I'm determined to remember a subject! Yay! I did it! (; January 13, 2013

Alright family. Holy smokes, my life! So I'm in the library, and am being times, so I've gotta type like the wind! So excuse all the typos and sentences that make no sense!

This week was CRAZY! Gosh. So here's some big things that happened.

I got a voicemail from the mission office, and the lady said this, "I'm calling for Sister Dunn. I have some news on her.... uh.... um..... oh what's it called... I'm blanking on it...... oh! her visa." Okay, cool! Way to draw it out suuuuuper long and give me a heart attack! Ah! I start FREAKING out! I know that it's either I've gotten my visa, or they need more paperwork. My heart is pounding! I'm so scared. I could be going to Brazil in a couple days! I can't believe. I call the lady back in the mission office, and guess what?! I have more paperwork to do.. Mom, you were supposed to get a call to let you know this as well. The FBI is requiring finger prints and other things. So I have to get that figured out. Let me tell you, that night, I have not cried so hard for the longest time. I held it in all day, and I went and just got to my knees and prayed to Heavenly Father. Why? Why am I still here? How much longer will I be here? What am I doing wrong? What do I need to learn? Am I ever going to Brazil? I don't understand. I just don't get it. I couldn't stop the sobs from coming. They just came. And it was one of those hard cries that your face is all squanshed up and your eyeballs are puffy and red and your just crying and tears are coming down your face and it's almost painful. Ya. I couldn't believe it. I have been in Ohio for almost 6 months. Let me repeat that for you. SIX MONTHS! I am almost 1/3 of the way done with my mission and I'm not even in my assigned area. I just didn't get it. And I hated that.

Well, the next day, I find out that I'm being transferred. I starting freaking out AGAIN! I did not expect that at all! I was only in that area for a transfer, 6 weeks, and I was leaving. I was sad to leave the people and the town, but along with the news that I was leaving came comfort. Surprisingly I felt peace with knowing I was leaving. I was scared and nervous and sad, but I understood.

So I went to transfers. I was so nervous. We all sit in the chapel, and they just read the name of the area and the two missionaries that are assigned there. The two missionaries then stand up, look at each other, hug, sit together, and then that's it. You're with your new companion. So they called out the area Milford, Ohio, and they said, "Senior companion, Sister Dunn will receive a junior companion of Sister White." Oh gosh! They said my name! I'm trying to remember that I need to stand up, and then remember what area they just said, while looking around at who my new companion is. Well I see her, we go up, and let me tell you, it was the best companion hug I've yet thus far on my mission. And when I saw her, and we hugged, I just knew it was right. That peaceful feeling came back. We sat down with each other and that was it. I am now companions with Sister White serving in Milford, Ohio! And it's right. It is absolutely meant to be, and I still feel that. It's only been a couple of days, but we have had so much fun and done so much work! It's incredible!

I also received an answer to my prayers about my visa. I now know why I'm here. Why I'm still in the United States, and it's so that I can be with Sister White. She has Epilepsy, and it's under control now, but she has to take medication for it. Well it makes her sleepy, so she requires to come in and take naps. Well President came up to us and said he wanted to talk to us, and he informed us that she will need that sleep, and I will need my language study. And it works out perfect. She sleeps while I study. And apparently this is something that Sister White has been struggling with, she needs the sleep, but her companions don't always understand, and then while she's sleeping they don't know what to do. Which is exactly how I feel with my language study. President and Sister Porter were searching on how best to accomodate Sister White's needs and they came up with the perfect plan, and that is why we are together. I am here still so that I can be with her. She is here so that she can be with me. It's perfect. And an answer to my prayers. We're meant to be together. And I love her. I know that I could maybe resent that, or her, or look at this a different way, but I have never loved a companion more quickly than I have with Sister White. I really do love her. And know we are meant to be together. And I'm excited to get started here in Milford! Which almost sounds like Medford! (;

Also, I gave a talk on Sunday. Yep. They asked me Saturday, and I had 45 minutes to prepare, and it was our first Sunday in the ward and I gave a talk. On Missionary Work. Surprise! Worst topic ever for a missionary! It's so hard to talk about. Ha! But I think I did a real good job actually. I was proud of it. And I got the ward to laugh, and also to cry (: And I cried. I started crying when I started talking about my family. Ha! Of course. But it was really good. So now the ward knows who I am. It was exciting!

I don't have much time. Sorry! But a member took us out to lunch on our first day, and I got eggs benedict! YAY! I satisfied my Christmas tradition craving (: Hazzah!

And SYDNEY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Oh my goodness gracious, you are turning 19 and I can't believe it! Do you know what age that is? Sister Missionary age requirements! yay! (; Just putting it out there. Hahah! Syd, just know that I am thinking about you lots! I hope that your day is super happy and special! I'll be sending all my love to you, so be looking to feel it! I love you lots!

Family! I love you! I'll send pictures next week. I did cut my hair. Exciting! I've only got like 8 minutes left and have to read the like 6 emails Sydney sent and the couple form Lucy. Haha! (:

Love you all! Keep me in your prayers. Thank you for all you do for me!

Sister Clara Kay Dunn

Here's my new address!

1202 Queens Dr.
Milford, OH 45150

LOVE YOU!


1.So the Oakes family in my last area have a missionary wall. And every missionary gets to burn their name into the wall. Uh, COOL! So here's what I did!
And can I tell you something?! It's so confusing to tell people that I'm from Medford, but will be going home to Hawaii. Oh, I'm from Medford, but now I'm going to be from Hawaii.. Ha! (: It's exciting!

2.Studying Portuguese! Yay for my English and Portuguese scriptures! (:

3. Okay. This is a terrible picture, it's super yucky. But I took it so you could see how long my hair was. It was long.

4. And here's an after! I cut it! It goes just below my shoulders. It's fun (:

5. And here is a pretty sunset in my last area, out in Oregonia. Beautiful! Ah.

Well I love you family! Good luck this week! It's a big one! (:

FAMILY! January 6, 2013

FAMILY!

Well. Another week has passed. I can't believe it. Time is slowly picking up. Well, it feels like it is. In the MTC, oh gosh, I swear I was there for a year and a half. And then when I was being trained, that felt like forever. And now! The time is just moving along. I honestly think it's because I'm used to the schedule now, I understand why I'm here and the work I'm supposed to be doing, and I'm focused. That makes a difference. When I put my mind to the work and focus and love what I'm doing, there's not enough time in the day! But I have to admit, sometimes I just want days to end! But they always do. And before I know it I'm in bed fast asleep (: Then the alarm goes off at 6:20 and it starts all over! I like being a missionary. I also like following rules and keeping good standards. I just like this gospel (:

This week! Well, mom and dad, I just want to thank you for teaching me how to properly clean. And how to keep things clean as the week goes on. And how to take care of my things and myself. It's been a great help in my life. Especially as I see others who don't care of their things. So thank you! (:

Last Monday, for our District Activity (that's just where our district gets together and has fun on p-day), we played ultimate Frisbee! Um, fun! I haven't played since like middle school, and it was so much fun! Then we played knock out and that was fun too. And you guys. I didn't know this, but I'm kind of good at sports. Cool! (: I was making 3 pointers and getting elders out like no bodies business! Haha. It was a lot of fun. Ultimate is a lot of fun, I don't know why I haven't played it in so long! So that was good (: I was proud of myself for going out there and trying and realizing I was better than I thought. Secret talents!

On New Years Eve, we had to be in our apartment at 7pm and read a 23 page talk. I actually enjoyed myself. Ha! I did miss going and watching Cody Stover's Christmas tree burn, but I guess a 23 page article to read will suffice (; Hahah. And yep, I went to bed at 9:45pm. PARTY! That's how a missionary does it! I celebrated by going to sleep early and waking up at6:30am saying, "Happy New Year!" Hahah. I will be out on my mission for the entire year of 2014. Crazy! That's an odd thought. This whole year I'll be serving the Lord. Then when the year is up, I'll be headed home to Hawaii! (: Hip hip hooray! That'll be an adventure!

So it dumped snow here on Thursday. Like.. a lot of inches! I am terrible at estimating measurements! I would guess between 4 and 6 inches. But I don't have a clue! Anyways, we decided that we would do service that day and go shovel people's driveway! Um ya, I've never done that before. And it is crazy difficult! I don't ever want to live somewhere where I have to shovel my driveway. It's wayy too much work! And I was sore the next day. But it was SO much fun! (: We just went and shoveled less active member's driveways, and they were so appreciative. It was great! We got into people's homes that we wouldn't let us in before, and we got free hot chocolate! Happy (: It was great! And freezing. I had on SO many layers! Thank you mom for teaching me about layers!

One day, we knocked on a door and talked to a boy who is a senior in high school, Jake, and he wasn't going to a church and was willing to let us come back. Well went back another day to set up an actual appointment, and come to find out he worked with someone in our ward and also know that guy's mom, perfect! So we brought them to the lesson we had with him. We had left Jake with a pamphlet about the Restoration and when we had our lesson, he had read through it all. And he like it! Ah! We taught him and answered all his questions and we talked about Priesthood and being baptized by someone holding that proper authority, and the Spirit was so strong, I extended baptism and he said yes! We then went on the talk about the Book of Mormon and that he needs to read the book and pray to know its true. At the end, when I asked him how he felt, he said, "I feel really good. I want to be baptized. I'm going to read this book and pray about it. And I want to go to church." AHHH! He just flat out told us that he wants to be baptized. He was SO prepared. And the members that came with us were SUCH a help! Seriously, that's how missionary work moves along, the members. With referrals. When members know the investigator, things progress so much smoother. It was great! We meet with Jake again this week. We're excited. We hope he kept the Spirit and those feelings with him so that he is able to progress more in the gospel. People are ready for this church. And we don't know who they are, we just have to open our mouth and invite.

Um! I almost lost my scriptures! I almost started crying! I had left them on the back of the car, and we drove off, and got to our next destination, and I realize I didn't have my scriptures and that they were no longer on the car! We back tracked where we had gone and they were no where to be found. Those are my everything. I've had them for 12 years and they have my notes and my thoughts in them. I was about to start crying. I just prayed asking for help, and seriously, right when I finished my prayer our phone rang. They asked for Clara Dunn and said they had found my bag on the side of the road. AH! Miracle! The lady was SO kind to have found them. And I was so grateful that my phone number was in my planner in my bag. She was so sweet. So I got them. And I hugged them like crazy. I am going to try to be less of a clutz and remember where I set things (: HA!

A storm blew in last night. It's freezing! It's in the negative degrees and when I walk outside my nose hairs freeze! It reminds me of the good ol' Rexburg (: Everything is iced over. Our parking lot was nothing but ice, and I may have accidentally played around on it for like 2 seconds (; It was fun. But scary. It's real cold out there. It was cute, the elders in our ward just called and asked if we'd been outside yet because they wanted to ward us about how cold it was. They said they were worried for us in our skirts (: It was so nice of them to warn us! And it is freezing out there, that's why we were like 4 leggings and all our sweaters. Haha. Thermal garments would be nice, if you get a chance to order some.

It was a pretty exciting week! (: I love you lots family! And I miss you too! Thanks for everything! Thank you for the prayers, they have been much needed and greatly appreciated. I love you all so much. Really.

With all my love,
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.

P.S. I'm thinking of chopping my hair off.. Ah! Well the ends are reeeaaaaal dead, so I need a major trim, and to get all the dead off it may be a chop. Ha! We'll see if I have the guts to do it today! I'll let you know next week.


1. District photo! Transfers are this Thursday, so we had to get a picture together (: My guess is I'm staying, I'll find out on Wednesday. Our district is wayy big. Ha. We have us, the District Leader and his companion, the Zone Leaders and their junior companion (they're a tri), the Sister Training Leaders, and another set of sisters. And we only cover 2 wards. Ha! Our ward has 4 missionaries (2 sets) and the other ward has 7 missionaries (3 sets). Crazy!

2. Shoveling snow! I bundled (: I think I may have scared some people. Haha! Basically I'm tough.


3.It was cold! And we did work. It was great!

4. This is peanut butter that I found at the store and I just had to have it! Who knew Peter Pan made peanut butter! Yum! And Fun! (: