Week 40 (1/6/14)

This week has been awesome! We didn't get to stay up on New Years... even though it is my 3rd fave holiday haha. I don't think I could have, we're just so exhausted by the end of the day anyways that I don't think we could have. We even set our alarm for11:58 to just up and celebrate... but I think I turned it off in my sleep haha. 

We had our first legit online lesson! So cool! We taught this awesome guy all about the Book of Mormon with videos and scriptures! It's nice being able to think about what you are going to say before! Unless you accidentally put enter like I did haha :) We still do it 2 by 2. SO we both sit at the computer and do it just like a normal lesson. 

I hit my 9 month mark... that was pretty sad. Everyone keeps saying I'm just down hill from here. Too bad I'm always at the top of the mountain and there's no way down! SO there's no down hill! :) I love it. 

We met some awesome converts in our ward! I love interacting with them! They have the cutest light and spirit! :)

We drank hot chocolate cuz it got to 48..... We decided that it's so cold here because it's always hot and then there's just a random day where it will be cold without warning so that's why I'm a baby now..... that's our excuse at least. 

This week I have really realized how much joy the gospel brings into my life and into the lives of those around me. It's the greatest joy, but it can also be the greatest sorrow to see someone you love fall away. I have realized the 2 times that I have had someone tell me that they weren't going to church anymore was the deepest sorrow I have ever felt. I have prayed my whole mission to see others as Christ does, and I think that's why it devastates me so much to see people choose to fall away. It honestly breaks my heart into pieces. It makes me realize how much Heavenly Father really loves us and how much it hurts him to see his children lose their way. 

This gospel is the ultimate source of true, everlasting happiness. I know that there is NO other way. I love it! :) it is true! How could it not be!?:) and if you don't have that testimony, all you have to do it ask :) it's so simple!  

I love you all so much! :)

Keep the faith! 

Love, Sister Calder :)

Week 33 (11/18/13)

I saw my first zombie meth head the other night.... that was pretty freaky. He was SUPER high... we were biking in the middle of the night too. Well... 8:00 is the middle of the night now I guess. He crossed a pretty busy street and then I just biked right past him..... he really was acting like a legit zombie. I am a true believer now. It was kind of freaky. I basically just laughed cuz I felt so uncomfortable. Especially cuz he said some pretty weird stuff. Then that night Sister Beck and I were sitting in bed and realized how creepy it was. Ewwwwww.

Also.... carma is real. Remember how I was bragging about the weather. The NEXT DAY is got down to 59 degrees. It. Was. So. Cold. HOLY COWS! I wore my coat biking one night. It went away now. It's back to nice summer/spring weather but we might have froze that night sleeping outside. Our beds are inside now. :)

I ate only the 3rd thing I didn't like on my  mission this week.

#1 Cactus

#2 Stuffed Cabbage

and this week #3 a lettuce mayo (lots of it) peas, onions (raw) and cheese salad.

It was hard.

There was a man sleeping on the roof of our stake center. We pulled up after DM and saw him. It was so weird! I have a video of us talking to bishop on the phone he like didn't believe us. It was hilarious! Really random. It ended up being a kid from our ward. He said he was board, so he started walking around on the roof and then fell asleep. It helped that he was wearing a really weird costume that he had on from some school thing that day. Hahaha. The police came, then we found out it was him. Good stuff.

On Thursday... I think....(Nov 14th) it was EXACTLY 1 year since I got my mission call! Crazy eh!?

I threw some fish chum in the water.... stinky fish. I think I can make that a talent on my list now ;)

I ate grits... a southern food which is actually pretty good!

We had interviews... which were super good. Haha

I fell asleep while saying an out loud prayer... haha it was for like 2 seconds but I totally dreamed.... it was SO weird! My comp didn't even notice. But we laughed pretty hard after haha

I have really recognized the spirit. I realized when that zombie guy walked by how the spirit didn't really leave, but how it was so different and weird. We could just feel it. Also, we went into an investigators house and right when we walked in, we both looked at each other and Sister Beck asked me if something was off. I was so glad she said something cuz I could totally feel it. She's kind of into black magic... so we think it was something to do with that. But it's been amazing to be able to recognize it so much! I love this work SO much! Also.... we are totally hastening the work! It's working and I love it! Being a part of this work makes me SO happy! I love being a missionary and I love being here with these amazing people!

I love you all SO much! ;) Keep hastening this amazing work! :)

Love, Sister Calder

P.S. To the youth of the Harvest Hills 4th ward (the best ward in the world)-

I love you all SO much! I just got your letters about a month ago and I loved them all so much! I honestly wish that I had time to write ya'll back but I really don't! Maybe one day! Thank you for lifting my spirits! I got them at exactly the right time! I really needed some uplifting! You all are so amazing! It's still weird that I babysat most of you and now you are all young men and women! Keep up the good work! I know that this world is insane... but please stay strong in what you know to be true! Even if all you know is that the Book of Mormon is true. Hold on to that forever and as you continue doing what you know, and your testimony will grow! Even if you aren't planning on going on a mission, prepare like you are. It will help you stay close to the spirit and help those around you! Cuz remember, this work is TOTALLY hastening! And I promise, you want to be a part of it! It's the greatest work IN THE WORLD. Nothing will stop it! This is the true church! I know it is with all my heart! These are for sure the last days and we have all been saved and prepared for this time. Remember who you are, and what you stand for! We are all part of this great army that will bring the people of the world the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love you all so much! I know it's hard... but here's the big secret to get through it.

Pray. Fervently to your Heavenly Father multiple times a day.  

Read and ponder the scriptures.

Read and listen to the words of the modern day prophets.

OBEY YOUR PARENTS.

Love those around you!

Serve EVERYONE.

Live the standards in For the Strength of Youth.

and last but not least,

Share the gospel with EVERYONE!

Being a missionary will help you stay focused on spiritual things rather than the things of the world :)

I know. So simple. But SO true. :)

I love you all so much! My line (don't call me haha) is totally open if you need help with anything you can email me or write me! I'm here for you!

Love, Sister Calder