May 26, 2014 A whole not to say and not a whole lot of time :)‏

So I pretty much have 5 minutes on the computer today :) The library is closed because of Memorial Day so they gave us special permission to e-mail on a member's computer real fast. 

So here's what happened this week... We had a baptism :) Gilbert was baptized. The little brother of Suzeth and Lizeth. We got transfer calls. I am staying here and tomorrow I am getting a brand new missionary. For my first time ever I am training. I don't think she speaks Spanish so that will be an adventure! :) Hermana Asay is going to my very first area in Lewisville/Carrollton :) She is back up training. On Sunday, I was asked to give a talk in church and Hermana Asay and I also sang in church. I love you all :) I really have no idea how this next transfer is going to go... all I know is that I am going to work the hardest I can work and pray that God will guide me :) I know He will. I know He lives and He loves me. I love YOU so much :) I am SO grateful for all you have done for me in my life :) Pray for me, okay? :) I'm sure gonna need it :)

-Hermana Hadlock 

May 19, 2014

Happy, Happy Monday!

Ya know... in my premission life Mondays were a day no one really looked forward too. Now, Monday is kinda like a Saturday :) Kinda. Hahah... I'll be honest, as missionaries we really don't have a Saturday. I wouldn't have it any other way :) This time is the Lord's. Monday it was POURING :) You haven't seen a rain storm until you have seen a Texas rainstorm! I wish I could go out and dance in it but knocking doors in it is just about the same, right? ;) 

Tuesday we had district meeting and for meeting our goals we got to go and eat at "Mama's Pizza". It was SO good :) Later that day we had a lesson with Claudia. She is doing well. Her son actually has never really been interested in religion and this last time that we went over he told us "you have caught my attention" and wanted to learn more. I am not sure how long he is going to be here before he goes back to Mexico but I am hoping we can help him and his family come to church and be able to feel of the Spirit. It's so interesting... I have met people of all types on my mission... and even the best of the best families.. when I walk into their home  I can feel there is something missing. The Gospel changes everything and makes good things even better. It really is the whole reason why we are here on this earth. 

Wednesday was SO CRAZY LOCO :) A while back Hermana Asay and I had a competition between the Hermanas in our mission. The prize was getting to choose whichever Hermana you wanted and going on an exchange with them for a day. I chose Hermana Kirkham :) So on the 14th we got to spend the whole day together. This is where she started her mission and she actually served here for twice as long as I have been here! So it was fun :) We taught lots of lessons and she even taught me a little more about the area! When we got home we took 1 year pictures :) I'll have to send you a couple. That next morning... we woke up and it was May 15, 2014. Exactly one year before that... was the day we were compas in the MTC. Where does time go?!? That night we had an amazing lesson with Lizeth and Agustin. We set a marriage date for them and they accepted! The 14th of June :) They said they had still been praying and that they for sure wanted to get married in that day! We couldn't be more excited for them :)

Thursday we celebrated my one year mark and worked hard!!! :) Hermana Asay and I were both so stinkin' tired. But we just kept truckin' :) She is the best compa in the whole world... and she took me to Texas Roadhouse. Someone from home had sent her money and told her to go out to eat with her compa so she was super nice and took me out to eat there! It was SO delicious :) My first time eating Texas Roadhouse in Texas :) 

Friday morning we had the opportunity to go to the temple!! I haven't got to go since January so it was a real treat. Honestly, when I get home I want to go to the temple every single week! Maybe even more than that. It is one of my favorite places in the entire world. Every time I go I am reminded of the reason why we are here on this earth and the plan that God has in store for us. Hermana Kirkham and her companion hadn't been in forever either... so they went on the same day for her year mark as well! So I got to see her again :) 

