9 July "Bikes!!!" (Week 1, Transfer 9)

Familia!!!

Oh the good times...

Contacting on a bike is probably the funniest thing I have ever done in my life.

Please imagine this.  Me on a pink bike that is too small for me.  Wearing a skirt and a helmet that is killing my hair.  Riding to our appointment (up a slight hill) and sweating profusely:)  We make it up the hill:) We see some people up the street (now going downhill) so we aim to talk to them. Then comes the wind!  Trying to keep our skirts from flying up as we go down the street, I start to hit the brakes so stop in time to talk to these people. Every time I hit the brakes all you hear is this loud prolonged: SQUUUUEEAKKKKKKKKK. Thinking that it would make the sound better to brake in short snippets the sounds then changes to: SQUUUEEAK, SQUUEAK, SQUEAAK, every 2 seconds.  Needless to say, we needed no intorduction in that contact...because the whole street was looking at us by that point! 

It was probably one on the funniest days of my life. We could NOT stop laughing, due to the brakes, the skirts, the helmets, etc.  and it was just an adventure that was so funny.  We did notice that people lost a LOT os respect for us when we were on bikes...the just just of laughed at us and didn't take anything we said seriously. But, oh well. We biked a lot this week and had a record high of 266 contacts this week. NEVER have I even come close to that number on my mission. It was fun, but we also didn't get very many lessons this week. Our investigators are dropping like flies, but we have some good potentials that we have appointments with next week, so that'll be good:) 

It has been fun

The2 first pics attached are of the first day on the bike (obviously they were taking before we left the house, because we are sweat free and not sore yet). Needless to say those few days ended with a VERY sore Rear end and a very attractive farmers tan:) It was fun, but a little miracle happened and somehow the mission overlooked an extra car that they had and the sisters that we have a car share with got one yesterday. So no more bikes for now!

Dad- I can't believe you crashed on my bike!  glad it was only the bike that got injured and not you!  I talked to President Kendrick and I'm sorry, but he has no memory of you:)  I He's 56 so you must have just missed each other on the mish. But I am shocked at how much spanish he has forgotten. Like it's a lot. He doesn't remember much at all. So that definitely gave me respect for you at keeping your spanish up after all of these years, and motivated me to do that too!  He's doing well as the Pres, you can definitely tell it's all new still and he's just full of nerves. We had Mission Leadership Council on Friday and that was like his first big thing as President, and poor guy, the meeting was a little scattered, but good. They are already making lots of changes, so it's interesting. It'll be great, but everyone is still kind of in 'transition' mode, but with a few more weeks they'll have their feet under them and all will be well.

Speaking of the Kendricks, what are Marisa and Bert up to? Have they moved back to Utah yet or are they still in Oaklahoma? 

For Pioneer day our ward is building a replica of the Nauvoo Temple in the parking lot of our Stake Center! It is quite funny actually. WE went last night to help them build it and all the men are working on 1 piece of the wall- all clustered in there together with no room to breathe and too many hands in one place. And then all the women are just sitting to the sides chatting with nothing to do. It was a little bit ridiculous! so we got there and we got them to give us jobs so that everyone can be involved. It was fun, but they are going to have to work fast to get it finished on time!  We'll have to take a picture next time we go over to help.

We are searching desperately for investogators, and miraclulously we picked one up yesterday. He has potential and has LOTS of questions! It was hard to get through the first lesson cause he'd stop us every 2 seconds, but it was good. We are excited to help him get progressing. 

We dropped our one investigator Esperanza this week...she just wasn't even willing to try and give up her saints.  She had been reading a praying, but when we asked her if Heavenly Father came down himself and asked her to stop praying to her saints, would she do it.  Without even a second's hesitation she said "absolutely not! I can't ever drop mis Santos!" It was a shame, but we can't make people do anything, just motivate them to do the will of God and if they don't want to , so be it. It is sad though, because we had some really good lessons with her that were filled with the spirit and to see her just deny that hurts.  Someday she will understand!

WEll that's really all that has happened this week.  It's hot and humid, but life is good! Love you all so!

Katie is in my prayers for her continued healing and also the Fords and the Kusileks for their housing situation. Have a marvellous week!

Love, Hna Whicker!!

2 July, 2013 "Grandparenthood :)" (Week 6, Transfer 8)

So many Changes

Katie is getting ears right now? Her little nubs are going to be gone? I didn't realize that! That's exciting but sad at the same time...:)  Her cute littel nubs.  And she's going to hair school now? Cool. I didn't even know she was interested in that! What made her change her mind from Vet school?  That is exciting! 

Things here are good. Lots has happened this last week.  last week we had our "Goodbye" Tranfer mtg and we got to hear from the Cooks one last time...and see what was goig to happen for transfers. Hna Lythgoe and I are still together- but our area is being split- which basically means we get to whitewash again, whithout the titiel of "whitewashing":)  BUT we had a fun little surprise at the mtg. Hna Sheffield (my 'daughter' in the mission) is training!! Which means that in about 2 hours I will be a greandmother! And she's whitewashing into Vista (the area we just lost) But because her new missionary doesn't arrive until today, she got to be in a trio with me and Hna Lythgoe all this last week:) It was actually quite enjoyable and we had a great time togehter.  SHe lucked out- becuase we spent almost all of our time in  her new area ( picked up 6 new investigators!) and she had Us to show her around - the area ,the members, and the investigators.  she's a lucky one! That never happens!  So it's been fun:)

The mission officially split yesterday! And The Cooks left yesterday too.  Today we have a our Transfer mtg where the new missionaries arrive and get their trainers.  We have luck because we got invited to go and observe!  So we get to meet the new mission President and his wife today:) We are excited.  I am still in the CArlsbad mission- but there is now an Irvine Mission!  So when I come back to visit I'll have to visit 2 missions! BEcause all my peeps in Mission Viejo are in Irvine now! 

WE have a car share now...so we are tryign to get our hands on some BIKES!! because our areas aren't too big- but big enough that we need another mode of transportation than feet to be able to get to all of our appointments.  So...that will be an adventure. I am actually kind of excited about it, it wiol be a new adventure.  Skirts and Bikes. But fun:)  I'll send pictures when it happens. I am goign to need to by some spandex or something....otherwise we're all going to be flashing the world:) And we wouldn't want that...!

It has been SO SO hot this week. Like 95. Which isn't 104, but it has been suuuuper humid.  WE often feel as if someone just misted us with water and then it just makes our clothes heavier and our hair grosser...haha I'm sure we have been quite the sight to see this week:)

As far as this whole technology thing goes for the missionaries: they will be implementing it little by little starting in only a few missions. We were told that that will beging within the next 6 months and that nothing really will probably be in place or up and running until about a year from now. So I'm not sure if any of that will even effect me while I am in the mission field.  But yes- I think Ipads and Iphones?  I have often thought many times to myself that the whole "area book" thing ( where ewe keep all of our records of investigators, potiential investigators, less actives, recent converts etc, would be SO much more efficeint online!  So maybe they'll eventually take it that far! 

YEs mom I got the shoes thank you:)  Glad you get to be with Al and the kus fam and with little Hankers!

CAm- that;s a bummer to hear about the house falling through;(   but You're in the Lord's hands, and somethign will come up- in exactly the place you need to be! 

Tara- Fun celebrations! sounds like everyone in the familiy went on a fishing trip this week! Ya know I don't think I've ever been fishin in my life! ACtually, that's a lie. I might have gone once with Gpa Stones and Kyle...I remember that I couldn't put the worm on my line...it was too gross:) Haha I 'll have to redeem myself one of these days! Tell Ty I say happy belated birthday!!

JAm- Fun that you got to go to girls camp!!!  I have such fond memories of girls camp:) ACtually I was thinking of that just this morning. every morning that we wake up it is just sticky and cool. ( we have no A/c just a fan in our window. and I remember feelign exactly the same way when we would camp in VA. Glad you got to go:) As far as celebrating the Fourth of July I have no idea what we will do.  Probably nothing. I don't think the ward is having a party or anything- just on the 24th for pioneer day.  But we'll see:)

Al- Glad Hank is doing so well! Good luck finding a house and packing and all that Jazz:) 

DADDIO__ Happy birthday!! your card will get put in the mail today!  Glad you had a fun celebration and got to go to your HS reunion and such!  Love you sooooo!

Sorry I haven't ahand written anyone in what feels liek years....it's been a little busy:)

WEll that's all for now! Love you all

-Hna Whick

24 June "!!" (Week 5, Transfer 8)

Bet ya didn't expect to hear from me today huh? We have to write today and get numbers in by noon today for some technical reason because of all the new missions that are being created. So here I am:)

Well here we are....in the week that our mission splits...and I am sad to see it happen.

This new Mission president thing is hard! I know it will only bring  good things, but I am just going to miss President and sister Cook SO MUCCH!! They are so great- so so great. I actually got a blessing form him yesterday and it was just so beautiful. He remembers Grandpa Stones too! Good old Boyce at the TExaco used to work on  his car:)  He is such a great president and I was so blessed to be here when he was here.  Mom and Daddio- the Cook's homecoming talk will be in Logan the 14th of July at 1pm. The Lundstrum Park 2nd ward- 1260 N 1600 E Logan. He said it was by a big park, and I'm sure that Mom will know exactly where it is:) But you should go! Becuase they are just great. You will love them. 

Transfers....Hna Lythgoe and I are staying!!!  But...our ward is getting another set of missionaries...which means our area is getting split... So before we had 3sets and now we have 4 and we have to change all the areas....which basically means that all of our area that we Had is now going to the new sisters and we have OTHER area...so basically we are whitewashing again....Yup.  For some reason this alwas happens to me.  4th time whitewashing...you'd think I'd be used to it by now:)  But it's good:) just sad to lose some of the people we just started forming relationships with. but we'll still see them at church and stuff so it'll be good.

We picked up a family this week which we are excited about...familia Pulido.  It'll be a long process of change for them:)...but they are great!  We also found a golden...his name is ALfredo!!! (there's just something about that name and finding golden investigators:)  BUT we are bummed because we have to give him to the new sisters that are coming in....which is fine, but we are still a little sad.  And we were told that we are going to have a car share! Haha we are going to have to get used to that! I've been so spoiled my whole mission at having our own car. 

The Work of Salvation! Pretty sweet huh?  I saw the Hendersons on the screen:) That made me smile!  I love them.  When does Sarah leave for her mission?  the broadcast was GREAT! Loved loved loved it.  Actually it just affirmed how much our ward here in Vista is lacking!  Oh sometimes it s so frustrating....but the Bishop is the leader and just is a little bit prideful.  There are just some things that  we do not agree on...like a goal of 108 baptisms in a year.  Which is a great goal...but is COMPLETELY unrealistic for this area. We had a meeting with him the other week about the ward mission plan, and basically after about 2 hours of discussion and of trying to figure out what he wanted from us as missionaries to try and reach goal... he just told us to go and pray. And that's it. Anywho we are excited for this broadcast and to implement it in our ward:)  Also the news about being able to use the internet and such...that'll be interesting and Cool!  And the Church buildings always being open for tours...sWEEET! Although I have never been asked that before on my mission. I've given lots of tours to my investigators and such, but never been asked. But that'll be so great! And all the focus on MEMBER work!  I love that.  Quite honestly, it is ALWAYS so much more succesful when a member refers a friend. and Even if they weren't referred by them, when the member takes an active role in their conversion...friends, phone calls, invites. Itjust makes so much sense, but it's just not always eas to do it on the members part. 

HANK!!  congrats to Ali and Per and the Wadester! Those pictures were darling!  Nice touch with the red nails in the hospital AL:) Glad he arrived safe and sound and healthy!!! in that last picture that you just sent of his profile, he looks just like ali!  Super cute.!  Thanks to Per too for his email last week!  You will be out of there before this next transfer ends!! That's so crazy! 

Cami- when ais your moving date? I just can't remember! Darling picture of Porter:) Such a cutie!

Jame- ella is stripping down into her bathing suite in the library!?? haha when i  read that it made me laugh out loud:)  Glad all is well there!  have fun on your cabin trip!

Kate- sad that you got sick at EFY, but glad you got to go!! I love EFY.. such good Spirit and learning!  So great!

The fam sure responds quickly! In the time I wrote and told you I was writing 45 minutes ago I've gotten a letter from everyone except Tara...pretty darn good:) We make the saying proud of being "quicker than a whicker!!!"  :)

WEll I love you all! It has been a great week here, beautiful weather with some unintentional sunburns:)  But I have sunblock mom ( so no need to send any:)...it was just on a day we weren't expecting to walk so much!   I love you all. Really I do!  Couldn't have asked for a better family!  I hope you aLl have the best week ever and I'll talk to ya'll next week!! Con mucho amor!!! 

-Hna Whicker24

18 June "Lovlinesssss" (Week 4, Transfer 8)

Family.

It's been a good week.  Interesting, but good. We picked up 5 new investigators this week and one of them was super miraculous! This sweet girl named Brenda who is 19 and gave birth at 16 was just bawling as we talked about how Heavenly Father knows her and she was just so sweet and great. She prayed and sweet and simple prayer and the spirit was just so strong. Beautiful.

The interesting part was that I don't think I've even been so ' bashed' on in my life as I have in contacts this week. Satan is talented at twisting the truth into something else and confusing people. One teenager that got baptized right before we got here has now decided that there is no need for 'organized religion' and that the bible is the only thing we should ever read. He is just getting information for everyone (cousin, father, friends, internet) and it is all cloggin into his brain and is quite sad actually. Especially because he Had the truth in his hands...but he;'s letting it slip away. We are working with him, hopefully the spirit will be able to touch his heart again

Tiredness has improved. I think I just need to accept the fact that I'm not going to be alble to rest until I get home.  but the Lord has helped me out this week;:) 

Well this is the end of the leg for Preident Cook. I am sad that he is leaving. I know the new Mission President will be great, but it will just simply be different. We are having 2 tranfer mtgs this tranfer because of it.  So next tuesday we will know what mission we will be in. (pretty sure I will stay in Carlsbad) and then the tuesday after that we will find out if we are being tranferred within the mission we will be in. They still haven't given us all of the information yet, so we will just go with the flow as it is figured out.

I am excited about the broadcast though- we don't know the happs with it yet, but it's suppoed to be something big. So we shall see. Someone predicted that they were going to change the mission for girls to 2 years...and someone else saiud they were going to open up China.  but really I have no Idea- but I am anxious to find out!  

I can't remember if I already told you all this, but everyone in our ward calls our companionship "Let's Go Weekend!" b/c they can't say "Lythgoe" so they say  Hermana "let's go" , and then they just add "weeeker" which they translate as "weekend"  :) hahah it makes me laugh every time.

Ali - I have no Idea who Mr ANderson is...or anything about beekeepers....but that's funny about your dream:)  Hope little Hank comes without problems tomorrow!!!! I am excited for pictures! 

 Love you all! time is up as ususal!  THe church is true! Happy father's day Dad! hope you got my card in the mail before you left! 

-LOVE.

Hna Whicker!!!