22 Feb 2011

Mother Dearest,

I'm sending out a letter of my last week. More so for my benefit than for yours, although I do like you to know what's going on. I've also realized that it's a lot harder for me to write if I don't have a sticky note of things that I've done this week. I usually have my planner, but that's so vague.

On a random note, there's this man sitting next to me and he's talking about this movie and how they used so much movie and he goes 'They used so much fur in the movie, I though PETA was going to have a cow'. I laughed really hard. Thought I'd share it. =)

On Tuesday, Juanita had her interview with Elder Urbina for baptism and she did AWESOME! Juana is so great and I'm so grateful that I got to teach her all the way through. It's fantastic. But, she did so great. During p-day, we had a talk with the Naches sisters [they're in the tri-panionship] and Sister Kendell and I decided that we should take one of the sisters with us on a mini-exchange to help her out a little bit and deal with all of the stuff she's going through. Well, Wednesday, we were supposed to have companionship study with the zone leaders and things just...got crazy. Everything exploded and Sister Kendell and I found ourselves in the middle of it all. We were emotionally exhausted after we left district meeting. Good thing we went over to Sister White's with Heather and made some super cute alphabet magnets that I'm going to be making a lot when I get home, FYI. =)

Thursday, we ended up going to the hospital to sing to some people. We sang to one family a member in the branch had met while he was there. And then another was a less active in the branch who is ...dying. She is. We walked in and she was shouting 'AGUA' really loud. And it scared me a little bit. I can only imagine how much it scarred little Alex who was with us. Her dad drove us around to these hospitals, so ...yeah. It was pretty insane. But it was okay. We stopped and saw a lot more people and had some great lessons. We had a lesson with Cindy Judd and read the Book of Mormon with her. She's doing great, but definitely cannot be pushed in any way shape or form. We recognize that she's doing something big by even talking to us, so we're helping her understand the gospel and the Book of Mormon.

Friday was fantastic because ALL of the things we planned, we DID! Nothing cancelled and everything was awesome! Heather had her baptismal interview with President Greer and it went great! She passed and is so excited for her baptism. We also had a great last lesson with Juanita before her baptism and the Mitchells came with us. It was on tithing and was fantastic! I'm so glad that they were there to help us teach. We also had dinner with Emiguel and had a good lesson with them as well. It was a pretty productive Friday.

Saturday, spent the morning in Yakima. We had a meeting after interviews. I had my last interview with President before my exit interview he will have with me in a month or so. It was nuts to hear him count the days I have left before I go home. I didn't really appreciate that. It was crazy. But I had a great interview with him. I love the Greers. They are so awesome. When I was talking to Sister Greer, she got down on the ground and was showing me yoga poses that could help me stretch. Haha. They're hilarious and I know that they're in the mission to help me!

We went up to Selah later that day to contact the million referrals we had there. We saw a lot of people and talked to them about the gospel. It was pretty great. We also spent a lot of time at the church, filling up the font for Juanita's baptism! Which, was excellent! She was on time, had friends and family there, and did spectacular! I'm so happy for her. The choice she made to change her life and become a member. She's awesome! The baptism was so specific to her, I just loved it. Hna. Kendell and I just smiled the whole time. =)

On Sunday, she was confirmed and it was such a sweet tender mercy to see it. She's so excited for this and I know she'll do amazing! And we planned Heather's baptism on Sunday, too. We've almost got all the details hammered out for it. And on Saturday, she will FINALLY be baptized, after all the seizures, sickness, and re-teaching EVERYTHING. It was all worth it to see her change and just...oh my gosh, she's so amazing, too! The Lord really has blessed me and my companion!

I know that this gospel is true. It changes lives and blesses families. I'm so grateful for this chance that I have to be a witness of Christ. To share the message that His church is again on the earth. It's a priviledge to do that. I've changed and I know it's because of my mission. It saved my life. And I'm so glad for the family that I've been blessed with. I count it as pretty much the biggest blessing in my life. Because without my family, I wouldn't have the knowledge of the doctrine of Christ. Thank you for being an example for me. Dad, too. I know I can't do any of this without you guys. I love you!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

15 Feb 2011

Oh Mother.

So little time and I've been like running around like a mad person. I will for sure write you a letter this week to make up for this lame email. But, I hope you enjoy the pictures. They're exciting and I love my companion! She's soooo awesome!

I love you all and I will write you soon! Thank you for all you do for me!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

8 Feb 2011

Oh Mom.

