25 November 2013

Hola!

 

Happy Week of Thanksgiving! So fun to be in the Holiday season! Grandma and Grandpa Carlson already have had guests coming and going! It is so fun and they already put up their Christmas tree so tis the season! It is so wonderful to be doing the work of the lord!

 

We had one lesson last Monday with Martha. Our recent convert! She is always just so happy and loving despite her struggles and it is so fun to be around her we just laugh and laugh! The rest of the night we finished weekly planning!

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Tuesday we had a fun event for district meeting where we did workshops, learning from all of the district leaders instead of just our own! It was great! They split up companionships so they could be open and honest, and learn.  That was good! I gained so much from the wonderful leaders and it is hard sometimes to overcome our natural selves, but it is worth it for the area/work, the companionship and most importantly for yourself. Then, we picked up some new investigators named Maria and Gerardo. They have 4 cute little kids. I think their interest right now springs from curiosity, but we know there can be more. I am excited to see where they go!

 

 Wednesday we went to the Oakland Temple. It was a little rainy, but wonderful of course! It is a lovely temple! Our ward mission leader, his wife, and her mother all came along with us! It was great! The temple is such a calm and peaceful place.  I love to be there! I understand more and more every time I go - why it is the goal, and why it is so important! The best part was that we were in the session where a family was taking out their endowment and then being sealed right after. It was just a beautiful thing to see all of the family together as we were leaving! Then we set up an appointment with a potential investigator named Jaime so we will see how that goes this week!

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Random comment: One thing fun that has happened this week is that because there are so many missionaries in our little branch we, the sisters, have started to eat with an English ward. It has been a crazy transition but fun to be in the homes of members who I don't know at all!

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Thursday we got to be part of the technology process of the Church giving direct input on the Area Book app. A man from Salt Lake came to see how we use our app. and also to get direct suggestions for the tech team! He also had us think of what would make the app. better and more usable for future missionaries! It was awesome to think out of the box and really think about what would make it better! Problem solving -- my favorite thing! Then I went on exchanges to Rio Vista! Rio Vista is a small town right off of the Sacramento River. For the first time in a while I got to stand next to a large amount of water! It is a small little place, but it is really fun! I read about Humphrey the Humpback whale who came and visited and it was just a wonderful experience! We visited some of their potentials that were a few years old and they totally still lived there. It was crazy to me, but awesome! Then I had a weird language study, because I was with an English Sister, but it was still fun!

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Friday I came back to Fairfield after having a little sister drama that all got worked out! We taught  our new investigator Santa. She loves everything we tell her, but she is not keeping her commitments yet.  We are just working on that! In the evening we taught our new investigator Brandy! She is loving it all too and she is reading the Book of Mormon but she doesn't want to do anything too fast so we are just going to take it little by little!

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On Saturday we had an amazing day because we got the 20-3-1, before 5:00! It was awesome to feel so accomplished! The reason why it is going so well is because of facebook. Both Hermana Hernandez and I are truly finding people on facebook! Right now I have four real potentials that are really looking good! It was an awesome week with that. We went to a member's house for dinner.  Her name is Lolly and she is a new convert. She was baptized in Rio Vista but had temporarily moved to Fairfield because of work. She takes care of her older friend that broke his leg  We had dinner with her and Sunny (her friend) and it was fun! Then we worked on our planning for this next week in the evening!

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On Sunday we had our ward council meeting, which was good! Oh, every ward, or branch, I guess, are so different. There are all different ways to do it and luckily it all gets done! One thing we are struggling with is having the sisters quiet down for Relief Society. There aren't that many but they are sure do love to talk! We had some awesome facebook time! I was talking with people a lot so that was good.  My problem was [getting] them [to] take it all seriously.  I am working on it! We had the meeting of leaders which is always good. I like to think about helping the zone even though I am not a leader!

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So it was great week! Things are moving right along and it is just amazing to be a part of it! Today we are having a sisters day with the 6 of us and going to the Solano Mall.  That will be a fun a activity! Que les vayan bien esta semana para ustedes! Hasta Luego!

 

Los quiero!

 

Hermana Cornwall

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18 November 2013

Hola,
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 There has kind of been a little bit of the blues in our zone this week! We are just getting half-way through this transfer, but I am trying to take in the bad and come out with good. I find that that is the decision you have to make as a missionary. Everyone said it was hard so if you focus on that hard part of life it is just going to be hard but if you make it through the day and plop into bed and wake up the next morning remembering what made yesterday horrible then it just continues rather than ending! So, even when there are blues in normal life just go with it because you have the best coach we could ever ask for and that is our Savior Jesus Christ! This metaphor actually turned out quite nicely when it wasn't even planned! Also you need to put people in your life that will help you cheer up in those down times! .
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This week was horribly awesome, as always! I say horrible in that through numbers we didn't accomplish much, but it was a week of aiming high with High expectations. (If I said this already you can take it out!)For those that have heard, Mom, all of the California mission presidents had a little conference with President Ballard a few weeks ago. It was a call to say that the state of California is now the example for the world of doing missionary work! He has given a call of High Expectations! Now these can be a little disheartening, but it is the only way we can progress in this work! More explanation will come of how this has all gone into effect. .
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On Monday we did a little service for the Langarica Family. Then they fed us dinner. They are not in the branch, but they offer to feed us every now and again since our branch is so small and there are so many of us. We had pasole (I don't know if that is how you spell it!) It is a soup with these expanded pieces of corn then with meat and seasoning. I have had it before, but it tasted really good! Brother Langarica has some Latin background. It was fun! Then, we just had a night of contacting without any appointments and it was fun.
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Tuesday we had an awesome district meeting as always! We learned about using the Book of Mormon in our contacts! Then we ate with the other sister missionaries for lunch. Grandma and Grandpa (Carlson) get us Chick-fil-A every Tuesday for lunch.  We ate that with the sisters and it was so fun. Then we went contacting and had our miracle of the week! The first door we knocked on opened and we taught her for 30 minutes about the Plan of Salvation! One thing I love about Hermana Hernandez is that she leads off with telling people about the Plan of Salvation because it really speaks to people. It really spoke to Santa too and I am very excited to see where it goes. We met as the missionaries of the branch and talked about dong an English class to find more investigators and then we did a group language study after which was a little silly but really fun!
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Wednesday we went to an appointment with our investigator Marisol, but she wasn't there. Then we had our Weekly lunch at the Hernandez home! They are such a kind family to support the missionaries. Her husband gets off of work at 12:00pm so they feed us at 1 and then he goes to sleep right after! Then we taught a recent convert Hermana Horta about being strong in the Church even when she feels alone. We watched the Mormon Message - Dare to Stand Alone. Oh, it is so fun to have an 8873! We had another canceled lesson so we contacted on what we call the man streets. They each are named after like presidents or something I am not really sure but they are the man streets. We also got our 20 contacts for the day so we felt very good. The only problem is that it is starting to get cold. I guess I was just too accustomed to Southern California weather but it isn't as bad as Provo so it is good!
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 On Thursday we had our interviews with President Alba. They come every 6 months and mine came just in time. He helped me to really understand about these new high expectations and be able to work on them. Sister Alba talked to us about what Elder Ballard said.  She really focused on what we need to pray for everyday and every prayer - How we need to teach - How to get the members on our wagon and really just becoming better missionaries over all! Then I went on exchanges with Hermana Zurita! She is an awesome Missionary! Originally from Bolivia and I learned so much from her! I am always amazed by the awesome people I get to meet, it is awesome! We had dinner with a less active named Khany who is in her early 30s. There are not many people her age in the branch so I think she liked a little sister time. She took us out to Black Bear Diner! It was fun! Then of course it was a day of 5 canceled appointments, but it was still awesome!
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We drove to Rio Vista on Friday morning to switch back! We went to a lesson with Santa again. We talked about the Book of Mormon and finished up the Plan of Salvation! It was great! We did planning most of the rest of the day! We did have a unique call from som one we contacted that is not in our area but wants us to come visit him. His name is Saul and he talked to us on the phone for 45 minutes. It was funny to hear him try so hard to get us to come over, but we knew for many reasons that we should not.
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Saturday we taught a less active, Anallely with her cute baby about the priesthood because her husband isn't a member.but she is just at a difficult time of life to be able to go to church by herself and things We tried to help her see the importance of it all! We went back to the man streets because we had an appointment with someone that we contacted! He was very interesting because he knew a bit about our church and was interested in the Book of Mormon but was still questioning it all.  We will see!
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Sunday I taught gospel Principles which was fun! It was on the signs of second coming! A topic with a positive ending, I think! Then we had dinner with the Branch Presidents family and just went out to work! There was the leaders of the zone meeting which was fun! Oh boy, it is fun! I can't believe I get to do this everyday! It is the scariest, most awesome, and craziest thing I have ever done! I never regret it though because it is all for the Lord! Don't forget that you can do it too!
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Love you all lots and lots and thank you for your love and prayers!
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Love ya, Hermana Cornwall
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God always offers you a second chance it is called tomorrow!

11 November 2013

Hola,

Como estan? This week has been awesome as always! I love my area, I love my zone, I love the Branch and I love my companion! It is all just awesome! It is amazing how things are just developing and growing and just going and going! The work never stops, only we do! 

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On Monday one of our investigators dropped us, which means she called us after she missed her appointment and said that she wasn't really interested anymore and that she would call us. It is a bummer, but it is better to be effective with our time than to just be busy

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We had an awesome district meeting on Tuesday! Elder Garity is my district leader, he is also another missionary in the branch and he is nearing the end of his mission. He is awesome! I love learning from him.  He is so kind and full of wisdom. I am excited for the rest of the transfer! We at dinner with Hermana Horta and her family. She is a recent convert. We had Lenguae(cow tongue), it is the second time I have had it. It is good, but if not cooked perfectly it is a funny texture. We had some missionary bonding over eating some chiles! I had very little but it was fun! We taught a lesson to their family.  They are struggling with keeping the sabbath day holy because of soccer.  We are just continuing to help him! Then we met with Andres. He is such a solid member and is sharing the gospel.  He is just doing awesome! 

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Wednesday we had facebook training with the tech. Elders. It is amazing how they are always improving and making things better! We learned more about finding investigators online in our area and also passing off  investigators to missionaries in their area. Later we taught a lesson to one of our investigators. Her name is Marisol and it was a do or die lesson. That means that it can either mean that we drop them or feel that we should continue teaching them. It was a great lesson. At the end after her prayer she kind of broke down to us to tell us that she really desires to know the truth.  She just doesn't know where it is. The only problem was she didn't come to church this week.  We will see about everything!  I found one of our current investigators on facebook and we chatted for a little bit and she really opened up about herself. It is really amazing how much people tell us in person but they tell us even more online. So I am glad to know more about her and to help her. I started a crazy few days of 2 exchanges. Hermana Hernandez did two exchanges back to back as a Sister Training Leader, which means that I was without my companion for two days in an area I barely know.  It was a little rough, but it all worked out. We went to teach Deisy and Manuel with a member and it ended up being an hour and 45 minute lesson with lots of topics, helps and craziness.  I hope we touched them in someway. By the way, I was with Hermana Santiago at this time. It was good but we hope to keep it more simple this week! 

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Thursday we taught a less-active named Graciela. She is the only member in her family which makes it hard for her to do everyting.  She has good desires.  She just needs to act on them. It was a great lesson and it was nice to get to know her. I drove to Rio Vista to say hello to my companion and then to switch my companion to Sister Andreasen. Then we taught Jose. He is a less-active also and he works most Sundays.  We always have hope! We had a rougher night finding people, but it went well. I think I kind of scared her by taking her to a sketchier part of town but it all worked out.

 On Friday we had a baptism in the Branch! It was awesome! The story is that the daughter was contacted on facebook and then her whole family ended up taking the lessons too and they were all baptized! It was awesome! I played the piano, which I tend to be doing a lot lately and the Albas were there and it was really wonderful!

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On Saturday we picked up new investigators that were a referral from a member. They accepted the Restoration and accepted to be baptized! It was awesome! The rest of the weekend was wonderful and it was fun to learn more about the branch and everything. It is quite a wonderful just to love others and I wouldnt change it for the world! Love you all lots! Listen to the prophets!

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-Hermana Cornwall

04 November 2013 - Fairfield

Hola,

I am not too much farther away, but I feel like I am in a whole different world and I love it! Fairfield is awesome! The first thing is that I have an awesome companion Hermana Hernandez. She served in my zone for the my first 2 transfers, so I already know her decently well. She is from Fresno California. She is a Spanish native to the language and is an awesome missionary. The wonderful thing about knowing your companion before is that you are already friends and then you just go from there. We have really gotten along amazing well and I am just so excited for this transfer. 

