Hey Fam!

It is Beautiful out here in Virginia

HELLO My Dear Wonderful Family!

It was so good to hear from you all yesterday! You've grown up a lot I feel like. Dylan has a mullet, Ethan gained fifty lbs, Makenna looks like shes 20, Eli talks even more than he did when I left, Mom colored her hair, Dad looks like hes an RM and Ty.....

Yeah Ty looks the exact same

Sorry not sorry.

NOW GET BACK TO THE WORK.

I really loved that Mom said she had a missionary experience / opportunity. I think you all should be looking for those missionary oppurtunities. There is work in Utah too ya know. I seriously have been considering living out here when I'm older JUST so I have more opportunities to do missionary work. I love Utah but man, it is so fun sharing the gospel with people who don't know about it and watching their life light up and change. 

It's amazing, nothing is better!

So Monday was preparation day!  Once again! We got to go to the Family Home Evening activity for
the Young Single adults because we had some investigators and less actives there. We played volleyball. As in yes, I played volleyball, in a skirt. All those days of sand volleyball at DSU with PARKXFELT and MADIWOAHH payed off today.  I kicked butt. no I'm kidding. well actually, our team did win. 

We also went to Ross and went shopping a little bit, looked around, 'twas a fun time. I bought some cute shoes. They are like half flats, half sandals. Flandals. yep. They are adorable. love them. #nomoresweatyfeetholla

Tuesday was Zone Conference. So we were sitting down for 8 hours straight being fed with spiritual knowledge. My allergies were killing me. But it was nice listening to President and such speak. I learned lots of new things to incorporate into our teaching. We had dinner at the L. house and they made us a Cinco de Mayo Mexican feast. Which was brilliant! 

ROUND TWO. We taught J. again and talked about keeping the Sabbath day holy. He has been worried with work, and doesn't want to ask it off but we promised him blessings if he talks to his boss and shows his faith The Lord will somehow provide a way. It was a very bold lesson, we gotta get this guy to church he is solid!

Wednesday was kinda rough.. not much work going on. We had to clean our car battery and a couple appointments fell through. We ended up teaching J.R. and his family.  So by the end of the night we did get four new investigators because his family is full of young singles. They are from Africa, so the mom speaks another language. They all talk a lot. We taught them the Restoration and plan on going back to watch the movie with them soon.

When I got home I had a package. It was great.  I also got letters from my favorite siblings!!! Ethan, Ty, Makenna, Eli.  Yes. Favorite. May this be a lesson to you Dylan. Write me. ya fool.

So we made V. baptism program today. Our lesson with him was about missionary work.  So he taught us the Plan of Salvation. He's awesome!!!  Anyways he is such a solid investigator, and a solid missionary #eldervictor Other than that we did a lot of finding and driving that day.

V. baptism was on Saturday! It went really well. He bore his testimony at the end about how he knew this is what he was missing in his life and he felt the spirit so strong. It was awesome because his family was able to be there and to hear it all. 

Except super awkward story... so...they are from El Salvador. So they speak spanish. So I'm sitting there telling his dad that I have a spanish pamphlet for him and these elders are just laughing at me hysterically. After the dad walks away with this pamphlet they decide to tell me it was in French.

THANKS FOR NOTHING ELDERS.

poor guy.

ANYWAYS.

We drove clear out to crazy land for dinner and the J. live in this literal forest in this mansion house. With black bears. no lie. We were driving our old school Toyota down this 85 acres of forest four wheel trails I swear. #loudounprobs #richestcountyintheUSA

They told us about their break in last year, robbers tied them up and dragged them into the basement and they had to plot an escape. crazy eh. super phsyco people around these parts. anyway. It was a cool story. Almost as good as watching this new season of 24 that is premiering right now *tear drops* man. I miss that show. It's whatever.

Almost tops the murder on the loose story in Manassas (:

We had a lesson with J. and he invited his friend. It was really cool because he prayed at the end and everything. Such a good example to his friend. What a guy. 

Thanks for the package with the pants and socks mom!  Much appreciated. We also went to the "Remember our Culture" presentation / performance thing at the church. It was super sweet and if you have the opportunity to go to one do it because they are cool. Most of the people are from Utah so go check it out.  I also learned to pray in sign language. We are teaching a guy named D. who is deaf. He's hilarious. He teaches us cool things.

Sunday we had church. IT WAS MOTHERS DAY.  
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOMMA. 

At the munch and mingle afterwards it was awesome because a girl brought her friend J. and we were able to talk to him about the gospel and have a little discussion with him. He's solid. As well as another investigator we had come, named E. and V. who literally just got confirmed.  He was able to talk to her and teach her about baptism and the Holy Ghost. such a stud!!! he's awesome!!

That night.. when we were walking into our apartment there was a girl asleep outside on the bottom floor. So we walked up to her and asked her if she needed to get somewhere. She was from N. Carolina, got in a car accident, didn't have any money, hadn't showered in days, it was really sad. We gave her our coats and ran upstairs to make some food for her. Eventually a friend of hers came and got her and they said they had somewhere to stay. They thanked us for the service and we left them with a copy of the book of Mormon, gold fish crackers and fruit rollups you sent me (haha)  It is really sad seeing people like that. You want to help them. But at the same time they have their agency to choose what they want to do with their lives.

Unfortunately...drugs and alcohol don't bring you happiness as I saw last night. She was miserable and it was awful to watch. I'm sure our Heavenly Father feels the same way.  When he sees us down here making dumb decisions. He knows best!! He gives us these commandments to follow so we will be happy.  They are not rules to make us miserable.  They are the guidelines to success!

 #spiritualrantageone

So something I find interesting, which is a question I have gotten...or more a statement I have had thrown at me  a lot since being on my mission is one, that of the trinity.  Two... that believing in an 'embodied god' degrades him, because we have physical bodies and we can't comprehend what Gods nature is. Some people have gotten upset at our teaching that God and Jesus Christ are separate beings. And that God does not have a physical body. I read a talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland that brought up some new ideas for me that I think are very interesting to think about especially in reply to this common statement and concern. 
He says..

If the idea of an embodied God is repugnant why are the central doctrines and most distinguishing characteristics of all Christianity the
1. Incarnation
2. Atonement
3. Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
If having a body is not needed nor wanted by Deity, Why did the Redeemer of mankind redeem HIS body, guaranteeing it would never again be separated from his spirit for eternity?

After pondering much on the subject it really got me thinking this is true. IF God and Jesus Christ were one being, wouldn't they have a body, because Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead and taught after ressurection we never again would be separated from our bodies? And if having a resurrected body was so important and eternal why wouldn't God have a physical body?

There is a really good talk on this subject by Elder Ballard and I would definitely advise looking it up.  It is a good read and explains a lot about the topic.

ALSO before I end this... when we were skyping Dad asked me a couple questions I want to expand on, that I wasn't quite able to yesterday.

1. Have I seen any miracles?

BOY HAVE I! Holy cow. Do you remember the Bill Knox story? and the G. story? and the E. A. story? Each one of those were totally guided by the SPIRIT and there would have been no other way to find solutions or help those people! All these miracles are not workings that I have done.  But it has been me and my companion being tools in Gods hands to Hasten His Work. To help His children. The sad part is there are so many opportunities for MIRACLES for EACH OF US every single day, not just missionaries. We just have to be open to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Why do you think the Prophets and Apostles talk about this so often?? AH it is crucial. Do we listen to those whispering's of the Spirit that prompt us to help others out? Or to bravely speak up?

THAT my friends.  IS HOW IT'S DONE.

2. How do you develop a desire to serve a mission, to serve the Lord?

haha

hahaahah

ha.

ha.......

previous blog posts will include that I never had a desire to serve a mission. Until the Summer of '13

Why?

Well gee...

I READ THE BOOK OF MORMON 
OUT OF MY OWN FREE WILL 
ALL THE WAY THROUGH. 

Seriously. 

I started feeling like a mission was where I was supposed to be.  But I REALLY did not want to go. Until I read the Book of Mormon. Once I started pondering the teachings of the Gospel and Praying and actually DOING everything the Prophet, Apostles and well, JESUS CHRIST has asked ME (us) to do.  I gained the DESIRE to SERVE. To help UPLIFT and INSPIRE and act as a tool in the hands of the Lord. I realized the importance of the gospel. You really don't quite understand all that you will be doing until you get out here.  But day by day, you continue to LEARN and GROW in TESTIMONY, FAITH, STRENGTH, PATIENCE, and DESIRE to serve.

The Book of Mormon really is SO important. 
Read it. 
It is the KEY to revelation.

 2 Timothy 3:15-17
 
Love you all,
Sister Madison Paige Stucki
(via email May 12, 2014)

Happy Monday...

Serving in Washington DC South Mission

Hello Family,

It is quite a beautiful spring morning here in Virginia. That is Ashburn, VA.  

I got transferred. I miss Manassas but it was my time.  I'll go back to that place. So many good people I'll miss too much!!

I got some awesome emails from some awesome future sisters this week. 

I just wanna give y'all a shout out for making my day!! I love hearing about your mission stories and I love that your finding good information via my blog. Keep up the good work in Hastening the work future sistas!

I love you guys so much!!

So here is the low down..

Monday we went to Tyson's corner and Great Falls with G. It was a lot of fun. We woke up early and went to her work and did our studies there. She really wanted us to meet her boss who is a member. They took us to lunch after at this cute little place that I guess government people always eat at?  I forgot what it was called though. (like some breakfast food place.)  It was quite delicious. 

We then went to Tyson's Galleria and looked at a bunch of expensive stores because G. wanted to go buy some perfume from Versace? It was great. I found a purse that costs as much as my Mazda. What is this? We then went to the cheap peep store...Forever 21! (:  I found a super cute skirt with buttons down it. yeah. You'll see pictures I wear it like everyday now because it is so cute. So sorry I spent money again BUT I had to. It was one of those things you'll never find again. It was awesome. We talked to G. forever afterwards and she is pretty upset that transfers are coming up because she has gotten way close with us. I promised I would come back and visit (:

We decided to go check on this less active family later that night and ended up knocking on the wrong door.  They actually let us in and became our new investigators!  It was crazy because the Mom has three sons and raises them exactly according to the For the Strength of Youth packets so we told her we would bring her a couple more copies of it because she loved it so much and wants one for all of her kids. God works in mysterious ways I tell ya. She was so prepared because she had just recently stopped drinking coffee and she told us she felt the Spirit when we came to her door and she knew she should let us in. 

So now we have five NEW investigators in a week. Our goal was to get six so we nailed it ...almost. But seriously six investigators in a week? Who says Manassas is impossible. Miracles Happen!! I love these prepared people!

So...

April 30th was Wednesday. We got transfer calls last night and I'm outta here. Wednesday was crazy and a little disheartening but fantastic at the same time. I witnessed one of the more merciful miracles on my mission. I was able to fit all of my newly acquired clothing items into ONE suitcase. #tendermercy

Everything else junk wise I fit into my other suitcase and my blue duffel bag.  I did also pile some stuff into a backpack and reusable grocery bag from bottom dollar. (namely Nutella, Oreos, Cookies, and Pancake mix.) Judge me.

So yes.  I'm set to go! and Super Stoked to find out where exactly I'll be going. It's like receiving a mission call all over again. We went and visited a bunch of people. Time was short but once people started spreading the word I was getting transferred I got a couple phone calls and texts from my favorite people. It was sweet. Fortunately I was able to visit my converts whom I love dearly! So I was happy about that. M.& H. are adorable. H. is going to try to come to the baptism on Saturday so Sister Schramm and I can both see him. M. is getting better when transfers roll around with tearing up and crying. love her. N. & and the girls wouldn't let me go! I told them my family and I would come back and visit and she offered to have us over for dinner ;) (PS take her up on that because she is the bomb chef) she told me over and over how much she loved me and how much I did for her family. MAN, Humility. I didn't do anything it was the Gospel!!! Truly though they have gotten so far and are wonderful, wonderful human beings. I love that I was able to be a part of their conversion and be so close to their hearts. The friendships you can build through Sharing the Gospel are priceless.

We also were able to visit a couple other people, members and investigators and etc who I worked closely with over the past four and a half months. There were so many people I wanted to see but you only have twenty four hours in a day. Manassas will always always be close to my heart! I love the members here.  The ward is so Strong and Welcoming and Loving. They did so much for me and for the investigators and were so supportive in the work. I have no doubt there are great things laid up in store for Manassas this year of the

hastening! Thank goodness for Facebook and the ability to keep in touch

with all these new found friends! I'm going to miss this place.  I'm hoping I will have the opportunity to come back and see all my wonderful friends again soon (:

SO please forgive me I forgot to journal write throughout transfers. I'm sorry :(  So I kind of forgot a lot that went down because of all the craziness that happened. HOWEVER. I do have a tip for future missionaries:  USE SPACE BAGS.  I packed up all my big winter coats, sweaters, leggings, scarves etc and space bagged them so they are put away until winter. (: super smart idea. easy to pack and repack all summer for transfers and stuff. Anyway. Here is a funny short story about transfers.  I titled it...

GOD IS FUNNY

So flashback to when I graduated high school. I didn't really know what

to do with my life because I was eighteen so I felt super awkward in my

family ward because I felt like I was too old for Young Women's and too

young for Relief Society. It just didn't feel quite right. I was at that time in my life where I was like dude...What..am I going to do with my life?

So I did what every wise 18 year old Mormon girl would do.  I went to THE Singles Ward. YEAH. Worst Experience oml!! (of my life) I swore from that day on I would never step foot into a Singles Ward again. So thanks to Bishop Daddy I became a Sunbeam teacher for five adorably insane little, Little Valley Stake children which included my little brother.

Anyway I never had to worry about Singles Ward again because my plan was to go on a Mission, come home, marry my favorite human being and go straight back to family wards. HA.

ha ha.

hahahahaha.

Funny joke.

Transfer calls came out.

My name was called

I stood up

My companions name was called

 (Sister Stacey Mitchell)

and... it... was... announced.

Yes.

IT.

Was.

Announced.

WE WILL BE SERVING IN THE SHENENDOAH SINGLES WARD IN ASHBURN.

So yes.  I will be serving this next transfer in THE Singles Ward with young single adults. Lesson learned. Never say Never. (JBEEBSREFERENCE) no but for reals.

I'm really excited actually. I think this will be an awesome experience. I've come to the conclusion everyone needs to experience Singles Ward and this is my "experience"; ITS GONNA BE A BLAST.

So basically I cover all of Ashburn stake singles from 18-30. Meaning I cover the Sterling Park. Algonkian. Lesburg. Belmont Ridge. Otomac Crossing. Goose Creek. Ashburn and Brambleton Wards. And to think it took me nineteen years to figure out how to drive myself to high school and back. I've come a  long way. LOOK AT ME NOW. LOOK AT ME NOW ayyyy. (another reference.)

(forgot who.) yeah. losing my music touch. sorry rap world, Josh Groban has won my heart.

My very first day and very first door here in Ashburn we found a YSA that we are going to start teaching. It was a tender mercy. He is awesome. It is really cool because there are tons of activities to get investigators to.  Which is handy. So many people are totally down for coming to meet new people. On top of that, tons of the members are returned missionaries so they can just whip out all these sweet talents they learned on their missions. Such as..... this guy in our ward went to go pickup an investigator for church.  The investigator wasn't home so he just decided to talk to his mom and brother and they started asking questions so he just ya know...taught them the First

Lesson. 

LIKE WHAT??  

WHY DON'T ALL MEMBERS DO THIS??

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PREACH MY GOSPEL GET ONE MEMBERS.

AND START STUDYING FROM IT ASAP.

He basically got us a return appointment and two new investigators. I was

like..uhh..sweet thanks Bro. Honestly though. Can you imagine how much

Hastening of the Work would happen if all members were missionaries too? Man. Singles Ward. Only in Singles Ward.

Let's change that.

Anyway.

Saturday we went and did service for a bit at the food pantry. We drive so much out here. I feel like were taking a road trip through the country everyday. We drive through all these crazy, windy roads, up and down hills and pass horse races and forests and cute little Main Street markets...it's crazy!  Plus it's Spring / Summer so all the flowers are coming out and trees are blooming and all that fun stuff. It's really pretty.

Also it's Bed bug and Tick season so that's chill.

After we did service we got to go back out to Manassas to attend F. baptism. He showed up a little late with the tie in his hand and asked Brother D. to tie it because he didn't know how. Apparently YouTube failed him ;) No. but he looked really good. He was glowing and we had quite a few ward families there to support him. I was so excited to go back and see everyone and say BYE.  Manassas will always feel like home. I'm so grateful for the people I met there that welcomed me in so quickly and took such great care of me for five months!!  Holy cow. I love that about the Church. You always feel at

home. If I hadn't made such good member friends I would have struggled

so so much. They were awesome and I love them so much. Manassas is my home away from home. I'm going to miss them.

I also got to visit with SISTER SCHRAMM!!!! I was super excited to see her. I think we've both learned a lot in our time being away from each other. I love her so much!!! Seriously I got the best trainer out there. She looked great and holy cow she's almost at her year mark.  Isn't that crazy?  It will be a sad day when she goes home. Fortunately she only lives a couple hours away from St. George.  So I'm sure she will be back. She better ;)

Sister Martindale the new missionary in Manassas is adorable and will

rock it. I'm excited for her. I was laughing because Sister B. mentioned the 

reason they probably put me in the singles ward is because my heart is locked.

Also fun fact, President came over last night to interview my companion

and was checking out my pictures above my desk.  Some of which include

Spencer. He had lots of questions. ohhhh President (: hahaha.

Anyway F. baptism was awesome and all went well. Pictures to come (: That night we had dinner with Tevita Stevens. You can look him up, he plays professional football for the Redskins! He is in our ward. He is a chill guy and he made us a fantastic Tongan dinner! Quite fun.

Then we went and taught V. who is one of our investigators getting baptized next week he is so solid!! I'll have to tell you his story sometime. but anyways...

Singles ward has definitely been a trip so far. It's very different but I'm excited to be in a new area and meeting new people! I also found out Loudoun county is once again the richest county in the United States this year. So that's cool. fun fact for ya.

So at transfer meeting somebody mentioned something really awesome.

He said that we are living in the Restoration.

WHAT?

I had never even thought of that before. I guess I missed President Uchtdorfs 

talk when we showed up late to General Conference.  So I looked it up and

it is about sleeping through the Restoration. Holy Cow. Best thing I've read all week!!

ARE YOU SLEEPING THROUGH THE RESTORATION???

The Restoration isn't over. It didn't end with Joseph Smith and the Book

of Mormon. The Restoration is still happening today, right now, and we are a part of it!! How amazing is that?? Some people throw out these lines like ohhh I wish I lived in Bible times...or Book of Mormon times and could have witnessed this and that. BUT guys, We live in one of the most important and crucial times in history! We are helping to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth.  How awesome is that?

Can you imagine what it will be like looking back and being able to say hey I lived through that! I helped bring the gospel to all the world!

wow.

What an amazing privilege we have.

Which brings me to my next point which is a quote by President Uchtdorf...

When our time in mortality is complete, what experiences will we be able to share about our own contribution to this significant period of our lives and to the furthering of the Lord’s work? Will we be able to say that we rolled up our sleeves and labored with all our heart, might, mind, and strength? Or will we have to admit that our role was mostly that of an observer?

What are you doing right now that contributes to the Restoration of

the Lords work and gospel?

If you cannot answer this question I suggest you start now. Start sharing what you know to be true and believe. Start being a missionary, a friend, a disciple of Jesus Christ. Start now!

President Uchtdorf mentions three things that will get in the way of this great

work. One of them is Selfishness. Another is Addictions. and the last is Competing Priorities. I've made it my own goal this past week to work on these three things. To be Selfless, to Serve Others and to think about myself last. To watch what I spend all my time doing. An addiction doesn't necessarily have to be a drug...it could be anything that you spend too much time doing. Like making Oreo milkshakes! No I'm kidding.....but I'm actually being serious. Watch your competing priorities. What comes first in your life? What is actually important?

Watch those three things.

Become a TRUE Disciple of Jesus Christ...

and please...

do NOT

sleep your way through

THE RESTORATION!!!

I love you all. Thanks for all the love and support you give me.

Serving a mission has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of

my life. I've learned so much already and have met the most amazing

people that have already become lifelong friends. I know I'll be a

better person because of it, and be able to better help hasten the

work of salvation. Through my mission I've learned to be a better

member, a better disciple of Christ, I've learned I'm not perfect and I

can continually grow and come closer to our lord and Savior, Jesus

Christ. I'm so grateful and my heart is so full of love for this

gospel, and for all the blessing in my life.

I can't wait to skype you guys this weekend. stay tuned. have good stories ready to tell me, we only have an hour. I love you guys! see ya in 6 (days) (via Skype) (love you guys) (write me letters!)

Sister Stucki (via email May 5, 2014)

Horizons

I have a Quote of the day for you all...

A QUALITY LIFE IS ONE 

THAT IS CONSTANTLY EXPANDING ITS HORIZONS 

AND CHANGING ITS BORDERS ~ELDER BALLARD

Why are you afraid of change? Change helps us become Greater. 

A quality life has change. Constantly. 

That’s what I have learned this past transfer!

HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND BLOGGERS :)

And yes...this transfer is coming to an end. May first! So please hold mail from now until the end of this week when I confirm my address with you. Probably on Friday. I can not believe I have been out for FIVE months now. Time flies by it’s unreal. I know I sound like a broken record because you have heard this from EVERY missionary that has ever existed on earth.  But WOW. I only have thirteen more months. That’s barely over a year...and there is so much more work for ME TO DO.  I haven’t even begun! I’m just barely catching onto the ropes here. It’s crazy. Before you leave on a mission you think eighteen months or two years is like a lifetime but once you get out here it flies right past you. I’m terrified that one day to soon I’m going to be writing you all a letter saying,  “Man I’m at seventeen months...only one left to go...and there is still so much work to do!”

I hope you all are taking advantage of EVERY DAY you have. A mission is a little bit like life. It’s going to pass in a BLINK of an eye. Don’t waste another minute.  The worst feeling would be at ninety years old looking back on your life thinking THERE IS STILL SO MUCH MORE WORK TO DO! Do It Now! What are you waiting for?

Man I love missionary work. It’s so hard.  I probably sound bipolar each day because of my constantly changing opinions on the work.  Because it is hard work! But it pays off. So well. F. baptism is this weekend. I can’t wait. (Mom can you send a tie to this apartment? For him?) You can just address it to the Sisters and then if I’m transferred they will open it and take it to him as a gift (: That would be awesome. He is Awesome. (He is from Ghana) Wow! I’m so excited for him.

Quick flash back. Sister Schramm and I found F. sister while shoveling their car out of the snow!
SERVICE MAN. It was a day we were not allowed to drive so we started shoveling them out. We would never have found them otherwise! When we went to go teach his sister she was not home, but he was! We have been teaching him for about four months. Now look at where he is! He has come a long way. Man oh Man. It’s crazy missionary work.

If you’re out and about and see something cute send it my way.
I like opening packages and letters and etc (:

I’m hoping in my next area there will be a cute thrift shop or something for me. Oh yeah also send some space bags! I have more in my room somewhere. I’m space bagging all of my winter clothes so they are just packed up for the summer. That will be handy.

Mother's Day is coming up.  Skype time!!!! :) I will probably get to Skype you on my iPad. Fun huh? I will get ya the details next week! That flew by.  I feel like I just talked to you all on Christmas! This will be exciting!

Thanks again for running my Blog mom.  I’m continually receiving good word referring back to it and how its really helped future sisters, recent converts and people that are simply looking for a good read. I’m happy to have not only been able to help people out here in VA, but people back at home and people all over the world! Some really neat girls have emailed me about my Blog asking for advice and offering words of encouragement.  I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate reading these every week! It is wonderful to know we are all in this great work together and even when times are rough we have a million people cheering us on, on both sides of the veil. What a wonderful thought! I love being a Member and a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Last Monday was once again Preparation day. We mostly just hung out... we have not had a down day in a long time. Plus the sun was out and the weather was amazing so we literally just laid outside for like an
hour just because it was so nice and the sun was shining.J My watch tan line is looking nice. Other than that I’m still as pasty as a ghost. It’s chill. We went grocery shopping and that sort of thing. We went to the B. house to have a lesson with F. afterwards. We taught some commandments such as Word of Wisdom and Tithing.  

Afterwards we had an Easter Egg Hunt with him and all the B. kids and MT. It was fantastic. We even got Easter egg baskets from Sister B. (: I haven’t participated in an Easter egg hunt since I was like ten....it twas a fun time! Then we met up with S. W. at E & N. house and had a nice chat with them. Then we went out with Sister G. for a bit but none of our people were home. It was still a pretty sweet day though because we did everything with members involved which makes a huge difference in missionary work.

Tuesday was District Meeting. We set a goal to do lots of Finding and To get SIX NEW investigators. We did tons of finding with no luck. We went to members homes and did member lessons and got a few referrals
which is awesome! Hopefully these next few weeks produce the fruits of new investigators from all our referrals and finding efforts.

Wednesday our potentials fell through.  F. is still doing good though and still on date. We met a new less active and had lunch with her at Red Robin which was super fun! She came with her returned missionary cousin who paid for all of us. He was awesome.

Thursday we got one new investigator...Our less active friends fiance! We also had a sweet lesson with F. at Brother D. house. We went over the baptism interview questions and such.  He’s doing awesome. I also got to call Sister Schramm!!!!! and invite her to F. baptism because WE found him (: so that was super fun. We went finding again and talked to lots of people. One black lady said she knew the “Mormon church hates black people”  I was like wait...WHAT? I LOVE MY BLACK SOUL SISTAS. she laughed and said I was a great "advocate" for my church. What?? hahaha.

We went to Nathans and got ice cream snow cones which was much needed. #khahukugrillstatus 
(minus Hawaii, the beach, Kylie, surfboards, sharks, tans, bikinis etc.) Nathans is like the Matsumotos of Virginia.

Friday there was a recall on all 2012 Chevy Cruz models. So we spent half the day at Chevrolet getting our car inspected. Come to find out we need a replacement front axle which is back ordered for the next month. Sweet eh? So we got a rental car...it’s a Hyundai Elantra 2013. Not as nice as I remember test driving though. My Mazda is still number one in my heart <3 It was super awkward because the whole time we were waiting this guy that worked there was hitting on this lady who we were talking to about her car. Then this other guy that worked there kept saying he has seen me somewhere before and gave me his business card and kept talking to me. So I’m starting to believe Chevrolet employees don’t actually sale cars they pick up chicks. Super awkward.

We visited G. house after that. She is taking us to Great Falls! whoohoo. I’m stoked. She’s so sick.(cool) We love her. We helped her clean and decorate her house and taught her the Restoration. She talked about how she really admires us and our Faith because there are so many things we could be doing but we chose to be here. She also talked about how plans, destiny and choices and how we need to ask God for the right things. Like strength to endure His Plan. Not to change it. Because He knows us better. She is so solid it’s awesome. When I come back to visit VA after my mission.....were totally staying at G. She’s a boss. We visited T. after dinner and met his parents which was awesome. We had a great discussion and he really opened up to us. He is one of my favorite investigators now.

I wish I could tell you all the things I learn from people out here and all their stories and the things they go through.  But I don’t want it to get put up online or go past me because I know they trust us with their stories. BUT MAN. People really open up and it is crazy. They go through SO much. I could not imagine going through. It makes me realize how seriously blessed I am and I feel bad for being so selfish! Like I have it sooo good. Eighteen months is NOTHING to help these people out. Peoples lives are so messed up in this world it is no WONDER The Lord needs us to go out and share His Gospel with them! Holy Cow!

continuing....

Saturday we stopped by G. again. She made this cute little video of us at the Cherry Blossoms in DC. She put it on YouTube. It’s cute. But it’s blocked so IDK if you can watch it haha. We also found a great new potential family with six kids we are going to visit next week.  Hopefully we can start working with them. It was a MIRACLE because right after we shut the door to their home and left.  WE ran into some man and started talking to him.  It was the husband! Miracle of talking to EVERYONE right there. He told us about things they need as a family and the help they need. So I know the Gospel will bless their lives immensely.

We had to finish up weekly planning because we were not able to do it the day before. Then we went over to C. house and visited. She is not keeping commitments at all.  But her son J. has been watching the Mormon Messages on his tablet. He is going to come to church with us tomorrow. A member is going to give him a ride. He is awesome.

Then we went to “Mormon-ville” aka Cafe Rio with F. and then he had his baptismal interview.  We watched a Spanish baptism. It was great.  We couldn’t understand a word, but it was awesome. Some guy we saw all dressed up at Cafe Rio was there and he basically guided F. through the whole thing and translated and was just way straight up with him.  F.  really liked him. He is opening up a ton and his baptism is next weekend! Super stoked about it.

It was pretty funny because at the baptism we were at the whole family was there and they were confirming the girl.  F. starting freaking out.  He was like,  “WHAT ARE THEY DOING? WHY ARE THEY TOUCHING HER?”  I was like...F...it’s a blessing.. Chill. haha. It was great. He is gonna rock it at his baptism.

Later we went and visited a lady that Sister Mckee knows and turns out they are some of my former investigators! Small world it is.

Sunday we had a lesson with R. who is a college exchange student from Brazil. He speaks Portuguese so the lessons are a bit scrambled. He knows a bit of English. He is a new investigator as well. We also met with T. and her family but she is really into meditating and does not see why we need church. She fed us dinner which was kind.  We took F. to the new member fireside where recent converts speak about their conversions along with President Riggs and a Stake President. It was really awesome and SISTER SCHRAMM WAS THERE!  It was so exciting I have not seen her since transfers! I was way happy to see her. and F. was too! He is having her speak at his baptism which is awesome so she will definitely be there (:

So interestingly enough, in church today Sister B. talked about The Golden Rule and The Platinum Rule. Which are..

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..
Do unto others as they would have you do to them...

She talked about how we can better show love to others. Sometimes we think doing what we would want them to do to us will make them in happy when in reality........ they don’t really care! We have to show people we love them by genuinely caring about what they care about.

Some people like service.
Some like nice compliments.
Some like hugs and kisses.
Some like gifts or presents.
Some just like to talk.
Everybody shows and accepts love differently.  There are so many different ways to show our love and concern and gratitude towards others.

Our goal is to find out what makes people happy and what they need.  Follow the promptings of the Spirit.  Don't do the same things all the time and become a broken record. Change up the ways you show love.

She also talked about how some people just are not easy to love. But guess what? That is why God put them in our lives. God gave us a commandment to love our neighbors.  Not just the neighbors that are easy to love. He gave us this commandment because when we are with people that are not easy to love.  It shapes us. It changes who we are because we have no power to change them.  So in order to love them we must change ourselves. Our attitude.  Our pride.  Our selfishness.  Our impatience. Will all change. The people we are surrounded by will help us best.  Because they will show us our weaknesses when they try our patience, that is how God molds us into the person we will eventually become.

There was a story told where a Grandmother once asked God why after she had been so good in her life and always tried her best to be the best she could be.  Why was she given such a tragedy of a Grandson. Her answer from God was, “I gave him to you because I knew you were strong enough to love him no matter what."

Sometimes in life this is just the case.

God needs us where we are for a reason. 

Love everyone. 

Treat them like they matter. 

Forgive. 

Show Charity. 

Be guided by the best in you.  Not the worst. 

Be grateful for every person.  

Even those who are hard to love. 

Everything comes back to our attitude in a situation. 

I have learned that time and time again.

I have learned a lot this transfer~
I have learned not to judge, to see everyone as a child of God. 
You don’t know where they will end up and miracles happen....
I have learned to listen... not everybody feels the same way.
People have different opinions and ideas and sometimes all they need is someone who will listen.
I have learned to love everyone.  Even those that are hard to love.
I have learned to pray for strength.
To rely on God to help me align my path with His.
Not to try and change His will.  But to follow it.
I have learned to ask for the strength to endure and he will make me stronger.
I have learned that change happens all around us and we have to learn to
make the best of what we have.
I have definitely learned discipline.
To work hard and do what I don’t want to do because it needs to be done. and it helps you in the long run.
I have learned attitude determines situations all the time.
you may not be able to change the situation you are currently in but you can change your attitude about it and make it a heck of a lot more pleasant.
I have learned that being exciting and happy rubs off on people.
If you have a bad attitude or a monotone voice and actions its boring and nobody wants to listen to what you have to say.
People like to be around happy people!
I have learned that My Trainer was suucchhhhh a boss.
I miss her a lot!
I have learned that because of Him all things are possible.
If it were not for him, nothing would be possible
I have learned to be humble, pride is the biggest stumbling block in the
church and in life!
I have learned to sacrifice what I want right now for something even
greater later.
All great things in life take sacrifice.
God recognizes that.
I have learned to be a friend.
To be myself and connect with people, not a robot.
I have learned to laugh a lot. To laugh instead of groaning.
I have learned that the Atonement is personal and Christ knows us each
individually.
I have learned to be strong! Even when others around me are not and don’t help much..
and on top of all that I have learned that Missions...
are absolutely crazy. (;

I love you all.  Thanks for the love and support.  
I will talk to you again next week (:
love always sister stucki
(via email April 28, 2014)

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