That night we had a ward activity to celebrate Mother's Day! All of the men came and cooked dinner :) I ate some tacos right off the grill! I really am going to have to make you real tacos when I get home :) They are so GOOD! I am pretty sure that and Hispanic cheesecake are my 2 favorite foods I have had in the mission. We had A TON of our investigators that came. They all seemed really comfortable as well and seemed to make really good friend in the ward :) It was the coolest thing ever... for the first time ever in my life I got to see "Fireflies". I didn't know they were here in Texas! Jackie Franco ran up to me and she was like Hermana! There are fireflies :) I didn't believe her until I looked over by the trees and saw them for myself :) They were so cool!! She actually ended up catching one and giving it to me :) It was a good time. Our investigators all loved it :) 

On Saturday we had the chance to go to a baptism down in Richardson. Hermana McDonald is serving there right now and a family got baptized that Hermana Asay and Hermana McDonald found on their exchange. So we got to go for Hermana Asay :) It was one of the most powerful baptisms I have ever been too. It was a mom (that was actually a less active) and her three boys that were baptized that day. Theit testimonies were SO INCREDIBLE!!!! It's honestly the best feeling in the world and makes every second as a missionary worth it :) We also celebrated Gilbert's birthday :) He is the little brother of Lizeth. He is getting baptized this next Saturday :) We couldn't be more excited! 

Sunday was awesome!! We had Lizeth, Agustin, and Irma in church :) I was so happy to see all of them there! They all really seemed to like it :)

Missionary work can be hard.... but there's a reason over 80,000 young men and young women and countless others in the world give up time of their lives to serve.. because it's worth it! We are affecting eternity :) Even when it seems like there is no progress... keep working :) The Lord can work miracles through you.

-Hermana 1 year old Hadlock :)

This is Lizeth making the face :) Too funny! 

May 12, 2014

Howdy Y'all :) 

Well... 

IT SURE WAS FUN TO SEE AND TALK TO YOU YESTERDAY!!!!! :) Even though I wasn't a bawling mess this time... it still made me so happy to see you and it still was hard to say goodbye :) I can't wait to see you 6 months from TODAY in the airport!!! :) Anyone and everyone is invited to come :) Anyhow, I am so excited to be a missionary. I don't think many of us really comprehend, myself included, what the Lord is doing in His vineyard right now. These are the last days and the Lord is hastening His work. I am so stinkin' grateful to be a part of it! As are you :) 

This last Monday we had an incredible lesson with Verenice, Lucy, Aby, and Angel. They have been really struggling to come to church. We talked about our purpose as missionaries and how we are here to bring others to Christ but that they need to do their part as well. They committed to come to church for the week! :) 

Tuesday we went over to see Claudia. She has SO much potential. We just have to get the ball rolling and I know that she will be a power house one day. Her son just got here from Mexico and sings opera. He also has crazy talent with the guitar and piano so she had him play for us when we went over. It was incredible! IT definitely made it an exciting lesson :)  

Later that night my compa and I were walking down a street visiting a few more people when a truck pulled up next to us. It startled us at first. It turns our it was a member who was on missionary exchanges with the Elders. My companion looked at me and said something so simple but that hit me so hard. She said.. "Man, I love when we are caught doing missionary work!" :) I feel the same :) I love that when people find me in the street... they find me doing the work of the Lord. May it be the same for all of us. When others see us, may they see us serving others and being the hands of the Lord here on the earth, doing as He Himself would do if He were there. 

Wednesday we had an INCREDIBLE lesson with Lizeth. Every single one of us was in tears. We talked about the importance of following the Lord and the importance of DOING IT NOW! We really have no time to waste. Time is one of the most precious gifts we have on this earth to prepare us to be the people we are meant to be when we return back to our Father in Heaven. So let's get goin' :) 

Thursday was a special day. It was my brother Michael's birthday so my compa and I went and bought him a balloon that said "FELIZ CUMPLEANOS" and let it off! We sang Happy Birthday to him in Spanish while we watched it disappear. That day it poured rain. It reminded me of the country song..."Lord, when I get to heaven, can I taste the milky way? Am I goin there to visit, or am I goin' there to stay? I can't wait to see my grandpa. Can I have a pair of wings? And do you think God you could use another angel, to help pour out the rain? " I truly felt like the heavens were open :) "Cause there's holes in the floor of heaven" (another country song) I know he is probably a missionary just like me right now and is teaching and inviting others to come unto Christ :) Feliz Cumpleanos Michael!! 

That night we also found a new family that are sweet as can be. We are excited to see what will come of it :)

On Friday, we invited Lizeth and Agustin to be married on the 14th of June! :) At the end of the lesson Agustin said the prayer. When we all got off our knees... they were both crying. They are going to pray and see if that's what God wants for them. So keep them in your prayers :) I know that marriage is a commandment of God and it's our goal to have them sealed for eternity one day :) It will bring them the greatest happiness. 

Saturday we were driving and I saw this girl walking on the side of the road and felt like I had to pull over. Even though I felt kinda like a creeper you don't say no the promptings of the Spirit :) I've learned that lesson 1 too many times. We had a lesson with her right there on the sidewalk and she set up an appointment for us to come back. Her name is Araceli. 

Later that night we also saw La Familia Ajuero. It's La familia Ajuero that has Naeda. She wants to be baptized so bad but just needs permission from her mom. So keep her in your prayers that her mom will say yes! We also met her grandma that just got here from Mexico and she cried during our prayer. So we are excited to start teaching her!

Yesterday in church we had a really cute program. They gave us Hermanas a rose and told us Happy Mother's Day with all the rest of the Mothers! It was nice of them. But I was definitely thinking I'm for sure not a mama yet! :) Hahah. Then later, I got to call home!!! It was SO GOOD!!! 

Now, I am back to work :) I'm going to take the biggest nap of my life when I get home. Until then, I'm going to give it a 110% and work the hardest I have ever worked :) See ya in the airport in exactly 6 months :) I always joke with my companions... the mission in like cookies. I had 3 when I started. I've eaten 2. I only have 1 cookie left to enjoy so I better make it good! :) 

Everyone of us in on a mission here on earth away from home. May every one of us love others around us and work hard.. and one day RETURN WITH HONOR to our Father in Heaven. 

Love always, the one and only Hermana Jennay Gump Hadlock :) 

Excercise at 3 in the morning. Hahah! 

This was our 3 for 3 week :) We only made it one day!!! 

She took this right after we let it go :)

May 5, 2014

FELIZ 5 DE MAYO!!!!!! :D 

I am sure it is quite the celebration in Mexico today :) I haven't seen to many celebrations here but that's because we haven't seen any of our investigators yet today! I am excited to see them tonight and see what they are doing to celebrate. From what I understand... 5 de Mayo is kinda like 4th of July here :) 

So this last week was amazing!! Every week on my mission never fails to teach me something. I don't know that I'll have as much to share this week because I forgot my memory card at the house and that's how I usually remember what happened over the last week :) hahah! Man, I have the memory of a grandma :) I'm scared to see what it'll be like when I really am old. 

I'll start with Wednesday! We had exchanges Wednesday :) Hermana Asay and I had a record high of 20 lessons with members present a while back. (It was a huge miracle and a huge blessing!) Anyhow... because of that the prize was we both got to pick who we wanted to go on an exchange with out of all the hermanas :) Hermana Asay chose hers and so we did that exchange this last Wednesday. I went with Hermana Gubler! She is a brand new missionary! It was the craziest experience for me. It was like I was looking myself dead in the face 1 year ago :) She was telling me her struggles with Spanish... asking questions about how the mission runs... and just being her cute 3 week missionary self :) I was so blown away at how incredible she really was! And I just kept thinking to myself... Just keep going :) You've got this :) You can't imagine all that lies ahead of you. I can't help but think that's how Heavenly Father must feel sometimes... He watches us through our struggles and He thinks... just keep going :) I've been there before! You got this :) You can't imagine all I have in store for you and all that lies ahead :) 

Although it was fun to be on an exchange I am always super happy to get my companions back :) The Lord has blessed me so much with the most amazing companions!! On Thursday, Hermana Asay came back and we got to work. We had a lesson with the Ajuero familia. I haven't talked about them a ton but they are amazing. We found them and they really liked what we were teaching but couldn't seem to give up the Catholic traditions. There was 2 sisters (the moms) and their daughters. One of the moms just went back to Mexico. Her daughter, Neida is still here. Neida texted us after the lesson and told us that she has questions for us but is too shy to ask them in front of her aunt and cousin. She came to church on Sunday and told us she wants to get baptized but her mom doesn't think she is old enough. She is 13 right now. So we are praying that her mom's heart will be softened :) Y'all should pray too! She is the sweetest thing in the whole world and wants it so bad. I could SO see her serving a mission :)

Friday was just pure insanity. We have had a competition between our zone for the last month called "McKinney Madness". There were a ton of events that had to do with missionary work. MY compa and I have been doing SO GOOD!!! Well... we made it to the finals against the Elders in our district. The challenge was "Line in the Water" (aka how much time we are out proselyting.. so studies... eating, etc. doesn't count) and number of baptismal invites. We decided to go 3 for 3!! We were going to wake up at 3 AM for 3 days to beat the Elders and win a trip to the temple. On Friday... the alarm went off at 3 and we were out of bed! It was nuts :) We had a day of miracles and contacted SO MANY people! Nevertheless.. by the end of the day... we were WIPED OUT!! WE decided there was NO WAY we were doing that for 3 days :) Hahah! 

Sunday was awesome! We had Neida, Jacqueline, and Jeffrey at church :) Then after we got to answer Neida's questions and she told us how she wants to be baptized :) It's so funny... I have seen so many times in my mission where a child can understand the Restoration and well-educated adults can't. Children are so in tune with the Spirit. There is good reason why Christ tells us we need to become like them. We as adults become way too distracted sometimes. Anyhow... we are praying she will be getting baptized here soon :)

Later that night we had one of the COOLEST experiences :) Gladys Knight and her choir " SAINTS UNITED VOICES" came and did a fireside here in Dallas. Last night, we got to go with our recent converts!!! I really wish I could just take every single one of you and let you experience it yourself :) Gladys Knight told her story of how she came to know the church. So did her husband :) Her husband is African- American as well and he shared the most awesome story. He said that he wanted to know why God has chosen Joseph Smith. His exact words were... why God had chosen a "Little white boy". He was praying and got the answer... "I didn't choose a little white boy. I chose your brother." We truly are brothers and sisters no matter what race. We are all God's children. They basically taught the Restoration, bore testimonies, and sang! :) It was INCREDIBLE. This Gospel truly is for all people :) There was this cute little old man in the choir as well. He BELTED IT! I've never heard someone sing like that. Afterwards, I got to shake his hand :) It made me remember how much I loved choir and singing in high school. Who knows.. maybe one day I'll go for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir :) I got lots a work to do!!! Hahah :) 

The work here is great :) I have grown SSSSOOOOO much is this last year on my mission. Ya know.. what President Hinckley said was so true. "You will cry more tears leaving to go home from your mission... then you will cry leaving for your mission." Something like that :) Also, "What seems to be one of the greatest sacrifices, will in turn become one of your greatest investments" There are quotes something like that. I thought when I left on my mission I was giving up SO MUCH. There were times... I wasn't sure I could do it. But I put my faith in Him. In this last year...I have seen myself become more of the person God would have me be. I still got a looooonnngg way to go :) Love y'all!!!

Have a stellar week :) tu favorita, Hermana Hadlock 

p.s. I will send more pics next week. I forgot my other memory card. This is Clara and Gilbert :) Clara is getting ready to serve her mission here soon!