25 May 2010

Hola Mama.

Glad to hear that it has been hot and humid by you and not by us. Haha. But, we are getting rain...and lots of it. Surprise, surprise. Last p-day, we went fishing and it just DOWNPOURED on us. Luckily, the Hibbards had raincoats they sent us out with and we survived. Of course, it's just a little rain, but still. We just sat there with our poles in the water, rain just bucketing down on us. It was so much fun and we all enjoyed it. Elder Montoya said it was the best p-day he had had on his mission. Elder Arnold and he thanked us profusely for showing them the pond and knowing the members that would let us fish. It was so funny. They're hilarious and I'm glad they're in Vancouver with me. We all caught some fish, too. Each of us caught 1, but Montoya caught 4. Arnold's fish was the funniest. We all caught our fish within the first hour or so. And we really wanted Arnold to catch a fish before we left. He tried and tried. Poor guy, wasn't even getting a bite. Well, he did catch the ground. And then a tree. And a stick. But no fish. And he's using this little girl Hannah Montana fishing pole...so hilarious. Finally, he gets a bite and you can tell it's a big fish. It's fighting and fighting and we're all like sitting in suspense because it's dragging the line from one end of the pond to the other. Finally, he starts reeling it in and I swear, that pole is going to break. But with the help of Montoya [the fishing expert], they get the fish out of the water and it is the biggest catch of the day. Both elders were SO happy and oh man, it was just worth it to sit out there all day in the downpour to see the smiles on those faces. We're so glad we went. We cooked the fish on Saturday and ate them for lunch. Yeah, even me - the fish hater, partook of those rainbow trout and it wasn't too bad. It was pretty good for fish. But, that was our p-day last week.

Looks like you've got some excitement going on with your track team. Not only with all those that qualified for sectionals but the kissing games. That's GROSS! Oh man, I would have smacked those kids. Eww, who in their right mind thinks that's okay? Gross. Well, gjkl;aegjdakl;twdjag;klwejaf that's soo nasty! But who do you think will all be making it to state?

Aww, the Barrets. Haha, funny story. So, this is while I'm still in Kennewick and it's at the end of the transfer and I call President Belnap to see what pair of sisters I'm going with when Sister Garcia goes home. So, I call and ask him and we talk for a little bit and right as I'm hanging up, I go 'Thanks President Barrett' and I just started laughing and was like 'Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry President Belnap'. He just laughed too, but I did feel a little ridiculous about it all. Good story, though. But, I'm sad that they're leaving. Definitely a family I'm going to have to go see when I make my next trip out to Utah...who knows when that'll be. But, one day. We've been assured by President Belnap that the transition between him and the Greers will be absolutely flawless. So, I'll let you know. I'm sure it won't affect me too much, seeing as I'll still be over here in Vancouver, doing missionary work and won't really see the results until President Greer meets with all the zones in the mission. I'm grateful for President Belnap and his inspired leadership. He's a great mission president and I couldn't have asked for a better one to start my mission with.

Aww. All those kids are growing up so fast. I can't believe it. Well, I can, but it just seems so surreal to me. It's funny because I don't really know how I would act around the kids anymore. I mean, I know that I'll love them and want to hold them, but I'm not quite sure just how to act. I don't have to worry about that for a while yet, but it just blows my mind that I have a relationship with those kids. Well, Cami at least. But, it's crazy. They're so stinkin' cute. Clare emailed me some pictures. But, yeah. I'm looking forward to seeing them again. Sure do miss 'em.

Oooo, P-a with the big changing. I'm sure it can only help improve the Mill. Haha. And the GPS...that's whack.

Things are going well here. Transfer calls are coming on Saturday and I'm kind of nervous, once again, because this transfer affects me, just like these last 3 have. I know I'm getting a new companion, but I also know that I'm staying in Vancouver. I'm taking over the area, and by the sounds of it, I'm being the senior companion. As of yesterday, I officially started driving because Hna. Dunoskovic and President Belnap think it's a good idea to get to know the area. So thus, since last night, I've officially become the driver and am driving in Vancouver. It's scary, but you know what, it's going to happen eventually.

Well, my testimony only continues to be strengthened as I know I'm doing the Lord's work and He will take care of me. I love this gospel and I love being a missionary. There is no greater calling for me right now and I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be. I love you all and I'm so grateful familias pueden ser eternas!

Con todo de mi amor,
Hna. Pleshek

19 May 2010

Well, sorry I'm kind of a slacker and didn't email last week. It was a crazy day and I thought that since I had talked to you guys on Sunday, it wasn't a huge deal. Not a whole lot more happened since then, so I didn't think you'd mind all that much. What happened was we decided to go on a hike to Punch Bowl Falls. It's a really pretty hike and has a ton of waterfalls. It's a huge hike, but it was so much fun. We left really early in the morning for that and hiked all day long. About 6.6 miles. Not to mention the 40 feet we climbed up the side of the mountain. One of the elders thought it would be wise to climb the side of the mountain that had virtually a vertical steep side. Yeah, so we did it. And we were in front of all the elders, but one, so just in case we fell, they would catch us. Ha! There's no way that anyone would have been caught. We would have all gone down the side of the mountain. Elder Montoya had to grab my feet like 5 times because I was climbing and slipping in just wet dirt. [Didn't help that it rained that morning.] But yeah, so we did that. And it was fun and really pretty, but I think I've got my fill on the hiking front. We didn't get back from that til about 5 and we had an appointment then, so I didn't really get to email anyone last week.

Saturday we had a baptism! That was really exciting. Mario Botello got baptized and it was a really great service! We have a lot of fun teaching him and he's really excited about it all. He's a really cool guy and I'm glad that I was there to be one of his many missionaries that helped teach him the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So, I got this email today from an elder that was in my zone in the MTC. He's serving in Argentina. I'm just on his regular email list, so I get the weekly emails. But anyways, I was reading about how he got emergency transferred because 3 new missionaries came in and they needed his companion to train. So he's talking about his adventures getting transferred and then he's like 'Yeah and my new companion Elder Huckbody' and I was just like WAIT, WHAT? Hold the phone. Yeah, David Huckbody is companions with Elder Matt Moore who was in my MTC zone. And I think that's hilarious! I was super excited and just started to laugh. The world is SO small...especially in the Church. And it was really cool to see that.

Yesterday, we had Spanish Conference and that's why my p-day is today and not yesterday. So, we had Spanish Conference yesterday and that was really good. We had some really amazing speakers and I enjoyed most of it. The only part I wasn't fond of was towards then end when one of the speakers just lectured us and lectured us. I was getting really irritated because I was just like 'Okay, I get it. I can do better on my Spanish.' But who can't? It's a challange to speak Spanish in the states because you have to discipline yourself to do so. We're not immersed in it like other Spanish speaking missionaries are in other countries. So, it was really frustrating.

Sounds like everything is going wonderful at home. And YAY for Amy being married! I definitely want an invite for her wedding! Haha. I wish I could go, but I love her and I'm so excited for her! She's going to be an amazing wife! She's already an amazing person! And YAY for Lyssa having her baby. I bet he's just cute! But, that's cool that Lex and Evan got to go with him. They're in Chicago? That's fun. Closer to Kurt. I bet he's enjoyed that! Especially since he gets to be near his new grandson.

Well, we've got a fun filled day ahead of us. We're going to hang out - just us Spanish missionaries and go mini-golfing or something. It'll be really fun because we're the only ones with p-day today. WOOT! But, I love you all and thanks for always emailing and supporting me.

Con mucho amor,

Hna. Pleshek

19 May 2010

The 6 Spanish speaking sisters in the mission.

Mario's baptism last Saturday.

Mario's Baptism

I think Sammi is absolutely gorgeous in this picture!

I am currently having issues with my computer. Will post this week's letter as soon as it will allow me to paste it on here.

4 May 2010

Good morning Mom.

I wish I could say the same about the sunshine, but alas, it is Vancouver and it sure does like to rain here. So I can say that we're expecting rain today with a chance of sunshine and maybe the temperature will get above 60 degrees, but who knows. That's alright, though. It sure is green out here that's for sure.

Sounds like your stake conference was bomb! We had stake conference this weekend, too and it was lovely. We didn't get to go to the adult session because our investigators got really sick. But we did get to go to the general session and that was exciting. The ward boundaries got changed and everyone was in tears. I'm just sitting there thinking 'People! You're all still living in the same 1/4 section of Vancouver. You still live 4 streets down from that person. You're still in the same stake. You will see each other again. I promise.' It was kind of ridiculous and what was even more crazy is to have the stake president up at the pulpit pleading for these people to go to their assigned wards. Apparently there's like 100 people who don't attend the wards they are assigned too. That's so unfortunate. It really isn't the end of the world and they said that they've been praying about these changes for the last 2-3 years. It's sad when people can't see the Lord's hand in all things.

The work here has been going really slow. We're trying to find new people and it's just...it's difficult doing Spanish work here. Yes, there are people, but Vancouver is SO HUGE that it isn't quite as easy as it was in Pasco/Kennewick. It's little Mexico there and it really is easy to find people. But, I'm happy to report that we had amazing success yesterday. We taught some amazing lessons and found some amazing people! They are all just great and so legit. The thing is is one of the Elders that got doubled out of the area when sisters got put back in is our zone leader now. He left a list of people for the sisters to visit and contact and teach. And they didn't do it. So, we found the list and started trying because it had been over a year since that list was made. We contacted some of them and got new investigators. It's amazing to see how the Lord blesses us when we work hard to do His work. I always knew that, but everytime I see it, it just amazes me!

I got a letter from Stefanie yesterday and that made my day. I love that she wrote me finally. But, it was really good to hear from her. I'm really excited to talk to Alex. I haven't in so long and it just doesn't seem real. I've always loved talking to him, but I can't wait to talk to him about more things - gospel wise. And in Spanish. Woot woot! I need to write him a letter down there in Arkansas. I just got his address from Loey a few days ago, so I'll get on that. And I hope that Zane gets to go on a mission. A mission does everyone good who goes on one. It's the best thing that we can do for our Heavenly Father. It's an amazing opportunity and gift that we get from Him. Everything we get to service Him back is a gift from Him. We're so endebted to God for all the things that He blesses us with continually.

As far as Mother's Day goes, I'm so excited to call home. I can't believe that I come home in less than a year now. Yesterday was my year mark til I come home and that's just insane for me. It doesn't feel like I've been out this long, but here we are - another p-day coming and going. It's crazy just how fast time flies when you are doing missionary work. But, my companion and I are hoping that we will be able to call our families Sunday evening. We have church from 2-5 and we have meetings afterwards. I'm not sure if that will still be the case, but we'll see. But expect sometime Sunday evening around 8-ish or 9-ish. But I'll get it all worked out and let you know for sure. So, I'm excited! And then I'll have one more phone call to make and that'll be it. That's so crazy!

Everything here is going wonderful and I love being a missionary so much! It's amazing how much we are blessed. The time will fly by all too quickly and I know that. So I'm just trying to do the best I can each day. I love you all and I will talk to you on Sunday!
Con amor,
Hna. Pleshek