Week of April 28th

This week = THE BUSINESS!

So Friday we had an appointment with Cole and our other investigator Davida.

We met with Cole and his mom, signed the baptismal record and then Cole went in for his interview with one of the elders.  We had a chance to get to know his mom, turns out she isn't a member and doesn't really know a whole lot about baptism.  She just knows that it will benefit her 12 year old son in the long run. 

After Cole and his mom left, Davida came to the church building where we were going to have her appointment as well. We went into the room with the baptismal font and opened up the doors and set the chairs up right in front of it (can you see where I'm going with this? haha) We showed her a video on baptism and invited her to be baptized. She said yes! She and her grandson who is 9, are getting baptized this Saturday. She had an awesome experience while she was at temple square a couple days prior. She went into the Joseph Smith memorial building, and ended up talking to what sounded like a senior missionary. The missionary asked her what brought her to temple square, to which she replied "I'm getting baptized.". At that point she hadn't even committed to be baptized, she said that without even thinking  she just said it! She knew that was Heavenly Father giving her the push she needed.

So Cole got baptized Saturday-

 

and we had another investigator come and attend. Her name was Leanne and she was married to a guy who was a member. Leanne had had all the lessons and even had a calling in the ward! But she felt like she was being pressured to be baptized so she pretty much told everyone to step off. Well, she came to Coles baptism and loved it. THAT NIGHT, we get a call from our ward mission leader telling us that Leannes husband is going to talk to her about getting baptized and he thought there was a VERY good chance she was going to say yes. 

Me and Sister Nelson were both BLOWN AWAY! We prayed so hard that night that Leanne would follow through...

 

THE NEXT DAY, we filled up the font-

 

and Leanne was baptized with a total of like 7 people in attendance. We had an opening prayer, the baptism, the confirmation, closing prayer, short and sweet just how she wanted it. Does this blow anyone elses mind? Because it blows mine!

 

We had ward council with our newly called bishop this yesterday and it was so uplifting. The work in the Kimball ward is going to be ON FIRE! There is so much work to be done but the bishop and everyone else in the ward is ready to go. 

It snowed this morning..like really snowed.

 

Ive decided to stop asking "why?!" when it comes to this Utah weather. 

I love it up here though, its a little piece of heaven.

 

This is a picture of me on the phone with an investigator...  A little Jewish man came into the Tree the other day and said he had read the Book of Mormon and wanted to know more-  I spoke to him for about an hour and then he called and had me on the phone for another hour and a half!  It was pretty awesome!

 

The Lord is in everything, in every baptism, in every lesson. This is his work, and I feel so blessed to be apart of it.

Love,

Sister Efnor

Oh and one last pic for the road... This is the Elder I gave a shiner to while playing a game on P-day.  Funny thing, he was going around saying to everyone that would comment on his black eye that they should have seen the other guy.  Finally he said it in front of one of the Sisters, who wasted no time to correct him and say "Don't you mean you should have seen the other girl!"  We have had some good laughs over it.

Easter Sunday in Park City...

Hey everyone! 

The snow is finally starting to melt here in Park City. Halleluyerrr, this Arizona girl needs some SUN! 

Easter Sunday was the best! 

So our investigator, Davida, was debating on whether she was going to come to church on Sunday or not because all of her kids are in town and she wanted everyone to be together on Easter. We told her about the Easter program and how the primary children get up and they sing, we told her that if she wanted, we would love to practice with her grand kids so they could know the songs by Sunday. She thought it was a great idea and decided she would come to church with us!  So on Friday and Saturday we went over and practiced with three of her grand kids. We showed them on lds.org how they could listen to the songs even when we weren't there. 

The next morning at church Davida, her roommate Terri, Davida's daughter in law, and 3 of her grand kids all came to church! We filled up a whole pew! Before church started we went into another room to practice with the kids some more, they knew the songs by heart! They had been practicing allll night so that they could go up and sing loud and proud.

