July 1, 2013

I am in Chicago!! how crazy is that.  So that you know I am now a member of the Chicago West Mission. It split today and so the City is no longer in my mission. kinda bummed, but still exciting.  I love President Fenn and i am excited to have him as my mission president for my mission.  He has been here one year and so i have heard that he is not as strict as he used to be. 

My companion is Sister Pankretz.  She is from New Mexico/ Arizona and she is the 11th out of 11.  Pretty Exciting.  she is a great trainer and knows what she is doing. 

The adjustment to the "real World" missionary work has been harder than i expected. but its still good.  I love it.  There are SO many people waiting for the gospel and you can just see how the Lord has really prepared them!  It is amazing!

I am in Aurora IL and I am serving in the Prestbury ward.  It is my friends ward! it is so exciting!!  My friend Hillary from school, (you know how i have that big group of friends all from here) and this is her home ward! it is soo exciting! we had dinner with them on friday and it was so fun to meet her siblings and parents.

ok here is a little run down of the week.

Monday we flew in and just hung out at the mission home.  President fed us famous hotdogs and italian meat sandwiches and then we took a nap and had interviews and then for dinner we had stuffed pizza! it was delish! then we had some meetings and tuesday we went to transfers. and we met our companions and where we were going. I was sad to say goodbye to my companion from the MTC. she was assigned to an area that is now in the Chicago Mission. So i wont be seeing her.  But my other really really really good friend Sister Hardy is still in our mission. and i love her so much. 

on tuesday we went to teach this lady Sara. and the second we went in there we could tell that it was a set up and all she wanted to do was bash on us. she just started out with a prayer and it was very contentious, and from there it was rough.  we had a sister from the ward with us and she did all of the talking.  It was great. I just was quiet/ kinda had NO idea what was going on. haha but it was hard to see her (sara) reject the gospel because she has a beautiful family and i just wanted them to come into the fold. 

Wednesday, thursday and friday were all about the same. we had some really awesome learning and teaching experiences. we tracked every day and found at least one person everyday that we are now going to teach.  WE are just jumping into the work! its great!

Thursday we are having a 4th of July breakfast and we have invited everyone we talk to.  On friday i had the prompting to just offer to sing the national anthem for this flag raising and breakfast. so I am.  haha on sunday the brother in charge showed me the program.  So Listen to the national anthem on The 4th and pretend i am singing it to you. and then eat pancakes! :) haha  This ward was really welcoming and loving to me being the new missionary.  They need help BEING missionaries them selves but they love us!  They loved me so much that i said a prayer in everymeeting on sunday. the closing in sac. and the opening in the other two. and sister Pankretz tells everyone i meet that i can sing.  haha Poor sister pankretz cant even hold a tune and she knows it.  so she tells everyone i can. hahaha

Thank you for your love and support.  I hope you are having fun at the ranch and enjoying your time together. make a video and send it to me! I love you all! so much.

Can you guys send me some pictures?  I didnt bring many and want more!..  of anything and everyone! 

I love you.  happy birthday to anyone who's birthday it is this week :)

love you love you!

Sister O'Ne