"Wishing will not make it so..."

                  

 "The Lord expects our thinking."

"He expects our action."

"He expects our labors."

"He expects our testimonies."

"He expects our devotion."

President Thomas S. Monson

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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Me, Schramm and my must have Sticky Notes...

Serving in Washington DC South Mission

Sister Stucki & Sister Schramm ready for the day!

Let's do this

Sticky notes are USEFUL!

Above my desk

VERY useful...

Really!

Trust me.

"Ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two"
D&C 42:6

Just Freezin' in DC South...

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...and I'm lovin' it!

Sister Stucki & Sister Schramm tracting in the snow

So ya...I may need some waterproof boots after all

Ya seriously..tracting!

I'm so glad I brought Dad's heater :)

I'm a Sunny St. George kinda Girl

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Where is the LOVE?

P-day in DC we visited a few museums...

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The Hope Diamond

Sebastien Bourdon "The Finding of Moses"

Family,

Monday:

Was a very chill P-reperation day.  I took a nap. (finally) We visited A. & M. who just got baptized. I taught A. some stuff on the guitar..a little bit. Ha. Some Tay Swift Stuff! We had a little Jam Sesh. #bondingmoment it was presh. Then we stopped by Bishops and finalized all the baptism papers and stuff...and visited the T. family!

Tuesday:

Was District Meeting. We had lunch with The District at Firehouse Subs.  I talked to Elder Black about Dylan.  So he should be adding him on Facebook and talking to him soon (:  Elder Black likes trucks.  I don't understand anything he says.  I was like Dude...talk to my brotha. So he's gonna do that. 

We had dinner at the O. house.  Which was fun. We also dropped some people. Which was sad.  They are going to have a baby soon and they are always so busy and are not progressing at all. We will probably stop by and see the baby later this month.  But as for teaching.. they just don't really do anything. There is only so much we can do.  

We met some new people... visited some families around here. There was a creepy dude standing outside our door at our apartment! So we made the Elders come scope it out and walk us to our door. haha. 

ELDERS. We are grateful for them sometimes:)

Wednesday:

We went "Finding" aka Tracting for FOUURURR HOUURRRSSS. 

Yeah enough said. 

There was still snow. 

It was cold. 

Never again. 

JUST KIDDING!

probably everyday for sixteen more months. :)

We taught N. again and invited her to a baptism this week.. she just needs to READ and PRAY and put forth some effort here!! SAME with lots of people its frustrating. We made lots of phone calls... L. answered her door and seemed interested and we talked to her forever. She is Catholic.  Her mother who is Catholic also. (very very strong Devout Catholic) was super sweet and gave us kisses on the cheek so that's a good sign. We taught her the Restoration.  She wants to take us to the Holy Trinity.  We are gonna take her to the Temple ;) Eventually. (:

Thursday:

Was Return and Report.  So basically you go and bash your companion.  So that was awkward. I just sat there. I'm not really one of those people. Who is into all that awkward stuff. I listened and learned.  But didn't say anything.  It's just weird. They do weird things out here sometimes. We checked a bunch of referrals.  Nobody seemed to be interested. We had dinner at the V. home.  Who are awesome and then taught H. who is ON DATE!  APPLAUSE. Pray for him. He is awesome.

We got canceled on by everybody else that night so that was no bueno. C. happened to answer her door.  We had a youth girl with us from another ward so we got a member present visit in. She was super cool and we taught some good stuff and she said she would read.

Friday:

We started COUCH QUOTES WHOOO. I'll send you a picture. Basically our old couch has this old sheet on it.  It's gross.  We started doodling on it and then we started writing all our favorite shut downs and funny lines.  It is quite hilarious.  If I do say so myself. Again, I'll send a picture soon. We were a little distracted during weekly planning..:/

I got no mail this week.  MAN literally. I got a letter from Elder Parkxfelt (goooo Fresno) and that is like it!!! WELL actually. Late Saturday night I ended up finally getting a letter from ELDER RHOTON. Which was very much appreciated. Other then that...NOTHIN. y'all have failed me this week. WHERE is the love? (Black Eyed Peas ref.) We went tracting again.  Visited L. again. and the S. family who are moving :( which is sad. We love K. & M. But they'll be taken care of in Richmond!

Saturday:

Was crazy.  We set super high goals and just went for it. We headed out to a Baptism super early with H. and the D. family in Gainsville.  It turned out way nice and they played a cello.  So I was stoked! Then we went and grabbed Little Caesar's and double timed it with Facebook / online proselyting for like five seconds.  

We picked up the H. girls and visited the R. family and answered their questions about... Life! Then we checked on C. from Ghana! We had a lesson with her and her kids! We asked them to come to church.  They should be coming next week! We checked on C. & E. and there was no answer.  We gave out a million pass along cards. We had a quick thirty minute dinner rice and soy sauce. 

Then we checked on A. There was some crazy dude freaking out, outside their house.  So we called a member and hung out at her house for a bit. Until he was gone. Then headed over to L. house.  She is awesome. She is super old and has a crazy life. When I say crazy I mean CRAZY. So we talked to her and shes not so into the church.  So we talked her into trying out Family History.  She said she would! 

We also checked on our friend K. and he has this massive dog. It's a bull dog and it's so crazy. You'll see videos. It's like a thousand lbs. and has no teeth. You're going to die. The things I do out here man. I hate dogs. I really do. BUT you should see the way I act with these things. MOM you would die. I like... touch them... and God has blessed me so I don't die of allergies. It is a miracle.

Sunday:

I woke up with a kink in my neck and it hurt! It turned into this massive knot it looks like I have a growth! So Sister T. rubbed icy hot all over it. hahaha. She is like my 2nd mom here? She is great. We love her! 

Also apparently it was Super Bowl last night because NOBODY wanted to answer their doors and let us in. lame lame lame. Where are your priorities people? Anyway. Church was good...the Young Women were talking about music or something and apparently all the girls we take on exchanges... Spilled the beans about my

JAM SONG.

It's a good song don't worry. ;) 

But it's a secret! 

AND they told everybody about it. 

Women I swear!

No.  Kidding. but hey...whatever it takes to be an example to those crazy teenagers am-i-right? 

no jk. I love this ward though.  They are great. I hope I don't get transferred for a while. I could chill in M. for a bit. Not live here forever. 
But you know. Teach the people and stuff. (:

So the other day at Return and Report one of the Elders asked me what I've learned thus far on my mission.  I was just like brain dead. So I felt dumb for not coming up with some intellectual answer or whatever. But the truth is I've learned so much already!! That I couldn't even put it all into words. Because I mean... it's like all this information is just shooting at me!

I've learned to deal with people.  I've learned to sacrifice.  I've learned to be selfless.  I've learned to serve.  I've learned to be independent.  I've learned to rely on God.  I've learned everyone has agency.  I've learned about discipline, rules, guidelines and commandments.  Commandments bless us! Not restrain us.  I've learned to love.  And more about loving.  I've learned that attitude determines Everything.  I've learned the importance of family.  I've learned about being a true, good friend. Among many more things I have learned the doctrine better and how it effects ME personally.

Something else that really stands out for me and I love is that in our church We focus on life after this life.  On happiness and families and love. We focus on the Resurrection of Christ rather than the Crucifixion.  Which is beautiful to me. It is interesting walking into other churches beautiful buildings and seeing it so focused on Christs death.  It is almost overwhelming and depressing.... and not to undermine what Christ did for us because that is important and it is huge!!! and it is amazing. 

When you walk into an LDS building whether it be a Church, a Seminary building or a Temple.  You're always going to feel that peace of knowing we will live again. Christ didn't just die and end at death...he is alive! He is with us and he has proven and shown us that we will live again also! That is amazing to me. When we see those pictures of Christ being risen...it means so much more! It's not a depressing, sad overloading feeling...it's a feeling of peace and comfort that we will live again.  We will get to greet our Savior after we have lived our lives and gave it our all!

So that is my soapbox for you today (:

I love you all.

I am expecting more letters this week? yeah? k good. 

Like I know I'm actually a missionary now but you can still pretend you love me. Send me so much mail it makes the other missionaries jealous!

one more thing...

#sisterculture

Its a thing.

Sisters show them Elders wassup.

LOVE YOU ALL BYE!

 Sister Stucki

(via email February 3, 2013)

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