When we went back to sit with the rest of their family the little kids started singing while we were in the chapel, it turned a few heads. Davida asked us if it was okay that they were singing in the chapel, me and sister Nelson said it was totally fine and they can sing all they want.  It warmed mine and sister Nelsons heart sitting in the pew listening to these three sweet spirits sing about Christ and how he is risen! 

Time came for them to go up and sing during sacrament with all the kids and they did GREAT!  We were some proud sister missionaries that Sunday.

After church we went and visited with some families and shared and Easter message.

We were on shift for the tree that night from 5 to 9, so when it was really slow Sister Nelson and I went upstairs and colored some Easter eggs! haha 

I thought it was going to be really weird not having Easter at home, but getting to sit in a whole pew with Gods beloved children was the best feeling ever. There is no greater work, ive never done something that was so fulfilling or that brought me so much happiness and joy. 

With Sister Nelson and I being companions, everyday is literally a party.  Im convinced that no other companionship has as much fun as we do.

Im so grateful to be serving here in Park City. I feel so blessed to be a missionary, and to have the knowledge that He is Risen! I hope you all had a MAAVELOUSS Easter Sunday! I love you all! 

Sister Efnor

Church Bulletin Board...

 Workin at the "Tree" is the Besssssstttttt!

 Planning meeting...

Low cal. taco's... Gotta watch the waist line!  The last six months of a sister missionaries mission is dedicated to losing weight if you gained it.  They call it "6 months to get sexy" haha...  (These members just feed us to much good food)

 Last one of My comp and myself at the -Tree-

Hola!

So it was starting to get bright and sunny, then yesterday a blizzard decided to crush all the hopes and dreams of Sister Efnor...  but really, I am loving Park City. 

Monday 

I was introduced to a game called speedball. Its basketball, soccer, and ultimate Frisbee all in one. 

During the game I went to jump up and grab the ball when all of a sudden, my lack of physical exercise and increase in food caught up with me. While in the air both of my calves cramped up, Ive never had a bear take a bite outta my leg before but Id imagine that if one did it would feel something like that. Quickly, gravity brought me back to the ground in a not so graceful manner. Everyone thought that from the look on my face I had broken something. Nope. Im just getting fat and out of shape. So yeah, that was embarrassing.

This whole week has been pretty solid.

Friday Night 

After we had knocked on every door that we could think of, me and Sister Nelson looked at each other and both had the same thought to go and visit one of your investigators. Her name is Davida, and she is a gem. She is a grandma and is such a strong woman. Sister Nelson said that she and her previous companion had never gone to her house unannounced, well..there's a first time for everything!!  We knock on the door and Davida answers, she was so happy to see us. Turned out that she had taken her grand kids and her roommate all to go ice skating. Her roommate Terri fell and hit her head hard while skating and was taken to the hospital. While in the hospital Davida said that she had the thought to call us to see if we could come and visit but decided not to because she didn't want to bother us. She thought it was such a tender mercy that we just so happened to stop by that night, we went to the back room where Terri was and said a prayer with her and offered to have the elder come by in the morning to give her a blessing. The next morning we went over and gave Terri and blessing, Davida was in tears after the blessing and 10 min after we left we got a text from Terri saying that her headache went away. 

Sunday

Davida came to church and sat by us during sacrament. After Gospel essentials she said that she needed to get home to take care of her grand kids and Terri, when we were walking her to the door and looked out the window..it was snowing (of course, in april..snow) anyways, Davida looks at us and asks if this could be a sign that she shouldn't go home but that she should stay for relief society. Me and Sister Nelson both went "YES!". We dropped her off at relief society and after we were done subbing for a primary class we went to meet up with her. She told us that she has a friend that was LDS and left the church, and now her friends kids dont have any kind of religion and are kind of lost in life. Davida said that as head of her home she thinks that she needs to commit and be baptized and set the example for her kids and grand kids. Me and sister Nelson were floored, we were so happy for her! 

We knew that heavenly father had answered ours and Davidas prayers. 

Other things that happened this week..

I saved a squirrel that was trapped in a neighbors backyard. 

We were able to hit 20 lessons this week, and are looking to increase our efforts and faith as time goes on. 

