Week 63: "I Just Realized, You're All Hermanas, So I Better Take This [Photo] in Spanish!"

1) What is the sickest you have been while on the mission? At USU? (Mom note: Her brother was just diagnosed with Mono this weekend!)
2) Have you ever had to use your medical insurance while you were away from home? Did you have any problems trying to use it?
3) How cold has it been there lately?  Any big storms?
4) How are your investigators progressing?  Baptisms still on target?

1. Um, I think the most sick I've been is honestly just a cold...just got over one this week (thank you, Airborne) and I got one last winter when I was with my trainer. But I really think that's it...probably because Heavenly Father knows I'm a baby and can't handle anything more than that. As for at USU, I think probably the same. I suppose I don't really get sick all that often... Usually though what happens when I get sick is I have a stuffy nose for weeks on end and I just can't seem to get over it. Somehow this week though I managed to get rid of all symptoms basically in about a week. Probably because I drank so much orange juice and took Airborne. Hallelujah.
2. I don't think so, actually. So no, no problems. haha
3. It's actually been really nice and fresh here. Yesterday it was about 70 degrees. Today it's a bit rainy so it's a little cooler, but I haven't even had to wear my big coat yet, let alone the snow boots. We heard once upon a time that we weren't going to get snow until after Christmas, but we've since heard that we'll have snow in December most likely. But I honestly don't know. So far it's been really nice. Supposedly it's supposed to be a somewhat mild winter. We'll see how long that lasts though. Just looked at the weather (approved app) and it's supposed to be in the 50s for a few days then in the 30s so I guess the cold is on its way. Brr. I never did like the cold, but at least there's no snow still. (I had to think SO hard to come up with the word "still"; it's been replaced by the Spanish equivalent in my brain...)
4. Well, Jose and Ida are just the most fantastic people of all time. For real. I mean, where do I even begin? So last week they came to church for Sacrament Meeting and then had to go. We were able to teach them on Wednesday and Friday and Saturday. It was awesome. They have such a sincere desire to do God's will and they're beginning to believe in and feel the power of prayer. We did find out about a few obstacles to get over but we have faith and we know they have faith. Ida keeps all of her commitments and then does some extra studying on the side. Jose is beginning to understand how to pray in order to receive answers and then be able to recognize them. I feel like they're my children, but at the same time I feel like they're my parents. It's so great. So we had invited them to come to a baptism this Saturday and Ida told us she had a vendor fair and they weren't sure they'd be able to make it. We gave them the address anyway and told them we'd pray really hard--and then asked about ten of the members and some missionaries to also pray--that 1) Ida would sell all her Tupperware, 2) the vendor fair would end a little early [or that they'd be able to close up a little early] and 3) that she would find someone to go in her place on Sunday [that way she could go to church]. Well, let me tell you something: PRAYER WORKS. I know Heavenly Father answers prayers, even if it's not exactly how we think He will. Because Ida actually didn't sell very much at all; she said it was pretty slow all day. However, the fair ended up being done at 3 instead of at 4 (the baptism was at 4:30 and the fair was in Rockford, about a 30 minute drive away), and she found someone to take her place Sunday! So they came to the baptism (oh, and there were technical difficulties with the font so the service was delayed for about half an hour) and then afterwards we taught them the Word of Wisdom because they have to be living that for two weeks before they're baptized and last Saturday was exactly two weeks before their baptism and then they came to church yesterday and stayed for all three hours. Oh, and yesterday was the Primary program and they loved it! Oh man. I just love this couple. Also, at the baptism, we had some food afterwards and we'd just about run out of plates so Jose and Ida shared one and Hermana Henricksen and I shared one. When the two of us sat down with Jose and Ida, Jose passed me a napkin and I said "Oh thanks, I didn't even think of that!" And he goes "Well, I always take care of my daughters." Aww.... (: I think a tear may have welled up in my eye. I just love these two SO MUCH. There really aren't words to describe it. They're just amazing. I know we can overcome these obstacles because we have faith, they have faith, and our God is mighty to save (Alma 34:18; 2 Nephi 31:19).

So that's basically the main highlight of this week. I'm not sure what else to say. Good news is that I've stayed committed to writing in my journal nightly so I WILL keep up and then everything I forget to tell you will at least be written down so that we may all profit thereby. (haha) But anywho, here's a brief summary of this week:

Monday: We went by a less active family who live out in the boonies, and it was in the evening and mind you, it gets dark at about 5:30. But so we went by and when we pulled up there was someone (we think) in the truck in the driveway but we went up to the door anyway. We could hear the kids yelling inside but no one ever answered. So we went back to the driveway (on the side of the house) and the lights on the truck were off now. So we wrote a note by the light of the lamp on the side of the house and the whole time we could hear them talking, looking through the windows in the garage door (or something like that) and I distinctly heard them say "They're still here..!" I don't know who they thought we were but boy was it funny. haha Maybe it's just me but I'd much rather have the missionaries knocking at my door at 7:30 than anyone else....haha but yeah. I guess we're really intimidating or something.

Tuesday: We were driving up Lincoln Hwy and I was watching people walking outside (since I am the official co-driver) and I saw a lady that I thought was our investigator so I stared until we'd past and then I stared some more and finally I was convinced it was her so we turned and parked on a street, prayed and started walking towards this woman. And it was her! Her name is Irma and she is so great. She's had a lot of bad experiences with people that have left her without much trust in the general population but she likes us (now). We walked with her back to her house, just listening to her really. She commented about how much we laugh. Let me tell you, it's because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Only true things like that make you as happy as us. Anyway, we get to her house and she tells us she's going to finish raking leaves and we practically beg her to let us help her and she concedes. Well, I hardly ever got to rake leaves growing up because there aren't many trees at my house so it was lots of fun! However, in the process I managed to step in some poop. Yes, poop. I believe of the cat variety. Well, we then had to walk quickly back to our car because we had an appointment with an investigator. But I had poop on my boot! I couldn't just track poop into her home! (It's always immaculate, plus that's just not cool period.) So we get to the car and it's about dusk (5 pm, you know) and I can't see very well what I'm doing, but I"m trying to scrape it off with dried leaves. Well, the problem with dried leaves is that aren't very sturdy so it basically just crumbles and now it's on my hand! Well, we begin driving and it begins to smell. So I roll the window down and stick my arm out. By the time we've arrived my arm is FROZEN I tell you. But hey, at least it doesn't smell in the car. While Hna ran up to a member's home to pick something up to take to our investigator with whom we have an appointment, I sat in the car with the door open, trying to get poop off. What did I use? Well I happened to have eaten a banana earlier that day and had nowhere to put the peel so I was using that, plus some napkins we had in the car (for when we check oil levels on Mondays) and some water in a water bottle. Well it sort of worked and it was mostly off. When we got to our appointment finally I asked to use the bathroom and I wiped off a bit more with hand sanitizer. So now at this point my boot smells like a combination of cat poop, banana, and cherry blossom. Our investigator's dog sniffed at my shoe for a little longer than normal. But hey, it was good. haha all in a days work, right?

Wednesday: We visited a sister in the ward who has been having a bit of a rough time lately. We weren't planning on being fed but she fed us anyway. (We had pork chops--in the oven, they were more delicious that I remember pork chops being--and mashed potatoes--she used that Mesquite steak seasoning in the potatoes and it was also delicious--and Brussel sprouts. Oh boy do I love Brussel sprouts. I don't know why but boy are they tasty. Just saying. Also, she had a poster on the wall and it was intriguing. I knew it must have something to do with a video game but didn't know what so I asked her about it. Come to find out it was something with League of Legends. Wow.... I haven't heard that phrase for eons! Just kidding, more like slightly over a year. But it feels like eons. It was just so weird to contemplate that again because I haven't even thought about video games for months. Wow. It made me realize just how much a person can change simply by putting one's mind to it. I know I've had the Lord's help in becoming as focused as I am, and I am truly grateful for that.

Thursday: We had zone conference! Wow. It was awesome. And if I'm being completely honest, the first reason for that is because our zone leaders brought us cake and we ate it. It was divine. haha. But it was also awesome because we learned a lot. Plus, I finally had another interview with President. Man, I love President Griffin. He truly is inspired. I know he is so in tune with the Spirit because he was reading between the lines of my asked question and helped me know what I needed to know. I know he is a man called of God to preside over this mission. He receives revelation for all people residing in these geographic boundaries, as far as missionary work is concerned. And just as we are blessed for following the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, I know we are blessed by following the counsel of Gilbert M. Griffin. I love him and his wife and I am so so grateful for what they teach and what they have taught already.

Friday: So we were doing our plans and no one was letting us in so we had about 30 mins left until the next hour with nothing to do. So we prayed and both felt we should go by Ida and Jose. So we drive across town (takes about 8 minutes) to the neighboring "village" and drop by. And of course they let us in because they're only two of the greatest people on earth. And we had a fantastic lesson. We found out a bit more of Ida's concerns and helped them to gain a little more confidence in themselves and in the Gospel. I know these two are searching for what we are trying to give them, and they are so so so close. They're amazing. And I know Heavenly Father will guide us if we will only ask.

Saturday: we had breakfast with a member and when we got there she tells us she invited our investigator! (they're basically best friends) so that was super cool! Both of these two sweet sisters are going through almost unbearable trials and I think it's not by coincidence that they've met and become good friends. Although they have such different circumstances, I know they will be able to support and lift one another as they continue to seek the Lord first. I am so grateful for the stability of my own family and the health of my loved ones. It's not something you always realize that you're grateful for until it no longer exists or you get up close and personal with someone else's situation. I know I am blessed beyond measure and surely I do not merit the great blessings that I've been given. But I know I will continue to work to be worthy of the blessings I already have and to help others receive the same joy and happiness that my family and I enjoy. I am so blessed to have been born to parents who made sacred covenants between themselves and the Lord and who have worked to keep those covenants throughout their lives. I am so grateful for their example. I hope you both know how much I love you and admire you, even if I don't always express it. I'm still not perfect so I'm working on that part.

Sunday: Well about three months ago our ward mission leader gave us a referral (Tony) of a friend of his who was reading the Book of Mormon of his own volition. We went by with this member to try to find him and got no answer. We went by later and met the brother of this referral who told us Tony didn't live there anymore. Our member then directed us to Tony's other brother to look for more information. We went by and met a woman who was previously meeting with the missionaries (I'd met her once before actually) and she told us to try a house on the corner of a street named Irene, with a poodle almost always on the car in the living room window. So we did. We probably tried that house about 3 times and no one ever answered. And we never ever saw a poodle. So we went back to this woman and she told us it was the second door down in the apartment building on the corner. So we tried the second door and met a man whose name wasn't Tony and he didn't know of anyone named Tony. We tried the first door and they had a giant dog--not Tony. Well, Saturday we went back and decided to try all the other doors on that corner because we just wanted to find Tony. And the very first door we knocked was answered by a young woman who said her dad was Tony. Uh, what?! However, he was asleep so she said to come back the next day before 2. So we did. And we found Tony! Oh my goodness! It was harder that finding Waldo but we finally did it. And he's awesome! He asked us where the church building was and said he'd come and also let us set up an appointment to come teach him. Oh boy. I'm excited. He told us he began reading the Book of Mormon out of curiosity and he just wants to finish it so he can know everything. haha by all means, keep reading! It was truly a miracle. (Also, it did turn out to be a second door, just coming from the direction not of the corner...)

I had plenty of time today so this should be long enough for the next month or so right? haha (maybe I'm kidding.)

I know the Gospel is true and I know there is nothing that could make a person happier than the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I learned at zone conference from a Hindu-converted-Mormon, Elder Murchison: Hinduism is based on the experience of the four blind men (in the story of the 4 Blind Men and the Elephant) but the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is based on the experience of the man who saw the whole elephant. There is nothing truer on the earth, that I know. How do I know? Because I read the Book of Mormon and I prayed and I fasted and I asked God, with the intent to act according to the answer. I invite you all to find out for yourselves if this truly is true. If it isn't, well then you've knocked one more religion out of the running. But if it is, then you know what you need to do. I promise you that if you will ask with a sincere heart and real intent, having faith in Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost you too can come to know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, reestablished on the earth once more so that all of the children of God may be benefited and one day inherit eternal life.

Love, Hermana DeBuck

Fotos:
1. #thatawkwardmoment when auto-correct turns your name into something two times longer and actually more complicated.

2. Some of my favorite hermanas at zone conference (from left to right: Hermana Taylor, H. Dahle, H. Neff, H. LaBonte, H. Griffin, H. Henricksen, and yours truly.)

Week 46: Your Life's Not Falling Apart, It's Falling Into Place!

5 Questions--

1) Did the package get to you from Amazon yet?  Or is your meeting this week still?  I hope that you get it at your meeting.  The tracking shows it was attempted Saturday but the office was closed.  It should be redelivered tomorrow sometime.

2) Guess who came by with a box for us to store for you?  Check out the photo...they are wonderful!!!

3) This week, Nickelle Monson got her mission call to Resistencia, Argentina (leaving Dec 2nd) and in her Facebook feedback Sister Lucas mentioned Cassidy and I replied asking her how she was...in the course of the our "FB convo" she mentioned to tell you hi for them.  Not really a question, but you know....

4) So you work with the Spanish branch and the English branch in Rochelle?  Sister Walters said your English needed help; when you were asked to pray you wanted to do it in Spanish.  Love that!  She also said your Spanish is fantastic!  :)

5) Pam Naugle is heading to visit her kids in Bollingbrook--and will be bringing you a birthday box.  Hopefully you will get that one in time too.  Will you please let me know?

1. Not yet. Our meeting is tomorrow, so hopefully it was delivered today (I know the missionaries in the office are there today so I'd imagine they'll get it) and I'll get it tomorrow. Thanks!

2. haha cool! They're so great. President Walters said he likes my Spanish because I don't speak too fast and I speak clearly, so he can understand--he served in Brazil so he speaks Portuguese.

3. Wow, December 2nd? That seems like SO far away...but at the same time it's hardly any time! And cool. Tell Sister Lucas hi for me too.

4. In Rochelle, it's just an English branch. The branch here is a year old (we're celebrating our one year anniversary on 1 August) but we have a Spanish group (several members that speak Spanish with varying levels of English). We translate the meetings--except Sunday school because we just have a Gospel Principles class in Spanish--so it reminds me a lot of my first area (except the church  unit here is tiny compared to three wards....haha)

5. I will let you know when I get it, yes. I would imagine it'll be August 4 or 5 though because that's when the next meeting is (transfers). Tell her thanks for me!

For this week's funny story...
While walking down the street, knocking doors, there was a man outside spraying fertilizer on  someone's lawn. He was just finishing up as we got nearer so we got his attention and I asked if we could give him a card. He said "Sure" and then walked away. (We were super confused). He goes to his truck reaches in and kind of rummages around for a minute and then comes back. With a card. For the fertilizer business. (Uh, okay....haha) Then I said "here's one for you" and invited him to look at the website and he said "it's better if you call than trying to do it online", talking about his  card....okay.....haha oh man it was kind of hysterical. So now I have a card from a fertilizer business in my journal. haha so great. I love talking to everyone.

The same day, a little later, on a different street, there were three people sitting outside because they were having a garage sale and we weren't sure how to contact them (because we didn't want to appear like we were going to buy anything) so I asked if I could use their bathroom. They kind of counseled among themselves for a moment and then one lady said something but we couldn't hear so we asked her to repeat it and she said "We'd rather you didn't". .....okay. There was no response to that....so odd. We probably should've tried harder to give them a card, but I wasn't feeling very charitable at that point and I gave in to the temptation. So...yeah. That was fun. (In order to think nicer thoughts of them, I told myself maybe their home was recently broken into or something like that. So they're just paranoid.) It's kind of crazy how many people we try to talk to that are just scared of us. But I think a lot of the time they confuse us with another religion....ah well. They're missing out on the truth.

For this week's spiritual story...
We've been working on talking to anyone and everyone about The Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith (I'm happy to say it's going well) and part of our zone's focus this month is talking to everyone, but first setting a goal to contact a certain number of people the night before. So one night we set the goal to contact 12 the next day (we were still working on talking to everyone.) and we felt good about it. It would stretch us but we also felt it was achievable. The next day, we'd contacted 13 people and we still had 2 or 3 hours of finding to do. So we decided to set it ten higher; our new goal was 23  people. We were doing good all day but eventually it was about 8:30 or so (maybe 8:45) and we hadn't met our goal. But, we needed to buy gas so we went to the BP in town and decided we would talk to someone who was pumping gas and to the cashier. But there was no one else pumping gas when we pulled up so we went inside to use the bathroom. Lucky for us it was only a single so while Hermana LaBonte was in the bathroom, I talked to one worker and while I was in the bathroom, she talked to a customer. (It worked out very well.) We were still missing one person in order to meet our goal, though. As we walked back to our car, a car pulled up and the driver went inside before we  could even register he was there, but the passenger took longer so we walked up to him and waited for him to get out so we could give him a card. And we met our goal!

Now, this may not sound like a very spiritual story, but I know that if we are truly committed to a goal (and it's an inspired goal), God will provide a way for you to achieve that goal. Because He wants you to reach your goals and to reach new heights. So if we follow the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which we will do (1 Nephi 4:6-7) God will provide a way. That is one thing I'm learning day after day in the mission. For which I am so grateful.

I know the Gospel that was restored by God through Joseph Smith is true. Whether or not we accept and follow it, it continues being the truth--the only truth. I love being able to share what I know is true because I know it's the one thing I cherish the most in life--because through the Gospel, all the other good things in my life have come. Because of the Gospel, I know I will be with my family even after death. Because of the Gospel, I know that God is my Father in heaven and that He loves me. Because of the Gospel, I know that the Church of Christ is built upon prophets and apostles--always has been and always will be. Because of the Gospel, I have the hope of eternal life (Moroni 7:41). I  am so blessed to have all of this knowledge, along with the capacity to know infinitely more. And I know that each one of us, as children of God, has the capacity to know all that God knows--if we will but ask.

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

P.S. The best investigator in the world is finally on date! And he chose 21 August all by himself. Man I love this guy.

Fotos:

 1. Haircuts! And we gave our hair stylist a Book of Mormon! (:

2. The weekly corn photo, of course

Week 32: Hermano: Ponga Su Falda

5 Questions:

1) How close were you tot he tornadoes last week?  Will you have the chance to do some service in the area because of them?

2) Do you have a snail mail address for me and Grandma Cheryl at your new place?  Please share it....Gma asked last weekend.

3) Do you have new investigators in the Spanish Branch?  Have you been there long enough now to meet and teach them?

4) Can you share any more details about your new compañera?  What HS did she attend?  What are her schooling plans?

5) Any chance you have a snail mail address for the A-family I might get from you?

1. Here in Bloomingdale we didn't get hit by the actual tornado, however we had some pretty spectacular lightning storms. Oh man. Funny story....so Thursday night is car exchange (the other Hnas have the car the first half of the week and we get it from them Thursday night) so they had to come pick us up where we were at on bikes. We got out of an appointment right at 8, walk outside and it's dark; we look at the sky: it was like a fireworks show there was so much lightning. I'm
not exaggerating, I promise. I'm terrible at judging distance so I'm not sure how far it was but it was amazing to watch. The downside is that there's this rule for missionaries that if you see lightning you
have to stay inside for the next half hour to make sure there's no  more lightning. Here's the problem: we were in a residential area, waiting for the other hermanas to pick us up. (Also, we hadn't eaten
dinner; that's important to know.) So we had two options: stay right  where we're at or try to find somewhere inside to be. Obviously we chose option number two. But because we were on bikes, we had to bike to somewhere we could be inside. And the ONLY place we could go to was a taqueria, about three or four blocks away maybe--in the direction of the lightning storm. haha. So maybe we biked into a lightning storm on the night of a tornado. No big deal. But, since I'm emailing you
today, obviously nothing happened. We got whipped around by the wind a bit--skirt + bike + storms winds = I-just-don't-care-anymore.  We were kind of freaking out, I admit that, but we made it to the taqueria safe and sound. They had $1 tacos! Oh man, and they were divine, I tell you. Best night ever. (:  So, in answer to your question, we were sort of close I guess, but only to the effects of the tornado, not the actual tornado itself. We did hear from a member that Rockford (Hna Hunsaker's last area) and Peoria (my last area) got hit. So....now we know why elders got put in! (: haha just kidding. I still haven't heard a confirmation that somewhere by Peoria got hit, so could someone please look into that and tell me? I just really want to know. And we're not allowed to email elders so I can't find out info from anyone in the mission.... However Rockford definitely got hit (some of the outlying suburbs or whatever) and we know some of the missionaries there. Hopefully we find out something today but who knows. Communication as a missionary is a bit rough... And no, we won't get to do service regarding the tornado because it's out of our area. I so wish we could though....

P.S. Hermana Capps is in Sycamore/Dekalb so she's by the tornado. Sounds like they get to help with the relief effort so that's awesome! Oh, and they're safe. That's good too.

 2. Yes. It's 900 N Rohlwing Rd #228 Addison IL 60101
Speaking of, I got a package from Aunt Melanie and family. Thanks!  That scripture chase was super cute. haha

3. We've gotten a couple new investigators since I've been here but they didn't answer for their return appointment so....who knows what'll happen with them. As far as teaching investigators in general,
yeah we've done some teaching. haha we have two investigators who will be getting married on April 25 and then baptized the next day (hopefully; we're still not sure if that's gonna fly--waiting a week
to receive the Holy Ghost...) and then we're working with some other families as well. It is somewhat extremely frustrating in this area because no one wants to get married! We have two investigators who REALLY want to be baptized but their "husbands" won't actually marry them. Goodness. I mean, I understand the actual marriage certificate thing is like $70 or something but I would gladly pay for that if you would just get married! Man.... Sometimes, I have moments where I realize how blessed I am to grow up in the Gospel, and to have parents who are married--legally as well as in the temple. 

4. Okay, other details....she is from Orem but went to Provo HS. She was an athletic trainer (?) and is certified to be a first-responder so that's cool. She said she did a lot of things with athletes at the
high school; she said she knows Bryce and Garett. Her cousins live in Pleasant Grove (Nicki Anderson is Cameron's age. I don't know how to spell her name....but do you know her Cameron? Sounds like Hna Hunsaker's cousin knows of Cameron, and knows people who know him.)  She played rugby in college and has done basically every other sport you can think of--except water polo. She's a ginger. We have fun together and she thinks it's funny that I think I'm funny.

 5. Yes of course! It's 735 Hale St Normal, IL 61761

I don't even know what else to write....

Well, this week I have developed a new-found/re-found love of the Doctrine and Covenants. Man, it is so good. I started reading it in Spanish (I think one of my pet peeves is unmarked scriptures so it's been killing me) and it is just so amazing. I feel like I personally tend to forget about D&C (Sorry Hna Grant...hehe) and the Pearl of Great Price but they're spectacular! I recently finished reading Moises and Abraham and they are just chock-full of doctrine. So fantastic. You all should go read the Pearl of Great Price.

Speaking of scripture reading, how's the Book of Mormon challenge going? Is anyone even reading it? Because I finished on time so....I win. (: haha I ended up having to read about 15 pages each day for 4 days, but it was definitely worth it. Goodness me, the Book of Mormon is just so delicious to one's soul.

I guess I can explain this week's title:

Basically, a Spanish branch is unlike anything you could possibly experience in the English program. Particularly MCM. Anyway, so we were talking about possible hermanas that could come out with us and the branch mission leader, Hermano Avila, and the 1st/2nd counselor in the branch presidency, Hermano Flores, were sitting and thinking about it. Then Hermano Flores goes, totally chill, "Hermano, ponga su falda." haha oh man. And what made it even better was that only Hna Hunsaker and I actually heard him say it so we were DYING of laughter and the other missionaries were all like, "wait, what?" hahaha oh man. Too funny.... (For all you gringos, "ponga su falda" means "put your skirt on")

Oh, another funny thing about the area: there are SO MANY geese. Canadian geese too. It's kind of insane. You can basically always hear them. It's crazy. And the other day, one actually hissed at us. HISSED, I tell you. Goodness. It's not like you own the grass.....besides we were walking on the sidewalk! haha anyway. So that was weird.

We saw a crane this week too. We were riding past a little pond thing and there was this random crane at the edge. That was cool. haha

The other hermanas had a baptism this week. His name is Margarito and he is literally the cutest viejito of all time. Man. They found him while riding bikes too; they both felt the prompting to stop and talk to him and he was GOLDEN. He's only been meeting with them for about a month. And, get this: there was some miscommunication about conference (his phone volume had gotten turned off somehow) and he wasn't able to watch conference. The hermanas were worried because they hadn't heard from him so they went by on Monday night and he opened the door with eyes red/puffy from crying--because he'd missed hearing the prophet speak! I mean, how much cuter can you get? (You can't actually.)

Oh, speaking of viejitos, this week we met Israel. A tiny short Latino viejito (little old man). We were walking by his garage and they were BBQing and we didn't say anything--I knew we should've--and he said "buenos dias" o algo to us. So we stopped and gave him a card. Turns out he has been looking for something more than what he has, regarding religion and God. So we invited him to come to church and he said he would. Then, a little bit later, after our cita, we walked back and he was still outside so we talked to him again and again encouraged him to come. He said he would. Then, Saturday we were in the area again and talked to him again. He told us he wasn't so sure about coming because he wouldn't know anyone. We reassured him that we'd be there and that plenty of people would say hi and help him out. He said he'd come. Sunday: he didn't show. So, we were in the area Sunday and felt like we should go back. Come to find out, he'd fallen and torn his meniscus (or something like that) and has to go to the doctor Tuesday. man. Satan! He's the worst, that guy. He told us he wasn't sure if he could come this Sunday either because he'll have crutches and will need a ride. We told him don't even worry about it! So many members would be willing to give him a ride....so we set up an appt to come back and check on him (and teach him). Man. So excited. At first I was getting weird vibes from him but now they're all good. He's amazing and I'm so excited to teach him Friday.

Anyway, I think that's actually it now.

I love sharing the Gospel. It's so true for each and everyone of us. Go read the Priesthood session talks. They're amazing.

Love, Hermana DeBuck

Week 24: The 2nd Great Commandment: Love Your Próximo

5 Questions:

1) Did the packages get to you?

2) Were you transferred this week then?

3) Did you get a new companion?  If yes, please give details.

4) Did the members treat you to dinner for Valentine's Day?

5) Is it getting any warmer there?  It is crazy warm here.  I'm worried about water in the summer...I hope we have enough in the reservoirs to make it through.  The mountains look like it should be May, not February.

1. I got the boots--my toes have never been warmer--but not the other one. I'm guessing it'll probably get brought/sent down tomorrow for transfers. Thanks in advance!
2. Well, I'll get to this in a moment.
3. Yes. Once again, all shall be revealed with time...
4. Nope.
5. No, no, definitely not. (Name that movie.) It's still freezing. Somedays, I think I may just die. [that is a slight exaggeration, just so you know; I don't want you to worry too much.]

Alright. So in district meeting this week, we were talking about finishing strong (or something to that effect) and Elder Bise asked if anyone had done cross country running--one raised his hand. Anyway,
the point was the strategy when you run for long distances. Elder Rowley said the average person can run 3 more miles than they think they can; you just have to get over that awkward stage and push
through it.

Well, I am here to tell you that that is TRUE! I have officially made it three days longer than I thought I could with just one P-day. Just in case ya'll were wondering.

Now, as for transfers: let me tell you a story....
It's Valentine's Day in the year of our Lord two thousand and fifteen, and the dynamic duo of Hermana Grant & Hermana DeBuck are in for the evening, fulfilling their hour of language study during the less productive hour of eight o' clock to nine in the evening. Suddenly, the dread phone rings. The caller ID reads "AP Elder 2". It is the moment we've been anticipating: transfer calls. We pick up and exchange courtesies, then get down to business--to defeat the huns.

Elder Blackner asks us what we think is going to happen to us. We reply, "Well, we're pretty sure Hermana DeBuck is leaving, but we're hoping we get put in a trio so we can stay together."

A brief pause and then, "What would you say if I told you neither of those things was happening?"

"We would be very surprised." *awkward laughter*

"Then prepared to be surprised because, Hermana Grant, you're going to Wheaton!"

All is still for two heartbeats and then a faint "what" escapes her throat. A stupor of thought prevails in the mind of Hermana DeBuck as she struggles to comprehend the significance of what she has just
heard.

Then, again, Elder Blackner's voice: "Hermana Grant, your companion will be Hermana Lopez, where you'll be an Hermana Training Leader."

This time, a much louder "what" manages to make its way out of Hermana Grant's voice box. And the reality of what is happening settles firmly on the companionship. Logistics are discussed and information exchanged, through which Elder Blackner finds out that Hermana Grant actually only has one transfer more--the same as Hermana Lopez. Elder Blackner tells the Hermanas he'll check with President (who would have made this call but had other "pressing matters" to attend to...) and then get back to us.

26 agonizing minutes later, the phone once again rings aloud.

Elder Blackner says, "Change of plans: Hermana Grant, you'll still be an Hermana Training Leader, but you'll be going to Arlington Heights to be with Hermana Sewell, who still has another transfer after you."

In the end, this is what's happening:
-- Hermana Grant is going back to Arlington Heights where she will be an Hermana Training Leader; fortunately, this is the set of HTLs our area is assigned to, so she and Hermana Sewell (who was just here last week) will be back here this transfer for exchanges.

-- I will be staying in my lovely home of Bloomington-Normal for at least another six weeks. My new companion's name is Hermana Araujo.  However, I know next to nothing about her, save only that she's a latina, so I imagine my espanol skills will sky rocket. (: I'll give you more information when I have it.

Also, the next P-day is in 4 days, so I am just not motivated at all to write anything else. Sorry. I still love you. And I still know this Gospel is true.

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

Here is her district...looks like a fun crowd!

Week 23: Eres Un Enviado de Dioses

5 Questions:

1) Did the boots get to you yet?  Please let me know when you get them.

2) Same question, different package--the Valentine's package from me. I think it was supposed to be there Wednesday.

3) I finally found a copy of the study guide for Jesus the Christ. Did you want your own copy?  Or just access to the family's?

4) Have you ever noticed the descriptions of Pharisees and Sadducees (especially in Jesus the Christ) sound like they could be describing political parties--especially in Utah?  Maybe it is just me....I couldn't get the thought out of my head as I read that chapter this week.

5) When will transfer week be this month?  Any sense of going or staying?  Just curious.

1. Nope. But we've got zone training tomorrow (so might get them tomorrow if they got to the office today) and exchanges this week, so I could ask the Hermana Training Leaders to watch for a package for me.

2. Nope. Same answer as above.

3. Yes! Is it via electronic device...? Or what? But yes, I would love that.

4. Also, yes! And the only thing they have in common is that they don't like Jesus....crazies. [I love Jesus the Christ though. It's amazing.]

5. Okay so here's what's happening: due to some meetings on internet proselyting for mission presidents that will be held in Salt Lake, President will be in Utah the first part of next week--which is when transfers would be. But, since he won't be here, transfers have been moved to the end of next week, I think to the 20th of February. So our next P-day will be a Thursday, about ten days (?) from now, so don't expect an email from me until then. Regarding what's happening to me next transfer, I'm pretty sure I'm going, but that's just the vibe I'm getting.

Awesome! Tell Maddie & Brytni congratulations for me! They're going to be fantastic full-time missionaries.

Speaking of Mr. Wilcock (our fantastic choir teacher at the high school), we had dinner last night with the Thayn's, in Bloomington 1st, and Sister Thayn said that she grew up in the same town as Mr. Wilcock. I don't know what her maiden name is, but she said she was good friends with his sister....so that was kind of random.

Also, the Thayn's are awesome. Their two girls, who are 8 and 11 I believe, LOVE Harry Potter. It was so fun, and I just felt like I was at home. It was great. They went to Harry Potter World over Christmas break; I will admit I am slightly jealous....but it sounds like they had a blast (and drank plenty of  butter beer. which is a necessity.)

Hna Grant has a goal to sing all of the Spanish hymns, so we sing one every morning at the beginning of companionship study, and guess what today was: Love at Home. I expressed my dislike of the song to her yesterday, so you can imagine what the kniving woman put me through this morning....in case you can't imagine, this is what happened: as we read in the White Handbook, she inserted "love at home" at every possible segment. Needless to say, I was not "feeling the love" afterwards--JK, we were pretty much dying with laughter by the end.

So this week was pretty bad numbers-wise, but we first-contacted a boatload of people. Seriously. 18 people two days in a row, and then 6 on Sunday (when we had only been out for 50 minutes). So I'm pretty happy with that. Plus, Saturday, we actually made an effort to switch every door/person and it wasn't deathly terrifying! And I survived! So it turns out I am capable of talking to people. So that was great. I officially have a testimony of tracting. Even if we didn't really get any new investigators (or lessons, for that matter) out of it, it just felt so good to fulfill that part of our calling, to talk to everyone. Oh, it was awesome.

The reason we were so on top of it is because of our zone's focus this month: "forget yourself and go to work". As a part of that, they've kind of created something called Peoria 10/7, which means that the Peoria (East) zone is going to contact 10 people every day (per companionship), seven days a week. And they did that math: it figures out to approximately 2070 people contacted in the month (or what was left of the month when we started). So it's gonna be pretty epic. We're stoked.

Saturday, Bishop Goodman asked us to give talks, so we did that yesterday.... I was assigned Charity (from the Christlike attributes chapter in PMG); Hna Grant had Hope. The Elders had Patience, and Knowledge. Man, I had forgotten how much I dislike talks. But it was cool for me to study it because I've been doing this Charity Project thing (trying to anyway) where I broke down Moroni 10:45 in order to improve my own charity. The approach I took for my talk was how developing charity is part of our baptismal covenant, and how it relates to "the greatest commandment in the law", and "the second" (see Matt 22:35-40). So that was fun. What was funny was this: in Hna Grant's talk she said, "no good talk is complete without a food analogy..." so in mine I said, "Since no good talk is complete without a food analogy..." [I related it to neopolitan ice cream] and then in Sunday School, the teacher, Brother H, began by saying, "Since I learned today that no good talk, and therefore no good lesson, is complete without a food analogy..." haha then later someone in class said, "I bet Christ used food analogies." Someone else, "He did, all the time." One of the Elders, "'I am the Bread of Life'." hahaha oh man. Hna Grant and I were cracking up.

So here's something that I realized this week that I love about my companion:

- she doesn't mind when I tell her that she does something that bothers me. We just get it out in the open, figure it out, and move on. and it's totally okay! I love it. So I've determined to be like that my whole mission, and then we can avoid a whole lot of miscommunication.

- in every single finding/teaching opportunity, she invites them to do something that will bring them unto Christ. Which is what we're supposed to do, so I'm beginning to get in the habit. It's awesome.

- we laugh together, and have fun. We may laugh at really stupid things that no one else things are funny or even mentionable, but we have a good time. One of our goals this week from companionship inventory was to "strive for joyous dignity" because we don't want to be silly but we don't want to be somber.

Funny story for the week: On Saturday, we were doing some tracting in this apartment complex called the Arbors, and we met this guy and asked if we could give him a card, he said sure. When we asked if he'd heard of the Book of Mormon, he said yeah, it was a great musical. (or something to that effect). So we were like, "well the book is even better!" Anyway, we asked if he had much faith in Christ and he said not anymore, so we asked why that was. his response: "Look, can we just skip this part so you can go and I can go?" Oh man. It was so funny.....he was super polite about it, so it was just comical. We asked him to at least look up the website on the card (mormon.org) and he said, "I promise". So weird. But so fun. Tracting: you meet the greatest people.

Now to more spiritual matters: so I made the goal to not mark the newest challenge Book of Mormon during personal study (because I'm trying to be better at studying for my investigators) but I still read the first challenge, so I've been reading recently in Alma, the war chapters. And because I love marking things, I came up with a scheme to mark more things during these chapters (remember, I'm marking for the Doctrine of Christ, the Atonement, and Missionary Work). Here is my cast for the war chapters in the Book of Mormon:

- Moroni = a mission leader (i.e. Assistant to the President, Zone Leader)

- Helaman = a mission leader (i.e. Zone Leader, District Leader)

- stripling warriors = missionaries serving under Helaman (as Zone or District Leader)

- the People of Nephi = members

- the Cities of the Nephites = converts/members

    - when the city is taken by the Lamanites = less-actives

- Pahoran = a ward/stake leader (i.e. Stake President, Bishop)

- Lamanites = Satan/opposition in general

So, the war chapters are pretty blue in my Book of Mormon...haha but it's really cool because it's actually SUPER applicable to missionary work. The chapter I read this morning, Alma 60, I related to trying to work with ward leaders. Sometimes we, as missionaries, feel like they're not supportive or anything and we're just going at it on our own, which is so much less effective. However, as we know, Pahoran was just dealing with his own problems. So, sometimes as missionaries, we don't see everything going on in the ward that the Bishop has to deal with. I mean, do we ever see everything going on? yeah, probably not. But yeah, so that's cool. I love the Book of Mormon.

Okay, is anyone doing the marking challenge? (other than Hermana Emily Israelsen) If not, at the very least I hope you all are reading the Book of Mormon....

Well, that's it for me. I love you all and I hope you're doing well. Can you believe it's February? Cause I sure can't. That means I've only got just over a year left on my mission. Now that is just insane, and totally not okay.

Con Todo Mi Amor,

Hermana DeBuck

6996 - washed the car today. we look so awkward (all the time)

6993 - I am just so buff that I ripped this jacket....

003 - one of our Bishops sent this to us. He's the greatest.

009 - one day, sitting in the car after talking to this lady who told us she keeps telling us not to come but we (missionaries) keep coming, and I saw this event, and the following conversation occurred, amidst roars of laughter; I was crying.

Trying to take a picture for Facebook, as it still had to do with Christmas, and I made a face at just the right moment....this basically exemplifies me, but I decided it was better not to put it on FB

Hna Grant had Chick-Fil-A for the first time. man, Canada is missing out....

There was this giant melting snow man for beer bottles as eyes...he looked like Jabba the Hut, so of course we had to take a picture.

Week 18: I'm Killing My Trainer

5 Questions:

1) How will transfer day work this week for you?  Do you have to meet at the mission home to get your new companion?  Do they put you with the English sisters until your new comp arrives?  Just curious how that works.

2) Do you ever get (her cousins) Taylor's or Garett's letter?  Do you want them? Do you have time to read them?

3) Would you like to have me forward (her friends on missions) Marina's or Maddie's letters too? 

4) Will you get transferred to a new area?  Or just get a new companion in the area you are in already?  Do you even know already?

5) Are you frozen yet?  From the weather maps, it looks COLD there finally.

Answers:

1. I'm glad you asked: transfers are gonna be cray-cray. This transfer, I am the only sister in our district staying here (the Bloomington 2nd sisters are being pulled out and elders are being put in) so this is what will happen: Sister Oliphant and Hermana Israelsen have to be in Naperville by 8 am Tuesday morning, so they have to leave by 6 am. Sister Allen and I will be companions until the transfer van comes through to pick her up and then I'll be with Sister Teerlink until the transfer van comes back through with my new    companion, Hermana Grant--who incidentally trained my CCM companion, Hermana Capps. Normally, we would get our new companions at the stake center in Naperville, but it's different out in the Peoria zones because we're so far away. But I'm excited: we get to be a zebra for a day (one Hermana one Sister) so that'll be fun.

2. I get Taylor's letters occasionally, I may have gotten Garett's once; if I had time I would love them, but I don't have time to read anything really.

3. No. Sorry. I wish, but I don't have time.

4. I'm staying here in Bloomington-Normal, and will get a new companion, as I have already stated above. We get transfer calls Saturday night before transfers, so that's when we found out. (Also found out: we're gonna have the car all to ourselves--as well as some other information that I will reveal in a few lines...)

5. I'm not   frozen, but certainly cold. But I manage. This puffy coat is one of the greatest things of all time--no joke.

So here's what's happening: Because there will be elders in Bloomington 2nd, we're switching apartments. So all four of us sisters are packing today, as well as deep cleaning the apartments. Which means that this will be a very short letter. (sorry)

I just thought I'd share something funny and a highlight from the week, so that it's not such a pathetic email...

On Saturday, we were talking to one of the elders' investigators, and he asked us if we were into organic foods and eating healthy. I said, "No I eat what I want." His response: "Yes, it shows."

...

I don't think he realized it, but yes, he basically called me fat.

However, I am under no illusion as to my weight and      I do believe that I am perfectly fine and I can eat what I want. So no worries there. But it was so funny.

Talking about it later, I found out that Hermana Israelsen hadn't heard him say that, so when I told her, we were laughing so hard. Oh man. Good times.

Here's something I was learning this morning during personal study:

I was reading Alma 17, about Ammon and king Lamoni, and I was writing in things we ought to do as missionaries (because of the marking challenge I'm working on) 

1st, in verse 23: the first thing you    ought to do is show your desire to be where you're at.

2nd, in verse 25: don't flirt with the people! You're there to be a missionary, not to find aa spouse.

3rd, in verses 29-31: stay cool under pressure, and look for natural opportunities to share the Gospel. (Of course, you should still share the Gospel at all times, but there will be natural opportunities; so use them!)

4th, in verse 33: first worry about the defensive, THEN the offensive

5th, in verse 36: in order to use "might power" you must have practiced first; that includes study in the morning as well as doing practices with your companion. 

6th, in verse 37: be smart, and use strategy. In other words, don't be dumb.

I'm sure there's even more to be learned, but that was what I was thinking this morning.

Faith-building experience from this week:

We were walking up the street back to the car from an appointment, and Hermana Israelsen was on the phone, talking to one of our investigators. There was a Hispanic man working on his car and I thought, "we need to talk to him." But the problem is, Hermana Israelsen is the one who is good at contacting. But she was on the phone and I knew we needed to talk to him. So I whipped out a pass along card and started talking to him about the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ. He then referred us to his wife inside (because he had to go to work soon and needed to finish fixing the car) so we talked to the wife. And they said we could come back sometime to share more.

So, even though it was scary, I did it. And it is all due to the fact that I trust in my Savior and the enabling power of His Atonement. And now that I've done it once, it's not so hard to do it again. I know that as we put ourselves out there, even just a little bit, the Lord will bless us with the opportunities to share the Gospel that we want and need. I invite you all reading this to   watch for the opportunities that come to bear firm and faithful testimony of what you believe in, in whatever manner the opportunities come. And when they do come, kneel and pray to your Father in Heaven, and give thanks for being able to be an instrument in His hands.

*See quotes at the end of chapter one in PMG (Preach My Gospel)

Todo Mi Amor,

Tu Hija y Amiga,

Hermana DeBuck

P.S.

Mama, when you get a second, will you send me the "recipe" (via email) for that magical whitening solution? I wrote it down somewhere, but I think I left it at home...

Thanks. Love you(: