Life is great! Nelly (a woman who was less active for a long time and is just starting to get back into the habit of it all at church) just had her baby boy this week! He is so dang precious! It was heartbreaking not to hold him but I learned my lesson last time I held a little one. I'd be okay if I didn't break any more chairs.
We also got to participate in a fiesta on Saturday! After soccer, Hermano Valdetano (the one who just recently got back from serving in D.C. and the one who always gives us ice cream) took us all out to Five Guys, and then after getting ready, we went to the church to help out with wedding prep! We went with the idea that wedding prep meant helping with food and welcoming people but to my pleasant surprise, I actually got to be on camera duty! :D This was a wedding for two members of the ward who I just adore. When Hermana Cano, the bride, walked in, we just wanted to take picture after picture. Her son, who's my age, ending up breaking out his super nice canon camera and said "if you can figure it out you can use it." So that's exactly what I did! The picture quality was wonderful and I loved snapping shot after shot. Of course, once we moved on from bride shots, wedding cakes shots, flowers, and rings, well, I was lost. Groups of people are not my forte. I turned the camera over to Elder Martinez and he was an expert! Dude he's so good with photography. We are now hoping for another wedding soon so we can team up and have picture time again. haha.
But wait, wait, wait, though the wedding was awesome wanna hear about another highlight for the week? Not to put anything else down but probably my favorite part of the week was that I got to drive!!!!! We were at the church when all of a sudden we had an emergency and needed to go home. Because the Zone Leaders were there and they have a car, they let us borrow it so we could actually get home quickly instead of rely on public transportation. Since my comp doesn't have a license that automatically put me on driving duty and I was alright with that! So now I can officially say I've driven in crazy NY traffic. Boo-ya. It felt so nice to actually be behind the wheel again!!! Freedom!!! It was funny though. Hermana Sanchez and I are so used to being on buses, whenever I would drive past a bus stop, it just felt wrong! We were supposed to stop there, not just drive past it.
The work here, well, it's a little slow moving right now. Not that that's anything new. We are starting to pick up the pace, as we are seeing more and more people interested during the different finding activities we are involved with, but nothing is hands down official yet. Gladys has been hard to meet with since her brother and sons just moved in with her family and she has yet to find a new apartment for all of them. We're trying to help her in her search but it's hard! There are a lot of sketchy people just advertising false places in hopes of making some $$ and then the real ones get taken pretty darn fast. Oh well, we'll keep trying, that's all there is to it. We are meeting with a new family tonight to have FHE with them. They have kiddos and yeah, I'm excited. A real FHE!
I hope y'all have a fun Monday night as well and enjoy all that wonderful family time :)
Love you lots!
-- Hermana Watts, your NY girl
(never thought I'd say that. wow. the mish really does change things up.)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
that's right, I'm the new ward pianist
You know I sometimes wonder when I will finally start acting like a "grown-up". The other day we found this humungous cockroach in our house, meaning I totally used it to play a little prank on the Elders! (yes, it was dead) And then I hear you saying how you were going to go out and have a prank night yourselvs and I just laugh and say "well that's where I get from!" You're awesome mom, keep it up! Love ya :)
Dyker is wonderful. Yesterday morning we had a meeting with the bishopric because they just decided that they wanted to start getting more involved on the missionary front. They hardly work with them. I've pretty much only ever talked to the bishop to say hi and then we had a 2-sentence-each conversation this week because he asked if I could play the piano for sacrament meeting. (That's right, I'm the new ward pianist. It's scary!) But they want to get the whole ward involved and working together. Some of the things we are doing include: a ward fast next month for missionary work, we are going to try to get our mission president to come speak to our ward, and each week from now on we are going to have either a missionary speak or a member speak (just like 5 mins at the very end) to share an experience and bear their testimony on missionary work. I'm so excited that everyone is started to get involved! I know it's going to make a huge difference so I'm excited :)
One of the best things about this change is we had a member tell us this week that she has a lot of friends she wants us to go visit. When we asked her why she hasn't told us before she said she's waiting for the ward to shape up before she gives them to us as referrals. Yeah. Isn't that just sad? So hopefully we can do just that and fix up the ward a tad bit. I think it's awesome, but apparently there is drama and gossip (mainly via Facebook) that happens all the time. Sad, right?
Q: How was it this Sunday?
A: This Sunday we had 4 investigators to church! We were oh so totally not expecting that (the Caballeros are iffy church goers but the 2 oldest girls came yesterday. woo-whoo!). Best news of the week, Griselda, the lady who knows gospel stuff oh so well since she grew up in the FLDS church, just left her husband. We will meet with her later this week to see how we can help her now. Pray for her!!!
This week, the funny/gross story is that my comp and I nearly got peed on. We had our lemonade stand all set up (I feel like a little girl when I say that but it's true. We go out once a week to the park to pass out free lemonade and advertise for english class) when all of a sudden my comp felt something, looked around, and this kid who was like 6-years-old just had his pants down and was peeing right in front of us. Luckily she caught my attention before he could get me too. Oh NY. The weird things that happen…
Oooh! Another fun thing that happened this week was I got to be part of a surprise baby shower for a less active we've been working with! It was so cool and she was definitely surprised. And this upcoming Saturday guess what? It's wedding time! As Anna says "Mexicans sure know how to party" so I'm excited. First wedding in the mish so far and more to come I hope.
Q: So how are you spending your days currently?
A: We have a "finding" activity at least once a day meaning we go to the park and talk to people, inviting them to a bunch of different events, or we go to 5th Ave. where all the Hispanic stores are located, meaning Hispanic people are in that area, and we do the same thing. We visit with quite a few less active people and besides that, well, just trying to look up people in our ward we don't know, and stuff.
Q: How are dinner appointments going?
A: They rarely happen, but when they do they are often with a less active family we don't know so it's the perfect time to get to know them and share a message. It has its ups and downs. I'll sacrifice some food to get to know those in need though. It's so worth it.
Q: Have they made any changes in your mission since the fireside? Do you have a mission FB now? Are you doing tours of the meetinghouses?
A: No big changes yet due to that conference but you just wait and see...big things are bound to happen soon! I hear we will get FB soon since we are one of the missions with the most media referrals but we will just have to wait and see.
Q: Anything we can send from home? Any needs??
A: I don't need anything except keep up the prayers for my investigators. But luckily the Jews and all their modest stores are close. I might try their sale stores soon. I don't know why I wear-through clothing so fast. What’s wrong with me?? :(
Well, my district decided to have a nice district breakfast this morning. We made baleadas and since Elder Martinez used to work at Jamba Juice we had Jamba as well. Man, it was ssoooooo gooood! We have zone activity today so I better get going.
I hope all is well! I love you lots!
-- Hermana Watts
P.S. -- I think the doc is being silly. I don't know why I would have to have surgery if I can walk but I'm sending the CD of my MRI to Utah so they can take a look at it and then we will go from there.
Dyker is wonderful. Yesterday morning we had a meeting with the bishopric because they just decided that they wanted to start getting more involved on the missionary front. They hardly work with them. I've pretty much only ever talked to the bishop to say hi and then we had a 2-sentence-each conversation this week because he asked if I could play the piano for sacrament meeting. (That's right, I'm the new ward pianist. It's scary!) But they want to get the whole ward involved and working together. Some of the things we are doing include: a ward fast next month for missionary work, we are going to try to get our mission president to come speak to our ward, and each week from now on we are going to have either a missionary speak or a member speak (just like 5 mins at the very end) to share an experience and bear their testimony on missionary work. I'm so excited that everyone is started to get involved! I know it's going to make a huge difference so I'm excited :)
One of the best things about this change is we had a member tell us this week that she has a lot of friends she wants us to go visit. When we asked her why she hasn't told us before she said she's waiting for the ward to shape up before she gives them to us as referrals. Yeah. Isn't that just sad? So hopefully we can do just that and fix up the ward a tad bit. I think it's awesome, but apparently there is drama and gossip (mainly via Facebook) that happens all the time. Sad, right?
Q: How was it this Sunday?
A: This Sunday we had 4 investigators to church! We were oh so totally not expecting that (the Caballeros are iffy church goers but the 2 oldest girls came yesterday. woo-whoo!). Best news of the week, Griselda, the lady who knows gospel stuff oh so well since she grew up in the FLDS church, just left her husband. We will meet with her later this week to see how we can help her now. Pray for her!!!
This week, the funny/gross story is that my comp and I nearly got peed on. We had our lemonade stand all set up (I feel like a little girl when I say that but it's true. We go out once a week to the park to pass out free lemonade and advertise for english class) when all of a sudden my comp felt something, looked around, and this kid who was like 6-years-old just had his pants down and was peeing right in front of us. Luckily she caught my attention before he could get me too. Oh NY. The weird things that happen…
Oooh! Another fun thing that happened this week was I got to be part of a surprise baby shower for a less active we've been working with! It was so cool and she was definitely surprised. And this upcoming Saturday guess what? It's wedding time! As Anna says "Mexicans sure know how to party" so I'm excited. First wedding in the mish so far and more to come I hope.
