July 26, 2010

Hello everyone,

Hello from your favorite Hermana in Tennessee (that is me if you were thinking of someone else....sad day). Well it has been a good week and many great things have happened.

Remember I told you about Delma. She is English but we met her and she told us that she wanted Sisters and not Elders to teach her because she just felt more comfortable well we teamed up with the Elders and teamed taught her. She is amazing and was baptized on Saturday; she was then confirmed on Sunday, she is so happy and excited to be a member. It was a very special day for her and the ward is just helping her along every step of the way, so it is great.

Saturday night at around 10:00 we get a call from our ward mission leader and he says Sisters remember that the 4th Sunday is the Sunday to talk on missionary work. You are speaking right... (What I don't think I agreed to that), but yep. So Sunday we both got to speak in Sacrament meeting on missionary work. Good thing I am getting better at these kinds of things. So sacrament is over and we are going to our Gospel Principles class and the teacher comes up and says I have to leave can you teach the class for me. What are you kidding me... Ok, we said so we decided to ditch the lesson on Honor and teach to the needs of our investigators we taught a 3rd. So yesterday was a day full of unexpected teaching! I don't know really how we did but it is over and we lived.

Oh the best part is....We were teaching our class and it was just us and one new convert and then one investigator because the rest were in primary or had to leave for some reason, anyway we were in there and we were talking about repentance and baptisms and all that great stuff and I ask our investigator "what is one of your goals?" she says "To be baptized with my children." WOW that is a very good goal I thought Hna Ray and I looked at each other Smiled and went on with the lesson. Our member then asked to bare her testimony and it was just what our investigator needed. Amazing! The meeting was so good. After the class it was just us and our investigator so we extended a date for her to be baptized. She says she wants to but we need to help her work through some things. So right now what we have to do is get her divorced. (That is a lot harder then getting someone married so we have a lot of work to do but she wants it so bad she just needs some help and support). Anyway we have a great teaching pool and we are trying all we can to work work work.

Sorry that this is short I am happy that you are all doing well. Hope you have a great great week and that you know I love you so very much. Thanks for Your love and support I wouldn't be able to do it with out you.

Love

July 19, 2010

Hello Everyone,

You are all just so amazing I just hope you all know that and never forget it. I am doing well and Hna Ray and I are doing well too. We are working well together and trying hard to keep things rolling here in Madison. We had some amazing miracles happen this week and some adventures as well.

First Flora and Aislin (not Ashley-I found that out this week) were scheduled to get baptized this week. So we made all the plans she was getting baptized on Saturday at 8pm. On Grandmas and Uncle Harolds Birthday. (I sang to you both when I woke up by the way) Well all was good but then we found out that she had to work on Sunday and that she would not be able to come and get confirmed. Well we couldn't have that so we asked her if she believed in Miracles and if she had the faith. She said she did. So we kept going with it and she was asking her boss for work off and we were all praying for the best. Well it came to Saturday and she still didn't know. She went to work but didn't have a phone to call us so we didn't know if she had Sunday off. Well we were going through with the baptism anyway. They showed up at 7:45 I asked her if she had it off and she said. YES my boss gave me Sunday off. HECK YES!!!! Miracles happen and this was a big one. She and her daughter were both baptized and then on Sunday they were confirmed as members of the true church. Love it!!!! The lord is blessing us so very very much. They had tons of there family at the baptism...7 non members to be exact. Jesus and Magdalena (her brother and sister in-law that were baptized in June) were so happy for here and they are all just progressing in the Gospel. I love to see the change in there eyes. the other 3 sisters that were at the baptism we are teaching as well it is only a matter of time before we can help them make this step as well.

Another miracle yesterday at church we had the 2 confirmations and we also had 5 at church. We had a family (mother and 3 kids) who just showed up and said we had a friend tell us about this Church so we wanted to come. Wow so we set up an apt with her and will soon be teaching her and her family. The Lord is amazing.

Hna Hegerhorst stupidity and miracle number 3......well it was Thursday and we had just finished our day of work. We came home at 9:00pm parked the car and did our miles like we do every night. Then we got out locked the car (but I have to push the button in the door because our little clicker thing does not work) and started to the house. I had the cell phone in my hands but then I said to Hna Ray "oh no....Hna I don't have the keys...." so I looked in my bag but no so then we went back to the car and there they were still in the car and not in my hands (I always take the keys out and put them in my had....but not this night). Great I thought I just started laughing because the keys also had our house key on it so there was no way to get into our apt (we couldn't even break in) and no way to get into the car. So we were stuck outside and we were just laughing. Well we had a cell phone so I called our President and explained our situation he said, after we both laughed about the situation, Call a member and see if they can help you but get someone there with you because I don't want you outside by your self especially in your neighborhood. Then if not call a tow company and then let me know what happens. Ok I said. Well it just so happened that a member just moved into our apt complex so we went to his house to ask for help. And as we knocked on his door there was one of the members of our Branch Presidency doing his Home Teaching so we had 3 members there to help us (Miracle!!!!!). We got some hangers went to the car and started to see what we could do. During that time other people noticed what was going on and tried to help. But it didn't work. By this time it was 9:40. I called 2 tow companies but it was either a 1 hour wait a 2 hour wait and $65 or $75 so we didn't go that rout. I called President back told him so we tried a few other things but nothing worked finally somebody told us that our maintenance man lived somewhere in the complex and we knew the letter but not the number so Hna Ray and I went knocking doors at 10:20 at night to find a key to get into our apt. We eventually found him after an amazing 3 doors. He got the spare key and unlocked our apt. We left the keys in the car then in the morning our President was passing through so he brought the spare key that they have and unlocked it for us and gave us the keys. So now we have the keys and we are all laughing about it. We got into the apt that night at 10:25 and went right to bed. But we were safe and nothing happened and we all laughed about it. GREAT times and memories.

Ok well this is long enough but know that i love you all so much. Thanks so much for all your prayers and support. We right now are just working on filling our teaching pool. we have a lot of finding to do this week. So wish us luck.

Love ya!


PICTURES:

1. Flora and Aislin
2. Some of Flora ans Aislin's family that was there.
3. Flora and Aidlin and all of there family that was there.
4. Us, Flora, Aislin, and Hno Santillan (he baptized them)
5. Big fish here in Madison on top of a store. (Just some of the many things Madison has to share with you- hahaha)
6. The pink elephant here in Madison outside a car dealership (I don't know why they have it but we are in Tennessee)

July 12, 2010

Hello Everyone,

OK well I guess you all want to know where I am going and who I am with and all the exciting news about transfers. Well ok here it is.......I am staying here in Madison Tennessee :) however I am loosing my companion :( she is going back to where she was born in Nashville. Where we both started out together and she will be serving with Hna Taft my old companion. I am getting a new companion Hermana Ray (Hermana Bounds old companion). She has been out about 11 months. Madison was actually her first area so she is coming home and probably knows way more about this area then I do. But it should be good and work out well. I don't want to lose Hermana Bounds but I know that the Lord knows what He is doing, we really have become close these last two transfers but we will be friends forever, so I am not worried. There are more things I need to learn, so forward we go....

Well we had some great miracles this week. Flora (our baptism date) said that she had work and would not be able to come to church so we told her to do all she could so that she could get it off and that the lord would do the rest. Hna Bounds and I prayed so much and did all we could so that we could be worthy of a miracle. Well we had one! Flora called us the Saturday night and told us that she got work off and that her and her daughter would be coming to church on Sunday, YEAH!!!!!! We were so very excited and then on Sunday they came!!!!! She is getting Baptized with her daughter Ashley on the 17th of July (Your birthday Grandma) at 8:00 in the night. We still need your prayers because Ashley who is 9 is deathly scared of water and at her uncles baptism (Jesus's) she was like no way am I doing that I could drown. So we need your prayers to help try to convince her that she is not going to drown but that she will be ok and HAPPY. But they are doing well.

Also at church we had another one of Jesus's sisters there, Rosario. She is also amazing it was her first time at church and she and her kids seemed to love it. She has been studying with the Jehovah Witnesses for a long time so some of the things we have been teaching her she says well I am confused because they are teaching me this and you are saying this. However we told her to pray about what she should do and if she should come to church, the next day we called her and she said she was coming. :) We have seen the light just come into her eyes and she is progressing so much and she loved church. Her daughter Karla who is 5 was scared to go to Primary (she was crying and just didn't want to go) so I told her I would go with her, so I spent the day in primary learning all the primary songs in Spanish. It was fun and she ended up loving it. It was fun to be in Primary for a change and to sing all those familiar songs just in a different language :) LOVE IT!!!

Well that is all that has really happened this week. We have some great miracles taking place and we are trying to fill our teaching pool because it is getting low. I know that my Heavenly Father is helping me and I am learning everyday to lean on him just a little more all the time. We can't do anything without Him. He really is our best friend and I have grown to have great love and testimony of Prayer. I love to talk to my Heavenly Father and together we can do it anytime we want. It really is amazing.

I hope you all have a great week. I want you to know that I love you all so very very much and that I hope you are all doing well. I think of you all and miss you. This work is amazing and I am so happy for the people that I have met. They have changed my life for the better. It is amazing how much people can change you in just a short time. The Lord is amazing and knows just what we need. Have a great week but don't have to much fun without me.....

Les Quiero Mucho!!!!

Love

July 6, 2010

Hey,

Ok so this wont be super long because I don't have a ton of time but I wanted to let you know that I am doing well and that mission life is GREAT!!!!!

My 4th was good it was just a normal working day because it was Sunday and then at night we just worked as usual. Found a few drunks that really were not interested but we taught them something. I don't know if they remembered it the next morning but we did our part. Well this last week we had some great success/miracles.

Flora and Ashley are great and they both are getting baptized on the 17th of July. Flora is the sister to Jesus who just got baptized with his wife and Ashley is her 9 year old daughter. They are both great. We just have to pray that Flora will not have to work this Sunday so she can come to church this next week so that she can get baptized on the 17th. So everyone keep that in your prayers. Flora is amazing and already has a strong testimony of the church. She even bore her testimony in Relief Society this last Sunday. She is going to be a great member of the True Church.

We are also helping the English Elders here with a lady named Delma. We met her outside some apt buildings and went back and taught her and set a date with her but we have to turn her over to them because she is English but she says I really just want girls to teach me so Hna Bounds and I are helping them teach her. We got her to church on Sunday (and we went with her- so it was a full day of church) She is great and is getting baptized on the 24th of July.

The miracles are happening everyday and I can really feel the love of my Heavenly Father. I am growing and progressing, everyday with his help.

Transfers are this next week on the 13th. I will find out if I am leaving on Saturday. Hna Bounds and I don't want to be spilt up but we know that what ever happens is what the lord wants. So we will go with his plan and not ours.

I am sorry that this is not very long but I don't have much time. This is what happens when you don't get to e-mail and then you have to try and fit it in on a working day and it sometimes just doesn’t work. I love you all tons. Thanks so much for your love and support.

Love

PICTURES:

1. Margie's- this is close to my apt and it has Margie’s name :)
2. Bowling with the English elders in my area
3. My awesome comp Hermana Bounds
4. The food and the chef (Elder Arroyo) we had steak tacos....it was so good.
5. My district (they live about 1 hour and 15 mins from us in Bowling Green KY) so we never get to have p-day with them but we had a lunch after district meeting and Elder Arroyo cooked for us. (he want to be a chef) (right to left-Elder Montgomery, Gardner (visa waiter for a Argentina) Arroyo, me and Hna Bounds.

June 28, 2010

Family,

Hello everyone I hope you are all doing well and that you know that I think of you all the TIME!!!! Really all the time. Well this week has been a good one we have worked hard and had some great success.

Hermana Bounds and I have been on exchanges for three days so I was with Hna Brodhead (my other daughter) for three days but now we are back together and having fun again. Well this week we had 2 baptisms....

Jesus and Magdalena Galindo were baptized on Saturday at 8:00 at night it was so good and the spirit was so strong. Then on Sunday they were confirmed and are now members of the True church. YEAH!!!! It was so good, Jesus's sister came to the baptism, we have been teaching her a bit and she loves it. She felt the spirit so it is only just a matter of time before she will enter the waters as well. Jesus and Magdalena are so great since we have met them and started teaching them, they have given us the names of their friends to go and teach. They are just so happy. That was the highlight of our week and it was a good one at that.

We did have another cool experience...We tracked into this lady named Elisa and we gave her a Book of Mormon then set up a time to come back well we went back the next day and taught her a first. It was going great and the spirit was strong. She told us that she was catholic (nothing new to that) and that she and her kids had all been baptized. We started to explain about the authority and how we needed to be baptized by the authority and without that authority then it was not correct. After we were done explaining she looked at us and said "So you are telling me that my church does not have the authority and is not authorized by got to baptize." Well... we told her in a nice manner yep that is exactly what we are telling you but you don't have to believe us just ask your Heavenly Father. We the ended the discussion with a prayer, she said it and in her prayer asked her above question, during the prayer she started to cry. It was amazing and so very cool to be there and witness the spirit working and giving her an answer. We set up a time to come back again and have tried but she is not home and won’t answer the phone. So that is a bummer but we are still trying, things will work out. We will find her because she knows that what we know is true. Super cool experience, I love the Spirit and I love experiences like these, they are huge testimony Builders!

As of right now we don't have any baptism dates and we are needing to find new investigators because we don't have very many in our teaching pool so this week is going to be an intense finding and setting dates and watching the miracles unfold right before our eyes. The Lord blesses us so much and we are so very grateful. I really am very blessed and am learning so very very much.

I am so very happy that everyone is doing well and that the camps and reunions are going well. I am sad to miss them all but I know I am where I need to be and doing the things I need to be doing. So I will just have to wait until next summer and have all that fun with you.

I also want to take this time and say I am sorry I have been a horrible missionary at writing snail mail. I am so very sorry but my p-days don’t last very long and it seems like by the time I am done e-mailing and shopping my p-day is over. I am sorry I am repenting and I hope to get one out to you soon. I know you like mail just as much as I do so I am going to work on that and get better at it.

Anyway enjoy the pics love you all

Love



PICTURES:

1. Baptism: Just us and the Galindo family

2. Baptism: Family, us missionaries, and the person who performed the baptism.

3. Us with Yenileth on her birthday she just turned 7. She is Jesus and Magdalena's little girl they also have another one who is 15 but she has not interest and doesn’t really even like to talk to us as of right now but things will soon change we hope.

4. Me being weird

June 21, 2010

Family,

I hope you all had a great week it sounds like you had tons of fun and did a lot. I as well stayed pretty busy and had some pretty good success. Ok not pretty good but GREAT success. This week was a roller coaster. It was up and down and up and down, but it came out on an up so that is good.

Monday night we went and set a baptism date with a Joshua Barba, a 9 year old little boy of a less active family, we set it for Thursday because he was leaving for vacations. So we had a baptism this week on Thursday!!! It was so good and he is now a member of the True Church and he is so happy.

We also had some down moments during the week, Paulina decided that she does not want to get baptized which is ok we can give her some time but then she just informed us that she is going to go to a different church because she does not feel ready. We told her that she didn't have to get baptized but that she should still come to church. She said no I just don't want to anymore. She is just really scared and satan knows she is a good one so he is working extra hard on her. That was really hard for us. We had to let her go but we are still going to work with her and try to get her back on board. Right now I think she might just need a little break to help her realize what it is she is really missing.

Jesus and Magdalena Galindo are doing well, they have their baptism date for the 26th of June so this coming Saturday. We had a wonderful miracle with them yesterday and it was really amazing. Stake Conference yesterday so church started at 10:00, we called the Galindo's and asked them if they were still coming. Magdalena said, "Oh Jesus is really sick and I don't think that we are going to be able to come his back really hurts and I don't want to leave him." Dang it! We testified but then let them and then hung up. We called a member and asked them to call and invite them and see what she could do. We got a call back from the member saying...They are not coming...Ok Hna. Bounds and I were thinking... they have to come to church or they can't get baptized - we can get someone and go give Jesus a blessing. But we thought and we prayed about our options and just did not know what to do so we ended up just going to church. We were there at 9:30 and since it was stake conference our mission Pres was speaking so we went and said hello. He asked "Do you have any investigators coming?" Well pres we said and told him what our investigators said. He then said "How much faith does he have... go get the elders and give him a blessing." I said we thought of that and you just saying it again is our answer. So off we went we grabbed our Spanish Elders who were there because of stake conference and were on our way to give a blessing. We got there explained why we were there and gave Jesus a blessing. It was a beautiful blessing. After we asked him how he felt, he said I do not have the pain anymore. Sweet we thought then said. "Great go get your shoes you are coming to church with us." So they changed and came to church. The talks in church were just what they needed. It was amazing and they loved it.

Heavenly Father is amazing we showed our faith and so did Jesus and now they can still get baptized on Saturday. I am excited and am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and the things he does for me. He really has his hand in our lives always. We still need to pray for them a lot because Satan is working hard and it is going to be a tuff week but heavenly Father will help us I know.
Well that is about all we are still working with a few other people and trying to get them ready for baptism but it is all in the Lords time and not in ours. So we will have to be patient. I am learning so much and trying to improve every day. This work is amazing and it never gets old. I get tired and hot but that is ok it is worth it.I hope you know that I love you all so much hope you have a great week and remember that someone in Madison Tennessee is thinking of you. Have a great Week!!!

Love



PICTURES:

1) Hna Bounds and I front of a horse that is outside some Chinese restaurant that some members took us too.

2) In front of the temple, this is my district as of right now

3 & 4) Joshua Barba's Baptism

June 14, 2010

Family,

Well as you know we had the chance to hear from an apostle of the Lord this weekend. Elder Ballard came to our mission to do some things with the Stake and some training with the leaders but because President Hutchings (mission Pres) was one of Elder Ballard’s missionaries when he was a mission pres he made a few phone calls and we got a meeting set up to meet with Elder Ballard just as missionaries. Well us and the Knoxville missionaries (Staci Place was there and I got to see her and it was amazing, It was so fun to see a friend and to both be missionaries). It was so amazing and I learned so much. The spirit was so strong and it was amazing to get a one on one training from an apostle of the Lord. He told us to start working more with the members because the members were the key. They would make all the difference in the investigators life. Also he told us to talk to more people every day and to make it a goal to talk to 10 more people then we usually do every day. So I am opening my mouth and talking to all. It is going to be amazing. Also after that conference on Sunday he met with the Madison stake and guess what I just so happen to be in the Madison Stake. So we got to hear from him again on Sunday and all of our investigators did to. We had 6 investigators at church and they loved it. It really was amazing and Elder Ballard pretty much taught a first lesson for us. I LOVED IT!!!!!! It really was a spiritual weekend and I learned a lot from it.

Paulina and her family ended up not getting baptized this weekend she had some doubt and said she was just not ready so we are still working with her. She will get baptized just have to keep going.

Yesterday Hna Bounds and I were challenged by our district leader to set a baptismal date. He said sisters we really need some dates set so pray about who can be baptized and present the plan to Heavenly Father and get to work. So we did. We prayed had two families in mind presented our plan to the Lord. Called some members to come with us to that we could follow the counsel of Elder Ballard and we went to work.

We went to the first investigator Enrique. We extended a date and he said no I need more time so after a little more time we had to go but told him to pray about it. We went to our next apt with another family and we started talking about the conference with Elder Ballard and they said they loved it we talked about baptism and we extended a date for the 26th of June. The husband was like YES and wife oh I DONT KNOW. Then here comes the member crushing all doubts that she was having letting her know that she could do it and that she needed to do it. So what did we do we set 2 dates for the 26th of this month. We were so very grateful for the help of the Lord and for the help of the wonderful member who came with us. The members really do make the difference they can relate better to the investigators and it is true Every Member A Missionary.

We as a zone are still struggling a lot and we have a lot of work to do in these next 16 days. I am not sure what is going to happen but keep us in your prayers. I know that the lord is helping us and that he has a plan for us. I just don't know what that is yet.

Know that I love you tons and tons and that I am so very happy to be a missionary. I will not be able to write a letter today because we don't have p-day today because on Wednesday we get to go to the TEMPLE so that will be our p-day we just have time to write e-mail and shop for food then it is a working day in the hot weather. This morning at like 9 it was 97 that’s what I call hot and humid. Not a big fan of it. Ok well I don't have a tone more to tell you just that I love you a lot and I am very happy to have you all as my family. Have a great week and work hard. I will do the same and be thinking of you. Love you!

Love

PICTURES:
1) Me and my comp Hna Bounds (love her)

2) Me on a dino (after doing service)

3) Juan, Esmeralda, Vanessa & Angel, Baptism. They are doing so well and are so cute! LOVE THEM!!!

4) Madison sign and my bike

5) Staci Place (sister Place and I)

6) My ZONE!!!!!

June 7, 2010

Hey family,

Well I hope everyone is doing well and that you all have a smile on your face. This week was great we had a little bit of a rough start but it turned out good.

We have our baptism dates for the 12th of June with a single mother and her two daughters. But the mom is starting to have doubts and she is struggling with the Law of Chastity because she has a boyfriend. So we are praying really hard for her and that she will make the right decision. We know she is ready and she wants to get baptized she just has to except the commandments from our Heavenly Father and obey them. I will let you know how it goes next week.

Yesterday we had church and boy did we have a miracle. We as a companionship had four of our investigators at church and then a member (who is a wonderful missionary) brought her friend and her kids so we had an additional 5 people so in all we had 9 investigators at church. It was AMAZING!!!!! Yeah for members who help missionaries.

Well the exciting news is that this Saturday the 12th we get to have Elder Ballard here to talk to us. We as the missionaries have a special conference with him at 2:00 but it is us and also the missionaries in Knoxville. So it will be a lot of missionaries in one area. I also have a friend in the Knoxville mission so I hope I get to see her, Staci Place. We wrote each other, and will be looking for each other there. But better yet all of this is happening right in my area. So that is cool. We are all so excited and hope to get lots of investigators there on Sunday because he is speaking on Sunday to the whole Madison stake. Super cool! We are excited.

I got sick with a cold this week. (I hate summer colds- it is so hot outside and here I am with a cough and a runny nose) but I am starting to get a little better. Little by little and I will be good. I am sorry that I don’t have a ton to write but know that I am doing well. This week has been fine and all is going good. I love you all so very much. Oh I just remembered.....Funny story time:

This week- we have a HUGE area so we don't have enough miles so Hna Bounds and I have been riding our bikes ALOT!!!! Well the streets are not made for biking- we had an appointment so we called and confirmed it. We rode the 3.5 miles to the apt but then he said I am so sorry but I can't meet with you I have to teach a class right now. Ok, we started to ride back so that we could get to our next apt… well we were on the side of the road but the cars kept honking at us to get out of the way so we decided we would be nice and move well I was moving over and I had to go over a little patch of grass but hidden in that grass was a pipe that my wheel slipped on and down I went to the other side where there was cement! Oh it was great fun I was laughing and Hna Bounds was laughing but wanting to know if I was ok and I was. I just scraped up my arm, hand and knee, all on my right side. It was so fun! Hna Bounds said it was really funny to watch so I hope the passing cars got a good laugh out of it. Oh the mission life on bikes.

My companion and I are happy for the success that we have been having but know that it is only because of the lord that we are able to do it. He helps us so very much. This is all his work and I am so grateful to be a part of it. Thanks for all your love and support- Please keep me in your prayers because I still need them every day.

Love

May 31, 2010

Hello everyone,

Can I just tell you that I love you all so very very much. The Lord is so amazing and helps us so much in our lives. Like giving us wonderful friends and families to help us and give us the support that we need to make it through. I just love you e-mails and thank you so much for the supporting words that you give me. Well I have a ton to tell you about the week and not much time to do it so I will fill you in the best I can.

Monday- After I emailed you we had a zone meeting to figure out what we needed to do to get the 10 baptisms that we needed. We made a list of everyone that could be baptized, mainly all those who have been to church enough times and could be baptized. It went well and both Hna Bounds and I left with some ideas of what we could do but we still were a little lost. That night we decided that we needed to go to Lebanon (30 miles from where we live but in our area) we went and met with a less active family whose son was 9 and not baptized. We taught them and set a date for him to be baptized on Sunday. It was a miracle from our Heavenly Father. Really it was. So at the end of Monday we had 4 dates for the weekend (Joshua, Juan, Esmeralda & Vanessa).

Tuesday- We had a wedding. Juan and Esmeralda (the family that we set a date with last week to get baptized on the 29th) got married. It was so wonderful. We went and helped them get their marriage license and then we had a bishop marry them. They were there with their 2 kids Vanessa (age 8) and Angel (age 4) It was such a good experience and they were so happy. You could not wipe the smile from their faces. Miracle once again!

Wednesday- was a day of not feeling good. Hna Bounds and I both were sick to our stomach and just not feeling good at all. So we knew that Satan was working hard on us because we had a lot of work to do and not much time to do it in. We decided to ask the English Elders in our area for a blessing (the blessing was really good with lots of things I needed to here from my Heavenly Father). After that we just kept working and working and we made it through the day. We had a scare with Joshua and his baptism date, his mother thought he should keep waiting but we talked to her and told her that we had had the confirmation from our Heavenly Father that he was ready and we knew he was. So we talked to her about it and she said afterwards ok I feel good now about it. He will get baptized. Miracle once again, I love our Heavenly Father.

Thursday- We went back to Lebanon and we were teaching one of our investigators up there who has a date for the 12th of June and we were teaching her daughter as well. We ended up setting a baptism date with her for the 12th of June with her mother. She has another daughter that can be baptized as well but she was just not there at that time. So we will set one with her this week. Once again another Miracle.

We also however had some scars with Juan and Esmeralda they were not answering there phone and we could not contact them. But we finally got a hold of them and found out that Juan was having a hard time with the Word of Wisdom. We got some help from the Lord and ended the night.

Friday- Interview day for all of our Baptismal dates....Yeah!!!! Well it started off a little scary because we went to Juan and his family but they were starting to change their minds about being baptized. NO WAY Satan... nice try. We had a powerful lesson with them with the help of our district leader and his companion, as well as the HELP of the spirit. We got things smoothed out but we had to change their baptism to Sunday the 30th in the morning. All three passed their interviews, and they were once again excited for their baptism. The Spirit does amazing things. Yet again another miracle.

Then we went up to Joshua and he was interviewed and so excited for his baptism on Sunday the 30th at 6:00 at night. All 4 baptism dates passed their interviews and we were ready to go for Saturday. EXCITING STUFF!!!!!

Saturday- was a normal day with getting things ready for a baptism set for Sunday morning at 9:00 and doing all that great fun stuff. The lord helped us and kept us going. I just love the help of the lord in my life.

Sunday- The big day we woke up at 6:00 got to the church at 7:30 to fill the font. We waited until 8:15 to call Juan and Esmeralda, we wanted to know if they were on their way to the church. Juan answered and said I have a flat tire (nice try satan) but he said I have a spare so I am going to change it really fast then we are on our way. Yeah! They showed up at 8:55am they got changed and then we had a beautiful baptismal service for a FAMILY of 3. It really was amazing one of the best experiences I have had on my mission. The spirit was so strong the family was so happy and they were all doing this step together. They are now a family on their way to becoming ETERNAL. What more could one ask for. We had great support from our Branch and they were welcomed warmly. I have wanted to help a family join the church, while on my mission, and the Lord provided a way for me to help Him by making me an instrument in His hands. It was AMAZING!!!! Afterwards at 1:00 when we had church they were all confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost and it was wonderful. Their blessings were beautiful. This was a highlight of the mission to see them join the church. Afterwards before they left they shook our hands and said "Hermanas Thanks so much for helping us." (Heavenly Father thanks so much for this miracle and for letting me help them- I thought)

However we had some things happen and Joshua was not able to get baptized because of some problems that he nor us could control. But he will be getting baptized this month and we are excited to help him. It was hard not to see him baptized on Sunday because we both, Hna Bounds and I knew he was ready. He was sad as well but like I said he will get baptized this next month and hopefully his dad will be ready and will be able to baptize him.

We also had 4 investigators at church, making Sunday an all around an amazing day full of the spirit and the love of our Heavenly Father. I really love this work. It is hard and trying but it is all worth it in the end, to see the happiness that this gospel brings to people’s lives and families. What a day full of MIRACLES!

All in all it was a GREAT week 3 new members of the church and more coming for the next month. We as a zone ended up with a total of 6 baptisms. President had a conf call with us that night and he told us. Well you didn't meet your goal but you did work hard and I thank you for that. I think you worked hard enough and you were one of the top baptizing zones that I am keeping you together. YEAH, Another Miracle!!!! We still have to work really hard and keep our baptisms up or he said we might be separated. So we have a lot of work. But we as a zone are so much closer and unified we can do it. My faith has really really grown and I thank you all for your prayers. I love each and every one of you. Thanks so much for your support.

I am out of time. But know that I love you tons.....

Love

May 24, 2010

Family,

I am so happy to hear that you are doing well. That is crazy that you have snow! It is so hot and humid here in Madison and it is only going to get worse but no worries I will buckle down and take it :) Well this week has been amazing. It has been a week of Battle. We as a zone are working for 10 Baptism this week and we have been working really hard and putting our faith in the lord. He has really been blessing us and we have been seeing the miracles take place.

Last Sunday (16 of May) we found out that we were going for this goal of 10 baptism and that we have to reach it... so we started the battle we went through our area book and looked for everyone that had a baptism date before or that has been to church enough times that they could get baptized. We made the list and started visiting and checking people off. On Tuesday we got a call from the English Elders in Galliton (30min from us, but still our area) they said hey we have some referrals for you, great we love referrals! Elder Anderson (the elder giving us the referrals) said ok I didn't want to give you this family because, I love them but I know we are holding them back and you can help them progress. Their names are Juan and Esmerald he speaks perfect English but she does not speak any. However they have been teaching them for about 4 months, they have had someone translating for the wife when they teach. He told us they have been to church 3 times or more to the English ward. They love it... they have been taught pretty much all the lessons but you just have to review things. They have two children Venessa (8 years old) and Angel (5 years old). We said, wow Elder this is an answer to a prayer. He told us again well I didn't want to give them up but I know they need Spanish and you need to help them. This Elder goes home in two weeks so we told him Elder we will get them baptized before you go home so you can be there. He said ok. We hung up the phone and made some plans and prayed and went to bed.

Wednesday we set up an appointment with them and went to visit this miracle family. We talked to them had a beautiful lesson and asked them to be baptized they said they wanted to but were not married. So we said well we can help you with that and get you a discount :) So we SET A DATE for the 29th of this month. Really we set 3 dates one for each of them and their daughter. We also found out that they had some problems with the word of wisdom, so we explained that and took all the coffee from their house and his last cigarette. We told them that they could do it and it was going to be hard but that they would make it through. Sunday they came to church everything was in Spanish for them and they loved it. They got a blessing before they left to help them with this last week before their baptism and to give them extra strength. They are doing great. They are getting baptized and we are excited for them...so excited this is a miracle :) We are getting them married on Tuesday or Wednesday and then they are getting baptized on Saturday. I know satan is going to work on them so hard this week so we are praying extra hard. They are going to make it they already know it is true and their prayers are always so amazing. They feel the joy of the gospel. It is such a joy to know that you are helping someone change for the better.

This is not the only miracle this week. We also set 3 other baptism dates this week for a total of 6 for this week:

Paulina- she is a single mother of 3 children ages 10, 9, and 5 and we have taught her a little she lives in Lebanon (40 min from us but still our area) she really likes it we taught her the plan of salvation and she loved it she was asking questions and you could see the joy just coming into her eyes. We extended her a date and she said yes I want to be baptized. She then told us Hermanas "thank you I feel so much better now that I have talked with you. I just feel good." We told her it was the spirit and that this was going to change her life. Her date is for the 12 of June and we are going to get her daughters baptized with her they just don't have a date yet. They also came to church and they loved it. Paulina was just so happy.

Sandra and her daughter Dayana also we given a date this week for the 12 of June they are a great family and we are working hard with them. They want it but are having some strong opposition right now so we are working on that. They didn't make it to church this week so we might have to move their baptism date but they are still preparing.

Jesus and Magdalene- Jesus had a baptism date for the 29th of May but we could never get him to church well he finally came with his wife and little daughter and they loved it. He works with a friend who is a member and his friend told him "Jesus you have to go to church if you want to learn...so go" and He CAME. It was great

A member also was doing missionary work and brought her friend with her to church who is not a member what a miracle. But in all Yesterday at church we had 8 INVESTIGATORS there. It was amazing we were running around trying to get everyone to classes and children to go where they needed to go and the adults to their classes and it was just amazing. The Lord really does love us, and is giving us miracles all the time.

Hermana Bound and I are so very grateful for this wonderful week that we have had with all of the miracles that the lord has given us. We still have a long way to go and so much to do this week. It is going to be another crazy but amazing week and we are excited for what it holds for us. The church is so true put your faith in the Lord and great things will take place, I know they will!

Please keep me in your prayers this week and our area. I will need them more now than ever. I thank you all so much for you support and love. Have a great week. Enjoy the snow and I will talk to you next week. Thanks for your prayers keep them coming.

Love

May 10, 2010

Hello everyone,

Ok so I talked to you last night and it was amazing I am so very very grateful that I was able to hear your voices and hear how everyone was doing. Katie I hope that you start to feel better soon. It is raining again here in Madison, Tennessee I don't think we really need the rain but for some reason it has decided to rain again. I hope that it won’t get to bad. But anyway...

We have had some great service projects this past weekend. We were able to help a family (non members) who lost their whole house to water. The water was all the way up to the top all you could see was the roof. So Saturday we went and took everything out of the house and piled it up on the side of the street. The whole street just had wet things that could not be saved lined up just waiting for a garbage truck to come. The family was taking it well and was in good spirits considering that they had nothing left just the clothes on their backs. It was a great experience for me and to just be thankful for the things that I have. Our little branch was there helping as well and then the next day the husband of the family we helped came to church. He seemed really excited to learn and was just marking everything in the Book of Mormon. He seems really receptive and we have another appointment to teach him more so we will see how things turn out. Service is amazing... if you can find someone to serve. It is also important to let others serve you as well. Don't with-hold the blessings from others.

Jesus (who we have a baptism date with) is doing... well we are not really sure he has not returned our phone calls and we can't find him at his house. He didn’t come to church yesterday so we are going to need to re set his date for another day. I am not really sure what has happened but we will find him and see what happened. I know that the lord will prepare a way Jesus is so ready to be baptized something just came up and he will just wait a little bit more and then he will get baptized.

We have another couple who are so funny they are Jose Luis and Maria (from Mexico) they are both in their 50's or around there and we met them in Wal-Mart our first day here and we have been teaching them ever since. They are a super fun couple. Yesterday they came to CHURCH!!!!! It was there first time but they seemed to really love it. They are so good and we are hoping to set a date with them this week. They just keep saying that they want more time but we are going to teach them a little more about what the work FAITH means and how we need to put our actions with it or it doesn't mean anything.

Well know that I am doing well, I love every day that I have to be a missionary and wish that it didn't go by so fast It is hard to think that today is my 11 month mark. The time really does fly by when you are having fun. I love you all tons and tons. Have a great week and I will talk to you all later. Remember that someone in Madison, Tennessee loves you.

Love

May 4, 2010

Family,

One little Tornado and some flooding and the whole town shuts down....who does that!!!! I am here and I am doing well. We did have some great weather this past weekend...so great that the Library was closed yesterday so I could not write. But I am here now and will fill you in on what went on.

Saturday it was raining all day and so around 4 they told us to get in our apt and stay there until further notice. Well then on Sunday morning Hna Bounds and I woke up at 5:30 to the sounds of Tornado sirens going off warning us that there was a tornado. So we made a few phone calls to find out if that was really what it was because we had not heard them before and we were told that yes that is what it was and that we needed to stay in our apt (which is on the 3rd floor- not a good idea). So we did. The whole mission had horrible weather so we were all in our apt, church was canceled and we were in until 7 that night talk about boring!!!!!! But I guess we had a tornado that hit and it was just about 7 miles from our apt. Cool huh!!!! There is a lot of flooding and a lot of homes that did not get so lucky but all the missionaries are ok and doing well. We had a swimming pool (a good sized one) out side our apt that was pretty cool but we were up high enough that it didn’t get us. We went to an apt complex yesterday and we saw some houses where it was all the way up to their doors. So we saw people walking out of there homes walking through water that was up to there chests and holding there belongings above there heads. It was sad to see but just happy that we are all safe and that there was not anything worse.

Gladys Knight was canceled so that is a sad sad story she could not get a flight in and then all the freeways are flooded so her crew could not make it by car so they just had to cancel everything. Very sad but what can you do about Mother Nature. So we just move on and have one more night to find more investigators to share the gospel with. Yippy!!!!
Our baptism dates are still doing well and progressing. Jesus asked us the other day is it ok if my friend baptizes me (he is a member- that is how we found him) we told him yes that was great so he is excited for his baptism. We really have found some great new people to teach. We just need to keep finding. I am happy to hear all the happy news from everyone at home. That is exciting thanks mom for the updates.

Well I love you all hope you have a great great week and I will talk to you soon. Know that I love you and that you are in my prayers all the time. Thanks for all that you do for me.

Love

April 26,2010

Family,

I am still here no worries. I am alive. Saturday we did have a ton of wind, rain and everything else but we were still outside working and tracting and getting wet Wet WET!!!!! But we didn't get it as bad as some of the other areas. We were told that there was a Tornado warning and to be careful but to keep working and use our best judgment. So we worked and taught people about the gospel. GREAT stuff. Thanks for being worried about me and Aunt Bonnie and Kent thanks for keeping my mom informed about me.

Ok Madison (it is on a map I have seen it) is about 30 from Nashville and about 1 hour from Bowling Green, Kentucky. The other part of my district is in Bowling green so I will be going to Kentucky every other week for district meeting. So this Wednesday I am headed to Kentucky. I am actually really not that far from Clarksville.

Madison is great the area is HUGE we cover about 5 different little cities but it is good. The branch is AMAZING they want to help so bad and do all they can. We have dinner’s every night and they just signed up to come out with us on exchanges so we are getting this area going. Sis Bounds is amazing and together we are going to get this area moving and turned into a ward. There are a lot of Hispanic here but not like Nashville so we do run into a lot of English so we always have an English Book of Mormon with us to give away and teach at the door. But it is all good.

The area is great I love it so far. Oh we called our ward mission leader when we got here and told him that we were here and he said great... will you both speak on Sunday? WHAT.....Ok I said we would love to. So Yesterday we both spoke and it was my first talk in Spanish I am not really sure how my Spanish was I know I made a lot of mistakes but they got the drift and I think I did ok. So that is all good. So anyway it is over and we are moving on in the work. We have found 3 great families already that we are teaching and they all show a lot of potential. Madison has a lot to offer and Hermana Bounds and I are going to discover it together.

Yes I am going to Gladys Knight there is two different shows one at 5:15 and the other at 8:15 I am going to the early one because that is when my investigators can go. I am excited it should be really really good. Also it is right here in Madison so I don't have to travel very far just the 3 miles between where I live and the church :) SWEET!!!!!

Anyway I am doing great I love being a missionary. The people are great and everyday is a learning experience of new things that I can apply to help me more and more. Keep up the great work everyone Know that I love you tons and tons have a great week and we shall talk to you next week. When I know more about the area and can tell you a little more. This week was just get settled in and try and find a place to start. But we are moving forward and life it GREAT.

Love ya

April 19, 2010

Family,

Ok so the big question is after 6 months in one area did I get transferred or did I stay for another transfer......well the answer is Tomorrow I will be moving to MADISON and I will be serving with Hermana Bounds (my daughter) Yeah!!!! I am sad to leave my area because I have grown to love this area and the people and especially the Family Linares but I guess it is my time to go and get a new challenge. Me and Hna Bounds have never been to Madison so we will be white washing it and learning tons and tons. The area is Huge and there is not a ton of Spanish but we have a Spanish branch so that should be fun. I am excited for this new adventure and learning more about me and how much better of a missionary I can become.

This week went well we still have Genaro who is getting baptized but we had to move his date to the 8 of May because of work purposes (it is sad because I am leaving so I won’t be able to see his baptism but that is ok. I might see if I can come back to it. But he is doing well and working hard. Also Mayra our recent convert is doing ok she is struggling right now with money and things like that but she is staying strong and working hard.

WE also set another baptism date with a lady named Antonia she is super sweet and wants to do what is right I am excited for her. But I won’t be here for that one either...but that does not matter all that matters is that they are baptized and on the right path back to their Heavenly Father.

This work is amazing will let you know how my new adventure goes next week. I am excited for these things to unfold and see the lord work through me and Hna Bounds. Great things are going to happen this transfer. I know it. I love you all have a great week. I am thinking of all of you.

Love ya

April 12, 2010

Hello,

How is everyone doing this fine and dandy Monday morning.....Great....Wonderful...Fantastic!!!! I am happy to hear it. Thank you all for your letters and words of wisdom.
I have been doing great and it is getting hotter and hotter everyday. But that does not change the work...it is still good it even makes it a little better because people are out and about more and you get a ton more contacts :) SWEET.

Well lets see if I can tell you anything cool that happened this week....
Nothing really we went to see our recent convert MAYRA she is doing good but is struggling right now with money and food and things she has work but her husband is still looking and things are a little hard for them. She didn't come to church yesterday because she was up until 5 the night before with work and her little kids and she didn't hear her phone or us pounding on the door and she didn't wake up until 3:00 but she is still doing well and praying and trying to stay strong. She will make it through I just wish there was more we could do to help her as a missionary. But there is nothing but prayers because like her we don't have money either (just enough to get us by).

GENARO Y ABRAHAM.... They really are amazing. We had some great lessons with them this past week. Abraham has been going to a different church for about 2 months now and he says that they want him to get baptized so he was telling us that he is a little confused and not sure really what he should do. We told him that the thing he needed to do was to ask his HF in prayer and get an answer. So we committed him to pray about the church and what he should do. The next day we followed up to see how it went and he said he prayed and felt good but he is still not sure. We just have to keep teaching him and helping him feel the spirit and he will come along. That same night Genaro asked us if we believed in dreams. We said yes and then asked him is he had one. He said he did so we asked him to explain. He said that in the dream there was Me holding a mike and then behind me there was a bunch of other missionaries (he said he knew they were from our church because of the white shirts and ties) he said that on one side it was dark and there was a storm coming but then on us the missionaries there was a Light shinning and I was teaching him. After he explained the dream Hermana Brodhead said, "So I guess this means you are going to be Mormon" he said yep I guess it does. It was funny. Anyway the only thing is that both of them did not come to church yesterday because they were working on fixing a truck that they would need to get to work the next day... bad reason but the past is the past. Needless to say there dates have dropped for this month (because they have to be at church 3 times at least to be baptized) and so we will have to get them back on track for next month. But we can do it and it will be great.

Other then that we have been working hard and finding new people to teach and do great things. The lord is amazing and is really helping us. This week we have zone conference I love those days I just leave so up lifted and ready to go teach the world. Also this next week is transfers so we will see what changes will happen this Saturday then we have transfer meeting Tuesday. I don't think I will be moving anywhere but we will have to wait and see because with President you never know what will happen. I have been in this area for 6 months but who knows. I like the area it is great and there is still much to be done so I am ok with staying and plus I love the family Linares...They are AMAZING.

Well that is my week. I hope that all is well and that you are doing great things. I love you tons and tons. Mom I am happy to hear that you are doing better each and every day. You really are amazing. I love you tons.

Everyone remember that someone in Nashville Tennessee is thinking of them and loves them.

Love

April 5, 2010

Family,

What a week it has been full of success miracles and spiritual knowledge. Did you not just love Conference it was so good. Family centered and just wonderful I loved it. I am so grateful that we get to listen to them every 6 months. Ok well my week was great, a little crazy and mind boggling but over all great and spiritual.

First- Tuesday came around and we were told that Hna Brodhead (my daughter) was going to come back and be with us for a while because her companion was going back to Temple square and there was no other sister coming in or no other visa waiter or anybody. So Hna Brodhead is with me again (I love her). So we are running her area Madison (20 min away) and our area....so once again two phones, two apartments, 1 1/2 cars, and three sisters. Great fun! We go to her area 2 times a week and then work in ours the rest of the week. It is a little crazy and it just was thrown at us but we are making it work and all is well. We are not sure for how long but at least until Transfers in 2 weeks...then we will go from there.

So after we got all situated and figured everything out we started to plan a wedding with decorations, food and fun along with our other missionary duties.
Friday we had a BODA (wedding)!!!!! It was so good, simple but cute and she really loved it. Her dress was not the modest of things but what can you do. We got her married and they had fun. Then on Sunday....We had a BAUTISMO (Baptism)!!!!! She was a little nervous at first had some doubt running through her mind but we talked to her bore our testimonies and after Sunday morning conference she was ready and she was baptized. She told us after "Thanks girls for helping me" LOVE HER!!!! Her husband Omar is nice he doesn’t talk very much but he is nice. He didn't come to her baptism because he said he didn't want to. He is going to be hard to work with but she wants it for him and we want it for him so we are praying that his heart will be softened and that he will be open to the message that we have to share with him. They are a cute family with there two little boys Omar Jr and Giovanni.

Saturday and Sunday were Great!!!! We had 4 wonderful sessions of conference which were some of the best. I really did learn a lot about families and even things that I can relate here in the mission field. Also that Saturday night while all the men were in priesthood we set 2 more baptism dates for the 25 of April. One with Genaro and the other with Miguel. Genaro came to church on Sunday and really liked it but Miguel didn't so we will have to work with them a lot but they are really good.

Also Olivia and Jessica....I am not sure with them. They are great and I know they want it but we had some problems finding them and then we found them again and she was good said she was coming to church and then she didn't come and we couldn't get a hold of her. So right now there date for the 24th is dropped (because they have to be to church at least three times before they can be baptized) but we just need to work with them more to get them back on track. She is also having money problems so she needs help but we can't help her... But we will keep her in our prayers and everything will work out and go well. We just have to get her back on track.

So right now we just had a baptism and a wedding and we have two more for the 25th of April. The lord is really blessing us and we are doing well. I love this work I love this season. Easter really is a special day...I am sorry that I missed the family party but it sounds like you all had a great time. Know that I was thinking of you all.

Love
Hna Hegerhorst

P.S- Pictures are of her baptism and her wedding and her colors were pink and white. The ward did the food and we did the decorations with what we could find. Turned out pretty good.

Love Ya!