Week 3 (4/22/13)

Hey everyone! Thanks for all the birthday wishes!! It was fun to be here for my birthday, but a lot different. 

We left in snow on Monday. It was heavy snow as I'm sure you all woke up to on the ground. I thought it was amazing and totally awesome, others did not. Hahaha optimistic attitude comes in handy a lot of the time. :) 

The plane ride was great. We had a lay over in Atlanta and I was tempted to go run the streets looking for Elder Miller.... that was our reality check though. We went to get some food and all people would do was stare at our name tags. It really scared us. One woman almost ran into the person in front of her she was staring so hard. We were treated differently. Not in a bad way, but just really really different. It was really hard for me. I almost just wanted to cover my name tag and lose the skirt. But I am a representative of Jesus Christ, and I do not take the lightly. I always said that I wanted to have a sign on me and said I'M A MORMON. Now I do, and it's not what you would expect. Or, it probably is because ya'll are much smarter than me (did you see that? I used that word again...). 

Ok... I'm going to fast again.
For Relief Society on Sunday we had a speaker. FMary Edmunds. Look her up. She is Carrie Neal EXACTLY! It was almost creepy. Slap 30 years on her and they are twins. Now you all know that is a really good thing because we love Sister Neal so much. You can imagine how spiritual and entertaining it was.

One of the things she said was- 

(while holding up her super large missionary journal with tears in her eyes) "Think of how many people and experiences you will miss." That hit me hard. If you are called to serve and you don't fufil that duty to the best of your ability, you may miss people. That is on your head. If they don't hear the gospel from you, who are they going to hear it from?

She also said- 

"If you've thought about going home do what President Uchtdorf said and STOP IT!"

"You will NEVER regret this mission if you put your heart into it."

I wish you could look it up somehow. It was just amazing. 

For music and the spoken word they played A Sound of Music song. I thought of you mom and Kathryn :)

On Sunday we left. We cried for a long time when we had to say goodbye to our Elders. A handshake is just not enough when you come to love these amazing Elders so much. They gave us beautiful blessings and we all just sat and talked. It really was heart breaking. Sister Lee and I cried for a while.

Oh Sister Lee. I miss her so much I cannot even explain it. :(

Also- doesn't Sister Lee look like Sister Kingman? You know she does.

This word is WAY too small I've decided. I don't even think I have time to go over all of the coincidences that I have found already here.

After our first night at the mission home we had a huge long meeting. At the end of those meetings we got to meet our companion. It's very dramatic and special. It's almost like a reaping. They call your soon to be companions name (but you have no idea) then everyone waits in anticipation and they call your name. Dramatic. I know. The Elders hug and I swear they get hand prints on their backs. The Sister Smile and Giggle. Hunger Games, but happy.

Everyone knows Jordan! I can't tell you how many good things I have heard. Someone needs to tell him, someone tell Danny to tell him. Then someone watch as Danny does it because he probably won't. They love Jordan here ;)

I rode a bike with a skirt on for the first time. That was interesting. I did it though! 

My 3rd day actually in Florida we went to a members house for dinner. She is one of the coolest people I have ever met. Her conversion story will blow your mind! I don't have time for it though! I started off meeting people in the right house!!

I am serving in Naples. I forgot to mention. It is as far South as you can get in our mission. My first day was different. We drove for 3 hours with the bishops wife to get to our area.

Everything is messed up right now. We aren't even living in our area and since they just split it all up we are opening a new area. It's been hard and messy work. I haven't even tracted yet because we have so much work to do.

I'm loving it here though! It's amazing the love that you can feel towards people you don't even know yet!

I don't like being 20. It's way too old. Hopefully I'll get over it by the time I turn 21.

My companion made me cupcakes and we had district meeting so everyone sang to me. It was pretty awesome :) 

I still feel like I have so much to say!

A few more things-
They had a speed limit that was 19... weird

EVERYONE HAS DOGS! You could even say everyone and their dog has a dog. That would work. 

We have gotten Lemonade with every meal! 

My milk in my cereal goes lukewarm before I'm done with it.
I saw my first cockroach. 

Got my first bug bite.
Got my first sunburn (I was outside for literally 5minutes) 

And it's HOT and BEAUTIFUL here!

I love you all!

Sister Calder

Week 1 (4/03-4/09/13)

Nicole Calder <nicole.calder@myldsmail.net>	11:25 AM (2 hours ago)
to me, wlbball33

To my amazing family and friends-

I don't have a ton of time, but I feel like I have so much to tell you!

This experience so far has literally been indescribable. Every day I find another reason that I was called to serve at this time and place.

The MTC spirit is crazy.I feel like we are always in a temple. I've only felt the spirit leave twice. Once when our district was having a meeting and an insane (but hilarious) comb-over Elder from our zone came in and started telling us things about another Elder in his district. It was probably the worst feeling. We all laughed and had fun, but then realized how the spirit was completly gone. We said a quick prayer to get it back. Then the other time was yesterday. We hadn't noticed till Monday that we had immunization notices in our packets (don't worry mom, we just hadn't submitted them right and since I had that paper it was all ok) and we went to the nurse. She was kind of scary,and mean. She yelled at us for not paying attention. We felt bad, becuase we were so scatter brained our whole day we didn't notice them. Luckly we had gym right after so we took our anger out in volleyball :)

I feel like I need to start from the begining. I just have SO much to say!!!

The first day wasn't too hard. Yeah, I cried when I left my family, but I was able to pull it all together because I had prayed that I would be able to. We got our name tags, looked at some papers, put our bags away and then did some online stuff with our district. The first time I met Sister Lee we literally could not stop talking. It was so funny! We knew we were meant to be!

Everyone kept saying- "the first day is super overwhelming, but if you make it till Sunday it will be ok."

Honesly, I did not feel that. I felt very at peace and haven't felt overwhelmed... until Monday. I'll get to that later.

We had a little orientation in a room full of hundreds of new missionaies. We sang, "We'll bring the world his truth." Can you imagine? I don't even know if you can. The spirit was... oh man. I don't even know. We were all chocked up by the end, plus we change the words to - "We are NOW the Lords missionaries. It's giving me the spiritual goosebumbs just talking about it. That's when I really felt like a missionary :)

The first night was AWFUL! None of us could sleep! I think we all got like 1 hour. I layed in bed.... thinking.... and staring at the springs. We have to be in bed by 10:30, you would think after a long day you would be able to sleep? Nope. We didn't even know, cuz we didn't dare talk, but all of us were awake all night.

Oh! Sydney Ackely is my roommate!!!! Crazy right?! We could not believe it especailly because she is going to Mongolia! There are 6 Sister in our room. 3 are going to Florida and 2 to Mongolia. Sister Sliger was the other Sister in our room. Her companion didn't show up so adopted her :) All us roommate get along so well. I can't tell you how much we've laughed :)

We are in class all day. It's amazing though! We love our teachers! Our district is probably the smallest anyone has heard of. Our AMAZING Elders are going to South Dakota. There names- Elder's Raia, Edwards, Morse, and Busch. We seriosuly could never exaplin our love for them. They were like family right from the start. Which is good and bad... we could not stop talking.... ever. They feel like our brothers. We tease each other and laugh so hard!

Conference was indescribable. I can't tell you how much more it means when you are there with everyone who is on the same page as you. Not to mention, it is the conference after they made the change and it's still really close to all of our hearts. Everytime they would talk about the missionaries we would all get huge smiles, point to our name tags or laugh. I wish they could have show our reactions to some of the things they said. We have so much pressure! When ever they would say something about missionary work you would see all our heads go down to frantically write what they had to say. Cedar City! That's for you Kailey and Jackie!!! We all gasped as we heard that! Right when President Monson got up to speak I wanted to cry because I was so happy and the spirit was so strong! I loved when they all said they were a witness. It gave me chills and I knew, with all my heart, that it was completly true!

Were ere thou art

Act well thy part.

They said that to us on the first day to so it was cool to hear that again!

I wish I could share everything about conference, but I don't have too much time!

Stay on the Lords side. You WILL win EVERYTIME

-Elder Scott.

CATCH THE WAVE! I can't tell you the laughs we all chucked (wow, I'm speaking like an old person) when he said again, "ASK THE MISSIONARIES"  the funny thing though, it was totally a nervous laugh. Hahahaha. The people here are awesome. Some sisters were sitting behind Elder Busch kicking him every time he dozed off in the very last session.

THEE coolest part of Satuday was when we came back from watching the Young Women broadcast and our Elder came back from Priesthood. They were beaming. I don't think I've seen a happier person in my life. They were literally jumping up and down because they couldn't wait to tell us what they had learned in Priesthood. You have NO idea how happy that made us Sisters. They shared so many things with us. They all wanted to talk and once and just couldn't contain their excitement. The funny thing is, that's how people here are. They gospel is so exciting and fun that we literally shout it and can't wait to share it with others. But that's what it's all about, and that's why we are here so it's pretty much amazing. 

Us Sister's went to be the night with huge smiles and we couldn't stop talking about how much we love our Elder's! Sunday they finallly admitted that they liked us too haha. The love here is amazing!

First session of Sunday was my all time favorite! I think our district would agree. I have so many notes! I loved some of thse quotes-

"A mission is a family afair"

-President Monson

"Missionary work has always been the identifying work of the church of God"

-Presdient Monson

OK! I'm running out of time!

We watched a re-run of a devotional on Sunday with Elder Holland (speaking of, in conference when they said he was going to speak we all cheered. Haha).

It was one of the most powerful and funny things I have EVER watched. I wanted to cry laughing and because it was so spiritual. We were all falling off of our seats. Nothing could be so funny I promise you that Haha I'm still laughing about it.

He said things like- "do you think us old crochity men just sat down, drank a quart of pickle juice and wrote the white handbook." That one had us going for hours and days afterwords.

He also said something like "standing on our tootsie feet." What the?! hahahaha oh my goodness.

The most spiritual thing that hit all of us was (imanine Elder Holland saying this, I promise you willl get chills) "The last words of of my mouth will be, Jesus is the Christ" Oh NO! I can't cry in the computer room. Embarissing. Seriosuly Though!

Oh man. I wish you could all just come here and then this would be heaven. I do not want to leave next Monday at all.

Everyone sings in the showers here. Everyone. It's like a chorus of people. It's so amazing! Also, we sing everywhere else too. And, we talk to each other in the stalls because we have so much to say. TMI I know. We just love each other.

We also pray. All the time. It's so amazing how our prayers have changed. We always pray for investigators. We kneel as a district when we pray and we always sing. We love our district so much. I don't think I've said that yet ;)

Anyways. Monday was when it hit. We were getting better with our investigators. Our confidence was finally up. We went in to meet with a non-member Lawanna. She scared us. A lot. We didn't bring the spirit like we should have becasue we were so concentraed on how well we had been doing. The lesson was a disaster. I was in tears. In the meeting. I pretended like it was the spirit. Perfect timing to share about Joseph Smith, but I had never been so terified. Our hearts were pounding out of our chests as we taught her. She critizized and us and kept asking us why we were there. We shared our purpose, testimonies, and FINALLY she like that Sister Lee said that God loved her. We had already said it a coulpe other times but it must have stood out to her. It's amazing how real these investigators are to us. We think about they all the time and are constantly praying for guidance on how to teach they. She told us to get out of her house, but that we could come back on Wednesday if we found out how to help her know that God loved her.

We cried afterwords. We were terified. The Elders tried to helpe but we felt so embariseed and inadiquite. We then decided to look on the bright side thanks to Sister Lee. We realized that was an amazing experience and that we reallly actaully needed it. We needed to know that this is Heavenly Fathers work. Not ours. That we always need to have the spirit. That we are going to get the door slammed in our face. It was such a good thing we realized that now, instead of later. We have been working hard ever since to find answers to her questions. Really- a lesson on Christ and His Atonement helped us calm down. Thank you to our teacher Brother Lester for that. And for humbing us.

This work is going forth. I can testify of that.

One more thing- funny experience that we are still laughing about today.

We were all in a really good mood after we had calmed down about the whole Lawanna thing. We couldn't stop laughing. EVERYTHING was funny. So funny we were falling out of our seats and coulnd't breath (I'm not exagurating). Then Elder Busch said something funny in an accent that is an inside joke that you wouldn't understand even if I explained, but we all started laughing and Sister Sliger fluffed (it was by far not a fluff, but I feel that is more appropriate) the Elders didn't hear it, but us Sisters rawred with laughter. For at least 5 minutes we laughed. Everytime we would look at her or the Elders we would laugh. The Elder's were laughing at Elder Busch, but we were laughing at something funnier. Then everything triggered that again. We could not control outselves. I have never been like that! We could not concentrate we were dying. After about 10minutes of on and off laughter resulting from everything out teacher told us we needed to take 2 laps around our hallway. We fell over laughing as we walked and every time we saw the Elders. It was so funny. But it made me realize how stressed we were, and that we needed a good laugh so badly. It was a moment we will treasure, and that we probably shouldn't bring up today hahahaha. Oh man. I wish I could put that in a bottle and never forget it. Heavenly Father loves us to laugh though, and I know he laughs with us :)

 My companion Sister Sliger doesn't get much mail, so if you could all go to DearElder.com and send her letters. It doesn't matter what you say, we just want to make her feel loved. Her info is the same as mine except her name! We want to overflow our mailbox with her mail. That would mean more to me than you writing me. If you could all do that, it would be much appreciated. :)

I love it here. I love my companions, our Elders, our teachers, our zone, the friends we've made and the experiences that we've had. I wish everyone in the entire would could feel as happy as I do now.

