28 Dec 2010

I'm staying in Yakima and I'm getting Sister Kendell back. That's it for transfers.

21 Dec 2010

Mom,

You're so lucky. I'm just going right down the line and your letter was 4th on my list, so you'll get to hear from me sooner! YAY! Well, let's see. I'm glad that you finally got snow. We get snow here and then it just melts the next day. Kind of frustrating, but you know what, that's okay. The less I have to deal with. But, we think the snow that we got a few days ago will be sticking around for Christmas. It's pretty scarce, but we'll have a White Christmas after all. I can't believe that it's Christmas this week. 4 days. I can't believe it! Where did all the time go? I remember last Christmas when I was in the MTC. Crazy how that works. But, such is life. President Greer told us yesterday that even when you stand on the runners of the tredmill, it still will pass and keep going. Analogy I'll tell you about later. It's great!

But, we had Christmas zone conference yesterday. It was awesome! We got to watch Toy Story 3! Oh man, SOOO funny. So sad. I cried. But, best movie I've watched in about a year. Haha. Nah, it was great though. We had all sorts of fun and I just loved being with the missionaries. It was a half zone conference and just so great. The Greers are great and I'm glad they're out here with us. The up and down side of it all was we had this snow storm come through yesterday and so the elder that was going to drive to the Tri-Cities is from South Carolina and I was just like yeah...you should let me drive. So I got us there safely and soundly. Relief! But, not that I was worried about his driving, but still. It felt better knowing that I was in control driving at a safe speed instead of crazy elders. Haha.

It sounds like you're having a blast at home...despite the fact that everyone is semi-sick. Eeks! Well, my companion is getting sick and I'm just considering it a miracle if I don't get sick. I've been so exposed, it's ridiculous! But, you know, I just might have that awesome of an immune system.

As for calling. The missionary department has allowed us to SKYPE for Christmas. So weather it's on gmail or the actual skype, I am looking forward to seeing everyone at home! And I'm thinking it'll be around noon-ish, my time. So 2 yours. But, I'll call in the day and let you know when for sure. Depending on Sister Salmon. Her family is 3 hours ahead of me, so I'm letting her go first and all that jazz. I'm excited beyond all belief! =)

And...let's see...what else. Oh, thanks for telling Adam who I am. I wouldn't like for him to now know his favorite aunt! =) But, I'm sure it'll all be fine when I get home. I'm super excited to see their little faces. That's probably been one of the biggest things that I miss...watching the kiddos grow and stuff. But, I sure do love hearing about them and their adventures.

Well, everything is going good here. Transfer calls are coming on Christmas, so hopefully I'll be able to let you know if I'm being transferred or not. We'll see. But, I love you all and I am super duper stoked to talk to you all in 4 days!!!!!

Love you!

Hna. Pleshek

14 Dec 2010

Well, I have had just a week. It's been nuts and I've been keeping busy. This letter will be short as I struggle to find things to talk about. I seriuosly don't know where the time goes. I write you and it seems the next day is just p-day and nothing happened. We have our usual district meetings and what not, but it just...it flies.

We got dumped on with snow the other day. It was lovely. It snowed all day long and the roads were terrible. But we survived. We also had cena de Navidad [Christmas dinner] where we all had to do a TON of cooking. It was a combined activity with the Terrace Heights ward and the people there from the Branch spent the whole night cooking pretty much. We had fajitas and it was AMAZING!!! I seriously want to be Mexican so I know how to cook all this amazing food. But, one day, maybe. Anyways, great party and awesome food and I had a blast!

I bought boots from Target, but I may take them back because they turn everything blue. My hands, my legs, the snow, everything. So I don't know what's up with that, but I'm thinking I'll take them back and just go look at Walmart or somewhere else. Who knows.

We're finding all sorts of success here in the area and the Lord is preparing people for us to teach. Some weeks are better than others, but it's all in the Lord's hands. He's great and I'm truly grateful to be His servant here in Washington.

We have our Christmas zone conference coming up on Monday. That will be really fun. I have to sing...? I don't know. Sister Salmon and I are singing a part in the song What Child is This? It'll be great because I love the song and even though I'm just average, I love to sing. I've realized a trend with my companions. They're either fantastic singers, or they can't carry a tune. Haha. Just a little side note.

I don't think my body still agrees with Yakima. My eating habits have been off lately and I hope they get back on because I miss eating breakfast. I seriously haven't been eating normally the last little while and it stinks. But whatever.

I love you and I'm grateful for all you do for me! Feliz Navidad muy pronto y ojala que todo este bien con ustedes. Les quiero mucho y estoy agradecida que tengo una familia maravillosa!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

7 Dec 2010

Mom, you had a ton to say! That's awesome! This week seriously feels like it's gone and come so slow, yet so fast. I can't believe it. Each week it ticks down and woah. Anyways, this week has been crazy! We put someone on date. Her name is Maria Hernandez and she's sooo great! She's got a date for January and we've got some other people getting baptized in the English ward as well. We're going to have a white Christmas. And I was told the other day that one of my investigators in Vancouver is getting baptized on Christmas! How awesome is that? I love it!

So, I had no idea that you had put money in my account to buy boots. I'll look today and see what I can find. And if I can't find anything, I'll let you know, alright? Yes, the shirts are for my sisters...even though I don't know if Clare can fit in it. I'm planning on sending a picture with me in mine so then we can all be twinners. ! YAY! I'm super stoked!

I love hearing about all the miracles that are happening this week! And I love being a missionary and seeing all the progress that I can help people make to come closer to their Savior. I truly am grateful for the opportunity that I have. I'm so blessed and I've come to a huge realization of that this week. I'm so grateful for all the opportunities the Lord has blessed me with. And He really has. I'm learning more than I could ever do at home. I was looking at some notes that I took for the zone conference I went to when Elder Hafen was at home and something Sister Barrett said really stuck out to me this morning. She says that as we use the Atonement, our testimonies grow. And it's so true. I've learned more about the Atonement on my mission that I ever have before.

I really don't have a huge amount to say. My heart is just overflowing with gratitude and I am so thankful to you and Dad as my parents. You've taught me well and even though I've made mistakes, I always reflect on your words. I rehearse them, as the sons of Helaman would say. But, thank you. There are no words to express my thankfulness for all you've done for me! I love you more than words can say! And next week, hopefully I'll have more exciting things to talk about. Haha. I miss you all!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

30 Nov 2010

Temple trip with the Kennewick Hermanas and the Mitchells!!

Jacobe's baptism

Winter has come to Yakima.

Dear Mom,

What a week it has been. Gone and come so fast, I can't even tell you. Well, we had Thanksgiving this week, which we spent with the Mitchells. It was fun and even though we were told not to drive our cars, Sister Salmon and I had a lot of fun. We ate...and ate...and I even got to nap. It was a beautiful thing and I sure am grateful for a whole lot of things.

We've been getting lots of snow. It's okay, because I am a professional. Haha. Just kidding. But for real. We got lectured at zone conference on defensive driving, so I was just all, I got it under control. Still, great advice. Oh, we had zone conference yesterday. It was all about how to begin teaching. It's part of the 8 new lessons the missionary department is rolling out ...well, already has started rolling out. They're pretty legit and make the work so much better. It's always awesome to have zone conferences. And the best part was, our zone had to do the special musical number, and so we sang If the Savior Stood Beside Me. The Greers and assistants told us that it was by far the best out of all the zone conferences they went to and they made us to it again at the end to end the conference.

We got to go to the temple today and that was amazing, as always. I sure do love the temple and I spent a lot of time thinking about my mission and the experiences I've had in the temple. I also thought about my first time in the temple and what a special experience that was. I'm excited to do sealings and more initiatories when I get home. For now, we just really do endowments. And that's great, but I am excited to do more and learn from those experiences, too.

It sounds like things have been going busy busy busy at home. Which is good. Oh and if you awnt to know, my address is 1902 Ekelman Rd. Yakima, WA 98901. So, yeah, just FYI.

I can't believe how fast the time is flying. Christmas is coming up and I'm already anticipating calling home to talk to all of you. I just...I honestly can't believe how fast it's going. I never thought I'd be at this point right now, but it's been a HUGE blessing and I wouldn't do it any other way.

We had a baptism on Sunday, too. It was awesome! I love baptisms and just am so excited to see the changes people make in their lives! Jacobe's baptism was awesome and he's such a cool kid!

Well, my time is short and I have a lesson to teach in 10-ish minutes. Plan of Salvation! WOOHOO! I love you all and thank you for all you do for me! I couldn't do this without you!

Love,

Hna. Pleshek

23 Nov 2010

MOM!!! I want to buy boots today!!! WE HAVE SNOW!

Well, I'm glad to hear that things are going well back home! And that everyone is staying warm despite the cold stuff that's happening. We just got some snow, too. It started snowing on Sunday night and hasn't really stopped since. Putting my Wisconsin driving skills to use, so it's all good. Especially with Sister Salmon. Being from Florida, she's a little concerned about the driving in the snow. Not too worry. I'm not the world's scariest driver and I still have a good head on me and I know not to go 80 when it's snowing really hard and there's ice all over.

That's unfortunate about Wayne. But, I guess we can only hope for the best and see what happens. I hope that the braces are helping Papa along. He's still pretty young and kicking. He'll be alright.

I honestly don't have a lot to say this week. With the transfers and stuff, it's just been nuts. We've been going going going and never having any time to stop. We're always busy and I think this transfer just might kill me. I'm so exhausted and I feel it all the time. I crash each night really early and then start worrying about something or other that's happening.

We had Antonio postpone his baptism until further notice. It's got to do with the law of chastity. We taught him that and then the next day, he told us he wanted to postpone it. So, we're dealing with that and he's still been prepared and is a good kid, as he told us he still will keep the word of wisdom. Just, a kid that's looking for something and he's really wanting a new start. So, I'm glad that he's taking this seriously and not just jumping in with his eyes closed. He knows what it all entails and he wants to be able to do all of it.

Umm, I really do want to buy some boots. Cause it's snowing and my shoes have holes in them and that's not okay with me. So, if we could work something out, that would be fantastic! =)

Thanksgiving will be at the Juarez's house. They're a really big family that's all getting together and it'll be fun. I'm looking forward to it. And we're going to the temple next week, so I'll be emailing a little later than normal. If that helps you with your writing, great.

Well, I love you and I miss you all! Be great!
Love,
Hna. Pleshek

16 Nov 2010

Mom,

Beautiful weather is abundant in Yakima! The 60's yesterday and it's been mid 50's so far today.

Well, things are going fantastic here in Yakima. Transfer calls have come and gone and I'm staying in Yakima for the holidays with Hna. Salmon. We are excited to be together...especially since we've had a successful transfer together and are planning on have even more success this transfer.

Transfers are going to be interesting. In addition to doing Spanish work and working in the Branch here, the English sisters are getting doubled out of Terrace Heights and Sister Salmon and I are taking that over too. We'll have 2 wards and will be doing English work. I'm kind of nervous, but I'll do whatever the Lord asks.

I told you about Antonio last week and this week, it's just exploded. I really thought that he didn't have a super amount of potential, but I was proved wrong. On Sunday, his girlfriend told us that he wants to be baptized and on Sunday, when we had our lesson, he just told us to make it happen as soon as possible. So, we're working on that. And he's just had this amazing turn and he wants to be baptized! We're so excited for him. And it's amazing because he's not just doing it for her. He had missionaries come by and see him when he was like a freshman and they left. And now that we've come back into his life, he takes it as a sign from God that this is what he needs to do with his life. But, SOOO awesome!

Elder Gamett left yesterday and it'll be interesting to be in the branch and not have him there. It's so weird. I hate it when people leave...especially when they go home. Transfers always make me sad. It's so bittersweet. But anyways, it's life, right?

I can't believe on Thursday, I'll have been out for a year. That's insane to me. Where is the time going and why is it going soooo dang fast? I miss home, but I love my mission. And I get gooey to think about when I get to see you all again. I really am just going to burst into tears, I tell you what. Haha.

So, the boots. Yeah, probably easier to have me just get them out here. I want to see what they have and what'll work best. I still don't even know. But, we'll figure it all out.

Well, sorry this is short. Time flies, always! But I did get all the packages, THANK YOU! And I sent a letter off to Andrew this morning. I hope he enjoys it!

I love you all and miss you!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

9 Nov 2010

Mom,

Well, this week has been crazy! We've had all sorts of good things happen and so many awesome people we're teaching. I love the little miracles we see each day. [And it especially makes my day when I see someone walk in the library with a mullet!] So, let's see.

Yesterday was awesome. I learned the art of cutting elders' hair. That was exciting. Elder Gamett who goes home next Monday asked if I could cut his hair. Of course, the only experience I have with cutting hair is Tom and Dad. And Tom's is easy. Put on a guard and go to town. Well, it's different with an elder who has to see his family and likes to 'do' his hair as they say. No pressure. Especially with 3 other elders and my companion watching. But, it turned out pretty good. At least I think so. Maybe I'm cut out for the whole hair thing. I sure hope so.

Well, we're teaching this kid named Antonio. He's the boyfriend of a less-active and at first, he wasn't so thrilled about the whole religion thing. He was like 'I'll do my thing, you do yours and we'll leave it at that.' No big deal, right? Well, so we started teaching him and it was such a bust! He was like oh yeah, I wasn't listening when we asked him what he thought about Joseph Smith seeing God and Jesus Christ. I wasn't listening? What the heck? So, we decided that we just needed to start with the basics and since he's very 'Catholic', just to start teaching out of the Gospel Principles book because that's something we could teach and agree on. Well, we've been doing that and as we've been teaching him the principles, he's become more open. He listens and gets involved in the lessons. He voluntarily tells stories and he's just...it's a miracle. He even came to church last week and so did the less active family. It was amazing! We had 3 investigators in church and that was ...awesome! No words.

And then there's this other lady we're teaching - Maria. And her husband is a less active member, too. And she's soooo golden. She asks all the questions you wish an investigator would ask. She's so ready and she's prayed and got her answer and so on Thursday, we're hoping to put her on date. She's so ready. Her husband knows it. The branch knows it. We know it. Now it's just getting her to see that she's ready, too.

We're also tag team teaching this man named Jose. He's pretty golden, too, but the elders can never seem to get a hold of him. So, we pass by and he's there, so we teach him. He's dealing with marriage issues, which I don't want to get involved in, but he's pretty determined to take the lessons even though he's dealing with issues and such. So, we're hoping that he'll want to involve the elders more than us. But he's pretty cool.

It sounds like things are exciting at home, as always. It really does seem like the weeks fly by. I too feel like I sit down to write and think of what all went on the last week. What will interest you to hear about me.

Things are going really good here in Yakima. It's getting cold...so we're hoping to finish tracting Moxee and then have some solid gators there...so we don't have to tract when there's snow on the ground. I hope the Lord provides for us, but I'm always willing to do what He asks...even if it means tracting in the snow.

Speaking of...I know you said you figured out my Christmas present, but does it include boots in any way?

And...things are going well. I love this work and I am glad to be a part of it. I love you all and hope things find you warm and healthy. =)
Con amor,
Hermana Pleshek

2 Nov 2010

Zone P-day soccer game. Selah vs. Yakima Zone. The Selah zone won because we are AWESOME!

Happy Birthday Hermana Pleshek! Cake from Elders Lundquist and Gamett.

Hermana Salmon and I are Mexican soccer players for Halloween.

Our WKM t-shirts.

Hola Mom!

Well, things are fantastic here! We've got some great things that have been going down this week. And I don't have a huge amount of time, but I just want you to know how much I love being a missionary! We're seeing miracles every day and I just love it more and more. I love the gospel and this is the best thing.

I had a fun birthday. Didn't do too much. Some of the elders made me a cake and we ate Chinese for lunch. Really good! But, other than that, we just were teaching and even though it rained, it was great! Seriously though, that cake was bomb! I loved it! And my companion and I had a very unexciting Halloween. We had to be in by 6, so we made dinner together, watched some church movies and just wrote letters and what not. We also roasted smores and that was fun, too. We've been wanting to do it for some time, but the time finally presented itself and we got to do it!

Let's see...what else has been going on? Well, the work is moving forth and things are progressing. I can't wait til the stupid apple season is over so the Mexicans will be back in their houses again. Or I can pray for rain each day.

Well, something that I've been really trying to work on hard the past little while is my prayers. My Spanish prayers have been awesome and have been getting more and more detailed and specific, which I love. It just seems like when the day is done, I just am so pooped that I have no energy to put that into my praying since it takes a lot more to pray in Spanish than English. So, I've been working on that because I don't have the time to waste to be prideful and think I can do it myself. Because I know that I can't. I absolutely cannot!

