Week 74: "Yo Quiero Ir Al Reino Celestial" *Pointing to a Little Drawing of the Sun*

5 Questions:

1) Have you started with "my plan" instructions/studies (a short preparation course online fro missionaries nearing the end of their mission to help them transition back to "normal" life) yet?

2) What does that have you doing?  How is your studying affected?

3) Does your comp do something else while you are working on that stuff?

4) Have you missed wearing your contacts?

5) Do you hear from your brother each week?

1. Yes, the way it works is you do one of six parts once a week for your last transfer. So I've done two of the six. It's...interesting.
2. Well, I'm not exactly sure if I'm supposed to be doing it during personal study or something, but that one hour a day is precious, sacred time that I want to prepare for my investigators, so for me personally, I do the My Plan thing during lunch or dinner times. It's nice because it helps me to do some extra study during those times. So far it's had me look back on my mission, looking for things that have changed about myself, and set some goals for after I'm released--good thing I already had some set for the year 2016 because I knew I'd need some goal. Also, note for all my missionary friends reading this: it doesn't let you save your answers if you leave in the middle of the session. You HAVE to get to the end if you want your answers to be saved.
3. Since I'm doing it during meal times, Hermana Albrechtsen usually does something at her desk next to mine (since we have WiFi in our apartment, we have to be able to see each other's iPad screens at all times, and since that's how I do the My Plan stuff, she has to be right here with me for me to be able to do it.) I think usually she works on Area Book stuff or studies or reads--just something here at her desk.
4. Not really.... I still have basically a whole box of contacts for each eye. It's just too much work to wear them. Plus, no one would recognize me if I wore contacts...haha the most recent time I did was in Bloomingdale because it was POURING rain. And then of course it stopped five minutes later.
5. No, not every week. Sometimes he'll respond to my emails the week I write them, sometimes a little later. But I haven't been super good at being consistent either. But I hear from him every once in a while.

As for what happened this week, well: it was the second best-day-of-my-life! On Saturday, 30 January 2016, four of my favorite people of all time entered into the waters of baptism and made a covenant with their Father in Heaven through the authority of the restored Priesthood power. I have been so blessed to be a part of their conversion. Heavenly Father is so good to me. I know that these four individuals--two families--will be blessed throughout eternity for this decision. As they continue faithful to the end of their lives, living and keeping those covenants, preparing to make others in the temple, the very house of the Lord, they will receive unimaginable blessings. They are such great examples to me of Christlike attributes. So let me tell you a little bit about each one of these children of God:

Saul: he and his 7 year old son, Diego, met the missionaries as they were walking out of a Mexican restaurant. He is one of the smartest people I've ever had the privilege to teach, in that he just "gets" the Gospel. He paid tithing before we'd even taught him that it was a commandment, thanks to some amazing testimonies shared by ward members the beginning of the month. When we taught him about the Word of Wisdom--God's law of health for His children's benefit and safety--he thought it made perfect sense and immediately gave us all social drinking and the occasional coffee. He already knows many of the stories in the Book of Mormon and is now somewhere in Alma as he reads consecutively through that sacred book of scripture. He is thrilled, overjoyed, at the prospect of baptizing his son in a month and a half and will be more than prepared to hold the priesthood power and authority of God. He already has an eternal perspective and the temple is his goal for him and his family. He teaches me so much about obedience and making changes to be in harmony with the will of God.

Francisca: She is the wife of Saul and the mother of Diego. When we first met her, she was shy and not very talkative, a bit afraid to ask questions. Since then, she will timidly jump in with the questions she has because she wants to understand everything she can. She previously had to work on Sunday's but when she found out that part of keeping the Sabbath day holy was not working, she made arrangements so that she wouldn't have to work on that sacred day, on the Lord's day. She was willing to get married so that she could be baptized and work towards an eternal marriage, keeping in mind that their wedding in the church building is far from the end goal. She has taught me so much about sacrifice and humility and it truly is a blessing to see her sweet example of Christlike love and living.

Jose: he and his wife Ida were two of my investigators in Rochelle. They were originally found by a set of Elders (one of which was able to attend their baptism) and then rediscovered unwittingly by Hermana LaBonte and I. The very first time we knocked on their door, Jose wanted to let us in, but he was already familiar with missionary rules--his wife was asleep and he knew we couldn't come in. He told us that she wanted to talk with us so we should come back the next week. Since then, these two have had a very special place in my heart. They've been through so much in their lives, and have been so kind in letting us into their hearts. They're like my Rochelle grandparents and I am so grateful to have met them. Jose's humor never failed to help lift my spirit and it was such a privilege to see how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ changed him as he let it into his life. He has taught me to have a softened heart in a way I didn't realize I needed to change.

Ida: she is such a fighter, and quite stubborn when she knows she's right. She was willing to do everything it took to get baptized because she knew with all her heart that it was right. She has been hurt in many deep, painful ways and yet she has always come out on top, even when it took some time. She loves to study the gospel and already knows her way around the Gospel Library app like she was born in the 2000s. She is committed to living the gospel and keeping the covenants that she has made, and she wants so badly to do what is right so that she can be with her family forever. She has taught me to never give up, because if there's a will, there's a way.

I am so blessed to be a missionary at the times and in the places I've been. When I left, just 17 months ago, I never could have guess what joy this work of salvation would bring me. I know that this is the Lord's work. He Himself says that His work and His glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). That is OUR immortality and OUR eternal life. The entire purpose of God's plan of salvation is the happiness of His children--our happiness! And what a joy it is to be a part of the fulfillment of that plan in the lives of my brothers and sisters. I know that I am weak and imperfect, but I know that I have been an instrument in the hands of God, to bring about much righteousness--both in my own life and in the lives of others. It is by the grace and power of my Redeemer that I have been able to withstand slammed doors, raised voices, and contentious conversations. It is through the love of my Savior that I have been able to care for those I've taught, desire the salvation of random people I meet, and know what to say to those who stand in need. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world--the Savior and Redeemer of every member of the family of Adam, even from the beginning to this present time. All people are within the reach of his saving and redeeming power. He truly does know how to succor us, because He knows exactly how we feel in every single moment of our mortal existence (Alma 7:11-12). I know that He lives and that He has not ceased to do miracles. Jesus Christ restored His Church, the exact same Church that He established during His mortal ministry, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. That farm boy from New York could do nothing of himself, and he knew it. The Lord worked through Him, just as He has worked through prophets of old, such as Adam, Abraham, and Moses. 

The power of God has been restored, and its blessings are available to all those who seek them. It is through the power and authority of God that we may be forgiven of our sins, because only God is able to forgive sins. No man on earth has that authority. And I know that no man authorized to act in the Lord's name would ever even imply that he has that power. But there are men on earth who are given power to act in God's name for the benefit of His children (Mosiah 8:18). He called them to that position, just as He called His Apostles of old (John 15:16). I know that Joseph Smith truly was ordained to be the head of this last dispensation, and Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God on the earth today. Christ is at the head of His Church, and He directs it through His prophet and apostles. The proof of all this is the Book of Mormon. I know without a doubt that it is the word of God. It is additional scripture, just as the Bible is scripture, is the word of God. Prophets of old testified that we would have two books of scripture to confound false doctrines, lay down contentions, and establish peace among the children of men (2 Nephi 3:12; Ezekial 37:15-17). I know that any child of God may come to know that all these things--and many more--are true if they will but ask God in the name of Christ with a sincere heart, real intent and faith in Jesus Christ. I know it's worked for me time and time again, and it will work for you. Because God loves you. If I know one thing, it's that God loves His children and He will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18). If you do not feel that love, I invite you to kneel down in humility and sincerely ask God if He is there. Ask Him if He knows that you exist. Ask Him if He loves you. I promise that if you will do those thing, by the power of the Holy Ghost you will receive an answer from on high that will be unmistakable. It may not come all at once, but it will come. Answers always come when we sincerely ask for them, but they come in the Lord's timing. Of this I testify, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Hermana DeBuck

Fotos:

 

1. Not sure if I sent this home or not, so if I did, feel free to exclude this photo. But this was when we got to eat out with two of the best people ever, the Hartungs (he's a recent convert, and unfortunately they're moving to Arizona...) They took us to a Thai restaurant, and I'm just going to say now: when we come back to Sycamore-Dekalb to visit, we're going to this place. SO GOOD. [Also, I honestly have no idea if the weird lines behind my head are my hair or something on the wall, but it sure makes me look like I'm about to be electrocuted or something...]

 2. Us with Saul, Francisca and Diego in their white jumpsuits. Don't they look so happy?! Boy I love them. They already told us that they want us to be there when they go to the temple. I am so sad I'll be back in Utah when Diego is baptized....(March 19th I think....)

3. Didn't have to use giant pots this time, so we decided we needed a picture of the font working (however, I'll have everyone know, that it was NOT warm. I thought Ida was going to have a seizure when she came up out of the water...) [not that it was super duper cold or anything, just she has a condition that if she gets cold, her body cramps up. And I think I know pretty well how just lukewarm temperature feels when you get your whole body wet--especially while wearing clothes, people...]

 

4. However, of course there had to be some sort of hiccup: the light in the women's bathroom that leads into the font wasn't working. Good thing these Hermanas are resourceful--grabbed the lamp from the foyer of the chapel and it worked like a charm (mostly).

5. Jose & Ida's baptism: except I wasn't able to get a photo yet so.....until next week.

Week 70: How Many Times Do You Have To Be Repreimanded/Counseled To Fill The Font?

5 Questions:
1) Were you a trainer before Sister Albrechtson?  We got a nice letter from the mission office that you were made a trainer, but I thought you had been one before.
2) We also got a nice thank you letter from the mission office about my sending  McDonald's gift cards.  Did you get one--I hope not.  I meant them to go to missionaries that didn't get much/anything from their families.  Just wondering...
3) Has winter shown up there yet?  It is winter here in a BIG way.  Christmas day we had a ton of snow--so we came home to a yard/driveway/housetop full.
4) Are you warm enough?  Do you like your Christmas presents?  You really didn't say too much when we talked on Christmas.
5) Did you get my message that I put Grandma Eileen's and Grandpa Herb's Christmas money in your account?

1. No, this is my first time.
2. I did not get one, at least not from the mission/you. Just from other people. (By the way, shout out "thank you" to everyone for the Christmas cards/gifts/notes! I really wish I could write hand written thank you notes to each and every one of you, but I just can't. I'm sorry. I am not superhuman and it just won't happen. I still love you though.)
3. Yeah, so last week on Monday we got some crazy snow that is nicknamed "heart attack snow" because it is so dense that when you shovel it, you're likely to get so worked up that you'll have a heart attack if you're not careful. Or something like that. Anyway, there was a winter storm warning with snow and freezing rain and whatnot, but we did just fine. However, the snow froze overnight and walking over it now is like walking over a frozen lake. We had a grand old time jumping on it outside a members' house because there's no fear of falling into the ice cold water below--because it's just grass.
4. I am definitely warm enough. haha I did like my Christmas presents, thank you. I just wasn't expecting so much. I think I just dislike talking about gifts people give me because it makes me feel uncomfortable but I really am grateful. Promise.
5. Got the message at least now, but I think I did before too. Thank you.

WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?!!
Basically, this was the week of miracles.
If I could write about every single one, it'd probably take you an hour to read it--and that would name an inordinate amount of time to write for me, which is time that I simply do not have. So a summary is what you'll get and you'll just have to be happy with it.

• I love going by less active members' homes that you don't know anything about--and then they're super duper nice! It's the greatest feeling, I tell you what.
• District lunch at a Mexican restaurant and we convinced our district leader to get horchata; needless to say he's in love.
• A dinner appointment cancelled the day of one day and then, as we were driving back to our apt for dinner we got a call from a family saying that they were planning on having the Elders over but they weren't able to make it so if we wanted to we could come over and eat the extra food. I think we got there faster than a horse around a barrel. 
• Because of the impromptu finding lesson and my wonderful companion asking for a referral, we decided to try this less active family later in the week, with the daughter of the family we ate dinner with. But they said we should call first so we did and she was super friendly! Unfortunately she was on her way to work so we couldn't visit. But then she was at church the next day! We were unable to attend that ward's sacrament meeting but we were told that she shared her testimony about all the "coincidences" that helped her want to come today--including a call from the sister missionaries. I love it when you see/hear of the direct fruits of your labors. And I love it when members and missionaries actually work together.
• We taught two of the best investigators of all time, Saul and Francisca (and their 7 year old son Diego). And they told us that they want their son to go on a mission. Also, the wedding date is set and they're on their way to baptism!
• We celebrated New Years with our ward mission leader, Bro McConkie and his family. We did a Spanish (as in Spain) tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight (or 6:30 for missionaries), one at every chime of the clock. I only got through ten because it was so funny to watch everyone else. Then we spent the evening reading the Book of Mormon--our mission president gave us a new challenge of specific things to mark and look for, and we're supposed to be done before April, though I'm going to try to finish before I report home.
• We FINALLY got to do some finding (probably the third or fourth time since I got here) so we went looking for some people who missionaries had met in the past but never taught and one of the doors we get to has someone coming out of it. His name is Hector and he practically asked us to teach him about Christ. Unfortunately he lives in Wisconsin. But I know the Gospel is just as true there as it is here. At another door we knocked we found Marina who somehow has a Book of Mormon and a King James version of the Bible (though we have no record of her being taught) and we taught her for just a bit and set up a return appointment. First new investigator since my first week I think! So cool.
• Went out with one of the Laurels in Dekalb ward to try some less actives for about an hour and the first two had moved--but the people living there were interested in learning more! It was truly miraculous. We told the young woman with us that she must be a lucky charm because rarely do people respond like that. But it was amazing! That is the effect of members and missionaries working together. President Monson is definitely inspired and is definitely the Lord's chosen prophet.
• Jennifer was baptized! She was so so happy and it was such a good service. To make a funny long story short though, we spent the two hours before the baptism started filling the font--with giant pots from the kitchen because we couldn't get the font faucet to work. Eventually one of the bishopric members and his wife came and showed us what to do. In our defense, the directions on the wall are NOT accurate for what to do. But hey, thanks to our giant pots from other water sources in the building, the water was the perfect temperature.
• Jennifer was confirmed on Sunday! The members do such an amazing job of fellowshipping and helping her feel welcome. She also shared her testimony (at the baptismal service and in sacrament meeting) and she did so wonderfully. It was such an amazing experience.
• Saul AND Francisca (and Diego) came to church and she loved it! It was her first time and it was a really good one. But then, they're always good. We had set up 8 headsets for translation and all of them were gone. Sadly, Pablo was unable to make it and one of our other investigators dropped us via text, but he'll come around when it's his time, I know it. Also, we found out this morning that our investigator couple paid tithing yesterday, due to some powerful testimonies on tithing--and we've never even taught them what it is. The gospel is SO true, people.
• We got a call one morning from someone that we'd stopped by the day previous, leaving a note with our number. For those who aren't too familiar with missionary work, that NEVER happens. Seriously. People never call us when we leave a note. Not even members. But this guy did. And he told us he's looking for something more in his life and he thinks this might be it. Well, Dan, the path to eternal life is about to open up before your eyes. (He's one of three people we'll be handing over to the elders, but the gospel they teach is the same exact one we teach, which is the same exact one that Christ teaches, so it doesn't matter who teaches or who baptizes because it's all just so true!)
• We visited Saul and Francisca and Diego on Sunday in the afternoon and  they accepted a baptismal date of 30 January! We are so excited for them. Diego asked, "I have to be 8 to be baptized right?" and when we said yes he told us in three months he'll turn eight, so we told him that his dad will be able to baptize him. He was so excited. Also, his parents want him to serve a mission in Mexico--probably to find, teach, and baptize all their cousins. Aren't they the greatest? I think yes.

Basically, Heavenly Father is so good to us. I love being a missionary and sharing the gospel with everyone. I especially love giving cards to cashiers and random people in the store and sharing a simple testimony of Christ and His restored Gospel. The Gospel is so true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and so is the Bible. Joseph Smith is God's chosen prophet in these latter-days to restore the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth today and the only man authorized to receive revelation for the entirety of the human family. I know that when we follow his counsel and the words of the ancient prophets found in the holy scriptures, we will not fall off the path and one day, we too will partake of the fruit of the tree of life (see 1 Nephi 8).

Love, Hermana DeBuck


Fotos:

1. Us with one of the pots we used to fill the font. We are nothing if not creative and resourceful.

2. Using the water from the men's shower--the women's was colder and yellowy...no thanks.

3. The other water source was the cleaning closet, and we used the mop bucket to transport the bucket from the closet to the font.

4. Jennifer and us, just before her baptism. Isn't she just glowing? (Pardon my awkward smile, I was in the middle of chewing a brownie, which was all I had for dinner....)

5. This time we are literally glowing. Oh boy. But this is us with Jennifer and Brother McConkie (the ward mission leader) who baptized her.

Week 43: There are 87 slides--So Endure!

5 Questions--

1) Will you please measure your hips?  Take the measurement about 8-9" below your waist.  The sizing in garments has changed AGAIN.

2) Have you thought any more about anything you'd like for you birthday?

3) Have you had any luck finding new investigators this week?

4) Will the Hermanas in your last apartment forward you the paper/snail mail that went to your mailbox there?  (It will just be from me and Grandma Cheryl.)  Also, cna you at least tell me what city you are living in now?  It your apartment in Rochelle?

5) What has been your favorite service activity since being on the mission?  Any favorites from before the mission?

1. 40 inches

2. Uh.....I feel like I think of things during the week and then I don't write them down and now I have no idea.... I mean, I could always just use money in my account, but where's the fun in that? I'll keep thinking. Just so you know, the only meetings (where I could get a package) in July are on the 7th and the 21st. Plan accordingly.

Oh, idea: if you could find a mid-calf length white or cream skirt, that is the one thing I could think of....if you're able to contact Kate's mom, you could ask her where she got the blue skirt they gave me because I LOVE that skirt, but I don't know where it's from. Plus, now that I think about it, I don't know where you'd find long skirts now because it's summer and they're probably all Maxi skirts or mini skirts....neither of which I want. So....I still got nothing.

Actually, if you could send me a USB stick, that would be great! I'm running out of room on my 16 GB one (I didn't think it was possible but it is). But now, that is actually all I can think of. I'll try to pay attention this week and write something down if it comes to mind and let you know next week. Sorry and thanks.  Actually, I just thought of something! I'm interested in obtaining a tiny pocketknife... There were some options at Walmart, but I think it's a better idea for my birthday, haha. One of the sisters in the branch has a tiny one that's about the length of my thumb, maybe something like that...I don't know much about pocketknives though so, who knows. (Not me...) Anyway, there's an idea. I'll try to brainstorm this week, but no promises.

