Tuesday, April 21, 2015

my mission: in review

So. It has been a bit since my blog was kept up to date. But that's alright! I will take some time to review some things, now that I have spent 18 months in the mighty TSAM (Texas San Antonio Mission). Please ask questions and I will do my best to answer.

Monday, January 27, 2014

another week...

Family and friends! I love you!

Wow. I can't even remember most of what happened this week. It has been crazy. The weather reflected it too. There have been 78 degree days and 32 degree days. It hailed and (almost) snowed one day and school was cancelled the next. Our leaders advised us to go home if we didnt have lessons because the roads were so bad and there were tons of accidents but we didnt get the message 'cause we were walking around outside in the hail. The FIRST door we get to and we ended up having a lesson with an 18-year-old named Kim. SUPER COOL. Her mom was Catholic and totally giving off the I'm-very-Catholic vibe but Kim seemed interested in what we had to say. We interrupted her dinner but she didnt even seem to mind. And the next day the roads were still so bad that all the schools were closed. This week I learned that bridges are very sketchy. I learned that because they are suspended over nothing, they will freeze faster than a normal road which has earth underneath to help combat the ice. Fun.

Juanita went out of town again... 

We visited Freddy but only his mom was home. We had a very awkward conversation with her in which she told us that Freddy told her he didnt want to get baptized. Sister Clark then went into bold mode and told her that she was pushing her son away from the true church. Freddy's mom told us that she never saw any miracles in our church, that the BoM is basically a changed version of the bible... yada yada false doctrine. After which we became a little frustrated, because by that point the spirit was just gone. We sat there staring at her for a solid 30 seconds (so I think I understand a little better how Ammon felt when the king didnt answer him for a solid hour). It was the most awkward thing, so we just left, not wanting to say anything with the spirit of contention that was present. And so she told Freddy that we were mad at him because he doesnt want to get baptized.... -_- But I thought it was interesting (side-note she was endowed and everything) that she never said the church wasnt true. She never denied any of the truths. She just kept saying I don't know that. And we'd be like we KNOW you have or had a testimony at some point and she would just say that she didn't. Ha. 'Cause the Church IS true!

Anyway, it was a little rough but we did our best to keep our spirits up. Besides them, we had a fairly good week. Lots of lessons and we were always busy. By the tim esunday rolled around we both felt like we had been hit by a train. Before church (at 2 pm) we had 2 lessons, and visited a less active who's baby is in the hospital We ran around all morning like chickens with our heads cut off. It was a crazy day. But I enjoyed going to the hospital. So background- This baby was born on Saturday with a trachea-esophageal fistula and was in surgery on sunday. We called the dad to see what we could do and the ONLY thing he needed was a phone charger because he was alone at the hospital, his wife was still at another hospital recovering from her C-section, and he didnt want to be stranded there without contact. So we were calling around trying to see if someone could lend us a charger since we were 30 minutes away from our apt and it was crazy but we got to go see his baby and it was super cute but had more tubes than body going on, but apparently everything went good. Fun stuff. #NICU #RNlife #mom #babylover #shoutouttonewcousinFinley! WOO!

Also we went on exchanges with the sisters in our apt again. This time I went with Sister Leavitt. This is her last transfer. She was so awesome but nervous about the spanish because she's only ever served in 1 spanish area. It was a rough day. Since she was coming to work with me in my area, I made all the plans. They all fell through. I felt bad and it was rough trying to find stuff to do without wasting infinity miles since our area is huge. But I think Heavenly Father was just trying to tell me that my plans didnt matter, because this is HIS work. We did have some awesome lessons. And Sister Leavitt thought it was an awesome day. So I got over it. I learned that we are doing HIS will, and that when he wants us to do different from what we planned, we should just be thankful that we are worthy of the holy ghost to be able to be lead us to who we need to help.

Hope your guys's week was awesome! That's about it for me.

The church is true, the Book is blue!

love,

hermana feigel

(PS my ward mission leader calls me hermana FARGO because he cant say feigel)

Monday, January 13, 2014

drops, talks, knock out, and being taller than Elder Bednar

hola familia y amigos!
 
This week was great. It was a little rough in terms of numbers.... but other than that it was awesome! All in the Lord's time, right?
 
First off, we had 2 investigators drop us. it was sad because one was that hermano who just came back from Mexico and seemed totally open. Until he told us that he felt more comfortable in the Pentecostal church and refused to take any steps to progress in the gospel/ learn more. oh well. the other was a family that we got from the Elders. that one was sad too because the husband had already read 20 pages of the book of mormon! but she dropped us. I have a feeling that she didnt even tell him about it either... so I'm hoping maybe one day he'll give us a call...
 
but this morning we got a call from the young men's pres saying his friends wanted to join the church! WOOOOOOOO! we have a lesson with them tomorrow! #miracles.
 
Our investigators are doing okay.... Juanita is in Mexico again, Freddy is still struggling, and we picked up a few new investigators. One girl a few years younger than me (the one who's little sister almost choked) now has a baptismal date! but its super hard for her because she is always taking care of like infinity children and her parents are never home. but she has read like 15 pages of the BoM too!
 
SO. ELDER BEDNAR. can you say inspiring? YES. it was so cool, I was in the 4th row! He is so great. actually pretty cool guy, he just said he doesnt show it conf. because thats not the place to "flash your personality" lol. so he didnt really give a talk, he just asked us questions about the readings he gave us. it was super cool. he also pointed out 2 things that always happen in the church- taking notes of what the apostles SAY instead of what you THINK or FEEL, and playing Guess What I'm Thinking when you teach. but it was a very open forum, and because the topic was about learning by faith and such, all of the questions asked by missionaries were very inspired and thought provoking. it was great.
 
Oh one time this week we went to contact a former investigator, and when I got to the door (because like every door here has a screen door or glass door in front of it) I could see in the glss that someone was actually sitting in the car parked (behind us) infront of the house. I continue knocking on the door meanwhile watching the girl in the car sit very still..... and then slide ever... so.... slowly..... down into her seat and onto the floor so we couldnt see her. it was hilarious. we jsut decided to leave after that.
 
Also one of our elders made up this really funny rap about Joseph Smith that would probably not help our we-dont-worship-joseph-smith case. but I wanted to include some of my favorite parts...
 
joseph smith fought a bear
joseph smith ran for mayor
this is why we weekly plan
cuz jospeh smith is the man
the law of consecration is really fun
it helps out... everyone!
joseph smith invented the wheel
his favorite colors are brown and teal
jospeh smith started the restauration
I bet you cant spell prestidigitation
 
 
and theres more but I cant remember #sacreligousbutfunny
 
Also shout out to the Luthi's! thank you so much for the package! you guys rock! love you! Texas says hi!
 
well! thats all for now folks!
 
con amor
 
la hermana feigel

Monday, January 6, 2014

Casi El Nuevo Ano...sorry this is last weeks and I, mom, neglected to post..

family and friends!

como estan ustedes? Como fue su navidad? fantastico? Que bueno!

what are your guys's plans for el nuevo ano? Fiesta?

Meanwhile, in missionary land...

the rest of xmas was great. we played sports from 10 am until 5 pm. after awhile we were just so exhausted it was awesome. we were like cats. we would get up and play for maybe 20-30 minutes and then have to sit down, relax, take a nap, etc. before we could go again lol. it was the best. I got your package family! thanks so much I loved it! After that we went to a baptism with some elders in our district. then we went caroling to their investigators after since we didnt get the chance on christmas eve. it was super fun. and cold. after that we went home and lazed around. we read the xmas story together and watched The Testaments #christmas.

This week was good. With Miguel baptized, Juanita out of town as of yet, and Freddy MIA because of his mom, we havent had too many set appointments and therefore havent taught much this week. We did a lot of contacting former investigators and potentials and really havent had too much luck, but we have had some great experiences....

the most memorable one this week is when we were contacting a bunch of potentials in this apartment complex. we knock. this hispanic lady opens. I say hola! como esta? and she replies... (rudely) um, I speak eglish. (oh... thats awkward... cue my senior companion take over and do damage control). hna clark: oh awesome! where did you learn to speak english so well? lady: (rudely again) um, I was born here! (facepalm).
needless to say, we only managed to leave her with a pass along card. whoops. #nailedit. I'm sorry, but when we're speaking spanish all day and I see a hispanic lady, my first instinct is spanish! And I mean, if you were in a foreign country and someone came up to you and started speaking english, wouldnt you be grateful for the time they took to learn to communicate with you? sheesh... but we just laughed it off.

the same day, we met Hans. This crazy old 92 year old born in Norway, who was a stout
Buddhist and married to a 40 year old he met in Thailand. he had tattoos and smoked and had earrings. it was great! He was crazy. Didnt seem 92 at all. He was really nice, but he was really resistant. oh well. maybe we'll send the english elders by anyway...

also there is a plague going around our zone. currently about half the zone is sick/has been sick with various flus and colds. fun. I'm doing good so far #knockonwood but our numbers were pretty weak this week what with christmas and half the missionaries staying home.

We found Miguel! Did I tell you he was lost? Well he was. We had two or three appointments with him this past week that he didnt show up. he wasnt answering our calls either. so one day we just showed up to his apartment (even though it was on the elder's side [we usually teach him at a recent convert's house]) and he was like oh... hi! But he was fine, nothing had happened. he even said he missed reading the book of mormon, since he left his at the convert's house. so we gave him a new one and got him back on track with appointments this week. yay. but we were totally freaking out that he had already gone apostate and such... #lackoffaith.

Another great contacting story was when we doing more contacting of former's. we knock on the door, and this gentleman opens up, sees who we are, smiles a big smile and then just invites us in. we were a little taken aback after being rejected and finding empty houses all day but we walk in and are greeted by a huge family eating dinner. they usher us to the table, give us seats and food (this is all within like 10 seconds of entering btw) and we're just like um what? Then as we start talking with them, we realize that half the family are members from Mexico!! Sorpresa! The head of the house (the former we were trying to contact) and his wife are 7th day adventists but they had like 4 sisters who were members (who were all there with their families for xmas). it was awesome. so we taught them and had a member present lesson that we were not expecting, and even though they wouldnt accept any of our invitations, the spirit was really strong, and they invited us back! It was awesome! The members were super awesome and excited that they got to be there while their family got taught.

that's about it for this week....

also if any of you are curious, we have been given readings to study to prepare for elder Bednar. if you would like to study along, they are called Ask in Faith, Learning by faith (this ones a talk for church educators) and something about testimony and conversion... true conversion? idk. but they are awesome. check them out.

Well, I'm doing awesome. The work is hard at times but it is definitely moving along! I'm so glad to be apart of it! Also I can't believe that I have been out for almost 3 months! WHAT?? wow time flies. missionary work is awesome.

Thanks for all your love and support!

hermana f 

Organs, Ordinations, Obstructed airways...

FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
 
first off, I just want to give a big congrats shout out to miss erica pallesi!!!! congrats on your engagement! there. now my whole family knows hehehe. I cant believe you, little caca bearica, are so grown up! *sniff sniff* seems like just yesterday we were goofing off in the pool, sinking to the bottom to hide from Iain. hehe.
 
so. its been a long week/ it flew. I'm glad you got our new years pic! that was a family we ate with, the wife is a ward missionary. on sunday they were like, your families responded something in english that we couldnt read. lol.
 
Ok so the first miracle that happened this week was on Pday. we had a bunch of sitas but they all fell through. so Hna Clark thought it would be good to go check up on a recent convert, who the week before we had commited (her and her family) to invite someone to church. she lets us in, we're sitting there about to share a spiritual thought, when in walks her husband- who got deported to Mexico 3 years ago, was in jail there for DUI, and just spent the last 2 months trying to get back across the border. we kinda just sat there in awe as her kids (who shge didnt tell about all this) ran to hug their dad, crying, etc. not wanting to impede, we just tried to share our thought and get out, when he (nonmember) bears a super strong testimony about how he knows he needs to change his life and be better, etc. it. was. awesome. needless to say we have a new investigator :) #inspirationthatwewerethere.
 
oh the next fun thing was that we taught one lesson this week in a house where someone was cooking chile. the way I would describe it would be... that i probably know  1/10th of what its like to be pepper sprayed now. we struggled to finish our lesson as we coughed every 10 seconds. LOL it was a fun experience.
 
We did exchanges this week too! One of the sisters who lives with us is a Sister Training Leader, so she went with my comp and I went with hers. It was fun because I got to speak english all day, but I came home smelling like an ashtray. we didnt enter a single house/apartment that wasnt inhabited by smokers. blech. but I learned a lot from Sister Chambers. shes really different from Hna Clark. she is super sweet and quiet, but when she teaches, the spirit is awesome!
 
We got to to service this week. we worked at a food pantry distributing food to people. it was fun but FREEZING. I dont get Texas. one day this week it was 70. 70! and the next day it was 40. not a fun change.
 
Anyways, we had an awesome week. We got like 12 new investigators! WOOOO!
 
Church yesterday was fun. We got there really early so I practiced playing the organ (which I havent touched in like..... years. and barely know how to play) but Hna Clark said I sounded good, so whatevs. A few investigators came to church, one girl came with a one year old baby her mom usually babysits. needless to say, she was fairly distracted the whoel time :/ especially when the baby horked down half a string cheese stick and started choking #dontworryImcertifiedforthatstill. I just womped her on the back a few times and she hawked up this giant gob of cheese on the pew. I really didnt know whether to be worried that this baby almost died or just to laugh at the absurdity of it.... I'm laughing now though, so... And our recent convert Miguel got the Proesthood! Whoo!!!! #stoked. it was a good day.
 
Also did I tell you that they just got an In N Out in Austin? I really want to go sometime (because its in my area!) but the line is typically an hour long or so I hear. cuz its all new and such.... but I always think of you guys whenever I see it!  
 
OH! I forgot! we got our first transfer calls yesterday! I'm going to....
 
 
 
dramatic pause....
 
 
 
stay. haha. one more transfer here! WHOOO! #stoked. #myzonerocks #thisarearocks.
 
well, I love you guys!
 
la hermana feigel

Monday, December 23, 2013

MERRY ALMOST CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!

FAMILY!!!! MERRY ALMOST CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!

holy canoli this week was a good one. 

So on thursday we had our christmas conference! we had to wake up at 4:30 to drive down to San Antonio but it was totes worth it. We drove with the other hermanas in our house and one other elder (who knew that was ok? but apparently it is. approved by all the higher-ups.cuz apparently they'd rather stick one elder with us than send another car down for his and his comp.) we stopped at this gas station called buc-ee's. its famous. they had ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY GAS PUMPS. smh. #texans. the store was like the size of a small walmart. we bought some beaver nuggets, which tasted like waffle crisp #thebest. there were like INFINDIDDY TIMES INFINDIDDY missionaries at the church. I got to see the few elders who came with me to the TSAM. we all filled the chapel and the overflow, packed in like sardines. we had some awesome talks, including one by President Slaughter about Angels. it was bomb. Then they fed us a huge Texas bbq lunch. Then we had a talent show. it was awesome. One elder sang Blue Christmas, and he sounded JUST LIKE elvis.... it was kinda scary actually, to hear that voice coming out of a skinny little white boy. My zone sang ye Elders of Israel. It was awesome, we stomped and clapped and it was great. Also, check out The Lower Lights band. The have a folksy country sound similar to Mumford & Sons, but they sing hymns :) I feel like someone in the family might like them. Also two senior missionaries did an Abbot and Costello comedy routine. hilarious, cute old people :) We finished with more talks and President Slaughter telling us that we would have the privilege of hearing from....... (pause for dramatic effect)\


ELDER BEDNAR!!!!!

he's coming in January! #bejealous. #stoked. We finally headed home and totally crashed from exhaustion. We were woken up half an hour later by elders pounding on our door because we forgot to text the DLs that we were home and safe.  gave me a heart attack. Member how I hate being woken up by phone calls in the morning? -_- yeah, it was like that. lol anyway...

then the next day we had Miguel's baptism! WOOOOOO! it went great even though it was 30 minutes late (but Mexican standard time we were on time). He said he felt the spirit really strongly and he really appreciated all the work we put in, not that we cared, but we were glad that he saw and realized just how important this step was in his life! Me and Hna Clark and the Elders who split the branch with us sang a musical number. Oh yeah.

The next day, We had a Pastorela (Christmas Program). Originally, we were going to sit out front and take down names of everyone who came in #newinvestigators. But in the end, only like one nonmenber showed up (BOO) and we passed out 200 flyers lol. oh well. so last minute they pinned me down and wrestled me into a shepherd's costume, while Hna Clark took pictures and I screamed for mercy. It was great. It was the funniest xmas program I had ever seen, since they had never practiced anything or memorized any lines. And in the Palm Valley branch version, King Herod follows the wise men to Jesus and somehow along the way got converted I guess because instead of strangling baby Jesus he just knelt down and worshipped him. #howitshouldhaveended.HAHAHAHA.... then we had a bunch of good food so that rocked.

yesterday we had church and it was awesome. I had to play for sacrament. And for the special musical number. wooooo....

So Juanita went to Mexico so we wont see her until January.... dang it... there goes that baptism this month. NEXT MONTH! and we still havent heard from Freddy.... his mom is keeping us away I think.

BUT we did lots of finding this week while passing out flyers and we have like 4 new investigators! They seem really promising!

Anway, I hope you guys are loving your time together!

Wanna know a secret? *whispers* nobody has invited us over for xmas dinner. But we're really happy about it cuz that means we get to stay home in our Jammies all day and make whatever we want to eat hehehehehehehehe. dont tell anyone!

Also I will be calling at 11 am texas time, which I think is 9 am cali time......

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

hermana feigel

Monday, December 9, 2013

What's this? What's this? There's water in the air!

FAMILYYYYY!!!!

how are YOU ALL (not y'all. I refuse. to. use. that. word.)?  i'm great! Let's see what happened this week...The biggest news this week? They changed our assignments so we are no longer over the singles ward (sad face) but that means we are now PURO ESPANOL!!! WOOOOO!!!!! We got to finish teaching Kendell even though he is in the YSA and we had his baptism on Saturday. It was so sweet. He talked about how hard it was for him to come to church because of work, and how he kept praying for help, and that is when the stake and ward boundaries all changed so the ward was closer to his house and his boss moved his schedule around. The church is true! I have loved teaching  Kendell even though we basically just helped him prep for baptism.  He is such a good guy. The elders who started teaching him were able to attend and one of them, Elder Olsen, performed the ordinance.  But he was really nice about it. Afterwards he told us that we must have been called to the area so that we could plan such a nice baptism for Kendell.

As of this week we now have 2 fechas flojas (lazy dates) and one fecha firma (sure date) for baptism. It's pretty great though because with one investigator, Juanita, she has had all the discussion but she refuses to be baptized because she goes to Mexico to visit family every other weekend and she doesnt want to be baptized if she knows she wont keep attend church regularly -_- but we had a lesson with her about the Family: a Proclamation to the world, and how parents have the responsibility to raise their children in righteousness, especially when they have the knowledge to choose between good and evil. And then she committed to baptism on the 28th! YAY! BUT this week was her first in church so we have to fix that... but I think she loved church, she brought her daughter, and we're planning on baptizing her once Juanita has been dunked :P

What else happened.... OH! we got to go to church for the first time in Spanish! It was great. I LOVE OUR BRANCH. they are small but mighty. The members make me laugh and smile and feel like I am home. We also had our first ward council which was kind of scary to report on our work to a bunch of serious-looking adults in leadership roles who (I imagined in my head) were totally judging my Spanish. But it went fine.

Ok now for your questions... let's see. I got the bike! It was waiting for me the second day I arrived in Texas at the transfer meeting. It is currently sitting in my room since we are a driving area (thank goodness). My comp drives since she is senior. We have a red toyota corolla. #classic. I can now recognize missionary cars from a mile away. They are corollas with cheap bike racks on the back LOL. 

MOM: I cant find the receipt you sent! Its not in the hymn book! Not sure what to do.... But thank you for sending all that stuff! BTW the water polo shirts turned out GREAT! they are my favorite workout shirts!

Basic run down of our day?

6:30 wake up, go on a run or go to the gym in our apartment complex (its awesome cuz no on is ever there at 6:30 am)
7 eat breakfast, get ready
8 personal study!!! (its the best)
9 comp study! -we (us and the other companerisma in our casa) usually read out of the white handbook, sing a hymn, and pray, then we split up and comp study
10 training (my trainer and I do work out of a handbook for newbies)
11 lunch
12 language study
1 get to work
9 go home
10:30 get in bed

Although it varies because sometimes we have stuff in the morning so we have to sacrifice some studies. And usually the game plan is to visit one city all day (teaching investigators in the area, having spiritual thoughts with less actives and members, obtaining referrals everywhere, etc.). Half the time our plans fall through but the zone leaders gave us their GPS which has all the ward list in it so we just look up who lives close by that we can visit. Or, like yesterday, we show up and the family we were trying to contact had moved, but we gave some cookies to the girl living there and made an appointment to come back and teach her family #newinvestigator. We are only allowed like (actually we dont know the exact number) 1100-1600 miles per month which is tough because we cover half the stake. We actually LIVE in Cedar Park TX. But we cover Cedar park, Georgetown, Leander, Liberty Hill, part of Austin, and Round Rock. a trio of elders covers the other half.

also, fun fact, the TSAM has like the highest number of converts through part member families. 

Also they said they fixed our heat but they didnt. But its ok. we figured out where the breaker is so we just flip it on and off as needed lol.

What else can I share? Oh we had some time this week and we went mattress surfing down our stairs. It was really fun and I'm sure it didn't bother our downstairs neighbors at all....... 

I'm doing good though. The other day Hna Clark just started gushing to me how great I am doing. She said it's like having a normal companion, not a greenie. That really boosted my confidence. Most people are surprised when I tell them I'm only in my second week. Then they ask me where I learned spanish. I'm still not really sure where either.... #giftoftongues #thankful. But I'm still learning so much as a teacher, how to tailor to people's needs and resolve concerns. But its such a great feeling when you teach in unity with your comp and the spirit is there so strongly.... its the best. Its funny because the elders keep telling us to watch out for so and so, they're really mean or don't like Mormons, etc., but everyone we talk to cant help but be polite to us and smile and say, sure come on in. This truly is the Lord's work. Also, sister chambers (lives in our apartment) told me, you cant say the wrong thing to the right person. How true.

Also I just want to exhort you all to be better missionaries! It's not hard. Make a family mission plan, of how you can help the missionaries, ward missionaries, and be missionaries yourselves. Have family home evening! Invite people! Invite the missionaries! I know you guys have such great potential to be missionaries at home, and there's so many people who need this gospel. We have to BOLDLY declare the word. We cant "just live it" anymore. Go and do. Lift where you stand.

you guys are awesome.

love,

hermana feigel