What an email I have for you this week. I'm writing you first so I don't get all distracted and frustrated because I'll get sick of writing emails right away. I think an hour isn't long enough to email, but I'd rather have my hour spread apart in different section so I don't get too sick of the computer and email. Yikes. I never thought I would say that. Anyways.

Last Tuesday was crazy! I spent 5 hours in the hospital with Heather. Sister Kendell and I got a call from her that morning just as we were leaving and she asked us if we could take her to the ER. We can't because we can't take anyone in our car, so we called a member and she thankfully took her. And we all spent some time with her there. She didn't leave until a few hours after we had left, but they got her medicine changed and she's doing a lot better! We also had an awesome lesson with Juanita that night. It was super! And to top the night off, we walked in on Heather fighting with her daughter's father on the phone. It was really uncomfortable, and so we left. We called her and told her we would come tomorrow, but she insisted we came over that night. When we got there, she was crying and had punched the wall and it was just nuts. Perfect time to talk about the Atonement. I just love that no matter what, that subject ALWAYS applies to what we do.

Wednesday, we had a loong district meeting. We had this thing the elders wanted to do...yeah, it was weird. But, whatever, we did it anyways. We were at the church super early at their request and then we waited forever to start the meeting. Finally, we just decided to start without them. We opened with a prayer and a song and then I did some training. I was in the middle of it when all the elders walked in on us and they just looked at us in a state of shock. It was pretty funny, but then I just let them take it away. It was really funny to see the look on their faces. But, the day just kind of dragged on and wasn't the best. We felt sick after the meeting because it was Sister Stewart's birthday and the elders had made us play these weird games....I don't even know. But we were both sick because we had just eaten junk. And that doesn't put you in the best mood. We had this appointment with Jacobe and Sister Kendell said that if he cancelled, she just might cry. We walked into his house and he was like oh shoot, I forgot. Can we do it a different day. I almost burst into tears, but just started laughing and said that it was cool. And then all of our appointments cancelled on us pretty much for that day. So, despite ourselves, we decided to tract. We did and even though we didn't really have any success, we saw the blessing of it later that night. We had an AWESOME night and one of our investigators texted us out of the blue saying that he missed us and wanted to meet with us again and that he would be in church on Sunday. I know that was a direct blessing of us being obedient.

Thursday, we walked into Moxee again. We had some awesome lessons with Jacobe and Sister Carlton, a less active. We also had a super lesson with Heather and since our dinner cancelled, we ate with some members of the ward. They are awesome! And then the funniest thing that happened was probably our lesson that night with a 14 year old named Aramis. Our WML came with us cause his son is friends with Aramis. And we were teaching about the Word of Wisdom and then about the feelings of the Holy Ghost. While we're teaching his mom comes in and he starts explaining to her what we're talking about and says 'Yeah, and it's a burning in your gizzard.' and I about peed my pants. Seriously. It was ridiculous, but SOOO funny! That kid is funny!

Friday was the day where we were persecuted for being righteous. It was hard, but after some prayer and hymns, we had a great weekly planning session. But both Sister Kendell and I felt like we were living in the BOM days like in the story of the Tree Of Life where those who are trying to do right are laughed at, mocked, and persecuted by those who SHOULD be doing right. Yeah. Lame. We had a good day though and there was a little surprise party that one of the elders organized for those missionaries leaving. It was low key and neither of us wanted to go, but we did to show that we loved them. It helped relieve us after a REALLY intense lesson that we had with Emy and Miguel. But, great day!

Saturday, we had a baptism in the branch. One of the little girls got baptized and it was awesome. We had a crazy busy day and it was just...nuts! But, awesome. We didn't even have time to eat dinner because we were just running around from lesson to lesson and just all over. So great to have days where you just crash afterwards. We also were supposed to get transfer calls, but didn't. And that was distracting as well. BEESH!

Sunday morning came pretty early. We got a text from Jacobe like 3 minutes after we woke up saying that he wasn't coming to church. We've been trying to stress the importance of church and such and it has hopefully been semi working. Anyways, we told him it was his loss and that we hope to see him before one of us left. And then he told us not to make him feel bad. I said I wasn't trying to, but just saying it like it was. Then he went on this whole tangent about how he has faith and whoever thinks he doesn't is wrong and he still believes in the teaching of the Church and I just told him that faith is an action word and if you don't use it, it's going to leave. And how Satan is trying to get him. Anyways, we left it at that and I was kind of irratated a little bit. But we went to our meeting and then after church had started, I looked back and in the overflow, Jacobe was walking in. It was a miracle! He told his dad that he wasn't going to Seattle and came to church instead. AWESOME! It taught me a great lesson to NEVER make exceptions for not going to church. It's such an easy habit to getting into and then you become inactive. That's the trend I've seen with most of the less actives. They skip one week and then the next and then they're inactive and out of the habit. We also had an awesome lesson with a lady named Cindy. She told us she wanted to read the Book of Mormon, but didn't understand it so she wanted us to come read it with her. She's awesome! But, we had a great lesson with her and gave her a seminary manual to help her understand it more. She loved it!

Yesterday, we had an AWESOME day. Sister Kendell and I got transfer calls at about 10 a.m. and it was hilarious. They're reading it off and we're just sitting there together, holding hands. And then they finish, and we're like....wait! Our names weren't called. And we start screaming!!! The Mitchells were like what happened? Brother Mitchell heard us in the garage. Haha. But, we went to work and just had a great day. We did SO much. We helped a lady paint for about 2-ish hours, which, really was awesome to see her. She's been struggling and just needed some friends. And we taught a lesson to a lady named JoAnn and she had some doubts about the Sabbath and polygamy. And when we explained, she understood and thought it was awesome! We had a fabulous dinner with someone from the ward and our night was filled with the Spirit leading us. So great!

Anyways, this is a HUGE letter and it's taken forever to write. But I love you all! Thank you for all you do! You're the best! And I'm so glad I'm staying here with Sister Kendell. We had a work here to do together and it's very obvious to us that this is right. I love you and I miss you!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

1 Feb 2011

Mom,

I wish I had more time, but I just don't. Things have been nuts and I spent about 5 hours with Heather in the hospital today. It's insane! But, time is winding down and I can't believe it's February already! Sheesh.

I wrote you a letter...I hope you got it. I'll write you another one to make up for the lame, short email. Sorry. I'm just a pooper. But, I love you! Have a fantastic week!

Hna. Pleshek

24 Jan 2011

Miguel and I exchanging chocolate for his lighters.

My first Slurpee from 7-11.

Well, let's start the week off right! Sister Kendell and I are headed down to the Tri-Cities for some specialized training, so that's what p-day was changed to Monday. Anyways, about the last week.

Last Tuesday, we had some pretty good lessons. We stopped by Emy and Miguel to see how they are doing. We read the scriptures with them and Miguel and I made a bet. He was saying how he always beats everyone at everything and Emy had made a comment earlier about how Miguel was trying to stop smoking. So, I made him a bet that I could give up chocolate faster than he could cigarettes. So we decided that on Thursday, he would give me all his cigarettes and I would give him all my chocolate. So, that was the plan.

Wednesday, we had District Meeting and for it, the elders planned this huge thing. In addition to making one of their crazy videos, they created Selah-opardy. Which, was fun. But crazy. And took forever. But, they had all these categories about PMG, The District 2 movies, the scriptures and what not. Pretty fun stuff and I learned something, so it wasn't wasted effort at all. We saw Heather too and she seemed to be doing better on Wednesday. Semi-coming back, but still not fully there yet. We read from 1 Nephi with her, so that was good. We also saw a less active named Anabel. And she's sooo funny. We had dinner with her and everything was awesome. She told us she couldn't cook which was okay because we ate a late lunch at a Chinese buffet...which my companion almost died at and I did too. Stinking places. Oh well.

Thursday, Miguel and I made the trade with the addictions we have. After reading M. Russell Ballard's talk from Conference, I handed over my 3+ pound bag of chocolate. He had smoked all his cigarettes, so I took all his lighters. It was funny. But, the lesson went awesome with him and he's doing great! We also talked about baptism, which isn't something he's ready for right now, but will definitely be something he'll do in the future, I just know it! He's so awesome and when they get sealed, I'm so there! Heather was doing worse on Thursday. She just completely had forgotten everything...where she was, what city she was in, etc. It was nuts and we had a hard time trying to find something to talk to her about because she was just so out of it. And that really concerned us, because she was starting to come back. We also got the call on Thursday that we were going to the Tri-Cities for the training because we're the exchange sisters in Yakima. So, that'll be good.

On Friday, we watched the Restoration with Heather to try and trigger something in her memory. She was still out of it, but watched the movie and said she felt good about it. After talking with President and Bishop DeGooyer, we decided to postpone her baptism. But, she's still awesome and stuff. It was crazy, because Bishop is a doctor and he said all that we were telling him sounded like she had had a relasp. So, he asked us to ask her if she'd taken anything. It was really overwhelming for Sister Kendell and I. All week long, we've kept saying 'I'm too young for this'. And I really am. I should automatically earn a degree from this or something! But, we also had dinner with Emy and Miguel. Hna. Kendell and I made crepes for them, since they had never had them...and we just spent our dinner laughing and having a blast. I love those two. And I will be really sad when I have to leave. I had a sweet experience on Friday when Sister Kendell was helping the member Heather lives with with her math. There's a Native American lady that lives there on and off named Roma Jean. And she's an alcoholic. Well, she was sleeping on the couch when we came in. We had our lesson, and then Heather went to bed and Sister Kendell helped Sister Wilsey. I walked back into the living room and Roma Jean was awake and so we started talking. Granted she was so intoxicated, but we had a really good talk and while we were talking, she just started to cry. She was crying because she'd lost a daughter and felt alone and just hopeless. It was a wonderful chance to share the gospel with her. She's been scared of us and would run away from us each time we would come over. But, Sister Wilsey saw us on Saturday and asked what I had done to Roma Jean because she had told Sister Wilsey that she wanted to see me again. It was a tender mercy from the Lord, I know it!

Heather was doing slightly better on Saturday. She received a blessing on Sunday and when we saw her Sunday night, she was doing a ton better and coming back to her old self. Still swollen tongue and sore body from everything, because she's had more seizures, but she's coming back. And we're so excited! We love Heather and I'm so thankful that I've been able to be here at this time to meet and teach her. She told us that we can't leave. She's so cute, and I just love her.

Sister Kendell and I are headed to the Tri-Cities tomorrow before 7, so it will be an exciting trip for us. We're staying at the mission home and going on exchanges with the Spanish sisters. We also have zone p-day today, so that'll be fun.

I love you all! And I am so grateful for all you do for me!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

18 Jan 2011

Well, first off, before I forget, I believe our p-day next week will be a Monday. Just a big FYI. So, now let's get into this letter. I'm hoping it will be packed with fun-filled action of the past week.

Last week, after emails, Sister Kendell and I went and got pedicures for her and my year marks. Since we didn't do anything for them, we wanted to do something together. And it was awesome! We tried to share the gospel with a Vietnamese Buddist. Very interesting. But, it was fun to try. Maybe we made a difference...who knows! But, we went over the the Englewood building to play with the elders and while we were there, I got my 'trunky call'. The call every missionary gets from the mission office asking them if their parents have moved, if they will have a valid driver's license and temple recommend, where their stake president lives and which airport is closest to their home. Yes, well, it's the dreaded call and I got it last week. I am scheduled to fly home on May 3rd. So that's when I will be coming. I can't believe that I only have 2 1/2 transfers left. Where has all the time gone? It's not supposed to be this close yet. After we started proselyting again, [woah, spelled wrong?] we had this AMAZING appointment with a lady named Juanita. She is the daughter of a member and is awesome! We extended the baptismal commitment to her and she accepted for the 29th of this month! YAY JUANITA!

Wednesday, I had a lovely exchange with Sister Spencer. It was really fun and I just laughed my butt off the whole entire time. She's kind of off the wall sometimes, but we had fun. She reminds me of a young Mary High...haha. You can imagine. But, she was hilarious and we got a lot of work done. It was great!

Thursday, we woke up to everything covered in ice. We had a zone conference up in Selah and we were all supposed to meet there to practice our song. Sister Kendell and I sang with the zone leaders in a lovely rendition of Our Savior's Love. It went really well, but anyways, jumping ahead of myself. We woke up and had to clean the car. Kind of hard when it's covered in ice. So, we try to do our best and then just start driving into town to a car wash. Well, I get the smart idea that since it's icy, I don't want to like slam on my brakes, so I decide to cut through the parking lot. Yeah, bad idea. It's all slanted and so we're over half way through the lot and I'm trying to put on my brakes...and nothing's happening. Yeah, I was just sliding on the ice and we're headed for the snow bank and curb. Sister Spencer's all, oh man, here it comes and we jumped the curb and got stuck. LAME! Because it's soooo slick outside and we can't push ourselves out and ...ahh man. So we call Brother Mitchell to see if he can come help us. But while we were waiting, a group of Mexicans came and pushed us out. I was really grateful for that. So, we get our car washed and the elders call and ask if we can come pick them up. At this point we're soooo late, but if we don't, they won't have a ride. So we go get them. And then we drive to Selah. And as we're driving there, we get stuck behind a semi. In my freshly washed car. UGH! Haha. But, whatever, it was fine and we didn't die, although we were extrememly late. But, better late than never. Zone Conference was AWESOME! Rocked my socks completely off. Loved it! All about the Spirit in conversion. Awesome! But, later that night, we tried to use what we had learned in a lesson with a member and her non member husband. And we had a really good lesson with him. He asked a lot of questions and he's opening up more and more. He believes that the church is true and it feels right to him. We've just got a few things to sort out and he will be golden!

Friday we had dinner with a less active and active his girlfriend. They're younger than both Sister Kendell and I, so it was really weird. But, good. We touched him and it's amazing to see his Spirit wanting to come back. He's becoming converted and it's great! We spent the whole day sinking in the mud, as it's getting warmer and warmer. Yikes! Our shoes were completely dirty and just...reallly muddy. Oh well. Haha, we also stopped at a lady in the ward's house. She's so funny. She lives by herself and the other week when we walked forever, we walked to her house. Well, she came home that night, didn't see any car tracks, but found our note and she just saw two sets of footprints. So she didn't know it was us, but she figured there were some prowlers in the neighborhood. So she calls all her neighbors telling them that there's prowlers and such. And she's freaking out and telling everyone. She finally is on the phone with Bro. Mitchell and he tells her that we walked there and it was us. Haha. So funny to hear that. But, lesson well learned.

Saturday, it was another day where we just walked about 10 miles all over Moxee. We walked and walked and walked. We stopped and some people were home, but it was fun. Really nice day for walking, other than the mud. But, great! It was all worth it at the end when we contacted 3 Mexicans working on a gate. And we shared with them a message about what we teach, gave them pass along cards, and went on our way. One of them called us yesterday, so it was worth walking...especially in the rain. We about died of laughter that night. Sister Kendell and I were soooo exhausted, everything was funny. So, it was great. And we just went to bed laughing. I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard. It felt amazing! I just love her! Oh and the Mitchell also rescued a bird they let us see that night.

On Sunday, it was lots of church, as normal. We found out that we have 666 members in the Terrace Heights ward. Haha. We all thought it was funny in our meeting. But the only scary thing that happened was that one of our investigators had a seizure before church started. So, that was really scary. We had an appointment with her yesterday, and she just looks awful. Oh my gosh. But I'll talk about that more later. We also had this visiting teaching conference that was great! I love the ward we serve in!

Monday...we had a lesson with Heather. But she was just in bad shape. So we called Bishop to come over with one of his counselors and give her a blessing. He's a doctor, too, so it all works out. But we hope she gets better because she has her interview with President Greer on Sunday. We also lost our phone yesterday. We searched and searched Yakima for it and that made us late to most of our appointments. But, such is life and there's a reason for everything.

Well, that's all I have this week! I love you all so much and I'm thankful for all you do for me!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek

1-11-11

Happy Anniversary to you Mom and Dad!

This post will be really short this week, but I'd like to do it with pictures...at least the ones I have. We didn't quite have the eventful week we had last week [hospital visit, etc.], but we have put some people on date to be baptized at the end of the month and that's awesome.

One of the member's in the branch - their dog had puppies right before Christmas and we went over to their house to eat and I got to play with them. This one, I named after myself. Haha. Despite the fact that it's a boy. It's name is still Hna. Pleshek. Hna. Kendell got to hold one for a little bit too...but didn't for very long because of the allergic business and the fact that last week, the dogs weren't too fond of her. But her finger is better now! =)

The other day we went out walking. We were going to walk to a lady in the ward's house. The RS president asked if we would go see her and we never catch her home, so we decided to try and walk. After she wasn't home, we decided to walk to a ward missionary's house...which wasn't too far up the road...or so we thought. We ended up walking about 7 miles that day. And let me tell you, my feet and my legs sure were feeling it the next day.

Our RS president in the ward gave us these mafia coats...yeah. They're warm and made out of wool, but we feel like we're going to drown in them. It's okay though. I hid 2 children in them on Sunday. It was really funny. But I'm super grateful for the warm coat after the snow we got the other day and the snow we will get.

Yesterday, it was a less active's birthday. And his favorite movie is the Little Mermaid and so we made him a cake. It was the only thing he got for his birthday and after we surprised him with that, we sang some Little Mermaid songs to him. He told us we sang exactly like Ariel. Haha. It was awesome though. Hna. Kendell and I just had a BLAST making that cake and it was pretty good. It was all from scratch and it tasted pretty good.

We had a pretty productive night and week and it's just a blast being with Hna. Kendell. The work is moving and the members are great! I love being a missionary! I love you all and thanks for everything you do for me!!

Con amor,

Hna. Pleshek