Like the Bad Vlad, or the Bunny Vlad That Makes the Cookies?

This week was crazy... in all uses of the word, good and bad (hence the subject line). Like, I literally have no clue where to even start, what to even include or how to convey the insanity that ensued his week. 

Miracles of the week:

In bullet format because my brain is everywhere.

-M came to church! 

-P and P were confirmed and they both felt the spirit super strong!

-The Digi Sister came to visit and we started introducing the digital mission to members. 

-We got to do service a lot this week! 

-We got a Ward Mission Leader in 1st ward! It has been 4 months! MIRACLES!!!

Aha moment: 

Due to the craziness we did a lot of praying this week. For guidance, for peace, for revelation and it came. Our prayers were answered. Not quite in the way that we expected, but they came. 

Ahaha moment: 

We carved watermelon this week for Zone P-day. It was so much fun.

Note: the shirts that Sister F and I are wearing :) #CosmicosbyForTheWin 

I totally cut my hair this week. Well, actually Sister V cut my hair. It was driving me nuts so I asked her to chop it haha. I love it!

Sorry this is so short. It was a weird, weird, weird week. Hope that yours was better!

You are all so loved! 

Love,

Sister Alexander

Picture 1- Carved Watermelons #WINGS #ZonePdayZonePicture

Picture 2- Short hair don't care :)

Oh Happy Day!

Hello All!!! This week was AMAZING!!!!

Like... still can't quite comprehend everything that happened yet... So, let's see if this email even makes sense!

Miracles of the week-

    -Baptisms-

P and P were baptized yesterday! We were seriously at the church from 7AM to 9PM. It was the best most exhausting day ever! It was so cool! P came up out of the water and I handed her a towel and asked her how she felt an she just said, "happy," with this huge smile on her face. Also, M gave the opening prayer, J gave a talk and R gave the closing prayer. Almost all of my recent converts were there... It was like my happy place haha. I got a picture :) or like 12

    -Exchanges-

I just love exchanges. This time was especially awesome because it just so happens that I went to Weston, and guess who is roommates with the Sister Training Leaders? Sister T. It was so great to see her and like brush my teeth in her presence... that is creepy but I am leaving it. We got to see a bunch of people in Weston that are so solid! It is so cool to see the Lord hastening his work in New England! I love this place!!!

    -Zone Meeting Miracles-

I love Zone meetings. So, at Zone Meeting we were asked to share how we extend baptismal commitments, and we basically just said that people come to us asking when they can be baptized but it is so important to invite them! We have had so many people not feel ready but they love that we trust them enough and feel that they are ready enough for it to happen. So, we were challenged to invite every one of our investigators to be baptized. 

So we started. On Saturday we met with W and his kids and guess what happened. We planned on extending a date and W just goes, "I think that they are ready to be baptized. Why should I be holding them back? Just because I have to figure things out doesn't mean that they do. They should be baptized next week." We just had to smile. They will be baptized on June 21st, Sister V's last weekend on the mission. It was so cool. They came to the baptism of their aunt and uncle too and LOVED IT. The bishops wife and I were talking with J about temples and she was awestruck at their beauty, sacredness and the fact that you can be married there for free haha. It was such an awesome conversation!

    -Digi Mish-

Last but not least, I am back on the Digi mission! Our whole zone is now a part of this awesome work! It was super sweet! Elder P, one of the Zone Leaders, found out that on Saturday, a girl that he was teaching from Ecuador was baptized! Gah! so cool! 

Aha moment-

I just was able to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for me when I was able to be surrounded by people hat I love at the baptism last night. The spirit was so strong and we were all just so happy.

Ahaha moment-

So picture this: burnt rice, missionaries scrambling around the church trying to waft the smoke away from the smoke detectors, fire alarms blaring, and the Senior couple pull up to the church... ahaha We were all dying.

"There is a reason that it is called Minute rice, Not 5 minute rice"- Sister A 

Life is so good! I love Worcester, I love my companion, I love this work and I love my Heavenly Father! ("and I love you random citizen")

You are all SO loved! 

Be good!

Love, 

Sister Alexander

 

Picture 1- Exchanges with Sister C

Picture 2- P and P's Baptism!

Picture 3- The whole crew that came to the baptism! The 3 African American kiddos in the front are W's kids! 

Picture 4- Almost all of the recent converts since I have been in Worcester.

P, M, P, R, with her grandma(who has been a member, Photobombing), Me, Sister V, M, J and R! So many of my very favorite people!

The Highest of Laws

Hello my friends.

It is raining here in Worcester on this mighty fine 1st day of June. So, I am wearing tights and boots. #WelcomeToWorcester

This week has been a whirlwind but I will attempt to tell you all about it!

 

Miracles of the Week-

Temple- We went to the temple on Monday and did an Endowment session, then we went down to the baptistery to see J and R do Baptisms for the dead. The spirit was so strong! Then we were asked to help upstairs with some other ordinances so we got to spend the whole morning at the temple. It was awesome. 

 

Z - We had just had a training on Friday reminding us to listen to the spirit and we went to go and see P and P. We passed this girl on the steps and she looked really sad. So we went to see P and P and they called us and let us know that they weren't home. So, we both had a feeling that we should talk to her so we did and she was super interested! She has had a crazy life but she was reading the Book of Mormon as she walked away! We are very excited to see her embrace the gospel and feel the love that her Heavenly Father has for her!

 

Surprise- This is more funny than a miracle but it was cool that we were there for it...

So, on Saturday we were asked to go to Lowell for a 13 stake Women's conference. It was huge. We were basically crowd control but it was super cool to feel the spirit so strong and to see so many members and non-members talking about faith. There were 2 key-note speakers S N, the wonderful woman who was in a plane accident a couple years ago, whom I LOVE! The other was someone that I have no idea who they were and we were busy when she spoke but then at the end they were all, "There is a slight change in the Program, we have a guest who is unexpectedly here and we would like to welcome Elder Jeffery R. Holland to the conference." You should have heard the gasps ahaha I thought I was going to pee myself I was laughing so hard. The spirit is strong with that one. I also got to see some of my ward members from Madison! It was so great to see them! 

 

Aha Moment-

The Hermanas told us about the Latino Conference where Elder Holland was as well. You had to 1) be a Spanish missionary and 2) bring a Less-Active or an Investigator. So we obviously could not go. But! They basically told us everything ahaha. So he talked about how we have to have safe places where we can feel free to worship. Where the spirit is there and we can help others feel that. Then he talked about how our homes should be one of those places. He introduced what I like to call "The Highest of Laws"... It is a law to tolerate other people. In school we learn to treat others how we want to be treated. Then Elder Holland said something that really hit me hard. He said,

 "Treat those around you as you would treat the Savior, or how the Savior would treat them."

 Like... it is kind of a duh concept but I can at least say for myself that I have never thought of it. We are children of our Heavenly Father. Every single one of us. Why wouldn't and don't we treat each other as such? 

 

Ahhaha moment-

We were sitting with M eating food and she just goes, "You know, I am okay with having to wear dresses to church now even though I have always been kind of a tomboy..." We were all, "Why is that?" and she says, "Well, Jesus Christ wore a dress every day so I can on Sundays if I am trying to be like him." We laughed so hard. She is so cute. 

 

Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful week! 

You are all so loved!

Be Good!

Love,

Sister Alexander

The Most Scatter Brained Email You Ever Did Read

Hello people of various places... because everyone is like in a different place.

 Hence the usement of the word various.

 That last sentence was penned by Sister T... because we are in the same zone... and are currently in the same building. No, I am not super excited, just kidding I am like ecstatic. 

This week was GRRRRREAT!!! <-Say like Tony the Tiger

Monday- We went on a hike as in I actually hiked. And then we played Ultimate Frisbee and had a blast!

Miracle of the Week: 

P and P Set a Date!!! Like a date to be baptized! They want to be baptized on June 7th and we are so super excited! 

Aha Moment: 

1st off, Family History is so stinking cool. The spirit of Elijah is so real. J was baptized for her Grandmother in the temple today. It was amazing! She is all over the work! 

2nd She also finished the Book of Mormon, wait no. "I didn't finish it. I just got to the end. I will never be finished with it." That my friends is awesome. 

Ahahaha Moment: 

So on Tuesday... I found out something interesting. So I had this dream right. We were rounding up sheep in our living room and they were escaping from the room and so I decided to grab the dining chairs and block the doorway but there was one chair that had a bunch of stuff on it so I made the decision that it wasn't worth the effort and then I turned to the doorway and all of the sheep were escaping and that is all I remember. So we wake up to go to the gym and I walk though the doorway to our hallway to the study room and I am all, "Who moved these chairs over here?" and then it hit me... Holy Canoli, I sleep walk you guys.... what am I even supposed to do with that? One of the members tried to translate the dream and she asked if I had a bunch of people in my life that I was worried about leaving the Church and Bam-Pow that could be the stress... Either that or I counted sheep until I fell asleep that night... it's whatever.

Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful week! 

You are all so loved! 

Love,

Sister Alexander

Picture: Hiking... cat shirt, cat socks. life is good

 

Got Goals?

Guess who is staying in Worcester for a loooonnnnggg time?

This GIRL... errr Sister aha. 

Transfer-Texts came out and literally one person in our ENTIRE Zone is leaving and we are getting like 6 extras because they are opening 2 areas... so our District is EXACTLY the same and we are so excited #ZION #doublezion Oh and just some fun info... Sister T is now in the zone. THIS IS THE ZION ZONE. Now to just figure out how to convince the new Mission President that we need to be companions... anyway... yeah. I am still in Worcester this transfer and then Sister V goes home, so unless someone needs an emergency transfer or they are shotgunning someone in next transfer I will be here for 7.5 months or more!!! Craziness! 

This week was just full of awesomeness! 

Miracle of the week:

M got Baptized!!! BEST DAY EVER! Saturday seriously was just flat out awesome. She was so ready and happy and excited and we were so excited for her! The spirit was super strong and some of our other investigators were there and they were all, "Woah, what was cool," to the Elders.

Aha moment: 

Ohhhkay. Do you guys know how many goals I have set and then just like... totally forgot what they were and like failed epically? Like... all of them. All the goals. And this week Hermana F trained us about goals and her 3 main points were:

 1- Include God. He will help you if they are good and you tell him what they are.

2-Make them visible. Whether you write it on a sticky note and tack it to the wall or on your companion's forehead make it so you cant forget what it is... even if you want to and tell a few choice people about them so they can follow up with you. and

3- You have to want it... bad... like you want air... or chocolate. If you don't want it why would you be motivated to do it?

So yeah.

Mine is to be more positive, to continue to work on opening my mouth and to continue to clean up my language... which I have been doing better on but still have a lot of room for improvement. What are your goals? What are your spiritual goals? Maybe we can follow up with each other about them? Yesh? Yesh. 

Ahaha moment:

At District Meeting I was in charge of the Zion Building which is basically the "get to know you question" and it was if we all worked at Disneyland who would we be? I got Rapunzel, Belle, and the Mouse on Cinderella that has the scissors. The question turned into how many movie quotes do we still remember... It was hilarious. Our favorite was Elder P not knowing half of the quotes or movie references and then as soon as we mention the sharks on Nemo he just lights up and is all, "He never even knew his father," in the exact voice. It was so funny... I guess you had to be there... 

Anywho! We are going on a Zion Zone Hike. #WINGS The trail is called Purgatory... awkward ahaha.

You are all loved!

Be good!

Love,

Sister Alexander

Picture- M's Baptism!

Uhh Excuse Me Spring...We Aren't Done With You...

I feel like I told you all everything yesterday... haha. Yesterday was an awesome day. This week was an awesome week. Busy Busy Busy. I can't quite mark anything that made it so awesome. It is super warm here... like warmer than Phoenix... not cool(Haha get it? Because it is hot ahahaha) Lame I know. 

So I thought that I would just share some pictures today... because I really have no desire to think ahaha. #OhTheLaziness

OH!!!! I totally forgot! 

M is getting Baptized on Saturday and she is SUPER excited! 

And we were at church and P his wife P and their 4 year old P came. P has been really sick these past couple of days and yesterday was no different so we asked if he would like a blessing. They said that they would love it and Brother F, our Ward Mission Leader gave him one with Brother L a guy that just moved here from Armenia with his wife. By the end of the 3rd hour of church, P was awake and jumping around and his fever was going down a lot. Blessings work. The power of God is on the Earth.

Well, You are loved, and I hope that you all have a wonderful week!

Be good!

Love,

Sister Alexander

Pictures-

1st- President Packard, R Me and Sister V at R's Baptism! 

2nd- Spring was here for like a day but now it is summer ahaha. I find myself complaining about having to wear clothing a lot... and quoting the Grinch..."Hate, hate, hate. hate, hate, hate. Double hate. Loathe Entirely." or "Warm Weather, I Hate you"

3rd- We went to the Polar Factory on Monday (5/4/15) Polar is a HUGE soda distributor in New England and one of the Spanish Branch members works there and gave us a tour!

Hermana M, Sister V, Me, the POLAR bear, Hermana F, Elder P, Elder T, Hermano A

MAY the 4th Be With You!

First off can we just freak out about the fact that it is already May? Like where did the year go?

I think that spring is actually here... either that or we just skipped over nice 65 degree weather and went straight to 80 and humid... not bitter at all. Hahaha This week was insane. Like SO MUCH HAPPENED. 

Here we gooooooo!!! ( Say like Peter Pan in all of those blu-Ray commercials that are on every disney movie ever ahaha)

Miracle of the week: 

R GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!! After a 7 year adventure, R was able to enter the waters of baptism! It was such an awesome day! We got in the car at 7:45 AM to race to the church to make sure the font was being filled and this song came on

On this Day of Joy and Gladness

Talk about truth! It was such an amazing day! R was so happy and his wife was too and she isn't even a member. 

We dont have pictures yet, but soon! 

Other awesome things that happened. 

-M and Z came to a lesson with J and they both testified and the spirit was sooooo strong there. Like, so strong. M is so excited for her baptism on Sunday! 

-Interviews at President Packard's on Tuesday. SO GREAT

-One of our favorite families came back into town with their RM son and they want to go out teaching with us ASAP. So excite.

 

Ahahaha Moment: 

So picture this:

We are at a member's home for dinner and she pulls out her phone to show us a picture of her favorite past missionary memories and she just goes "Oh! She is getting married!" and shows us a picture of an MBM RM and her fiancee... J P... I was all, "Wait I know him and I know of her!" #craziness

 

Aha moment:

So Interviews with President are always insightful. Like blow your mind and make your head hurt insightful. This time was no different except that it was the last interview that I will have with him before he goes home #saddestdayever. But, I did get to spend some time talking to him about my plans, for my mission, for life, for eternity. The gist of what he told me.

"You can choose so choose wisely."

Yes Sir.

 

Be good my friends.

Have a wonderful week! 

You are all so loved! 

Love, 

Sister Alexander

 

Picture 1- Hermana M, Hermana F, Me, and Sister V

Picture 2- I may or may not have climbed a tree today ahaha.

Picture 3- Sister F, Sister L, Me and Sister A