A Month of Miracles Pt. 1

Hello all! How has your week been? I hope that it has been as inspiring and awesome as mine has!  We decided to go through the miracles we see each day on the drive home and we come home exhausted and so happy. You should try it!

 

Miracles of the week!

- We had a lesson scheduled with S, who was a referral for a Book of Mormon from the beginning of V's days here in good old Woostah. We told him to call us if he had any questions and he did have some questions... but they all got answered when he read the Book of Mormon... almost all the way through... yeah. But, that is only part of the miracle! We couldn't find a member to come with us, so we went to a less-actives house and cleverly begged her to come with us by mentioning that we didn't have a woman to come with us so we were going to have to reschedule over and over during the conversation. Yeah well it worked... she came with us and she loved it! She doesn't even go out to go grocery shopping if she doesn't have to. It was awesome. 

-Friday... was the grand finale to our mile-less July... and we were under! It was so great! Now we just have to stay under for August too haha. 

- Saturday. You guys. (ahahaha it is really weird to say/type that because I have gotten used to saying "hey elders" or "Hey Sisters" instead of "hey you guys!" plus... in Worcester they say "yous guys".. so yeah I don't.) Saturday was like the best day ever. We woke up, went for our usual morning run-walk-run and then we got ready and headed to the temple! It was the recent convert temple day! So we get there the same time that our bishop's wife, Sister M does with P, P, M, J and S. It was P, J's and S's first time there. So great. Their faces when they went inside. Priceless. P was able to bring her dad's name, so P was baptized in proxy for him. Then, R had his Grandparent's names and it was the anniversary of  his Grandmother's death. R was just so happy and J was tickled that he would let her do the proxy baptism in behalf of her.

-BUT Wait! There's more! So R also had his grandfather's name, and he was like the first one in the seats by the baptismal font but people kept on going before him! We couldn't figure out why and our ward was having a party that we needed to be at so we asked if he could go next. They let him and the spirit was so strong! After he went to go change we were getting ready to go, we had been helping check people in and get jumpsuits and I hear Brother H(The former President H) says, " This is Sister Alexander she will help you check in," and around the corner... comes the Madison Sisters and M!!!! Like the M that G and I found in November! The M that got baptized 3 weeks after I left Madison. In the temple, with a family name. I cried... ahaha of course. He just goes, "HI Sister Alexander," and I was just like, "M!" in the quietest loud voice I could muster haha. He just goes, "She is the one that found me," I was on a cloud the rest of the day :) And to think, if it hadn't have taken a bazillion hours for R to go through, I wouldn't have even seen him.

 

-Sunday! N brought her mom and brother to the BBQ/ Ward party on Sat (another Saturday miracle) They are Catholic but her mom really liked us. So, yesterday N just goes, "So I think my mom has come to terms that I am probably going to be baptized." and her mom also invited us to lunch on Tuesday! 

 

- Then we had dinner with the W's. He served his mission here 20 years ago and he invited one of the guys that he baptized when he was here. His family is so prepared to receive the gospel! They are awesome and we will be teaching them this week! 

 

 

 

Aha moment

So yesterday was August 2, 2015. Duh. 12 years ago yesterday was August 2, 2003, the day that I was baptized. It was just a cool experience to be with people that I love who just got baptized or who are preparing for it on the 12 year mark of when I made that covenant. 

 

 

 

Ahahaha moment

So the W's are like the chillest and greatest member missionaries ever. They also have 6 kids. 2 girls and 4 boys. One of the girls was making lemonade and the container had a holder for ice to keep it cool, but she couldn't find ice... so look at the picture to see what she used instead. We were dying. Brother W was all, "So this is the ghetto level we have achieved? Right on." 

 

 

 

Well Folks, Life is great. This month is going to be the best. We can feel it in our bones. We can also feel the humidity and heat to our bones... which is not so great. It is awful actually but we don't care!

You are all so loved! Be good!

Love,

Sister Alexander

Picture 1- Us at the temple! R and J weren't there yet but this is the Himmie/ Elliott crew!

Picture 2- See Ahahahaha moment :)

I Almost Thought It Wouldn't Let Me Change the Subject...

Ollo? Haha hey Guys! How is life treating ya?

I will tell you how I am doing. That is great. I am doing great :)

This week was awesome!

From Return and Report (the new missionary follow up meeting) to G's baptism it was just awesome.

 

Miracles in Bunches :)-

-We found out that last Sunday S did get interviewed for the priesthood so he can come to the temple on Saturday with us! On Sunday he got it and bishop came and got us so we could be there! P was in the circle! It was the coolest thing. Brother B just goes, "It is like your pay-day today isn't it?" It was. 

-Return and Report was awesome. Got to go to the temple with Sister M. I love the temple. I got to sit by Sister M (the mission presidents wife) in the session, we both just looked at each other and I just went, "Today is a good day," and she took my hand and nodded, "a very good day". 

-G got baptized! She turned 9 on Friday and we have been teaching her because when you are past 8 you are a convert baptism. She had waited a year! Her family kept on getting sick or hurt on her baptism day! But now she is baptized and she is soooo happy :)

-Z came to church again! So did N and W! Woohoooooo!

 

Aha Moment-

We had a Webex on Tuesday it was awesome. I learned a lot about the things that I can work on.

 We also had a Zion Building at district meeting. Basically a get to know you question... it was so awesome. The question was "What is a spiritual experience that you are willing to share?" The spirit was so strong. It was great. 

 

Ahahaha moment-

- At Return and Report we were helping put tables away and the tables had tablecloths on them... so naturally I had the desire to try the trick where you pull off the table cloth without touching the stuff on top but everyone was clearing them off too fast. I would run to one and someone would be there pulling the cloth off. So there I was, looking really sad and probably really helpless because I was sad haha, and Sister M comes up and is just like, "You should do the magic trick!" and I was just like, "No, it isn't that big of a deal," and she just looks at me and says, "You need to do it," in a knowing voice like she could read my mind and heard me go, "but I really want to." So she runs up to the last table of Elders who are about to pull off the cloth and just goes, "Stop! Sister Alexander wants to try the trick!" So I did... and it almost worked. I just needed to pull down for a longer time... but hey... I succeed when I try :)

- So Sister M is slowly realizing that Money, Miles and Food are in small numbers come the end of the month. So we have been walking places. So much fun! It is weird to get emails from friends on missions who tract... because our mission really isn't about that life unless you are in a area where it works aka Boston proper... I mean don't get me wrong, we talk to everyone but we work with members, all the time. So this has been fun not being in the car and not feeling creepy for wanting to pull up and give some teenagers something. We can just go and talk to them. 

 

So yeah. Worcester is awesome. Sister M is Awesome. God is Great and so are you all.

Be good and know that you are so, so, so loved! 

Love,

Sister Alexander

 

Picture 1- Sister M and I at the Boston temple on Wednesday. And no we did not match on purpose... it isn't like we are together 24/7 and share a closet... pshhhh. ;)

Picture 2- G and I after her baptism! She is half Tai half Israeli. So cute. So wicked smart... it is crazy. 

Picture 3- Walking down a very sketchy road, what do we do? Pull out our cameras and start taking selfies of course. 

Picture 4- "Now we have to take a Sister picture." -Elder H "What does that mean?"- Me "Super artsy and adorable of course!" Ah yes. I see.

The Moment We Have All Been Waiting For...

You guys... Guess what happened this week.

I went on exchanges... WITH SISTER T!

Like the one that our goal for our missions were to be companions for my b-day and for our year mark... yeah. It was awesome. It was also hilarious because by the end of it we decided that we both really missed our companions. 

So I decided that because Thursday was my year mark... more weirdness and then Friday was Sister M's month mark, I would write 12 (one for each month) things I have loved or have learned while on my mission!

Here We Go!

1...Zion is a thing... and it is a thing that I love. Being one with my companion, one with the ward, one with the mission and one with God. Nothing better. 

2...Love is a thing. It is possible to love people that you have never met. It is possible to talk to people who are intimidating, people who are crazy, and the normal ones about the gospel, if you have Christ-like love. 

3... EVERYONE is a child of God. The person who cut you off on the highway, the lady in the grocery store bagging your candy and milk. Everyone. and you can feel it. It is super cool. 

4...The Gospel is real. It is true. It brings happiness, peace, and knowledge. 

5... Missionaries are awkward because you are awkward. If you act like they are people who have a wicked awesome personality and are super close to God then you will realize that they are. We are. We are hilarious. 

6... The Book of Mormon is Amazing. Like I cant even put into words how much I love that book. SO MUCH.

7... When you pray, God answers your prayers. Might not be the way you intended but it is exactly the way God intended it to be. 

8... New England is beautiful. Humidity is not. 

9...Pictures are truly worth a thousand words. Take lots of them. Send me lots of them. 

10...Music can help you feel the spirit, in ways I cant describe. 

11... Jesus Christ truly is our Savior

12... Miracles happen EVERYDAY.

 

Have a Wicked awesome day and week! You are all so loved! 

Be good!

Love, 

Sister Alexander

Picture 1- Sister M and I :) 

Picture 2- Sister T and I! 

 

Also thank you all for your Birthday wishes! It was awesome! Can't believe I am 20!!! 

Shovels, Singing and Soccer

Hello my favorite humans!

Guess what I did today? I got blindfolded and taken hostage to a park in Worcester to play soccer for my birthday and it was a blast. A little frightening at first but so much fun! The Elders and Hermanas are some sneaky people ahaha. 

This week has just been full of so much excitement! 

Monday...

We went and saw the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the Wang Theater. Yeah you read that right... MoTab on the Mission. It was PHENOMENAL

Some fun points about it:

-They sang my Favorite Hymn: Come, Come Ye Saints

-Alex Boye joined them... he ripped his pants doing the splits. But he was wicked awesome. 

-J and M were there with us. I love them. 

- We got to talk to the wife of one of the guys in the Choir and she called it the Wang (Theee-ate-Errr) and it was so hard to not laugh. 

We also had Zone meeting which was so awesome too! 

-I got to sing with Elder C and Elder J. We sang Hymn 102 "Jesus, Lover of my Soul" and I should have sang alto but they wanted me to sing soprano... yeah that high note in the last two lines of the verses... Right where my voice breaks ahaha,.. that was fun. Also, that song has the word bosom in it... I can not type that word with a straight face let alone sing it ahahah. But the Elders sang that part so I didn't have to. 

-The theme was a new quote that went along with, "If you don't know how to move mountains yet, there is still more that you can learn about Faith," from President Miller. The theme was, "Those who have the faith to move mountains, come prepared with shovels." What? I Literally had never even thought about being able to move a mountain with a shovel... like duh! In my head it always gets all Star Wars-esque and we lift a mountain using our minds. Picture me moving my hand across the horizon and placing it lower. Precisely my train of thought. But how true is that? Be as prepared as possible because you never know how the Lord is going to help us achieve what we need to. 

So in Zone meeting we focused on some shovels that as missionaries we have been given to move the mountains that come in our paths. 

- Exact Obedience

-Ward Council

-Companionship, unity, love and ZION

-Following the Spirit

- How To Begin Teaching (ask a missionary what this means. :))

As a companionship we also realized that there are a lot of other shovels that we need to be building for future mountains, and some that have been given to us, passed on from generation that have been worn and repaired. The gospel in general has been a shovel for me. Helping me move the mountains that I face on a regular basis or just the random ones that decide they need to pop up here or there. 

Also you all. 

You all have been a support and help to me when I have had hard times both on the mission and at home. Thanks for being the shovel that helped me get past my mountains, whether I have known you for 1 year, or 5, or 20, know that you are loved and appreciated. 

As Hermana F says: "Faith Harder"

Be good!

Love 

Sister Alexander, 

The 20 year-old one. 

Picture 1- Birthday Lunch. Sister B in our ward loves missionaries and on our birthday treats us to lunch :) She also happens to love certain fandoms like me so she never fails to make at least one reference ahaha

Picture 2- This picture makes me laugh... 1. because I had no idea that it was being taken and 2. look at that awful posture. Hilarious. 

New in Town

Hello my family, friends, loved ones and random people I know nothing of... Hello.

This week was so awesome! Let me tell you why. 

I guess first I should explain my companion situation in more detail. In March I was supposed to train a new missionary and I told a bunch of people who asked me about my next companion... then the day of transfers I get a call from President Packard saying that she got her visa and I wont be training... #AwkSauce... 

So when President called me 2 Sundays ago and asked me if I would accept  the call to train I didn't tell anyone haha. So me being really weird about the whole trio thing... was because transfers were a week early. President Packard had the chance to do the exit interviews for the missionaries that had served their whole missions with him and the new missionaries had the chance to only be interviewed with President Miller. It was a bit crazy, but... This time, my greenie is not getting her visa... she is right here in Woostah with me! She is so awesome! 

Fun facts about Sister M:

1. She is from St. David, Arizona which is like an hour an a half away from the border. 

2. She loves to garden, and to care for fruit trees

3. She is the middle child, 2 above 2 below

4. She loves candy... and sweets... just like me. 

5. She doesn't really like animals...  which we forgive her for because she doesn't hate them. 

She is so awesome and excited about the work! She is my favorite. 

This week was go, go, go, go and we got to see a bunch of people. 

Miracle of the week:

A less-active sister came to church yesterday that I literally haven't seen in 6 months. She then invited us to dinner, Brazilian dinner... so, so, so good. Gah, I love Brazilian rice. 

Aha moment:

Meeting President Miller was a very awe inspiring experience. The spirit that we all felt was so strong with both him and his wife. He said something that really made me think... "If you cant move mountains yet, you still have more to learn about faith." Ain't that the truth? I still have my whole life to figure out faith and I am so glad that I chose to come out here and kick start that learning. What a blessing. 

Ahahahaha Moment:

-We are just always laughing. 

Recently the Elders have started to say, "Go on now, Scoot," in a super hick accent and we all have adopted it... except Sister M hates it. She accidentally said it the other day and she just about died. 

-Also Sister M, who kindly took the picture of Hermana F, Sister M and I, was wearing the colors of the Mexican flag on accident. She just goes "Oh look everyone is matching! Why is everyone matching?" ahahahaha.... I love her.

Well guys life is great. We are going to Target... so I will write ya'll next week.... on my birthday. No biggie hahaha. 

You are all so loved!

Be good!

Love,

Sister Alexander

Pic 1- Because everyone needs a driving selfie. Pardon the duck face... it just happened hahaha

Pic 2- Fireworks here started on Wednesday and lasted until yesterday. They go all out for the US of A so we did too. Red, White and Blue and a BBQ. Of course we had a BBQ. #4thOfJuly #BBQ4Dayz

Las Tres Mosqueteras... Por 5 Dias.

Where do I even start? Hello my wonderful people! How are you all doing this fine Monday? I hope that the answer is well, because that is the answer that I would give. 

This week was great and very, very busy. It was Sister V's last week on the mission so we were going, going, going! 

So this week, We had dinner with 2 Polynesian families, did a bunch of service, and tracked into a family straight from Iraq, that only speaks Arabic... and we had a 30 minute conversation with them using our good friend Google Translate. That was fun :) 

Miracle of the Week-

After transfer meeting Hermana F, Hermana M and I were hungry but we went to the temple with M and P for baptism for the dead. Then, we decided to go to Chipotle for dinner on the way back to Woostah. We walk in and there is one of our members just smiling all big at us. He works there... and got us free food...we were so happy. It was awesome too because I had like 0 dollars in MSF haha. Right on. 

Aha moment-

We had a Farewell Conference with President Packard on Friday and he left us with so much wisdom it was oozing out of the chapel. Also, we got to hug him and I just cried...  BUT! the Aha moment. So, President talked about the Sabbath Day and giving it back to God. He said, "The Sacrament should inspire us to remember Christ, keep His Commandments, and have His Spirit to be with us." It just like hit me. We take the sacrament not because it reminds us of our covenants we already made... we take it because it helps us make new covenants every single week. 

Also, President explained the Spirit in a way that I love. For those that believe no explanation is necessary and for those that don't, no explanation is possible. Love it. #truth

Ahahaha Moment- 

Yesterday, I had 2 companions that weren't even missionaries. I still had to go to the Worcester 1&2 Wards and the Hermanas had to go to their branch so I had M and M be my companions for 2nd and 1st Ward respectively. It was great and both said that as they left and dropped me off with my next or real companions that they felt empty and that it was just wrong to be alone... #truth

Lots of funny things have happened but I just cant remember what they were... #Fail.

OH! Also! Sister M's Birthday was on Thursday, Sister F's is tomorrow and mine is in 2 weeks! Woohooo!

So yeah. That is my week. How was yours? 

I love you all. Sorry that this is so scatter brained I just cant seem to focus on emailing when I have to figure out monthly goals right after. 

Have a wonderful week. 

You are all so loved!

Be good!

Love,

Sister Alexander

Pictures

Pic 1- Sister M's Birthday! 

Pic 2- Transfer Meeting goodbyes. Both Elder T and Sister V went home! We were a district for 2 transfers with out any changes! I love these people! 

Pic 3- Me and President and Sister Packard

Count Your Many Blessings

Hello My Friends! How are you all doing on this fine Monday Morning? 

I am doing well. So stinkin' well :)

This week was way less bad crazy and more good crazy haha. The good Vlad. :)

Miracles of the Week

-Chastity- 

We got to visit a Young Women this past week C with the YW president. She is awesome but we were worried that she would feel uncomfortable with us being there. At the end of the meeting the Young Women's president asked her if she could bring her anything next time and she just goes, "Can you bring the Sisters next week?" YESSSS!!!!! She is so darling. I love her so much. It is crazy how on your mission you just feel a portion of how much God loves his children and you are so full. I just cant imagine how I would handle all of that love!!!

-E's Baptism-

Sunday night was the E kid's baptism. J, S, and W Jr. The spirit was so strong. I love those kids so much. 

Miracles AKA Aha moment

I often am reminded of the story of the woman who wants to be happy so she decided to count her negative thoughts. At the end of the week not only was she miserable but she looked at her count and it was so high. She was devastated and then she had the thought that she should focus on the positive. Count the blessings. Remember the miracles. Conjure up happiness. And it worked. She had the best week ever and her count for good was wayyy higher than the one for bad. So that is what I have started to do. Randomly during the day when I am feeling stressed or worried I just say, "Miracles go," and Sister V and I trade off saying a miracle until we are happy. Some days are harder than others but we always end up saying stupid things and laughing about it. 

Ahahahaha Moments

I know that there were a lot but I have to think because I could have sworn that I put them in my planner but alas.

YAYAYAYA I found it!!! Ahahah. This is sad. I basically write my train of thought ahaha. 

So on Wednesday we went to dinner with a Ghanaian family in 1st ward and they made us "Ground Nut Soup" which in English is Peanut Butter Soup!!!! It is basically chicken, tomatoes, peanut butter, broth and a bunch of habanero peppers. You put a rice ball in your bowl then scoop the soup in with a lot of broth and then... you use your hands to eat it. They use their hands for everything in Ghana so... we did too!!! It was so fun! Also I found out at their house that Donald Trump is running for president... uhm... #WhatTheWhat Needless to say, there was a lot of laughter on Wednesday. 

T-Text results

Also last night was t-texts! I am staying in Woostah which isn't a surprise! I will be here for at least 7 1/2 months!!!! Craziness!!!! Transfer meeting is on Saturday! I cant believe that it has already been 2 transfers and it is time for Sister V to go home :( I am going to miss her so much. The Hermanas are also staying!!! Woohoooooo!!! We get to celebrate our birthdays together! Sister F's is on the 30th and Sister M's is on the 26th and mine... mine is on the 13th of July... right around the corner??? O.o 20? Uhm no thanks

So yeah. Life is good. Miracles are abounding in Worcester. I love this Work. I love my Heavenly Father.

You are all soooo loved!

Be good!

Love,

Sister Alexander

Pic 1: Sister V and I- The epitome of our relationship. One of us being crazy the other awkward haha... nice :)

Pic 2: The E's Baptism!!! Sister V, Me, Brother F who baptized, S (Tall one in front) then Brother B, who baptized, J, and Elder P (who seriously can't smile unless he jabs someone in the side before a picture) who baptized W Jr., Yeah. Oh and M and P, who is P and P's son :)

Pic 3: Oh! I almost forgot! The picture of Peanut Butter Soup! Soooo good!!!