Week 48: Baking Soda + Vingar = A Big Let Down

5 Questions: These are from last week--when she only wrote one line about tennis!

1) How are you and your companion getting along?

2) In your current area, do you have a car, share a car, bike?  I can't remember.

3) You mentioned in your last letter that people mistake you hermanas for other religious people.  Are there a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses there?  Do they assume that you are JW too?  Does that happen often?

Last week's answers:
1. haha well good but she's leaving tomorrow....
2. we have our own car.
3. I don't know about a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses, but enough that people constantly think we are them. I've been told that the Jehovah's Witnesses is about the same size as our church world-wide, but there are probably more Jehovah's Witnesses in town than members. But then, I don't actually know.

5 Questions this week:

1) What was the deal with last week's letter?  I'm glad you got to play tennis, but, holy cow!  You can do better than that.  ;)

2) Is this week transfers?  Any hint if you will stay or go?

3) Have you by chance seen Elder Golling yet?  He is coming to your mission, but will speak English, so you may not ever see him.

4) Did you get ANY of the packages we sent for your birthday week?

5) Did everything we sent work for you?  Size was OK, etc?

This week's answers:
1. Sorry....haha but I'll try to make up for it this week.

2. Yes. I am staying here in Rochelle, and getting an Hermana that just finished training. (Hermana Henrickson)

3. He comes today/this morning/tomorrow. So maybe I'll see him tomorrow at transfer meeting. Almost certainly I will actually. And hey, the English Elder who is staying in Rochelle will be training so maybe he'll get Elder Golling. Wouldn't that be crazy....

4. Yes, I got the iPad case, as well as the first package you sent. I love the skirt, good choice! I did wait to open the skirt until my birthday, in case you were wondering.

5. Well, I'll let you know next week about the new garments (I'm assuming that's what's in the package you sent with Pam...)

Alright, well, first things first: yes, transfers is this week, as you've probably gathered by now. Hermana LaBonte is headed to Rockford 4th, which is a Spanish branch, and the missionary she is replacing will be my new companion, so that's kind of funny. Hermana Henrickson just finished training up there, and I've met her a couple times at zone meetings, but that's it. She is super cute though, and I'm really excited to work with her. I admit I'm also a little nervous because we're reading through the section of the White Handbook about Missionary Leadership, and it includes senior companions--which is what I'll be. Up until now I've only ever been co-senior companion or junior companion. But I think I'm up to the task (with divine help, of course).

Our investigator that was on date didn't come to church (we were devastated) so now he has fallen off date. It's really hard with his schedule because he works literally all day and only has weekends off, but he has his kids with his for the summer so he wants to do things with them, and then he's driving to and from Chicago all the time and it's just hard...but man he is so prepared. He just has to make it a priority....so it's hard. It's actually really frustrating, but I think I'm learning some patience and  understanding through the whole process. It's hard because you love these people so much and you know that this is what will help them qualify for eternal life, but they have their agency so it's up to them whether or not they do something about it. It's okay. When they choose to use their agency in a  way that propels them towards exaltation, there is no greater feeling.

This week was good, just tiring. I can't believe how tired I am. But at the same time I never want this to end! It hit me this morning/last night how precious the time is that I have left. And I don't want to let a single glorious opportunity pass me by. I've got plenty of time to do things other than full-time missionary service, but I only have 18 months to devote to the Lord and His mighty work. I know that this message is the one single thing that can save the world from itself. I know that Jesus Christ will soon come again, and the Gospel that He restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith is what will help us to be prepared for that marvelous day. I love the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph, and I will strive every day of my mortal life (and then some) to declare this wondrous truth.

Love, Hermana DeBuck

P.S.
In case you're wondering, I spent almost my entire birthday doing service and I think it was indeed the best birthday ever.

FOTOS:

 1. My last day as a teenager: we spent our dinner hour riding a tandem bike!

2. Us with our 8 year old recent convert, Betty (it was a primary
activity and we went to help with translation, initially)

 3. Us with Rosa and Betty, both recent converts, on my birthday. I love them.

 4. We found a dead snake this morning while backing out of our
"driveway"/dead end street. Isn't it fascinating? (haha sorry Mom.) 

5. Day of the primary activity again. Selfie with the 8 year old. (:

 6. The weekly corn foto, of course. Look at how tall it is... (: haha  this poor patch just is having a struggle this summer. ("The struggle is so real...")

7. Last chance for companionship selfies, so here's the (more) photogenic one...

8. And the not so photogenic one.....I think I must have a lot of skin around my neck.

9. Last week we went to Dekalb and the Michoacana there (it's a mexican ice cream place) and we got elote and helado! This is Hermana Capps and Hermana Richardson too. This foto was supposed  to be a silly face picture.... Everyone looks so nice and "silly"....and then there's me....... Aren't you so proud, ma? hahaha

10. Me with Andara and Larry. They're the grandkids of one of our members, and we get to have dinner and a lesson with them once a month, but they came with Grandma to the activity on Saturday! I didn't want to risk not getting a picture so we took one then. Andara's face kills me...She looks like someone I know.... (;

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 41: 5 Seconds Outside & We Were Drenched!! No Exageration!

Mom Note: Cam and I were on a road trip when this letter came, and I didn't have access to her blog from my phone--so this is from last week, and I expect another letter tomorrow sometime.  Sorry for the delay.

5 Questions:
1) Do you recognize these good people?
2) Have you checked your mailbox lately?
3) Did my postcards make it to you?
4) Anything you want me to pass on the grandma & grandpa in California?
5)
1. Of course! Man I love the Albrechtsen's... (haha I think it must be getting harder and harder to come up with questions....)
2. Sort of. More on this later.
3. No. Again, see below.
4. As in, by word of mouth...? Just tell them I love them. (:
5.

So this week was really good. But you'll literally never guess what happened...

So Thursday we were doing weekly planning, like any other week. And about an hour into it or so, we get a call from the assistants. Elder Anderson says, "So we have a situation." (uh oh...that's what they said when we got the transfer call about being put in a trio) "So there's an hermana that's going home due to medical issues and Hermana DeBuck is being transferred." Yeah, I'm pretty sure my heart stopped. No joke. I could not believe my ears. He continued, "You're going to meet at the mission office at 11 in the morning tomorrow so that Hermana DeBuck can go with Hermana LaBonte to Rochelle." Uh, okay. Great. haha so I managed to pack mostly everything that night after 9 and then finished in the morning before studies. And so now I'm writing from Rochelle, IL. I got sent back to the cornfields! Woohoo! haha man I love it here. It's just the northern version of Peoria. Except Rochelle is smaller than Bloomington-Normal. By quite a bit actually. But man it's so great here.

So Hermana LaBonte: she's great. She's very happy and bubbly which is helpful for me because we all know how positive Hermana DeBuck is....haha but really. We've only been together about four days and I feel like I've already changed so much, learned so much. It's amazing. I love teaching with Hermana LaBonte; she's so spiritual and follows the Spirit so well. We've already seen miracles (we taught Jose yesterday for the third time and he almost accepted a baptismal date and then asked us "where will my baptism be?" Oh man. SO COOL.) Also, every single finding lesson we've had has been so spiritually powerful. It's almost insane. haha but it's so fantastic. (You could even ask the elders; they walked in as we were getting to the good part.)

Oh hey, that's something else kinda funny: one of the elders in the branch here served in Bloomington when I was in Peoria. So the "hasta la taco" and "buenos nachos" jokes continue...haha) Also, this is the area that got hit by the tornado so....I'm still kind of holding out hope that I'll get to experience that natural disaster, even though everyone tells me that I don't want to experience that natural disaster.

As far as the work goes, numerically, we have about two investigators so we're going to be doing a lot of finding. I'm so exciting. There's nothing quite like knocking doors to make you feel unstoppable. haha (I never thought I would say that...) Oh right, back to my new companion: she's from Texas and has been out ten months this week. She's a native speaker and so she went to the Provo MTC for ten days. She'll go home the same transfer as me--I'm not sure how the math works out but it does. haha. She went to BYU and is a pyscholinguistics (?) major. She also was/is a dancer. Man I love her. We have so much fun together and get a lot of work done. It's fantastic.

This week...well I don't really know what's happening. Other than the regular stuff. The week after next is our mission wide conference. We found out it's just in Naperville--not nearly as fun as Nauvoo or Carthage--but I'm excited. It's going to be amazing. We're all going to miss President Fenn so much, but I am so eternally grateful for everything I've learned from him. This mission is truly the  greatest mission on the face of the planet, because we have President and Sister Fenn. [No worries; I'm excited to meet President and Sister Griffin too though.]

Oh, and because it's actually a rule that we're not supposed to give our apartment/home address to anyone, I won't be telling you what it is. In case I ever get emergency transferred again. So you'll just
have to go through the mission office address. It's better that way.

Anyway. The Gospel is true. It's the single most important thing in my life because every single one of the blessings which God has given me has come because of my obedience to the principles and  ordinances of the restored Gospel. I love Joseph Smith, and I love the Book of Mormon. No matter who you are: Read it, and then ask God if it's true. I know without a doubt that He will answer you.

Todo Mi Amor,
Tu Hija y Amiga,
Hermana DeBuck


Fotos:

 1. Us with Carlos. He's going to be baptized on the 27th of this month. On Tuesday, when we taught him, I got the very distinct impression that the reason I was called to Bloomingdale was for Carlos. And then two days later, I find out I'm leaving. Coincidence? I think not. haha and then when we told him that I was leaving, he legitimately almost cried. Oh man. haha but I'll be back for his baptism in a couple weeks. So we're good. haha

 2. Us with Karina, who is a recent convert. She's 9. And SO hilarious. Every time we taught them I 1)learned something new and 2)laughed so hard my face hurt. So great. We had a couple nice smiling photos too, but this one is so much better.

 3. Me with Hermana Martinez. We Skyped from her apartment on Mother's Day. She's so great. haha (:

 4. The phone call that changed my life....haha (ignore the bottom two messages. Those aren't what changed my life.)

 5. Our front door to the apartment in Bloomingdale. How appropriate, no? haha

6. Hermana LaBonte and I went running this morning. And we got five minutes and then saw lightning and had to turn around. We were soaked (for the second time in four days) haha of course...

Week 30: ì¿ Cuál Es Tu Pedo?!

5 Questions--

1) What was your transfer situation?  I got the feeling in your last letter you might be leaving Normal.  What happened?

2) What do you do as missionaries over General Conference Weekend?  I would guess it is a different schedule for you.

3) Did you get to watch/listen to the Women's session?

4) Have you had any tornado warnings out there yet?  What do you do in case of one?  Is there an emergency plan for your area?

5) Did the box get there?

1. Well so we knew Hermana Araujo would be going home, for obvious reasons, but then transfer calls happened and I'm leaving too. (More on me later) As for Bloomington-Normal, there will now be Spanish Elders in the area, and it is exactly what this area needs. So it's good. Of course I'm sad but I know this is not only what the area needs, but what I need too. I trust President Fenn and know he is inspired.

2. We get to watch Conference.....at least as far as I know. It also means 4 times the possibility of getting someone to church! So we're pretty stoked about that. (:

3. Yes! Oh, it was so good. I loved all of the talks....especially Sister Oscarson's. I think hers was my favorite.

4. Nope. Every first Tuesday of the month the alarm goes off though. Just as a practice. Kinda scared me the first time. But now I don't even notice. I do wonder what happens if there's a tornado the first
Tuesday of the month though....how would people know it's actually happening? [I suppose they could just look out their window...]

5. Nope. But being in Peoria (maybe other places too, I dunno) the only opportunity we have to get packages is zone trainings/conferences or meetings up in Naperville. So I'll probably get it tomorrow.

So here's what's going on with me:
I'm going to Bloomingdale! haha I am going to be so confused for the longest time, and probably call the town Bloomington for ever. haha but anyway. Here's what I know: it's a Spanish branch and my new companion is Hermana Hunsaker. We'll be co-senior companions. If I'm not mistaken, she was originally called to Peru but due to sickness/injury was reassigned here. She also has the voice of an
angel, so comp stud should be thrilling.

I'm terribly upset the Hermana Araujo is leaving, but I guess that's what happens: you die.

But hey, parents: Hermana Araujo will be in Utah for General Conference so you can meet her too! Also, she's taking my winter stuff home so....hopefully you can get that from her this weekend. I'm gonna give her your number(s) so she can get in contact with you. Okay? haha I hope so b/c that's what is happening.

I can't think of a whole ton to say so that's about it.

This week was pretty dang awesome--dare I say the best of my mission so far? But, that's all I have to say... (:

More next week!
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 19: The Best Thing About Not Being Transferred=Not Packing #everyonetellsme

5 Questions:

1) Who is you new companion?  Where is she from?  How are you two getting along?

2) How is the new apartment?  Was it the elders' before?  Was it really clean enough for girls to live in?

3) Do you have a new direct address (for me and Gma Cheryl)?

4) Do you still have all the same investigators?  More investigators (now that the other sisters are gone)?

5) (Apparently, I forgot to add a 5th question....)
Familia y Amigos,

1. My new companion is Hermana Grant. She's from British Colombia. We get along fanstasmically, to take a word from her vocabulary.

2. The new apartment: smells like elders. (Yes, it was the elders' before.) But it was actually pretty clean when we got here, however we moved furniture around so it makes more sense and vacuumed some places that looked like they hadn't been vacuumed since elders moved in to this apartment. So the up side is that we're about a three minute drive from the church (as opposed to 15 minutes) but the down side is that we have one bathroom and we have to pay for our laundry now. But it's all good. It's been kinda funny because Hermana Grant will ask what we usually do for something, and I have no answer because I've been in this apartment as long as she has. But it's good.

3. Yes, new address is 1616 Bryan St Apartment A Normal IL. I'm not sure where the commas go in that address.

4. We still have the same investigators, yes. All the sisters' investigators just went to the elders who took their spot. The zone leaders adopted all of the Normal south elders' investigators because that's the area that was pulled out.

5. There was no question after the number five, so I have no answer.

Alright. I really don't want to type today. Sorry. But this will probably be a less than satisfactory email for you, momma.

We had three days when we weren't allowed to tract or do first contact, so that was a little rough. But it worked out alright I guess. Unfortunately we were unable to meet with Julia this week (gah!) nor with Kehila & Carlos. 

Saturday was awesome though because we had six appointments, and only one fell through--then we taught a lady on her doorstep during that appointment time--so we had six lessons in one day. Three were technically member present lessons, but one was with a man who says he was baptized in Texas (so it counts as a recent convert/less active lesson). But yeah. Saturday was awesome.

We taught Jorge in a members' home, the Guyer family's, and it was amazing. Brother Guyer and Jorge just hit it off and had a good time--and we set up a time this week to do that again. Members really are so critical for the work of salvation. In one of the wards yesterday, one of the high councilmen spoke and he said this: "We cannot delegate to full-time missionaries our responsibility [as members] to share the Gospel." So there you have it. He also talked about how in Handbook 2, section 5 includes missionary work, temple work, and family history work. That section is entitled "The Work of Salvation." And I believe we need to be involved in every aspect of that work. Yes, it's hard to put yourself out there, on the chance of personal rejection, and share the Gospel, but it's your duty as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. So get your rear in gear and get going! haha

Angelina came to church again yesterday. She is seriously an angel, no joke. We also had a lesson with her and Jimmy on Saturday night about the Gospel of Jesus Christ--basically we had two lessons. I taught Jimmy in English while Hna Grant taught Angelina in Spanish. It's seriously like the weirdest situation of all time. But it was good. Jimmy told us that those six steps of repentance it talks about in the pamphlet are almost exactly the same as six of the twelve steps for alcoholics anonymous. So that's cool. We'll be visiting them again tonight, with Angelina's two daughters. 

I'm already learning so much from Hermana Grant. I love how straight forward she is; for example, she'll ask people, "Are you planning on being baptized in the Church?" And you can actually learn a lot from how they respond. So it's great because we are sent out to teach the elect, and we don't want to waste our time, not the time of the Lord. So if they say no, straight up, well: dropped. haha I mean, of course we consider each person before dropping them, but if they're not ready right now, they're not ready. And that's that sometimes.

I honestly just can't get over how amazing the wards are here. We were able to sit in on Bloomington 2nd's ward council yesterday; Bishop Eames is awesome! Man. I can't even describe it to you, but the wards in Bloomington-Normal are just fantastic. I'm so excited to work with our new ward mission leader in Bloomington 1st; and then Brother and Sister Rodas were just called as ward missionaries in B2, but they're going to work with us across the ward boundaries; and Normal is way better than normal--they're extraordinary. I just love it here.

I'm already beginning to resign myself to the fact that this is probably my last six weeks here though. Hermana Grant only has two transfers left (including this one we just started) so it's almost a for sure thing that I'll get taken out next week. I'm gonna be real sad to go, so I better give it my all these last few weeks--already down to five! Santa vaca...

Something funny from this week: we were talking about what hell actually is--spirit prison the spirit world or the telestial kingdom or outer darkness or what--and regarding outer darkness, Hermana Grant says: "I think that's the helliest of hells."

Well, that's about all I can think of...Sorry.

Love you all. Keep sharing the Gospel--directly AND indirectly. I know you will be blessed as you make it a priority to share this wonderful gift you've been given.

Con Todo Mi Amor,

Hermana DeBuck

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(: