July 16, 2013 "Baptism Reunion"

from the blog moronitenfour.blogspot.com

Tonight a family was baptized that Sister O and Sister M

first talked to in the parking lot of an apartment complex.

A lady was waiting for her son to be dropped off by a school bus.

One thing led to another and they wound up teaching her and
her husband a couple of lessons. Because the family

spoke English, the Sisters passed them

over to the English speaking Elders.

The family decided to be baptized, so Sister M was able

to come (with her new companion) from Plano to witness the baptism.
Sister O gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.
There were 80 people at the baptism!

Sister M asked me if I could take her and her new companion

(who is another Sister M, from Idaho) back to Plano.

I was very happy to see and talk to Sister M again!

She looks so good and is so happy.

It was a brief, but lovely
baptism reunion.

July 15, 2013 "Mid Summer Missionary Happenings"

from the blog moronitenfour.blogspot.com

While the cat is away the mice will play.

I was gone on vacation for 2 weeks. 

When I came back, I heard about this. 

Apparently the Sisters were anxious to play a prank on the Elders.

The Elders were going to come by the house to pick something up
while the Sisters were not at home.

The Sisters concocted a plan to hide the thing the Elders were

looking for... high up in the tree in the front yard.

They left clues for the Elders to follow in order to find it.

No one got killed, that is the good thing....

Sister H took this picture and Sister O was

the one in the tree. Oh MY!  

The July heat and humidity has been taking its toll on the Sisters.

One night last week Sister H walked in the house

around 9:30 p.m. and just FELL on the couch (like this).

I grabbed the camera to document it. 

 Sister O is taking the heat a little better.

I think she is getting used to it.

The past few days we have had rain and record low temps.

Both are very unusual for the middle of July.
It is very lucky for the missionaries.

The Sisters are happy about it.

They keep saying, "I LOVE this weather!"

I don't want to tell them that it won't last long....

The mailman has been good to the Sisters.

Sister H is ahead with more packages and letters...

but Sister O keeps her spirits up by remembering

that is because Sister H is a new missionary.
Sister O is hugging a big box of doughnuts they got
as a kind of "reward" for doing service at the community
food bank.   

 Sister H has gotten many special treats from her mother

and her father.

She was excited to show us this beef jerky

that her dad made for her from a deer she shot before

she came on her mission.
She shared a piece with us.
I have never tasted such flavorful beef jerky!

 Sister O made Orange Julius for us on P-day.

It was very tasty!

"Especially tasty," says Sister H!!

The Sisters are making many contacts

and teaching a lot of lessons.

There is a baptism tomorrow.

Life is good in the missionary world.

July 15, 2013 Hello to my favorite people :)‏

Hey y'all!

How's it going?!? I am so stinkin' happy right now! Why you ask?? Honestly, there's too much to put into words but I will try my best. First and foremost, it is raining here and that doesn't happen this time of year according to the locals. I have absolutely loved it! Second of all, I got to just catch up on all of your e-mails! I love hearing about how all of you are doing and the funny things that life brings :) I miss you all so much. When I start to get home sick or think that I can't do it I think of all of you. I know, I'm cheesy. It 's just how it is :) So just enjoy the love. But seriously, I think of all of you and I realize the cheerleading team I have back home and in the heavens and it helps me to keep going. I don't remember if I wrote this in my last e-mail or not (I think I did but it's so good you'll want to hear it again :) ) From the Other Side of Heaven, "There's a connection between heaven and earth. Finding it, makes everything meaningful. Missing it, makes everything meaningless." It is SO TRUE. We are in reality God's children. He loves each and every one of you. Our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ are so tightly wound in the details of our lives it is an un-seperable bind. I would be lying if I wrote home and said the mission is bliss and I love every minute of it. There are times that it is so stinkin' hard.... but that's why we all keep going in life. Remember what we're living for :) Back to the reasons why I am so happy: Next, I just found out that one of my best friends has decided to go on a mission! :) I will talk more about it once I get her permission. Third, I found out that Brigham Peisley and Randy Ivins are both going to Tijuana Mexico with Jackson!!!! I honestly was jumping out of the library seat and doing fist pumps like crazy. They are two of our good friends and I could not be more excited for them!!!!! :) So if they somehow read this, congrats from your fellow Hermana :) and tell Jackson hi for me ;) The other reason I am so happy... we had some more investigators show up to church yesterday! They are the Rodriguez family. They have been looking into the church for a little while now. The dad and the two boys came but the mom had to work. I want to share a short little miracle that happened with them yesterday :) So pretty much every one we teach is from Mexico. This family is from Mexico City, Mexico. They correct and help my Spanish all the time :) I love 'em. Anyways, the dad was saying how he probably couldn't come to church this Sunday because he had to work. For most of us, we just say well you can take a day off. But it is sometimes really hard to tell these families not to work because a lot of them are struggling to support their families and if they don't work on Sunday could very easily lose their job. Nevertheless, as the Lord's missionaries we testify to them that even though the blessings may not come when or how we want them... they will come!! So we told them to pray and ask for God to provide a way for them to attend church the next day. The little boy (one of the twins) Kevin, there's Kenny and Kevin, said, "Dad, we can just do it on Monday." We were smiling so big when he said that :) Anyways, he said he would try but we weren't sure if he would be there. He works construction and his two boys help him. Well, we woke up yesterday morning and it was pouring rain :) Guess what, you can't work construction when it's raining :) Coincidence? Nah. I can't say for sure that he wouldn't have come if it was a nice day... but I know it was a little miracle yesterday that got him there. I'm not sure what he thought about church. We'll have to go figure that out this next week during our appointment. But what I do know is that we did our best to put him in a situation where he could feel the Spirit and that's what really matters. We can talk to people until we are blue in the face... but it doesn't do a thing unless they have the Spiriti testify to them that it is true.

Now to answering people's questions :) Yes, the BUGS here are so much bigger!! You would not believe the size of a regular yellow-jacket or hornet or whatever you call it. I think I may have talked about it last week. The heat was killing me but honestly I can't even complain seeing as how we have the car. Our area is huge. It covers Lewisville, Coppell, and part of Irving. But we live in Carrollton. Does it really make sense that we live out of our area? No. I'm not really sure the reason for it but that's okay. The work goes on! Oh, one more exciting story too. Right before I got here my companion found this English/Spanish family one day. The mom and the sister were really into it but the dad didn't believe in Joseph Smith and thought it was just kinda sketch. They have a little boy with autism and you can tell it has been really hard for them. BUT this last Monday after I emailed y'all we got a text that said "Guess who's getting baptized" it was from Roger the dad!! I was so excited. So as a family, they are going to be baptized this Tuesday :) We had to hand them over to the English elders half way through because they are English. They speak Spanish but for their kids they want to go to the English ward. So they're not techinically "our" baptisms but I am so happy :) Since I passed out during the lesson last week there hasn't been any problems. It was honestly just because I was fasting and we were teaching outside. I am totally fine and back to my Jennay Gump self though so no worries :) My Spanish is still slowly but surely coming. I get really frustrated sometimes because I can't express what I want to say, and lets face it... we all know how much I love to talk, and with not being able to it gets hard sometimes. But I am understanding more and more every day and talking a little better every day. The Lord called me Spanish speaking for a reason so I know that I will be able to learn it all in time. Mama, thank you for the packages you have sent me this last little bit! I was super excited and I think that the shoes will work well :) The treats are definitely going to keep me and my companion going :) Thank you Papa as well for the Jerky! Yum :) I was stinkin' excited! I shared a little bit with Brother Whitley (the member I am staying with) He loved it! So did my companion and I. I teared up when I just read that was the last of Michael's deer meat. I have loved getting letters and e-mails from all of you as well! Every time it's mail day and I get a letter I am so excited! Let alone to get on the comp. on Preparation-Day and see all your e-mails. The Texans here are so funny. Last night we talked to a lady that goes to a Catholic church. She was super nice to talk to and as we walked away she said, "Stay blessed!" Even though not all of them are Mormons here, MANY are Christian and you gotta love it :) I am learning so much everyday. It is so humbling to be in a completely new situation and realize that you basically know how to do just about nothing. My trainer is great :) She loves baseball and therefore we were meant to be! She teaches me a lot in Spanish and one day I hope to talk as well as her. Amanda, your stories cracked me up! I can only imagine. Our cat is so funny. We actually have a cat here too and I saw her kill a lizard the other day. Gross. But that doesn't compare to a bat! Heather and Erget, your yard and cabinets look SO awesome! I seriously am so excited to see them :) Hehe, Erget it sounds like you better be careful of the sun too! David, I am so excited for you to get out here in the field with me :) I know it can be unbelievably hard, but I promise you with all I got that it's worth it. Trust in the Spirit and in Jesus Christ. You will NEVER go wrong. He will make more of your life than we could ever make of it by ourselves. Thanks for all the updates from home from every single one of you :) I hope all is well!!!!

Thank you for all your love and support. It means so much! You're all in my prayers and I can't wait to see you again one day. But believe me, it'll be here before any of us realize it. TODAY marks 2 whole months of me being on my mission! WOAH! Keep reading, praying, and doing the basics :) It brings us a whole lot of happiness in life.

LOVE Y'ALL from down here in TEXAS!!!

-Hermana Hadlock

This is the last picture of me in Utah at the airport and

The Lady named Jody that I gave the B.O.M. to and 

a pass along card with my testimony in it :)

Hermana Kirkham enjoying the AC.

The first time I got a taste of AC in the van being picked up at the air port! 

 Also, the Dallas Temple :)

Our last picture together as compas :) Muy triste! 

But I love my new companion :)

Also, Jyllian this picture is just for you :)

 My sunglasses I bought when I was with you!!

This was an egg toss we did for district meeting! 

This shake had my birthday on it :) So I knew it was just for me.

 I accidentally super-glued my glasses to my finger when I was trying to fix them. 

I broke them earlier that day :( 

My foot tan line! Might I add this was a week ago and 

it has gotten worse since then :) 

Also, in this picture you see the only mountain in my mission. 

Where is it? Exactly my point. See that little hill behind me?

 It's a land fill that we call our mountain :) Haha! 

This is me and my companion Hermana Ostler :) 

We spoiled ourselves and bought go-gurts the other day. 

We both love them as a frozen treat when we get home. 

This is my companion on the day that she hit her half way mark!!!! 

Over half way done baby :) Where does time go?? 

We celebrated getting ice-cream at the marble slab. It was SO good!

So, it's been pouring rain for the last two days... do I love life?? 

Why yes, I do :) It has been in the 70's and I don't know quite what to 

do with myself I am so happy about it.

So, dad... I thought this would make you laugh :) Look at the street signs. 

 Also, this is what I would like to call the "Sweat Stache". 

It's something I've obtained in my time here in Texas :) 

Pretty good lookin' aye? Just a normal day in July in Texas. Bring it on :)

Here's a really pretty sunset the other night :)

 Also, this is where I currently reside during my sleeping hours, ha. 

See that door knob? I have a sore spot on my eye brow from 

rolling over and hitting it... for the 2nd time in my sleep!

This is the coldest we have seen our temperature gauge so far! 

Can you believe it??? Me neither!

This is me enjoying the weather yesterday :)

Also, this is Bishop Moala :) He played for the Bronco's and is one of the neatest men I know. Since I've been here, we've been doing a study with him every P-day and he takes us to Chick-Fil-A after. We don't get to do them anymore but I just want to say what an amazing man he is and I'm grateful for the things he's taught me about the Gospel.

July 4, 2013 "Happy Fourth of July"

from the blog moronitenfour.blogspot.com

 The Sisters are dressed in Red, White, and Blue

for Fourth of July....

 Thursday is planning day.

 They are heading out to spread the gospel.

Happy Fourth!!!

July 2, 2013 "Another Busy Day"

from the blog moronitenfour.blogspot.com

I found Sister H waiting for a ride to

a Zone Meeting this morning...

while Sister O was finishing up personal study time

and putting an address on a letter.

They are all ready for another busy day.

July 1, 2013 Hola Familia!!!! :)‏

Hola Familia :)

I'm in TEXAS Y'ALLLL!!!!! So this week I have a lot of e-mails from everyone and I have time to write a pretty good e-mail but they won't be as good or as detailed if I write them to everyone seperately. So, I am just going to do this :) and write you all at the same time. I WAS SO HAPPY to be able to talk to all of you at the airport! Whenever I feel like it's too hard or giving up, I think of you all at home and it helps me to keep going. Texas is so stinkin' hot and so stinkin' humid! Nevertheless, I heard that it was 105 is Salt Lake the other day which is hotter than here. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to have a car. It is honestly the hugest blessing ever. P.S. I know we already talked about this... but wasn't the broadcast sweet!!!??? I was seriously the VERY FIRST row behind the apostles. When they walked into the room I saw Elder Nelson very first and tears just began to run down my face as I realized in that moment that the apostles of the Lord were entering. The broadcast helped strengthen me so much. I realized how important, or at least caught a glimpse of how important missionary work is, and it made me commit that much stronger to the work that I am doing here. My companion is awesome! Her name is Hermana Ostler. She is from El Segundo California. She says it is near the L.A. area. She already spoke fluent Spanish before she came on her mission. Crazy huh??? So, she tries to speak to me only in Spanish. I won't lie... I thought I would be able to understand more than I did when I got here... but I was SSSOOO lost!!! Church yesterday I caught a few words here and there and if I really focus in I get the basic of what they are saying during lessons and such. The problem is that they talk so stinkin' fast! I am nowhere near fluent but I know if I keep working that I'll get there someday. Yesterday, I got super discouraged for a bit just because of the language. But then I realized that got called me Spanish for a reason and if He says I can do it, then I can do it :) I could never do it on my own... but with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, I know I can. My investigators are awesome! Even if they don't really want to listen to you, a lot of the times they will give us water just because they feel bad. So, that's always nice :) And once we talk to them for a minute while we're drinking water, sometimes they'll end up accepting a pass along card of a BOM from us. We get return appointments a lot but sometimes people hide from us when you can see them checking the blinds :) It's super funny. But honestly, the people are great. I am most definitely in the Bible Belt. Hahaha, so many people know their bible SO well! There are tons of Catholics, Baptists, and other Christian faiths, so it's good they already have that foundation of believing in Christ :) We have a baptismal date set up for one of our investigators named Patty. Yesterday, we were able to watch 4 baptisms. It got me out of my feeling down mood because I was reminded once again the reason I am here. They weren't people we taught but we got to be there because my companion has to play the piano at all the baptisms :) So I get a free ticket to all of them. Hmm, what else?? OH! So, today for P-Day we got to go through a Car Wash. For any of you who don't know... I LOVE, love, love car washes. So that made my day. We also got taken out to breakfast by Bishop Moala after a study with him this morning. It was awesome and so good. Afterwards, we went and played basketball and volleyball with people in our mission... and well just lots of missionaries and a few people who are friends with the missionaries :) It was a blast!!! I would be proud to announce that when the boys let me play basketball with them... I hit two 3's. That never happens so that's why I'm proud of it :) And just for the Roper's... I think it's because I was wearing my BYU socks :) P.s. Speaking of the Roper's, I'm so excited for Keaton getting baptized this week!!! Ah, I wish I could give him a big old hug. But he's probably getting too old for those now ;) I'm glad that you guys have heard from Jackson! I think he saw me on the broadcast too. I haven't got a chance to open up his e-mail yet. It's funny because nearly every single person we teach here is from Mexico and has moved to Texas at some point in time. So I always tell them my best friend is serving in Tijuana and we have a small connection there :) The family I am living with is so great and just incase you all didn't know, she does a blog of the missionaries that live with her :) So you can check that out. Heather, feel free to post whatever. She won't mind :) I told her to look up the one that you make too. P.s. I'll try so send you the old e-mails I've send to Mom and Dad today so you can add them to my blog as well. I know I already asked, but will you make a copy of Jackson's blog and just e-mail me a copy of it each week? If I have time, I'll print it out and read it. Being on a mission is really hard and great all at the same time! You can't really explain it. I know I've got a long ways to go before I become the missionary that I am supposed to be but I am giving it my all everyday. OH! Two other cool stories :) So first, this is to the Roper's and anyone is Taylorsville who knows the Schulte's. I met a family in church yesterday that Sister Schulte had taught while she was here and even flew back not too long ago for their sealing I guess :) I went to school with her little brothers so I thought that was really cool! Second cool story.... on the airplane on the way here I gave out my first BOM! I was sitting on the plane next to this lady and her name was Jody. We got talking, of course because I like to talk and it was one of my last opportunities until I had to in Spanish, and she ended up telling me that she was from Dallas. She told me all about Dallas and the places I should visit. I'm glad she didn't think I was totally creepy for talking to her. Then again, maybe she did and I didn't know it :) But she asked where I'd be staying in Dallas and I told her I wasn't sure. I told her I had a Mission President who would assign me to an area. So then I got explaining why I was there and what  a mission was. I told her to look up my profile on Mormon.org :) It was super funny because she asked if we served all over and I showed her a picture of Jackson that I had in my wallet and said well yes, in fact we do! This guy right here is in Mexico :) Haha! It was awesome. All I had was one English pass along card and the Spanish Book of Mormon. So I gave her the card and told her to check it out. The cool part was that she told me there was a Mexican man working at her house whose name was Nacho :) His name isn't really that, but he has everyone call him that because people here can't pernounce his name. So I said, "I have a Spanish book just for him! :)" I asked if she would give it to him and she said yes. It was so sweet! Well, those are my cool stories of the week. I love you all and was so glad to hear all the cool stories from all of you!! Mom, those stories about the other missionaries were awesome. It's hard work, but it's so worth it. If you just push through, you see the reason why it's worth it. I am so glad that I was able to talk to you last week :) It was the best! I am doing great and I will put the address where I am staying at the end of the e-mail. I will be here for at least five more weeks. So if you send stuff within four, that'll work :) If you send packages, send them to the address where I'm staying. Don't send packages to the mission home address... I don't think they forward them. I'll figure out my transfer dates for next week but for now just send them to the address I put at the bottom :) Dad, I am really excited about all the news! I'm glad that grandpa is doing a little better. If granny writes me back, tell her to send it to the address I put on the bottom. Heather, your lawn looks so SO awesome! I seriously can't wait to do cartwheels on it when I get back :) P.s. I'm glad you're alive after your scary wreck story and that you didn't get in a crash! Sheesh, I'm glad you are okay :) Amanda, it was good to hear from you! I heard it was super hot in SLC but you're right, I don't have sympathy because the humidity here and such.. well, lets just put it this way, I'm basically wet all the time :) But it really is awesome here. There is a lot more greenery than I expected! And the people are definitely proud to be Texan but they are really nice for the most part! I'm excited to eat Sushi again when I come home :) David, please keep me updated on everything :) I'm so excited to hear what happens! No matter how hard it gets, push through. It's so worth it :) Well, I love you all!!!!! I'll send some pictures in another e-mail :)

The book is blue and the church is true!  LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

From Your Texan Missionary, Hermana Hadlock :)

Here's my address you can send stuff to for at least the next four weeks! :)

1819 Westwood Circle Carrollton, TX 75006

July 1, 2013 "No Worries...."

from the blog moronitenfour.blogspot.com

 In the past I have sometimes worried about the Sisters

because, well....they are girls.

It takes faith to go into the homes of complete strangers

to teach gospel lessons.

I once went to a home with Sister O (from Washington)
and Sister S (from Utah).

It was night, it was winter, and it was dark.

It was then that I realized that there was some risk involved.

For a split second, I was a little afraid.

Everything went perfectly fine.....

but I realized that there is good reason to pray for the

missionaries (especially the Sister missionaries).

I will continue to pray,

but I won't worry as much now that Sister H is here.

She's a strong one!