Tuesday, October 29, 2013

LETTER 16: The one where Tessa stands out on the deck

STORIES

--Thursday we had my very first Missionary Leadership Council! We met with the other Sister Training Leaders, Zone Leaders, Assistants, and President Hall. It was incredible brainstorming and learning about what is going on in the mission, and what is going to happen. Amazing things are going down here! It really is the best mission in the world (:

--We met with one of our investigators, Adeline! She is super sweet, love her already. We taught her about Baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. It's amazing how much the gospel just makes sense. Teaching it to people all the time really makes you appreciate the beauty, simplicity, and truth of it all! And Adeline totally appreciates it, too. I feel so blessed to be able to share this message with people and see how they respond hearing it for the very first time. So special!

--Went out knocking, and talked with this one man named Steve. He was busy at the time, so we just said a prayer with him on his doorstep. I felt the spirit so strong! He started crying during it as well. How can you NOT love it? 

--Met with another investigator, Bri! She is the spunkiest lady, I love it. And her 4 year old daughter Adrianne is the most adorable thing.

--Saturday morning, we made some treats and took them around the valley to meet all of the Sisters we have stewardship over. I love each of them tons! We talked with them, and worked with some one-on-one. It's different being a Sister Training Leader, because our number one priority is the sisters. We can (and should) drop anything to help the sisters. I love being able to serve these sweet sisters and be their friend. So fun!

--Our ward had a Chili Cook-off on Saturday! It was a blast, everyone came all dressed up in Halloween costumes. It was a perfect place to meet a whole bunch of the ward members, and our ward is HUGE! Feels like I'm back in Utah! Haha it's the weirdest thing. Apparently in the Santa Clarita valley, there are a lot more Latter-day Saints. We'll see how long it takes me to remember people's names...why can't everyone wear a name tag? haha

--My first Sunday in the new ward went super well. Our ward name got changed to the Wiley Canyon Ward, random but good. I've received so much love from the ward members already, they are incredibly missionary-minded and kind!! It's fun working with them. People LOVE missionaries here!


FUNNIES

--Basically, Sister Naylor is super funny. We are always laughing. But a lot of it, you just have to be there for, so writing down the funny moments don't do them justice! Haha but we've been laughing because our apartment always smells like drugs...no joke. What the heck?? We think the guy under us is to blame. So Sister Naylor always jokes, "If I seem extra-happy, you know why!!" haha


LESSONS LEARNED

--In missionary leadership council, we talked a lot about the faith cycle. Sometimes, we think that our faith leads directly to a miracle, or blessing. But this is wrong!! If we have this view, then when a miracle or blessing doesn't happen, it leads us to think that we did something wrong--didn't have a strong enough faith, weren't obedient enough, etc. In reality, faith just means doing everything we can to work hard, do our best, and show God our faith--no matter what. God controls the miracles and blessings we receive. He will ALWAYS bless us for our faith, but often times it's not in the way we expect. For example, He will bless us with peace, happiness, and increase of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He will not always, however, bless us with exactly what we want. I won't have every person open their door for me, even when I go out knocking all day long. I will, however, be happy at the end of the day and have peace knowing that I worked my hardest and did what God asked. Once again, God controls the 'harvest,' so to say. We work hard and keep up our end of the bargain, and we will be blessed in some way. It shouldn't matter if it's the way we want to be blessed, and we can't get discouraged if we are blessed differently than hoped.

--God's whole purpose--His work and His glory--is to bring us back to Him! Of course He is going to do everything He can to help us along our way. He is so happy when we ask Him for help, because by being open with Him and turning to Him for help, He is able to bless us more and help us, which is His whole purpose!! Just think about it...how cool is that? (: 


Well that's about it for this past week, a lot of things came up so we weren't able to just be out hitting the pavement and working hard! We worked hard in other ways, but not with finding. This next week we'll have more time though and will do work! I'm just loving Santa Clarita, my companion, the work--everything is just too good. I'm incredibly blessed. I love you all tons!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN (:

xoxo
Sister Bishop



 We have a deck in our apartment looking over the valley, and I swear every morning we see the coolest things! This particular morning, it was semi-foggy


Biiig thank you to my family for sending me a Halloween package!!! I loved it so much (:



This morning it looked like we were in the middle of a cloud!! Craziest thing. Couldn't see anything, just a white wall of fog!


The normal view from our deck (:



Sister Naylor with cute Adrianne! 



Rolled out of bed to the greatest sunrise, don't mind my bed head and sleepy face (: Sister Naylor teases me that it looks like the world is ending and I'm just sitting there smiling, taking a picture haha


The goodies we made for our cute sisters! 


This morning, woke up to the craziest clouds and streaky sunlight...way better in person!