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There is a Spanish branch here in Fairfield. They are great! I met them on Sunday and they are small but strong! There are 3 sets of missionaries in the branch which covers Fairfield and Cordelia, a neighboring town.  Hermana Hernandez and I actually cover part of Cordelia also! The first set of missionaries in Fairfield east is Elder Foster and Elder Wright. Shout out to Aunt Terri - Elder Wright is from Gilbert Arizona and said he knows you! There is also a trio with Elder Garity (this is his last transfer and he is my district leader), Elder Smith (a greenie) and Elder Fonseca who I actually knew already kind of sort of [Elder Fonseca is from Duarte]. I am  now very excited to actually get to know him.  I have some awesome Zone leaders Elder Walker and Elder Terrill. They are awesome and fun.  I know how awesome they are because my companion is the Sister Training Leader over the zone and so I get to be in all of the meetings with her!

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I have just been amazed by how much love I have received here and I already feel so comfortable and happy.  It can't get much better than this! Oh, and the part I forgot to mention was that we live with members! The are the Carlsons.  They are probably in there late 70s maybe 80s - I don't know. They ask us to call them Grandma and Grandpa and they leave fruit out for us and little goodies on the table.  They give us a goodnight kiss everynight. I love them and I can't imagine anything better! Anyway...every day I am just overflowing with happiness about Fairfield. The work is a little dry at the moment.  We do have quite a few less-actives, more than Davis, and their is always plenty of potential.  So that doesn't get me down at all.

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Marychury's daughter Miranda and Marychury

My last few days in Davis were a little sad. I had my last meal with the Familia Perez. they have truly been my home away from home and I am so glad. Then I had my last lesson with Brandon the Nephew of Marychuy. When I told him I was leaving he asked if he could give me a goodbye hug. I felt horrible that I had to say no, but rules are rules. Then saying goodbye to Marychuy was also hard. She has been the rock in Davis and I know she will single handedly change the work there!

Investigator Brandon on the right

.Then Tuesday We had our last supper as missionaries of the branch at the familia Contreras. They are so sweet to feed the missionaries every Tuesday! Then we had an amazing lesson with Antonio. He is totally going to get baptized really soon and I am so happy for him! He is reading the Book of Mormon and going to church and open to all of it! I am so grateful to have been one of the missionaries in his progressing. 
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Wednesday was transfer day. I only had to drive about 45 minutes to Fairfield, hooked up with my companion and then I met Grandma and Grandpa. Moved in a little and then we were off! We just did some contacting and then we had a lunch appointment with one of the families in the ward! In the evening I taught my first lesson with Daisy and Manuel. They are a young couple that have been investigators for a while. Hermana Hernandez just barely picked them up.  They are newly investigators again. She is ready to be baptized but he doesn't feel the passion to go to church over his passion to play soccer. We really think he is ready to change so we are excited to see what happens. Then I met a recent convert named Andres! He is awesome and progressing as a member quite well!

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Thursday was a fun day of Halloween! We had a normal day until after our dinner with Andres. We had few appointments, but if all of those fell through we were supposed to do weekly planning. We did do a little weekly planning that night and Grandma and Grandpa asked us to pass out candy for a little while and that was fun.  It turned out to be a pretty calm night which was fun!

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On Friday we had our awesome zone meeting! Like I said before the zone leaders are awesome and so is my companion! It was great just to learn and progress!!! Then we taught Brandy! Side note: The funny thing about coming to a new area is that you get told about everyone that you teach and everyone in the branch but you forget about all of them. This happened with Brandy.  Brandy, just has a crazy backstory, so that was cool. The thing that makes it weird is that we are only teaching Brandy because we are girls. We are the only Sisters in Fairfield. There are two other sets of sisters, but they are both in Rio Vista! S,o we are teaching Brandy and she is awesome. She has a Mormon family outside of her original family.  She knows a lot about the Church and is so ready.  We will see what happens!

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On Saturday we had a slower day but the best part of it all was meeting Martha. She us a recent convert and she is awesome and funny. I already love her and I am so excited to get to know her even more!

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On Sunday it was great to get an extra hour of sleep and this morning it was so nice to have so much light while we went on our morning walk! It was great to meet the Branch.  They have so much potential and I am excited to be part of the trail to reaching it!

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So now long story short, which it isn't really that short, Fairfield is awesome! I am in love with it already! I will be excited to tell more and more of my adventures here in Fairfield doing the work of salvation!

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Love ya,

Hermana Cornwall

Famalia Rodas

Sister Cornwall's new room