16 April 2013, Amor (Week 1, Transfer 7)

Buenas tardes familia!

Interesting week this week. First and foremost we got dropped by Alfonzo:(Our hearts broke!!!!) The night before he told us he wanted to be baptized on his birthday, and then the next day he called us and told us we couldn't come over anymore.  His wife is getting worse and doesn't behave when we are over there- so he thinks that this is the best thing for her...even though he knows it's true and wants to be baptized.  We tried to call him yesterday just to see how he was doing and after we told him who we were he hung up on us:(  Sad day. but I think he'll eventually come around.  He just needs some time to coool. 

On a happier note, we picked up 8 new investigators this last week!  We are slowly loosing all our current investigators, but at least we've still got some people to teach:) The weather here has been beautiful! it was a little chilly yesterday, but I imagine it is much worse in Utah if you all got snow yesterday!

Wow, what a neat experience it sounds like you all got to go and meet with Elder Gay of the 70.  Sounds like it was quite the spiritual high and a sweet experience for all involved especially Katie. 

Ali, that is interesting that you mentioned in you email that you feel that Gpa Stones has been with me/watching over me on my mission, because there's been more than one occasion that I have felt the exact same thing!  I imagine there are so many more things that we miss (feelings/impressions) because we are always too busy to hear them or notice them.  What a neat promise that was given to Katie that she will have angels to surround her!!  Oh how loving is the Lord to all of us! Are we not so blessed? We ARE. I forget that sometimes and I am trying to be better at constantly reminding myself of that fact.  

Jami- glad to hear that you had a nice birthday!  The other day we were driving one of the back roads to an appointment and there was a sign at a local farmers market for 25 avacados for $5! Wish I could have sent that to you for your birthday- you Love avacados:)   There are pretty darn good here too!  

Gma- YES I got your letter finally:) Thank you kindly! 

Mom- I also got the puzzle and I LOVE it:) We have already used it in quite a few lessons! Glad that Gma Stones made it home safely too!  Mom I am mailing a chekc home to you that I would like you to deposit por favor:) Gracias! 

Ali- thanks for the booklets, those really do make for the perfect gifts!  Also- would you mind accepting a few people on fb for me? Muchisimas gracias:) oh and I am in the process of writing my "How i know piece" so that will come soon. Sorry it has taken me so long!  

Tara- Good luck with the school screening tomorrow, I'm sure all will go just fine:) sorry that everyone was sick there...again... but glad to hear you are feeling better!  

Cami- Have you and the kids ever had a mud fight with all that mud, instead of a snowball fight?  I bet the kids would get a kick out of that- you should do it for an fhe activity:) haha  and take lots of pictures!  

KAtie- don't worry, I'll send you a picture of my ears asap:) They're pretty good ears and I'm sure you'll want to model your new ones after mine...I just knew it! 

Sorry, this is kind of a lame email- nothing too exciting. But all is well here. The work goes on! And time flies when you are serving the Lord!  Hna Sheffield and I are doing well together- we are already down to only 5 more weeks together (well, for sure at least 5 wks)! Then- I Get to see all of your lovely faces on Google plus in a few short weeks!!!  And then right after that we are going to get a new mission president, and who knows, there is a very real chance that I might end up in the IRVINE mission.  That'd be a cool story huh? Start your mission in one mission and end it in another? Who knows?  Well, I'll know actually- an July 1 st:) Your bday Daddio!  

Well- glad to hear all is well:) All are in my prayers, especially the doctors to find a solution to this problema for Kate. Love you all dearly!!! 

Talk to you next week!

- Love,   Hna Whicker

9 April 2013, Week 6, Transfer 6

Gma- We haven't gotten the mail yet this week, so I still can't tell you if your check has arrived. It's transfers week so we don't get mail until Wednesdays. SO I'll for SURE let you know next Tues if it arrived or not:)  

Time is sure a flyin' here in Escondido. One transfer has already passed and it's amazing to see how many miracles have really happened.  Maria and Conchita are...okay.  They will not be getting baptized this weekend, but hopefully in the near future. Nothing major happened, they just need some more time to prepare before they make this big covenant with Heavenly Father. 

We found a family this weekkk!!!!! Wahoooo we are super excited about it.  They didn't commit to a baptismal date but it was a miracle find. We were just walking down a street a few weeks ago and there were these 3 kids playing in a front yard, so we went to talk to them. They told us we could come back-which normally happens with children, it's usually just a problem when we really do come back and the parents are home and they completely reject us. Happens almost everytime. BUt we still went back, half expecting the same thing to happen again....BUT to the contrary. The mom immediately let us in and the dad even got up form his nap ( this is a big deal...this NEVER happens)  and we did the first lesson. It was great!  We are super excited about them, they are just very kind and loving and don't have much experience with any source of religion, but they believe in God. We are going to see them again tonight, and we are excited!  Saul and Rosalio are their names and their sons Brain (9) and BRandon (3). Pretty great stuff. 

General Conference was SO GREAT!! I just wanted to sit there after it ended and listen to it all over again!  It was fun to see in the Satudya afternoon session a few friends of mine in the choir:) Brought back lots of memories from college and was kind of a smack in the face that life is still going on without me there:)  Haha, but it was so beautiful. I just love conference. Talk about the themes of missionary work, virtue, and Obedience. Sometimes I think I go into conference expect some grand new doctrines that I need to learn-- but it is ALWAYS focused and a call back to the basics. the basic princples of the Gospel- FAITH, Repentance, BAptism, gift of HG, and Enduring to the end. Everythign goes back to those things.  Really- everythign we need to do is simple. So basic. But sometimes it's those simple basic things that are the hardest.  May we ALL apply what we learned. I need to be more obedient. Obedience brings blessings. EXACT obedience brings miracles. 

We have this member in our ward- her name is hna Montecinos.  Basically she is a full time missionary.  Rockin.  she talks to EVERYONE about the gospel, has no fear, and just love s it sooo much. Oh how I hope I can be like her when I am no longer a full time missionary!  Let's all "Catch the Wave" like Elder Nelson said.  Love it.  Mom and Dad, When are you guys going go on a mission? It's comin up pretty quick huh?

I was sad to hear that Elaine S. Dalton got released a Gen YW president. I really love her. She speaks so powerfully.  She was the one who was speaking at a fireside at BYU when the spirit told me I needed to serve a mission. 

Alfonzo and Reina ( our blind investigator and his mentally challenged wife) came to a baptism this Sunday. It was stressful...to say the least. All in all I think they felt the spirit...despite the fact that when Reina stood up to leave her pants fell down.... it was quite sad.  But we fixed the problem quickly and she didn't even notice- so all is well.  

Kate, I'm sorry but I do not understand what I am supposed to be doing with the letter "E" for this art project you are doing.  Please- someone elaborate and fill me in? All I know is that the deadline to have it in is by July 10th:) 

Cam- lucky duck that you get to go out to Utah :) Jealous that you will all be having a sisters retreat this weekend!!!! How fun will that be? Enjoy yourselves lots okay?  And tell CJ I say congrats!!!  Love you all.  

Jami- so glad that you are going to be making a "Tinkerbell"movie! Haha that was so funny when we made the Rapunzel one:)  How generous of Addie to offer me the top bunk when I get home! Love them so. I can't promise I will live there, but we can make another movie when I get home!  And as far as the bake sale goes, somethign easy to do would be chocolate covered pretzels. Just put a bunch of pretzels on wax paper and melt some chocolate to drizzle over them. Super easy and fast.  You can sell then by the little bag, by the handful, or whatevs.  Hope you have success and that it help out little Zach.  

Tara- Sorry you coulnd't read my handwriting. that is suffering as well as my spelling...just trying to say too much too fast:) Congrats on the "Screening' call back for Audge. That's GREAT!

Mom and Dad- love you both. That is all:)

Time's up!  Love you all.  Until next week!!

-Love,

Hna Lynds Whick

P.s. 2 pics. 

#1: Me and Hna Sheffield matching one day (it was our companionship unity goal for the week.;)

#2: Our Zone! 

2 April, Week 5, Transfer 6

What a week.   It's been a long one, but a good one.  

It started off a little rocky, but it wasn't anything a good companionship inventory couldn't fix:)  All is welll, just sometimes you need a comp inevtory on the spot.  

Let's be honest, I've been super blessed. Blessed with my family, my friends the areas I've served, my companions- and this week was no different.  We had FOUR investigators at church this week- which is pure BEAUTY. AND we had a super less active come to church with her mother and daughter- and it was just great.   A GREAT birthday present.  Maria and Conchita are getting excited to be baptized on the 13th and we just set a baptismal date with another investigator named Alfonzo.  

So funny story.  We had a lesson with Alfonzo yesterday and he is completely blind. His wife has demensia and has  no memory and can't really do anything by herself.  The only thing she remembers is how much she doesn't like us.... anywho:)  We brought a recent convert with usto the lesson - Areceli, who is also almost completely blind.  We have a bomb lesson, set a baptismal date, and before we leave I go to the bathroom.  This is the scene I see as I leave the bathroom and walk into the living room:  Areceli standing up with her cane and moving her arm back and forth in the air ( vigorous punching motion) and saying to Alfonzo, "Mira, Mira, asi, asi.  MIRA! ASI! (Look, like this.  Look. Look. Look.  Like THIS)" trying to show him how to do this exercise. All the while Alfonzo (who can't "mira" SEE, because he is blind is trying to recreate the exercise as best he can by swinging his arm over top of his head and out in front of him. ( Please keep in mind that both of these people are on the older side...like 75 plus)  So this is what I walk out to in the living room- and it is ALLL I can do not to burst into laughter! It was probably one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen in my life. Don't worry, we helped Alfonzo get the correct arm motion down to do the exercise, but we got a good giggle out of that:) Hehe it was really great!!

Thank you everyone for the Birthday packages I received!  We opened gifts on Saturday night and celebrated with our roommates, the english sisters.  It was fun:) Tara- yes, yours arrived on time, and i LOVE the dress- I wore it on Sunday:)  Mom- Love the skirt I wore it yesterday!  Thanks for the Camera too:)  It works just lovely:) Cam- the candies were delicious:)   Sunday was Hermana Lythgoe's birthday too- ( my MTC companion that is currently serving in Oceanside) so that was fun to know that we are exactly the same age:)  I got to church and A member made me a nutella/ banana cake!  It was delicious:)  Dad and Mom thanks for the card and lovely words of love!  Overall- It was a GREAT birthday and the members here are so full of love!  People are so giving, even when they just have absolutely NOTHING.  I almost cried when Areseli, our blind recent convert, that has absolutly NOTHING, gave me a picture clutch to put pictures of my family in.  She struggles to buy food and gave me this things that she surely sacrificed something to give to me.  It was so tender and truly is an example of the pure love of Christ.  I am so spoiled, that experience definitely humbled me.  

Grandma- nope I still haven't gotten a letter from you, but I have a feeling that I'll get it this week when we get mail. Don't worry I'll let you know!  

April fools day joke. So our roommates, the english sisters, have an obession with garlic.  So yesterday, for april fools day, we left them some peeps with garlic salt on them...let's just say I  think they've found something that they don't like garlic with....:) 

Wow- quite the news about Katie. I will keep her and the doctors in my prayers- I hope everythign can be worked out and they will know what to do!!

Also, this isn't the first time that Julie and zach have been mentioned in their emails...and how they are in their prayers.  I have no idea what is going on...anyone want to fill me in?

Also, I finished the Book of Mormon Challenge this week!!! Wow, I just love the Book of Mormon! It is so sosoososo powerful and testifies of Chirst on  nearlyt every page!  Well, el tiempo se va como agua...the times flies when emails come.  But know that I love you all and I ma SO appreciative for your love.  I am especially appreciative of the love of my Savior and His sacrifice, his Suffering, and his Resureccion for US!!!  I feel and overwhelming love for Him and I pray that we can all work daily to be worthy of the loving gift He has given us!  Love you all soooo! 

Have an awesome week:)

Hna Whicker

Oh Happy Day, 26 March, Week 4, transfer 6

Que Feliz Dia!

Thank you Mom and Cami- I received your birthday packages, but to the insistence of my dear companion- they haven't been opened yet:) I will open them on Saturday night- because there won't be time on Sunday and I want to enjoy them in time for my birthday:)  But thank you for the LOVE!!!  I can't believe it....22 on sunday. That's pretty crazy:)  We don't really have any plans, and a ton of the members in our area are out of town because it is spring break.  

Things here are good in Escondido- I am still struggling to feel as 'at home' here in this ward and with the members here, as I have in the other wards I have served in.  I think partly is beacuse it is just so dang BIG and I still don't know a LOT of people!  But I am hoping that will come twith time.  Hna Sheffield and I just realized that we are in week 5 of 6 in the transfer!  CRAZYYYY   I feel like time went by very slowly when I was being trained...and now that I am on the other side of it- it is just wizzing by!  I hope i can help Hna S learn everything she needs in this short amount of time that we have together!  but we are doing well. We had a couple lessons with M aria and Cochita this week ( maria is probs 55 and her mom is 80) and they rent a room in a little trainer. They are quite hilarious- and we feel much better about them this week after the lessons we had.  They ARE pregressing and their intentions are pure...which was something we were a little worried about before. But they are doing great now:) We are excited for them to get baptized in April. JOhnny- the other person we are teaching that is progressing, hit a road block this last week in coming to church!  We are working with him and hoping he will excercise the faith he already has and is developing into putting what he believes in ACTION and coming to church!  So hopefully that will happen this week.  Our teaching pool is fairly large at the moment, we are just working on continually finding and trying to help those we are teachign progress!  But the work is moving onward!

Oh!  I have a favor to ask of someone. I know that this is super late beacuse my birthday is on sunday- but if anyone wants to get my anything I would really love a  Plan of Salvation Puzzle in Spanish.  We have on ein english on the paino- and I've had a few companions with them, and it is such a GREAT and interactive way to teach the Plan.  Entonces...if anyone feels so inclined that would be sweet. I think you can get them at a webstire like  myldspuzzles.com or something. Hna Adams said she got hers for like 12 dollars or something

Well-I don't think I've EVER gotten whistled at- or hollered at more in my life than I have here in Escondido.  Please imagine- A John Travolta from Grease...only Mexican and with a HUGE  handlebar mustache. He started yelling at us as we passed this shop and when we turned around to see What was going on, he saw our anme tags and just goes, " Oh NO!"  hahahahahahahahaha it was so  Funny!  WE contacted them and told them to go throw away their beers...silly people. but it has been an interesting week as far as thioose kinds of experiences have gone.  

This week in our Spanish competition......we tied.   And...I"ve accepted that. I really wanted to win, but there's always next week:)

We also got a flat tire this week- that was kinda fun:)  I was about to change it when our investigator wouldn't let me...so he did it for us.  but itwas funny:)

Dad- thanks for checking on that stuff for me- taxes and school and such. and I will GLADLY take the Pruis when I return:)  I didn't do anything to celebrate my "hump day"...other than proselite!!!  :)   And you can erase the old pics on the memory card before you send it back to me!  Thanks a million! Tell Gma Stones I say HEY:)  

Mom- I couldn't go to Iris' baptism because she was too far away.:(  There isa rule that you have to be in the "adjacent mission area" to be able to attend a baptism of someone your taught, because it would just get too crazy with peeps wanting to go everywhere for everyone's baptisms.  So I was a little sad I couldn't be there, BUT More happy than ANYTHING ELSE!!!  oh how I love her and I am SO happy for her:) Can't WAIT to go back and visit her. 

Jame- sorry you and the fam are sickos!  Hope youall feel better so soon!

Cam- glad you got my letter:)

Tara- Good luck with the Easter talks- and tell Ty he's lookin Sharp in his baseballl uniform!!  

Al- hope wade feels better soon!

Katie- Heard you went to "el Cheapo"!  fun! How was it and who did you go with? Wwrite me girly!  

Aights Familia!  Sorry this letter is so late today- we had a Zone activity playing volleyball and chair soccer this morning. It was super fun, but LONG.  And my legs are sore...I haven't worked out thos e volleyball muscles for a long time...running will be interesting in the morning:)  

Onward ever onward, is what keeps coming to my head!  This is the best work.  Hard as heck, but so completely worth it!  I am really learning so much, and the Lord is shaping me into a better servant and messenger of the truth everyday.  And that is so great!  I am finishing the Book of mormon this week too- from the challenge our mission president gave to us to finsih by Easter- and it is just so great!  The book of mormon is just true!!!!  I have a testimony that it really was written for us in our day and that it will truly help us in whatever is happening in our lives!  The Lord knows what we need- and He specifically gave that to us for us to use! love it!

 Mucho Amor my fam!

- Hna Whicker

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