Funny story ( Me and sister Nelson constantly find ourselves in tears from laughing so hard but heres just one experience that we had)

So last night we were stopping by whoever we could so we could hit 20 lessons this week. We stopped by and investigator that they had dropped awhile ago, Sharlene. We came in and talked, shared a message and sang her a hymn. Then came time to pray. Sister Nelson volunteered, so right when she is about to wrap it up Sharlene yells (literally yells) right in the middle of the prayer "MOST IMPORTANT!". Mine and sister Ns head shoot up for fear of our flippen lives to see what the heck is most important! Then she says "Pray that i will find a job for the summer, Lord i need a Job!". We both looked at each other and bowed our heads again as we tried to contain our laughter. I had to bite my jacket to keep  from laughing as sister nelson prayed that she we find a job. 

If your not laughing then i guess you just had to be there hahaha because it was hilarious. The end.

Thank you all for the support and love you give me. It helps more than you know. 

I love this work and I love the people i serve with and the amazing people that i am meeting everyday. I am constantly blown away at how the Lord is preparing our brothers and sisters to partake in the blessings of baptism, but its up to us to find them. Go find em bothers and sisters!

Love sister Efnor

Easer Packages!  Thank you to all who sent me mail and are always so thoughtful!  I love you all!

 My comp and I were laughing so hard when we pulled this outta our baskets from Mom...

 Uncle Sam!  Love you!

I cannot even begin to tell you how badly I wanted to jump on for a ride!!

 Oh, and I also rescued a puppy!  I want him!

View from the "Tree" and one for Ronnie...

(I do what I want! haha)

Oh the Lord is a funny, funny man.  You'll never guess where and who I'm with.

Monday, March 31st

We knew we were going to be getting a text from the Zone Leaders of who was going to be getting transferred, but me and Sister Villoso knew we weren't going to be separated.  I mean..how could they?!  We were picking up new investigators and things were really starting to roll in the Monument Park stake. 

While I was in the shower I hear a yell.."OH NO PRECIOUS! This is some great joke!".  I knew right then I was getting transferred.  Frustration doesn't even begin to describe.

Tuesday

I packed in the morning, that in itself was a miracle.  It ended with me standing on top of my suitcase jumping up and down while Sister V tried to zip up the darn thing.  We had a couple of appointments that morning and then we headed to the mission office for transfers.  It was awesome seeing the knew missionaries introduce themselves and share their testimonies, crazy to think that I was up there bearing my testimony not to long ago. 

As i said earlier, the Lord is a funny man.  I am now serving in Park City with...SISTER NELSON!  My MTC companion!  I couldn't believe it!  You only go to transfers if you or your companion are being transferred, so when Sister Nelson and I saw each other we thought..maybe, just maybe...

Everyone told us that it wouldn't happen.  We both have only been out 6 weeks, and the odds of being with your MTC companion are slim to none, but here we are!  I love serving at the Family Tree Center, as well as getting to do the proselyting side of missionary work.  Best of both worlds. 

Saying good bye to Sister V, my favorite little Filipino!

Wednesday

Did some "Tree Time". Then went out knocking on doors trying to meet as many people as we could. 

Can you tell Sister Nelson and I are happy to be together again??!!

Thursday

We had an appointment set up with this girl Danielle. She's 18, her dad isn't active in the church anymore and the rest of her family aren't members.  She has been going to church with a friend in Heber and has been in search of the missionaries.  Her parents said that after she turned 18 she could decide if she wanted to be baptized. Two days after her birthday sister Nelson and her "then" companion knocked on her door.  We are teaching her now and she is on fire!  In the first lesson she was already talking about when shes going to get baptized. Through out the whole lesson i couldn't help but smile.  Miracles are happening ALL THE TIME, and people are constantly being prepared to learn of the gospel. 

Saturday

CONFERENCE,WHAT WHAAAAAT!?  Opening hymn started up and I was already getting misty eyed. Being in this mission i constantly find myself going "Is this real life?!"  Ive never been so awake for conference, nor have i taken so many notes.  By the looks of that picture mom sent me, seems like dad felt the "spirit" a little to much this round of conference heehee Love you dad!  I loved all the talks, but my favorite was probably by Zwick. I felt like no one has ever really given a talk on that subject.  Speaking kindly to others.  Oaks was on point with his talk and had Sister Nelson and I yellin "AAMMMEENN!" haha I thought it was so cool how a lot of them touched on not being afraid of showing your faith.  Speaking to youth specifically, and even adults about not being afraid of telling or showing through action, your beliefs. 

Sunday

We had the opportunity to attend the afternoon session.  Saw the Jarmans when i was walking out, its always the best seeing a "Nauvoo" face.  

Oh yeah and i saw Fano on the big screen singing at the saturday session haha To funny.  When we got back to our area after defeating the General Conference traffic, which is a joke and a half by the way, we went to go knock on some more doors.  Before we got out we said a prayer.  I asked that out of the 3 doors we would knock on at least one of them would let us in.  Annnnddd..One did!  Badabing Badaboom, prayer answered!  We went in and shared a message and we are going to go back soon. 

Welp, there is my week.  I still wake up some mornings and go "oh snap, I'm on a mission!" hahaha Its the best feeling being in the service of the Lord, bearing His name, teaching His word.  Park City is so cold.  Just plain cold.  So to answer your question mom, YES I am constantly wearing my coat, and YES I am constantly wearing my boots.  I love you all so much!  Thank you for all the emails! 

Love 

Sister Efnor

This pic is from last weeks service... It was sent to me after I sent my letter but I had to include it on this letter because I'm pretty proud of that sledge hammer work I did on that day!  It was fun!  I removed all those stairs! 

WELP, I'm getting transferred. Not to happy about it, but what ya gonna do?  I wont know where I'm going until tomorrow at 2pm, same goes for when i find out who my new companion is going to be. 

First... I can't believe it snowed again!  Actually I can, but it's still weird...

Tuesday

We got to meet with Kay... the woman from China, and we were able to give her enough reading material to last her a couple years! haha

Pamphlets, DVDs, Book of Mormon in Chinese and English. Im pretty sure we gave the poor lady her own weight in doctrine. When we gave it to her she looked at us and said,"This, spiritual food."...So yeah, she'll get baptized. I'm sure of it!

Thursday

We got to do some service. So sister Knight and sister.... uhhh (cant remember her name), asked us a couple weeks ago if our whole zone would be up for some service, a member was knocking down a wall and needed some help. So everyone was excited just to go knock down this one wall. When we go there the guy had so much more for us to do than just knock down one wall. They were doing some serious demolition to like half of their house. I got to use a huge sledge hammer and knock out a set of stairs, it was so much fun!  We ended up filling a whole one of those dumpsters that you rent. Those long ones that get dropped off at your house then they come and pick it up. Yeah, it was filled to the top when we were done. The next day i cold barely lift my hands to shampoo my head because i was so sore from-using the sludge hammer haha

Friday

First, Oma is the best letter writer out of you all. I received 3 letters from her ANNNDDD, a package that included a doll of Willie from Duck Dynasty and  a bar of chocolate. Points for Oma.

We have been meeting with this elderly couple, the Brewers, sweetest couple. John was an ex boxer and LOVES to talk. ( i think loves might be an understatement) His wife June is such a lovely woman and laughs constantly. Anyways, they get  a bit lonely, and reaching their 90s don't get a chance to go out much. So me and sister V went and bought some pizza and headed over to their house for our "pizza party". They were so excited for us to come over. We visited and shared a lesson and before we left John said "If i had two granddaughters like you i would be one proud grandpa. You two be safe." 

Saturday

I was able to attend the General Women's meeting at the conference center! We were able to take our recent convert Maggie and she loved it!

Looking back i think singing the hymns was my favorite, the spirit was so strong. There is no way to describe the sound. We walked around temple square after and guess what?! I saw plants in bloom!  I'm so use to going when its all covered in snow that it was so different seeing flowers popping out of the ground!  I ran into some sister that were at the MTC when i was there who were called to temple square, so nice seeing old friends.

Me and my companion also ran into Sister Eberhardt who in passing said "see you at transfers! maybe, maybe not!". Well, now i know that her little smirk was because she knew something!

 Love my little companion, she has taught me so much!

Sunday

We met a young woman, in her 20s, whose grandma is an active member. Within 5 minutes of meeting her she said "id really like to start meeting with ya'll". Her grandma in wonderment then said "uhh, i didn't know that?!" We scheduled to see her this Friday! She started reading the Book of Mormon in August when her 7 year old niece gave it to her for her birthday. Never underestimate the power of primary children.

For dinner we went to a members house whose husband served in the Philippines. They bought all the ingredients and sister V cooked us all a legit Filipino dinner!

Later that night our investigator from the mid-singles ward called us because he wanted to move up his baptismal date! How awesome is that?! The first one just wasn't soon enough, now he's getting baptized next week on Saturday. 

I'm continually blessed by being in this mission. I couldn't help but get teary eyed when president Monson walked out, the conference center went silent, and everyone stood up. I'm doing, seeing, and experiencing things i never thought I would ever experience. Everyday continues to be a blessing, everyday i see tender mercies and miracles. This area is really kicking it into gear, members are getting pumped about missionary work. I'm sad to have to leave the Monument Park stake, but I'm looking forward to more adventures and testimony builders, and more opportunities to bring others unto Christ. 

I'm having so much fun out here, to much fun? Maybe!  I love you all!  Thank you for all the emails! 

Keep it real. Keep it righteous.

Love, Sister Efnor

PS (A picture of a "Bean thing" created and named by my Mom when she was a teenager.) 

This Weeks email from our sweet Sister Stephanie!

This weeks email!!  Salt Lake City East Mission!!

Tue 18

We had an appointment with this Chinese woman named Kaye.  Kaye flew down to Utah from China to help her daughter and son in law take care of their new born son.  The couple has crazy work schedules at certain times of the year so Kaye always comes to Utah to help during their busy months.  We found out about Kaye through a sister in the the stake, Sister Knight.  Through Kaye's many visits they have become good friends.  Kaye told Sister Knight that she wanted to learn more about American culture, so Sister Knight asked if she would like to learn more about the LDS church by meeting with two sweet sister missionaries.  (Sneaky, sneaky)  Anyway, we met at the Knights house and Kaye talked to us about her life.  She had been to temple square before and to hear the Tabernacle Choir sing 3 different times and loves it.

In the MTC i was told that i was going to meet people that are going to be so prepare to hear the gospel.  People that know they are missing something in their lives, and know that they want the gospel.  I thought "Yeah, yeah, in all our dreams."

WELL KAYE WAS A DREAM COME TRUE!

She said that she admires how happy we are, and how we seem to deal with trials a lot better because of our religion.  She told us that she knew that with religion in her life it would fill the gaps that she feels.  She knew that with religion she could be happier.  I couldn't believe what i was hearing, I literally started to tear up.
Just seeing this sweet little Chinese lady with the biggest smile on her face, and despite her wet cheeks, talking about the loss of her younger brother and how she wanted to learn more about the next life, and seeing him again touched my heart.  I thought... I have what she needs, I have what she has been looking for.  (There are so many that are still searching, and wanting to fill those gaps.)

This is where it gets sad, Kaye is leaving for China in 2 weeks to go take care of her 90 year old mom.  She doesn't have time to take the lessons because her daughter and son in law need her to take care of their son. BUT... Where there's a will, there's a way brothers and sisters!   We gathered all the reading material she will need in Chinese!  Any pamphlets,  a Book of Mormon, just the whole enchilada.  She wanted it all for her plane ride home!  We are also taking her to conference. I know that even if i don't see it, Kaye will get baptized.  The spirit that was in the room while we were talking with her was so strong, AND we have a sister that is going to China with her husband and she said that she is going to get in contact with kaye while she is there to see how shes doing.  Kaye was an answer to my prayers, and it seemed like we might have been an answer to hers. 

Wed 19

I GOT TO SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE! lol and boy am i out of shape!

The YW leaders in a ward had me come and teach the girls some Tahitian basics.  I made up a quick hula to a hymn and talked about how we can share the gospel through our talents, the girls LOVED it! The leaders were saying they want to get something put together with the stake. They really seemed to be on fire about it. I don't know if it will actually happen with the whole "no dancing" thing, but the mission president loved that i was doing it so who maybe it will happen. The best part was the fact that we had a chance to bond with the girls, and they got to know us better.  Now they know they can talk to us, and they can trust us if they have any friends that they want us to teach. 

Fri 21

Our week had been really busy but Friday afternoon we had to make some calls to fill up some gaps in our day. We left a couple messages and then we actually had someone call us back. Surprise, surprise....NOT!  We answered the phone and this dude went OFF!  "The church is full of lies", "Joseph Smith is a liar", "blah, blah, blah".  You could only imagine what was going on in my mind at this point.  I wanted to look his address up in the directory and introduce his face to the side of my scriptures.  As i was gearing up to give this brother my response i looked up at my companion, who at this point had made a heart shape with her hands and is mouthing these words to me "We love him, ask if we can do anything for him".  I couldn't help but smile, i have so much to learn from my companion.  Obviously, after this guy was done with his rant i said, "Sir im sorry you feel that way, we love you."  AND... then i hung up.  Which probably wasn't the nicest thing to do, but he had that one comin.

Sun 23

It was busy, busy as usual. We had meetings starting at 7:30 in the morning and it was non stop till 9:30. we had another lesson with Manuel, it was an awesome lesson on prayer, scripture reading, and keeping the Sabbath day holy.  He was interacting, and asking questions.  Things are really moving forward with him.

I also wanted to make my Mom's potato's and had to take a picture of them because they actually turned out pretty good!

We had three NEW investigators this week, which NEVER happens. When we scheduled the appointment for our 3rd investigator Sister Villoso and I started running and jumping around our room like cray cray sisters. This week was very, fulfilling.  Members will ask if being on a mission is hard and i say yes, but its a different kind of hard. I don't have to think about anything but the gospel, that's it.  I count myself lucky!  Sure, there are days that are rough, but my time is totally, and completely dedicated to the Lord and his work.  I doesn't get any better than that!

(This is something I made for a game my companion and I play with kids at homes that we teach at... I love the children...)

I really enjoy all the boxes that my family sends me but we really need to come to an understanding... NO MORE FOOD... I don't want to get fat!  (However, I couldn't resist a funny pic of me after a draining work out with Sister V)  Really though, we do run and try to get our exercise in as much as our schedule allows.

This next picture just cracks me up.  I want everyone to know that I never said I sing!

And finally... More of my creative skills at work.  My own homemade scripture case made out of a cereal box that came in my St. Patrick's Day box!  (Because they were getting scratched in my shoulder bag)

Funniest email from last week award goes to: DAD!

He said...
"So anyway, talking to this long time secretary at Southwire about nothing.  She was the North American Presidents secretary and now is secretary to the Pres of Marketing.  She knows everyone. Nice gal.  We got into this "all about life and where we've been" conversation that kept seeming like it was just going TOO LONG, and I needed to get back to work.  Anyway...I mentioned that Tim, from the AZ office, my friend, was coming out to Carrollton for an important meeting... and that we would probably go to church together.  When finally this secretary asks... "What church does he go to?"  BAMM! DOOR IS OPEN, HELLO! "Oh, Tim and I are LDS, you know, Mormons". " 

That story had me rolling, because I know Dad and can just imagine how that is exactly what went through his mind... BAM!  A close second was Debbie's letter about getting hit in the head by an elephant trunk, and about how Clint painted a stripe in the middle of the garage door. 

Best video from last week award goes to: Anything with Joe in it! hahahaha

 Well, Family... The Church is true... And I Love you all so much!!

Thank you all for another week of loving emails,  and thank you mom... for being 70% of all those emails!  On to another week!  Keep me and Sister Villoso in your prayers tonight, we need em! 

Love,

Sister Efnor