This work is true. This church is true. Nothing could ever make me deny that fact in my life. We are told to ask people on the FIRST visit/lesson if they want to be baptized. At first we were really sceptical of that, but then our teacher explained that everyone should have a chance to be asked. We should NEVER keep that from anyone. Even if it is weird, some do say yes the first time. Our goal is to help others come unto Christ. I can't wait to find those people that have been prepared for me. I want to teach them and shout all I know about this amazing gospel! I love my savior and the oportunity that I have to be a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ. That is such an honor that I hold so dear to my heart. This gospel means everything to me. I have already learned so much here than I have probably learned in my life time. Share the gospel with others! It will bring you more joy than you can even comprehend!

Also- we are trying to memorize D&C 4. We almost have it, we made up a song to it with the tune- "Called to Serve." We sing it on the way to meals and things.

I love you all more than I can even explain!
I will send you pictures later today :)

Oh- the 15th at 4:00am is when we head to Florida just to let you know. DearElder.com is probably the best option right now for letters!

Oh and thank you Sister Miller for the AMAZING package! We downed the chips and salsa and cookies in one day! :) A letter is coming your way!

With all my love and whole heart- Sister Calder :)

*I need ADDRESSES! And emails please!

The Day the Call Came

I cannot even begin to express to you how impatient I am. It took 2 1/2 weeks for my call to come (I know. So long right?). It felt like eternity. I had gotten everything done with my papers that I needed to within 2 weeks after General Conference. Pretty crazy.
I thought it would come the week before it actually did because I had so many people telling me people were getting their calls in about a week. That week, it didn't come. I was so disappointed, but then I knew that it would come the next week. Longest week of my life. I knew the mail came around a certain time... I was just getting so bugged that I knew I couldn't wait by the mail box, although I have to say, it was SOOO tempting (But really, I would probably look like a freak if I was standing by the mailbox to greet the mailman).
Karly was home for lunch or something so I was just hanging out and talking with her (I only had one class in the morning that day, so naturally, I skipped it). I told her to play me her song on the piano. A few seconds after she started I get a text from Cindy Gocken, it just said- "Mail is here!!!" I freaked out and looked out the window. There it was. I could not contain myself. I started screaming and jumping up and down like a crazy person. I didn't even want to go out there, mainly because I didn't want to be disappointed if it wasn't there. We both watched in silence (ok, that is probably a lie. I'm pretty sure I was just squealing the whole time). I thought for sure I saw him put a big while envelope in the mailbox... but I still wasn't sure. I pushed Karly out the door to go and get the mail. I remember seeing her look into the mailbox and then get this huge creepy grin on her face as she help up the envelope. I screamed so loud! I do not think I have ever been so happy in my life. I kept jumping up and down, laughing and screaming. That went on for about 5 minutes. Me holding the envelope and rolling on the couch and floor (when I am writing this, it sounds super pathetic I have to say...). Karly just laughed at me.
I then started texting and calling people telling them my call was here. I could not believe it! It really didn't seem real. I honestly do not remember what the rest of the day went like...
But I do remember getting ready for the day (it was about 5:00ish) and my call was sitting downstairs. Karly had some friends over. They decided to play a trick on me and tell me that one of her friends (who would totally do this) had opened the call. When I heard them say that, I was literally so mad, that I didn't even say or do anything. I just said- "What an idiot. Don't tell me what it is. I'll open it by myself later." They thought that it was funny, I was pretty ticked. Hahaha. Once I found out that he didn't do it, I didn't let that envelope out of my sight for the rest of the night.
I was planning on opening it at 6:00. Once 6:00 came, my grandma still wasn't there, so we decided to wait. But also, Katelyn wasn't there either. She was at her friends house down the street, even though she knew we were opening it at 6:00. Since I had already had a prank pulled on me, I was feeling a little bit mischievous.
So we decided to call her friend (Kate doesn't have a phone) and joke with her that we had opened my call. Hailee my friend did it. She dialed it and I said, "wait, where should I be going?" she quickly just said- "FLORIDA!"
She called her and yelled so excited, that I was going to Florida on my mission! Katelyn, of course, was ticked. We then waited for her to get home to tell her that we were joking. She was not happy. At 7:00 I finally opened my call. I didn't invite a ton of people, mainly because I think that is what the farewell is for. Besides that, I had a TON of family that almost all live about 30min away on both sides and I didn't want to leave anyone out. So I invited both my grandmas, my cousin Danny, and my friend Hailee ;) (other friends would have been invited if they lived close enough at the time).
I remember just not even knowing what to expect. I had no idea, and the next year and a half of my life was planned right here in this envelope.
Freaky huh?
I thought for sure I would cry.
Surprisingly I didn't.

I opened it and read-
Dear Sister Calder, You are herby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Florida Tampa Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

My jaw dropped. We couldn't even cry because we were laughing so hard. I was not expecting that at all. We had this huge map with almost every state and county covered with peoples names. But not Florida. I was SOOOOOO excited. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the night. Or month really. I got texts and calls from so many people congratulating me. :)
Best. Day. Ever.
Wait, I think I said that in the post where they made the change. Hahaha well, they both were ;)
We then went to Young Women's and Young Mens because they were doing a talent show and my sisters were all doing something together. Before they started, they actually asked me to come up and speak for a second.
Then the tears came.
I shared where I was going and my excitement. Then I shared my testimony of missionary work and this church. It was such an amazing moment to be able to share that with some of my favorite people who I have grown up with and seen grow up. I couldn't have asked for a better night :)
We had planning that wherever I was going that we would celebrate by going to eat food from that place. We had no idea what people in Florida ate... except Alligator and frog legs which we learned on the cruise. So we went to Texas Roadhouse ;) American Food I guess. Haha.
But seriously, I am beyond excited for what lies ahead for me. I can't wait to serve my Heavenly Father and bring my brothers and sisters into the light of the true and everlasting gospel. :)
And I get to back to Florida almost exactly 1 year later! (1 year from my cruise;))

The Day they made the Change

This serisouly was one of the happiest days of my life.
I had to work at 11am on the day of conference. I was super bummed because my family had tickets to go to the Saturday morning session. I begged and pleaded with Macey's to give me the day off. It meant a lot to me to go with them. But I could not get it off. Even to this day right now it is making me mad because what happened and was said in that conference changed my life (dramatic moment) and I could have been there with my most favorite people in the world.
So because of work I was sitting in my work clothes watching conference with one of my roommates. You know- everyone always wants something awesome to happen in conference, a new temple somewhere crazy, they open China, or something insane; but this time it actually happened, and affected me directly.
President Monson started talking about boys that were 18 in other countries going on their missions and how well it was working out. Right then I knew he was going to change the boys age to 18. I was so excited! I didn't even think about him changing the girls. My roommate and I freaked out! I started thinking about all these boys in my ward who would be able to go soon and how great it was not to have that awkward year after high school. Because we were talking about it we almost didn't hear him say that sisters could now go at 19. My jaw dropped. I swear I almost had a heart attack. My roommate and I sat there in awe and then started screaming and laughing. It was AMAZING! I still right now cannot even explain what I felt at that moment. I couldn't even cry I was so happy. On my way to work I sure did cry though ;) I started calling people and people started texting me. I guess people just know me. They knew already that I was going to go. :) while I was at work people couldn't stop talking about it and I was going crazy because I just wanted to call my mom, I couldn't right at first because she was in conference obviously. On my break I texted her and told her I was going. She told me that she and all my sisters already were planning on that :) I love them. :)
Then I drove home after work. Balling. The whole time. It was completely overwhelming. I still don't think it's hit me after 4 months...
I wanted to make sure that I was making the right choice for me, even though I'm pretty sure that I already knew in my heart that I was going to go. Especially since I've wanted to go my whole life. So, I decided to fast and pray on Sunday to get the answer. I prayed the whole drive home and then forever that night and morning.
I don't even remember the definite time when I for sure knew that I was going to go. I think I really just always knew. But when I was fasting and praying I never had a doubt, that is what really made me do it. I remember sitting down next to my mom after the first session was over and telling her straight up that I was going to go on a mission. We both then cried and hugged each other.
Best. Moment. Ever.
Ever since then I have never had a doubt that this is my plan and that I am going in the right direction in my life ;)