July 28, 2014 Happy 24th of July :)‏

Hey there everyone :)

 

Even though no one celebrated the 24th of July here in Texas I was sure glad to get a package from my mama! I tried to explain to people that the 24th of July in Utah is sorta like a 4th of July :) We go all out! They just didn't seem to get it.

 

It's crazy how fast the weeks go by. I can't believe I am already here e-mailing again!!

 

This last week was a week of miracles :) It was definitely a week of finding. Monday night we spent our time finding and found some pretty good people :)

 

Tuesday we had district meeting. We have really focused on "becoming one" with the members. We want to work together because we know if we do... we can accomplish so much more. It's really interesting... being a missionary, I have learned what it means to be a member missionary as well! I want to do a lot better when I get home than what I did before my mission :) I know life is crazy... but get to know your missionaries and ask what you can do to help or tell them about your friends and what they can do to help you :)

 

We also had service that day. It's amazing the people you meet! We have found a few new investigators through our service. It's a food pantry/ place where they can get clothing that a guy started on his own one day. It's pretty amazing how much it has grown!

 

Wednesday we had a lesson with Gregorio :) He is still waiting on the mission presidency to get an ok to be baptized but we are hoping that it will come soon :) I will try and get a picture with him this week so you can see him! He is such a cute old guy :)

 

Thursday was a lot slower and once again we spent a lot of time looking for people. It had been a bit of a rougher week until the weekend came.

 

Friday we got to go and visit Diana for her birthday and teach her a quick lesson! The Elders used to visit them a few years back and they almost got baptized. We are trying to figure out what happened and help them to be baptized :) She just turned 17 and seems pretty excited about the Gospel.

 

Saturday was a day of MIRACLES!!! We prayed, looked at the map, decided where to go, and got to work!!! :) We had 4 lessons that night in just a couple of hours!!! It was incredible! We found Melissa knocking who was a teenager and told us that she was interested and wanted us to come back. Afterwards we found Regina and Yolanda. Yolanda is the cutest little old lady :) She's actually not even that old. In her 60's I think. She loved our message and even though we got a million mesquito bites talking to her outside it was worth it because she is such a sweet heart!!!

 

As we were just about to leave the neighborhood.. we saw 3 hispanic ladies by their car. We live in a pretty white area... so everytime we find Hispanics we are sure to talk to them :) They were selling fruits and vegetables out of their car. I bought some limes for really cheap from them and Hermana Moss bought some peppers. It was a good deal and we wanted to get on good ground with them!! It worked :) Hahah. They opened up to us a ton!! Two of them were sisters and from Peru. The other one was actually Melissa's mom (the teenage girl we had met earlier that day) and they loved us :) Melissa's mom said she saw us walking down the street and could feel the goodness coming from us. She told us she has a pretty rough situation with her husband and so we are going to try and help them get their family back together :) Mean while... this guy walked up and gave us some free coffee samples :) It was sure nice of him... we just definitely aren't the people he is looking for to sell to :) hahah.

 

Sunday was another really good day. We had church in Heath because they had to close our building down to fix something. That was hard because the hours were different and a different location no one ended up coming to church. Next week :) We got to teach Yolanda before church. She thought we weren't coming because we were like 15 min. late :) It's so nice when you have people that actually remember you are coming and wait for you! Ha :)

 

Later that night we taught Paloma and Maira. They are 2 teenage girls that go to church every week by themselves because their family doesn't want to. Amazing huh?? We taught Maira the 1st lesson and she loved it :) They want to come to mutual and all that good stuff!!! We couldn't be more excited :)

 

So my companion and I have been working out a lot harder in the mornings. Got to look good before we go home ;) Only Joking... but seriously. Hahah! All the Mexican food has been a little rough on Hermana Hadlock. We ran 2 miles this morning and we decided tomorrow we are going to run 3. It just about kills me ;) Which is funny because I used to run a lot more... needless to say I am happy and healthy and loving my mission :) I really can't imagine myself as anything but a missionary. I love y'all :) Stay cool! I know we are trying to do the same here in Texas :)

 

Love, Hermana Hadlock :)

 

We made these cupcakes for the members we live with! It was their birthday and anniversary. These are our feet after a long days work :)

July 21, 2014 I love being a missionary :)‏

I know I say it all the time... but everytime I sign on to write y'all an e-mail I have try so hard to remember what happened in the last week because last Monday seems like it was an ETERNITY ago but at the same time the weeks fly by like crazy!

 

Last Monday we had a really good lesson with Gregorio and Hector. With Gregorio, we went over his questions for his baptismal interview. He is definitely ready :) Hector is going through a lot of hard stuff with his cancer... but accepted a baptismal date and said if he's not sick and feels ready he will be baptized this next month :)

 

Tuesday we had a huge miracle. We got a referral a while back from the English Elders. Turns out she is a member and was baptized a long while back but has been in-active for more than 6 years. We had an incredible lesson with her about our worth to God. We used the $20.00 bill lesson to explain that it doesn't matter what we go through in this life... we are still worth the same to God. We truly are priceless to Him. Everysingle one of us was in tears by the end. I love when the Spirit helps us to know exactly what we need to say and when we need to say it.

 

Wednesday we had a really good lesson with Ricardo. We are really excited about him because not only is he learning about the Gospel but he is bringing his less active neighbors to church with him. Pretty good deal, aye?? :) That night we went to "El Rancho" to go contacting. It's a Hispanic store and it's where we can find loads of people. We had lots of success and before you know it out walks one of the workers from the store to tell us we have to have a license to be out there and tells us we have to leave. I thought about arguing but then decided it was probably not the best idea at the time :) So we got kicked out. I am going to figure out the details and maybe we can go back and contact in the parking lot again sometime because it is seriously a mini Mexico :)

 

On Wednesday we also had interviews with President. He is INCREDIBLE. I love President Taylor!!! During the interview he took a few minutes to tell me "what my Heavenly Father wanted me to hear" at that time. It hit me right at the core. It is amazing to watch the new President and how the Spirit truly does guide him to guide us here in the missionary work. I'm the luckiest girl alive getting to serve with 2 BYU basketball studs as well :) I learn more from them than I could ever say.

 

Thursday we had a really neat experience. My compa and I were able to deal with some things here that brought us a lot closer together :) I really do love working with Hermana Moss. She is awesome!!! We also had a fast as a zone that we could come together as one in the mission and do what the Lord would have us do. Our mission president is always talking about the power of "Becoming and working as one."

 

Friday was great!! We woke up early and got the opportunity to go through the temple :) When I go home I am for sure going to go through the temple every week. I love it there. There's nothing like it. If you haven't been for a while.. GET THERE!!! :) You'll never regret it. We also had Gregorio's bap. interview. He had to have an interview with someone in the mission presidency and so we have to postpone his baptism a little bit but the following week he should be able to get baptized :)

 

Saturday was one of those rough days when everyone cancels. Let's be real... it happens a lot :) But you just have to keep truckin' and trust that if those people cancelled there are other people out there you've got to find. So we did some finding and found some good people :)

 

Sunday Teresa came back to church for the first time in years!!! We couldn't have been more excited :) We also went and saw Hector at the hospital. He has been there since Thursday. We took him and his family some no bake cookies that we had made for our investigators and members. It's so funny to watch their faces because most of them have no idea what a no bake cookie is :) They seem to like it though!

 

Honestly, all in all it was a good week :) We are doing a crazy contacting competition where we get points for certain things like "telling 5 people in a row you love them" or stopping a car to contact them. It has definitely jazzed up the work a bit! I love being a missionary. It's hard work... but it's worth it :) Somedays ya laugh, some ya cry, but in the end ya wouldn't have it any other way!!

 

Love y'all, until next time :) - Hermana Hot Dog :)

July 14, 2014 Lovin' Rowlett!!!‏

Howdy from Rowlett!

 

It seems like a million years ago that I was in my old area... Seriously. I am not sure why but the first week in a new area always seems like a lifetime. After that, the whole rest of the transfer FLIES by though!!! I am so excited to be here :) For a few days I missed my old area... but I have already started to fall in love with my new area.

 

My compa is amazing :) Hermana MOSS!! Want to know something funny?? We went to school together! When I was in 8th grade she was in 7th grade at South Jordan Middle School. Crazy, aye?? We have loads of the same friends in common. I am really excited to be with her because she is fun and a really hard worker. I think her and I are going to work harder this transfer than either of us have worked our whole missions. Might I add... that's pretty hard to top :) Truly, I have given it all my whole mission... but we have made a lot of goals together and we are gettin' to work! By the end of the transfer... we want to be so tired we can hardly move. Here goes nothin' :)

 

What a crazy week it was. Monday, I spent saying goodbye to investigators and members in my old area. I won't lie.. it was really hard because instead of us saying "Don't worry, I am staying and the new hermana will be great" we were telling them... "Don't worry, the elders will be great! They will take care of you" I can't tell you how many people grabbed me and pretended to lock me in their closets :) They just kept telling me... "We'll just report you as missing and you can live here with us :) " Done and done!!! That night we got home and packed EVERYTHING and cleaned our little pool house. I wonder how my doggies are doing? Pirate, Lucy, and Chloey. They are too cute :) I am sure they are still enjoying the pool.

 

Tuesday morning we made sure everything was packed, loaded, cleaned up, and we headed out. It was sure hard to say bye to McKinney but I know I will be back one day :) It's funny... here lately people have been starting to talk to me about when I get home. Don't get me wrong, I am really excited... but at the same time, I want to be a missionary forever! It's hard to leave home, but I knew that I would return and see the same people again. The hardest part about the mission is that I am not sure I will see some of these people again in this life. That's why this work is so important. So that I can see them for sure again in the next.

 

Funny thing that happened Tuesday morning... I still have "Hermana Pineapple" from my first area and my converts. The plant was sitting in the front middle. Once we got to transfers we were unloadding everything and I knocked the plant over. Dirt went EVERYWHERE!!!!! All over the just cleaned car :) I didn't know whether to laugh or cry... so I just laughed :) Hermana Allen and I dove into the car and went to the nearest car wash. While there... it was all Hispanics working. I told them what had happened and they felt bad so they vacuumed our car for free!! Then I contacted them about the Gospel and gave them cards :) Too funny!!

 

When I got here to Rowlett we unloaded my stuff and headed to service. I already love it! It's a type of food/clothing place where people can come that need it. Wednesday I got to meet Gregorio. He has a baptism scheduled on August 25th. He is SSSOOO cute!!! Don't know if y'all knew this... but I LOVE old people :) After our lesson, he was walking home as fast as he could because he cooks for all the people he lives with. He is the most humble genuine person I think I have ever met. I am so grateful I get to be part of his baptism :) Plus, it has always been a goal of mine to baptize an old person and an ice cream man ;) God answers prayers.

 

Thursday we had a HUGE miracle. We had a lesson with someone named Ricardo. He is the next door neighbor to some of our very less actives. His dog got out and I guess they got into a fight. When they brought the dog over they ended up talking and we ended up getting him as a referral. He is SO ready for the Gospel. He really wants to come closer to God and has been going through a really hard time. He told the less active family if they went to church.. he would go too!!! So guess who came to church on Sunday :) That's right. La familia Argueta and RICARDO!!! We were so stinkin' excited!!! It has been like years since he has come. What a miracle :)

 

On Friday we had a pretty fun adventure... we were knocking when both my compa and I heard a "meow". We looked around and sure enough... there was a kitty. It was SO HOT outside and this poor thing was sick and locked in a bird cage. It had no food and no water. Naturally, you know what we did. We knocked on the door and convinced the two little girls this kitten was going to die if they didn't help it. In the end, they told us we could take it. So Hermana Moss and I loaded it up and put it in the car :) We drove to the Dollar Store and bought food for it. We figured it would be a perfect gift for Ricardo since he recently lost his dog and was really sad about it :( It was pretty gross looking so we went to a Fabi's house and washed it in a bucket. The kitty didn't really even mind getting a small bath. Well... my compa and I only came out with one or two scratches. But the cat really needed it! As missionaries... we save people... and cats :) Ha!

 

Saturday we had another miracle. The English Elders here are awesome and are always giving us referrals. I think they gave us like 8 this last week! One of the families we found is a grandma, daughter, and grand daughter. The grand daughter, Isabelle, is 16 years old and has cancer. She is such a sweetheart. Real shy... but I think we can get her to open up :) I can't wait to teach them and see how the Gospel will bring more hope into their lives!

 

Sunday was yet another day of miracles. I know right?? You wish you were a missionary here with me :) Well come on! I've been in a trio before :) We went by another one of the Elder's referrals. It was STINKIN' hot and we were both really tired :) When we pulled up the guy saw us and went inside. It was our 3rd time stopping by and we were going to drop him after that because we could never find him. As we walked up.. he come out from around the side of the house again. He looked at us 2 white girls and said, "Do you speak Spanish??" Well yes sir, WE DO! Ha! We had a good 30 minute conversation with him. He is one of the NICEST people I have ever met. Not just on my mission... in my LIFE! He asked us for our number, asked when we could come by, and told us HE would call US ONE DAY BEFORE to CONFIRM the appointment. SAY WHAAATT?? :) I'm used to people hiding behind doors from me. So this was a nice refresher :) He can't wait for us to meet his wife and kids. We are so excited!!!

 

Sunday we also had 3 people at church :) Gregorio, who sang hymns with me all of sacrament, Ricardo, and Hector. Hector has cancer as well. We had a lesson with him last night and brought some peole who were just baptized a couple weeks back. The man is blind and he lost his sight about a year ago. Within 2 hours at work one day... his sight was completely GONE. They have no idea why. Can you imagine?? It was a really powerful lesson. We are hoping that Hector and some of these other families will also be baptized this transfer. I am SO excited!! Y'all are the best :) It has been an awesome week! The Texas heat is comin' on strong. This last week the highest our car said was 119 degrees. NOMBRE!!!! That's hot. Hijole, I love being a missionary :) I love y'all!!! Have a good week :) Until next time...

 

Hermana Hadlock :) Tu favorita!!

 

p.s. these are chicarrones :) My compa and I made them with some Valentin on top! Sure makes your mouth on fire :) I'll make them for ya someday!

July 7, 2014 Bitter-Sweet :)‏

Hey there family!

Man, I have sure got a lot of emotions going through me today. I'll go throughout the week and explain as I go. 

Last Monday was full of miracles. For about 3 days I had been feeling like we should go and knock in Arely's apartments. She is one of the girls in our ward that comes out with us a lot :) She is actually preparing to go on a mission herself. Anyhow, Monday night we headed over there. The first people we see are some outside working on a car. We asked if they needed help. The lady looked over, said no, and then proceeded to ask us a bunch of questions. For example, who are we, where are we from, what do we do? We ended up talking to our good friend Karen for over an hour! She has had a really rough life and could really use the gospel. At the end, she even asked us for our number and if we could come back. It was awesome! She is English so we will have to hand her over to the sisters. I couldn't help but laugh... she couldn't remember my name so she said, "I will just call you Haddy. How does that sound?" It sure brought a smile to my face :) 

As we were leaving we saw the English sisters pull up. We said hi to them real fast and told them we had an INCREDIBLE referral for them! Then we asked who they were visiting. They showed us the apt. number and sure enough... it was KAREN! They had an old investigator in that house that they were coming back to see if she still lived there. Crazy, right?!? All I can say is that God REALLY wanted to get a hold of  Karen that night :) He truly is in the details of our lives. 

That same night we stopped by another referral. The two men we were looking for weren't there... but we ended up finding a really nice lady named Anna. She had 4 little boys that are too cute :) She was super willing to listen and told us that she would be at church that next Sunday. Miracles are happening right and left!

Tuesday was really good. Dariela came with us to teach her cousin Gelin. She is the one from Honduras who is just about ready to pop with her baby :) She loves church and was able to come with us again yesterday! I really think she will progress and be baptized here in the following weeks!

We also stopped by with La Familia Gomez. We are starting to visit all the families in our ward, show them a short missionary clip, and then invite them to invite others to listen to the missionaries. It has been awesome so far! :) 

Wednesday we got to go back and teach Anna and her family. You could feel the Spirit really strong in her home. You can tell she is a real good mom and takes care of her kids well. I have learned so much about how I want to run a home when I am older and have a family just by watching so many others do so. They're an awesome family :) Later that night we tried to show Katalin the Testaments movie to help her understand the Book of Mormon a little better. It was a HILARIOUS experience. After trying to show the movie for 15 minutes and failing because the DVD player wouldn't work... they were all starving and bored. So we decided to make dinner for them! They said they wanted American food. We didn't have much to work with... so we made them Maccaroni with hot dogs in it, broccoli, and corn :) HA! The only thing they liked was the corn. They said the rest was "delicious" but their faces said otherwise :) 

Thursday we got to see Karen Vasquez again! She has been down on vacation in Florida at Disneyworld. I told her to take me with next time :) They are the part member family. Honestly, they have so much stinkin' potential! With a little more work, I believe they will be a strong family in the Gospel!

Friday...was THE FOURTH OF JULY!!! :D The 4th of July is my favorite holiday apart from Christmas. They are a tie. I love it!!! It was my second and last 4th of July here in Texas. We tried visiting a lot of people but a lot of them ended up cancelling as you can imagine because they wanted to be with their families. So we got creative :) We found a place here in downtown McKinney where they were doing a huge car show and had loads of people there. We dug up all the bravery we had in ourselves and started talking to people :) We actually found 3 or 4 families that were members and one even had a daughter serving on Temple Square! I told them I would look for her when I got back to Utah :)  It was also fun to look at all the cars while we were contacting all the people! I was sweating bullets. My nasty sweat mustache has made a comeback! Gross? I know :) My compa thinks so too ;) I just wipe it off and keep going!

We ate dinner with Sandra that night. Her new husband made us dinner. It was pretty good :) Rice, meat, and tortillas. That night... we got creative again! We had to contact 19 more people to reach our goal for the day. We found a place in Allen called Craig Ranch where they do a HUGE celebration. It seriously took all the courage I had to get out of that car and start contacting people!! But we did it and actually contacted more than our goal!!! :) Since fireworks are one of my favorite things in the world... I was hoping to see some before we headed out. But they didn't start on time :( So we headed home. When we got home... we watched some of the fireworks from the Ragsdale's porch :) It was crazy too ..... because earlier that day my compa found a nail in our tire. It kept pressure and all the places were closed to we had to keep driving on it for 3 days. Miraculously enough... it kept air the whole time and never went flat! We went and had to get a new tire early this morning. Talk about miracle :)

Saturday we met our new mission President. All I can say is WOW. His whole message was focused on "Becoming One". He talked about how as a mission, members, leaders, and really everyone in the church and eventually the whole world needs to become one. We need to have each other's backs, serve one another, and love one another. There's no way I could explain all that we have already learned from them :) They told us there was no way they could fill the shoes of the Durrant's... size 14 shoe is was too big to fill ;) But that they would continue walking in their footsteps. I love them already and feel privileged to serve under them. 

Saturday night is where the emotional roller coaster came. We got calls. I thought for sure I would have one more in McKinney and that they would be sending Sister Allen back to English work. They told us first that Sister Allen would be going back to English work with Sister Hone. Afterwards... they told me I would be leaving McKinney as well. Because we are losing Spanish sisters this transfer and not getting anymore we don't have enough. So they are giving my area to the Elders and putting me in a more Hispanic concentrated place. To say the least... I cried. Maybe a lot :)  I couldn't imagine leaving these families I have come to love so much. Just when I felt like the work was really really rolling forward. Not to mention, I'm still not sure I can part with my queen size bed and pool house ;) Nevertheless, "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord." I always pray that He will put me exactly where He needs me. I am moving to Rowlette tomorrow with Hermana Moss. I stood and bore my testimony yesterday to my little branch :) Man, they sure have big hearts :) We may be little... but we're strong. As I bore my testimony, I knew with every fiber of my being... this church is true. It was restored through Joseph Smith. We have a modern day prophet. We have the Gospel in its fullness. Families CAN be together FOREVER. Jesus Christ lives. I love Him. This work is hard... but it is His work. And He will help us. We need to become one :) And help each other out! Share the love!!! Hahah. 

Yesterday we had 2 investigators at church. Juan Salgado and Gelin. I couldn't have been happier :) I will send you a few pictures from my little branch. Keep me in your prayers :) Changes are always hard for me. But I know I can do it. It's real weird to think.. .this may be the last time I pack my bags 'til I pack for home. The difference between 1st and 2nd place is the last 100 meter sprint. Here I go :) I'm going to work my heart out! Pray I don't die in the Texas heat and that we can find those who are prepared and work together with the members. 

I love y'all :) As Texans would say.... HAVE A BLESSED DAY!!!!! :D 

Love ya always :) - Hermana Hadlock