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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Life as a Sister...

#hastenhiswork

How can you study without Oreos?
Thanks Grandma & Grandpa

This is actually Madison before she left in SLC
- but I (Mom) just like looking at her pictures

Yes Mom.  It is getting COLD!

Momma,

Yup! SWEET. I haven't gotten Spencer's letter from you yet, your mail takes FOREVER TO GET HERE. But I have his address and got a letter from him and he is alive!! Just way snowed in I guess? Poor guy. He thinks it's cold here too but really it's like sixty degrees today..haha.hahaha.ha. I'll just pretend I'm cold too. So he feels better. Yeah? Cool. Whatta guy.

Kinda a question / answer section but I'm including it just for memories later:

COOL. Before you send I need some stuff! My shoe size is like six-seven ish. We aren't getting technology until like February now lame huh? But as for Facebook rules..I have to fulfill my purpose! So if you have referrals or want to talk about Jesus we can chat on Facebook! But not about family things or just 'things' ya know? The rules on pictures and stuff are pretty specific that's why I still have you run my blog...and for times sake. We can be on an hour a day. We're doing a cool Facebook thing with the members me and my companion thought of I'll tell you about later.

Yeah Spencer is dying it's so cold. It's okay. It'll be good for him! (D&C 121 hahahaha...too soon?) It's not that cold here...the weather is insane some days it's freezing like 2 degrees but today it is like sixty so that's cool. VA IS CRAZY. Good I like pictures keep sending those. and pepper spray and hymn book yes that'd be grand!! We get $175.00 a month for 'purpose' things such as food and necessities. We get fed TONS HERE. I need workout ideas....I'm probably getting fat.  So stop sending me good things such as oreos plz I have so much girth. We started a girth cupboard. I want to look good for the boyz when I get back like now I don't care because I'm a missionary... but k this is awkward. I'm going to stop I don't want to be fat. bottom line!

Christine and family are awesome!!!! That's hilarious. Gosh. I have so many people I could potentially let down. That's awkward. Inspiration I guess? COOL. Love them. Oh if you could find a map of my mission / Virginia that's kinda big-ish that'd be great so I can start marking my areas? I have no idea where I am... its weird.

So here is a list of things you could potentially send me at some point if you need package ideas 

because I need them sort of....

3 ring binder (fat one)

clear page holders (for the binder)

tape

sharpies

ENVELOPES ASAP

another college ruled notebook, lots of lined paper!! 

also if you find any cute notebook things at Ross plz send i use lots and lots of paper!!

a quilt (: or cute throw blanket that matches my black and white theme. everyone has cute quilts and stuff i feel like a loser kind of. not really but still. IF YOU WANT.

plan of salvation visual-if you have time these are super helpful when teaching to have a visual!!! 

all cut out and laminated. that would be GREAT.

Jesus pictures!

Jesus the Christ books in my room that I packed!!!

A THESAURUS ASAP

carmex lip balm, chapstick without flavor, just the minty kind.

Alright as for this week...

Monday was preparation day and I didn't hear from Spencer so that was kind of really sad! And then we went on splits with a young lady and her driving was super sketchy. But it was fun to be in a different car wtih a different person. She likes to memorize poetry and she is a big reader. Reading is good. I forgot other books existed. Like classics and George Orwell stuff? yeah she said she didn't like that stuff. 

BUT I REMEMBERED I DID. so that was a plus... #n3rdlife 

Also I bought some cool pants at TJ Maxx and I can't ever wear them so I just wear them to bed to make myself feel better. I refuse to forget pants. I love pants.

Tuesday was district meeting. We talked about our mission goal which is basically doubling the amount of baptism's we had last year. I'M PUMPED. We have two baptisms this week. A. & M.  Missionaries have been teaching them since last year and they are finally getting baptized Saturday so pray all goes well and it doesn't snow.  We don't want any more holdups! I'll send pictures. They are younger like youth age, but super awesome girls. 

2014 is the hastening of the work! Its going to be a big deal! So if you're thinking about going on a mission...GO NOW.  Because you are going to want to be a part of this. Its huge. So much is going to happen. And that's a promise from the President (of the church) SERIOUSLY. 

Our investigator N. accepted a conditional invite to be baptized. She said if she gets an answer and knows it's true she will be! It makes me so happy! She is so determined to find the gospel and to raise her daughter in it and I love her so much. I have so much Faith in her and Hope she understands and grows to love the gospel more and more and realizes the blessings that will come from it. 

Another lady named W. is going to visit Utah soon! and be re baptized! So that's cool I hope she moves there and gets married to a momo boy (momo comes form the w. family thanks guys) we also taught a lady named D. and her two nieces and her son so they are all new investigators. She is so awesome. Her son survived cancer at a young age AND diabetes. Like overcame it. He was thinking about going Atheist but we told him HE IS A MIRACLE AND HAS A GREAT WORK TO DO!! He realized that and committed to pray (: he is great! Their whole family is such an inspiration to me!

Wednesday we did service for K. who is an investigator and has TONS OF STUFF. Her house is just full of stuff!!! So we were helping her clean out and throw away things we got a lot done. Her house is huge and in the middle of a forest its so pretty (that is where we took the sword pics and etc.) she said she has tons of power ranger collectibles or something and if she found them she would give them to me to send to Eli ;) so pray she finds them whatever they are!! We also planned the baptism for A. & M. and we went on an exchange. I went to Gainsville with Sister Hills and met some cool people from Norway?  They were GOLDEN. Spent the night there...

Thursday, came back to M. (where I am). we also went on another exchange with a laurel from a different ward. We had some really good talks and such. BUT Sister Schramm gave her some advice:

"to cherish moments with her parents!"

And it really got us thinking. We both decided it would be super nice if we could just call up mom and be like 'ayy lets go shopping' or 'hey dad wanna go out to lunch?!" 

BUT WE CAN'T. 

We miss our parents! 

And my advice to any CRAZY  teenager that is a KNOW-IT-ALL and thinks they are right.... 

YOUR ALL WRONG!!!!!

Cherish every moment with your parents because they are getting old too 

(sorry. not sorry mom.  it's true. like I'm almost twenty. holy cow) 

So be grateful for what y'all have is what I'm trying to say.

Friday we met a lady who referred herself on mormon.org so that was cool. She was super nice to us and is a new investigator as well.  SO MANY NEW INVESTIGATORS. She was a huge sweetheart and had cool dogs, huskies to be specific. Also I got letters from Spencer saying he was alive so that was good to know! ;)

Saturday we did tons of member visits and talked about online proselyting. Me and my companion are doing this new thing.  To get the members involved in missionary work and online proselyting! We teach a principle to the family, they take a picture, tag us on facebook, testify and hashtag it 

#hastenhiswork

Basically this involves them and helps get a bunch of principles rolling online for everyone to see! Especially all of their friends who may be interested in the gospel! We are tagged in it so they know who to ask if they have any questions or want discussions. So you'll probably start seeing a bunch of pictures from members go up on my Facebook.  Feel free to add them if you don't feel weird about it! Saturday had a bunch of fall through's so we did a lot of tracting. I got yelled at by a guy which wasn't very fun. Usually people see the sweet innocent sisters and are just like 'hey look not to be rude but I'm not interested' and shut the door or something. NO...this guy SCREAMED at us. It was crazy. Ghetto neighborhood for you. Hopefully he will come to Jesus. I mean goodness gracious you could have just gone inside and shut the door man!

Sunday was sooo busy. We had ward council, visited S. & T. church, quick lunch (at the church) met with K. N. & L. who directed us to this lady who had lost a loved one. Mrs. R., who is now a new investigator. Then we went to D. and the kids and then Brother D.!  All in one day. Lots of stuff happened! Hopefully all is well in Zion and they start progressing it up. I wish I had more time to go into detail but it's personal and I need  to email my Mission President. I have an interview this week

*dun dun dun*****

No just kidding President Riggs is awesome. He really is such a good guy! and his wife is the sweetest thing! Such a cool mission.  I Love it. I know I'm supposed to be here! Which bring some to my next point/quote!

"It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are...but it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn't call you so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace" 

Seriously though guys yeah you might be at the right place and and the right time but you better do something about it so get off the couch and do some missionary work ya crazies!!

Until then

#hastenhiswork

sister stucki

(via e-mail January 13, 2014)