the man sitting across from me is wearing a hat that says "i love Jesus". Thank you sir.

can you believe I survived my first transfer? (and only with a few cacti scratches ;) ) It kind of freaks me out because everyone says your first transfer is your longest, and well....that happened WAY too fast. Because i'm still being trained for six more weeks, I'm still here in West Tucson. I'll actually probably be here for at least two more transfers since Hermana Wheatly goes home in May (I'll let you know when her homecoming is when she hears about it) Super happy to still be here. I love all the crazy people here, and we are meeting some incredible new investigators who actually have the gospel clicking to them!! I already know the month of April is going to be awesome, and it's looking like we are going to have at least 4 solid baptisms this month (fingers crossed)

 

One of which is Antonio. Oh Antonio, Antonio. He's the one I mentioned last email who is from Nicoragua and had the dreams about living waters.

Well...let me just paint a description of him for you, because I just crack up everytime I see him.

If you were to meet a person who spoke like Enrique Eglesias (sp?) sings...you know "I can be your hero baby", super cheesy, super emotional in every word, can't help but laugh at how dead serious they are about it...that is Antonio.

He is super into Christian music, he said it's the song of his heart, and Hermana Wheatley let it slip that I play the violin. Ever since he found out he's been asking me to play everytime I go over. But I don't necesarillywanna play outside in a trailer park so I told him when he had a chapel tour we would do it (which was supposed to be friday). We we show up for a regular lesson on thursday and he's in super nice clothes, newly polished shoes and had a new haircut. He said "I'm ready to go!" We freak out, 1) because we can't drive him 2) it's not the day we planned 3) I didn't have my violin. We run over to his neighbor (who is a member) he drives antonio to the church, we book it to the apartment to grab my violin. Everything else that may or may not have happened during that time is all a blur. 

We give a tour of the church and he just stared at all the pictures of Jesus. When he saw a picture of Thomas S. Monson in the primary room I thought he was going to cry. (He's so stoaked for general conference.)  Finally we get into the chapel, we teach the plan of Salvation and then I play How Great Thou Art on the violin as he reads the words. Hno Limon (the member) said, "it's no coincedence that you met these sisters. it's no coincedence they found you when they did, and that out of all the missionaries, sister waters is the one who can play the violin. you are where you are supposed to be".

Antonio stands up, and starts panting. Clutching his chest and hymn book. I just stood there with my violin. I really thought he was having a heart attack. He said, "I'm so overcome with the spirit right now. That melody, the melody of my heart it speaks to me. I feel the spirit so strong"

 

spiritual experience? yes. however I laughed the whole car ride to our next appointment.

 

then on sunday morning, he left a voicemail while I was still in bed. when I listened to it I was worried he was going to back out on church but the three minute message was "oh Hermanitas, thank you so much for everything....thank you...again. THANK YOU...because, well...thank you...and brother Limon...THANK YOU...again...thank you!"

*again, picture an enrique eglesias song* it's so much funnier is spanish

 

He came to church. LOVED IT. He was going to get up during testimony meeting but said, "he couldn't find the right words in his heart". He participated in sunday school, and was in cloud nine in priesthood. Can you say golden?

 

We went over again last night, and there he was, sitting on his porch waiting for us. He had bought us drinks and just was waiting to give them to us. We taught the Restoration again, because it wasn't clicking to him how the book of mormon/joseph smith/the authority was back on the earth all related to each other. by the end of the lesson we asked, "so if you read the book of mormon, and you pray and get the answer that it's true...what does that mean?"

he said "...that, joseph smith is really a prophet, and that we have a prophet now!" [insert long talk about general conference]

he saw us holding a picture of a temple (not planned for a lesson, just on the back of something) and said WHERE IS THAT? I said in Utah, and he got super happy because he knows that's where I'm from. Needless to say he's just super attatched to everything we say. Sure, a lot of it is because that's just his personality, but he's finally starting to put things together and actually doing them as well! (he had a huge problem of praying to the trinity, and he finally didn't yesterday!)

 

Just when we were at a super spiritual peak, and I thought it couldn't get any better he gets really serious and said, "forgive me for this question. But I really need to ask this. Forgive me. But are you allowed to get married?"

 

Oh missionary work. I love it so much.

 

I also got to attend a baptism on Friday. It was such a good reminder of how it's all worth it. How simple the doctrine is. How with just acting on Faith, so many things can be opened to us. Things that last, like Eternal life (I mean common, that's for eternity)

 

I've had so many people tell me this week, they are grateful that our Savior came and died for our sins, but the sins they have done are done...and they can't be forgiven. And it really made me sad, because that's basically saying we don't fully trust that God's sacrifice can save us. Who are we, to think that the ultimate sacrifice isn't enough to cover OUR sins? It is. Of course it is enough. The more we really understand the atonement, the more we will want it in our lives. It's not our last resort, our just incase or last chance. it is our ONLY chance. And even if we feel too far from the path, or unworthy...we still are part of those people who He saved. He saw our face. He felt everything. He didn't suffer in that Garden because it was the cool thing to do, He didn't suffer on the cross because He couldn't get out of it. He had every ability to NOT go through it. But He did. and because He did, He can heal us. Everything about us. Emotional, Spiritual, Physical. He rose from the dead, taking on the pains of the world and overcame death. How can we NOT BELIEVE He can heal.

 

As for Faith mum, read the story of the brother of Jared. His faith moved mountains. We can have that faith too. I believe that if I can have faith like that, I can touch people's hearts. We all need to have the faith that everyone, can be healed.

 

Enjoy General Conference. I'm counting down the days until we can hear from our Prophet. It's my glimpse to see that everything I'm really teaching is real. it's here.

 

Love you all, watch conference

FINISH THE ENSIGN CHALLENGE SIBLINGS!

love,

kaitlyn. aka hermanita aguas

breaking up is hard to do

and it's even worse in the mission field. One of my investigators, who reminds me EXACTLY of bianca flores, dropped us the other night. Well, more like, her mom doesn't want us to teach her anymore. It's a long story, but my heart sunk when I found out. I think mostly because she reminds me so much of Bianca, it was really hard to say goodbye. I walked away knowing she'll be taught again though. I wrote a huge note on her progress record telling future missionaries to go back and teach her. If I'm not still here. But I have a little bit of peace in my heart knowing that she loves and wants the temple. She'll get there some day.

 

This by no means is meant to be a sad email, because it's NOT... because like the good ol' Liz Phair song says, "isn't this the best part of breaking up, finding someone else you can't get enough of? someone who wants to be with you too"

 

yay cheesy love songs.

 

That same night we had a first lesson with this guy named Engles. He's from the dominican republic, here for baseball. He's had a nuts life. We started talking about faith and repentance and his whole life spilled on our laps. He's been arrested over 20 times, been a drug dealer of all the hard and nasty stuff, been declared dead once or twice in the hospital and came back, and has huge scars from being stabbed and all that other goary stuff. There's soooooooooooooo much more, but you get the point. We had a super powerful first vision and committed him to baptism. He said he wants to get into this. And he wants to be baptized. The thing is, when all his bad stuff happened, his mom started doing vodu like sacrificing chickens and nuts stuff like that, and suddenly everything started working out. She wants him to be baptized into her beliefs now.

 

I'm fighting with vodu now. This could get tricky.

 

but he's a stud, and I have a super good feeling about him. He said as we were leaving "I've seen missionaries around in the D.R. and mexico everywhere I go...and I always wondered, why don't they talk to me. am I not good enough? they talk to everyone else...why wont they talk to me?"

 

And then we found him.

 

it's cool stories like that where you hear people say, "the missionaries just showed up, and I didn't even see them coming or leaving. they just magically appeared."

well I now know how that happens.

1) the spirit guides you

or 2) which is much more common, you hide behind walls to make a contact seem nonchalant.

 

but really. my previous stalking skills are realling coming in handy :)

 

We also met a guy named Antonio. He's 26 and just moved here from Nicoragua. right when I met him he told me he had a dream almost exactly like Lehi's dream. at the end he said he was being led to the "living waters" and so many things were holding him back and he was scared but he knew he had to go.

then we showed up.

I'm like "what more of a sign do you need? you have a dream, which is almost exactly like one we show you in the book of mormon. it's about you going to the living waters, which is Jesus Christ. You have two girls show up on your door right after talking about Christ and baptism, and one of them just happens to have the name Waters."

that's almost as good as a flashing neon sign.

I didn't say that naturally. it's a bit more difficult to convey in spanish :) but I was sure thinking it.

He's super stoaked about church, and he says he wants to be a missionary too. We just need to work out the whole working on sunday thing.

 

to add ontop of my giddiness, I HAVE MY VIOLIN! while Hermana Wheatley was getting ready for bed I just played for about an hour. it felt SO GOOD. I never would have thought that I would miss it so much, and I'm already being asked to play for things. I know music converts, so i'm hopefully I'm intune enough to bring the spirit. (pun totally intended) But thank you so much for making that work out with Kelly Killpack! and I LOVED the package(s) and post cards.

 

Sounds like everyone is doing pretty fantastic. The snow sounds awesome. We have had some rain, and a few of us (ok, the Hoyos and I) are praying for snow, so I can teach them how to make snowmen..it's a weird thought that these kids have never seen it! Keep praying for miracles. I KNOW they can happen, they happen everyday, and most of the time we fail to recognize them.

be safe. be happy. pray.

love you all

love,

hermana aguas

oh, I'm just dressing up like a warrior right now. can I call you back?

Well...this week we've had a lot of crazies, but I don't really remember much of it. That's what drowsy medicine does to you. Pretty sure I was missing for about half the week. BUT I do have a super cool story about Edgar. We just finished a lesson, and seemed particularly quiet during the whole thing. So when we were all chatting at the end, I go over to shake his hand and asked if he was feeling ok. He said "Si. Esta bien."........uhm. ok.

So I go to give his mom a hug and he goes over to the other side to shake my hand again. I say "otra vez?" (again?) and he's like "I don't know what you're talking about" ...I just went with it, and he's like "but really, I have something to tell you."

He pulled me aside and said he got an answer. He had told me this before, but I was still excited. Especially since we had extended a baptism date. He said the night before he was having a really really rough night with everything. He was praying and finally just went to sleep. he said, "I had a dream last night and I saw my grandpa. He was dressed all in white and came walking over to me. He put his arm around me, gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, 'everything is going to be alright'." I got the BIGGEST smile on my face and he continued, "he was just as real as I am. I could feel it. And I just started crying in my sleep. And I knew that nomatter what happened it would all work out. I know he's okay and that I'm ok"

I asked him a few questions and basically just got really excited, and then he started walking away. I remembered that his dad is having issues believing in a life after death so I chased him into the kitchen (it's ok..it's a trailer, so my companion could still see me) and I say, "Edgar! You HAVE to tell your dad. There's more than this. You know that!". I felt like I was in a super dramatic scene in a movie. It was great. We had another really long talk last night about it, and some of his doubts. He still has  A LOT to get over, mostly getting faith back in his family, but it showed me how powerful prayer is and that there's always hope. Even when you don't think there is any.

 

this work is hard. and it takes a lot of of you. I feel like a little bit of my heart breaks everytime I see someone I love turn away from Christ BUT it's moments like that, where it is completely completely worth it. And you forget all the bad things, and realize what a cool opportunity and amazing message this really is. The restoration is so unique, that we literally have God's power on the earth once again, which makes it possible for God's plan of Salvation, plan of happiness to work. Where we can live with God and Jesus Christ again, and ultimately with our families forever.

 

Life's great. always remember that. The gospel is so worth it!

keep reading the bom. p.s. mum, is the fam reading it together and marking?! I would love to hear about it!

love,

hermana Aguas

"mom. the elders are here!"

Elders. Sisters. same difference. I give credit to 8 year old Miguel for that one.

So this week...

Hermana Wheatley discovered that I take dares. This may or may not be way too much entertainment for her, and it's made my contacting a little more enjoyable.
We were driving behind this car, and a few guys were in the bed of the truck. We got to the stop light and I started waving at them. I pull out a Libro de Mormon and asked if they wanted one. Not a big deal, basically like chinese firedrill....missionary style. I would have gotten out of the car too...except they drove away.
Then there was a man riding a bike on the road. Hna Wheatley slowed down the car, and I got up and reached out the car window explaining mormon.org and how we have faith in Jesus Christ as he rode next to us. He almost crashed. I would have felt really bad. But he didn't so I feel good about it.
And then I contacted an Ice cream man. First of all, I have NEVER seen SO MANY ice cream trucks ever before in my life. I think they stalk us. I WILL NOT FALL FOR YOUR OVERPRICED SCOOPS OF GOODNESS....anyways, I went up to the window, he thinking I would buy ice cream got excited, I said I couldn't buy his ice cream but I could give him something.

check yes juliet. sometimes contacting is fun, especially to see the looks on their faces.

I've only backed down once, and that was to a cop. Needless you say, he did not look very happy.

Que Mas?

Oh, so a lesson was learned this week. Remember Meth Alley, and how Michelle told us not to go back? Weellllllllllllllll...we went back. Most of the homes were abandoned, and we walked into one. It was completely fenced off with , which is really odd for a trailer. Hermana Wheatley went in first, and I just felt really odd going in. as I was closing the gates I said "I sure hope there aren't ravenous wolves in here, otherwise we wont be able to get out". As I was closing the gate I felt "get out". But I was stupid and continued to close the gate, not all the way though. The next thing I know, Hna Wheatley is running around the corner with 3 giant bloodthirsty dogs chasing her. I swing the gate open and we both get out.
oh dogs. couldn't it at least been coyotes? that would have made this story so much cooler?
anyways. Mom and Jared. Don't worry about me (especially you Jared) We aren't going back there. We had a few more experiences that told us to get out, so we did.
Also, there was a man who was meaner than those bloodthirsty dogs who wanted to call the cops on us.

I'm just talking about Jesus!

Anyways. so that's not following promptings, onto good, uplifting stuff.

All our appointments canceled the other day, which was really frustrating, especially since we had a member with us, but then we found Edgar walking in the middle of the street. I run up to him and we start chatting. He told me that he finally got an answer from God! He said, "when you first told me to pray, I was like okay whatever...but now I know it works! For EVERYTHING".
It's actually a much longer and funnier story, which may have to wait for another occasion, but he's talking to God which is what I care about! I love his family so much, and I'm really hoping that they continue to pray about the date we extended them. He told me if we keep visiting them, eventually it will happen (he's the closest out of all of them) We just have to work through a few things with them.

Que Mas? Que Mas? OH!  I went over to a members house the other night, and their youngest daughter just started to learn to play the violin. She found out I played, so I played dad's favorite song Ashokan farewell. It was a teeny tiny violin, so it didn't sound as awesome as it could have..but I was just giddy to play. Now they want me to play in church. President gave me permission to have it, and Hna Wheatley said sister Olsen created miracles with her violin music. So hopefully I'll either be able to track down one my size or maybe possibly by some great and miraculous miracle, have mine sent here? It was a little ridiculous how much I miss playing..

oh random. but
any future missionaries. If you DO NOT have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. GET ONE. You will hear so many things from people, and hear so much about the book of mormon, that if you did not have a sure testimony of it...you could get pretty shaken up. SO PLEASE read it. Pray about it. Become converted to it.
that's my soap box.

But how are all of you?! Make sure you tell Ashli Stringer congrats of getting engaged! When is she getting married?
Also...I'm writing David today, but that was sure sweet of him what he wrote on facebook. He's gonna be an awesome missionary, his sweet powerful testimony and humility is exactly what people need in their lives, and he's going to love Tallahassee!
Erin Spencer. I already miss you. #tweetingbuddiesagain? 

man. getting kicked off. Sorry not as many stories this week. I'll try and get some good ones out next time. but I have one more grand announcement. wait. 2.
1) GUESS WHO IS NOW DRIVING?! that's right me. the events that led up to this decision. I will leave it to your imagination *cough *cough. parking blocks
2) CHALLENGED. COMPLETED. I finished the ensign. everyone. do it. I'm hungry for conference now.
typical cliche missionary? yep. I'm way passed that.

well. I love you all. you're all super great. everyone go to the temple! (do it for me, i'm going through withdrawals)
choose the right. pray. listen. read the bom. all that good stuff.
oh and you know, feel free to write me letters.
i love letters.

happy birthday jared, on sunday! and momma on monday.
you'll get a better tribute later!

Love you!
-Hermana Aguas

meth alley

We had just finished an appointment, and were driving down the street. One that we knew well, but never stopped on. We saw a lady walking down the road, in a hurry and sister wheatley slammed on the brakes and pulled over. "We need to talk to her", she said.

Her name was Michelle, and she was trying to catch a bus. We said we could walk with her, and she said "okay, but as long as you go directly back to your car after. You don't want to be in this part of town."

We said we would be fine, but then she got this face like she had seen a ghost and said, "no. you do not want to be here. They call this meth alley. I have never met people like this before in my life. they won't listen to you unless you give them money, and the women do nothing but sleep around just to get high. If they see your car they will plan on stealing it, and if they know your face...then you have what they want. Can't you go up to Mesa or something? You girls really should not be around here."

 

I said we would be fine. I wasn't worried. I actually laughed and said, "can't wait to tell my mum that I'm tracting in meth alley"

 

anyways I saw she was carrying constitutional law books and asked what she was studying. She's going to be a paralegal. When I told her dad went to law school, she freaked out and completely opened up. She said that her mom had just died and her sister stole all her inheritance because she forged her mom's signature on the will (the sister). Then her dad was so upset over the death of his wife, that he starved himself to death and the sister called the cops blaming it on Michelle and got all of the inheritance off that too. Michelle has been living in her truck, and somehow got mixed up with staying in the home of a guy who is just trying sleep with her and take advantage of her. She only stays because she needs to pay for school and needs a place to wash her hair to look professional for law school. she wants to get out so bad.

She said she has read part of the BOM before, her old employer in Gilbert was LDS, and she said if she was mormon she would want to be sealed to her daughter. But she wishes it wasn't too late to be sealed to her mom who has already passed away.

ding ding ding. I said, "but you can! because of temples, we are able to do work for those who have passed away and you can be sealed to her and your dad"

you know it's good when  you get chills in the desert.

 

she started to cry and said "can you tell me more?"

I knew she missed her bus for a reason.

 

we haven't seen her since, but hopefully we can get a hold of her. She doesn't have a phone, and doesn't want to bring us to where she lives...but we have meeting spots so hopefully she remembers.

 

we've also seen some crazy miracles. I was dying the other night of a migrane during a lesson with the Silva family. I always thought Edgar might be the only one interested in the church, and he's been praying for people to change. He's been looking this whole time for an answer.

Well, as I was dying, I was trying so hard to pick up on the spanish. But it just wasn't working. It wasn't for sister wheatley either. all I know is that his dad was saying something about drinking. I'm thinking "oh great. they found him drunk a few weeks ago. this will NOT help edgar" but then I heard him say "I've been sober for 15 days. I'm completely clean"

I perked up and said "WHAT?!" and just started muttering out all these spanish words. Sis wheatley still hadn't caught on yet...and they were all laughing from my reaction. We then asked if they wanted to come to church, and all of them said "yeah. tomorrow. tommorrow. tomorrow"

AND THEY CAME!

change is happening. they are coming closer as a family. I feel like Edgar's prayers are so strong and the spirit is helping them start over.

gah. I love the gospel.

 

Also. Damian. Have a told you about him. S.T.U.D. love that kid. He's 19 and has gotten into a lot of stuff. He was kinda "whatever" when I met him about church. But he's come the past 2 weeks. and we asked him if he's prayed and he said "I prayed about baptism" (ok. what?!) "and I got my answer..it's whenever I'm ready"

sis wheatley then asked "will you pray to see if God wants you to be baptized" he said, "I already got my answer"

again. what?! if a cartwheel would have been appropriate then, I would have done one. But I didn't. I was wearing a skirt.

things have clicked in him, and he said, "when I'm at church, I feel like God is right next to me. I feel like myself when I read. and I just feel so different."

 

so many more miracles have happened. but those will have to wait.

 

I hope you are all doing well, and how are you all doing with reading the ensign? some of those talks still blow me away. (when is the deadline again?)

thanks for all your support. fam. friends. ward members. it means a lot.

hope you enjoy the pics. most of them are from a hike we went on this morning as a zone. We climbed an entire mountain of cacti. I even went to the top peak. take that fear of heights.

 

oh. and sis kindlespire. it's funny. things should scare us out here...but it doesn't. missions do crazy things to you.

 

also. shout out to bekah arnesen. sister king, your old roommate? we are in the same district. I adore her!

 

love you!

hermana aguas

G-Unit.

that's what we call one of our investigators when she's not around. She's 78 years old, tiny little woman from chihuahua Mexico who every time I see her she is wearing a XXXL red hoodie that says G-unit. It's even funnier since she doesn't speak English and she always tries to pick fights with us. She read her Libro De Mormon with a magnifying class and a light, in the daylight. Oh bless some people's souls.

It's a whirlwind type of feeling when in a matter of one week you go from white walls and object lessons to:
knocking chained doors and walking the streets of trailer parks where it smells like sulfur and cat food. Where you see cacti more than trees and all your clothes hold the stench of drugs, though you have never touched them a day in your life.
It's having all your appointments cancel or not show up and deciding you'd rather street contact than eat dinner at home. It's the "random" thought to eat at a park to make up for cancellations and realizing it's a miracle when you find your investigator on the side of the road drunk.
It's fighting fatigue during your studies just so you can help your families and being told by the J. Dubbs what we're doing isn't worth our time. It's feeling the spirit so strong with a person, and seeing how people feed their doubts while we are away.
It's struggling with the language and fighting with yourself to be bold at every doorstep. It's jumping out of the car just to talk to one person about God's plan.
It's getting the impression at 8:47 at night that there is someone else you are supposed to find and to listen to anybody you run into. But when a man turns a corner you hear someone "NOT HIM" and realize as you pass he has a gun. It's knowing that somehow we are protected, when in normal circumstances, we shouldn't be. It's having the ward make jokes about how I'm the only blond white girl amongst the sea of Mexicans.
It's about finding a man living in a van, whose only desire is to give us pistachios and fall asleep and never wake up. It's hearing someone say they know it's true, but they will be disowned if they listen to us. It's leaving a house knowing they'll go back to doing exactly what they were doing before we came.
It's hearing a woman break down in tears because she wants to be baptized but can't for another year. It's trying to understand drunk Spanish and avoiding dogs in the dark. Not to mention coyotes on the street.
It's about discouragement and heart break and watching people come so close...but not yet.
It's about hearing a man's prayer, pleading for the Lord to help him, and calling us his angels.
It's about people unloading their whole life on you because their whole life-nobody would listen.
It's about seeing change, and joy. Seeing how you can fall in love with people the moment you meet them and wanting so badly for them to listen. It's realizing how grateful you are for a clean home, clean air and a reason to wake up in the morning. It's about knowing where you are going to go after this life.
It's about finding that one lost sheep
and looking for the ones that don't even know they are lost.
It's going to bed at night and praying, "what more do you need of me Lord?" 
and He says, "everything."
It's about seeing miracles everyday

and it's only been a week since the days of white walls.

We have quite a few investigators who are so close to baptism...they just have a few things holding them Back. The Hoyos family (my favorite) is a couple and 4 kids. They believe it all, they have been taught for over a year, they have passed the baptism interview. They just wont pick a date. She is SO excited and ready to go, she just wants her husband to be just as ready. So we are going through all the basic lessons and hopefully they pick a date this week.

We have this one lady Eva, bless her heart. She was basically homeless and this one church said if she signed a contract with them to attend their church for three years and paid tithing she would be blessed. A week or two after, she got a trailer and a job. A little while later she ran into the missionaries and just fell in love with everything they said. She thought that was one of the blessings too. However, she doesn't feel like she can get baptized while she still has that contract with the other church, and she doesn't want to break the contract because she feels that would show she's not grateful to God.
Complicated? ya.

We are teaching this family, and one of the Boys Edgar is 19 and loves it. He wants to get baptized, but his dad won't let him (even though we are teaching him too). I asked him last night if he's ever received an answer to a prayer and he said, "I pray every single night for an answer, I pray that he will change some people's hearts so I can have peace in my heart. I pray everyday for this. I hope it happens." I left that house wondering what it's going to take to not convert the boy, but get the dad to open up. We have that problem with a few of our investigators. They want it so badly, and they are ready...but their parents wont allow it.

Ramone has been great, he has a baptism date. But he all of a sudden went missing. We went up to a street and I saw two men and said "they are so drunk"...turns out one was Ramone. We pulled him aside and asked him how we could help. He prayed and broke down saying, "Dios, Ayudame. Ayudame"  "God, Help me. Help me." He said his brother died from drugs and alcohol and he hates it, but he doesn't know how to stop. His own wife doesn't even believe in him. He called us his angels because we are the first ones who actually think he is worth it.

We met this man Marvin who lives in a van. After just talking to him and asking him if he wanted a pamphlet, a prayer or a friend he said "no thank you. You girls are pretty, but i've done all I can do. All I want to do is go to sleep and never ever wake up."

We are teaching a few more, and my hearts are completely devoted to them. Every time I think about them I just get this paradox of how happy I am they are allowing God in their life and they have some sort of a desire to follow him, but also leave with a sadness fall over me because I know they aren't doing the things they need to. Some little circumstance is holding them back. Then there's those people who flat out tell us to our face they don't care about anything we have to say and not to bother them. That's the less colorful version.

They don't prepare you for this. I have heard and seen more things in this week than I have in my entire life. Some people listen. Most don't. But we still go out everyday. I love it here, but it's exhausting. Not because we wake up early, or study for hours and go around the whole city. It's because you put all your thoughts and heart into people, and they turn the other way.

But with God, we can do all things, and I know I'm doing something.

Send my love to everyone! 
love,
hermana aguas

p.s. there's a saying in Mexico "Aguas! Aguas!" and it basically means "look out! It's coming!".......so everyone always laugh when they hear my name and they say "watch out. she's coming to baptize!"

the place where everything is dead. and if its not, it wants you dead.

that's what the told me when I got into the desert.

oh wait. I'm in Tucson? weird. But I already love it.

First off, it was so fun talking to you guys yesterday even though it was really brief. I'm pretty sure I had a couple hombres peeved at me and sister rupp for using up the phone, but I felt completely justified. Sorry I couldn't hear that well, I'm still recovering from the flight. And the exhaustion. My mission presidents and the APs picked us up from the airport (and you're right mom, Sister Killpack is "hip" and dresses cute. She actually is A LOT like you). Also President Killpack and I have A TON in common. anyways. They took us first to the Mormon Battalion memorial and gave us a quick run down of Tucson's history and on the street we tried talking to people about the bom and mormon.org and whatnot. they avoided us. YAY REAL PEOPLE!

We then went and got pizza. I forgot how good real food tastes. This rough and tough looking man came up to president (mind you there are 11 missionaries then he and his wife) he comes up and says "I just can't get away from you". President asked why...after a little bit he said "I've been a member of your church my whole life. I was born and raised in the church. but 5 months ago I decided it wasn't for me. I just didn't want to do it anymore. I moved in with my girlfriend and I was done. As soon as I made that decision, I keep running into missionaries." President said "I think the Lord is trying to tell you something." He said, "I think so too." President Killpack then asked if he wanted the missionaries to visit and he said, "a set has stopped by every week lately" So president said "here is my card...if you ever need ANYTHING you give me a call" The man started getting teary eyed and said ok. today at transfer meeting, we he told an Elder to go find him.

I.am.so.pumped.

then we went back had some singing, talking, cookies, interviews (p.s. president gave me special permission to have my violin...i'm still deciding. i'm super nervous about transporting it) then we went on a nature walk. I have NEVER seen so many kinds of cacti in my life. It's absolutely beautiful here. a different kind of beautiful, but I'm just amazed. it also helps that the mission mansion (aka mission home) has a view of the entire city. then we had a big dinner with the senior couples helping in the mission office (again, blown away by the food) had a testimony meeting and watched the sunset then looked at the city scape of tucson. Such a good...LONG...day. But I was out by 9:30

Transfer meeting was today and I met my trainer! Her name is Hermana Wheatley from Heber. Remember how I was super nervous about my trainer? No worries. She is fantastic. She's a ton like me, actually she's the fourth of six (4 boys, 2 girls..sound familiar...oh and they even look like our family, kinda) and is cheesy like me, and big time into soccer. Are we going to play soccer with an investigator Damian. Why yes, yes we are. Baptisms from soccer, I'm a fan.

I'm serving in the valley right now, I'm (pretty sure) I'm serving in West Tucson. I'm here right now, I just don't really know where I am. It's fine. It's more of the city, so I'm not in the flatlands of the desert right now. I get to meet a few of our investigators tonight, so I'm really excited/nervous right now. Except Hna Wheatley already told them I'm new and they aren't allowed to make fun of me. :)   (though some of it will be in english)

We are having dinner tonight with an investigator family. I'm super excited to teach them, from what I've heard they have two little girls who are super sweet. Then we are teaching 3 other families after that. I would write down their names, but I left my planner in the car. A ton of what we are teaching tonight is about the Plan of Salvation focusing on the atonement and eternal families. Hopefully I didn't loose too much spanish on the plane. (Did I tell you I passed a man speaking spanish and I had a freak out because I realized I'm supposed to speak that. It's okay though, he had an argentinian accent--it's harder for me to understand those)

oh by the way. HAPPY LOVE DAY. I forgot that was today, until I walked into the library and saw all the hearts around. As I was getting my library card (are you proud mum?) the librarian and I were chatting and another one came out and she said to her, "you're gonna like this one!". Bless their hearts. I'm also gonna pass around valentines. maybe. possibly. yay for disney princesses!

I don't really know what else to say, it's really surreal right now. Last night when I was just looking over the view I said to myself...I'm IN MY mission. I am actually here. I'm ONLY supposed to be here right now. (Then the tangled song "I see the light" came into my head). I was in Utah, the mtc yesterday, and now I'm here. the mtc seems like a dream right now. I already miss Hermana Spencer, Hermanitas and my elders, but I wasn't called to serve in the mtc..I was called here.

I can't wait to meet the people who I've been waiting for.

love you all! I loved talking to you.

and send my love to all my friends, espcially Heather. (LOVE YOU HEATH!!! sorry I couldn't talk to you!)

have a wonderful love day.

love,

hermana aguas

p.s kayci rae..I met your friend. Elder....S something. sounds german. He was yelling my name in the parking lot and I was standing next to him. good times.

p.p.s my pdays are on MONDAYS now...so make sure you write me before then!

loves

palabra.

So, remember how I was supposed to leave on February 13th? Well, I caught bronchitis (remember how I always got it a few years ago). Well it's back and they want to keep me here until the end of February. Aka my whole district is leaving. Aka I'm loosing my companion. Aka I'm not leaving yet :(

 

I guess I'll just be able to learn more spanish. Maybe I'll just jump into another class and learn portuguese or something. You never know how bad cabin fever is, until they tell you that you really can't leave.

 

PSYCH!

 

I'm really not sick. I got my flight plans the other day! *it's okay mum, you can breathe now. hopefully you continued reading this email and didn't call the mtc to fight*

I leave Provo Monday morn at 4 am. I don't have my actual flight plans with me, I completely spaced on that front BUT I will write you the exact times. My flight leaves around 7:05 (I think) and so *hopefully...if all goes according to plan* you'll be recieving a call from between 5 am to 7am monday morning. *p.s. did you send that calling card?* 

I arrive in Pheonix around 8:30 ish..and then have about an hour layover until my Tucson flight. But I think it will be just enough time to check in at the gate, so not sure if I can call again. I'll be arriving in Tucson around 10:26.

 

TUCSON. HERE. I. COME.

 

As far as I know, there are 7 people traveling with me....3 English Sisters, 3 English Elders and 1 ASL Elder. ....only one speaking spanish....this should be good.

 

quick overview of what happened this week:

our good pals Russel M. Nelson and Jeffrey R. Holland stoped by to visit. Really wish they would have stayed longer. I could have stared at Jeffrey R. the whole time. Oh wait, I did. Pretty sure he saw me too. It would have been super great had I shaken his hand. oh well, I'll have plenty of time for that in the celestial kingdom :)

 

Christian (have I told you about him?) He's our youngest investigator. 17 years old. Well he's getting baptized on the 10th! *When we committed him I figured we would say the end of february to make sure he was taught everything, and just have other elders baptize him once we left* But Hna Spencer was like "so...you wanna be baptized on the 10th?" Let's just say I exploded with laughter during the lesson. Probably should not have done that. I'll work on that.

 

Speaking of laughter, we scared the life out of our teacher the other day. Hna Spencer and I always get to class early. Hno Parke was sitting in the classroom by himself, I looked through the peep hole and saw that he was coming to the door. I said "don't go in yet, he's coming". We hid by the door and and soon as he opened it, Hna Spencer jumped right towards him screaming. His face turned white and then red...he was all out of breath and he said with wide eyes, "bueno....buenos dias". Oh that child. our new daily goal is to scare him daily.

 

I also had a dream *short story* that Hna Mullen took us on a field trip to California to decorate her wedding reception. Elder Lebaron accidentally caught one of them on fire, and burned the entire thing down to stop the wedding. (hna spencer's letter probably has a better version)

oh...and Hno Brown stole my dictionary the other day, rolled away on a rolly chair and started cackling as he did it.

I will be best friends with them when I get home.

 

In case you can't tell, I love my teachers.

 

Sorry this is so random, I forgot my journal and planner so everything is all blending together. plus I'm getting super stoaked to head out to Arizona. We have infield orientation this week (and one of the teachers is Izzy's brother) and packing. All on top of all our other classes and teaching appointments. It's muy loco how fast time goes here.

 

Speaking of which, If you see Lindsay, tell her good luck and that I'll look for her on Wednesday! I'm not hosting anymore, so I'll just have to go back to good ol fashioned stalking.

 

P.S. did I tell you I bore my testimony in sacrament AND sang for the musical number. MOM I SANG IN FRONT OF PEOPLE. aka, one of my biggest fears. This mission is paying off :P

 

P.P.S. can you somehow get ahold of Sarah Fisher, and find out if she got that internship in D.C. pretty sure she'll either be finding out, or leaving this next week.

 

The gospel is so true. And I can't tell you how VITAL prayer is. God has ways of directly communicating with us or through other people. The other day I had a question that I've been wondering about for a few weeks. I hadn't told anybody about it, but I was just praying and was planning on fasting for the answer. On Thursday, Hna Mullen had us teach each other as ourselves. No more being investigators, just us. Elder Henze started teaching me one lesson..and then just stopped on got quiet. He said *completely in Spanish by the way*..."I feel really overwhelmed right now. In a good way. But I feel like I need to tell you your Heavenly Father is SO proud of you right now. And that he's just waiting for you to get out into the field. he is SO proud" He then said something word for word what my patriarchal blessing says and then answered my question. I know there is NO way he said that. It was only through the spirit of revelation and prayer that I was able to  hear those words. The spirit is real, and the church is true. We all have agency to accept that or not...but our happiness will THRIVE and GROW if we accept it.

 

I love you family (and friends). You are all answers to my prayers. I see every single one of you, and notice how each and every one has helped in some part of my converstion. You are all missionaries to me, you don't need a tag to wear Christ's name over your chest. (even though it is an awesome feeling)

 

Mum, I think it would be really cool to do something different with scripture study. I know you started over again right before I left..so hopefullyl if you're not too far into it you wouldn't mind starting over. I want you to get a cheap copy of el libro de mormon...and each night you read with the fam have the kiddos and dad mark a verse that has helped them sometime in their life. Whether it was through our tough times, or if it's just a super cool verse. WRITE IN THE MARGINS WHY...and maybe a date? If any of them are favorite scriptures, write their name next to it. You can even have bruce and all those boys write in it when they come over too. Kasja, erik, heidi. All of them. It would just be fun to get a big group marking session. I just think it would be more fruitful in reading and then I can read it (either when you finish) or when I get home. So will you do it? I promise it will be a lot more meaningful, and you'll remember a lot more than running out the door trying to fit in a few verses. I know i have learned so much more as I've done this, and I've recieved a lot more answers.

 

Well, I am WAY over on my time. But I will HOPEFULLY be calling you on monday, bright and early! ya ya!!!!

dear elder me while I"m here, but other than that start sending mail to tucson.

 

"so i'm leaving on a jet plane....."

 

love you all. be good. read the conference ensign. bear your testimony. have a conversation with God everynight.

 

love,

kait....hna aguas.

 

dulce corazon

*this is kelsey. the italicized section is the dear elder email my mom sent kaitlyn after she "accidentally" stalked her at the temple.*

Hola Hermana.

I may or may not have seen you Sunday on the Temple grounds...don't freak!!!!

I did my little drive by like i always do when I visit my mom and dad ...going to do a little shout out to you and send my love, when low and behold a sea of missionaries are walking down from the temple. Oh my....what do I do now. You are right, it is like the armies of Helamen....I drove slowly...drove up past the temple and there you were on the temple grounds almost ready to cross the street...but not yet....I was like oh no.....I drove by and watched you(stalking?) I was toying if I should stop, wave whatever....but I knew that I had to be obedient, because that is what you are doing and I am such an obedient girl too(darn it!)

But I felt like Heavenly Father gave me a glimpse of Heaven to know that you are doing great. I know you are...but I feel like it was my gift.

So it was around 4:10...if that was you great... if I was seeing things....still great......It showed I had willpower where I would normally have malled you!!! It is a good thing Kelsey and McKay were not with me because this may be a whole different story.

Anyway, it was great seeing you. It was my gift and a tender mercy in my life.

I am doing really well, and am very happy.

I love you so much and so proud of my missionary daughter serving the Lord,

Loves and Hugs

Mum

I hope you felt the love at 4:10!

---------------------------------------------------

YOU SNEAKY MOM *now is the time where I refer you to a youtube video: "Jimmy Kimmel: Sorry kids, I ate all your candy. the last part"

 

so, I have a story for you.

Last Tuesday I was walking out of the temple after finishing a session. And I won't lie, we missionaries always look around to see if we know anybody. It's provo. It could happen. So as I'm walking out by the fountain I look to my left, and I see a girl. She looks at me in the same way. Before Hermana Spencer realized what  was happening, I had ran away from her...booked it to the girl and attacked her. She did it likewise. And it was my friend Elysse from EFY! I died. really, DIED. I was giggling and screaming and on the brink of tears all at the same time. It was so good to see someone, and I was like "IM A MISSIONARY NOW!". We talking for about 20 minutes or so, and it was so fantastic. I have a picture of her on my memory card...so make sure you get that pic up so she can have it too!

 

*Shout out to Elysse!!! I LOVE YOU! team A and team T...except...not really :) maybe we'll go country dancing when I get home

 

 

second story.

 

on Sunday, I was walking back from the temple *and about 12 people can testify to this* and I said, "uhm....that's my car....no really...I think that's my car. that's my car. That's my mom. Guys, my mom is stalking the mtc. That's my mum"

I thought I was just thinking things, and we didn't think too much about it, but I told everyone I'm like "pretty sure that's my mum"

SO THEN...monday night I get your letter which said IT WAS YOU! I busted up laughing. I knew you would see me eventually. Hna spencer and I stick out because we both have green coats. So I will have you know, that was me, I saw you...but we saw each other at different times...and we both knew it. I think it's hilarious.

Hope I wasn't doing something too stupid when you saw me :) I was talking to a few british elder's right before that.

 

Mum, I've seen a TON of people from PG here, and yes I saw the Heder boy. I don't think he knows me...but I see him around. I've also seen Elder Thurgood, Winston Surhiez, Hailey, Rachael, KaLee, a few girls from school, Braxton Atterton, Ryan Christiansen, and 4 kids from efy!!! (one was one of my boys) another was Trent Harrison, who we were participants together when I was 16. Alec Curtis (who I have a picture with where i'm wearing tye dye)..we were participants when I was 18..and yesterday I ran into a girl Anna McKay who we were participants together when I was 15! it's crazy. and I know there are more, I just can't remember. Sister McKay is actually the companion to one of the girls I hosted.

 

After 7 weeks I FINALLY met someone going to my mission! (2 sisters actually) One is the same mission, Tucson Spanish..so she'll be here for awhile. And then the other girl I actually hosted. She's going to Tucson English speaking so she leaves the same day as me! Her name is Sister Chidester, and I'm almost positive that we'll be companions for our flight (since I wont be flying with Hna Spencer). She and I clicked really fast and she said as I was leaving "you've been such an answer to my prayers...because I didn't know if I would be able to do this. It's been really rought, but you are exactly what I needed and I'm really excited now". She's about a year older than me, and I hope I see her before we head out.Which by the way, no I haven't gotten my flight plans yet. I think I leave either the 13th or the 14th, but I don't know when yet. And I DO get to call at the airport. I'm not sure how long yet...because some people leave at like 3 am and it depends on how long I'm at the airport. but i'll let you know as soon as I find out. I should know by next pday. which by the way is my last one here! but yes, send the calling card!

 

quick scripture and then I get kicked off. (today is super busy. we hear the prophet is coming, so we have made out specific game plans to make sure we get a seat. it's called operation profeta...and it's quite intense) but I was reading in Alma 17:9 where when I Liken it to myself it says:

"And it came to pass that [kaitlyn] journeyed many days [on her mission] and [she] fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto [her] a portion of his Spirit to go with [her] and abide with [her], that [she] might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, [her brethren, the children of God], to the knowlege of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct. And it came to pass that the Lord did visit [her] with his Spirit, and said unto [her]: Be comforted. And {she was} comforted."

 

pretty sweet right. I love the scriptures. Well I must depart. Operation profeta is in full force and I WILL NOT be in overflow.

love you all! thanks for everything! and yes mom, I will be sending stuff home, probably next pday!

love you. be good. remember, sending me letters is vital for your salvation!

love,

hermana aguas.

called to serve our king.

So the other night, the mtc decided to get a bit creative and shake things up (which I was super grateful for, I was on the brink of sleeping through an entire devotional) and they had us sing called to serve. But instead, they did a different piano arrangement, and had us sing really quietly like we were marching. They put up a picture of Helaman's army and they said "there are 2000 of you. There were 2000 strippling warriors. YOU ARE THEM" and when it came to singing "Called to serve our King" we all stood up and sang the last verse again, just singing louder than I have ever heard in our life. Sounds cheesy... but, I didn't cry at my farewell...and tears came to my eyes when we did that. So so so cool.

 

Well, good news on this end Julio AND Georgina were both baptized this week! Glory hallelujah. I was a little nervous about Julio during our last lesson, because he had slipped up with the word of wisdom, but we talked to him about it and how nobody has perfect days, but through Jesus Christ we can be forgiven, and we can committ again to obey with exactness. I'm so glad it worked out. We are now teaching a woman named Andriana, our first lesson was last night so I'm still trying to get to know her. She is very proud of being catholic though, and she's been dropped by like 4 sets of Hermanas...so somehow we have to figure out a way for her to trust us. Who knows.

 

Also, NEWSFLASH the gift of tongues is real. On Saturday I tought 4 members in the TRC, and one of them, who was from peru, asked if Hermana Spencer and I  were in the intermediate class. And then the two guys after that, were my age and reminded me so much of Erik and Kirk so I was just joking around with them a lot during the lesson. Just not even worrying about my spanish. When we came out Hermana Spencer was like "Hna, your spanish was incredible in there! Look at her go". Don't get too excited though, The Lord knows how to keep people humble, because the next day I had to take a speaking assessment test and I forgot everything.... mehr.

 

Also, our district was getting a bit of "cabin fever" aka, too much time staring at white cinderblock walls in our classroom...so we took a little field trip during our down time. (we usually walk to the temple, but some missionary slipped on the ice and so we weren't allowed to go) Instead we walked around the mtc, found a piece of ply wood (there is tons of construction here) and played snowball baseball. Then there was a mini snowball fight and then more baseball.  We were in the way back of the mtc, where people's backyards meet up so a few people came by and said hi. It's weird to know the outside world is just right there. It would be so easy to get away. But I love it here, so we decided to stay :)

 

Also, two of our elders are leaving today for guatemala. It was super sad last night saying goodbye. As Elder morrow was praying for how grateful he was that we've all been able to learn and grow together and rely more on Christ everyone was on the brink of tears. It's crazy how close you get to people here. KaLee Mortenson also left today, Hailey Wankier leaves next week, Rachael Garner the week after that and then it's my turn. Can you even believe that? I have less than 3 weeks left...a normal missionary stay. It's bittersweet..but I'm so beyond ready for Arizona. I watched a mormon message the other day (which by the way, watch it...because then you can see why I am so excited) but go tolds.org and watch the mormon message of the El Salvador temple dedication. Just listening to the youth speak spanish and their entire culture gets be so excited. Arizona here I come!

 

Also another thing I encourage you to read (if you can find it) is Elder Bednar's mtc address on June 9, 2009 called "recognizing the spirit". It's all about how you can tell if it's just your thoughts or the spirit. And it's incredible. If I have time I might write down a few quotes at the end

 

But I've had this thought this week, which I thought I would share.

I have grown to absolutely love personal study. The other day I spent over an hour just studying my Patriarchal Blessing, and yesterday an hour on 2 chapters in 2 Nephi. It's not normally like this, but I have learned so much from it already. But I wish I would have realized this earlier. For people who struggle with studying scriptures- don't force yourself to read. You will get bored with reading, the words on the page will all blend together, and  you will lose motivation to ever do it. Take a step back. Go to another source of scripture. Listen to talks by General Authorities. Even if you can't get yourself to do that, go small. Watch Mormon messages. Then listen to Authorities. Take notes on what impacts YOU. It wont be graded, it wont be seen. Only by you. It is your own source of personal revelation. Then with that revelation and personal revelance, you can study the scriptures they mentioned in their talk. Even if it is just one verse or one chapter. Apply EVERYTHING they said that applied to you in the scriptures. If you don't think it applies, try and find a way it can. Scripture are for our profit and learning. We must liken them unto ourselves. And by doing these things you will recieve personal individualized answers to you.

 

It is so cool. So will you commit to do it (I hope everybody is nodding their head). I know that you will find a better understanding of yourself and the Savior if you do that. No longer will you always turn to worldly temporary answers, but you have your own personal guide on how to survive life with your good buddies the scriptures, the apostles and your patriarchal blessing. Your own personal D&C. I know it's impacted me on my mission, and has made me realize how individually God loves me. I am his daughter, and He wants nothing more than to give me every happiness...and the reason I am on this mission is to find my brothers and sisters, and let them know they can have that too. It's already there, they just don't know it yet.

 

I love you all and hope you have an incredible week. I would love to hear from all of you, especially if you try this and have experiences with it. I draw from your strenght and love.

 

love you!

love,

hermana aguas