The amazing Murray family!

My last Bible Study. Goons! I'm gonna miss that group and actually being able to understand the olde testament for once. 

My favorite youths, Libby and Chloe King!

 A random smattering of Spartans whom I gathered in the hallway. 

Another favorite youth Nathaniel, plus Brother Murray.

The Avilez family!

 Sister Richardson with the Robertozzi's (he's gonna be baptized!!!) and their beautiful fruit tart! 

Ernesto! Oh, and he tried to give me a goodbye hug and it was really awkward. I stood like a raptor for the hug, Sister Richardson has been making fun of me a lot for that.

The Ramos family! They always invite us in and give us tasty foodz!

Sister Taylor and I--she's a superb sister!

Happy valentimes! Even though I'll be home for that! 

Our classy get up for my last p-day activity (we played "sports" which are not my strongsuit. There was much ducking and "eeeugh"ing involved);

  Part of the gang havin' a good uplifting time! 

Frozen yogurt with Elder Harris and Sister Richardson, and everyone else.

Dearest Family,

 

I can't believe this is my last email. Two yips and a woof! This eighteen months has both been very long, and yet quite fast. In two days I'm going to see all of you? Weird! But happy!

This week has been good and not good. I'll start with not good so that I can end on a good. I've been in the depths of despair because I'm going to be leaving all these people I've grown to love so much. Sister Richardson is in the depths of despair because she's training, after being out here only six weeks! But with so many new missionaries coming in, God needs her. She's excited, just terrified. There weren't a ton of receptive people this week, so meh... And Little Peter got bitten by a dog!

On a brighter note, Little Peter was called as the deacon's quorum president! The Bishop said he was very enthusiastic about his new calling! And speaking of the Bishop, he's moving to Utah, so we just got a new one, and it's Brother Lambert! He's our old ward mission leader, so we know that he'll be a very missionary-minded bishop and the work will progress faster with his help! 

Also, I had my departing interview this week with President Jeppson. We talked about my service out here, and how the Lord feels about what I've put in. I feel like God is happy with what I've done here and I know I've grown much closer to Him because of it. I also know that I can never look behind me now. I've put my hand to the plow and I must move forward. I will never stop being in His service as long as I live. I'm excited to study the scriptures when I get home, to fulfill callings to the best of my ability, to visit teach, to serve others, to continue to share the Gospel with everyone, and to help with redeeming those who've passed on. We also talked about my future plans...eek. I have no idea what I want to do. I thought a mission was supposed to guide me to something solid, but I have no idea. He told me I need to be social (eeeugh) and date (eeeeeeeeeeugh!), and that God will bless me to quickly get out of my awkwardness about those things. We'll see...

We shared a lesson with the Avilez family, and this time the kids stayed for the lesson. It was a fun one, even if none of the kids really spoke. I tried to be as enthusiastic as possible and make it entertaining if nothing else. But we did feel the Spirit, so that's what matters. They gave me a card afterwards and it really touched me. The mom, who isn't a member said that of all the missionaries to come through, I've made the biggest impact because of my love of the word of God and my enthusiasm about it. How can we not be enthused about the heros in the scriptures and their sacrifices? And that those words are actually the words of the Creator of planets and universes? It's pretty incredible!

And lastly, we taught Brother Robertozzi and set him with a baptismal date of March 14th! He would be ready earlier, but he wanted to do it on he and his wife's anniversary. Which means that a year from his baptism they could be sealed on their anniversary! She has been wanting this for him for over thirty years now, and what a joy that he's finally recognized the truth! I'm just sad I won't be there for it:( Oh, also, D. Todd Christofferson (the Apostle!!!!) is coming in March. Gah! I barely missed him!

 

Well, I love yous guys and I'm excited to hug all of you, to hold children again, to not back other people's cars, to chew gum if I want to, and to watch the Hobbit and not feel guilty about it since it's not a Church movie! I'm also excited to do family home evenings, family scripture study, family service projects, etc, so get ready!

 

Love you,

 

Sister Meeso Soup

Sister Jeppson in front of a graffiti (New Jersey Morristown Mission 4 Lyfe!)

Classy ladies! Sister Galuvao (who'll be returning to her main mission in Temple Square), Sister Jeppson, and I.

Sister Hallstien and I after cleaning her fireplace.

The Russian Teardop, a gift from the Russians to us after 9-11.

The departing missionaries at a memorial of some sort, and I can't do a serious face, it just turned out awkward. 

 My last missionary meeting:(  

 The Kings! One of my top 10 families out here, I just love them (and they love our Bev and Gertie videos).

  My district leaders, Elder Disney Smith and Elder Silva 

Two of my favorite Sisters, Rittenhouse and Swann

Family Dearest!

Well, this could possibly be my last email to yous guys before I sees you again. How strange! Well, this week has been a good one. We taught a less-active member and she invited her sort-of-daughter. The daughter, Kirsten, said she wanted to have her baby baptized into the Catholic Church, but couldn't because her husband wasn't baptized, and they couldn't find godparents who fit the requirements. So her kid can't be baptized. She asked us if we knew anyone eligible to be godparents, who'd been through CCD and were active in the church, and such. No, we don't. But we told her about baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ and how children don't need to be baptized until they're accountable. And their baptism doesn't rely upon other people's worthiness, but it's between them and God. Her interest was piqued, and she said that it all made sense. She told us her info so we could send missionaries to her home in New York. I hope everything works out! She was also quite interested in the Book of Mormon, so we gave her one. And this got the less-active member excited, so she was suggesting good chapters for Kirsten to read, and she bore her testimony of the Book. It was neat!

Bill has been under the weather, so we can't teach him again for a bit. He has been listening to the scriptures though, and has been watching mormonchannel.org videos like crazy! I'm so excited! They are such a special family.

Brother Robertozzi, who isn't a member, but has been coming here for years to support his wife, is more sincere now in his reading and praying. We committed him to live the word of wisdom, law of chastity, and law of tithing WHEN he's baptized, and he said yes! And then he mentioned baptism later on, and his wife has never heard him talk about it. I see great things on the horizon for this family!

On Friday we were out of things to do as all our main plans and back-ups for the evening had fallen through. We were looking down the ward list and decided to visit Sister Hallstein. It was 8:30, and usually people are grumpy by that time. She opened the door, and said into her phone, "Oh! You wouldn't believe who's here, the sister missionaries!" She hung up, let us in, and told us of a dilemma she was in. We turned to the scriptures, and helped her find some guidance. She pondered a bit, and told us that this was an answer to her prayer. She didn't know what to do, then we showed up in a timely manner and helped her resolve her concerns. I'm so grateful when Heavenly Father lets us be instruments in His Hands. There is no better feeling than letting Him guide you. You have absolutely nothing to do with it--you just have to be obedient and worthy of the Spirit, and He will place you where you're needed. I love it!

Little Peter is doing well, just being cute as ever and remembering the things he's been taught. Kevin passed the sacrament this week, and bore his testimony again! Dawn and Judy have been reading and praying. We read Alma 14 with them, and it's a real tearjerker, and before we could even ask them a question, Dawn said, "This totally answers my questions about Ashley! Every time I don't know what to do, or I need answers I can open the Book and I always find my answer!" Agh! The Book of Mormon is the word of God! I love it!

Lastly, I went on my departing missionary trip. Since Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are closed, we went to Washington's Headquarters in Morristown. Then we went to Liberty State Park, the Russian Teardrop monument, and another 9-11 monument (and on the monuments I found the names "Machael Healey" and "Peter Klein." Then we Went to Newark to a huge wall of graffiti that lasts for miles, and ate at Rio Rodizio. Mmmm. It was a lot of fun.

Well, I love you kids, and I can't wait to hug all of you in a week's time. Everyone be safe, and don't cause too much trouble now ya hear!

Sister Mister