We have been crazy people this last week inviting to the Musical Fireside.
Not too crazy, we are missionaries after all, but we have tried our very best to invite... anyone and everyone.
Boston, MA
Friday, May 31, 2013
We succeed when we invite
Rhode Island
It's different being a missionary down in Rhode Island! Some days we are searching (desperately) for something to do! But that just means that we have to work harder. This weekend was sort of slow but we have 15 member appointments set up for this next week because we don't plan on having that happen again!
Some GREAT THINGS!
1. On Monday I met our investigator Elizabeth, and we were able to teach her with a member at a member's home. We make a big deal out of this because the correlation between having members at lessons and people actually getting baptized is crazy relevant. While the amount of lessons that missionaries teach on their own? Pretty much zero correlation to how many people get baptized. We can teach and teach but without members we aren't fully effective. Ponder this my friends... and go on splits!
2. We had an amazing zone conference on Wednesday! We left empowered, ready to go home to Westerly and implement - to challenge ourselves and our members. President Hutchins (our stake president, Providence RI) talked to us about what an impact we have on members, how much we strengthen them when we take them with us and teach in their homes. He challenged us to invite and bring 75 non-members and less-active members to the musical fireside on June 2. He told us if we did, he would treat the entire zone to dessert. He stood in front of us, called his ward's missionaries up, read Ruth 4:7, and gave them each a shoe off his foot to keep until he fulfilled his promise of inviting 30 people to fireside. He stood there in his socks and challenged us to do more - he is amazing and inspired and he has such a vision for our stake. The Providence RI stake is about to explode with missionary work! We are ready to work.
3. On Thursday we were going to visit a woman who is recovering from a surgery and unable to go to church. We have been visiting her for the past few weeks, and we always try to share something to help her. This time we wanted to share a mormon message. I was looking at the back of the DVD and had absolutely no idea what we should share, Sister Christensen was at a loss as well, and we were both pathetically debating between a few of them, unable to choose. When we parked outside, we still couldn't decide and so we said a prayer, asking Heavenly Father to help us know what she needed. We left the car saying we would share a certain one, a decision that we still didn't know was correct but needed to make. When we got inside, we shared the one that we had decided on. She liked it, and we talked a little about it. I mentioned that the one pictured on the background was about Stephanie Nielson, and a little about her story. The sister then asked if we could watch that one. We of course said yes. The video started, "My name is Stephanie Nielson, and I am not my body." Sister D started crying, afterwards she said, I REALLY needed to hear that, I loved that, that is just was I needed. She then told us multiple times that she is so glad that we came over. It was such a testimony builder for me, to know that the Lord was behind us, and that when we didn't know what to do, but continued in faith, that he helped us. I know that he cares about Sister D and that he cares about us each individually so much that he is looking out for us and helping us - even through mormon messages.
4. Friday was such a slow day, and we spent so many miles trying to find a LA that lives, in "a large green house with a sign 'farm fresh eggs' in front of it." We couldn't find it and we were so frustrated and our miles were going down the drain. That night we started a fast for the next day that we would find people to teach. We REALLY need people to share the gospel with. Saturday was such a bummer, we even had a media referral that would answer the door. We felt like nothing had come of our fast when we ate dinner that night. Then we went to the adult session of stake conference that night and afterward a man finds me. He says, "are you the westerly sisters? I want you to teach my family!!!" He told us about his extended family in Westerly, and got our information. It was an answer to our fasting and prayers! We really hope to teach them!
5. The adult session of Stake Conference was absolutely brilliant. Amazing. I learned so much! We can't wait to help the members invite to the fireside - to start there and never stop!
I'm happy out here, I don't exactly have a ton to do at every moment, but sister Christensen and I really make a point of finding things to do!
love you all,
go out with the missionaries this month,
for me, :)
Sister Hannah Rose Preszler
It didn't rain for 17 days = prospective drought
The other day, a member told us that it was so strange that it hadn't rained for 17 days! Sister C and I looked at each other because we weren't quite sure if we were supposed to be shocked that it hadn't been raining. Apparently y'all, 17 days without rain is weird here.
It is so green! The trees are everywhere, they hang over the streets and grow on houses and... everywhere. I think that the landscaping almost helps to describe the people here. They live a more crowded way of life in general than west coasters. The west has a 'wide open spaces' complex that definitely doesn't exist here. I don't know if that makes any sense.
Today I will meet our other investigator! We only have two right now for our teeny little branch, but we have prospects!
Our Branch is wonderful! We are always looking at ways to grow - through missionary work! We are so excited for all the amazing work that can be done in this area. There was someone who came to church on Sunday that hasn't been in a very long time, we hope to meet with his family this next week. His wife isn't a member and I hope that we can find a way to teach her.
Mothers day was wonderful yesterday! We made chocolate covered pretzels for our relief society! It took forever, and was very pricey, but they turned out beautiful and everyone loved them! We were so happy to give them out and will be delivering more to LA members this week.
We made dinner for a member family for Mothers Day as well and it was a hit! So grateful for that! I had prayed it would be.
It's terrible and this is very short but I've run out of time!
love you all,
Sister Hannah Rose Preszler
EMERGENCY TRANSFERRED TO RHODE ISLAND
So, I'm writing this from a library in Westerly, Rhode Island. I am now a missionary for the teeniest branch in the mission.
Lets start from the beginning. Transfers, moving, and a Trio
UPDATES!
Even though it has only been a couple days, here are the new things!
1. I'm in a Trio now with Sister Ford and Sister Jordan. Sister Ford is great already, and we will be able to do more work with 3 sisters than we would be able to do with 2. The 4 ward thing is a tad overwhelming, lets look at our average sunday to explain the trickiness of the situation:
7:30 Ward Council LP1
8:15 Ward Council LP2
9:00 Sacrament Meeting for LP1, Relief Society for LP2
10:00 Combined Sunday School for LP1 and LP2, Ward coordination for CRW
11:00 Relief Society LP1, Sacrament Meeting LP2, Ward Council CRW
12:00 Munch'n'mingle LP1 and LP2
12:30 Sacrament Meeting CRW, Ward Coordination UW, Ward Coordination LP1
1:00 Ward Coordination LP2
1:30 Gospel Essentials CRW
.....
Okay I'm tired of this excercise, but you get the point, this goes on until 6:00 and then we usually go to a dinner appointment afterward... CRAZINESS.
Sister Ford took the sacrament 4 times yesterday, I went to relief society twice, we went to more meetings than most people go to in a week, and all on a usual Sunday. Whoo.
The Trio will take a little while to adjust to, but I think overall we are happy... but I guess I can only say with surety that I am happy! :)
2. We moved into our new place! It is AMAZING! Our last place was dark, dingy, small, moldy, humid, and horrible. So I thought we would move up to a dingy, small, dark place that doesn't have mold but is still just a 'whatever' apartment. Our new place is beautiful! It is pretty much half of a house, windows everywhere, fireplace, awesome woodwork with beamed ceiling, large kitchen, two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, a basement (with a washer and dryer!), a screened porch, and a backyard with a beautiful magnolia tree! It has made me so so happy! We aren't entirely moved in but we are working on it and I feel so much healthier already. It's glorious.
3. We taught a lesson on Friday that unexpectedly went really great! She said that just that morning she had had the exact question that we wanted to address. We had planned this lesson 3 weeks ago and had tons of things come up (bombing) that had prevented us from actually giving it until Friday... but it was just what she needed! She even cried and she committed to being better about reading her scriptures. It was an answer to my prayers, because our planning that morning had been a little rough with the new trio and the district meeting that day.
4. We went to the Charles River Cleanup on Saturday and it felt good to rid the river of all that trash! We had many bags fill up and the River looked great :) It was a nice opportunity for community service and I enjoyed working with the members and helping the city.
5. There were so many visitors in University Ward! Aubrey was giving her farewell talk and she invited a lot of people... who actually came! It was really awesome to see these people learn more and maybe one day we will one of them! One of our investigators who is friends with her came, and we think that she had a good experience.
6. I gave my first talk on my mission on Sunday. It didn't go as well as planned... because I was supposed to give it last Sunday, then Sister J went over her time limit, so they bumped me to this week. So I just kept the talk that I had written and planned on giving it yesterday. But when the day actually arrived, I forgot to bring the notebook that I had written it in. So I sat up on the stand and wrote what I remembered it being down during the opening hymn. I was so happy that the Lord blessed me with remembrance! I think that it went pretty well considering.
I think that's all! Sorry about ending on 6, that is sort of awkward.
Today should be a fun p-day, and I'm sorry about the lack of pictures, but I really haven't taken very many! I'll put some up next week! Promise.
Love, Sister HRP
A Pretty Crazy Weekend
So much has happened! But I am safe and sound, "We are ONE Boston" y'all! We are healing, remembering, and getting stronger as a city.
First of all I want to just say CONGRATULATIONS to my favorite person ever on her ENGAGEMENT! :) Even though I have never met Jake Larson, he sounds pretty swell. You two are the cutest! I love you Lollie and I am so happy for you and Jake! Keep me posted!
1. Manhunt in Watertown.
Watertown is SO close to us! Only a couple miles or so. We didn't get the "backwards 911" call that they sent out to the entire city, but we did get quite a few calls and texts from our friends, investigators, ward members, and mission presidency telling us to STAY INSIDE. We weren't even supposed to open the door unless it was a cop. With ID. It was a really long day of news listening (via radio, aren't we just so 1950's chic?). They finally caught the second suspect of the Boston Marathon bombing at around 6:00 at night, and the city rejoiced! We had been baking, playing "Book of Mormon" Go Fish, strumming on the uke, and studying all day long while we were inside. But it was an intense day, with a wonderful ending. I am so relieved that we are safe.
2. Transfers are tomorrow and we are becoming a TRIO! Which is actually really terrifying because, get this - the Longfellow Park Ward (two wards with people 25-30) Sisters are leaving and we will be over FOUR WARDS. University Ward, both Longfellow Park Wards, and the Charles River Ward. Craziness. It will be splits-ville. Splits all day everyday. We worry that we will barely see each other! With the amount of work that we have right now, and the amount of work coming up for us, we are anticipating some seriously INSANE things. The President must think we are machines. We will have to be.
3. WE ARE MOVING! Tonight actually!
Our apartment has a long history of Sisters getting very ill in it. We think that it is a mold problem. We call our CONSTANT sicknesses "mold colds" and we are always battling some form of phlegm. We are so excited to finally be leaving that place! We are moving closer to Harvard Square, closer to members, and hopefully free from mold!
4. Laura is doing so well! We had dinner over at her house, talked about her reading and her happiness. She told us that she wants to get married in the temple :) Way cute. She even told me that I am required to wear my glasses in her wedding photos. We can't wait for her baptism and REALLY hope it'll happen in May!
5. We have a flyer and poster coming along for the musical fireside! I really am so glad that our work with getting it more advertisement for the fireside! It has been a big project and it's awesome to see it coming along.
6. We had baptism on Saturday for a girl that goes to North Eastern but has been taught by the Boston Sisters. She came to church at the University ward the Sunday before last and decided to be baptized into our ward, because she wanted to attend there until she leaves. We threw some things together last minute and made it happen and it was WONDERFUL! So beautiful. It came together really well, our ward mission leader did a great job. And the confirmation the next day was so great. Laura leaned over to me and said, "It'll be ME next!!!"
Those are some highlights but it has been a great weekend! The members are wonderful and our investigators are the best! We will have so much work to do!
I am really happy and enjoying the work :)
Keep up the letters and emails! I miss y'all!
Love sister hrp
Patriot's Day
I'm safe! I hope that you got that email from the Packards!
Out here patriots day is kinda a big deal. This state is ridiculously patriotic and every holiday to honor the awesomeness that is America is definitely to be cel-e-brated. So, the library wasn't open, and then on top of that we had a terrible tragedy in Boston and so emailing just didn't happen. yesterday was one of the longest days ever, and not very p-day-ey, but it's over now and i'm happy and healthy and safe.
We woke up at 3 in the morning (before the crack of dawn) and went to Lexington to a reenactment of a the battle of (you guessed it) Lexington it was super fun. all these red coats and patriots, fighting for freedom, smoke in the air and the sound of hollow gunshots. America I tell you. It could have improved if I was roughly 4 inches taller, because then I could have seen it, but the sounds were glorious. Sister J also gave a detailed description of the short battle for those of us that are height impaired much of which consisted of, "oh. they're mad."
Afterward we all went to a members home in Lexington where they hold a patriots breakfast every year for all the members that want to come. It was a lot of fun and there were so many people crammed into the most quintessentially New England house I've maybe ever seen.
We then went shopping and WENT TO THE TEMPLE! It was glorious. I've never been to the Boston temple, and it was very beautiful and a nice break from the world. I felt so good in the house of the Lord and so happy. we can only go when we have a holiday p-day, and so it is a special occasion and very much anticipated. I really loved it, and I needed that on a week that was busy and stressful.
We decided to go on the freedom trail in Boston afterward, which I thought was a hiking trail and is actually a history tour of landmarks in Boston. Very cool, and a lot to look at. the best way to it is via public transportation (which is kind of a duh for us, because we don't use anything else), but almost our entire zone grouped together and took the T whether they have cars or not. since I thought we would be hiking vigorously I wore a t-shirt and jeans, and it was actually very cold in the city. I was freezing, so I broke down and bought my very first BOSTON sweatshirt. It is red, white, and blue, and I think it is very fitting. Plus it was pretty cheap.
Anyway, the freedom trail was going great, until we heard and saw at least 10 police cars racing back and forth, with their light and sirens on. We knew something was up before our zone leader got the call. He had us all stop, told us that some bombs went off somewhere in Boston, and that the President (Packard, not the President of the US, just for clarification) wanted us out of the city. This was the first day that we had even been to the city for a p-day in a while. But we were all together, which was comforting.
We put our heads together, and tried desperately to find a way out of the city without taking public transportation, but all the T trains had been shut down. We ended up walking from Boston to Cambridge, across the river to the stake center. It was actually quite the hike - I was SO GRATEFUL that I picked up that sweatshirt. It saved me.
We finally learned that two bombs had gone off at Copley Square, at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Runners had already finished, and some were going across the finish line when it happened, others had to stop their run suddenly and not finish. 3 people died from the trash can bombs, and more than 150 people were hospitalized, not to mention the marathon runners that were hospitalized because they couldn't receive the care from the marathon booths. Everyone had to disperse and stay out of large groups, the T was shut down, and people (like us) were stuck in Boston.
I was so grateful that we were in a group of missionaries, with our zone leaders and district leader.
We got home late, and crashed into our beds, tired from a 19 hour day, but so grateful to be safe and praying for those that had been impacted. We are praying for them now.
That was just yesterday though! The week was wonderful, but so, so much to do!
We are working on a Musical Fireside for every single stake in the mission. It is a lot of work. From scheduling the buildings, to trying to make a nice poster and flyer, to advertising with a youtube video, and an mp3, we are working really hard to get the word out and to really get people EXCITED!
Also we have 6 progressing investigators in one ward!
And we are working with so many members!
Here are a couple things from the GREAT THINGS journal:
1. Rode the Mattapan Trolley on Wednesday! It is so cute. Just like the olden days. There are some things about Boston that are just EXACTLY like San Francisco. Really.
2. Laura is ready to get baptized!!!!!! :) in May. we are SO EXCITED.
3. We met a girl on Friday named Felicia who is SO AMAZING. She has already read the Book of Mormon and when I bring up other people's concerns (as a teaching method) she bears her testimony to us of how she knows that those concerns are invalid. It's RIDICULOUS. so awesome.
I love love love you all! Keep me updated!
Love sister hrp
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Mourning the end of conference
Y'all, I'm so sad conference is over! But it was so great right? I loved it. I'm a conference nerd.
I felt like the entire conference was just for me, and I didn't drift off once :)
This week has been amazing! Thank you for the love and prayers. I want you all to know that I love you!
Laura is doing so well! She really is golden. She has such a desire to change and she loves the gospel and she is growing closer to Heavenly Father and her Savior each day. We met with her on weds and thurs and taught her about the commandments. She took them so well! She is gaining a testimony of the reasons we are obedient, and there were so many talks in General Conference about exactly that! She texted us on Weds night after the lesson and said that she could feed us on saturday - it was so out of the blue, but she likes to ask us questions about mission stuff so we told her that we eat with members a lot but this week and next week are going to be a tad bare considering we weren't able to pass our calendar around because of easter and conference. So she told us she wanted to feed us and we jumped at the opportunity! We met Henry (her adorable pug dog) and ate a great meal - we also talked about following the prophet and she loved conference and Sister Dalton's talk on saturday.
She really boosts my confidence as a teacher, she told us that we are the best teachers this week. It really meant a lot to me. I've been working non-stop on my teaching skills and my knowledge about the gospel.
On Friday we had a great lesson with Kay. I was frustrated with Kay because I know that she is ready for baptism but that she just doesn't have the motivation and that she is feeling pressured. I really did not want that, so I wasn't quite sure what to teach her - she knows so much! But we read a chapter of the Book of Mormon together for our lesson and just explained it, almost verse by verse, as we read aloud and she compared the chinese version with the English version. I probably haven't mentioned this, but she is Chinese and she still has struggles with reading. Especially the scriptures! But when we read with her so much clicked! She was really getting into the words and she had so much to ask and talk about with us. I DEFINITELY understand that chapter so much better than before. Alma 42 means so much more to me than it did before this week - the gospel makes so much sense and Kay really loves that.
This week we went to a couple of places that I wrote down in my BOSTON moleskin book. I love that we are adventurers and we try new things. I write down all the new places that we eat and give them stars and evaluations - it is... a lot of fun :) This week we went to Veggie Planet which sounds like it would be a place where they trick kids into loving vegetables... nope! It is a really awesome indie vegan place that has REALLY great food! I love really experiencing where we live - we are determined to take advantage of the fact that our area is HUGE. We pretty much can go anywhere that is within public transportation distance :) It is THE BEST.
Total Bostonian thing:
There was this woman in a car waiting to turn right that was on the crosswalk. We saw this man approaching from the other side, and he just leans down a little and says to the woman, "YOU'RE IN THE CROSSWALK." very bluntly and loudly, and then passes by without a thought. Now this may not seem so funny to y'all, but we laughed about it for about four blocks, and now whenever someone is so obviously in the way, we say, putting on our best sassy Bostonian face, "You're in the crosswalk." And then just get on with our lives.
Anyway, I'm ready for another fantastic week! I love you all! Thank you for the packages and the emails!
Love,
Sister HRP
Thursday, April 4, 2013
A few GREAT THINGS.
So, I would like to start this email off saying that the weather here is FINALLY SPRING! It's glorious, and beautiful, and warm. But they do say, "Don't like the weather? Wait 20 minutes." So keep your fingers cross it'll stay bright and sunshiney.
Easter was lovely yesterday! I've never sat in the same room for so long with so many musical numbers, and I've been to musicals! We had special musical programs for both our wards, and everyone was very talented. I admit that I was suffering with my eye lids on a couple numbers, but being chronically tired is all part of being a missionary.
So many great things this week!
1. LAURA CAME BACK!
Oh I was so excited! So. Excited. In fact! We called her two weeks ago and got a man that told us we had the wrong number and to stop calling. But last week she called us (from that same number), told us she was so sorry and asked us if we would be willing to teach her again! We taught her on Tues and Weds, then she texted us that night asking if we could meet on Thurs too! We told her we really just couldn't fit it in, but she asked for more homework and she met with us on Sun and then came to church! She is on fire! Pray that it stays that way!
2. We had a great lesson with Susan. She is really working on getting clean and learning more about what is expected of her, she agreed to live the Word of Wisdom.
3. The train stalled for probably 7 minutes going into Harvard Station, long enough for us to realized that we were actually supposed to get off at that stop. I'm sorry to the people who had to wait needlessly while we realized that that was our stop. The Lord watches out for us.
4. Diana, a member in the University Ward, from Italy, told us the story of her and her families reactivation - it was amazing! Her uncle blessed his baby boy saying that he would be the guide of his family. Most of her family went inactive soon afterward, but her little cousin, when he was 8 years old told his parents and family that whether or not they cared, he was going to get baptized. His 10 year old cousin soon followed, and because of their examples, and that one decision of faith, her entire family made their way back to the church. Her Uncle remembered how he had blessed him and told him that he would be the guide. Now they are all faithful members that travel miles on Sunday to attend church. She wants us to help her learn more! She is so faithful and wonderful, and we will meet with her to help her gain a greater testimony.
5. Sister J and I are getting along swimmingly. We joke and laugh, and I'm becoming more assertive (yes, shocking) and warming up to being more of a "people person."
6. Went on the Blue line this week! Last line of public transportation for me, and I conquered it. boo. yah.
7. We went to a baptism on Saturday! It was amazing and I was able to see Sis Fig one last time. We talked and laughed. I'm sad but really happy for her that she is leaving today - hope she is doing well in Utah!
8. We remembered to pack a lunch for our day at the church, which was glorious. Usually we spend the whole day there at meetings and almost die from lack of nourishment. But I made us both sandwiches and we faced those meetings like troopers.
9. Easter dinner was beautiful, and just like home! We ate ham, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, and salad! Everything was splendid, gluten free, and so pretty! I even got my own personal dessert, made gluten-freed.
10. We have more work than we can even do!
The Lord is blessing us so much! We are happy, mostly healthy, and we have had a ton of work!
Never hesitate to write or email, I love you all
Love
Sister HRP
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Another busy week as a missionary!
This week was so busy! But every week is really, normal missionary stuff.
Monday we had dinner with a member, she is a ward missionary and just the sweetest convert. She told us that she thinks that the university ward has been waiting for this particular set of missionaries (us)! I don't know what they have been waiting for but I felt such a change this week! They seem more open towards us than before and they are coming to us with friends! Of course I'm always praying for their missionary work and I really just hope that they are never hesitant to share their beliefs. I don't know how much longer I will stay in this area but I can feel a change in me already - mostly of the member that I want to be when I get home. The Lord knows what we all need to learn, and these singles have taught ME so much about the importance of saying, "I'm a Mormon, I know it, I live it, I love it."
The Bishop actually gave us an assignment! We are working with a LA sister and really just (on her request) converting her. She doesn't have a testimony and knows certain things are true but just doesn't have a personal relationship with her Father in Heaven and her Savior. She is HILARIOUS and tells us the best stories, we give her homework each week that I hope will help her to learn how to read the scriptures. This week is Alma 32, with questions. Many people go through their life not really knowing HOW to read their scriptures. I'm excited to help her.
I see who I would have been in her. She grew up in the church, but never took the time to actually gain a testimony, and honestly I know that if I had not have put forth personal effort in gaining one myself and going on my mission, I would be just like her... in 15 years. I'm so grateful for the examples in my life, I am learning so much working with members as well as investigators.
We had some LONG public transportation rides this week. We have been going ALL OVER. If you sit down with a map of this area, you will notice that Boston is HUGE, but that we also include a ridiculously large area of Brighton (where we live), Arlington, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Newton, and more. We have a GIGANTIC geographical area and a very small demographic - single women between the 18-25 or 30-45. My "Charlie Card" is my bestest friend. I am becoming a LEGIT public transportation hopper, especially because your average human would simply look it up on their smartphone and never quite grasp the hang of it - but with me? Oh, I've MEMORIZED the public transportation system for multiple areas. Just tooting my own horn here, ignore me, read on.
My new companion is lovely, she is completely OPPOSITE of my last companion in practically every single way possible. So some days I know I tick her off, but that honestly it's mostly because I just am ignorant of the way she would like to do missionary work. I've really only had one side of the work so far, so I don't know certain things. Sometimes it's really frustrating because I'm trying to be the best missionary possible and I can't grasp my own style. I think the Lord is choosing to show be VERY different ways to do the same work so that I will continue to learn. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO LEARN Y'ALL.
Here are some things from my GREAT THINGS journal, I always write 10 great things at the end of each day :)
-A less active we met with on Wednesday came to church, we think since winter break!
-Great meals all week long! And so healthy! The Lord knew that I needed veggies!
-We met with K on Thursday and turned it into a dinner that night with some girls from University Ward, and it was so so much fun! We had ice cream together and talked and talked :)
-Our new investigator S came to church! She stood up and introduced herself and told the ward about her baptismal date and getting ready for it, she was SO EXCITED! Adorable.
-The Bishop from the other ward gave us assignments for this week as well!
-We went all the way to Jamaica Plain when our member lived in MEDFORD, which is crazy far, but she picked us up and took us out to dinner that night because our dinner cancelled. It was a miracle.
This week has been really great, and I'm sure next week will be even better. I am getting much much happier in the work.
Oh, and a Bostonian thing:
They have nicknames for some cities out here... Sister J HATES them, but they're funny. Mattapan=Murderpan, Dorchester=lock-your-door-
Love you all
Sister HRP
Sorry, late post!
This week has brought so many changes and so many blessings!
Transfers were on Thursday. The night before we had 15 girls in our apartment! There were so many new people coming in that we crammed so many of them into a 4 sister apartment. It was so much fun. We stayed up talking for way too long.
I am staying just where I am, but Sister F is gone. She is going to "tour" for a bit before she leaves in a couple weeks. I'm sad to see my 'mom' go away, but I've been really blessed with so many good things. I'm moving on very quickly and am unusually happy about the whole thing. :)
My new companion is Sister J, she is great. She has a beautiful singing voice and a great sense of humor. She loves the work and she is a great teacher. People can really relate to her, she is a convert and she has a great job (backup singer for Gladys Knight) before she came on a mission. People love to talk to her about her conversion story and the people who don't relate with me well LOVE her.
On Saturday we had Elder Ballard come to the mission! He spoke to us and answered questions! We all shook his hand and were so inspired by his words! I cam with questions about what I wanted from my mission and they were all answered. In fact the one I've been struggling with the most was really made so clear to me, and I have a new found resolve to be an even better missionary.
Plus the Bishops also went to a meeting with him and we can see a change already! The Bishop from our ward actually called us this morning! That never happens!
The University ward was on fire this week, 3 referrals in one weekend!
Also we taught a friend of a member of the Charles River Ward. The work is really picking up!
Sunday I really felt like part of the ward, finally. They were so friendly and excited! I could feel the love from them and the love for them. One girl that I thought didn't really like us much gave me Gluten Free cookies because she saw them somewhere and "thought of me." I didn't know that she had ever thought of me!
Our dinner calendar is completely booked for the next two weeks! Which is crazy, because that has not happened lately.
I can't wait for even more work with them and their friends. We have two potential investigators that members have told us about just this week, and we are so excited to meet with them.
Ya'll should know that everyone makes a big big difference for the kingdom. Your wards need you, your families need you, your friends need you. It is amazing how one faithful member can change peoples minds about Mormons. I have really felt that here. The people we teach always had a great LDS role model.
Thank you for the support! I'm still at the same address, I just got a new comp. The place is sort of perpetually moist and sort of trashy, but it's home. :) We are going to start running in the mornings, wish us luck!
love, sister hrp
Monday, March 4, 2013
She didn't send a subject this time so here is your hannah-esque creative title
Ya'll outdid yourself this week! No but really. I got 3 packages and quite a few letters! I loved it all and I definitely am not starving anymore :) I will write you back. Promise.
This has been a great week, despite some setbacks. I really feel like my happiness and joy in the work grows each and every week, and when before I saw my members as a "duty" that now I see them as people that I love and yearn to help and serve!
I want you all to know the importance of member missionary work, I'm not going to preach to you or anything, but honestly I think Heavenly Father (more than anything else) is preparing me to share the gospel for the rest of my life. I know all of you do things everyday, and I am so proud of all of you. Every "mormon" word that you pop into a casual conversation, every time you write a blog post on your source of strength, when you tell people about yourself and always include the gospel. I really love the spirit of missionary work in these YSA wards and am so proud of these students that live their lives in such a way that they are able to talk about Relief Society and Family Home Evening to their friends as a casual reference to their lives. I know that by living our religion boldly and genuinely, that people will know where to turn when they have questions, and the "myths" of mormonism can be resolved one faithful Saint at a time.
I love our wards! They have such a spirit of missionary work but we know that they have even more potential! We have been coming up with small ideas to help them.
Last sunday a Ward Missionary helped us and announced a missionary moment. She stood up and asked who in relief society would be willing to find a missionary moment during that week and share it with the class the next sunday. I was shocked with the amount of hands that popped up, willing to find one this week!
Yesterday the girl that had volunteered stood up and told the Relief Society how she was able to share the gospel to her own sister who had fallen away a few years past and that had been unwilling to hear about anything religious. She had been praying for a missionary experience since she accepted the challenged and she said something like this: "The Lord presented me with an opportunity to share the gospel with my sister. Her baby has been very sick, and she has been to the doctor multiple times without an answer or solution. She asked me if I would pray for her baby. I told her absolutely! It came completely out of the blue! She hadn't mentioned anything religious to me for a very long time. But because the Lord had provided me with this opportunity, I asked her if she had asked our father for a blessing. She said she hadn't thought about that, but that she would." She continued that her sister's baby was given a blessing, that it was a beautiful experience, and that she was blessed with peace. Her sister called to tell her about what had happened, she was so glad that the conversation about the gospel had started.
She said, "Because of that door opening, I asked her if she would accept a Book of Mormon, and she said that she would like that. I wrote my testimony in it and sent it to her. I just want to thank you for asking me to find an opportunity this last week, because I was praying and asking for one, the Lord blessed me with an opportunity to bless my Sister's life, and my testimony of missionary work has really grown. "
It was amazing. We gave the ward missionary M&M candies with a paper "Missionary Moment" taped on for the girl that shared. She loved the idea and it really was so cute to see their enthusiasm and happiness of our care and effort towards their ward.
We have really been striving to work with our YSA wards in an effective way - working around their very busy schedules and their personality as a young ward. I would love any ideas that you have about the best way to work with young people and how we can help them spread the gospel. They love unique ideas and fun activities. We were praised for our marshmallow spaghetti towers that we had them build at the BU FHE on monday.
I ponder about how to help these students all the time - especially because we are around their same age, women, and inviting them to change. We only meet with the women, and we have certain struggles of how to motivate them as we are not two cute young men wanting to meet with them. :) I think of how I would have reacted at BYU, and realize many times that these girls are just like I was. I feel guilty about my apathetic nature when it came to missionary work.
I love all of you and I pray for you! Keep up the GREAT work and know that the Lord needs you wherever you are!
They have Dunkin Donuts EVERYWHERE. This city really does run on Dunkin, I feel like you can't walk more than 4 blocks without seeing one, as my father would say, "You can hardly swing a dead cat without hitting one!"
The roads are SO NARROW. They are insane. I feel like there isn't enough room for two cars. The other day we got splashed so badly from a car that zipped by us in the rain. We walked into the church soaking and the Elders said we got "hobo-splashed."
Also the water that comes out of the tap is practically at boiling temperature 3 seconds it comes out. Random. I know.
Love you all,
sister HRP
and YAY! We have a few pictures! (I'll have to ask her what specific captions to put on each of these, but this is what it looks like:
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| Cute companions! |
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| Temple day! |
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| Selfie Sunday? |
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
New England Things
1. Many light switches, especially for the bathroom, are located on the outside of the door. So while you are fumbling on the wall searching for the light switch, and the room is getting darker as you are closing the door, you realize that it isn't in the bathroom but outside it. So I feel like a fool as I walk out again to turn on the light. (But it is pretty fun to shut it off while your companion is in the shower...)
2. When you trip, or you're really cold, or you run into something, the people here have a tendency to say something like: "you were running!" or "you should have put on boots this morning!" or "you should watch where you're going!" Maybe I grew up with overly sympathetic people, but I have never had so many criticisms while already in pain... ha. This week the weather seemed okay, so I wore flats and was SO COLD. Everyone told me that I "should have" worn tights or boots or a long skirt... Yes, yes, I know, I brought this on myself, thank you for your observation. :)
3. they pronounce things so strangely! Cities especially! They leave out letters or leave out vowels. It's so hard to remember all of them!
In the future I'll include some New England (or maybe just Bostonian) things that I seem to pick up.
This week was so much better than last week! So many miracles, really! I was so surprised be all the things that happened.
First we missed our stop (by like 3 stops) to our home and ended up taking the Green line and met a girl that actually started the conversation with us! She had an interesting story about how her boyfriend was LDS and she will probably come to church!
Then because we were talking with her we missed our stop again and took a bus where a previous investigator that Sis F had taught got onto and we talked with her and set up an appointment with her and her daughter.
We had a mini-missionary come out with us, which is this volunteer stake program where the youth can come out with us for a weekend or so and experience all things missionary! She was so wonderful and I really think that the Lord make this weekend extra special for her. I gave her my name tag that pins onto my coat, and made her a paper that said, her last name, covered mine, and taped it on. She loved it, she was so official. I would definitely say that it looked pretty "legit."
The open house for the Chapel on friday went... sort of poorly but the Lord gave our mini-missionary the opportunity to street contact ;)
The Elders gave us a referral that day that we were about to call when she called us! She came to the chapel right after the open house and we gave her a tour and talked about Jesus Christ, being clean, and changing. Her name is Laura, and she really is golden. She was amazing and her story was even more amazing - it was all about how she had a friend that had introduced her to the church in High School and that she had read the entire Book of Mormon. When her friend went off to BYU she sent the missionaries to her again a couple years later. She had been having a rough year and she is searching for peace and really ready to make the changes that are required. She has realized that she really wants the gospel in her life!
I thought that "The District" made these people up! But they exist! People that are so so ready! She is absolutely amazing!
We had a fantastic party with the Charles River Ward that night after her lesson, and we really felt a part of their ward. :) We made Chinese dumplings and celebrated a late chinese new year. It was so much fun.
The next day we went to both wards and in each we had amazing experiences! There was a woman who spoke in the CRW that invited 30 people to sacrament meeting! There were SO MANY people there! She was a perfect example of inviting non-members in a casual way to come to church, just for YOU. It was amazing, and the people were so diverse! In University Ward our new investigator came, I sat with her to qualm her fears about the whole thing, and she loved the talks. She teared up during the first one. The whole church experience was amazing, I sat with her and the entire ward was very welcoming.
Sister Pack came and picked up the mini missionary during RS, we sent her off with happy experiences and we told her how much we had loved being with her. I gave her my name tag to keep... I now have one name tag, ha, they're only 4 dollars. I'll order another one.
After church we taught Laura a little bit, and answered questions that she had. She asked us what more she could do, how she loved church and the feeling she had there, she THANKED US for being there to teach her, she told us that she loved having us there to help her, and she just wanted to know the next step. So we told her! We asked if she would be baptized and she said yes! She was so excited! We were so excited!
It was the best ending to a great weekend! I couldn't believe how the Lord had blessed us and me, for being diligent and for having faith. It made up for all the hard things that had been happening!
I'm really happy to be here! Everyday my desire grows! I love you all, I miss you.
Sister HRP
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
FREEZING hands, but happy hearts
Today is a holiday, and I'm embarrassed to say that for the life of me I can't figure out which one, but it's sort of cramping my style today. The library is closed so I can't email there and... anyway, this will be semi-short because of whichever holiday this is.
I is actually quite comical how sheltered and ignorant we are of life outside of missionary work. We check the bus schedule on dozens of different paper pamphlet bus schedules, we call a number to hear an automated report of the weather, and we plan out in detail which buses and trains to use before we leave our apartment. We carry around a paper "gps" of sorts with every road in Boston. Ah, the 21st century.
Tuesday was a good example of how this week went:
We first went to do some service at the food kitchen, the woman there is hilarious and all the missionaries are her "babies" and we call her "momi."
We then visited an investigator all the way in Dorchester which meant that we had to take the red line for about 40 minutes or so and then walk 15 minutes to her house. She spoke better Spanish than English, and Sis F was very handy when it came to that. She speaks 4 languages (English, Portuguese, Spanish, and a native 2nd language from Paraguay that I can't pronounce right much less spell), she is very helpful with the MANY different language speakers here in the Boston area.
We then had a dinner appointment back in Cambridge so we took the train back for another 40 minutes, then walked to her place for 15 or so minutes. The dinner was great, we ate quinoa and something... we eat A LOT of quinoa. I love it, but it's so funny that we've had it at 5/7 dinner appointments that we've had.
Now starts the typical Sister Preszler stuff:
I had to take out my contact during the appointment, it was really really bothering me at dinner, so I was half blind, I probably stared at people weirdly. I'm sorry.
On the way back we were headed for the bus, and we saw it coming, so we starting running as fast as we can. I'm wearing boots and a long skirt, we are jogging with messenger bags, I almost get hit by a biker first, he yelled at me SO LOUD that everyone around me jumped. Sister F is laughing hysterically and we are running even faster when my depth perception, because of the fact that I have one contact in, fails me and I catch my boot on a grate. It was the first time since I was young that I just fell FLAT on my face, BAM. I couldn't even do anything, there was a moment of, "well I'm going down" and I hit the pavement. I popped up, and between spurts of laughter Sis F asks me if I'm okay, but the best part is the little Chinese man from behind me the saw the whole thing! I look back at him and he stares at me incredulously and all he says is, "YOU WERE RUNNING!" Thank you. Thank you little Chinese man, yes, yes, I was running. So funny.
Anyway I'm sure there is more but I have to go,
love you all
Sister HRP
Monday, February 11, 2013
It should have been named BRUCE, not NEMO
I don't think I was really convinced Boston was the place for me when I got my call, I mean it made sense, and I knew that I would fit in with the East Coast, but I wasn't sure. I wasn't convinced. Until I got here. Boston is my place, President P is my mission president, and these people are my people. We got off of the plane, and at the baggage claim we met Sister Packard, and the two Packard daughters, Angela and Natalie. They were SO EXCITED to see us! So many sisters! Sister P was crying at the "beautiful sight of so many Sisters!" We met President Packard a few minutes later, took a few pictures, and headed to the mission home. (the pictures will eventually be up on the Mission blog, mbmission.blogspot.com)
The mission home is wonderfully New England, it is yellow, and I believe that it has blue shutters. We got there and ate dinner, President P whipped out the map and showed us some of the places that we'd be going. He talked about the people and he talked about the places, his enthusiasm was wonderful and I had this confirmation that I was supposed to be there. I knew that this was my place, like I've never known before. I really could listen to that man talk forever, every word almost makes me cry, in a good way (yes, me, cry!).
My five MTC sisters and I stayed in an apartment nearby, we had our last few nights together and loved every moment. I'm going to miss those girls, well... except Sister B. Not for that reason! Goodness! It's because we are living together now :)
We had a day of training on Wednesday, we went into the city and did some street contacting - very scary! But actually not that bad! We handed out a Book of Mormon and a few mormon.org cards, talked to a few people, and some companionships found people that they walked with for a few blocks, some people that really wanted to learn. It was a great start, but street contacting won't really happen in this mission. Our training was all about how our first priorities are to help the Bishop and Ward leadership, work with members to find people, and serve. Tracting is our last priority, and we wont be doing a lot of it. The Lord REALLY knows me. I didn't want to be knocking on doors, I don't want to annoy people and I don't want people to be annoyed by me. Working with members to find people that already have an interest and an exposure to the church is a wonderful way to work. President P has a wonderful vision and I will serve to my fullest doing whatever he sees for the future of New England.
Thursday was transfer meeting, and we were all so scared to find out where we were going. I secretly was hoping for Nantucket, a new area open to Sisters, with only five members, and island where the people say, "if Martha's Vineyard is for the millionaires, Nantucket is for the billionaires." It just seemed SO EXCITING to build a ward from scratch! Those Sisters are making history! When we got to the meeting, President Packard called us to stand individually, gave us the name of our trainer (who we then embraced) and where we would be going, it felt like a mission call all over again!
My companion is Sister F and we are serving in the University Ward and the Charles River Ward! The University Ward has young single adults age 19-25, they are going to school around here, Boston College, Harvard, MIT, Boston University... and MORE. There are SO MANY around here! Some of them are from around here but many of them are from all over the United States and the world. They are people who are going to "change the world!" they have ambitious and go-get-em attitudes. They are intellectual and passionate, driven and excited. Charles River Ward is on the other end of the singles spectrum, 30+ master students, law students, people getting doctorates and such, and those that are working here and living here too. Many of them work for MIT and Harvard, quite a few of them graduated from BYU and are continuing their education here. There are two wards with all the ages between these two wards, and we live with the Sisters in charge of those wards.
I feel like I know about these people, but the truth is this week has been anything but normal, and I haven't even met them! The snow storm Nemo has thrown everything out of wack! It started on Friday and we were "red dotted" all that day. We spent the entire time inside, baking, cleaning, putting together a puzzle, studying, planning. We watched the snow come down for hours! On Saturday we went outside and snow shoveled for a while, helping the community dig their cars out of the snow. I have never seen cars COMPLETELY covered in snow before! You couldn't even tell that there was a car there, just a mound of snow! We helped a slightly drunk (like a beer and most of a bloody mary) man dig his driveway. He was hilarious, saying how his man "JC" is watching out for him sending four beautiful women to dig a pathway for his car. He was very grateful and he even said, "F! I have to go to church tomorrow now!!" and then apologizing for swearing.
We weekly planned for at least 6 hours on Saturday. It was exhausting. We were going over the records of people that we do not know, trying to get a feel for the work and the people. Sister F is new to this area as well, and I'm actually killing her (this is her last area, she will be done in six weeks). If I do really well, they might not even train me for 12 weeks... with the amount of Sisters coming out, they may even have me train after six, but that is doubtful.
Sunday church was cancelled, so we walked in really deep snow for about 30 minutes to go to a members house and have the sacrament. We had a lovely meeting and they even had a gluten free cracker for me.
So far I really haven't done any teaching, we have been stuck inside for days! The snow was about three feet deep in some areas, and the roads are completely insane and tiny! There really is no place to even put all the snow! The roads are piled high with snow, and the public transportation wasn't working until today. We don't have a car in my area... and we sort of live out of the way. We have to take buses on buses and then underground trains for up to an hour to get to our appointments. I can't wait to meet the ward, but we do have FHE tonight so we will meet some of them tonight.
my new address is,
530 Washington St. apt #16
Brighton, MA 02135
I love all of you, I miss you all, and I would love to hear from you at any time!
Love,
Sister HRP
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Burnt popcorn and other emergencies
I'm leaving on Tuesday!! I am so excited but at the same time I'm so nervous. I might be sick. Okay I'll be fine. But maybe not. Especially since we are challenged to place a mormon.org card in the airport... but this is missionary work ya'll, this is exciting!
Usual Sister Preszler things that unfortunately occured this week (look at me, I'm calling myself Sister Preszler, and you thought that I'd come back normal, pscht):
1. While I was sitting in zone teaching, I leaned back my head to stretch or something and my hair got caught on an Elder's zipper. Zipper. My head was attached to his, ahem, crotch (for lack of a better word) for an almost unbearable amount of time and I'm pretty sure I'm a little bit balder from the experience. Now as I'm sure you all know, in the MTC any touching between Elders and Sisters is "innapropriate" touching, but I'm pretty sure that was just genuinely innapropriate. Seriously, these things only happen to me. I'm already freaking out when I accidently brush an Elder in the hallway. You just are so aware of it. When before I would think, "Whatever, busy hallway" now it's more like, "get off of me! Goodness, watch yourself, innapropriate. seriously."
2. On Sunday night, we were back from our fireside and done watching the Joseph Smith Restoration movie (seriously, sunday movie night is just the most exciting thing... well and ice cream days) we had returned to our resident halls to retire for the evening. I had changed and put on sweats and was looking grungy, there were girls in the shower, many mid teeth brushing, a few changing, when the fire alarm went off. We all ran outside to in the snow, in various stages of our nightly routine, and grouped in the main building. It was the strangest feeling to be in a building that they said that we must ALWAYS be dressed up to be in. Sisters started singing songs, and for some reason, women, when threatened with death, seem to think that bringing their camera would be the best way to cope. So there were plenty of pictures of all of us looking just lovely. We finally were allowed back into the hall, saved from burned popcorn. Yes, a Sister had set the alarm off because of burnt popcorn. Typical.
Everyone wants to see what all of you look like! But I don't have any pictures! Which is so terrible! I would love for all of you to find your favorite picture of the two of us together and send it to me! That would be so great, my sisters would love to put a face to all your names :)
Anyway, love you all, it's been a normal but very exciting week, and don't worry, I'll be real awkward when I get home, I can feel it already.
Love,
Sister HRP
Friday, January 25, 2013
It's been a week
I've been here longer than a week! Yes! The first week was great, so much learning and growing. But really it has just flown right by!
The investigators that we are teaching (hypothetical of course) are moving along and it's less scary as we go into a lesson. I find that we are able to plan more effectively, and even though we had a REALLY rough lesson the other day, the Lord knew what he was doing, and I think that it was for me to learn to speak up more. I'm sure you're thinking, "that's totally weird that Hannah of all people is having trouble speaking up..." or maybe you're not if you know me... but just know that this whole teaching thing is SO hard for me. It's so completely out of my nature, and I turn to scriptures and to the Lord every single day because I know that I would just freeze up in silence and fear without the Spirit with me at all times.
I think that the MTC gives you this honey badger attitude (as Elder W. would say). Things that before you COULD NOT handle are sort of just, "meh. honey badger don't care." (This is not just a Webster thing, look up the meme, you'll see.) Like when your companion hums ALL DAY LONG, you just sort of don't care. Sometimes you even catch a bit of Les Mis and hum along for a few seconds. It's a blessing, and I love it. It seriously helps me love everything about the people that I'm set with all day everyday. I'm not even kidding I love all of them. And their weird quirks? It is just not a big deal.
Our district is split between people going to Atlanta, Georgia, and people going to Boston, like me. My companion, Sister B, is from Wyoming and she is a self proclaimed six year old. She loves all things juvenile, music and 'Phineas and Ferb' are two of her great loves. We are, as I'm sure you can tell, nothing alike but we learn things each day from one another and I grow from her outrageous actual love for everyone (I thought I was loving enough... until I met Sister B).
All the Sisters are a pretty close knit bunch, most of us live together and (Me, Sister B, Sister C., and Sister Durf.), and then the other two live right down the hall (Sister L., and Sister D.). All of them are inspiring and wonderful. They teach me and they help me grow from their inspiring stories and their great faith.
I'm sure that I'll have stories for you about a few of them or all of them one day, but for now It's time to finish my laundry and get moving. GOING TO THE TEMPLE TODAY! (and don't tell me not to shout, because this is just TOO EXCITING! :)
Love you all, and thank you for all the DearElders, I really appreciated them and I am so so happy about everything you are doing at home! This place is great, and each day is an adventure. I'm not going to say that I love every minute of it, but I am fully invested in taking my mission one day at a time and loving it, today is a great day... so was yesterday, and the day before.
love, Sister HRP
Saturday, January 19, 2013
MTC, the only place you study for 11.5 hours on no sleep and LOVE IT.
Hey guys, thanks for all the emails. I'm joking. I didn't get any, but don't worry, it doesn't even matter because I'm way happy here!
MTC is fun. Okay so it is a lot of hard work, and scary, but everyone is crazy friendly and the teachers are great and it's so much fun. I think I mentioned that.
First day was a tad terrifying, we got our companions, went to class for a while to meet our teachers, and then went to a workshop thing where we taught "
The food here is alright, I filled out this sheet of when I want a Gluten Free breakfast, lunch, or dinner, which doesn't make any sense why I wouldn't want one, because what would I eat? Then when we eat I walk into the back and pick it up out of the warming cabinet, (by MYSELF, danger) and sit down with my district. It's just a plate with wrap over it and usually it's alright, but every once in a while it's sort of awful and my missionaries pity me. Like yesterday, when I had a hamburger without a bun because they ran out, some really dry green beans, and oily french fries. But on the bright side, I doubt I will gain weight! Plus, they have Gluten Free cookies that are golden. Especially because we eat like an "old folks" home at 7:00, 11:00, and 4:30 (yes, we eat dinner at 4:30) so when it's time to go to bed I feel like I could eat Sister Bringhurst's arm - the cookies come in handy. But thank you Mom for suggesting I bring those protein bars. But. Really.
Anyway, much too much about the food, but I have to go now, 3:20 minutes left... I had a bit of a coughing fit midway through my internet time, almost died and had to go to the bathroom. Which pretty much is a way of saying that I'm sorry this email is REALLY short and it's not entirely my fault.
Gotta go! It's about to kick me off!
LOVE YOU ALL!
Sister Preszler
P.S. Ya'll should DearElder.com me, because we get to read them even when it isn't our p-day, but also it feels a little bit like "mean girls" when they hand out the letters before class, "4 for you Sister Dawson! You go Sister Dawson!"
P.P.S. You could also just send letters.
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