3. Yes! We found one new investigator and she is awesome! Her name is Gloria. She's the wife of the potential we were looking for and she is so prepared. We're teaching her again this evening so I'll have more to report next week.

4. I got the mail from the last apartment already. Thanks to transfers. And yes, we are living in Rochelle. haha and our branch president is our landlord so that's pretty cool. I think we live in the house that he grew up in or where they lived just after getting married. Or something like that. But it's such a cute house! I'll send a picture (if I remember).

5. To be honest, I haven't personally been able to do a lot of service projects. In Bloomingdale there was basically none, and we only had one in Bloomington, but we only did that once or twice (unloading trucks and then translating documents). Here we clean the church as service and help some of the sisters in the ward with cleaning their houses--we did get to help out when various  basements flooded, but that wasn't a ton. We're looking into volunteering at the nursing home, but no word yet on if they can use us or not (we need to ask first though). Favorite from before the mission? I don't know. For me, I just liked service projects where I had friends there too....sorry, not much help.

Alright, well this week was good. I already told you about our one new investigator so now we've got a whopping total of two investigators! haha but that's okay. We're seeing miracles on a regular basis which is fantastic. This coming week will be great too, I mean, of course.

On Saturday, one of the people I taught in Bloomingdale was baptized and we got to go! I also got to  take pictures with a bunch of the members (since I didn't get to before I left...) Man I love these people. I will definitely be back in a year and introduce them all to my family. They're so great.

Last Friday was our all mission conference--the last one with President Fenn. President and Sister Griffin get here tomorrow and then we'll officially have a new mission president. It's super scary but I know it's what needs to happen and it's also kind of exciting. I know I learned an exceeding amount from President Fenn and I will forever treasure that knowledge and that relationship. I love President and Sister Fenn. But I know I'll love President and Sister Griffin too. haha at the conference President told us that we have to forget about him as soon as President Griffin walks off the plane on Tuesday--at least until we get off the plan when we go home. Then he wants us to remember him.  haha as if there were any other option!

The whole conference lasted about five hours (and then an hour each for lunch and dinner) and President taught us in more detail about the organization of the Church, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. We truly are so blessed to have the Gospel in our lives; so much was sacrificed by the early Saints. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I know, if it weren't for Joseph Smith, it wouldn't be in my life. Nor would any of the associated  blessings (which are so many that I don't even know where to start). The Gospel is true and it is the  single greatest thing in my life--and I know it will bless the lives of all those who will open their  hearts and minds enough to ask God the Eternal Father if it is not true (Moroni 10:4). And I know  that He answers every one of our prayers, no matter who we are or who we were, or what we've done. Each of us is a child of a loving Heavenly Father. And He will never, ever give up on us.

I love the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. If there's one thing I want to do on my  mission it is to be true to the Prophet Joseph so that when I meet him in the spirit world after death, I can look him in the eye and know that I did what I was called of God to do. If you haven't asked God in the last month if Joseph Smith is His chosen prophet to open this last dispensation, I invite you to do so. Because I know you'll get an answer, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

I think that's all for this week. We're going to go play nine holes of golf, so that's all I've got time for.  But I'll write more next week (maybe) and I'll send some pictures this week (definitely).

Con Todo Mi Amor,
Tu Hija y Amiga,
Hermana DeBuck

P.S.
I got a hug from President Fenn!! Changed my life.... (: (Even if he did hug all of the missionaries. Still life changing)

Fotos

1. Me and hna Fabiola. She went out with us a lot. She was baptized in
Colombia and is seriously a Gospel scholar! She knows SO much about
the Gospel.... She's basically a missionary.

2. Me with the corn. We're taking a picture every Monday to measure
the corn--I didn't send last week's, sorry. Isn't it so cute?

3. Me with Berenice, one of the youth in Bloomingdale. She's so sweet.

4. Hna Hunsaker, Hna Lunt, and me - best trio ever! I miss these two
so much...we were ALWAYS laughing. (Well, basically. haha)

 

 5. Me with Elder and Sister Hall - they're office missionaries. Sister
Hall is the sweetest lady ever and Elder Hall writes the greatest
sassy emails ever (I look forward to them every week) and provides
some comic relief--as well as beneficial instruction--at zone
meetings. Love them! They go home in August.

 

6. Me with President and Sister Fenn. They're basically my second set
of parents.

 

7. Four of the five hermanas that taught Carlos (the left of the two
men) and Hermano Avila (who baptized Carlos).

8. Me with Hermano Flores. He's in the branch presidency there. One
time, at an activity on a Saturday night, I said to him, "Hno, me
gusta su camisa" and he looked a little taken aback (surprised) but
then laughed. The next day, at church, he comes in and when he shakes
my hand, he says, "Hna, me gusta su blusa" haha we laughed about that
for a while...

9. Hna Alejandra and I. She's a convert of about a year and is
preparing to go through the temple soon! (She may have already been
actually....) She also co-owns a hair salon in town so we would get
our hair cut there for free. She's so stylish too! I'm gonna have to
call her up after the mission and have her help me out...

 

 10. Me and the Torres family. We had dinner with them every week and
they're so missionary-minded! Also, Hno Torres is one of the funniest
people I've ever met. Man, every time we were laughing so
hard...sometimes I even cried.

11. Me and Hna LaBonte--and the corn, of course. 

12. We live right by this historic train station something or other so
we get stuck behind trains more frequently than we'd like. Like this
morning for example.

Week 34: Puedo tener parte de su cara?

5 Questions:

1) Will you please take some pictures of you and your companion?  We'd like to see what she looks like.

2) How did the wedding & baptisms go?

3) Did I tell you that Brytni B. was called to Nauvoo for her mission?  She spoke today--her farewell--and enters the MTC on Wednesday.

4) Any last minute advise to give Cameron for his AP Calc test?  It is the 5th of May.

5) Do you need anything else for the spring.summer?  Clothes wise, or anything else?

1. Yes. Lucky for you we already did that this weekend, so I'll attach them at the end of the email.

2. Splendidly! Man, this was probably the best weekend of my entire life....up to this point and probably forever. Why? Well...I'll explain at the end of the email. (: 

3. I think you did tell me, but I'd forgotten, so that's cool! Grandma's letter this week said cousin Jeremiah got his call too, to the Philippines (?) I believe. That's so sweet! He's gonna make an awesome missionary. Same will Brytni.

4. Review, review, review. And practice, practice, practice. "The Holy Ghost can't bring to your remembrance something that you've never learned." I'm a believer that one reason I did so well on tests was because I did my part to learn and to study, and then kept up my habits of scripture study and prayer, and the Holy Ghost was able to "enlighten" my mind and help me remember what I had studied. No joke. It's a real thing.

5. Clothes, no. I've come to the conclusion that I have/had WAY too many articles of clothing. So I'll be sending a box home soon (hopefully) and I don't think I will ever need more while on my mission. Of course I like having more options (who doesn't) but they're not necessary and who wants to lug it all around the state of Illinois? Not me--with my luck/blessing, I'll probably get sent to Beloit next. (;

However, I do have a request of sorts for summer/my birthday: so Hna Hunsaker is from Orem, right, and therefore we have both frequented many of the same places (when I say many, I mean a few really). Anyway, the point is she has these super cute shoes that she says are the most comfortable ever, and I was thinking that might be good actually because the walking shoes I have from the Sister Missionary Mall aren't the best thing to walk around all day in (the black pair always makes me roll my ankle...) So I was wondering if you could look into a pair for me. She said she got them at a store in Provo called "Modern Shoe" (I feel like we may have gone there last summer, you and I, momma). I'll just take a picture of her shoes and send it because I won't do a fantastic job of describing them. [She told me the style is called "Cobb Hill", and the brand is "New Style"] I dunno what color options are gonna be available, but if they've got black, that would be my first choice.

That is my final answer.

Grandma asked about the apartment here, so I'll attach some pictures of it too. It's a pretty nice apartment actually. We even have a balcony. (: The building used to be a 70s motel I guess, so it doesn't feel so much like a stinky apartment.

For some reason, 

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BROTHER!! What the junk, you're 18 years old (in two days). Who said that was okay....? I wish I could sing to you through email because I learned the Mexican birthday song from my last companion. And I'm sure you would just LOVE it.... haha but hey. For reals. Happy birthday. Don't forget to open your gift from me. And if you really loved me, you'd write me an email about your day/week/life. You know, the usual thing siblings do for their sister on a mission.

Finalmente, before I talk about my week, I meant to say this last (?) week: Happy anniversary padres! Love you a million Swedish fish.

So. To explain why this weekend was the best of my entire mortal existence:

Friday we have the car. And usually it's a pretty jam packed day because it's a lot easier to get to different places. But this Friday wasn't so jam packed. It was kind of weird actually. Our planned member present lessons fell through (we've not been doing so well with member presents because we dropped basically all the people we could teach in the morning, which is when the majority of the members are available) so we were trying our best to have something and eventually it paid off: we met with one of our investigators, Luis, who has cancer. And he almost accepted a baptismal date. We think he's totally "golden" he just doesn't know it yet. So we had a fantastic lesson with him and with a member, Hermana Fabiola. And then we finally met with Juan and Jovita--we still had to teach a few principles before their baptism Sunday morning and it definitely wasn't going to happen on Saturday. And here's the catch: Juan talks a TON. And Hna Fabiola is quite the chatterbox too. And it was the last hour of the day so we had to be pretty concise about it. We couldn't start right away because we were taking care of some things for the wedding so they were in the middle of the conversation when we were ready to begin. And neither of us hermanas are good at interrupting politely. So we had to bide our time until the opportunity arose--and then we snatched it and got started. I must say, I'm pretty impressed with the ability I've gained to interrupt politely. Still not fantastic at it, but I've definitely improved.

Then Saturday was the wedding. Wow. Mexican weddings are something else.....I don't even have the words to describe it. It was also kind of terrible because they were playing American music with Spanish lyrics--so it was very easy to tell what song it was, which is awful as a missionary. Man. I don't want to repeat that experience on my mission. But, it was also really good because we met some new people and finally got to do service; oh and Juan and Jovita were legally and lawfully wedded! So they could now be baptized! Woo! haha it was really good though. Hno Torres was the only hermano dancing, and man was it entertaining. I love Hno Torres... We also helped serve the wedding cake--sometimes it's still weird to me that you actuallly cut the wedding cake because I feel like you only ever see them whole, and in one piece, with no one eating it....but yeah. So the wedding was really good. It didn't end until after our pumpkin time though so we couldn't help clean up....man our members here are SO good to us. I love them all.

Then Sunday, we had to be at the church at 8 (the elders filled up the font for us, otherwise we would've had to be there at 7:15 or so...) in order to make sure everything was ready and good to go. Juan and Jovita got there around 8 too which was great (it was when we had told them to come) but there was one hitch: there wasn't any white ropa. ....uh oh. The only jumpsuits we had were for ninos, so that wasn't going to fly. So we basically had to wait for 45 minutes for the ropa to get there--it had been taken home to be washed we finally figured out. Oh man. Kind of nerve wracking. But hey, it was all good in the end. The ordinance was performed--my very first one!--and the service was great. Then in sacrament meeting, they were confirmed! WOO! haha maybe it's a little prideful of me, but: MY VERY FIRST CONVERTS!! Wow. Such a good day. I admit, I was pretty wiped out from the weekend in general and was almost falling asleep in the classes, but it worked out okay. (Someday brought donuts--I'm not going to ask who broke the Sabbath day...--and offered us donuts. Made my day...)

We had an appointment at 3:30 with a member and his soon-to-be-wife investigator, as well as the member's sister, who is the branch president's wife. (I think that is actually easier to explain in Spanish, for once...) And it was good except we were there for two hours. Which, wouldn't be a huge deal except for the fact  that my converts in Peoria were getting baptized at 6:30 and we were going to Skype at 5:45. So yeah. I was kinda freaking out a bit on the inside. But we finally got out and were only about 5 minutes from our apartment and the Martinez' were at home so we called and asked to use their WiFi. The Elderes ended up not skype calling until almost 6:00 so everything worked out. And I got to see Angelina and Maria again!! Man. For real, best weekend of my entire life. Oh, and the Albrechtsen family and the Silva family too. Man I love Bloomington-Normal. I mean, I love Bloomingdale too (those names are still confusing for me) but I love the two places for different reasons. And I'll always love both places. (: 

[Oh, and today I got an email from my trainer saying that she got a call from Hna Albrechtsen family, plus some pictures, so Hna Israelsen sent them to me. I'll attach one of those too and you (and I) can pretend that I'm in the picture too.]

So basically, this weekend will forever be etched in my memory for so many reasons that I can't even explain. But to sum it up, only a scripture will suffice, which I happened to read yesterday after all of this had happened: Alma 26:1, 3, 5

1 And now, these are the words of Ammon to his brethren, which say thus: My brothers and my brethren, behold I say unto you, how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we started from the land of Utah that God would have granted unto us such great blessings?

3 Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.

5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

At the moment, the "number of [my] sheaves" is four. And while it's not the thousands upon thousands of sheaves that Ammon and his brethren had, it's enough to make me tear up, at least a little bit. To think that I have been made an instrument in the hands of God, that I have helped bring these my three sisters and one brother (literal descendants of the Lamanites) to the light of the Gospel, well, it leads me to another scripture: D&C 18:15-16

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

My joy truly is great. And I now have an even stronger testimony of these scriptures, and many others like unto them. La obra misional is the single greatest thing I could be doing, and it brings the most exquisite of joy to the laborers. I am so grateful to be a missionary and have the opportunity to serve these my brothers and sisters in a way that no other church or religion can, for I know this to be true: 

"We do not preach and teach in order to ‘bring people into the Church’ or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives. … We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this” (“The Purpose of Missionary Work,” missionary satellite broadcast, Apr. 1995).

Only we, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the authority to bring souls unto Christ, to help God's children receive exaltation in the life to come. And we, as members of Christ's church, have the responsibility to share what we have so abundantly been given. When we were baptized, we covenanted--we made a promise with God the Almighty--to stand as a witness at all times, in all things, and in all places. But He does not leave us alone in that work. If we will but open our mouths, He has promised on more than one occasion, that "they will be filled". I know that promise is sure, because I have seen it fulfilled in my life. I, Jill Perri DeBuck, do not alone have the capacity to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ with the voice of a trump (see Alma 26:12 and D&C 24:12) but I have been called by a living prophet of God and set apart by the restored priesthood power of God on the earth today. And with that calling, I truly can do all things (Phillipians 4:13). 

I know this is the only true and living Church of God on the earth today, and that it was restored by Joseph Smith, a man called of God to head this last dispensation. I know that the Book of Mormon is the instrument of God to gather scattered Israel, and that it is the one thing that brings us close enough to Christ in order to inherit eternal life. Only through the Book of Mormon do we know the truths necessary for salvation. And it is never possible to have read it enough. "Every day, every day, every day" is the only way. I love this Book with all my heart. I love the Prophet Joseph Smith, and I am truly and eternally indebted to him, and to my Lord and Savior, my Redeemer and my Friend, Jesus Christ. He has prepared the way for us, and now it is our turn to accept it or reject it. And at the judgment day, all men shall know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph is a prophet, and that Jesus is the Christ.

Todo Mi Amor,

Tu Hija y Amiga,

Hermana DeBuck

P.S. Yes, we purposely matched with the colors they'd picked for their wedding. (:

Enviado de mi iPad

Week 15: Tantos Milagros!

Mom note:  Here are the 5 Questions this week:

1) Do you have instructions for us for your Christmas call yet?  Do you get to Skype? What is your time limit?

2) Have you received any of the packages that were sent to you for Christmas yet?

3) Grandma Jo is sending something for you to the mission home, so will you let me know when you finally get it? She'll be worried.

4) Uncle Tony asked me about the chances of stopping to take you and your comp to lunch in January when he goes home to see his family.  I told him he'll have to call the mission president for permission, but I thought I'd give you a heads up, just in case.  He's very persistent. ;)

5) Did you have an address for Super Kate?  Even her home address would work now.  Thanks!

1. Okay, we'll either Skype--using the area Skype account or our own--or call like normal. President Fenn just asks us to be wise in our time usage, so we don't have a set limit. He did say he felt 20 minutes was too short but 7 hours was much too long. So I guess we'll decide more later. Hermana Israelsen and I will talk about it before we email next week and give you more details. What might be useful though is if you can find my Skype login info....honestly I have no idea if I've written it down somewhere or not; I imagine it's probably my regular email at gmail, and my regular password. Will one of you try it out this week and see if that logs you in? That would be great.

2. We will be getting Christmas packages this Thursday at the Christmas devotional we have as zones. So I'll let you know more next week--though I won't be opening them until Christmas, just so you know.

3. I will let you know when I get it.

4. Thanks for the info. He's free to call President Fenn but I have no idea what he'll say. However, his word is law. Plus, I dunno that Uncle Tony would want to drive all the way out here.... (I'm going to operate under the impression that I won't be transferred this January until otherwise told-because I don't want to leave.) 

5. I don't have an address for Kate....but I can ask at the very least. If I remember. 

Where do I begin? This week was full of miracles. It was almost unbelievable.

(First off, I'm typing this while sitting in a Firestone auto shop, and the smell just makes me think of Gilroy. Also, the TV is playing some cooking show...is that a normal car shop waiting room choice?)

On Tuesday last week, during companion study, one of our newest investigator's texted us, asking us to pray for her husband who had just been to the hospital. My first thought was, "if they were members, somebody would take them dinner. So that's what we should do." Eventually, we found someone who could come with us that evening to take them something for dinner--Sister and Brother Tandy--and this family, the G Family, loved it! They have four adorable little girls who have got to be the most polite niñas of all time. Their dad was back from the hospital already so that was good news--he had had a back spasm on Sunday, which is apparently a regular occurrence for him, but it still hadn't gone away by Tuesday, which isn't regular for him. Anyway, it was such a great way for the members to get involved with our investigators and they really felt like they were important to us, I think, which never hurts.

Wednesday, we met with Maria and her husband Manuel, with Sister Grilliot. We were planning on teaching the plan of salvation because we've reviewed the Restoration with Maria multiple times, but Manuel hadn't heard the entire Restoration. So that was rough. They also had some interesting questions that we weren't prepared for (such as abortion) but I think it went alright, all things considered. We definitely need to teach Manuel the entire Restoration.

We also visited the R family; we taught the plan of salvation there (with dibujos) and Victor, their 8 year old who is preparing to be baptized...oh man. I thought he was going to cry. He became super worried and anxious that he wouldn't be able to make it to the celestial kingdom. We and his cute mom assured him that he doesn't have to be perfect to go to the celestial kingdom, and that that is one reason why we are so grateful to Jesus Christ. It was a really good lesson, and so touching.

Thursday: zone conference.

I got Aunt Shannon and Gma's package as well as a letter from her explaining what was in it. I was quite excited to open it....so we opened it this morning--thank you! Those little puzzles have got to be the greatest things I have ever seen.... Ammon. Enough said. Thank you so much! We really appreciate it.

After we got home, we started exchanges! So both of us had appointments for 6:00 but one, our less active, cancelled on us--we later found out it was because he went to do his home teaching, so it turned out to be a really good thing. The other didn't show. So Hermana Santos and I went to Rene with Sister Clay and we had a good lesson about following God's commandments and the blessings we receive by doing so, and we also read from the children's Book of Mormon with him. I had him write down the commitments we'd given--and he didn't write down what I had said....so that kind of explains why he hasn't been keeping commitments. Ah well. It's hard because he doesn't really function on a regular level. But, it was alright. Afterwards, Hermana Santos and I went to MCM where the elders never showed up. So it was us with our ward mission leader--and his wife and newborn. It was a good meeting though. This family, the Moore's, are moving two days after Christmas. I'm gonna miss them...Brother Moore reminds me of our family: he is so sarcastic. So he and I sometimes get teasing each other and it feels just like I'm talking to dad. 

After MCM we picked up Hermanas Israelsen and Torres, and the latter had twisted her ankle--for the third time on her mission. Oh man. The poor hermana! However, we did find out that it was because they had had such a powerful lesson with one of our less active/part member families, the M Family. Here's the thing: Hermana Torres served in this area about a year ago and they were her very first lesson. They had invited Emiliano to be baptized in that lesson and he had said no. This time, she invited him to be baptized and he basically said he knows he needs to be. So after the lesson she was crying (because of the Spirit) and then tripped down a stair and twisted it. So. It was a great lesson, but a sad outcome for Hermana Torres' ankle.

Friday: Hermana Santos and I were dropped off in one area while Hermana Torres and Israelsen went to another. The first house that answered was a potential named Cindy, but we found Felix (her uncle). We also met his twins, who are three years old. We just showed him the He is the Gift video--he didn't seem super interested at any point but it's so cool because you can just see the effect that video has on people. It's amazing. 

Then, Olga & Marcelino. We had met Olga before, and taught her twice, so we stopped by and she basically told us she was too busy, but we asked if we could just share a two or three minute video about Christ with her, and she let us in. Then we met her husband, Marcelino. We ended up talking about how we can give something back to Christ, and we brought up the Book of Mormon. Marcelino was super skeptical the whole time, and I loved it because Hermana Santos basically confronted him about it. Which I think actually helped him realize the importance of it. Anyway, we set up a return appointment for Monday (today) so we'll see them tonight.

We still had half an hour before our next appointment so we tried another potential, Laura, and we ended up meeting her and her family. They were making tamales and they gave us some. Oh. My. Goodness. I just had one--uno de color. And it was sweet---literally. So delicious. They also had tamales de pollo y de queso. Plus, they gave us atole to drink too, and it was pretty good. I'd never had it before but I loved it! It smelled and tasted a lot like Mexican hot chocolate but it was thicker, kinda like the difference between broth and stew. Mm, it was good. Anyway, we also shared He is the Gift with them and kind of invited them to the ward party that night, as well as church. Gloria, Laura's mom, basically told us that she doesn't think you need to go to church because faith is between you and God. Honestly, I'm still surprised by how many people believe something like that.

We left just in time for our appointment at four, but halfway there we realized that we had left Hermana Santos' hat at Laura's, so we ran back for that and then ran to Jorge's where we met up with Sis Antczak. We had a lesson with him about the sacrament and keeping the Sabbath holy. He just started working 5 am to 1 pm, so he can't come to church....so. He did tell us that he wants to come to church, and after we shared 1 Nephi 3:7 he agreed that God is all powerful and will provide a way. So now we just have to pray and hope he finds a way--even if it means quitting... but it was good.

We had just enough time for one more lesson, which was good because we had an appointment with Ana. I think she really liked meeting Hermana Santos (who is mexicana and just straight up awesome) and we basically just stressed the importance of praying about what she's reading. She agreed to do that this week. We also invited her to the ward party, as well as the baptism on Sunday (of her sister, Lupita). To both she said she would try to make it. 

We ran home to un-exchange, and then sped off to the ward party--we were already a bit late. We had invited the G Family, and they agreed to come, but had gotten lost so we met them at Jewel Osco, which is right by the church--as well as a Mennonite church, so they had gotten confused. So we finally made it to the Bloomington 1st ward's Christmas party. Since we had gotten there late, there weren't anymore empty tables, so Brother Moore and the elders set up a table for us and the Garza's. We ended up being away from them for a while to talk to Ana for a bit and we were so proud of our members: they were chatting with them and whatnot. That really is what members need to be aware of most, if you ask me. When the missionaries bring investigators to ward activities, just help them feel welcome. Just say hi and introduce yourself and let them know that you're glad they're there. That's all you have to do.

After the dinner (and the Bishop reading a Cajun Night Before Christmas....if that's somewhere online, find it and read it. SO funny....at least when read in an accent) we gave the Garza Family a tour of the church. They loved the painting of the First Vision looking at Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and Joseph's back. They were asking us a bit about how missions work and the prophet. We were going to continue but then David turned to us and said, "look, man, you've gotta take this pain away." We had considered offering a Priesthood blessing but then decided maybe later, so I at least took that as a signal to offer him a blessing. So we had the elders come do that and the Spirit was SO strong. It was beautiful. Afterwards, when we were talking to him and his wife, Beverlyn, about it they told us they could "feel the energy" so we explained that's the Spirit. We're planning on visiting them tonight so we'll have a lesson basically just about the Priesthood. I'm excited. This family is so solid.

Saturday: Miriam cancelled on us, but that meant we didn't have to ride the bus for hours on end....so that was a plus. However, on the bus that we did have to take, we met Flori. She's from Guatemala and ended up telling us how a family friend had just passed away (in Guatemala I'm assuming) and she doesn't have any family here so she was really torn up about it, and started crying. We gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and set up a visit with her. I can't wait to see her again. She was awesome. 

Basically we spent the day walking up and down and up and down and up the street. And I came to the realization that that is pretty much all we ever do. Our success isn't really our success--it is completely Heavenly Father's. So that was kind of a cool self-introspection moment (am I using that word correctly? I dunno. I can't speak English or Spanish anymore.)

Then, we visited Julia w/Sis Albrechtsen. First we asked if she had any questions from listening to the Book of Mormon and she asked about that whole daughters of Zion thing in 2 Nephi 13. haha we weren't sure how to answer that--regardless of language--so we said it's just talking about pride. That seemed to reassure her. What was funny was how we communicated about that chapter. It was half Spanish and half body language. I wish I had a recording of my memory of Hermana Israelsen. It was so funny....anyway. Julia also told us, practically out of the blue, "I'm coming to church tomorrow!" We were in shock. But Sister Albrechtsen offered to give her a ride so we got that all figured out. After we got home...we were still in shock...then, just as we finished up planning, we got a call--not from our district leader: it was Laura, saying "we're coming to church." SHOCK. Oh man. We were wiped out, in a good way. I mean, of course we were thrilled but it is so exhausting, missionary work: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So we were ready for bed when the time came.

Sunday. We were late-ish to church, so we were practically running around like crazy people, trying to get the translator all figured out and whatnot. But hey, we had a family of five at Bloomington 1st! Woohoo! They seemed to enjoy it--at least the kids did--and Laura's husband, Alejandro, was participating and reading in Gospel Principles (which we had in Spanish as there were no English speakers there...that was cool.) We also had Ward council after church. It was the first time we've been to Bloomington 1st ward council and I think it really helped our relationship with that ward. It's been a bit rickety, whether because of past trust issues or miscommunication or what, I don't know. But now they know that we're there and that we want to be involved. I do feel kind of bad for them because they have about  30% activity, and they feel like they're floundering. The stake president was there and he kinda gave them a pep talk about not feeling like they need to fulfill regular expectations. He basically told them not to work so hard, which one of the bishopric members pointed out. That was kinda funny. The poor RS president...I feel for her. But, President Johnson had a point. Even though they've got less people, that doesn't mean they have to feel like they're not performing well. Ah well. Hopefully we can think of something to help them. 

Then we had Normal ward. We ended up going to pick up Julia with Sister Albrechtsen  just after the sacrament...but it was good. I also translated a meeting for the first time (Relief Society) and I thought I did terrible, because Julia said she liked the first two meetings but didn't understand the third (which was RS). But Hermana Israelsen said I did well--and she pointed out that she wouldn't have been able to translate her second transfer, so I guess I'm doing alright. After Normal ended, we finally ate...we had been in meetings/running around since 8 am that morning. Whew. I was beginning to get somewhat fatigued I think. Afterwards, we helped with prep for the baptism. We had called Jorge to invite him to come and he agreed so we had to find a ride for him, as well as get the translator ready. They ended up having the first half of the program in the chapel (there were a lot of people--Lupita's family--there, but we moved to the Relief Society room for the ordinance, and since we all fit we just stayed there. The second talk, about the Holy Ghost, was given by Brother Davis, who is a Spanish professor at ISU--he's actually Lupita's teacher. But it was cool because he gave his talk in both English and Spanish, so we didn't have to translate. It was a really good talk to. (He kinda scares us, which is entirely irrational because you'd think it would be scarier to talk to natives in Spanish than a white guy who also speaks Spanish but it's actually scarier to talk to him in Spanish....anyway.) Afterwards we were talking with members of Lupita and Ana's  family: we met Javier who speaks Spanish, English, and French--the elders have spoken with him because Elder Noho speaks French too. And we also more officially met Ana's son, Jarom. He didn't seem super interested, but he did take a restoration pamphlet and he seemed to enjoy talking to us. So, it was really good. Also, here's the funniest story of the week: they had brought cookies as refreshments to the baptism, so we were going to get some (for us and Ana) but they were gone, so we came back and told her, "Hermana, tenemos malas noticias." She got all concerned and legitimately worried, and asked what, and we told her, "No hay mas galletas." Javier standing behind her was cracking up, as were we. It was hilarious. So, you've gotta feel pretty good about your second language ability when you can use humor, right? Oh, it was funny.

When we finally left the church, we rode home with Sister Goodman. She's got this adorable Southern accent and she really just makes you feel at home, like she's your mom and she's got your back no matter what. She told us the story of how she and her husband (Bishop Goodman) met--in the army--and then how he converted. I love hearing different people's conversion stories, as well as the classic "how did you meet?" story. Always. There's is particularly sweet.

When we finally got home, we had been at the church for 12 hours (with two short excursions to pick up and drop off Julia). Oh my goodness. It was such a good day, but so exhausting. I think we were still in shock... but it all actually happened! So, all in all, this week was amazing. 

So far, today, we got all our cleaning and housework done in about an hour and a half, and then we spent an hour and a half at Firestone because we had to get new tires....ohh man. No hard feelings against car shops but we got home and had to turn on the church music right away because my spirit just needed to decompress....the TV, after the cooking show, was on Dr. Phil or some something about counseling for couples who have been in domestic abuse or something I don't even know what. It was just awful, as a missionary. Ugh.....so. Now I need a nap...

I love this work, and I love this area. I love my companion, my members, my investigators, my mission president, my district and zone. I think I could stay here in Bloomington-Normal forever and be perfectly content. But, as the Book of Mormon warns, we should be wary of contentment. So, I shall continue to work as hard as I can, striving to be worthy of the Spirit in order to bring the eternal happiness of the Gospel to those who lack it.

Love you all so much, and I pray for you nearly every day.

Con Todo Mi Amor,

Hermana DeBuck

P.S.

Don't get used to this long of an email....I had nothing else to do while sitting in Firestone....

Mom Note:  I'm not sure why these will only import sideways or upside down. I'm sorry.  I'll get the Genius golfer to look at it for me when he gets home.

Fotos:

#1: Hermana Santos and I, at the end of exchanges

 

#2: Hermana Israelsen and I with our Christmas decorations, due largely in part to Grandma Cheryl and Aunt Shannon.

#3: selfie, because it's P-day.

 

#4: We drive past this house every time we go to or leave the church.  They are serious about Christmas decorating.... (I can't remember if I've sent this or not, so here it is again):

 #5: The Peoria skyline: