Milagro 19 March, Week 3, Transfer 6

I feel like I start every single email with the word Wow.  Well - sorry about that- but it's just always so applicable! Especially today...

WOOWOOOOWWWWWW!!!!

IRIS got Baptized on sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She is the mother of Andrea in Mission Viejo:)  Ah when I found out I just died- and immediately burst into tears!  It was so joyful I just couldn't contain it!!!  I am so dang happy for her!  I wish I could have been there- but that is okay, all that matters is that she took the step and I am just SOOOOOOOO excited!!! I Love it. I love her!!    Aw. The best!

Anywho- things here are good in Escondido. We are a workin'!  Pretty much all of our lessons fell through this week, but it's okay, we are still going!!  Hna Sheffield is getting more into the missionary life, and we are getting better at teaching together- so that is nice. 

This week has been a little bit of a struggle in teaching in the sense that we have had difficulties Controlling our lessons....some people just TALK! Talk so dang much!  and you try to cut them off and bring it all back...but it just doesn't work. I am a true believer in asking inspired questions to investigators during lessons, but I have had to avoid that all week- because peeps just go off on tangents...oh well.. we are working on it:)  One step at a time right?

Spanish game: 

I've never considered myself a prideful or super competitive person...but this week I have found out a lot about myself.  So- Hna Sheffield and I tried to make a goal to ALWAYS speak spanish to each other outside of the apartment.  This is really always the goal- but never truly functions.  Mostly, because we are still in the US and we contact people in English and spanish and everythign around us is in english- even if It's a town full of mexicans. Ni modo, we decided to make a game out of it. Everytime the other companion says something in English, the other comp gets a point.   Whoever has the most points at the end of the week gets a treat (donut from the DELICOUS donut shop in our area), courtesy of the loser. Let's just say, I have to buy hna Sheffield a donut today. hmmm. Yes, I litttle prideful. She only won by 4 points- and EVERY time she got me right as we left the apartment in the morning- so my mind was still working in English.  She would just be silent for like 5 minutes and then I'd say something to break the silence, and she'd say "HA, Punto!!!"  Little stink. Don't worry I am going to redeem myself this week...:)  but it really is a fun way to improve our spanish really quickly!  

I feel like this is a lame letter, and I apologize. But the work is continuing!!!  And we are a workin!  

Cam- Did you get my letter this week? Hope so, it was a good one:) The story about Cade following Brin out to the bus stop was hilarious! Love them so:)

Perris- thanks for your email and your experience:) Love hearing your stories de Brazil

Mom and Tara and Jame- I missed emails from you today! hope all is well!  love you lots:) 

Al- glad you had a good trip to NYC:)  

Dad- I already emailed you with some questions about taxes and such.  

Aights- Love you all

Love, Hna Lynds Whick

Hermana Wheeker (oh, like semana!) 12 March, Week 2, Transfer 6

...is the response to my name by almost every mexican I have met here in Escondido. oh like "week"  Got it, got it. :) It is just funny:)

Buenos Dias Familia!!

What a GREAT week it has been!  Seriously.  Awesome.  This is an awesome area- I'm pretty sure we got 7 referrals last week and we picked up 4 new investigators. One named Maria-  WHO already wants to be baptized!!! Pretty darn sweet if you ask me!  Except she is only here on weekends because she works Mon-Fri in some other city but lives here with her mom (Conchita). They are super sweet. And then last night we had a miracle!  So last week we contacted this dude named Johnny. He just got here about a month from Mexico, and it was one of those contacts where it was really quick and in my mind I was thinking that nothing would come of it, but that we had to contact him because we talk to everyone, right? So we contact him and get his number.  So after a week of trying to set up an appointment with him, we finally got one last night!  We ended up meeting outside of a laundromat with a million people walking by and interrupting us- but it was so sweet because the spirit was SO strong despite all of the distractions!  Turns out he is SUPER PREPARED To receive the Gospel and he already committed to be baptized!  oh happy day!  I LOVE when people are just ready.  It makes everything worth it!  So we are super excited for all this  happenin' stuff.

I also feel like I have been very humbled since I have been in this area. I have never seen so many homeless people- and some of the recent converts here- the just literally have NOTHING!  nothing. And they just faun over us and tell us how we are going to be blessed for our service in so many ways- and all i am thinking in my mind is how I don't need ANYTHING.  I have clothes, I have food, I have a family. I don't have to worry about what I am going to eat next week. And that is the number one worry of a lot of these people. My heart has been softened and I have been humbled. WE are so blessed. So blessed to have the necessities we need. So blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Everyone deserves this message- and we ALL have got to share it!  Seriously. I'm challenging all of you to be "Missionary minded" this week okay? Cause you are going to have awesome experiences that will not only bless the lives of others- but will also bless your lives. I love it.  This is the best work ever. Amen.  

So funny story:  Trying to go visit a member to eat lunch with her. She just moved apartments and we still don't know the area. So we call her and she is trying to tell us the name of the apts. Please imagine: An older mexican woman  who doesn't speak any english- trying to tell us that she lives in . So she tells us and as soon as she hangs up I look at what Hna Sheffield wrote down and compare it to mine. I wrote "Cangles Boots" and she wrote "Congly Bod":)  Hahaha So We drive around trying to find ANYTHING that would have been morphed from "CAngles boots".  We tried Cypress cove, and everythign around us. Anyways- we call her and ask her again, so she tells us and I say "Que wood?" as in What  wood? and she just goes "YES YES that one!".....hahahahaha no help ata ll. but we evenutually found it and it was called "Tanglewood" (proncounced in a span accent: Tahn- glay- wud) hahah we laughed pretty hard:) 

Uggghh. Another food adventure this week. It was Disgusting. Worst thing I've eaten so far on the mission. MENUDO Y PATA DE PUERCO.  Sick nasty. Translation= cow intestine (super slimy and nasty nast) and Pig feet. I nearly barfed. Never again. Never AGAIN! I didn't tell hna Sheffield what it was until after we ate it. She still hated it but, she got it down:) 

There was also a tiny earthquake here yesterday. the first earthquake I've ever felt,and it happened and we both looked at each other and thought it was the garbage truck passing or something- but we found out later that it really was an earthquake!  Crazy.  

I just realized that I hit my half way mark last week!!  That is really crazy to think. REally crazy. I still feel like I just got here. 

Oh also- We just got news that we can now EMAIL Friends as well as family. That policy just changed for our mission!  So AL- if you could put that up on the blog/FB that would be just lovely:)  I would love to hear from some of my friends:)

HAppy Anniversary this week to Mom and Dad:)  How many years of marriage is it now?  I hope Gma stones does well at our house this week! Glad she will get to see Vada and that Terry will get to work on the bathroom in peace:) 

KAtie- Cool that you are gonna get prosthetic ears! I didn't even realize that was in the plan! You excited about it?  

mom - I got your bday package! Thanks:)  Hna Sheffield opened it and said nothing was wrapped so it won't be opened until my birthday:) Except asked hr if there were socks in there and so I am already using those, because I really needed them:) Thanks!

Dad- bummmer that you lost all Rotc funding!  That is crazy!  So did the school cut the funding or the Air Force?

AL- Glad you are having fun in NYC:)  Enjoy!

Jame- How's it like having a boy in the family onw with Wade around?:)  Fun that the girls will get to be around him for a few days! hope Ruby survives his attacks:)

Tara- How are the termites going?  Audge looks pretty sweet shooting that arrow!  

Cam- Are you still freezing up there is Michigan?  It has been quite lovely here!  I hope Porter's finger is doing well and that Cade can get better soon!  YOu're doing a great job CAmillioooon:) Loove you to pieces! How did that visiting teaching apt go that you were prepping for- wherer they didn't understand the need for organized religion? I'm sure you rocked it with the Spirit!  

I heard this quote this week and I really liked it "The Lord is easily pleased, but not easily satisfied."  Truth. He rejoices with us over the little things- but we must continually be doing good!  Once just isn''t enough:)  Thought i'd share that:)

Anywho- love you all!  Things here are good:) The Work is progressing!  Talk to you next week!

-Love 

Hna Whicker

Wowzers. 5 March, Week 1, Transfer 6

Where to begin....how about with WOW.  What a week.  I feel like I am starting my whole mission over because I was whitewashed trained myself, so all those feelings of being a greenie missionary are coming back to me now too. Although I do feel MUCH more prepared to whitewash than I did when I was brand new. I am in Escondido!! (Which Dad already knows because he emailed pres cook...silly Dad:)  There are now 12 (TWELVE) missionaries in this ward.  It's really great tand there is a LOT of work to be done here. There are mexicans everywhere on the streets and lots of potential. My new comp is hna Sheffield. (Anyone remember the show "the Nanny"?  Everytime I hear her name the scene from that show comes to my mind when the nanny yells "Mista Sheffield!!!"  Anywho:)  She is 19!  wowzers. Her dad is a surgeon and her mom a Dr. She is great:)  Her spanish is pretty good for a newbie and is learning quickly. In some ways we are very similiar and in others we are VERY different...but that's okay. We have a lot to learn from each other:)

So much to say, so little time. In short, we are starting from scratch in this area and looking for new investigators and trying to build this area up. Hna Schwegler is in my Zone here so it has been fun to be around her at meeting and such:)  Love that girl. We had 33 new missionaries come in this last transfer AND we get the news that they taking part of OUR mission and part of the Anaheim mission to create a new mission (Irvine) in July- which is also ritgh when we will get a new mission president.  Which means that Mission Viejo won't even be in this mission anymore! And if I happen to get transferred to San Clemente before July...then I will be in the IRvine mission for the remailnder of my mission and noth the Carlsbad mission.  SAd thought....but in the end it doesn't matter. The Lord's will will happen and all will be well.  

It's been a crazy week and we haven't even had the chance to take any pictures... So i'll have to send those next week!  

Happy Birthday today to ELLLLLAAAAAA!!  Very cute picture of you in your birthday dress and your crown:)

As well as to CADDDDEEEEEEE Tomorrow!!!! So fun!  Hope you both have a great day and you have lots of good times with your families and you friends!

This is the lamest letter ever- but we have a million things to do and I'll try and hand write a letter to everyone today.  Mucho amor! I appreciate all of your prayers in my behalf...I can assure they are both needed and are being felt! hope youall have a marvellous week! 

- ooo and so sorry about the termites tara...had that happened to me, I  might have vomittedd... ewww so gross. 

-Love you aLLLL!

-Hna Whicker

MIRACLES, 26 Feb 2013, Week 5, Transfer 5

What a week. Seriously. This has been the CRAZIEST WEEK OF MY LIFE!!! 

it has been full of shock, heartbreak, uneasiness, and miracles. Ready to hear about it? Ok here goes. 

Tuesday: Got the training call from President Cook (See attached picture of my immediate reaction). Wow. Surprise and a wave of unworthiness, un preparedness, and nervousness washed over me. so yeah.  

Wednesday: Had a MIRACLE lesson with Iris. Seriously. We brought cupcakes and read the stroy of Nefi being guided by the Spirit and not knowing BEFOREHAND what he was going to have to do to get the plates, but he STILL WENT!  Then we related that to the cupcakes. WE asked her to take a bite-  Just ONE and tell us if it was good or if it was bad (of course it was delicious becuase we made them:) .  But she wasn't allowed to take another bite.  She said it was delicious. And we said, "well how do you know? You didn't even eat the whole thing?  How can you know that it is soo good if you dont' eat it all?" She was just like- "because it IS good, I already know."  Exactly. Letting her come to her own conclusion we said, "Now Iris, what does that mean for you- applying to the Gospel?"  And then she went on to say that she just needs to take the step and be baptized. BOOM> Exactly. Then she FINALLY opened up about what was holding her back.  The answer Adan (her 22 year old son). He is a punk and doesn't want them to get baptized. She can do it, but she doesn't want to do it without the support of her son. But we talked and the Spirit was SO strong and we commited her to talk to him and if he reacted well then she said she would be baptized THIS WEEKEND.  Miracle. We were super pumped and on a spiritual high as we left. It was so great and IRis was so happy:) Love that. We told her we would give her a day to talk to him and follow up with her on Friday.

Thursday:  Missionary work and feeling anxiety about training. 

Friday: Had to go down to Vista for a "Trainers training meeting" all morning until 3pm. We got back and went straight to Iris. The whole fam was there, including adan,  and as soon as we brought it up there was just tension in the air, and I knew she was going to say no.  But after MUCH BOLDNESS and discussion we left. My heart was broken beacuse I knew she was so close and the only reason she wasn't doing it was because of her son. hate that.  And as she hugged be goodbye and kissed my cheek I just couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears were shed and Andrea walked us out to the car. It is amazing how very close you become to these people. You truly see them through the eyes of our Heavenly Father and you feel what He feels when they reject what they need to accept. that is what I was feeling and I just couldn't keep it in any longer. Unfortunately we had a dinner appointment right after...which means I had to go all puffy eyed and red faced and have pleasant convresation with a member when my mind was completely elsewhere. Oh well. It was fine.  The rest of the night was not a pleasant one...just a heavy cloud hanging over us. ......UNTIL......

We get home. We plan. We get in bed...and we get a text. Andrea. SHe tells us to call her. We call. She tells us she got permission to be baptized. I didn't believe her. she passed the phone to Iris her mom and her mom assured us that it was true. Wow. More TEARS OF JOY AND ELATION!!!  Wow. SErious emotional roller coaster this week. Seriously. They all talked when I left and andrea begged adan for permission and he finally said that if Iris says yes, then she can do it. And Iris said yes. Iris also said that she told adan that she was going to be baptized, and his face just fell. She said she would have been baptized that weekend with Andrea, but she wants to have the support of her son. MIRACLES- MIRACLES MIRACLES!!!!!!!!

Saturday: ANdrea had her baptismal interview. Pretty much we were on the phone ALL day with building coordinators other ward members and everyone trying to plan a baptism for Sunday.  It was a miracle everything worked out as it did.--Let's just say Satan tried EVERYTHING to try and make this baptism not happen.  

Adan- the brother- basically wouldn't (and still won't talk to andrea since she made the choice to be baptized and that REally affected Andrea. She is such a strong girl though and more Miracles happened that night to assure that she would get baptized and not back out because of her brother.  

Sunday: BAptism day!   Andrea said she felt like she was dreaming the whole time. After church ends we fill turn on the font water and come back to check on it 30 minutes later. WE loko in and it is BROWN!!! Horrified we quickly drained it and started over (luckily it came out clear this time) but  the next 2 hours were spent boiling about 10 pots of water repeatedly to try and warm up the water (because all the hot water had been used up with the brown water).  Yup it was adventurous.  We were in the chapel for almst 10 hours straight (from morning mtgs to church to setting up fro baptism, and to the actual baptism. 

The Baptism. Was beautiful!  The whole CHAPEL was FULL of supporters. The whole ward has been waiting for this day for 4 months! It was pure beauty.  Her mom was late (becuase their ride came to pick the up...and brought a cheesecake to celebrate and it got SAT on as they were on jumping in the car) Seriously, Satan tried EVERYTHING to make this baptism not happen, and then when it did happen he tried Everything to make her mom not get there!/  Anywho. Iris got late, but the spirit was SO SOO Strong, and EVERYONE was crying!  She got baptized and it was just so gtreat. I have never been so happy in my life. then Iris said the closing prayer. The most beautiful prayer i have ever heard. She could barely get through it she was crying so  hard.  It was so great. Miracles do happen and this truly is the work of the Lord. Iris said she was going to be the next one... and you betcha she will be! I just wish I could be there for hers too:( But it doesn't matter, she just needs to do it:) And Jose will get baptized when she does. 

Monday: Saying goodbye is the hardest thing ever. I love the people here so much and it hurts my heart that I won't be able to see them until next year at the earliest. Worst part of the day= Andrea and Jose walking me out to the car and clingin to me and balling their eyes out. It broke my heart to finally pry them off of me (we were standing there for about 30minutes) and get in the car. How how I love them with all of my heart. !! If there was one family I needed to meet while on my mission it was Them. They have changed my life forever! Love them so!!

Today: Packing like crazy. I have accumulated a lot of stuff. We have to leave at 2 today to get to the meeting by 4.  Still don't know where I am going- won't find out until the meeting.  The next part of the adventure begins now!! It's exciting and scary and sad to leave all at the same time, but I know I will be where the Lord needs me. I've done my part here and am needed somewhere else. So here goes!

Mom- Yes I replaced those shoes no worries.  like between 4 and 6 pairs of socklets would be perfect. And you wouldn't happen to be making a temple bag for me at this class now would you? ;)  

JAmi- your tub experience was absolutely hilarious:) Thanks for sharing!  

Dang- I'm out of time. I love you all and thanks for your support and letters!  I'll let you know what's happening and who I'm with and where I'm at next week!  Love you all so!   Attached are some good pics:)

-Hna Whicker

There Is Beauty All Around, Week 4, transfer 5, 19 Feb

FAm Bamily!!

Truly...there really IS beauty all around- even when it is cold and rainy and cloudy outside like it is here today:)  We just got back from doing a session at the Newport Beach Temple and it was just lovely (hence the late email). I LOVE the TEMPLE!!  And it was a double whammy this week because I got to go to San Diego on Saturday for the Sealing if the Cuellar family.  It was pure beauty! Joyful joyful day!  I love them sOO much and I'm so glad I got to go and support them and see them in all their white beauty.  I took lots of pictures, but I forgot my camera cord to send them because we had to leave super early for the temple this morning.  but overall it was just so great- I was in heaven:)  

Things here are good. Pretty sure this is my last week in Missin Viejo. SAd thought. We find out on SAturday who gets transferred.  We have 2 new hermanas coming in this time so there is a slight possibility that I might train, but not very likely at the moment.  My guess is that I'llgo to Temecula or Vista and get set up to train for the next ransfer when we have 3 new hermanas coming in.  But I really have no idea. We will just wait and see.  

Dogs.  Everyone knows that I am not a dog person in the first place. Really at all.  That has amplified like times 50 since the mission. Proved fact from experience- DOGS DON"T LIKE MISSIONARIES!  Experience number 1: Hna Kohrman and I in Oceanside.  Trying to find the house of a referal we just received, we start to open the gate and immidiately shut it after a dog starts barking crazily.  WE wait a few minutes and it finally calms down. Then hermana Kohrman, the little stink, turns to me and says "Don't worry, I think it's friendly.  WAnna go first?" Hahaha it was really funny, but no I did not go first:)  #2- walking up to a house and thinking that the dog is tied to the tree (b//c there was a rope around it so we just assumed that) and as we stepped into the driveway the dog gets up and starts his attack.  Needless to say we immediately SPRINT  back the way we came. Thinking the dog would stop and not persue us....but NO! It chased us all the way down to the street and back to our car. I hate dogs. But I am happy that we are still alive:)  WEll there are many other experiences, but that's all I have time to write about now. 

CONGRATS TO TAMRAAAAAA!!! WHat happy news it was to hear that your cancer is in remission! Oh Happy daY!  (Anyone know that song from Sister ACt, where the little black boy starts singing that song? "Oh happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away"  It's a really great song and i often break into that song as we are walking in the streets when I am really happy:) All of my companions have laughed at me...but I don't mind:)   But really- that is such great news and I am so happy for you!!!

KAte- If I could whistle over email I would be doing so right now! You were lookin mighty fine for Prom:)  So glad you got to go and have fun!  I never went to Prom, but I'm really okay with that because I don't really like dancing very much:) But I want to hear how your experience was!! Write me my dear:)

Birthday! There is really only one thing that I need for my birthday and that is little socklets (TAN color please) Mine are completely worn through.  Mother- I love you, but please don't go overboard on this:)  I don't need 10 pairs- like the tights. Like 5 or so. That's it:) Hey guess what? My birthday falls on Easter this year! I don't remember that happening before....at least since the day i was born:)  But that's fun:) I am getting excited for GEneral Conference tooo!  It's gonna be GREAT!  Love that.  

Mom- Got your package:) thanks so much!!!! Hna Adams says thanks too!

CAm- hope you can enjoy your "Ice day" with the kids at home!  love you lots and can't wait to hear from you next week!

JAme- Sorry to hear that you are sick too:(  But glad that addie and Ella are enjoying their new dresses from grandma. I got your letter this week too, thanks!  I will try to write the girls back today if we have time! 

Man- time is up.  Gots to go. Love you all!  Hope you have a maravilloso week!

Mucho amor- Hermana Whicker!

Faith is Like a Little Seed...11 Feb, Week 3, Transfer 5

Buenos Dias mi familia!

Primero, Mother- to answer your question I am writing today because tomorrow is a holiday and all the libraries will be closed.  So president gave us permission to write today and still have pday tomorrow- but it will just be an hour shorter because we took our hour to write home today.  I wish the reason was that we got to go to the temple...but that always happens on Tuesdays and we just lose part of our pday to do that. But that;s okay, because I got permission to go to the SAn Diego temple this Saturday for the Cuellar's sealing!!  I am SO excited:) Everything worked out so perfectly and we even found a ride!  (Which is a miracle- because almost EVERYONE in the ward doesn't have papers, and there is a Checkpoint between here and VIsta, so it makes finding a ride to transfer meetings REALLY difficult.) But it worked out beautifully and I am really excited to go:)

KATIE--I heard the big news:) COngrats on your prom invitation:) HOw exciting!!!  Hope you found a cute dress to borrow from the Copes!  That is so fun that it is this saturday

FAmily- just be prepared when I get home to experience some delicious mexican food and traditions.  Seriously. I love Mexicans. I love mexican food. Love it. Amen. I will be cooking you posolee the first meal I return home and we will have arroz con leche (Avena) for dessert.  It is delicious. I already am collecting recipies from the members:)  SO- justp lan on it:)  OKay? K.  

Tara- I hope you have good luck with Sammy planting french fries in your garden:)  We have been having some planting experiences out here too!  WE have been focusing a lot on Faith in our lessons. ANd in Alma 32 it talks about faith being like a seed.  If you plant it and nourish it, it will grow.  So- we have been planting a "seed of faith" with investigators/ members/ less actives and picking one thing that they struggle with (like scripture reading/ family plrayer/ personal prayer. etc) and the thign is they can on;y water the plant IF they do that one thing. So you HAVE to do it or your plant will DIE> It is just like our faith- it needs constant nourishment or it will start to wither and wilt. So that has been fun aand it is really helpful becuase it is not only a visual reminder of doing that thing- but it is a living thing---so you can't hide the fact that it's dying if you dont do it---accountability.  Love it. 

WE had a sweet experience with an investigator this weeek - her name is Karina and she is super great. She has a baptismal date set for march:) we are so excited for her!  IRis---well is still Iris. She is progressing and  reading the scriptures. the miracle is that not only is she reading but she is UNDERSTANDING! it is great!  But there is still something that is holdiong her back becuase she still says she wants more 'time'. Ridiculous. and I honestly don't know what else to do for her. SHe just has to DO it and make the CHOICE and Be BAPTIZED.   it is so silly. People are so silly. 

This transfer is quickly coming to a close. Wow- craziness.  Pretty sure I will be transferred. Also pretty sure I will GReenie break wherever i go. (be companions with a missionary that JUST finished getting trained.)  Things here are going well- just working our tails off. It is hard, but it is great:) I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord!  I am being blessed in more ways than I can express. I love this work. I love the Lord. I know this is the truth!!!  

Love you all lots!  Talk to you next Tuesday:)

Mucho amor-  Hna Whicker

5 Feb "8 Months Tomorrow", Week 2, Transfer 5

Bueno FAmilia!

I am feeling extremely tired today and am especially grateful it is p-day:)  We just got back from a lesson this morning teaching a  man named Eric.  It was a sweet lesson and the Spirit was strong!  Love that.

This has been a good week. I really don't have much to say to be honest...lots of lessons, although it seems like we aren't able to commit anyone to a baptismal date, or they can't keep their date because they won't come to church. But here we are still working of course:)  Life is good.   Today is kid of a gloomy day outside, rain and darkness, but I am very happy it is a new month because it means we get money on our cards to buy food!  It normally is fine and I have more than enough, but the months when we have 5 tuesdays in one month- those are more difficult to make it stretch.  I am looking forward to buying lots of fresh fruit and veggies, because we don't really get any of that from the members... just lots of carbs:)

February 2nd passed on Saturday--- which if you remember is the day that you have to make tamales if you found the doll in the Rosca bread. Well- Han Adams and I are now professional tamal makers!  We took them over to the house that we ate the bread at and they were literally shocked that we had really made tamales:) It was quite hilrious!  I might have been more than a little prideful becuase they ate ALL of them...they thought they wer dang good. hmmm. That's right. Soy Mexicana. So when I come home next Christmas and all the fam is together, I'll make everyone Tamales okay? Okay:) Donski

Juan and the Cuellar family (from oceanside) are going to go through the San Diego Temple next weekend to be sealed as a family! I am PRAYING that president will give me permission to go!  I so want to be there to support them and see them as they take that step as a family! I hope president says yes!  

Found out this week that Hna Kohrman( my trainer) is already engaged!  To a boy she had dated before.  But still that was shocking and fun news:) Happy for her:)

WE were supposed to get to go to the Newport BEach temple today to do a session, but whoever scheduled it must have been new because the temple is closed through saturday. So that was a let down, but we are hoping that it will get rescheduled for NEXT tuesday.  Becuase I really want to go:) And we don't get to go very often, and i LOVE THE TEMPLE!!  So great. PEace, love, joy, and the Spirit abound there. How blessed we are to have sacred buildings like the temples surrounding us and that we have the privilege to enter!  So great. 

Well that is really all that I have to say today. I love you all more than you know!  Tomorrow marks my 8 month mark on the mission!!! Pure craziness. Only 2 1/2 weeks left in the transfer (this is a weird transfer of only 5 weeks instead of the normal 6- due to   all the missions in the world trying to get on the same transfer schedule) So I'm pretty sure I will get transferred...sad news. But I'm ready for it:) 

Love you all and hope you have a GREAT week!

-Love,

Hna Whick

Btw- Tara, I most definitely had Mrs Schick as my 6th math teacher as well:) and Brinly- I'm so glad you remember how to make that noise with your mouth:) Way to represent Gpa Stones!  he did that ALL the time and was the one that taught me:)