My Spanish is still progressing and it still blows my mind some days that I can and do speak Spanish. It's amazing how the Lord blesses us and continues to. I am so grateful for all the blessings I've received on my mission. It's been amazing and my testimony continues to grow each day.

Eww, someone smells like old cigarette smoke. Bleh!

I want you to know that I love you and I pray for you always!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

26 Oct 2010

Querida familia,

Greetings from Yakima, once again. Things are well here and always looking up. The area is picking up slowly, but surely and once the apple season and other fruit/veggie seasons are over, it's going to explode. I just know it. The problem is is that all the Hispanics are in the fields working til late at night and that kind of puts a damper on the work. But once it's over, BAM! It'll be amazing!

Haha, I'm glad Andrew liked the letter. I wrote it really fast and I hope that you could read my handwriting. And I loved the letter that you sent. I read part of it to my companion and we just laughed at him running away. He's such a good kid. I'm glad that he's not all into that stuff. You know, it's fine to like girls, but they make it so much harder on a mission. I can't tell you about the countless elders that I've seen just get distracted by girls and what not. So, it's always better just to leave them as friends rather than something more. But, I'm sure it won't be a problem. Andrew is a good kid. =)

I'm stoked that your Conference was awesome! I got gypped out of another Stake Conference this fall. I barely missed Yakima's and Vancouver's was coming up a few weeks after I left, so I don't get another one. Which I'm kind of upset about because I love them and the spiritual feast I get to enjoy. But, you know what, there'll be more. One day. I'll get to have one right before I come home.

We had interviews this week and they went really well. President says that Yakima is doing me well. Which, I like to hear, because I'm still unsure of the area and the people and I'm trying my hardest to get it going and such. But, it was great. The only thing that kind of stunk was that he reminded me of how little time I have left. As of the 3rd, I'll have 5 months left on my mission and I'm not okay with that. Haha. I'm excited to come home and see all of you, but if I could just take a vacation, see my family, and then come back and be a missionary, that'd be okay with me. But, I'm setting some goals for my last little bit and working to meet them.

I really like what you told me about love and how you can't fall out of love. It's so true. I've been learning a lot about charity on my mission and what charity really is. I love the Bible dictionary's definition of charity. It's so true. Or maybe it's the index. I don't remember. But either way, it's awesome! I was always like 'charity, blah, blah, blah, pure love of Christ.' Yeah, didn't really have any deeper meaning, but after studying it and looking into it more, I've definitely seen the deeper meaning and have found that charity is the only way to be an effective missionary. It all starts with love.

Well, I'll work on finding the I heart Yakima t-shirts. I want one and I know Erin wants one and I want Clare to have one so we'll all have matchy matchy shirts. And if you want one, too, then okay. You can be twinners with us, too. =)

That's really sad about the baby dying. Especially with Brooklyn babysitting. I don't know what I'd do. That's sad and scary and wow. I don't even know how I'd react to that. That's so crazy. One time, when I was in Vancouver, Hna. Dunoskovic and I were saying goodbye to this old lady who had just had surgery and she told us to come sit on her bed with her and while we were, I swear she almost died like 3 times. It was scary.

11:11. Make a wish.

In other news, Hna. Salmon and I have received a new car. Yeah, a 2011 Malibu. It's beautiful and it's the newest car I've ever driven in my life. They must really trust me, because I've had two brand new cars on my mission so far that they've given to me while I've been the driver in the area. Yeah, I wish that I was wealthy enough to purchase one. Haha. Maybe in the next life.

And one last thing. Thank you for allowing me to come on a mission. I know it's a sacrifice for all of us and not just me. I get thanked all the time for my sacrifices, but in reality, if it wasn't for my family sacrificing, I wouldn't be here. But, thank you so much. I truly love my mission and even though it's coming to an end soon, I love it more and more each day. It will be a sad day when I have to leave my Washington and my family here, but I've learned so much and come so much closer to my Savior. I'm grateful for the Atonement and it has become more real to me on my mission than any other time in my life.

I love you all and I miss you.

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

19 Oct 2010

MOM
Things here have been going good. I went on an exchange last night with Sister Hendricks and it was awesome. It was fun to teach and interesting to work in English. It was my first time and just exciting. We had fun together and even though I was awoken by a coo coo clock every half hour, it was still fun. Oh, I also woke up with some sort of goopy junk in my eye. It's never happened before and now my eye is all red and pink. And it kind of hurts. Yes, I slept with my contacts in, but I've done it before and this hasn't ever happened. Just curious.

I wrote Erin about the whole staying in Idaho thing and so...yeah. I just told her what I thought and all that jazz. I don't know if it'll help or anything, but we'll see. Umm, let's see...what else.

Well, I've been working on re-committing myself to the mission again and focusing more. I've started over as a greenie and I'm just starting at the beginning. So, it's going to be exciting and I'm putting the Lord to the test to expect miracles. That didn't really
make sense, but you know what it means. Haha.

I can't believe that Jenny McGraw is home! That's insane! I knew she came home in October, but that seemed like it would never come. Yikes! Happy Birthday to Andrew yesterday. I have a letter I wrote to him that's got to be sent out. We share the same birthday. I turned 11 months yesterday. Where has the time gone? It's going so fast and I'm savoring each moment and using it so that I can be a better missionary.

Nuts about everyone getting their mission calls. I can't believe that. Poland. Russia. Dang, I'm glad that I'm in the US and speaking Spanish. Haha. I feel blessed. But it's still super funny because some days I wake up and I'm all, I can speak Spanish! And it's just funny. I don't know. I still wake up too some days and think I'm a
missionary. I'm a real missionary. And I still love being a missionary. It's great!

The work is moving and the area is growing. I'm excited to see what happens. It just needs some help and I'm so excited about seeing the area basically explode with awesome-ness. Oh Yakima. The work is going good and things are going awesome. I don't have too much to report this week. I'm sorry that my emails are getting shorter and
shorter, but I guess that's just what happens as the mission goes on. Ahh! I feel so bad. But, I'll write better next week. Sometimes I just am like AHH, I'm done writing emails. Haha. But, oh well. It will slow down...I hope.

I got the box, thanks! I loved it. And one day when you send a box again, can you put my leggings in there so I'll have them for the winter? I really want them because I'm already starting to get cold and it's getting chilly at night and I want leggings to wear under my skirt. And I don't really want to buy any because I've already got a
black and green pair at home. Just send both of them.
Well, I love you all so much. Thank you for all your support and all you do!

12 Oct 2010

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

12 Oct 2010

Oh Mom. Well, greetings from Yakima. I'm sure in Yakima even though it's dangerous. Haha. Nah, it's been really exciting. The couple of times I've been in Yakima, I've seen some exciting cop things. Well, I'm sure that if Clint wants to keep a job forever, the Gourleys could move to Yakima and he'd sure have lots of action. Yeah, it's insane, but you know, I've got the name tag with Jesus' name on it, so I'm sure I'll be fine...even if I do get freaked out a little bit. But, it's exciting.

I'm with Sister Salmon right now and I'm LOVING every single bit of it! She's awesome and I'm so excited to serve with her! We're just starting the area up and getting to know it all. Thanks for sending the stuff. I'll just send the Beltrans a letter because...well, I could just write a short email. Won't be too big of a deal. And, is there any way I can use the GPS? I don't know where I'm going and Sister Salmon doesn't really either. But, if not, no worries. We'll figure it out.

Let's see. Well, oh, I have to ask. Lloyd Zilch. Do we know him? Because he served here and a member in the branch presidency was asking about him. So, I hope so, because I want the connection. =)

The Branch here is so great! I love it! It's bigger than Vancouver and the people are just great. It reminds me of home a lot, actually. I love it. But, as always, not a huge amount of time. I love hearing from you all and am excited that you're doing well and everything is going well.

I love you!

Hna. Pleshek

5 Oct 2010

Wow. Sounds like your weekend was busy. Wish I could have been there to experience it with you! I sure do love Utah and visiting for Conference. I'm so jealous that you went to my mission reunion and saw my Annie and the Belnaps. And that Sara and Erin were there and you guys all had amazing seats! Wow. It sounds like a weekend and on top of that, Conference was great! I'm so sad that I missed it.

Well, this week here has been insane! I got the call on Saturday that I was being transferred. I don't know where I'm going or who will be my companion. Don't know why they're doing it this way, but whatever. We just do what we're told. All I know is that I do NOT want to go English speaking. But, part of doing the Lord's will is going where He needs me. And if I have to go English, so be it. It'll be an experience, that's for sure.

Well, these past few days have just been nuts! We've been seeing a lot of people and saying goodbye. I am going to miss Vancouver so much. I've put everything I've got into this area and I've worked so hard to build it. I'm going to miss it here and the amazing people that I've come to know and love. They're like my family and it's going to be hard to leave them.

The Conference was amazing! And...I couldn't have asked for better things to hear. Well, I better get going. We've got a million and one things to do today and no time to breathe! I love you all and thank you for all you do for me. Oh, the Beltrans. 2411 Neals Lane #303 Vancouver WA, 98661 I think that's the zip. I'll double check for sure next week when things are less crazy! Love you!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

28 Sep 2010

Clare wrote me and said that you probably told me about your birthday. What happened? Oh HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I was meaning to send you a letter, but it never happened because it's been still oh so crazy! We've got people on date and we're planning baptisms and things are really picking up in the area! I'm so excited to be here! I just love it. We have transfer calls coming this week and so I'll be letting you know what's happening next week. I really want to stay to see things progress and move forward, but as always, I'll do whatever the Lord wants and go wherever He needs me.

So, last week. Ugh, this story. Haha. So E. Ahart and I were kind of playing soccer/keep away with some other missionaries. And I cornered him and stole the ball away from him. I passed it to Sister Ulrich and he steals it from her...again. So, I go and I try to kick it away and I end up kicking his shin. Which, no big deal, except I just fall down because of the PAIN that is coming from my ankle/foot. Anyways, there's a HUGE dent where I kicked his shin and I'm like dang. Instant bruise. Well, an hour later, the dent swells and like half of my foot is just engulfed in this bruise/swollen red painful spot. Let's just say it was really pretty and it's only continued to get prettier. The bruise has spread to almost all my foot and ankle and it's really funny because everything asks what happened to me. Anyways, Ahart feels bad, but it's really cool. Probably the coolest bruise I've ever gotten. I'll send you a picture next week!

That's quite the flood! We haven't had a really good rain here for a while. But those are some fun pictures!!! I really enjoyed looking at them...even if they were small. but that's okay. I hope you enjoyed the pictures I sent last week...hope you got them.

Well, things are pretty nuts around here and I wow. The whole thing with Matt....that's nuts. Creep. I just, whatever. That's old news and I'm done with it. Bigger and better things, right? Sheesh. Is he still living at home?

I'll send you the address for the Beltrans next week when I remember it. I know the address, but not the zip code. And...can you send me some more contacts? Things have randomly happened [like when Hna. Dunoskovic threw mine away, etc] and so now I'm down to one pair and the ones in my eyes and the ones I have in are hurting like a mother. I have a box that I'll need to send home...especially if I get transferred. I don't need to cart that stuff around with me. But, that's that.

Anyways, I love you all so much! Sorry this is short, but things are going well here. I'll let you know what all happens with transfers. I love you!! And I miss you!

Love,
Hna. Pleshek

21 Sep 2010

Man, I'm so lucky. I just have an awesome family and this email is EXACTLY what I needed this week!

Well, sounds like you guys are all keeping yourselves busy. My companion and I are too! We had an awesome week and oh man, it was so great! On Sunday, we had 4 investigators at church and it was so awesome! We've got a baptism coming up and I am so stoked! We had at least 25 lessons this past week and it was so great. I also tried to construct a play set without instructions or pictures. I called it the apostosy. Haha. Funny how the gospel goes into whatever you're doing.

Who else had a wedding on the same day as Ethan's? Sure does sound like Kellie will fit right in with that family. Haha. But, all the better. Oh man, Mom. Speaking of temples. Can I get that beaded temple of the SLC sent out? I really want it before I leave because I'm about 90% sure that I am leaving. Actually, there's nothing in me that says I'm staying. Just that 10% [which is my heart] that longs to stay in Vancouver and just to be here with my family. But, I think that the Lord needs me somewhere else. And...weddings. Haha. So, yesterday, we were at the Hibbard's and I said goodbye to them. Don't know if I'm leaving or not, but I just figured since I was there, I should say goodbye. Anyways, they're such amazing people!! I sure do love them a lot! And it makes me sad that I have to leave them. =( but, we do what we have to, right?

Aww, man. Andrew. Makes me cry. For real, that's amazing! I just...wow. I have no words. And you know me. I ALWAYS have words!! But, that's awesome. I can't tell him how much I really do appreciate all he does for me. I'm sorry I'm such a slacker writer and that I haven't written him since I'm been on my mission, but I'll do better with that.

Dang, I feel so gross! I've been sick since like Saturday night and I just can't shake it. And the thing is, I HATE being sick when I'm not home. It doesn't feel good at all! And I just...ugh. Well, enough complaining. It's been an interesting week, to say the least and I sure am ready for the transfer. It's been nuts and I'm ready for a new start and just...the whole shabang!

Well, I take it that Brett's not married, then? I kind of stopped writing him. Because I wrote him about every month until I got to Vancouver and then I just, I don't have enough time to write to people who don't write me back. I don't even have enough time to write back to people who do write me. But, that's cool that he should be starting classes soon.

That's awesome about the church tour! How did it go? I've been wanting to do one, but the thing is finding the time when the lady doesn't work. Well, all you can really do is just get the two married. Even if he doesn't want to be baptized. But, that's so exciting! I love the work of a missionary!

We sure do have a lot of missionaries from our ward. What the heck? I feel so old! Kaegan and Sam Fuller and Matt Rickert? These are all kids that Erin graduated with or younger. Sheesh. That sure does make me feel super old! Speaking of mission calls. Yesterday when we were at the Hibbards, their son Keith had received his mission call a few days earlier and opened it up. And he made us watch the video of where he was going. It was so exciting to see! He's going to New Zealand! And he's super stoked. Doesn't have to learn a new language. Haha. But it was fun just to watch the excitement of missions and opening mission calls all over again. I still remember holding mine in my hands, shaking as I was opening it. Wah!

Well, duty calls. I love you and I'm so glad all is well at home! I'll send some pictures along this week! Les quiero mucho!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

14 Sep 2010

OH MY GOSH!!! Mom! I'm super stoked about the whole Miracle of Forgiveness thing. It's a common trend in my fast and always a necessity at the temple. We got to go to the temple today and it was lovely! I learned more things, as always. Not quite the experience last time I went, but you know, we can't always have those kinds of things happen to us. But anyways, it was still great as ever and I've decided that I'm getting married in Portland because of the cool reflecting pool. Joke. But still, it's really pretty...especially when it's not raining.

I sure did get that message from Jocelyn and I screamed. I was pretty stoked and can't wait to come home and see it. It'll be great and I'm super stoked! I can't believe it! But, I'm excited. I'm going to have my Spanish lessons all ready so I can teach it to be bilingual. =)

I just have a message from Elder Bair. He says that he was Elder Bair once in the letter that you typed, but I told him not to make fun of my mamma. So, it's okay. Nah, he's funny. I sure do enjoy having him in my district. He's my sanity. Too bad he lives in Arizona.

I'm sitting next to Elder Pixton, too. He's a funny kid. He always asks me 'How art thou?' and it makes me feel all happy. He's a cool kid. He's writing a book. Not sure where he's from, but enough about the people that are sitting next to me.

Yeah, the whole GPS thing. That's nuts. But, you know, I'm sure I'll be fine. I've got Elder Bair to give me directions if I need to get up in his area, but other than that, I'm good. I've been here for almost 6 months and know the roads pretty well. Even the shortest distance. And who knows what'll be happening next transfer, but it'll be fun.

I can't believe that I've been in Vancouver for so long. It's been crazy and I really do think that I'm headed up to Yakima for a while. Which is alright with me...even though Yakima is NUTS! All sorts of gangs and craziness. But, oh well. I'll be good. I can't believe how fast this time flies. We're already halfway through the transfer and I'm pretty sure we just had them last week. Oh well, you know how it goes. They say that it goes even faster after the mission...not sure how excited I am about that.

Well, I'm glad Nichola and Corey are planning a temple wedding. I wrote her a letter last week and asked her about all of it and what not. But, I'm glad they're shoting for the temple. I'm so proud of her! I sure hope that everything works out for her and that she's happy. She deserves it and I just love her stinkin' guts!

Yesterday was awesome! We were teaching back to back appointments all day long. No one flaked on us [first time ever!] and we were just busy! I love it because I'm starting to see the fruits of my labors here. We're doing so well and the area is doing awesome! We're getting people to church and that's awesome! I just, I couldn't be more happier than to see things coming around after working so hard for 6 months. But, I hope I can stay around to see it continue to grow. Every day is finding and teaching and it's just...wow. It's intense and I love that I can see myself growing. Not only in the gospel, but teaching it to other people. I'm a lot more confident in my abilities to do it...especially in English. Speaking a different language definitely brings out the first language confidence. Haha. If that makes sense.

I couldn't be more happier to hear things are going well at home. Things just keep getting more and more busy and maybe one day they'll slow down and I'll have time to breathe. I had an interview with the Greers on Friday. I fell apart in Sister Greer's hands. I've been feeling the last couple of weeks like just kind of as a failure as a missionary. Like it would be more beneficial to come home. ANd I know that's not true, but Satan was kicking me while I was down. That I'm positive of! But, things have turned around and maybe all I needed was a good cry to my mission mom. I didn't have you, so I had to go somewhere. But, anyways, things have been a lot better this week and I'm feeling back in the game!

Well, I love you all! Thanks for all you do for me and I couldn't be more happy to be a missionary! The Lord is truly mindful of us and all that we do. I love seeing His hand in the work every day and looking for those baby miracles.

Con amor,
Hna. Pleshek

Handwritten on 8 Sep 2010

Mom,

Well, I just wanted to write you a letter...and let you know how things are going here. Well, everything is fine now. Yesterday was a pretty interesting day for us. For p-day, a majority of the zone went bowling. So we decided we were going to go too. So we follow the zone leaders to the alley. We all go inside and get our shoes and whatnot. Well, Elder Prawitt (my zone leader) figures out he has no socks. So Elder Bair gives him his and says he's going sockless. We had just done our shopping and so I had gotten som footie things for my hsoes. I gave my socks to Elder Air on the condition he would go out to my car and get my footie things. I toss him my keys, no big deal. He comes in like a minute later, not even...like 30 seconds and summons me to come with him outside. I don't have any shoes cause he was wearing my flip flops, but I go out by him and he tells me that my car got busted into. He asked me waht was in the center consile and it was my GPS. Yep, it was stolen. Elder Prawitt comes out too and I'm all like well...at least nothing else was stolen and I just kind of start laughing. I mean, you can laugh or cry. I chose to laugh. So. Elder Prawitt calls the cops and Elder Bair and I are just moving stuff from my car to his and fiuring out what we can do. There's no cameras and no one saw it. And it's a pretty main road. And they were busy. But we decide to go in and bowl. But then the cop comes so all 3 of us go back outside and takl to him. Turns out to be the same cop that helped E. Prawitt and E. Hortin when their car got broken into and E. Hortin's GPS got stolen. But we went inside and finished bowling. I lost. But that's okay. We all get done and it's pouring outside. Literally pouring. None of the glass is cleaned. But, I'm blessed that I have amazing elders in my zone! Elder Bair said we could go to his house and vacuum out the glass. E. Prawitt drove my car over there in the downpour. We got to the Elder's house and by that time I was just soaking wet. Elder Bair cleaned a majority of the glass out. Elder Ahart and I helped him We had fun cleaning the car. Especially when a tube of IcyHot exploded. Then the 3 of us got it all over ourselves. It was lovely. We got it cleaned the best we could.

Elder Bair gave me some dry clothes to wear. And the members they live with gave us brownies. Well, we had to go to dinner and it was raining again. The elders traded us cars which was fine, but then we got home and realized they had our apartment keys. So we were locked out. I went in by the manager and told her what had all happened. She gave us an extra key and then we got changed and went to dinner. Then we figured out that we left all our groceries at the church.

So anyway, we got our window fixed this morning. Still nuts we (I) got robbed and I'm not even in South America! But, oh well. It could be worse. I still can walk and the work wasn't hindered, so I can't complain. I'm not even mad about it. Usually I probably would be mad but I'm not. Like I'm sad that someone stole and roke the window of the mission vehicle. I don't know. I guess that's part of me that's grown up on the mission. I'm alive and kicking and that's what's important. There still are good people out there. So, all I can do is hope for the best.

Andyway, I love you. I hope things are going super great at home. The gospel is true. No doubt about it. We are teaching amazing people and it's awesome to see lives change! I still love being a missionary with every fiber of my being. Even if the little kids ask me if I'm pregnant. Haha. Oh well. I will write you again soon. Sorry for the slack on emails. I love you Mom. Thanks for everything you do for me! i appreciate it more than I can say!

Con amor de tu hija,

Hermana Pleshek :)

7 Sep 2010

Hola Mom.

Well, just another day in paradise! =) I sure do love the mission and the email is going to be short today since we've got all sorts of things going on and just...wow. Super busy! I can't even tell you what happened this week! It's just been nuts and I don't even know where to start.

Just good little miracles have been happening all the time. I know the Lord blesses us with all of this. I just know that 100 percent!

Sounds like things are going crazy at home. Things are going nuts here and they are just speeding up. I'm so behind on all things and I just...wah! I swear it'll never slow down and I just hope that I can deal with all the demands of it. It's nuts and I just, I can honestly say I never expected this.

But, I'm glad that everything is going well. And those kids are getting soooo big! I can't believe it! I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of things, but oh well. It's part of the mission and I can't ever re-do this so it's great!

The work is moving along and I'm looking forward to the potential baptism we'll have this transfer! I love the area and I can't believe I've almost been here for 6 months. I love this place and I love the people here. I'm so grateful every day for the opportunity I have to come here to Washington.

How's Papa doing? I haven't heard about him in a while and I'm just wondering.

I love you all and I just...wow. I'm tired and my brain isn't functioning. So, I'll end with that. Sorry it isn't longer and that I'm a semi-slacker. But, I love you. And I'll write you a better one next week. I'm just all sorts of distracted today. Take care and be good! =)

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

31 August 2010

Wow it sounds like you've had an awesome week! And things are going sweet. It's been crazy around here and I struggle for a down time in this crazy life of a missionary.

Oh, I love Annie! She's the best! I miss her face and I can't wait to talk to her again. She started school today and I know she's going to do amazing things! Oh, that girl. I just love her!

The court case huh? Wow. I hope that Gresham wins because Shawano is lame. Haha. But, I can't believe that Ben is 8. He is not. I'm pretty sure that he's still about 5. There's no way. Where the heck is the time going? I just...wow. I feel so old. I remember him when he was born. He's so big now. Yikes. I'm getting old. =)

So, we've had a crazy week. We put some girls on date and that's awesome! The work is going so great and it's just all the more awesome when you have awesome investigators. Could I use the word awesome any more? Haha. I just love it when you have people that are progressing...and fast. And it just makes you want to do more missionary work and be a better missionary. It truly is amazing to see all the Lord's hand in the work we do.

So, yesterday was my first district meeting without Elder Arnold. Tear. I had a moment of silence. It's hard to believe that he's been with me for over half my mission and now he's gone. Oh Arnie. But, I'm sure he's going to do amazing things! I just miss him. It's not the same. But that's okay, at least I still have most of my district.

Haha, so I know a lot of people in the mission, right? And, anyways, so the topic of being shy has come up quite a bit with a few people. And no one believes me when I tell them that I was shy once upon a time and that Dad used to have to make my friends for me. And I just think about how I changed that, and I don't really remember. But, I'm sure glad I did. I love people and I love knowing them and being their friends. I've made some amazing friends on my mission. The only bummer is that they live in all sorts of places around the world and I can't see them all. It's sad to know that I might never see some of them again in my life. Ugh. Stinkin' mission. Just, makes you all buddies and gives you a special bond and rips you apart. Ahh.

Oh, so I want to know more about Dad's mission. Like, how it was funded, if Grandpa and Grandma wrote him, how did it feel, etc. Just like the in's and the out's. He knows all about it and I'm just curious to see how different it is compared to having parents that are supportive.

Last week, I got a blessing cause I was really struggling with lots of things. And to top it all off, I was hurting like no one's business, so I just sucked up my pride and got one. And I asked Elder Bair to do it and it was just what I needed. He told me that my Heavenly Father knew of the talents I was blessed with and that the work and branch here are in need of them. I just, it's a testimony builder to me that I'm where I'm supposed to be and the time I'm supposed to be.

But thank you for supporting me in all I do. I really appreciate having awesome parents. Especially since I've seen so much what it's like for missionaries to come out without that and just how different it is. I'm lucky that I've been born in the gospel and have this foundation. I'm grateful for so many things, I can't begin to explain them. But, I love seeing the miracles that happen every single day. And I know that my mission has changed me. I know that I'm a better person and my priorities have changed.

I love you. More than I did last week. And next week, I'll love you even more.

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

24 Aug 2010

Wow, I've got so little time. But, I'll probably end up writing you a hand written letter. THere's so much to say and so little time and I feel like I've got to just keep going and not stop or I'm going to fall. There's so much work to be done. We've got some amazing people we're teaching and it's just great! I can't wait to inform you all on it. But just know that I'm well and happy and things are going AWESOME!

Jenny comes home in like 3 months. She's almost done. I just got a letter from her the other day. Less than 3 months. Wow. That's insane! I hope DeAnna and Clare got to spend some time together. Sounds like you all are keeping busy. I sure am. And wow, I just, I'm so out of time, but I love you all and I am so happy to be a missionary.

And I wouldn't mind helping you clean the fridge Mom. I love cleaning now. And I'm really good at it. That and weeding. I've gotten super good on my mission. Haha. But, you're all amazing and thank you for all you do. I love you!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

A note from Sister Greer

Today I received these photos from the mission president's wife. She attached a brief note which is always good to hear. Her letter is below.
Dear Families!

Hello from Washington! We recently selected some sisters to attend specialized training from the missionary department. Your daughter was one of the sisters selected. They were in our home for four days and attended intensive training that they will help to implement in their area.

They were wonderful and darling and we love them!! Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy. They love you and are serving well.

Thank you for sharing them with us!

Much love,

President and Sister Greer
Washington Kennewick Mission

18 Aug 2010

What a week is has been! I don't even know where it went! I'll tell you that much. On Wednesday, we went out with Jocelyn. It was a lot of fun despite the hot weather. The less active we were going to see wasn't awake yet, so we went and ate lunch [we were supposed to eat with her]. But, we ate at our apartment. And we were supposed to go blackberry picking, so we just went by ourselves. We picked a handful of them. They were so good. But, my comp was really upset with the whole day. No one was home and for that, she was irritated. Resulted in a meltdown of some sort. She'll just start crying and I don't know what to do. If I ask, she just says nothing. So I don't know. Ugh. I feel so helpless. World's worst trainer. We were also late for like every appointment that night. It was so full and with old ladies that like to talk, we don't get anywhere very fast. It was a good day though.

We had a hilarious Thursday. We did a lot of tracting. And it was HOT! And even though our 4 o'clock cancelled on us, we still had a funny day. We had dinner at the Campos/Fagg home with the elders. They are SO funny! She's from Chile and he's an old white guy and they are hilarious together. hna. Fagg asked me when I get married if I'll send him an invite. I said well, If I get married, then you can come. He looked and me and scoffed and said "What is this 'if' business? When you get home, stick your meat hook in 'em and hang on!" Hilarious! I just about died laughing. I told him my grandpa was a butcher and so it would work out great! He was pumped. Haha. We had some more appointments that night. And I for real got violated Thursday night. So, we're at this house for an appointment and we leave and decide to go tracting some more. We're walking from this house and this guy is like 'Hermanas! Como estan?" And so I just look in the fence, cause he's sitting in his backyard and I'm like ...bien... I have no idea who this guy is. Never met him before in my life. He's all, 'You speak Spanish? I like that' so we went into his backyard where he and his wife are just chilling out. They get up to talk to us and this guy comes up [I'm assuming it's their son] and he's got his beer belly all hanging out without his shirt on [EWW] and paint all over him. There's like 4 different conversations going on so I'm really confused and I'm just trying to talk to them all. So the son [he's like 40] puts out his hand. I shake his, and he starts petting and caressing mine. Okay, freaking out. Yep, yank my hand away pretty fast. They basically push us into their house to talk and the son asks Sister Rico if she wants to see his room cause he was painting it. She says sure and she's like come on. I poke my head in and I'm like cool, yep, let's go. So, we sit down and the son just starts talking to us for like 10 minutes in a Spanglish jibberish that I don't understand at all. It's all over the place. He's walking around and he comes over and tells me I have pretty eyes and starts touching my face. I'm all freaked out and just pulled away. So, then, he asks for an English BOM and so I tell him we'll run to the car and get one. He says he'll come with us and I'm like oh, that's okay, we'll be back in like a minute. So we walk out the door and he starts following us. He tries to shake my hand again and then starts putting his arms around me and trying to hug me. And if it wasn't awkward enough, his lips start coming at me. Yeah, freaking out. And so I'm like basically running away and I'm like yeah, sorry, can't do that. It's against the rules. I'm a missionary! And wow, yeah. It was crazy. To add to it all, he was drinking and I'm not sure his elevator goes all the way to the top? Yeah, it was an interesting night.

Friday, we started with some studying with the elders. It was great! I also learned that before the end of the year, the branch in Pasco will be a ward! =) I'm so excited! I can't wait to go back and see the ward! But studying with the elders is always great! Oh, so my foot's been hurting for like a week or two. What do you think? Anyways, after studying, we had lunch and weekly planning. It was about 100 degrees outside when we left our house. We went and tracted a little before we went to dinner. We did some more tracting after dinner and found a few new people to teach. And even some for the english missionaries to teach. A really excellent day.

Saturday is always a fun day! I helped teach a recent convert english for about an hour and then we had an awesome member present lesson with Juan Carlos. We finished teaching him a first and he's so...AHH! He's exactly like Joseph Smith! He says there's a contradiction going on in his head about every church and he just wants to know the truth and change his life. He's so ready and he doesn't even know it. We went tractings some more. We went to have dinner with the Alquicira's. We ate sandwhiches cause it was SO hot! We saw Jocely after cause she had to talk to us. Aww man, I love her! I will for sure miss her when I leave. She's the rock of her family and the rock needs to vent sometimes. She does SO much for her family! She's amazing and will be an awesome missionary! She also received her patriarchal blessing on Sunday. We got in early and planned a busy Sunday. I took a cold shower and it felt SOOO good! I never thought I would want to take one, but oh, I was so gross!

Sunday was another lovely hot day. But it's okay because Juan Carlos came to church for the 3rd time in a row! And after church, he left with a Gospel Principles manual and said he would study up for next week! What an AMAZING thing to come out of his mouth. Every missionary's dream! And he's coming to the branch campout this weekend! Really, what could have been more amazing to hear? nothing!

Monday, we had to wash and clean our car for zone conference on Tuesday. That took a while, but it's okay because, another blaring hot day. I'm about ready for that to be done. Haha. But, we also had like this 6 course meal at this recent converts house. It was SO much food and I couldn't eat it all. She told me I was a bad eater, but I don't care. I could NOT finish off that food. Yikes! Especially when on Sunday some little girl told me that I was going to have a baby. She was really disappointed when I told her I wasn't because I wasn't married. Haha. But, yeah.

Tuesday was an amazing zone conference with Elder Ringwood of the 70. I heard him speak in the MTC and he was such a rockstar! Still is! I loved it and I am so grateful that I got to be here when he came. Oh want to hear something funny? So, Elder Hafen [last summer] was here before he came to Wisconsin. Crazy, huh? I may have already told you that, but oh well. We also found 3 new investigators yesterday. It was so cool and I love to see the Lord working in every aspect of the work!

And, today. P-day! And it's my birthday! Happy 9 months to me! And it's apparently all downhill from here. At least that's what they tell me. But anyways, that's really all I've got for today. I'm running out of time, but I love you all and can't wait to hear from you again next week! The church is true and it's amazing how it blesses our lives!

Les quiero y les extrano MUCHO!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek!

Oh and as for the dress, YES! Isn't that a show? Say yes to the dress? For sure, sell it off to her. Just tell her I want pictures from her in it! =)

10 Aug 2010

Wow. I can't believe that it's been another week. It's come and gone so fast, I can't even wrap my mind around it. Well, so let's get down to business. I didn't get to write out your letter like I've been able to do the last couple weeks, so this one might be a considerable amount shorter. But, we'll see what I can do.

Even though it's a million and one degrees in Nauvoo, I still want to be there. It's the first time in a REALLY long time that I haven't been able to go and I'm sad. I miss it and the Spirit there. I can't believe that it's already been a year since I've gotten my mission call and gone through the temple. Well, almost a year. I don't remember the exact date, but I do remember that it was amazing and I sure have grown to love the temple so much. I was at a less active's house yesterday and we were sharing a lesson about the temple and how we have such a GREAT responsibility to do the work for these people and I was telling her about how special it is to get to do that. We were talking about the first time I went through and the tears just started going down my face. I'm a lot more emotional person on my mission. A lot more emotional about spiritual things and really, that's how it should be.

Let's see. ATF is all the time finding. When we're doing whatever we do, and we're looking for people to find and talk to, that's what ATF-ing is. There's all sorts of fun lingo in the mission and wow. It's amazing that I didn't know it before hand. Haha. Now it's just a second...well, third language to me.

So, this conference we had this week was AMAZING! I couldn't have asked for anything more awesome! I was spiritually drained, but I learned so much! I can't even go into every single detail about how great it was. But, I really did gain a huge appreciation for the companion I have. She's great and I knew that, but after seeing some of the other girl's companions and how much they struggle with them, I was so grateful that I have the companion I do. I love her and we have fun together.

While I was in the Tri-cities, I got to go back to my old area and that was AMAZING! But, at the same time, really sad. I just don't know what happened after I left. I found a ton of people I was teaching and some are doing really well, but some are struggling, too. And I just...wow. It really just broke my heart to see some of the things that have happened since I left. But, you know, it's not my area anymore and I just have to trust that the Lord will take care of everything. I just want to go back before I end my mission. That would be super fun! But, I just loved seeing all the people and they were so stoked to see me. It was awesome!

So, I accomplished one of my goals this week. Right before Elder Montoya left Vancouver to go back to Pasco, we were talking about Spanish. And he's from Mexico City. Obviously knows Spanish. So, we were talking in the car and he goes 'Sister Pleshek, you're always saying how your Spanish is bad. What are you going to do about it?' And it really took me off guard because I was trying and studying and just I was really trying to to better and then he just cut me down. And I told him I was trying. So, I made a goal to just get better. To do it all. And when I saw him this week, he came up to me and he just started talking to me in Spanish and we had a long conversation. And it was AWESOME! And he just looked at me and was absolutely amazed that my Spanish had improved that much. And, so I just felt really good and now I'm a lot more confident in my abilities. It's funny because I don't even know the difference between English and Spanish anymore. People can talk to me and I don't remember if we had that conversation in English or Spanish. It's second nature to me now and that's how it should be. But, I was so excited!

It sounds like things are going well at home. I'm glad that you're all enjoying your time in Nauvoo and all that jazz. I really miss you all, but I couldn't be more excited to be here in Vancouver serving my Heavenly Father. It's the best decision I ever made in my life and I'm just so thrilled that I'm here and get to watch people change! There's a man we're teaching and he's so awesome! He wants to change his life around. He came to church 2 weeks in a row now and came to a MEGA spiritual baptism on Saturday. I've got high hopes for him. He's absorbing everything like a sponge. We are truly blessed!

I love you! Sigue adelante!
Con amor,
Hna. Pleshek

2 Aug 2010

It's Monday and we have p-day today! Mainly because we are going to the Tri-Cities tomorrow in the morning and President Greer wanted us to have a p-day. Sweet, huh? Well, it's been a crazy week! We had an RS activity on Tuesday and we learned how to make pies. Well, I didn't. I got roped into entertaining the children. We read books, sang songs, and drank some juice. It was like nursery. Haha. We were supposed to have an appointment or 2, but we got stood up. Story of my life. I think only a handful of people this transfer have been home when we have set appointments with them. Anyways, the transfer is like half way over. Wow. That's insane! It for real just feels like it just started. On Wednesday, it'll be 2 weeks until it ends. Crazy! Transfers are on the 25th. I'm looking forward to a transfer call that does NOT include my name.

Wednesday, was an exciting day! We were headed to lunch and we got stopped by this traffic jam. All this black smoke was coming out of McDonald's on Fort Vancouver Way, so we stopped to look at it. Apparently, a car burst into flames in the Drive-Thru because of a gas leak and resulted in the restaurant burning. Luckily, the play equipment was not harmed.

Before we were going to lunch, we were knocking doors. We ran into 2 ladies who are both named Maria. They are both awesome and I hope we get to teach them.

So, we had lunch with Elders Covington and Mick and their mini missionaries. One of them [the cooler one] was born in Wisconsin. So we bonded! It was so great! There's also a missionary here that just came in from Whitefish Bay, WI. It was exciting to see someone else from home. We had dinner at Costo with our elders. There's an hermano in the branch who always takes us to Costco; buys each companionship a pizza, and we just eat. It was kind of a rant session for us cause on Tuesday, our district was the only one that weren't invited to this hike. We were told it was zone p-day and so we were all kind of upset that no one told any of us. Turns out it wasn't, but we were still not involved...on purpose. So there was this huge riff between my district and the rest of the zone. It was a huge drama fest. But we purposely were not invited, so it sucked. But, we had fun playing without them. But yeah. Don't know if it's still a problem, but man. We weren't invited cause the elders in my district wanted to plan a fishing trip [which didn't actually happen] and one of the elders took it personally, so that's why. Ridiculous, but oh well. So we kind of ranted about that at dinner. But, afterwards, there was this guy on the side of the road that was selling flags. We stopped and ATF'ed him and saw how much the flags cost. I don't really want to pay 30 bucks for a Mexican flag. To end our awesome night, we found a man named Luis, who is separated from his wife and has an interest in the Gospel. It's amazing how the Atonement automatically connects everyone to the gospel, no matter what. But, that was our Wednesday and it was very exciting!

Our Thursday was exciting, too. We went over to a recent convert’s house and she had 700 yellow page books to put into bags. Yeah, so we did that for a while and helped her do it all. It took a while but it was really funny. Her name is Marta and she's been kind of sad/depressed for a while, but she was actually happy. It was so awesome to see her happy! We had this lesson at a less active member's house about prayer and it went so well. I just started crying in the middle of the lesson. I was and am so grateful for you and Dad that we had family prayer in the morning and that we grew up with scripture study. Just realizing too how much prayer means to me. It's something I need for sure in my future home and with my future family. No ands, ifs, or buts. We had dinner at the Garcia's and it was great! I always love eating with the elders. Hna. Rico and I were walking down the street after and we went into this gas station because we had to use the bathroom. While Hna. Rico was in the bathroom, I ATF'ed the workers and they liked us so they told us to come back so we would be regulars. Haha. I can't this week, but I want to go back next week! We were walking back and talking and all these girls started meowing at us while they were driving past. Like how Clint barks, but meowing. Made Hna. Rico scream. Haha. But we ended our night with a lesson to a man named Juan Carlos. He's a little crazy, but so funny! He said he would come to church and he did! And he loved it! Awesome, huh? I was excited and still am! But it was good. And we got some horchata that night. Sooo good!

Friday was amazing for me! We had a meeting with President Alder. The elders were late, so it gave me a chance to play and practice the piano. We had a fast weekly planning, which was probably not good, but oh well. We had no time. Hna. Rico thought we should make cookies for this investigator family that we love, so we did. And I got a letter from Brazil! Probably one of my most favorite things now! I got one from Argentina last week, but that wasn't as good. Haha. It for sure made the rest of the night better. I didn't really care that people weren't home for our appointments and I didn't get discouraged. It was a really nice feeling to not have.

Saturday was nuts! We struck out all morning, but the Lord knows where we need to be. We were on one side of town and we left cause no one was answering. We stopped at this apartment complex and as we were leaving, Eduardo, one of our awesome investigators that I haven't seen for almost a month, rode by on his bike. He recognized me through the window. He stopped and we set up an appointment for tonight. I hope it goes well. We headed to Washougal to teach a contact we had. His wife is a less active member. So we went over and I just got right down to it cause I didn't want to waste time. It's about a 15 minute drive to their house and we don't have the miles to do it if he won't progress. He said he's been having the lessons on and off for 8 years, doesn't believe in changing religions [he's Catholic and doesn't even go] and even though he believes it all, he doesn't believe in Joseph Smith. So, we aren't going to waste our time teaching him when he told us basically he won't progress. We went out to eat that night with the Hibbards and it was SO great! I love that family!

Yesterday was super well. Juan Carlos was at church and we had a break the fast and it was awesome! Hna. Rico wasn't feeling too well, so that was not fun for her. But, other than that, it was great! We had a break the fast afterwards and it was really good. Did a number on my stomach, but SO good!

We have zone p-day today and I'm stoked about that. It'll be fun and I'm really looking forward to it. But, I love you all and have fun at girl's camp. Our stake had it this last week and the U-Haul that was carrying all their stuff burst into flames. Lovely, right? Anyways, have a fantastic week! I sure do love being a missionary!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

27 Jul 2010

Querido mi familia,

Wow. What a week it sure has been. It's drug on, but gone by so fast! I can't believe it's already Tuesday again. I have no idea where it goes. The week just starts and then it's gone. What's even more hard to believe is that it's almost August and in 3 weeks, I'll be at my halfway point. What the heck? I seriously don't know where I've been or where the time has gone. It makes me sad just thinking that this grand adventure is halfway over. Man, I love being a missionary. There's never been something that's been so rewarding or made me so happy than to be here in Washington. I love these people. They are amazing! I can't imagine leaving them. They've given me so much and I've learned more on my mission already than I ever thought I'd learn. And not only about the Gospel, and Spanish, but about myself. And just my future. I've never felt so much love for people I've known for such a short time. I especially love serving with the Hispanic people. They are great! I'm grateful every day for the decision I made to come on a mission. It's the best decision I've made in my life! There are so many things I would be missing out on. In the MTC, I met people and also here in the field that have changed my life. I can't believe there was a time that I didn't know them. For 21 years. It's nuts! I've learned so much love. Patience. Charity. Hope. Service. Values. Perseverance. Acceptance. Boldness. Knowledge. The meaning of commitment. And more of the Atonement. I'm SO grateful I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows exactly what I need.

Oh man. Last Monday, it was super awesome and so hard. It seems like it always happens like that. Both hard and awesome at the same time. I was so...frustrated cause we had all these appointments and no one was home. Lovely, right? Yeah, no. But, we decided to go street contacting. I don't know. It just didn't feel right that we were where we were. I was trying to listen to the Spirit. We just got in the car and I drove to a place where we normally park. After we parked, I got out and it just felt right. Well, we said a prayer in the car. But we walked across the street to the park to find someone to talk to. There was a man sitting on the ground and I went and asked him if we could talk to him. We started talking and found out his name was Woody. He's homeless and can yell really loud. He told me I had pretty eyes and tried to touch my face, but other than that, it was fun to talk to him. I gave him a pass along card since I didn't have anything else. We just started contacting all these people and oh man. We found lots of people to talk to. There was actually a woman that came up to us to have the missionaries come to her house and visit her. Wow. It was one of those days where I just love being a missionary. Sometimes, I feel like it's me vs. Vancouver and when that happens, I think about my Savior that KNOWS exactly how I feel and will never leave me by myself. He's always there for me and He knows how it feels to be so alone.

Everyday my testimony grows of how involved the Lord is in this work. We're just the little workers and He's the boss. Oh man. And I just think about how if we would have changed one single thing, stayed a little longer or left earlier, things would not have happened the same. I really can't wait to get home and share the Gospel at home with people I meet. I'm stoked to go out with the missionaries. I don't want to be on of those bum RM's that doesn't help the missionaries. Especially when I know how it feels to have no help from the members and to go teach lessons without that powerful member testimony and help.

Saturday, too, was an interesting day. It was the same story - no one home. We were trying to make an R.A. with a lady named Blanca. We get to the appointment and there's this lady with her door open. A little girl running in and out. We go in and I start talking to her. She wants to show me a picture or two, so I just kind of invited myself in. Haha. She didn't seem to care so much. But she's precious! She's old and her husband has been dead for 26 years. She has 11 kids. Her name is Sara and she's so tender! And answer to a prayer! She already knows so many things about the Gospel. But, I really feel like she's ready for it. I hope that we can teach to her needs and she will feel the Spirit through us. Man, I love prayer. I love the feelings I get when I pray. I pray a lot more fervently and I love to pray for everyone. I pray to be a better missionary.

It really is amazing for me to see the changes in myself. Sometimes, I feel like there wasn't a life or a world before my mission. I know there was and I know I still have friends because they write me. But it's SO different. I can't even explain it. Anyways.

Here's something exciting! So, on Sunday night, we're driving home from our appointment and we have like 3 new voicemails. So check them, right? And one is from President Greer. And he's all like Sister Pleshek, call me back. I've got some things to talk to you about. So I call him back and I'm kind of freaking cause what's going on? He answers and tells me that I've been picked from the sister missionaries [along with 5 other sisters] to spend 4 days in the Tri-Cities, doing some training. Part of all the changes going on in the missionary program is the 8 new lessons for the missionaries to learn. We had training on 1 lesson already on Friday when we had interviews. But I'm spending 4 days along with 70 other missionaries, doing some intense training. I'll end up having to teach missionaries in zone conferences or other special training meetings. So, I'm pretty stoked and at the same time, I feel really special. I feel like I'm doing something right. And p.s. I really love the Greers! I love the Belnaps, but I feel a really special connection with the Greers. They are amazing people and I'm so lucky that they are my mission president and wife! I was lucky, I get 2! They really are awesome!

We had our interviews on Friday and it went really well. President and Sister Greer were so sweet! Hna. Rico was in first with President, so Sister Greer and I were just having a blast talking. She's so precious! We talked about medical things and then she asked me to tell her a story. President Greer and I just shot the breeze. He thanked me for my service and for training. It was really nice of him to tell me that. It's what I needed to hear. From July to November, the mission is losing 67 missionaries. Crazy, huh? I couldn't believe it! He said that means we're going to need 67 trainers. Haha. I just laughed.

Oh, so, I have this GIANT favor to ask. There's a family here and their names are the Beltrans. And they are awesome! They were sealed in October in the Salt Lake temple. And they told Hna. Kendell and I when the missionaries leave, they give them something to remember them by. It's been random things. One left a dollar, another left a name tag. One elder left a rap, and one left a reflector. Just random things. These people are amazing missionaries and are willing to help out with anything they can. They don't have a lot, but they still make sacrifices for us missionaries. So many! So, I was wondering if you could make me a SLC beaded temple? I want to give them something that's specific to me, but will also mean something to them. I'll just need it before I get tranferred...which I don't know what that is. I really think I'll stay here in Vancouver for a while. But that's all up to the Lord. And I don't remember if Amy has a large Nauvoo. I know she has a baby one, so I wouldn't think she has a large. But I for real don't remember. I want to see her wedding invite, so don't throw it away. Man, I think it's insane that all these people are getting married and having babies. It almost makes me wonder what I was doing with my life after high school. Eh, who knows. I'm here and that's what important.

We had our district meeting this week at a park. That was really exciting! Haha, the only reason we did it is cause the elders have only 100 miles left for the month. Well, about 80 or so now. But, we have like 500. Which okay, I don't know how. All 3 or so months I've been driving, I've had extra miles left over. In June, we went to Kennewick. 600 miles round trip. They gave us an extra 250 miles, but we didn't use them. This month, we've come and gone a lot of far away places. But now, we've got miles left over. I always explain it as a tithing principle. If you try and stay within your miles and are always planning with them in mind, they'll be there at the end of the month. I don't know how, but they are.

My hija has a swollen eye. It's been getting worse every day. We called Sister Greer last night and we did what she said [she thinks it's allergies], but it's just gotten worse. I haven't ever had a companion that didn't have an eye/swelling problem. All my comps have had that and allergies. I'm the only allergy free, normal eyed one. Haha. Cool, huh? Poor thing. She's miserable though.

I've been having trouble sleeping for the last little while. I'm not bothered by anything and I don't think its stress. I don't know. But, I took a Benedryl last night to help and I was knocked out by 10:15. I woke up this morning to find my pajama pants in the bathroom on the floor. I don't remember leaving the room, but it happened somehow. But I do remember thinking "I'm so tired. I'm just too tired to dream." I was dreaming in Spanish too, so I don't know. I really, this is like physically and emotionally and spiritually exhausting. I love it. Not that I'm exhausted, but that I'm a missionary and doing the Lord's work.

I've started reading the Book of Mormon over again. Little by little, it's becoming more and more real to me each day. Not that it wasn't real before, but it was just stories to me. I love the Book of Mormon and the Bible. I've come to a better appreciation for the Bible on my mission.

Man, so I played with the elders today. We played basketball and I was really good. Haha. I won't lie. I was pulling things out of places I didn't even know existed. But, it helped that there weren't a lot of people there. Yeah, today was zone p-day and no one told my district. Lovely, huh? Yeah, we were excluded, but oh well. We were still together as a district.

Anyways, I love you. The Gospel is true, the book is blue. Thanks for your love and I sure do miss you all.

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek