Burros are not small donkeys

This week it hasn't gotten much below 100* degrees. Natives just barely stared wearing shorts. I think it is so hot. No more makeup or hair done. Yay for pony tails!! :) Luckily I have all my Paparazzi hair things to look cute-ish. 

I had an awesome experience with a little boy this week. We street contacted a man named Brian. He is a friendly, young dad. We told him how the gospel will bless his family and he seemed really interested. He told us about his wife, Sienna, and his two kids, Jeremiah and Bryelle. When we went back to teach and the B said S wasn't home so we rescheduled for two-ish days later. Before we left J ran out (about 5, maybe 6) and hugged my legs. "I love them, Daddy," he squealed. "Don't let them leave." His dad just ushered him in and told him we will be back.

When we came back for our appointment S answered the door, looked at us and slammed it shut. (#heartbroken) and yelled "OBVIOUSLY YOU CAN'T SEE THE SIGN!" Okay, lady... We are missionaries. We aren't selling anything... J came to the door crying.

"Mommy, they were here the other day. Let them in." 

She said that we are "bad Mormons" and that "pastor grandma would be mad if we let them in."

We just stood there stunned. Children are the least trusting of anything. If my child embraced someone at my door step I would at least want to hear what they have to say. I know that boy will be able to find the true gospel when he gets older. Maybe I'll be part of his conversion story one day. Until then.... We'll knock on their door again in a month. :P

This last week we also had Zone Conference. Sister Berger and I are the only sister missionaries out of Valley, meaning not IN Las Vegas. Our ZC was in Kingman. It's about and hour or an hour and a half away. So crazy. So we drove up there and it was like a SPIRITUAL FEAST!! I loved what Sister Neider (our mission president's wife) said about putting our whole selves in. I have 18 months to serve and the rest of eternity to look back on it. So I might as well make every day unforgettable!! :) I have changed my whole perspective on missionary work. I am going to be a leader, a helper, someone who loves. I am going to be the best I can be. I'm only gonna do this once when I am young. So I want to do it the best!! :) WOO!! In district meeting we talked about praying for miracles and we have definitely seen that work! :) Everything works out according to the Lord's timing. So I just stay worthy and hopeful and work hard, and wait for him to give me people to find and to teach.

Last Sunday we had a less-active sister in ARP (Addiction Recovery Program) come to church after being gone for a year and a half. She brought her friend, Jenny, and J's twin 6 year olds.  We talked to her and she expressed how she wanted to learn more about how to be the best for God. We taught her about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon on Tuesday, and she said she would read it every day for the rest of her life. She asked really good questions and genuinely payed attention to what we had to say. At the end of the lesson we asked her if she would prepare herself for baptism. She said yes. We told her we were holding a baptismal service on May 11th, she said she wants to be baptized that day. She said that she felt the spirit in the room and she wants to be a Mormon. OKAY MIRACLE> HELLO. It was so awesome to see someone so prepared to recieve the truth. She is going to be a better mother, sister, daughter, friend, and woman because of her decision to follow God. WOW. I feel like I just bare my testimony over and over in these emails. Whatever... :)

We had a Sister's Luncheon in Vegas on Thursday. (Side note: I have been to Vegas 6 times since being here. that is 30 hours of driving. woo...) They announced a new Sister Training Leader program. Like a Zone or District Leader the STL will be implemented into the program starting next transfer... which is tomorrow. SO! Wanna know what's happening to me? 

<<<<<<<<DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>>>>>>

I am training. I am a 19 year old Sister Missionary. I haven't even been out on a mission for 2 months and I am training someone who get off the plane from the MTC Wednesday. Woo the Mission President must trust me. Not to brag but... I feel cool. It's such an honor! And to train so quickly being out. Wow. I am blessed. I am staying in Lake Havasu, and Sister Berger is going to train and be an STL!! SHE IS A TANK! What a beast missionary. I just love her. Thinking about leaving her makes me want to cry. I could have never been a missionary without her... And she is such a good example to me. I feel like she is really my sister!! :) Oh she is so good to me. I know we will be friends forever. I am grateful the Lord has blessed me with her in my life. Okay, I'm done saying how ridiculously good of a missionary she is. 

