Guys. I hate hashtags. But I did it. I just put one in the subject! AH! I'll explain why later (:
Okay. Not a lot of time to write. Dangit. I feel this was an exciting week, but what was making it so exciting was that Mom and Lucy were running a 10k in Disneyland and then Mom and Dad were moving to Hawaii. So it was exciting for reasons outside of Ohio. Haha!
So I got that visa paper crap done. Excuse my language (; But it was SO annoying! I got the paper work. Cool. Looked over it. Confusing. Filled out the application. Done! Filled in the cover letter with needed information that I knew. Made a phone call to the Mission Office to know other information. Also got permission to go to the library to email my parents to get my new Hawaii address (yay, cool!). No response. Went back the next day and got the address and some much needed advice! Thanks parents! Went to BMV (uhh... ya. Here it's called a BMV and not a DMV. Lucy said it sounds more luxurious cause it sounds like BMW. HA!) to get my fingerprints done. They needed a stupid code for a reason that was not listed on their long list. And they were going to charge me $40. Heck no! Was referred to the Milford Police Department. Went there and they said that they could do it but due to where I live I was redirected to the Miami Township Police Department. Okay. Went there, and they said they don't do fingerprints. Was then referred to the Jail. Uhh.. We drove out in the boondocks looking for a jail that didn't exist. So we decided to go back to the Milford Police Station. Went there and explained all of this and then I just let them know that I just desperately wanted someone to blotch ink on my little fingertips and roll it onto a paper! That's all! So finally a really nice cop said he could do it. Hazzah! He took me back and inked my fingerprints and rolled them on a paper. Left the Police Department and went to the Post Office. Mailed that stupid paper work away so I didn't ever have to look at it again! Then because I was SO frustrated at all this, I treated myself to some Harry Potter stamps! (: Hahah.
So ya. That was over the course of about 3 days cause it took so long to drive from one place to the next, and then we'd find out that they're closed and had to wait a day. It was annoying. I'm glad to say though, that I got it all done! I "one minute managed" it! Seriously. I just went and got it done. I live by that motto on my mission. Seriously. Dad. Best motto ever! It makes things so much easier to just do it. Just get it done. "Don't touch it twice." So I got that done and maybe I'll get my visa some day (: Ha. They say it takes 6 to 8 weeks to process... But I've heard lots of things, so we'll just wait and see. Oh the suspense! (;
Okay.
#socialmediasplit
#mormon
#milfordtwo
Go look at them! On Saturday (Sydney's Birthday!) we did a "Social Media Split." The Book of Mormon Musical is here in Cincinnati, and what President wanted to do was to overload the media with real missionaries so that when people looked up the musical they got real missionaries. Cool! So we flooded the media with pictures in the life of every day missionaries! We had a total of 9 women follow us for about 2 hour chunks and take pictures of us and post them to Facebook. And if they so chose, any other social media, Instagram, Vine, Twitter. Whatever! And so whenever they posted a picture, they would put those hashtags so that they'd all link together. So #socialmediasplit is what the day was called. And #mormon, well that's us. So those two will have lots and lots of pictures. The whole mission was doing this, so it exploded with missionaries. But the #mildfordtwo is the name of our area, so those should have just our pictures. I thought it'd be smart to have a hashtag where you could easily access just our pictures. But whether or not the ladies put that on each picture, I do not know. But they were supposed to! Ha (: They got pictures of us doing all kinds of crazy and normal missionary things. I think there's even a video of me singing in Portuguese for my language study. Hahah! If you can't find them, let me know, and I'll get the names of the ladies who took pictures so that you can look them up and find them. It was an exciting and exhausting day. It was funny to see member's reactions with what we do. Like personal study. They didn't know what to do. Cause we just study to ourselves quietly, and they didn't know what to do with themselves. Or for my langauge study, when I awkwardly just read things in Portuguese. Ha! But the woman were SO fun! And so kind to come and join us (: It was a lot of fun. So look those up! And tag me in the photos so that I have them forever! (:
Well that's about it. I don't have a lot of time, since it's Tuesday evening. Ha! But I'm glad I got to text you. Wow, what?! Ha. I just typed that out. I mean email. Haha! I'm glad I got to email you. I miss you lots. I hope your exciting week was great!
Also. Will someone PLEASE let me know if you got my Christmas package that I sent a month ago! Haha (:
AND! My 6 month mark is this Friday! Can you believe it?! I'm 1/3 of the way done with my mission. SYDNEY! ONE THIRD! I made it. Hahah (; Next you'll have to calculate what 1/2 is (; Love you. So I thought for funsies, I'd write down some things that I have not done in 6 months.
I have not:
Hugged a boy.
Painted my nails.
Slept in passed 6:30.
Owned a straightener.
Seen a movie (that is not church related).
Driven a car.
Taken a nap longer than 45 minutes.
Worn jeans.
Or heels.
Had to clean up after dinner (cause when members feed us, they're so nice, and we don't have to clean up. Ha).
Been called by my first name.
Done laundry on any other day than Monday.
That's all I could think of for now (:
Now, I have not done those, but I have:
Read from the Book of Mormon every day.
Written in my journal every night.
Learned to talk to every one.
Figured out who I am.
Grown closer to my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.
Worn Christ's name every day above my heart (my nametag).
Witnessed many miracles.
Learned Portuguese.
Taught people of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Witnessed people change and come closer to their Savior and Redeemer.
Been a part of 2 beautiful girl's conversion and helped them enter the waters of baptism.
A mission is hard. And I may not be able to do a lot of things, but the things that I am able to do, and the things that I have witnessed or been a part of, far outweigh the others. This mission has been hard, harder than anything I've ever had to do. But it's also been amazing. I have learned a lot. And I am grateful for this opportunity. And I'm grateful for the support that I have from my family. You mean the world to me. You help me get through each day. Thank you. And also the support of my friends. I couldn't do this without all of you.
Well I've got to go. I love you all SO much! I hope Hawaii and Oregon and Idaho are GREAT! (:
I think about you lots and pray for you daily.
I read a quote today that helped me, it's by Elder Robert D. Hales, he said, "Have faith; the Lord knows where you are needed."
I love you,
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
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! (;
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.
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! (:
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! (:
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Christmas Happiness = YOU! December 30, 2013
Alright guys, the downside of emailing in a library is we are timed, and then when all the computers are filled, we get kicked off so others can get on. SO! This is going to be a quick little email because I still have to read and respond to some others!
Basically, the best part of this week was CHRISTMAS! (: It was super duper happy! Yay! Talking to you was the best thing ever. It made me so happy. It really did just lift me up and make me feel a lot better and want to just go out and work hard. I do miss you guys but thankfully the call didn't make me too homesick (:
Not much happened besides that wonderful blessed day. Ha. After phone calls we went and worked for a little bit and then went back to Bishop Clawson's home for Christmas dinner. It was so much fun! I just love that family. They treat us like family and they're loud and laugh a lot just like us! So that's great! (: So it felt good to be able to talk to you and then to be able to spend time with the Clawsons. We played with puzzles and told what we got for Christmas and just joked around. For Christmas they got the first three seasons of Duck Dynasty. YES! So we were all quoting it and laughing about certain episodes. It was great. That's a funny show.
I had a real neat experience during language study one day. I was just talking to myself in Portuguese and reading from my Book of Mormon and I got the most warm and comforting and peaceful feeling. And I just knew that I would make it to Brasil and speak Portuguese, but for now my call is in Ohio and I will work here and speak English (: Haha. It was a much needed feeling. But in the email that my Mission President sent me this week, he said that visas are starting to move. Yay! So who knows. They're iffy little things. So who knows how long I'll be here. By the way, transfers are on the seventh. My guess is that I'll be staying. But who knows. Ha!
Had the realization that are family is a family of adults. Uh, what? When did that happen?! When did we all grow up and move out? Huh?! Come on family, I thought we'd just live in the same house in Oregon for forever! Sheesh. But no. Mom and Dad are moving to Hawaii, Lucy is in Oregon, Cooper and Kylie are in Idaho, I'm in Ohio and Sydney is in Idaho. What is this? We've all moved out. It freaked me out. We're adults and I hadn't thought it'd come so soon.
I'm not sure yet what's happening on New Year's Eve. We haven't been told. We might find out tonight. But my guess is we'll just have to be in early. Ya! Party missionary style! Woot woot! Ha.. My New Years will be pretty lame too because I'll be asleep at 10pm and then wake up going, "It's 2014!" So.. Dumb. Ha! BUT! In a couple weeks, I'll only have to go through every holiday once! And then I'm home. So I did one Christmas, and then New Year's and then I'll only have one more of everything. Weird!
Family. Thank you so much for all you do for me. Talking to you was the highlight of everything ever! And before we know it, I'll be calling you again on Mother's Day! That'll be cool (: Hearing your voices really cheered me up. It was really funny, when I went back to the Clawsons home for dinner that same night, they all commented about how I was just cracking up during my call. I was in their guest bedroom, and they just said that they could just hear me laughing and that I sounded super animated and happy. I've realized guys, that our family is a hoot! We just crack up and laugh and have a good ol' time! I love it (: It was a very happy phone call, so thank you.
Minha família! Serio, eu amo vocês muito! Eu sou muita grata por vocês.
Love you lots family!
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
Some things that cracked me up on the phone call:
First thing I hear from Lucy is, "You're a missionary!"
Peener meowing at me!
Teasing Sydney about not knowing math (;
Mom and Dad's hilarious Christmas ding dong ditch disaster
Cooper's message that dad forwarded to me.
And then Lucy ending the call with, "Best Christmas ever!"
This is the best family ever. Seriously. I love you.
1. Best pajamas ever! Super comfy, favorite color, way fancy. They deserved tears. And they got them (:
2.Me with my pajamas and gifts and Christmas tree. It was a happy Christmas. Thank you so much! I loved all my gifts. They were perfect!
3. Springboro Ward Missionaries! Sister Ollerton, me, Elder Rose and Elder Stewart! Elder Stewart goes home this Thursday! He was in this are for about 11 months. Wow!
4. The Sisters with Ally Clawson. She's the bishop's daughter and we're just all friends (:
Basically, the best part of this week was CHRISTMAS! (: It was super duper happy! Yay! Talking to you was the best thing ever. It made me so happy. It really did just lift me up and make me feel a lot better and want to just go out and work hard. I do miss you guys but thankfully the call didn't make me too homesick (:
Not much happened besides that wonderful blessed day. Ha. After phone calls we went and worked for a little bit and then went back to Bishop Clawson's home for Christmas dinner. It was so much fun! I just love that family. They treat us like family and they're loud and laugh a lot just like us! So that's great! (: So it felt good to be able to talk to you and then to be able to spend time with the Clawsons. We played with puzzles and told what we got for Christmas and just joked around. For Christmas they got the first three seasons of Duck Dynasty. YES! So we were all quoting it and laughing about certain episodes. It was great. That's a funny show.
I had a real neat experience during language study one day. I was just talking to myself in Portuguese and reading from my Book of Mormon and I got the most warm and comforting and peaceful feeling. And I just knew that I would make it to Brasil and speak Portuguese, but for now my call is in Ohio and I will work here and speak English (: Haha. It was a much needed feeling. But in the email that my Mission President sent me this week, he said that visas are starting to move. Yay! So who knows. They're iffy little things. So who knows how long I'll be here. By the way, transfers are on the seventh. My guess is that I'll be staying. But who knows. Ha!
Had the realization that are family is a family of adults. Uh, what? When did that happen?! When did we all grow up and move out? Huh?! Come on family, I thought we'd just live in the same house in Oregon for forever! Sheesh. But no. Mom and Dad are moving to Hawaii, Lucy is in Oregon, Cooper and Kylie are in Idaho, I'm in Ohio and Sydney is in Idaho. What is this? We've all moved out. It freaked me out. We're adults and I hadn't thought it'd come so soon.
I'm not sure yet what's happening on New Year's Eve. We haven't been told. We might find out tonight. But my guess is we'll just have to be in early. Ya! Party missionary style! Woot woot! Ha.. My New Years will be pretty lame too because I'll be asleep at 10pm and then wake up going, "It's 2014!" So.. Dumb. Ha! BUT! In a couple weeks, I'll only have to go through every holiday once! And then I'm home. So I did one Christmas, and then New Year's and then I'll only have one more of everything. Weird!
Family. Thank you so much for all you do for me. Talking to you was the highlight of everything ever! And before we know it, I'll be calling you again on Mother's Day! That'll be cool (: Hearing your voices really cheered me up. It was really funny, when I went back to the Clawsons home for dinner that same night, they all commented about how I was just cracking up during my call. I was in their guest bedroom, and they just said that they could just hear me laughing and that I sounded super animated and happy. I've realized guys, that our family is a hoot! We just crack up and laugh and have a good ol' time! I love it (: It was a very happy phone call, so thank you.
Minha família! Serio, eu amo vocês muito! Eu sou muita grata por vocês.
Love you lots family!
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
Some things that cracked me up on the phone call:
First thing I hear from Lucy is, "You're a missionary!"
Peener meowing at me!
Teasing Sydney about not knowing math (;
Mom and Dad's hilarious Christmas ding dong ditch disaster
Cooper's message that dad forwarded to me.
And then Lucy ending the call with, "Best Christmas ever!"
This is the best family ever. Seriously. I love you.
2.Me with my pajamas and gifts and Christmas tree. It was a happy Christmas. Thank you so much! I loved all my gifts. They were perfect!
3. Springboro Ward Missionaries! Sister Ollerton, me, Elder Rose and Elder Stewart! Elder Stewart goes home this Thursday! He was in this are for about 11 months. Wow!
4. The Sisters with Ally Clawson. She's the bishop's daughter and we're just all friends (:
5.Our creep board. Haha! This is our study area. Includes our board of everything and lots and lots of my books. Yay for studying!
6.Our area covers a little tiny town called Oregonia! We get out there about once every month. I had to get a picture next to the sign. It's like I'm almost in Oregon!
7. OREGON! I love Oregon! Really. I miss it. (Mom, I'm wearing that new black skirt. Uh, love it! Sheesh. You guys did AMAZING! Thank you!)
8.I miss my Cannon, pictures would be so much nicer. But here's a shot that I took and liked (:
Love you lots family! Hope you like the pictures. You're my favorite! (:
7. OREGON! I love Oregon! Really. I miss it. (Mom, I'm wearing that new black skirt. Uh, love it! Sheesh. You guys did AMAZING! Thank you!)
8.I miss my Cannon, pictures would be so much nicer. But here's a shot that I took and liked (:
Love you lots family! Hope you like the pictures. You're my favorite! (:
Monday, December 23, 2013
Pre-Christmas Talk! December 23, 2013
So here's the deal! The moment we've all been waiting for! Well.. The moment leading up to the moment we've all been waiting for! Today is a half p-day, so this email will be short, and I won't be able to write all of you individually this week, sorry! But it's because the rest of the p-day will be on Christmas so that I CAN CALL YOU! AH! You have no idea how excited and happy I am. But here's the thing: I only have 30 to 40 minutes to talk on the phone. That's what it says in the White Handbook says and that's what my President said, so it's short. I will be going over to our Bishop's house and using their phones to call. So be ready! (: I'm super duper a lot really excited! We will open gifts in the morning and then do whatever we want until calling home. Yay! (: By the way family, thank you SO much for all the presents! Really (: You are seriously the BEST family in the whole entire world. I've taken a poll and gathered information and it's true, the Dunn family wins! We have a tiny little 1950's silver tinsel tree with a light bulb and rotating color thing to shine on it, and I put all my presents underneath it. It's cute! It looks perfect and makes me happy. Although, people around here all use fake trees. Say whaaa? No. I miss our good ol' Oregon tree! That smells delicious and looks perfect! I also miss our ornaments. That's weird, but I never realized how much feeling is put into ornaments. But it's true. Lucy, I may have opened your little package that I got in the mail. I was sitting by the tree Saturday evening, and just felt like I should open that one. And I'm reallyy glad I did. It had your letter from OCTOBER 24! Hahahah! Oh gosh. I'm just glad I got it. And then the most beautiful pin I have ever seen! Seriously. I just started crying. Ha! It just meant so much to me that you and Syd thought of me when you saw it, and then you got it and sent it to me. Thank you. I wore it on Sunday. On Christmas Sunday, which was perfect because I feel we would sometimes go see the Nutcracker on Sunday, so it was sentimental to wear that ballerina on Sunday (: Thank you SO much!
Not much happened this week. Still just learning how to be the best missionary I can be; the missionary that the Lord knows I can be. It's hard, but I'm learning a lot! I don't really know what to say... Seriously. Like nothing happened this week. Ha!Sunday was great. I really felt the Spirit in all 3 lessons, which to me is super impressive! Hahah, I feel that's hard to do. But I did it! This Christmas season is so different from the rest, and I've really felt so close to my Father in Heaven and to my Savior Jesus Christ. Christ has ultimately given us the best gift, the Atonement, and so it feels good to serve Him and give all that I can. I'm grateful for this season. And I'm grateful for you family. I love you so much! Thank you for making this Christmas special, because you really have. And on Christmas, it'll be even more special by opening your presents and being able to talk to you. I'm excited!
Oh! And let Tina Westlund know that her gift was the first under the tree and that I love her so much and that she's the best! So sweet. Thank you!
Well I've got to go. Sorry, this email is pretty lame, but it's just because I'll be talking to you in 2 DAYS! Woot woot! (:
Also! There was a Christmas Mission Conference this last week, and Sister Porter (the President's wife) took lots of pictures! And I was in some of them. So I'm hoping she posted them onto the Mission Facebook page, so look for those! (:
Family! I love you! So very much! And I miss you lots and look forward to talking to you! Even though it's only 40 minutes, it will be so very happy!
Thanks for all you do for me,
I love you all,
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
1. P-day activity last week! We went and decorated cakes at a member's bakery! Classic Disney! It's Minnie Mouse!
2. Our cute little tree with Tina's present! Since then it's collected a lot more presents. Thank you!
3. I have honestly made so many friends out here. I am so grateful for them! And I had the chance to see them all again at the Christmas Conference!
4. A family, who was baptized a year ago and just recently got sealed in the temple, took us out to lunch to the famous Golden Lamb! It's really famous around here, and around the nation. It's a hotel and lots of presidents and famous people have stayed in it (:
5.The Golden Lamb sign!
6. Sitting by the Christmas tree! And behind me are lots of presents from the people I love! Thank you!
Know that I love you so much! Can't wait to talk to you! Love you with all my heart (:
Talk to you soon! (Do you see what I did there? I said TALK to you soon, because we will be talking to each other soon, and not just read you so soon! Hazzah!) HA!
The true meaning of Christmas:
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-nativity?lang=eng
These Bible videos really are amazing. Just watched this one! (:
Merry Christmas!
Not much happened this week. Still just learning how to be the best missionary I can be; the missionary that the Lord knows I can be. It's hard, but I'm learning a lot! I don't really know what to say... Seriously. Like nothing happened this week. Ha!Sunday was great. I really felt the Spirit in all 3 lessons, which to me is super impressive! Hahah, I feel that's hard to do. But I did it! This Christmas season is so different from the rest, and I've really felt so close to my Father in Heaven and to my Savior Jesus Christ. Christ has ultimately given us the best gift, the Atonement, and so it feels good to serve Him and give all that I can. I'm grateful for this season. And I'm grateful for you family. I love you so much! Thank you for making this Christmas special, because you really have. And on Christmas, it'll be even more special by opening your presents and being able to talk to you. I'm excited!
Oh! And let Tina Westlund know that her gift was the first under the tree and that I love her so much and that she's the best! So sweet. Thank you!
Well I've got to go. Sorry, this email is pretty lame, but it's just because I'll be talking to you in 2 DAYS! Woot woot! (:
Also! There was a Christmas Mission Conference this last week, and Sister Porter (the President's wife) took lots of pictures! And I was in some of them. So I'm hoping she posted them onto the Mission Facebook page, so look for those! (:
Family! I love you! So very much! And I miss you lots and look forward to talking to you! Even though it's only 40 minutes, it will be so very happy!
Thanks for all you do for me,
I love you all,
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
2. Our cute little tree with Tina's present! Since then it's collected a lot more presents. Thank you!
3. I have honestly made so many friends out here. I am so grateful for them! And I had the chance to see them all again at the Christmas Conference!
4. A family, who was baptized a year ago and just recently got sealed in the temple, took us out to lunch to the famous Golden Lamb! It's really famous around here, and around the nation. It's a hotel and lots of presidents and famous people have stayed in it (:
5.The Golden Lamb sign!
6. Sitting by the Christmas tree! And behind me are lots of presents from the people I love! Thank you!
Know that I love you so much! Can't wait to talk to you! Love you with all my heart (:
Talk to you soon! (Do you see what I did there? I said TALK to you soon, because we will be talking to each other soon, and not just read you so soon! Hazzah!) HA!
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-nativity?lang=eng
These Bible videos really are amazing. Just watched this one! (:
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Guess what day it is! December 16, 2013
Monday. And Preparation Day. And email day. And 9 days away from being able to hear your voices!!!!!! YAY! (: Oh gosh, so excited! I don't have details on that yet, but I'll figure them out this weekend and let you know next Monday. We haven't heard anything about it from our Mission President yet, but I hope he says something tonight and so I'll let you know in a week. We're having dinner over at the bishops house, so I assume we'll just go over early and give you a call then. So it'll be in like the evening over here. I think I'm like 3 hours ahead? I have no clue. But I'll be sure to figure out and let you know. Hazzah!
Let me see... What happened this week.
Bahaha. I know! So this last Tuesday, we went to teach the Restoration to a 60 year old lady and her 20 year old son. We brought a member with us, hoping that we'd actually be able to teach because in past appointments the lady just liked to talk about any and everything for an hour, so we hadn't gotten much taught. Well. Background story, the last appointment we had, we talked about the importance of prayer. And so I extended the commitment to pray as a family, and they accepted and then I asked if one of them would offer the closing prayer. They were shy and not really answering and so I asked again, and asked what was keeping them from saying it, and they didn't really give much feedback as to why not. Well we had to go, so I said that I would offer the closing prayer, but that when we came back we'd follow up on how praying as a family went and ask if one of them would say the prayer next time. So now it's the next time, and we taught the restoration, and what we believed and what they needed to know and feel to know of the truthfulness themselves. So we asked them to read from the Book of Mormon and pray. Well... She responded with the fact that she doesn't know what a "normon" believes and doesn't get why they need to pray. Then she totally kills the Spirit and points at me and calls me out for asking them to pray last time. She goes on to chew me out and tell me that I offended them and hurt their feelings and that they didn't understand why they needed to pray out loud or as a family and started telling me that I'm not a very good person for asking them to do that.. It was so awkward and very rude... She said some pretty mean things to me, so we eventually left and I apologized to the member that came, and then I just started to cry. She said some pretty hurtful things to me, and it was hard to hear. And it made me second guess what I was doing. If I was doing things right or if I was even a good missionary... I prayed so hard. And you know what? All I can do is teach and bear my testimony. If they don't accept it or believe it, then that's their decision. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. We give commitments so that people act and can come to know for themselves, and if they're not willing to show their faith by praying, then okay. That's all I can do. It was just frustrating, and hurtful. Oh people and agency. Sheesh. It's amazing how mean people can be to missionaries. I think they forget that I'm still a human, that I'm just a 20 year old girl and still have feelings. So that was terrible. Ha!
But the upside of this week! We had a zone conference and had Elder Perkins of the 70 come and speak to us. SO GOOD! It was incredible. I really felt the Spirit and received so much revelation as to what I need to do as a missionary. I loved it. And President Porter, our mission president, is so inspired. Really. He preaches the word to us missionaries! He's great!
THEN! Best thing ever! Stake Conference was this weekend, and guess who I got to talk to and shake hands with?! Elder D. Todd Christofferson! Heck yes! A living apostle! He came for our conference and spoke to us and then I had the opportunity to go up and shake his hand and talk with him for a bit. It was so neat. And I could just tell that he cared for me and everyone there. He was so genuine. It was amazing! He talked a lot on having faith and building that faith. And that we need to hasten the work, that missionary work is important at this time. And then he blessed everyone there with so many blessings! I don't have my journal on me, but it was incredible! He really is a witness of Jesus Christ. And it was great to be able to see and hear from him! Stake Conference was so great, and I truly felt the Spirit. When we go into meetings with a question, Heavenly Father always answers them. It's incredible. I'm grateful for him.
It snowed.. Again. Thankfully it's that really pretty fluffy dry snow that crunches when you walk on it. And not that nasty wet slushy snow. So it's pretty. But cold. By the way, parents, if you could get me some long johns, that would be much appreciated. Thank you! I'm the same size as Lucy, so you can ask what her sizes are (:
Well... Nothing else really happened. Just working. Trying to find people to teach. This was more of a spiritual missionary email. I try to include funny experiences, but not much happened this week... We went on exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders and we slept on the floor... After telling us that they just had bed bugs, but that they're gone now.. Ha! Oh good! It was a very uncomfortable nights rest, and worrisome that I was going to get bit. But I didn't! And it was a fun day (: I LOVE our STL's. They're super cute.
Alright. Well that's it. I'm gonna watch some Bible videos (which are the best!) and then head over to our District activity! Decorating cakes at a bakery that a lady in the ward owns (: Fun!
Love you all SO much! Really. I cannot wait to talk to you! Yay!
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
1. Sister Ollerton and I. We went to a member's home to help make cookies to give to people, and she had some aprons laid out for us to wear, and then at the end told us that she sewed them for us! She made me an apron! How nice! (: So we took a picture in them in front of her 2 Christmas trees (:
2. Look at who I'm teaching the gospel to! (: He totally loves the Book of Mormon and says it's true. And then he told me he's waiting for me (:
3. Oh Harry! This is against the white handbook, so I'll have to tell you, he's not real. I know, you thought he was. But unfortunately he's just cardboard... ): So it was okay for me to hug him (: Hahah!
4.Here's our little dinky Christmas tree. Hahah! A member let us borrow it. I was putting it together. It's hilarious (:
Let me see... What happened this week.
Bahaha. I know! So this last Tuesday, we went to teach the Restoration to a 60 year old lady and her 20 year old son. We brought a member with us, hoping that we'd actually be able to teach because in past appointments the lady just liked to talk about any and everything for an hour, so we hadn't gotten much taught. Well. Background story, the last appointment we had, we talked about the importance of prayer. And so I extended the commitment to pray as a family, and they accepted and then I asked if one of them would offer the closing prayer. They were shy and not really answering and so I asked again, and asked what was keeping them from saying it, and they didn't really give much feedback as to why not. Well we had to go, so I said that I would offer the closing prayer, but that when we came back we'd follow up on how praying as a family went and ask if one of them would say the prayer next time. So now it's the next time, and we taught the restoration, and what we believed and what they needed to know and feel to know of the truthfulness themselves. So we asked them to read from the Book of Mormon and pray. Well... She responded with the fact that she doesn't know what a "normon" believes and doesn't get why they need to pray. Then she totally kills the Spirit and points at me and calls me out for asking them to pray last time. She goes on to chew me out and tell me that I offended them and hurt their feelings and that they didn't understand why they needed to pray out loud or as a family and started telling me that I'm not a very good person for asking them to do that.. It was so awkward and very rude... She said some pretty mean things to me, so we eventually left and I apologized to the member that came, and then I just started to cry. She said some pretty hurtful things to me, and it was hard to hear. And it made me second guess what I was doing. If I was doing things right or if I was even a good missionary... I prayed so hard. And you know what? All I can do is teach and bear my testimony. If they don't accept it or believe it, then that's their decision. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. We give commitments so that people act and can come to know for themselves, and if they're not willing to show their faith by praying, then okay. That's all I can do. It was just frustrating, and hurtful. Oh people and agency. Sheesh. It's amazing how mean people can be to missionaries. I think they forget that I'm still a human, that I'm just a 20 year old girl and still have feelings. So that was terrible. Ha!
But the upside of this week! We had a zone conference and had Elder Perkins of the 70 come and speak to us. SO GOOD! It was incredible. I really felt the Spirit and received so much revelation as to what I need to do as a missionary. I loved it. And President Porter, our mission president, is so inspired. Really. He preaches the word to us missionaries! He's great!
THEN! Best thing ever! Stake Conference was this weekend, and guess who I got to talk to and shake hands with?! Elder D. Todd Christofferson! Heck yes! A living apostle! He came for our conference and spoke to us and then I had the opportunity to go up and shake his hand and talk with him for a bit. It was so neat. And I could just tell that he cared for me and everyone there. He was so genuine. It was amazing! He talked a lot on having faith and building that faith. And that we need to hasten the work, that missionary work is important at this time. And then he blessed everyone there with so many blessings! I don't have my journal on me, but it was incredible! He really is a witness of Jesus Christ. And it was great to be able to see and hear from him! Stake Conference was so great, and I truly felt the Spirit. When we go into meetings with a question, Heavenly Father always answers them. It's incredible. I'm grateful for him.
It snowed.. Again. Thankfully it's that really pretty fluffy dry snow that crunches when you walk on it. And not that nasty wet slushy snow. So it's pretty. But cold. By the way, parents, if you could get me some long johns, that would be much appreciated. Thank you! I'm the same size as Lucy, so you can ask what her sizes are (:
Well... Nothing else really happened. Just working. Trying to find people to teach. This was more of a spiritual missionary email. I try to include funny experiences, but not much happened this week... We went on exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders and we slept on the floor... After telling us that they just had bed bugs, but that they're gone now.. Ha! Oh good! It was a very uncomfortable nights rest, and worrisome that I was going to get bit. But I didn't! And it was a fun day (: I LOVE our STL's. They're super cute.
Alright. Well that's it. I'm gonna watch some Bible videos (which are the best!) and then head over to our District activity! Decorating cakes at a bakery that a lady in the ward owns (: Fun!
Love you all SO much! Really. I cannot wait to talk to you! Yay!
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
1. Sister Ollerton and I. We went to a member's home to help make cookies to give to people, and she had some aprons laid out for us to wear, and then at the end told us that she sewed them for us! She made me an apron! How nice! (: So we took a picture in them in front of her 2 Christmas trees (:
2. Look at who I'm teaching the gospel to! (: He totally loves the Book of Mormon and says it's true. And then he told me he's waiting for me (:
3. Oh Harry! This is against the white handbook, so I'll have to tell you, he's not real. I know, you thought he was. But unfortunately he's just cardboard... ): So it was okay for me to hug him (: Hahah!
Friday, December 13, 2013
i hate subjects December 9, 2013
Oh my dearest family,
1.Oh you know. Just chillin out in a field in Ohio. Now it's all covered with snow!
2.Me and my companion, Sister Ollerton.
3.At the parade with my companion and Ally Clawson, the bishops daughter, who is 16 and already knows she wants to serve a mission! YAY! (: Also, I'm wearing the hat that mom made for me last winter! It's so cute and so warm! You're the best mom ever!
4.Elder Rose and Elder Stewart, the elders in our ward! Ally, me and Sister Ollerton (which is pronounced like all-er-ten)
5.And some pictures from the parade! Sorry if they're blurry. Hah! But you get the gist of it (: It was super neat!
6.The last picture was like a Cinderella carriage, it was beautiful! (:
LOVE YOU ALL!
HEY! (:
So this week was a suck week and a great week! But that's the life of a missionary!
Guess what?! My district went bowling last Monday and we played 3 games (wayy too many), and I got a total of 4 strikes! Ya boy! Even better, I got 2 in a row! Hot dog yo! I owned! It was exciting. I'd probably have fun pictures, but I forgot my camera.. So don't expect any. Sorry.
Um. I think I may have accidently up-talked once.. It sneaks in! Every single missionary ever on the world does it, and it just crawls into your ear and wiggles it's way into your brain and out your own mouth! NO! I will not give in to this terrible missionary epidemic! I will be myself and talk like a normal human being! Haha (: A lot of people tell me that I'm very good at being myself while being a missionary, and I honestly think it's because I just talk normal and I don't go into "missionary mode." It really does make a difference. And I will keep it that way! Even when I'm in Brazil! Which I'm still hoping will eventually happen. Haha (:
We've started listening to Christmas music and it is both happy! and also sad.. Happy cause it's Christmas music! And it only comes once a year. Sad because it brings back memories and reminds me that I won't be home for Christmas.. But it's fun. I still do it. It's very happy. I actually listened to the Nutcracker music yesterday! I was super goof and totally started smiling really big to myself, and then seriously like 2 minutes later I just started crying. Ha! It was kinda pathetic. But I'm going to miss the Nutcracker! TWICE! I'm gonna be on my mission for 2 Christmas! What was I thinking?! (; But thankfully I've seen it enough that I can see the dances in my head while I listen to the music, so it's almost like I'm watching it. Hah!
So the suck part of this week was the fact that I was sick with the flu... Thankfully I didn't ever throw up (although I wished I would because that probably would have made me feel better), but I was so nauseous, it was unbelievable. I couldn't stand. I'd get dizzy and so sick. And my body ached and I had a fever of 100. It was miserable.. We didn't go out cause I was so bad. And I honestly slept the whole day. I really needed it. My poor companion was probably bored out of her mind trying to come up with things to do. Haha! I was just conked out. Which was good cause I didn't sleep on either nights surrounding that day. But I'm slowly getting better, thank goodness. It was just really bad that day. It's been going around though, and I shake so many people's hands it's a miracle it's taken me this long to get real sick. It was torture to have to stay in all day. I don't know how I did it before my mission. Seriously. I was going crazy. I just wanted to storm out the door and preach the word to people! But couldn't even stand. Drove me crazy. It was, however, a good day to stay in because it SNOWED! Like 6 inches that day. That is a total guess of amount, I'm terrible at estimating measurements, so for all I know it could have only been 2 inches. Ha! But there was snow! It reminded me of Rexburg (: Which I'm sure is working on getting all snowy too! Yay for Sydney and Cooper and Kylie! Lucky Oregon people don't have to worry about it (: It was beautiful to look at from the inside of our warm apartment, but being out in it the next day... no. I had on, seriously, 4 layers of everything! I need to buy winter clothes... Ugh.
Well the next day, I couldn't handle staying in again, so I forced myself to feel better, and for good reason cause it was the Lebanon Carriage Parade! (: We set up a table at a members home, and offered people free hot chocolate and then had people sign up for free DVD's (Finding Faith in Christ, Joy to the World, and The Restoration). We didn't get many to sign up, but we gave out lots of hot chocolate! (: Didn't ever think that as a missionary I'd be standing on a street corner offering free hot chocolate to people. It was a lot of fun. We did it for the 1 o'clock parade and also for the 7 o'clock. And the perks of that was that I got to see the parade as well! It was so neat! So many different pretty horses and really neat and really old carriages. It was so neat! (: And the parade at night, they had the horses and carriages all lit up. It's was so neat watching the lit carriages come down Broadway street which is all lit up as well! It was great! There were about 115 horses and carriages! They had anywhere from little Shetland ponies to really big Budweiser Clydesdale. It was beautiful! I love horses! We had dinner with a member last night who was actually in the parade! I snuck over to their barn to pet their horses. They were beautiful! I love them (:
It was an up and a down kinda week. Mainly down, but I've really learned how to make myself happy, which really comes in handy when you're not (; And I've really come closer to my Father in Heaven, and He has helped me SO much. He blesses me with strength to push through every day, and I am so grateful for that! Having that one day where I didn't go out and work really made me realize the importance of what I am doing and that I really do love it. It's SO hard. So hard! But I love it! It's a great work! I'm grateful for the chance to serve a mission!
Well familia. I love you so much! And I'm totally working on your Christmas gift, but I only have access to stores and the post office one day a week, which is also the same day that I have so many other things I have to do as well. So it's coming along slowly, so it will most likely be late. I'm so sorry! Just know that I love you and am thinking of you lots! Also, I came up with more Christmas present ideas! Yay! (: I hate shopping for missionaries, so I figure it'd be easier if I just told you what I want. I like pretty simple rings. But that are silver so I can always wear them and don't have to worry about them turning my finger green. And also.. Skirts with elastic bands would be good for me. It's just hard cause all my skirts are zip and hook, and they fit perfectly when I left. Which was dumb of me, cause if I even gained a couple pounds they wouldn't fit. Thankfully they still fit, but elastic would be nice. Ha!
And I think that's all! Love you so much! (: Miss you lots and you are the best!
Sending all the loves I've got!
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
So this week was a suck week and a great week! But that's the life of a missionary!
Guess what?! My district went bowling last Monday and we played 3 games (wayy too many), and I got a total of 4 strikes! Ya boy! Even better, I got 2 in a row! Hot dog yo! I owned! It was exciting. I'd probably have fun pictures, but I forgot my camera.. So don't expect any. Sorry.
Um. I think I may have accidently up-talked once.. It sneaks in! Every single missionary ever on the world does it, and it just crawls into your ear and wiggles it's way into your brain and out your own mouth! NO! I will not give in to this terrible missionary epidemic! I will be myself and talk like a normal human being! Haha (: A lot of people tell me that I'm very good at being myself while being a missionary, and I honestly think it's because I just talk normal and I don't go into "missionary mode." It really does make a difference. And I will keep it that way! Even when I'm in Brazil! Which I'm still hoping will eventually happen. Haha (:
We've started listening to Christmas music and it is both happy! and also sad.. Happy cause it's Christmas music! And it only comes once a year. Sad because it brings back memories and reminds me that I won't be home for Christmas.. But it's fun. I still do it. It's very happy. I actually listened to the Nutcracker music yesterday! I was super goof and totally started smiling really big to myself, and then seriously like 2 minutes later I just started crying. Ha! It was kinda pathetic. But I'm going to miss the Nutcracker! TWICE! I'm gonna be on my mission for 2 Christmas! What was I thinking?! (; But thankfully I've seen it enough that I can see the dances in my head while I listen to the music, so it's almost like I'm watching it. Hah!
So the suck part of this week was the fact that I was sick with the flu... Thankfully I didn't ever throw up (although I wished I would because that probably would have made me feel better), but I was so nauseous, it was unbelievable. I couldn't stand. I'd get dizzy and so sick. And my body ached and I had a fever of 100. It was miserable.. We didn't go out cause I was so bad. And I honestly slept the whole day. I really needed it. My poor companion was probably bored out of her mind trying to come up with things to do. Haha! I was just conked out. Which was good cause I didn't sleep on either nights surrounding that day. But I'm slowly getting better, thank goodness. It was just really bad that day. It's been going around though, and I shake so many people's hands it's a miracle it's taken me this long to get real sick. It was torture to have to stay in all day. I don't know how I did it before my mission. Seriously. I was going crazy. I just wanted to storm out the door and preach the word to people! But couldn't even stand. Drove me crazy. It was, however, a good day to stay in because it SNOWED! Like 6 inches that day. That is a total guess of amount, I'm terrible at estimating measurements, so for all I know it could have only been 2 inches. Ha! But there was snow! It reminded me of Rexburg (: Which I'm sure is working on getting all snowy too! Yay for Sydney and Cooper and Kylie! Lucky Oregon people don't have to worry about it (: It was beautiful to look at from the inside of our warm apartment, but being out in it the next day... no. I had on, seriously, 4 layers of everything! I need to buy winter clothes... Ugh.
Well the next day, I couldn't handle staying in again, so I forced myself to feel better, and for good reason cause it was the Lebanon Carriage Parade! (: We set up a table at a members home, and offered people free hot chocolate and then had people sign up for free DVD's (Finding Faith in Christ, Joy to the World, and The Restoration). We didn't get many to sign up, but we gave out lots of hot chocolate! (: Didn't ever think that as a missionary I'd be standing on a street corner offering free hot chocolate to people. It was a lot of fun. We did it for the 1 o'clock parade and also for the 7 o'clock. And the perks of that was that I got to see the parade as well! It was so neat! So many different pretty horses and really neat and really old carriages. It was so neat! (: And the parade at night, they had the horses and carriages all lit up. It's was so neat watching the lit carriages come down Broadway street which is all lit up as well! It was great! There were about 115 horses and carriages! They had anywhere from little Shetland ponies to really big Budweiser Clydesdale. It was beautiful! I love horses! We had dinner with a member last night who was actually in the parade! I snuck over to their barn to pet their horses. They were beautiful! I love them (:
It was an up and a down kinda week. Mainly down, but I've really learned how to make myself happy, which really comes in handy when you're not (; And I've really come closer to my Father in Heaven, and He has helped me SO much. He blesses me with strength to push through every day, and I am so grateful for that! Having that one day where I didn't go out and work really made me realize the importance of what I am doing and that I really do love it. It's SO hard. So hard! But I love it! It's a great work! I'm grateful for the chance to serve a mission!
Well familia. I love you so much! And I'm totally working on your Christmas gift, but I only have access to stores and the post office one day a week, which is also the same day that I have so many other things I have to do as well. So it's coming along slowly, so it will most likely be late. I'm so sorry! Just know that I love you and am thinking of you lots! Also, I came up with more Christmas present ideas! Yay! (: I hate shopping for missionaries, so I figure it'd be easier if I just told you what I want. I like pretty simple rings. But that are silver so I can always wear them and don't have to worry about them turning my finger green. And also.. Skirts with elastic bands would be good for me. It's just hard cause all my skirts are zip and hook, and they fit perfectly when I left. Which was dumb of me, cause if I even gained a couple pounds they wouldn't fit. Thankfully they still fit, but elastic would be nice. Ha!
And I think that's all! Love you so much! (: Miss you lots and you are the best!
Sending all the loves I've got!
Sister Clara Kay Dunn.
2.Me and my companion, Sister Ollerton.
3.At the parade with my companion and Ally Clawson, the bishops daughter, who is 16 and already knows she wants to serve a mission! YAY! (: Also, I'm wearing the hat that mom made for me last winter! It's so cute and so warm! You're the best mom ever!
4.Elder Rose and Elder Stewart, the elders in our ward! Ally, me and Sister Ollerton (which is pronounced like all-er-ten)
5.And some pictures from the parade! Sorry if they're blurry. Hah! But you get the gist of it (: It was super neat!
6.The last picture was like a Cinderella carriage, it was beautiful! (:
LOVE YOU ALL!
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