When you pray for an answer...

Some new friends...

She wanted to do our hair

Look at that cute smile

the girls made me buttons

where people are from that I'm teaching

our neighbors daughter

I am so happy I brought a heater

Sorry Dad...I know you liked it too

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Family,

MAIL SHOUT OUT!!!

Miss Olivia Brooks sent me the most hilarious email. LOVE that girl. and Grandpa Stucki! Thanks for those. I got spoiled with mail again this week from the WHOLE family which was AWESOME!! Dylan, Ethan, Ty, FOUR LETTERS FROM MAKENNA :)  Eli, Mom... and the Brooks family!!  As well as Spencer...Brystal ...and Kylie.... LOVE Y'ALL. I love mail. Keep it coming. Yeah?

So WEEKLY RUNDOWN...

Monday:
Was preparation day.....we went to Zone Sports because it was our last week together as a Zone and we played Cracker...Snap.... (Missionaries are SO Weird). I guess...what you do is you put a rubber band on your arm with a saltine cracker in it and you chase each other around with paper swords and try to break each others crackers in half....... it's a real thing... stop laughing....Super Intense. I think they somehow related it to the Book of Mormon.  So it was approved. We also played Mormon Mafia....so Celestial. I'm telling you. THEN we got into the real stuff. SPEED. (the basketball game) with the Elders. I got some Elders out so that was good stuff!  Considering I'm five feet shorter than them. REPRESENTING.

Later that night we got to watch the Old Johnny Lingo movie with an investigator and talked about how our WORDS influence others. They do.  So much! I think if I could go back to High School that is one thing I would really CHANGE.  How I talked and what I said to others. Not that I was like...terribly rude.  But High School can really make or break a person. I wish I would have spent more time looking around me in the halls and reaching out to those people that didn't have...well...anybody. You know? Just a simple smile or Hey how are you? Or inviting people to do things... I mean WE invite people 24/7 out here and it's NOT that hard to simply invite somebody. It could change the whole course of their life!!

Also...as we were driving home we got a call from the Bishop saying we were WANTED by the POLICE!  Which was Super Sketchy. There was a Full description of us. (can you imagine: WANTED: Two:  Five foot Blond Girls in Skirts with Missionary tags Preaching the Gospel)
WANTED FOR...
Well we were wanted because when we flipped a "U" in our car we 'Tresspassed' approximately  four inches onto this Guys driveway. He has a camera out there and it was a serious problem, apparently.
To him. So he called the police. It was Interesting!  So... yeah mark that off the bucket list right??

Also I bought some super cute oxford looking things at target! and a Super Warm sweater at TJ.
So that was pure luck!

Tuesday:
MY TWO MONTH-O-VERSARY OF BEING A MISSIONARY *tear* so proud.
We celebrated by...wait for it........wait for it..................

FASTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously. We decided to fast for our investigators.  They were not really progressing and also to find new people to teach. We had our last meeting as a District and dropped a couple people. That day we actually did meet lots of people and talked to everyone! So that was Super neat. We came up with a new challenge for the members that involves referrals because they know people better than we do out here! 

Our Mission President called us about the police thing :/ So that was awkward. We went tracting for three hours. Got TONS OF PANERA BREAD from the lovely O. family. Which made our apartment smell awesome BTW.

One of our appointments fell through.  She felt bad so she left us a gift on the front porch....guess what it was?  Iced Cappuchino's baby!!  ha ha. So they are currently just chillin' on our counter.  We don't really know what to do with them because giving them to somebody would be condoning coffee..... she also gave us a Subway gift card so that's cool! (and super nice)

Wednesday:
Was February fifth which is KAILEE GOOCHES BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy birthday wherever you are you future Korean you.
Also...it was my last day as PERMANENT BACKER!!!!
Yes ma'am I can drive now. So you bet I'm lovin' life. We went and cleaned K's house again and she gave me glow in the dark stars for my ceiling. We got canceled on a lot and had to reschedule our entire day. Don't worry...we always find SOMEBODY to teach. ;)

Thursday:
We were last minute invited to transfer meeting to watch Saratov approach.  Cool huh?
It was nice. BUT oh my...during Transfer meeting President had us STAND UP and told EVERYBODY about the Police incident! That was Fun. Super great. ha ha. I think everybody had a good laugh that WE were the ones that got the Police called on us.  Out of Everyone in the mission. I mean come on ... look at us. We are babies.

Then it was Super Cool because President got up and talked and told everyone in the entire Mission that he had received an email from somebody in Our ward (Sister Schramm and I)  Here in M. and told everybody what it said!

The member said 'Thank you so much for sending these Missionaries to OUR Ward. They are young but they are confident and bring the Spirit so strong and have such a strong testimony' and on... and on... about how awesome Sis. Schramm and I are.  How thankful they are for us? Cool eh? I was like woop woop *fist bump* impressing the President.  Also we moved H. baptism date up to the fifteenth meaning this Saturday!!

Friday:
We taught a Seminary class at six in the morning. It went really well. Then we visited an Older Lady in the Ward at a Rest Home.  She was in a BAD mood.  So she was ignoring us singing to her.  It was really funny... I took a video... ha ha.  I'll send it soon. <3

As we were singing to her this other lady named A. was watching and stopped us.  She asked us about our Church.  So we had a good conversation with her.  She doesn't live in our area.  So we are referring her because that was awesome. She was really impressed by us.

Also the parkxfelt CD is awesome...so thank you Parker Feltner in Fresno. 

Saturday:
We got new missionaries in our Zone.  So I'm not the baby anymore. (?)  That was nice. H. got his Baptismal interview and passed ;) We visited C. and her family.  She wants to be baptized.  We need to have more lessons with her though and get her to church! We had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant with a Member.  It was Delicious. Then we went to visit a less active. On the way a lady named S. stopped us and invited us to her house.  Which was sketch.  She was kind of high or something. But we had a nice little visit with her anyhow.

Sunday:
Well Sunday was Super Busy and Super Full of Meetings. We had dinner at the B. home.  Lots of soup.  I love soup.  It was delicious. Then we visited M. and his family. They are from Egypt. They are super funny. M. is... well he has a very interesting sense of humor. He is so serious. Then we visited S. & T. Mom - she framed that picture, of the baby and Jesus,  you asked me to give to her! She loves it SO much. Which makes me Happy. She shows me it every day ;)

So that was my week!
Hopefully I didn't forget anything.  Still working on my memory problems :{  Today we are going to play soccer with the Elders.

Anyway... lots of crazy things happened really. Being a missionary is just a lot of work and a lot of crazy things go down! One thing that I realized TODAY during personal study was interesting.
So this will be my Gospel message for you today.  Okay? cool.

So I always kind of wondered why I never have had one of those Super Cool Spiritual Moments. Where its just like this big SIGN ya know? Because whenever investigators feel the Spirit it is so NEW and Overwhelming and Crazy and Miraculous. Don't get me wrong I've had small experiences.  Some here. Some there.   But I forget them often.  These little instances made me wonder if the Spirit was ever even really there at all?  OR if it was just me thinking that. BUT on my Mission I've realized many things. One being that some people have never felt the Spirit before, ever.  So when they DO feel the spirit.  It is a BIG DEAL. Their whole lives have been so empty and difficult and different.  So when they keep one commitment.  Such as Praying or Coming to church the feeling they get is Overwhelming because it is so Powerful and New!

I Finally realized that for me, especially having grown up in the Church and being a missionary now. Having the Spirit in my home was never Overwhelming or New.  It was CONSTANT. Which is such a blessing.  Beyond Belief.  Although, it can also make it difficult to recognize what you have been given. I had prayed about this very thing.  Hoping to receive this overwhelming confirmation or feeling of  'The Spirit' and I didn't receive it...THEN.

It wasn't until my companion and I entered into a home where the atmosphere was tense and well...wasn't a place where the Spirit could reside that I got an answer to my prayers. The Spirit in the room left immediately and left us feeling empty, scared, mislead and unsure. It left a pit in my stomach and a weight on my shoulders.  That is when I realized that I truly recognized..the Spirit!

Rather than receiving this strong witness that it was there with me.  God knew I already felt that.  Since my brain couldn't put two and two together.  I then felt the REVERSE when the Spirit left. It was very distinct. I'm so grateful to have a home I've grown up in where the Spirit resides all the time.  Where I am safe, happy and comforted. I realized for me..I've always known the Gospel was true.  I didn't need this big manifestation of it! I know it.  I live it. That is what matters. I also realized God doesn't always answer prayers the way we expect him to.  Because I was not expecting to receive an answer to my prayers in a way where the Spirit LEFT me. But I did.  I realized it because my heart and my mind were open to a new answer.

So that's a challenge for YOU.

When you pray for an answer.  Forget the answer YOU want to hear.  Be ready for a learning experience. With an open mind and an open heart.  You will get it every time.  Because God has promised his children that. and We are all His children.

Well I love you guys tons.  Thanks for all you do for me! I'll write you letters back today. Love you.  Have a great week.  Be good examples.  Extend a helping hand to those around you.  You will be happier!!

Love sister stucki

(via e-mail February 10, 2014)

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"If you choose it to be so"

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Mom - I will answer questions first.

I just don't really spend money. I had a little extra on my mission card because of the baggage things but it's like gone.  I ran out this month. I have a little bit of cash...I haven't really bought much. Just food. I bought a couple cute hoodies / sweaters from DC  and Virginia Tech. But yeah as for money... just trying not to spend so much! 

Music... could you send me a CD holder to put them all in.  I'll keep them for the future and send the cases home to take up less space?  That would be nice. Kinda a big one. It really depends on the person.  We can listen to whatever 'Brings you closer to Christ' which in my opinion is approved but others disagree. So whatever! 

Yeah the Insta comment is fine.  That is her thing.  As long as there isn't an actual picture of her! Mostly just be careful about what you post on the blog as far as personal stories go.

Mission conference.  Still no technology. A General Authority came and spoke.  That was cool! It was Elder Gifford Nielson? President spoke as well. Just about goals and such. 

It did snow again here.  Not as bad and it's not very cold today.  We couldn't drive but we didn't have to stay inside.  We went out and worked. 

The Beattys and the Thatchers are awesome! I love them. They are our go to families.  They always feed us and they are so nice and friendly and awesome!! Both of them love us so much. Like SOOO much. It's good. Oh yeah the piano video on Instagram and Facebook??  hahahaha. I don't think I can put it on MY Facebook but I'm glad they put it on (: Brother Beatty is a musical genius and he was like, "here lemme teach ya some stuff!"  So that happened.  Super Great. They are to cool. Glad you liked it! She was excited to post it for you (: Venesa's cousin?? I just know they are originally from STG and I know his niece that lives with them. She went to my High school. So yeah.  Small world.

I'm glad Dad is feeling better too.  I got the package with the blanket and stuff thank you!! 

I love the blanket!! Okay. So that's your response.  

Here's my weeks rundown...

Monday:

We went to DC. It was cool.  We checked out some museums the Metro was the best part though.  Soo.... that is that. OH OH OH... so we are in the 'War Zone' of one of the museum's, Right? Some dude...walks up behind me WHISPERS IN MY EAR 'What's so Civil about The Civil War?"

LIKE WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY???

So he was just creeping hard core.  Like following us! And I started talking to him awkwardly and told him I was a Missionary (as Sister Schramm is just cracking up) and he was like in complete disgust and told me he wasn't in the mood for being converted. OKAY YOU TALKED TO ME.  WHAT ARE YOU IN THE MOOD FOR HOMEBOY??  It was Super Creepy and Violating. Anyways, that was my DC Experience.  We met lots of Mormons and lots of people who asked us about Mormons so it was interesting.  And we had lots of fun!

Tuesday:

It snowed and there was ice.  We went to District meeting and ate at Olive Garden which was fun! We couldn't drive the rest of the day.  We still went out and worked.  We visited some closer people that live in our complex. It was cooolllddd.

Wednesday:

Was still snowy. We went tracting! We met lots of Awesome people.  We went on visits with a Ward Member and met with one of our ladies we've been trying to meet with forever. We cleared up a lot of questions about Cults and Polygamy and stuff.  The usual controversial stuff. We gave her a Book of Mormon.

Thursday:

Tracting again. BUT the Lord rewarded our finding efforts. We found J.!  From Costa Rica!  It was a Crazy experience because he told us in that FIRST little get together that he "felt the Spirit and saw the Light of Christ in our eyes"???  Like who is this guy right? He told us he wants to come to church and would be baptized. If he knew it was true! So we were Super Stoked. We also went to one of our less actives houses that night.  We met her son and he is now on date for baptism for February 21! He is Awesome! 

Friday:

We taught N. who again accepted a conditional baptismal invite. Really people just need to Actually Read and Pray.  Do their part. Which is frustrating.  But they'll get it.  We started talking about marriage and families and K. told me I look like I'll be a "Victoria Beckham" mom walking around in high heels all like 'aight kids lets go'  It was funny. I laughed?  Probably won't happen.  But it never hurts to dream right? ;)  Kidding.  I'm glad somebody thinks I dress halfway decent.  We have no time to get ready!! 

We also visited E.  who actually answered her door!! 

It was super cool because we haven't seen her forever and her brother R. was there. He told us how his wife was reading the Book of Mormon before she died. Crazy Stuff.  So we have another appointment with them. It will be good.  I feel it. They are awesome. They told us about how they heard gunshots the other night and we needed to be safe.  It was late at night so they all but ushered us out their back door and walked us to our car. Such nice people, right? ALSO super sketchy. That neighborhood is an interesting one. But we were so happy to have talked to them and found him!

Saturday:

Mission Conference and we also went to a baptism for Sister Schramms past investigator in Kingstown. We stopped by J. house but he wasn't able to make it to church Sunday because of family problems.  He had to head out to New York.. sadly.

Sunday:

WAS CRAZY we had a GREAT turn out at church.  The best this transfer! Lots of our investigators came including D. and the girls, some less actives and H.  It was WONDERFUL.  Quite a few didn't show though. We have to make a decision to drop some people this week if they don't keep commitments.  We realize we need to be spending our time with people who are willing and ready to repent and change.  It's rough.

We visited the Beattys last night and they made scones.  Which was awesome!! We haven't had those in ages. We also made that video and etc. They are awesome.

We stopped by to visit K. and challenged her and set up a new appointment with T. & S. to give them the First lesson.  Finally. 

It was a busy day.  Crazy stuff happened.

Now for a quick soap opera rant..............

*dun dun dun*

Today I read the article by Elder Holland. "The Miracle of a Mission"

BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. I love that man. He talked about lots of things.  But one that really stuck out to me was serving your Full Time. I've been seeing and hearing about lots of Missionaries coming home early...... which breaks my heart. 

He talks about how we are engaged in Saving the Human Soul.  Which is the Highest and Holiest Work in the Universe.  It is the thing that GOD HIMSELF said was His Work and His Glory. 18 MONTHS. NOT FIFTEEN, NOT ELEVEN, NOT SIX. 

He says to

start fast

run hard

and to the tape

you can rest later

I LOVE THAT!

He talks about struggles.  His struggles.  Even struggles of Past Prophets. And if the President of the church can struggle, we can struggle. 

Write in your journal and move on, Forget Yourself and Go to Work! 

He also told of an experience when somebody asked if he would die for the church. He said, "that's easy, that is the snap.  What God really needs is somebody who will live for the church. People who are willing to go the distance, in the race and get to the tape."

AH. Holland. That man. Gets me every time. That's huge. It's true. Missions are hard!

We struggle.  But we need people to get to the tape and rest later. I want to be one of those people. Finish strong ya know? I encourage all to do the same.  Mentally prepare yourself.  Get ready for this. 

It's a big deal.

My second shpeel here is personal.  BUT I feel like I can share a couple things. 

About a Patriarchal Blessing. USE IT!  Study it!  Remember it!

I went through mine the other day and I encourage future missionaries to do the same thing. 

1.) Find your catch phrase 

2.) Your Talents 

3.) Warnings 

4.) Motivation. 

 Find those things in Your Blessing and Remember them.  Strive to incorporate them in your Daily lives.

One thing that stuck out in mine was the phrase
"if you choose it to be so...''

It hit me like a ton of bricks. There are so many things that God can bless us with... 

"if we choose it to be so"

You can choose whether you want to be ready to accept responsibilities, leadership and experience.  It is our choice. I also pulled several 'talents' or things he has blessed me with from my blessing. I had to laugh because some of them.....just made me laugh BUT they are things I am going to work on because I know it is inspired by God.  My blessing goes on to give warnings and advice such as being cheerful, humble and prayerful.  Going forward with faith and confidence.  Not fearing. That is huge.

Go forward with faith and confidence in all that you do.

Accept everything cheerfully, humbly, prayerfully and without fear. 

That can apply to everyone and I love it.  It's true.

Also a bit of advice for the future missionary......

sticky. notes. I use them everywhere and for everything. In my scriptures.  In my journals.  In notes.  In letters home. In the front of my planner there is probably thirty sticky notes I peel out and use every single day. Invest in sticky notes.

I think you guys are all great and I love you all so much! Thanks for reading and keeping up with me and sending me lots of love and support and letters. It makes my day every time without fail!!! You guys are the greatest and I love to hear form you all. I'll send pictures via Facebook 

love sister stucki
(via email January 27, 2014)

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