I can't believe I ate it...

Dear family,

 

What you are about to read my or may not set of your gag reflex. Proceed reading with caution.

 

Ya'll will NEVER guess what I have been fed this week. I'll start easy and then let ya'll freak.

 

So Sis. Mekini and I were the one's out the other day so we took the lunch appointment we had set up with Sis. Helton. She is super hilarious and leaves little notes on every one's cars on Sunday. She usually either sluffs relief society or sunday school for the deed...we're working on that. :) Anyways, Sis. Helton is just a doll but we were a little nervous to go. We needed to teach the law of chastity to her...she is 82 and has a boyfriend. Apparently because you're older it's a free ticket. It was the most awkward thing to explain what was and wasn't appropriate to her. We had to stop her as she tried to explain certain situations...that's when my appetite was lost. After that awkward 30 minutes it was time to eat. We didn't have the choice of fly infested of not so everything was. We had canned beans, canned chocolate cheesecake, canned jello(yes it exists), and wait for it...SPAM. She told us it was fried. Fried means dipped in oil. It was even harder to stomach than the warm coleslaw from my last area. Afterwards poop Sis. Mekini threw up in the parking lot. She said. "Oh thank goodness it came out that way instead of the bottom. It would have been a messy time." Ha ha ha ha!!!!! She cracks me up! I love that Samoan girl.

 

That was the first adventure. The next night Sis. Mekini and I happened to be out in the evening this time. So we took the dinner appointment. Oh man... It was with a less active family that people have had a hard time getting in touch with so we were really excited to see them! And they are pretty famous in Sunnyside for their BBQ...So ya I had some high hopes! We go in and they are super friendly and just great! We gave a small lesson on Heleman 5:12 and invited them to church. They came by the way! But that's not the bad part...We asked after the lesson if she needed help cooking anything else, she said no. So we waited their patiently. Luckily an active member was also invited over so we had someone else to chat with while they were talking. The lady, Sis. Lou asked what we were having. Sis. Keens answered, "Wild game". Um...you're kidding? Well it would definitely be an experience. I had to explain to Sis. Mekini what wild game was and she went so pale. It was pretty funny! Sis. Mekini asked what kind of animal it was and she says, "Coon". I then had to explain what a raccoon was...I was feeling more and more nervous for this meal. So I asked where abouts she got the coon. Oh no are you ready for this answer? "Oh my husband brought it home this afternoon. He found it on squashed deadon the 90." Road kill. I was expected to eat wild raccoon that was pealed off the asphalt of the highway. Oh man was a sweating in the chair. Sis. Mekini was even wors I think. I didn't really know how to respond so I said, "Oh how resourceful"...Which is just an awkward thing to say so I just added to the awkwardness of the evening. Sis. Lou asked what else we were having and she said onions and carrots. Sometimes life is hard. So turns out I am now able to stomach carrots...if there is coon present. The Keens kept getting up occassionally so Sis. Lou would stick out her purse and we'd hid the coon in our napkins an shove it in there! Ha ha Sis. Lou wasn't about to eat it either. As it was time to go Sis. Keens said, "Well Ya'll really ate up that coon! Here are some left overs!" We tried to refuse saying she should save it for her husband and kids but we left with it anyways... The dumpster on Reed behind the Shell gas station got a treat.

 

Somehow I'm still alive here in Sunnyside. We are teaching a lot of less-actives and meeting lots of new people along the way! Ya'll need to find boodan. It's this spicy dirty rice mixed with sausage all on a sausage casing. You smoke it and it is the best thing ever!! That's the best part about Sunnyside. Everything and their kid has a smoker and if we stop and say hi to someone cooking something we always get something good. :) Boodan. As Judy and Mac say, "Us black people love it." ha ha so dooes this cracker! Did I tell ya'll that story? I was totally called a cracker..It was hilarious.

 

I have been seeing lots of miracles in my personal life. I am changing in ways I never wanted to. I have learned to really become a leader and take charge of situations with boldness. Sometimes it scares me how bold I am, especially in lessons, but when the spirit directs you do it. These people are pretty hard hearted and they need to hear the flat truth. When it's delivered with love it is effective. I've taken Maryn's advice and started to study patience from P.M.G. and coincidently Mike sent me a talk on patience from Elder Wirthlin called "Patience, a Key to Happiness". I'm excited to share with ya'll what I've learned next week. Hopefully I will still be alive, I never know what I'll be fed. :) It's crazy and kinda annoying at times, but I've started to pick up the accent. Can't wait to see how that'll fit together with Spanish.

 

I love ya'll SO much! I appreciate all of the love, support, and prayers I receive from everything. I can feel the love all the way here in Texas! Thank you for everything! Remember to be member missionaries and keep being wonderful examples to everyone. Be good and be safe! Scott, stop strutting around in your speedo...ain't nobody got time for that! :) Love ya'll!!

 

Love,

Hermana Florence

Bruised Everything

Hi there family and friends!

So this week....ha ha ha ha....sometimes in life you just have to laugh and move on. I fell down the stinkin' stairs in our apartment and am quite bruised but alive. Ha ha I feel like someone beat me with a stick! I've been feeling battered lately with everything that has been going on. I feel like I have been banished as a english speaking service missionary and I'm with all of the other sickies. I have been just feelings sorry for myself and i threw a huge pitty party the other night after I fell. First my ego was bruised for being banished, then my body, and now my spirit. Why in the world must I go through these beatings?? What is the purpose? I could have my ego, body and spirit trashed at home. Why here on the mission? Isn't it supposed to be easier here? Ha ha ha...nope. Life is just as hard here, if not harder because I don't have my mom and dad to call every other hour to ask for help. I am learning that I have to "call" Heavenly Father and ask for help. Prayer has become so special to me. I am so grateful that I am able to FEEL not alone, even though I can look around and actually be alone. I have a testimony of angels. Heavenly Father promises us the help of angels as we go through our lives. It mentions in my own patriarchal blessing that I will always have the help of angels through out my life. Elder Nelson said that we have the right and privilege to call to the other side of the veil and ask for specific people to help us. I have asked a couple times for help. And I can FEEL their presence so powerfully. I know that although I have felt very alone lately physically, I don't have to be alone spiritually. I received an email from Mike about picking reasons to keep going while I'm here. It has been so hard to keep going sometimes. But I know why I am out here. I am here for families. Not only to help bless my family at home, but my future family, and the families I will help bring into the fold. I know that families are so important to Heavenly Father. They are essential to His plan and they were created to help us endure this life. When I become discouraged I think of my family at home. I know ya'll have faith in me and pray for me daily, I can feel the prayers. Thank you for all the support and love!

In my studies I have been going through my spanish scriptures and marking the scriptures I would have to have marked for lessons and I'm color coordinating them. Camille would be really proud. :)

I love you all so much and know that I pray for you all individually every day! I loved hear about the Nauvoo trip!! Hope to hear more next week! Sorry, companions want to go...rude...

Love,

Hermana Florence

Be positive, be positive

Dear Family,

 

First, let me just ooze about how jealous I am of your trip!! Everything looks SO SO fun! And surprise, I cried when I saw my Flat Hermana...You guys are too cute!! I'm so glad everyone is enjoying themselves and feeling the special spirit of those great places. I'm so jealous!! Mostly really jealous because...ready for this...

 

President Ashton turned me into an English Service Missionary. Hopefully only for this transfer because I seriously can't do this for very long. I am in the most dangerous area in my mission, Sunnyside. It reminds me of Toy Story 3, "How did you escape Sunnyside? No one ever makes it out of there!"...That's how I'm feeling! I am trying SO hard to be patient, but I'm not sure how long I can last with putting on this smile. Oh I'm also in a quad. Yes, 4 missionaris in a small town house. Two of the sisters have chronic illnesses are physically can't put in a full day's work, Sisters Washburn and Cordova. And Sister Mekini is about to have knee surgery so she will be out of comission for a while. But me? I am like 98%!!! I'm ready to go and work like I was called to do!! We don't get to teach lessons or have investigators, only service. And we don't even get that much opportunity for that. Sis. Washburn seems to think I had my surgery last week and she tried to not let me do anything. I mostly tell her, in a loving way of course, to stuff it and I lift things anyways. I'm perfectly able to carry my own bag!! AAAHHHHHH!!!! Patience patience patience.....I'm trying so hard.

 

Our Branch is small but full of good and kind people. More than half of the branch are assigned to it. Everyone is very loving and we get fed quite a bit, sometimes it's hard to stomach the food but hey, that's the only part of real missionary life I get to keep. So I treasure it. I've been told that you get the most fun stories while in ghetto areas, so far that has proven true! We were in a crack infested apartment complex the other day trying to visit a less active. These two black ladies came out of an apartment accross the courtyard just screaming at each other and ready to throw some punches. I was a little scared for my life. I said a little prayer that they would be kind to each other and after I said amen they both just looked straight at me and said, "What are you looking at cracker?!" I was pretty frozen but wanted to laugh because well...someone just called me a cracker... And then they turned to each other and laughed at how scared I looked and went back inside friends again. They were kind to each other, but at my expense, very funny Heavenly Father, good one. :)

 

Well although I am frustrated with where I am and how little I get to do all day, I still love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I am here for a reason and one day I'll understand reasons for my circumstances. I truly feel so blessed though. Being around such humble parts of Texas my heart aches for those who need help but don't know how to find it. It's the same not only with thier living situations but also how badly they need the Gospel in their lives. Mike wrote me about the big flood that happened in Alberta! I was a little freaked out! But to hear how he explained how everyone was being so generous and giving a helping hand was so amazing. It's the light of Christ in all of us! I am so impressed with people that feel the desire to do good and actually act on it. It makes me sad at how many times I have felt the need to help but didn't because I was too shy. But, when we serve others, we serve God. Why should I be shy to serve Him and His children? I pray that I will never be that kind of person again. At the end of President Monson's autobiography "On the Lord's Errand" Pres. Monson describes how throughout his life he had strived to be someone that the Lord can depend on if He needs an errand ran. I will strive to be the same way! I want the Lord to know that he can count on me to be there for one of His children if they have need of me. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of this Gospel. I know I'd be a completely different person without it. I am grateful for the strength that it gives me, to know that I am a child of God and I have worth and a purpose on this earth. I testify that He loves us so dearly. We are his children and he is waiting for us to come to Him with everything.

 

I love you all and I am so grateful for the support and love you give to me! I love hearing from all of you! Keep being the amazing people you are and always strive to be a little better each day! Be good, be safe, and share the gospel!

 

All my love,

Hermana Florence

One down, many to go

Hello Hello Family!!

I'm being driven a bit insane...I was told this morning that I'm being transferred, but I don't know where. But I talked to President this morning and he said if I could prove myself today and tomorrow that I could handle a semi-normal schedule, then I could stay with my companions in my area! I need to find the line of pushing myself too hard. I want to stay with them so bad!! I think another reason for this surgery was to learn to really appreciate my companions. Seeing them became a serious treat! They are so strong and loving and I couldn't ask for a better support system here in Houston. President gave me a blessing last week in which I was promised dramatic progress with the language. I am ready for that!! I'm ready to get going again and talk with everything and talk constantly in Spanish! I never thought I'd love Spanish this much. 

So I was able to stay with the Martinez Family this weekend, Sister Martinez is the medical coordinator for the missionaries in the mission. They are just hilarious!! Bishop Martinez is Cuban and reminds me of dad, he teases a lot and I just laugh at him. But his daughter Gabby get's so frustrated. Reminds me of home. :) I had an awesome time being able to just play on Sister Martinez's IPad and look around on the Family Search website! I found a couple names that I reserved. Ann Fairfield is one of them. She needs all of the ordinances done and I plan to have my recent convert, Nataly Gomez do the baptism and confirmation for me and I'll then do the others. I think that would be a special experience for her and for me! I found and requested a few others that I plan on sending home. I don't know how to do the actual research...so I just go through the line of the family and look for incomplete work. That's something that I need to learn to do! So something about Nauvoo and an ancestor that I read lots about! William Warren Taylor and his wife Elizabeth Patrick have an incredible conversion story and they are a fantastic example of faith and perseverance! Look them up on the website and read about them! You have to go through the Florence line to get to them. Reading their stories was SO COOL! They were part of the pioneer movement with Far West and everything, so read it before you leave for your trip! They tell about historic land marks dedicated to them! Something else I did while on the IPad was re-watch President Monson announce the age change for missions. I felt the same feelings I did when it was first announced and I feel so much better about being here. My spirit has been lightened and I don't feel so burdened. As hard as this has all been I am learning so much. I was talking to President about this before I left for the Martinez home and he promised that I would rather learn the lesson I need from this trial here on my mission than in a different trial at home. he said, Don't make Heavenly Father have to try to teach you again. It was a little slap in the face for me. I know I can do this. I know that I'm not alone in my trials. 

I love you so much family! I am so incredibly grateful for ALL of you. Thank you for all of your love and support. You are all a big part of the reason I am here! Dad told me that Brayden is a stud, well of course, doing all sorts of flips. And Charley says and loves SHOES!! Oh that girl! Can I please be sent some pictures of her messy face covered in cake?? Camille said she annihilated the cake!! I pray everyone is so happy with everything! I'm jealous of the Nauvoo trip some of you are taking, you'll be pretty close to me for a short time...only a few hours! Think of me! Keep being good and know I love you so much!

Funny story, I face planted walking into the library today...don't worry, I haven't changed much. :)

Siempre con amor,

Hermana Florence

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