Here's your email for the week! (: August 25, 2014

Another Monday, another P-day! Hooray! The weeks are going by quickly! It's insane.

The weeks go by so quickly, that it's hard to remember what to write about in my letter.

A cool thing was that we went on exchanges and I got to be with my Sister Training Leader, Sister Penrod, and it was so neat, we were going to try some people and she saw a lady walk out to get her mail and she felt we needed to go talk to her. So we went up and she was in her garage and we started talking to her, telling her about the Restoration and the blessings that come from it, and she started to cry. She then told us that her sister had died a couple of months previously and she was just looking at pictures of her in the garage, and she said that she has been doing a lot of soul searching and that she had been trying things on her own and that nothing was working, and so it was a miracle that we came up to her and started talking to her. She said she needed the help of someone else and that it was a blessing we showed up. WOW! MIRACLE! Moments like that strengthen my testimony that we are doing good work and that the Lord has prepared people for us to teach. Every day I write down what happened that day that I was grateful for and what of God's grace we saw. I know that He is in every day. We just have to look for Him and recognize all that He does for us. It's miraculous! That was in the area that Sister Penrod is in, so I'll have to hear how that goes when she goes back to teach her more.

Also on exchanges! I was able to talk to a lady from Brasil! She was from Sao Paulo and we were able to talk. She said that she was so impressed that I had learned Portuguese in 6 weeks and that that was a year ago! I couldn't believe it either! It was a challenge, I had to concentrate real hard, but I got it, and we were able to talk. It was really neat (:

It's been real stormy here! Like really intense. Rain pouring down, constant lightning, and really loud thunder. Like really down. Cracking thunder. It's so intense! Storms are crazy over here! It's exciting, I love rain storms. The only down fall is that as a missionary you're required to be out in it. Then it's not so fun being rained on and soaking wet. haha! But it's exciting (: We went running one morning and it just poured down, it was fun to run in the rain.

We had dinner with the bishop and his family last night. It's neat being the missionary. Because I remember the missionaries coming over to our house when Dad was bishop, and now I'm on the other side. It's cool (: The bishop and his family are hilarious! We were cracking up and having a good time. It's always enjoyable when you can be with a family and feel comfortable and happy.

That's about it. Oh wait! Just kidding. We found out that the mission is going to a Cincinnati Red's Game in 2 weeks! Woo hoo! That is going to be fun! (: We're going on September 8. I can't wait! I'm excited to see all the missionaries! Especially Sister Sofele! AH! Miss her SO much. It's weird being in a zone without her. She sent me a letter last week saying I better be going because she wants to see me. Haha. It's gonna be great!

Mom! I got your package today. Oh my gosh! Hilarious! I unfolded the shirt and just started cracking up! Bahahah! I love it! You're too funny (: Thank you so much. It's a great 1 year mark gift.

I'm glad that you got my boxes! I always worry that they get lost or don't make it.

Hope everything is going well. I love you a lot! You're my favorite!

Love you,
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.

Supporting Brasil on my Zone Fun Day last week (:

Love this! I love our Heavenly Father.

I've been messing with the camera, and it's so pretty out here. So lots of landscapes of Indiana!

The car we drive! We lucked out and have a jeep!

Taking pictures in the corn. hahah! 

I was SO afraid of bugs. There are crazy big spiders in there. And I somehow got myself to go into the corn. I was freaking out, and this picture shows it. Haha!

Sister Armstrong and I.

Soy Beans

More Soy Beans

Driving along.

Mr. Robot on our dashboard. Haha (:

Me, Sister Armstrong, Sister Porter (President Porter's niece, crazy I know), and Sister Penrod (my STL).

Exchanges! Haha. Finding things to sleep on. I got to sleep on the couch. Yep, the ones from the church building. Hooray for missionary furniture! Haha.

Saw this at the library and got excited. Hah! I miss recycling.