Thursday, October 24, 2013

LETTER 15: The one where Tessa has an extra p-day. Surprise!!

So I know it's only been 2 days...but I have another P-day this week, surprise! (: My new companion (more about her later...) hasn't had one for 2 weeks, so she got permission to email today. Perks of being a companion! (: So just a quick update...

STORIES

--Monday night, we had "the last supper" with the Hansen family! Love them. Had Grandpa Hansen's famous tacos. Went to say bye to our ward mission leader, Brother Nelson. Last but not least, went and said bye to Glenn. Tears were shed by both of us, it was bittersweet. He is so kind and the most amazing person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing! We promised that we'd be life-long friends though, so that takes away a little of the sting of saying goodbye. Love love love my miracle Glenn!

--Tuesday was transfer meeting, my first one where I actually knew what was going on! Fun to see all the new missionaries coming in, 30 of them and only 3 were from somewhere other than Utah haha. Well, drumroll please....

I got called to the Newhall 1st ward, with Sister Naylor as my companion!! It's the best ward ever, President Hall is in it, as well as a member of the area 70, and just all the members are incredible. This area is in the Santa Clarita valley, just north over the hill from Granada Hills. It's super nice here, I'm spoiled!

Sister Naylor is from Prescott, Arizona, and I love her to death! She is actually the only other sister that Sister Rhoades has trained, so we have the same "mom" (: We are so much alike and are just having a blast already.

My new address is: 
25399 The Old Road Building 5 Apt. 308
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381

His 10th taco! I tried to out-eat him...I got stuck at 3. Haha


All the Hansen kids, they're the greatest.

Glenn, Callie, and his sweet mom Virginia <3

Saying bye to the Nelsons!


All packed up and leaving my old apartment! I was a little sad...

Me and Sister Naylor! Trying and failing at taking jumping pictures. We got some pretty funny ones haha

Haha this one cracks us up. I don't know what I'm doing...but I look blown away by her amazing jump. (:

We gave up jumping and just took a selfie. Love my Sister Naylor!

After District Meeting this morning

Some of our Elders!


Well, that's about it. Things are just going really well, I'm so happy! Talk to you all next Monday (:

--Sister Bishop


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Letter 14: The one where Tessa says goodbye

Amazing week!!! Even though my life has kinda been turned upside down...buuuut we'll get to that in a minute (:

STORIES

--We found the nicest guy street contacting, his name is Adam and he said we were an answer to his prayers! I like that. (: So he's an investigator now, he's the best!!

--We knocked on a man named Herbert's door last week, I think I mentioned him last week. Well we taught him the first lesson, and he is SO PREPARED. He said he's read parts of the Book of Mormon and knows it's from God. I invited him to be baptized and he said he would! Ahh! Very first lesson, he's incredible. Buuut....he speaks Spanish, so we transferred him to the Spanish elders. Still way exciting, I feel so blessed to be part of that miracle.

--So remember Esparanza, the family we found? Well, turns out there's 14 people in their house...FOURTEEN! They are amazing, and just feel like my second family. Love them to death! They haven't been able to come to church yet which is a bummer, but other than that, things are going great with them.

--Went on a walk with Glenn and his dog Callie, it was really nice. (: We all talked about what a miracle it is we found him, and how happy he is that we did. Made me happy.
For those of you who don't know, I was all set to work at Disney World this past summer. I was hired, had my plane tickets, my roommates--everything all set to go! And then...I just felt sick about going. I couldn't do it. So after much prayer, I decided to go on a mission sooner instead of waiting until after Disney. Well, I left for the MTC only 3 weeks sooner than I could have left if I went to Disney World. I always wondered why I had to go just 3 short weeks sooner. Well...my second week here, we found Glenn. I think he was exactly the reason why I was supposed to come when I came. Way cool to think about! God knows what He's doing (:

--We've been trying over and over to visit with this lady named Roxanna who was on our Potential Investigator's list. She was never available! We decided to try once more, and she finally let us in (: We taught her the Restoration, and she started crying. The spirit was so strong. It was the coolest lesson!! Another new investigator!

--A similar story, we've been trying over and over to visit with another lady named Maria. We finally got in and taught her the Restoration, and she, too, started crying and the spirit was incredible. She wants God more in her life and wants to follow whatever He tells her to do! Miracle, another new investigator (:

--Well it's just been a really good week...4 new investigators, just seeing miracles left and right! This area is seeing huge changes, it's completely different than it was 3 months ago and I love it with my whole heart! But then....transfer calls came.

And guess what?

I'M LEAVING. Ahh so sad. I was so surprised. I thought for sure I would be staying here and training, and Sister Rhoades would leave! But nope. I'm leaving. So we found that out, and then an hour later President Hall called me...

And guess what?

I got called to be SISTER TRAINING LEADER. Ahhh. I was floored. Seriously. I've been out 3 months...and now I'm one of 4 Sister Training Leaders in the mission. What the heck? Well I have felt every emotion under the sun about it, all these changes have thrown me for a loop. But I've received a lot of support, and in the end--I know God will never leave my side. If He wants me to lead...well, His will be done and He will make me equal to this calling I've been given. My God is my support and that's the comfort I've received in all of this. The 20 investigators here (yes 20!!!) will be in good hands, and I will be in good hands as well. Even though my heart is a little broken having to say goodbye to all these people....it will be ok.

Deeeep Breathes.

Alright, moving forward!


FUNNIES

--During a lesson with Adam, we were outside at some tables and a guy walks up to us... "Here, I got you guys some suckers! I got ex-communicated, but here you go. Have a nice day!" Haha uhh...ok! So we took the suckers and continued our lesson. (:

--Elder Davidson: "What do you guys do with your empty milk jugs?"
Me: "Uh...we recycle them..."
Elder Davidson: "I fill them with water, throw them in the air, and cut them in half with a knife!"
hahaha what in the world.

--While out knocking, I see this guy way high up in a tree cutting branches. So I yell up to him "Don't fall!!"
Then literally 3 seconds later we hear: "Ahh!" *crash*
Yes, he fell out of the tree. Luckily he was tied to the tree so he only fell a couple feet down haha so funny though.


LESSONS LEARNED

--I learned a lot this week about how important it is to just do our best, and leave the harvest to the Lord! That's really all we can do. This work is not about numbers at all, so we can't attach our happiness to them. Our sacrifice and hard work is more important to the Lord than our increase...AKA our numbers! Though we have been blessed to see amazing things happening here, it's all thanks to God.

--Heavenly Father always teaches with love...I've realized a major thing I need to work on is being submissive. When something comes up I don't want to do, I'm trying to rewire my brain from thinking of all the reasons why we shouldn't do it, to now thinking of all the reasons why we should. Definitely important to learn, and I'm working on it (:
  
Well...that's about it for this week. Transfers are tomorrow, please keep me in your prayers with this adjustment. I love you all! <3


Going to miss this trainer of mine!


Elder Smith and Sister Kemp...only the best ever.


Elder Smith and Sister Kemp...only the best ever.


The whole zone! Love them.


The Sisters


Sisters and Zone Leaders


My three amazing sisters! Sister Redner and Hermana Rodriguez, my pre-mission facebook friends (:


Me and Sister Rhoades on our last "date," getting frozen yogurt. Love her!



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

LETTER 13: The one where Tessa meets a fire dancer

Ok, this week was too good. Loving it, doing work, seeing miracle after miracle!


STORIES
--Alright so Monday night, we had visited everyone and had nothing else to do, but still had 30 minutes left of the day! So I'm just driving along and Sister Rhoades says, "Soo...where are we going?"
Me: "Where God wants us to go of course!"
Sister Rhoades: "And where is that?"
Me: "Ask Him, not me!" haha
So I just pull into a parking lot, we get out and walk straight to this guy we see... long story short, he has an LDS friend and wants to learn more, wants to come to church, etc. Holy miracle!!! Did that just happen? God's timing is incredible!! I can't get over it. Best thing ever. His name is Ignacio, or Nacho for short. Still in the process of meeting up with him (:

--We had an appointment fall through, but the Marlows were already planning on coming with us. So instead, since they are amazing, they came out knocking with us! We headed up their street knocking, and are walking up the driveway to one house and Brother Marlow just says, "This is it." Uhh wow...ok! 
Haha so we knock on the door, and start talking through the window to a guy in bed. He invites us in, and we go to his bedroom and find him. His name is Paul! Paul has multiple sclerosis, but also has the most incredible faith. We shared the Restoration with him, and have gone back again since to talk more about the Book of Mormon with him! Yayy miracle!!

--Another time driving, wondering where to go street contacting, we see a girl dressed in blue medical scrubs. Sister Rhoades just says, "Let's go get her!" haha so we creep on her, pull up in a parking spot by her and jump out super quick and start talking to her! Her name is Mary, and she just moved here from Syria. She is the sweetest girl ever, she's 21 and has a love for Jesus Christ that truly inspires me. We met the next day and taught her the Restoration. She lovesit. Taught her again, the Plan of Salvation! Again, she loved it. She feels it's true already and says she will pray about it and do whatever God tells her to do. Ahh! Well, we had to hand her over to the Singles Ward Sisters, but they are doing great with her. Miracle!!! Love it!

--We had Zone Conference on Thursday, and for weeks they have been stressing how important it is to be on time. Well, if you know me at all, you know I am always very diligent about being on time, it's important to me! Haha so we go to leave with a large buffer time so we would for sure get there on time. And....we had a flat tire!! Seriously?? The ONE time it really matters. I was a stressed mess haha. We had ran over a nail! So the Elders came to the rescue, and we made them late too. But it worked out, and Sister Hall even used us getting a nail in our tire as an analogy during the conference! It worked out, but was very bad timing. (:

--Speaking of Zone Conference, it was the best thing ever! A member of the 70 came, Elder Kopishke. He is inspiring. I felt the spirit so strong, and he truly changed my life. I was on a spiritual high for the rest of the week, and still am! I love it! How blessed are we to have an apostle of God come minister to us. Also, at lunch, he and President Hall came to sit, eat, and chat with us. We chose the right table! (: I had the opportunity of saying a prayer after lunch in front of everyone, and I don't think I've ever been so nervous for a prayer haha

--We went to visit a potential investigator that missionaries had found a couple years ago. We've tried many times before, and she was always busy. But we were persistent! Haha so we finally got to go in and talk with her, and we had a member with us, Sister Pena! Her husband is 40 years older than her...pretty crazy. He's 93 and going strong. Their name's are Regina and Glenn! (Glenn's are good luck (: ). So as she's talking, she starts asking what happens after we die, because she doesn't know how much longer her husband has. We taught her a powerful Plan of Salvation lesson, and she totally felt the spirit, committed to read the Book of Mormon, and wants to learn more. WOW! Sadly we had to hand her over as well, this time to the Spanish missionaries! They'll do well with her (: Miracle!!

--At Pep-boys while getting our tire fixed, we started talking to this lady named Kim. She's a fire dancer! Haha she was so awesome though, after talking for a bit she's like, "Can I take a picture with you guys?? Hold up the Book too! I want to show my friends!" So I held the Book of Mormon proudly and we got a picture with her (: She wants to meet up and bring a friend to talk with us more! Can't wait! It's in the works (:

--We went to visit a lady who lives next door to Rosie, and Ursula, and Josh! 3 of our investigators live right on the same street! We call it our golden street haha. So we visit Esperanza, and I invited ourselves in (it's worked 3 times now this week--three for three!) so she let us in and gathered all her kids and her nieces and nephews who live there. We taught the whole family the Restoration and they committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray as a family. They loved it and we have a return appointment next Friday! I can't even describe how happy I was. Biggest miracle! Lots of new investigators! 


FUNNIES

--Well...I don't have anything specific to share. Sorry! But the Elders here crack me up, every week. I can't handle it. They're too great! Love it. So that will count as the "funny" for this week. (:


LESSONS LEARNED

--Elder Kopishke taught me SOO much! Some highlights:
·  Setting goals is an act of faith. We need to take our dreams and kneel down. Take them seriously! Get your dreams and then get behind them. Make them happen.
·  We see what's in our minds--if we're envisioning finding our dream family or dream person, we will see them everywhere! We can't just envision the 100 people we want to baptize, but picture the ONE then find them. (:
·  Before we leave, we should baptize our replacement. (LOVE THIS. I will bring a girl to the church, and she will be a missionary one day, too. (: )
·  This is ALL about love. Jesus Christ didn't 'overcome the world' through being a tyrant, a ruler, etc. He overcame the world because he LOVED it so much that He was willing to die for it.
 Honestly, I could go on and on with the things I learned. But that will do for now (:



I can't even get over how blessed I am to be seeing all these miracles. This week was beyond amazing. SO MANY MIRACLES. I'm loving the work, loving the people here, just loving everything! Thank you for the support and love, keep it coming (: 


My cluttered but amazing desk, along with my collage of pictures and quotes (: Makes me happy!


We got RAIN! For the first time! Sister Rhoades was beyond happy, it was nice to have a break from the heat. Things have cooled down and I finally have gotten to break out my jacket!

Just a little glimpse of Glenn's dog, Callie! We love her. Parts of her look like a leopard (:

A blurry picture we took at Glenn's. (:

Our ward made the CUTEST stockings for the missionaries in our stake!! The elders have little ties, and the sisters have buttons and bows. All have little nametags. I love it! We got to help stuff them with goodies. (:

Our dear Elders fixing our tire! 

Elder Amadi and I, I was trying not to smile...you can see how well that went. Haha

Everyone here keeps giving us fruit from off their trees! Exotic ones, at least for Utah standards haha. I've got some japanese fruit, guavas, and pomegranates.

Sister Kemp and Elder Larman wearing their colorful clothes. Apparently today everyone was trying to dress ugly haha I didn't catch the memo!

My zone...love them. Today we played "werewolf." They're goofs and crack me up.