Last P-Day we went to Oatman. Long story short, Burros are not small donkeys. They are BIG DONKEYS AND THEY SCARE ME. And they kick. And I had to run from one. Elder Solarzano and Elder Ball hit it so it wouldn't keep chasing me. Needless to say I stopped feeding those greedy little things. But I bought you something, family. You will love it :) I'm going to put it in the mail soon. Time certainly flies faster than superman while you are on a mission! This morning we went on a hike with the Jensons and Elder Solarzano and Elder Moreno. It was a little down a small creek. Yeah, it's a million degrees outside. The creek was dried up, no joke. But I got a few shells. And it was nice to see a little greenery. :) I love getting out of the houses. It's a nice change of pace. :)

OH! AND KIEL IS GETTING BAPTIZED JUNE 7TH!!! The whole congregation will probably be there because he knows EVERYONE! :P

Priesthood power keeps me safe.

Our ward is having a Luau on May 18th. And the Kilauli's are going to sing and dance. 

I don't know why I wrote this down but "I have made a little home in my heart" is on my notes. So... yeah. 

Our WML Brother Hauck and his wife are the awesome-est people ever!

And... yup. I'm training. It's been a good week! :) I love being a missionary! :) :) :) :) 

HUGS FROM HAVASU! 

Sister Fields :)

It's supposed to be 101* tomorrow... it's only April. BRING IT ON!

Shout out to my nephew!! :) :) :) :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINCOLN!! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE ONE!! Auntie Emily misses you, but I just love you too dang much to be sad. I hope your day was the best day of your life so far!! :) You are the cutest stinker and I look forward to the pictures of the party I'm sure you had. (hint, hint Jenny. haha) 

Today I am just having the hardest time paying attention. I think I have mission on-set ADHD. I don't have to be doing anything so I don't want to be. It has taken me about 20 minutes to get these 3 sentences and the subject line in. I turned music on finally. That helps me to pay attention. AND I'M WEARING PANTS! That's always good. Not to get anything wrong. I love wearing a skirt, and doing my hair, and picking a completely different outfit everyday. BUT... It's nice to throw my hair up in a bun and just email. 

I love listening to music.

A lot.

:)

YOU GUYS WANT TO HEAR ABOUT MY WEEK?? It was so weird. We didn't see that many people, but the people we saw were really good. We have to get our balance in teaching and finding. I have never been rejected so much, but it's also never been easier. I think to myself "I only wanted  you to be happier than you already are." So I didn't do anything wrong. We don't knock doors in this mission unless we have a name of someone inside. So if it is a member's neighbor and they say "Oh, Sally lives next door and might be interested in hearing your message." Then we go!! :) I love missionary work! It's so exciting. Everyday is different!

ANYWAYS. One thing we do do (... yeah) is talk to people we see in their garages, weeding, etc. We walked by a group of friends that were drinking and they were so nice... UNTIL another girl came out and got in my face. "Hi. Why are you guys here?" a foot away from my face. It was weird. One of the guys said "Hey step back, You're intimidating her." 

"Nawh," I replied. "I'm bigger than her." Everyone giggled and that really broke the ice. It was a good discussion after that. There are a lot of people who don't understand what we believe. Or understand it completely wrong.

I have fallen in love with reactivation. There are so many members of the church that have fallen away, but they have a testimony of the truth and a relationship with God. It's amazing to see a change, a re-lighting so to say. There is something special about that. There is a lady in our ward, Sister Wheatley, that hasn't been to church in many years. Something someone said a long time ago offended her and her son. I don't know why it stuck with her so long, but it hurt her. What happened was mean, but nothing is mean enough to keep you from your own salvation. I really love that we can apologize on behalf of that person, or even the church. We have that in our authority. I see a change in her, specifically. I love that woman so much. She reminds me a lot of Aunt Becky. I was upset when she wasn't at church on Sunday (lets just say I shed a few tears yesterday .. haha. It was good for me. It's the first time I've cried since being in the field. I feel so much better.) She promised that if we call her at 8am she will be there at 9am church next Sunday!! I'm going to hold her to that. 

We have talked to a lot of people that are ready to accept the gospel, but not ready to change their life style. It's an interesting dilemma. People see that it can make them happier, but they still don't want to do it. I just pray that one day something we (or someone else) says will really show the impact it can have on their lives. 

We also just had an investigator (Kiel, remember him?) CAUSALLY SAY "oh yeah, I was thinking about Lull baptizing me the first week in June." OKAY, BRO! WAY TO GOOO!!!! :) I was so excited I almost jumped out of my seat. He is going to be so blessed! He is going to be so much happier. I'm glad things are getting easier for him. 

Missionary work is the most rewarding thing ever. I love it. 

And I love you! :) 

Hugs from Havasu!!!! :)

Sister Fields 

BLOB: A scary typo.

What a wonderful week.

Monday we taught Chad lesson two and he is just a genius child! We talked about The Plan of Salvation and he was so excepting of everything, asked good questions when he didn't understand and he was so curious as to why we thought things. He said he would begin daily scripture study and prayer. Pretty legit. We ate dinner at the Haucks. ENCHILADAS!

Tuesday we taught a girl who was baptized a few weeks ago, but her parents aren't members. She is so smart. She wants to share the gospel with all her friends! We also talked about General Conference with a few less active members in the ward. It's amazing what the words of the prophet can do for people all over the world. We went to Brother McQuarkle's for dinner and had manicotti with marinara and meatballs. He's Italian. Then we went to Preach My Gospel (a missionary study manual) class.

Wednesday we went to the hospital to sign up to be volunteer clergy in times of crisis. For families who need blessings or prayers they can contact us. I'm looking forward to someone taking advantage of that! We stopped by the Murray's, who have a son who just got back from a mission, to talk about how their Family Mission Plan (FMP) is going. They invited us to stay for dinner. What a blessing that at 4:45 we walk in on a Barbeque! After that we had a lesson with Kiel. He was worried that if he wanted to drink or curse or whatever later in his life that he would be punished more if he got baptized. We said "You are going to be held accountable for your knowledge, whether or not you are baptized you know those things are wrong." BOLD! That was crazy. He has been investigating for 2 years and he said that the best lesson he's had, like ever. Crazy! Apparently we didn't offend him too bad. Then we went to institute and talked about Kolob and eternity. I will always be confused. What is forever?! Oh my goodness... Let's change the subject!

Thursday! We went to visit a street contact, Dina. She has such a sad story. Her boyfriend moved her down here and she wants to go back to Utah to be with her family. I love my family so much. Being on a mission has taught me that family no longer means a man and woman getting married then having kids. And that they'll be married forever. It's so tough. But it's made me realize how much I love you, Mom and Dad! Thursday night we went to the Thayers. They were a little busy so we only talked to the husband. It was a great lesson. (Quick back story. I got a letter from Kim Williams saying how she read Ether 12 with some of her missionaries that were having a tough time. And I read it in personal study Thursday morning... OKAY!) So we went and decided to read a chapter from the Book of Mormon with Brother Thayer. He said "I can't tell you right now, but that has changed my life. I have needed to hear that this whole time." WHAT DID WE EVEN SAY? I don't even know. But he is ready to change his life because of it! It's amazing how things are just lined up perfectly! THEN HIM AND HIS WIFE CAME TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY!! :) :) :)

ps we had dinner at the Forsd, and I requested Biscuits and gravy. Not as good as Dad's, but delicious nonetheless.

Friday we didn't have anyone on the schedule for dinner but that's pizza night at the Kilauli's... so that's where we went!! :) Just your normal 3 hour weekly planning and teaching people. Just sunny good days here :)

Saturday we had a lesson planned at 11, 12 and 1 so we had no time for lunch. Luckily for us our 11 canceled so we took that time to clean up the apartment and eat. Then we went to our 12 and THEY CANCELED but we already took lunch time so we decided to just walk all the way up the street and back to see if there was anyone outside to talk to. TWO PEOPLE we talked to wanted us to come back and share the message with them. Pretty cool. It was great! Saturday night we went to a barbeque with the Batts and Duncans.

Yesterday Gina Stati gave her farewell talk. She leaves for two weeks to the MTC. She is going to the Milan Italy mission. CIPRIAN, I am sending pretty girls your way!! :) It would be so weird if Sarah Holloway, from home (remember the girl I took my missionary pictures with?) and her were companions!! :) We ate rice and barbeque chicken at the Bodily's!

As you can all tell I am going to get SUPER FAT and they are going to have to roll me onto the plane when I go home.

Sister Berger and I get along so well. She is so funny! I love that her and I have the same type of humor. There are so many weird pictures and funny 3 second videos that will be worth gold when I am old. I love it so much. This week to help out the missionaries in your area, FEED THEM SALAD FOR DINNER!! :) And invite your friends to meet them!

My personal Study is going so good. I love waking up in the morning and having a 3 hour time period that is just devoted to learning. It will surely help me when I am in college. I also love having one day that I do laundry, wash the car, wash my sheets, and grocery shop. It's such a blessing to be on a mission!! :)

OH I JUST LOVE YOU ALL!!
Sister Fields <3

FAMILY and FRIENDS!

I don't know where the time goes. I feel like I wrote one of these two days ago but it's been a whole week. I am glad to hear that I got a few of you with my April Fools joke. I told my district leader that my boyfriend sent me a ring in the mail and that I was gonna leave at the end of the week. Pretty funny. It's kinda mean thought because they don't even know my life so I could have said ANYTHING and they would have believed it. :) Oh goodness.

 We just started teaching a 19 year old boy named Chad. HE COULD GO ON A MISSION! He is so golden. He has a tesimony, loves Heavenly Father and Jesus and he is so open to praying and any other thing that will bring him closer to Christ. It's so wonderful to see a change in people. It's a rewarding job. We are also teaching Kiel, 26, and he is going to pray for when to be baptised. He says before the end of the month! I see these young boys as future righteous husbands and fathers, bishops, young mens' leaders, and awesome people. THEY ARE SO GREAT! :) I love teaching. I love it so much.

Sister Berger and I get along so well! She is so funny. I am laughing constantly. :) On our drive to and from the temple (about 6 and a half hours) we talked about everything under the sun. Her family sounds pretty awesome, too!

I'm going to carry around a sticky note in my planner to write down things I should say to everyone. I get here and don't know what to write. Next weeks should be good.

BUT. If you are a member or not, have all your friends call the missionaries and ask if they have a dinner opening this month. They would love to eat in every one's home. Feed them for me. Thank you!! :)

 

I love you all!

:) Sister Fields

Dinner at The Murphy's

log- five more days until my first month is up... WHOA.

DID YOU HEAR?? Of course all of you have. It's probably all over twitter and Facebook already! It's just weird that they announced it at the young women general conference instead of on Saturday! I called it everyone!! Not only am I a 19 year old missionary, but I'll be a TWO YEAR SISTER MISSIONARY!! Goodness my life plans change so often but WOOOO!! Now to talk my companion into it... BEST DAY EVER!! HAP-P DAY everyone!! :")

So much has happened this week. I love missionary work. Honestly I am so happy and every day I wake up ready to WORK! "Work, work, work. There is no satisfactory substitute. Especially in missionary work." ~Boyd K Packer! (I think) I've come to love morning excercise, especially considering how many people LOVE to feed their missionaries their best dinner and dessert. Next time you have the missionaries over feed them corn dogs and mac 'n' cheese. And let them do the dishes :) I promise you they will love that!

We are teaching someone named Keil. He is such a cool kid! he has been investigating the church for two years, though. I think too many missionaries have been babying him and it's time for him to learn for himself. We asked him to pray for a baptism date and spoke to him with the spirit. He was tearing up and we could tell that what he was feeling right then was the spirit. I love the Holy Ghost. He is our senior companion and He rocks at teaching people. We just speak with His words from our Father in Heaven. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK. It's amazing the opportunity we have to look into peoples eyes and see their potential as servants of the Lord. That man needs the priesthood.

We also knocked on a door and the man said "You know, my wife was talking yesterday about how she wanted to go to church because it's Easter she just didn't know which one." Actually, sir, I didn't know... but I know someone who did! :)

We also went to a less active members home and she said "Today I prayed someone from the church would come." She was having a tough day and didn't want to go to church but she knew she needed the spirit. She bore her testimony and expressed her love for God. It's SO amazing to be the hands in the work. Little inspirations, simple thoughts for good. They come from God. WOW I LOVE THE GOSPEL.

I am grateful for my companion Sister Berger. She is so patient, loving, kind, and has a wonderful sense of humor. I couldn't ask for a better trainer. She just... gets me, ya know? :P

FUNNY STORY- someone confetti egged our car and wrote "Happy Easter Sisters" on it. I'll send pictures of that. Pretty funny. We had no idea who it was until this morning, after morning sports, the Elders sped past us in the parking lot and through the confetti bombs through our open windows. WOO for vacuuming and uncontrollable laughter!

Easter was GREAT. We went to the Kilauli's (FUN FACT! Brother Kilauli in my home ward here, Crossman Peak, is Brother Kelly Kalauli's, from St. Helens, brother! Small world!!) and the Elders Moreno and Salorzano and the Haucks were all there. It was like a big happy family dinner. Everyone was running behind schedule, stepping on each others toes in the kitchen and laughing the whole time. I loved it. We had ham and turkey, mashed potatoes, funeral potatoes, orange creme jello, peanut butter eggs, cheese puffs, delicious salad, and A WHOLE LOT MORE FOOD. It was so good. We shared a message about the Living Christ and it was wonderful. I love how the girls who are 8 -12 talk about how they want to be missionaries. It's so nice to see the strength in our youth.

We have had such a happy week. People to teach, funny jokes, lots of food, and the amazing power we receive to get us through longs days.

Busy week. I love teaching!

Love to you all!

~Sister Fields!!

ps. Happy April Fools Day ;)