My new shirt! Hahaha! I LOVE it! You're hilarious (:

I just love you. I hope you know! August 18, 2014

FAMILY! (:

Oh boy. I missed you guys. My email last week was so lame! I've been waiting to make up for it! Last week was terrible! When I tried emailing you last week, I was so weak that it took all my energy to lift my arms to the keyboard, and then took all the more effort to push the darn keys down! It wore me out.. How sad! I actually had to take a break, and I went and laid on the ground. HA! It was no good! So I emailed what little bit I could and then we went back to our apartment. I texted Sister Porter (she's the mission mom/nurse), and she was shocked that I've still felt sick. I was sick for the last like 2 weeks.. And I just couldn't kick it. So she told me to call the mission doctor! Doctor Dunn (yepp! That's our name!). Well he said to regulate my temperature and see how it goes. Well Monday night was miserable, I didn't get like any sleep, I was super nauseous and achy and my temperature got up to 101.6! So in the morning I called Doctor Dunn and told him that I was NOT getting better! And he suggested that I go to a doctor. So I went to urgent care and saw a doctor. He thought it might have been strep! So he tested for that, but I was negative. So thank goodness! He thinks it was just some back virus that I caught and must have just caught it again.. So he prescribed me some antibiotics, told me to rest and to drink lots. I was in bed for like 2 days straight... yuck. I was so ready to get out of the house! But I'm feeling better now! HOORAY! (: I was going crazy being stuck in my bed. And what a great way to start Sister Armstrong and I's companionship.. it was hard for her. She didn't understand or know what to do with herself. But we're out and working now and it's great!

And you know what?! Here I was, feeling all sick and tired and not having the greatest week, when I get TWO packages! One from Lucy! Hooray! I was SO excited! That was so unexpected and perfect timing! And it fits! So now I'm all ready for Shayla's wedding as a Distant Bridesmaid (: I'm actually wearing the dress now! And I most definitely found me some Peener hairs. Probably the happiest thing right there! For once, knowing what cat the hair came from and loving the cat that it doesn't bother me. Hah! (: And then a happy surprise of a package from momma! And it was a brand new camera! I was freaking out a bit, because I didn't need a new one, but then I read the letter. I like the plan. It's dad's camera on loan to me. So I'm taking VERY good care of it! It came with a fancy case, so that's good. And I am extra a lot making sure that I don't ever set it down anywhere but in my bag! Haha. Thank you SO much mom and dad (: Good choice on camera. This is the updated version that the member in my last ward let me borrow. It's super nice. I'm excited!

We had Zone Conference on Wednesday! I love Zone Conferences! I love hearing from President Porter. My gosh, he's a genius and I learn so much from him! I was asked to give a talk that I didn't know I was suppose to prepare! Whoops! But thank goodness it was on the Doctrine of Christ (which is Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end), so I was good on talking about that! That's all we do! I think I did okay. My testimony has truly grown with these principles. I love them and have learned so much about them for my personal life. And elder said it was a powerful talk, so that was kind of him (:

We're meeting a lot of people and teaching and it's so much fun! I love it. I'm so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. That we get to feel of Him whenever we are worthy. It's a great feeling. And teaching with him present! AH! Best thing ever (:

So the week started out rough.. But it's a whole lot better now! Hooray!

Yes, living in Pendleton, Indiana, serving in the Anderson Ward. My Zone Leaders are serving in the same ward with us. Sister Armstrong is from Utah, this is her first and only area, been out 6 months. It's always an overload to learn a new area, but it's stretching my mind and my memory, so that's good! It's really pretty out here. I like Indiana. Everyone has a porch with chairs that you go sit on (lessons on the porch are a fantastic thing), there are corn fields every where and they're so tall now! It's beautiful! And soy bean fields! I like those a lot. Especially when it's over cast and kind of foggy, it's a pretty sight. All the buildings look super old, there are tons of brick buildings. I'm constantly thinking about how I just want to come back and take pictures of EVERY thing! It's neat over here.

Well that's about it! Things have been going well (: And now that I have a camera, more pictures coming at you! I wasn't able to take a lot this week, so next week will be good. Today is our Zone Fun Day, so I'll try to take some pictures there.

Know that I love you all to pieces. I couldn't do this without the help of my Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ and you, my family. Thank you. Thank you for all the love you give to me. It means a lot.

But! Before I go! Lucy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (: HOORAY! I hope you have a great day! Full of fun and happiness. I'll be sending you my birthday wishes through prayer! And also, I bought this awesome card but I can't find it.. I bought it in my last area, and must have lost it through the move of transfers.. SO.. it may be late. And I have yet to buy you a birthday gift.. So know that I send my love, and eventually my present. Haha!

And Shayla, happy marriage day! I'm there in Spirit! (: Hope it's fun. I'm sure it will be!

Love you all so very much!

With all the love of my heart,
Sister Dunn.
Sister Missionary serving in Indiana!

Distant Bridesmaid! (: This is the back way to our apartment. It's so fun! We live in tiny downtown Pendleton and we have a back way up the stairs to our apartment! Fun!

Selfie for good measure. Testing out the new camera (;

Sister Armstrong and I right before we came into the library.

That's all for this week! Love you all so very much!

area #5 and companion #7. August 11, 2014

hey.

so the shift key on this keyboard is super sticky and annoying.. so i'm avoiding it at all costs. so i apologize for not capitalizing!

also, i'm feeling reallyy sick.. i woke up all nauseous and dizzy and super weak. it's taking all my energy to push the buttons on this darn keyboard. blah. so this email is going to be short. cause i'm going to go back home to rest.

so i am now serving in the Anderson Ward! i live in Pendleton, Indiana above a cupcake shop (: our apartment is small and pretty basic. haha. it's been fun! my companion is Sister Armstrong. she's been out for 6 months and this is her first and only area. and get this! Sister White was serving here before she got to Milford with me! so i'm sleeping in the same bed, and meeting the people she's taught. it's crazy!

my new address is:

101 1/2 State St. #3
Pendleton, IN 46064

i am now accepting all letters and packages (; hahah.

still getting over my sickness.. obviously. so it's been a struggle cause we've been working lots, which is great! it's always an adjustment coming to a new ward and a new area. still adjusting!

i'm sorry this email is so lame. i don't have lots of time or energy. but it's okay! i'm getting better. i just need to lay down and eat some protein (:

know that i love you a whole heck of a lot!

you're the best family. i receive so much strength from you. thank you for everything.

love,
sister clara kay dunn.

TRANSFERS! August 4, 2014

Alright, are you all ready for transfer results?!.... Any guesses?!

I'll just tell you!

I'm headed out! I'm leaving Fort Wayne. Sister Montrose is staying. That was my guess. It's crazy! So we go to Transfer Meeting tomorrow, I'll receive a new companion and a new area and start working there! My 5th area. Can you believe that?! That's a lot. Sister Montrose goes home in October, and this is only her second area. I go home in January and this is my fifth area. Crazy! The longer I've been out, the more you get to know the missionaries, and some stay in areas for a long time, and other for only a little. I'm the little one, I bounce around a lot. Which has it's negatives and positives. It's always an adventure! A very scary one! Haha. Not knowing where I'll be living for the next 6 weeks, or who my companion will be and what she'll be like. Ah! It's exciting (: I'm hoping I go to Kentucky! Haha.

Sister Sofele is staying in this zone.. So we'll be seperated again.. UNLESS! We get put together! Because her companion is leaving the area! Bwahahah! We've been trying to convince President to just let it happen! That would be SAWEET! (; Haha.

So this week I hit hard with illness.. It was kinda the flu. Which sucks in the summer time. And when you're a missionary. I threw up once, thank goodness no more than that. But I've had a sore throat for the last 5 days, a bad one. I had a fever, the chills and seriously, for 2 days my body ached so badly that it felt like someone beat me with a bat... It was wretched. I'm on the upside. Or so I'm telling myself. I'm tired of being sick, so I'm just saying I'm all better (: Haha.. I was down for 2 days, and not working is NOT a fun thing. I did not like staying inside. I got so bored!

The day I was sick, our Zone Leaders called, and Elder Smith said that he and Elder Pape and the Sister Training Leaders needed to come over right then (it was 8am.. and I'm sick..). I said no, but Elder Smith insisted that it was the Spirit saying it, and that the Lord is not wrong with His timing. So they came over, and Elder Smith explained that he had a dream last night, he then clarified to me to not get freaked out, but that it was all about me. He said he didn't know why he had it, but that when he woke up he was very nervous shakey and knew that he needed to come talk to me to make sure everything was okay. So he told his companion and the STL's and they all headed over. He then said that he felt that he should give me a blessing. Which is a big deal. Because we've talked about Priesthood Blessings, and Elder Smith and I are pretty similar in this aspect. I don't like asking for blessings, simply because of my pride. I don't want to seem weak and ask for help from other people, I feel I can just talk to God and receive all the help I need. Which is silly, because sometimes we just need a Priesthood Blessing. And he told me that he knew that's how I felt, and that that is why he came over, to tell me that he felt I needed one (which secretly I did, I just didn't want to admit it... So Heavenly Father is amazing and works through people to help His children). I wasn't quite sure why Elder Smith came over, I wasn't really struggling with anything.. I mean the first thing that came to mind, was maybe Brasil?.. So we talked about that for awhile. But I just got so frustrated, because it was most definitely NOT that! I don't need help with that, I've got it under control and I understand it all.. So we kind of just talked. It wasn't until I calmed down (I got pretty upset.. I was sick and being asked a bazillion questions to figure out why this whole thing was happening, trying to figure out what was "wrong" with me, talking about a topic that I do not like talking about!), that I realized what the true reason was that they had come over. But it wasn't something I could share in front of everyone. So I was able to talk to it with my STL later and figure it out. So we all calmed down and I asked Elder Smith if he'd give me a blessing. And let me tell you, I am so very grateful that he came over, and that he was willing to give me a blessing. I really needed it. And I was silly to have waited so long.. I felt so peaceful. And calm. And happy. And I knew that God was smiling down on His servants. It was a great feeling. It was a good way to end our odd discussion. haha. 

So that was that! We almost hit Leadership Standards this week! If I hadn't been sick, we would have gotten it! Which makes me sad, but also very happy because it's a miracle we even got as close as we did with me being sick! Grace. I have learned so much about grace and I am so grateful for it!

I sent 6 boxes home! 3 to Hawaii and 3 to Oregon! And let me tell you, I saved us about $1,000! Hahah. Not really, but a lot of money. I did those flat rate boxes which was genius! So expect boxes sometime this week. They said Thursday. So I had to use a lot of my debit money for that... sorry.

I have packed all my stuff in 3 hours! That's impressive! I'm getting the hang of it! I'm also to the point in my mission where I am ready to get rid of it ALL! I have WAY too much crap! It is unacceptable. I'm about ready to keep my scriptures and like 3 skirts and call it good (; Maybe not that little, but you get the point. I keep thinking I'll do that when I go to Brasil, but maybe that's the wrong mindset. Maybe if I do it now, then I'll go to Brasil! Haha (;

Alright, this email is long, and I have others to read and look at. This week was great! I'm sad to leave Fort Wayne.. I really like it here. I'm really excited to come back and visit. It'll be fun to actually go through town and do stuff here! (: The people are great. It was fun. I truly enjoyed my time up here in Indiana. I'm eager to see where the Lord needs me next!

I'll let you know my new address next week! Excited! (:

I love you so very much! Really. Family, you are my world! My everything. Thanks for everything you do for me. It's a lot, and I know. So thank you!

Well, I'm off to help the lives of people! I love being a missionary!

Love,
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.

Oh! P.S. The elders in the other ward, who are the 2 other visa waiters, found a Portuguese investigator! We've been sitting on an apartment complex full of Portuguese speaking people! AND WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW! So they're teaching her! She doesn't know any English! We now know why they are still here in this area as visa waiters! (: So cool! Way exciting!

A tigerlily! I think, I don't know, I just think that's what it should be called. Like Peter Pan (:

My District! I'm gonna miss these guys! That's me, Sister Montrose, Elder Smith (ZL), Elder Klodnicki (DL and visa waiter), and Elder Packer (visa waiter). It was a great district!

The Allen Family. I love them. They're a great family. I'm really going to miss them.

This is a magnet on our fridge that I like (:

LOVE YOU!