us. In the book President Eyring challenged the readers to say a prayer of gratitude and notice what happens. So I did. And it was one of the sweetest prayers I have said, I said sweet because I felt the Spirit so strong. And as I said my prayer I started to remember thing after things, situations that I now look back on as blessings, and people I am grateful to have met that i havne't thought of in years. We are given SO much! We don't even realize it. It is that time in our prayers as we thank Heavenly Father for things that we realize how truly blessed we are. So here is a challenge for all who read this! I hope I have friends that read this too, that'd be cool, I like friends. :) PRAY WITH GRATITUDE!! START your prayer with things you are grateful for, don't be selfish and start with things you need. I know that I'm definitely guilty of doing that sometimes, good thing I'm not perfect. I think it's in Doctrine and Covenants, the scripture that says "the song of the righteous is a prayer unto God". I've always thought of that scripture as a song of gratitude to always be in my heart. I've notice as a go about my day and simple say, "Oh I'm super grateful for that!" the day becomes sweeter and I enjoy everything so much more. The ghetto I live in has even become somewhat charming. Yikes. Entonces, mis familia y amigos, tengo muchisimo gracia por todos ustedes! Gracias for todo de su oraciones y pensimientos. Yo siento su amor por me cada dia. Keep being good and remember that you all are so loved by me, Heavenly Father, and your Savio, Jesus Christ. If you somehow have forgotten how loved you are, say a prayer, and your friend the Holy Ghost will help you remember. :) Be good! Be safe! And be member missionaries! We need you. :)

 

Todo mi amor,

Hermana Florence

 

P.S. Sarah and Lucas, I got your letter today! I thought it was a wedding invitation and just about peed my pants. Then I laughed really hard because no doubt that was on purpose.But... Thanks you for writing me! I'll write back very soon!

 

P.P.S. Sara Jenese Curtis, WHERE ARE YOU?? I miss your face and I need to hear from you!

 

P.P.P.S. Mike Cooper, Oh hey. :)

 

P.P.P.P.S. Kid and Camille, I really miss being super freaked in the car on the way to Jason's in the morning when you two would jam to rap music. Love you guys!

Just another day in the Ghetto.

Sup Fam?!

We live in these apartments that are super crazy. I haven't seen a white person since the MTC aside from at the mission office. It's not a bad thing at all! Quite entertaining really! My favorite thing I've heard (at like 5 in the morning after hearing doors slam) was, "Jerom! You know you my man!" And she continued to spout her love...it was crazy and went on for like 10 minutes. So now I say that to my Hnas all the time. 

This morning I was dragged out of bed to go on a bike ride....it should be against the rules to wake up before 6:30.... We went on a ride down by some bayou and then we got donuts, so that made it ok! It was pretty cool this morning though so the bugs were out...mosquitoes...my legs have chicken pox and a think I still have gnats plastered on my face...and my scowl is stuck. Speaking of bikes! Remember how I saw the big hole in my tire after I popped it last week? Well when we went to go get it fixed there was NO hole. And they just had to replace the tubing, which they did for free! Such a blessing! I know it was a true miracle. 

So Angie had her baptism yesterday and it was just SO special! I played the piano for it and forgot there was a second verse when the primary was singing....I got a talking to from the lady in charge...it was in fast spanish so I didn't understand but man...she was cranky. It was kinda of funny and it was hard to keep a straight face with my companions laughing behind her. But Angie and her family are just SO elect! They will get to the temple on day soon, I just know it! Her dad's heart is really being softened and I can just feel a big change coming for him! 

Everything is going great and I'm somehow still alive! I'll send picture's next week...I forgot my card. I love and pray for you all always!! Thank you for being my sweet family. Have an awesome week! Be member missionaries! They need you!!!

All my love,

Hermana Florence