Q: So how are you spending your days currently?
A: We have a "finding" activity at least once a day meaning we go to the park and talk to people, inviting them to a bunch of different events, or we go to 5th Ave. where all the Hispanic stores are located, meaning Hispanic people are in that area, and we do the same thing. We visit with quite a few less active people and besides that, well, just trying to look up people in our ward we don't know, and stuff.
Q: How are dinner appointments going?
A: They rarely happen, but when they do they are often with a less active family we don't know so it's the perfect time to get to know them and share a message. It has its ups and downs. I'll sacrifice some food to get to know those in need though. It's so worth it.
Q: Have they made any changes in your mission since the fireside? Do you have a mission FB now? Are you doing tours of the meetinghouses?
A: No big changes yet due to that conference but you just wait and see...big things are bound to happen soon! I hear we will get FB soon since we are one of the missions with the most media referrals but we will just have to wait and see.
Q: Anything we can send from home? Any needs??
A: I don't need anything except keep up the prayers for my investigators. But luckily the Jews and all their modest stores are close. I might try their sale stores soon. I don't know why I wear-through clothing so fast. What’s wrong with me?? :(
Well, my district decided to have a nice district breakfast this morning. We made baleadas and since Elder Martinez used to work at Jamba Juice we had Jamba as well. Man, it was ssoooooo gooood! We have zone activity today so I better get going.
I hope all is well! I love you lots!
-- Hermana Watts
P.S. -- I think the doc is being silly. I don't know why I would have to have surgery if I can walk but I'm sending the CD of my MRI to Utah so they can take a look at it and then we will go from there.
Monday, July 15, 2013
enjoying the ride
My week was nice. The main thing I have to say though is, yes dad, we did go to Coney Island for the hot dog eating contest and man, Joey Chestnut sure knows how to rep good 'ol San Jose! In case you didn't already know, he beat the record! Whoop-whoop! To be honest though, if you watched it on TV you were in way better hands. The crowds were the most obnoxious I've ever been in, the view was lame, and though I didn't plan it, I got my red white and blue on really quickly. Blue dress, white skin, and then next thing I know, red skin! The heat was killer!!
[NOTE: On July 4, 2013, Chestnut successfully defended his title at Nathan's 98th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. He beat his own world record of 68 by consuming 69 HDB (hot dogs with buns) in 10 minutes, which earned him his 7th Mustard Belt for this competition.]
As far as the work goes, let's just hope I have more to say next week. Apparently everyone decided they were allergic to sweat or something because for too many people, the heat held them back from coming to church. Lame or lame? Super lame!
Not much more to say. I'm learning more than I ever imagined I could and I'm loving every bit of it - the ups as well as the downs. I mean you gotta have both to enjoy the ride, right? Well, I'm thoroughly enjoying it and I hope you all enjoy your week as well! Take care and I'll talk to you soon!
Love ya!
Hermana Watts
P.S. - Okay, ready for my video recommendation? It's a brand new Mormon message and it's just oh so good!!
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2013#2013-06-010-enduring-love
[NOTE: On July 4, 2013, Chestnut successfully defended his title at Nathan's 98th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. He beat his own world record of 68 by consuming 69 HDB (hot dogs with buns) in 10 minutes, which earned him his 7th Mustard Belt for this competition.]
As far as the work goes, let's just hope I have more to say next week. Apparently everyone decided they were allergic to sweat or something because for too many people, the heat held them back from coming to church. Lame or lame? Super lame!
Not much more to say. I'm learning more than I ever imagined I could and I'm loving every bit of it - the ups as well as the downs. I mean you gotta have both to enjoy the ride, right? Well, I'm thoroughly enjoying it and I hope you all enjoy your week as well! Take care and I'll talk to you soon!
Love ya!
Hermana Watts
P.S. - Okay, ready for my video recommendation? It's a brand new Mormon message and it's just oh so good!!
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2013#2013-06-010-enduring-love
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Picture Time [June 2013]
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| Happy Birthday to my dear companion :) 6.10.2013 |
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| just chillin on the roof! girl's night :) 6.22.2013 |
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| Aww aren't we cute. haha 6.22.2013 |
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| 6.22.2013 |
Friday, July 5, 2013
maybe I actually am learning spanish after all!
We were in a trio this week but guess what? Only this one week! My "sister" (missionary term since we are both getting trained by the same "mother") is already headed off to Peru tomorrow! That went by crazy fast but it's for the better because poor girl is petrified of crowds. As soon as we get somewhere crowded it shocks her system and she turns into a scared statue so yes, petrified is the perfect word. Harry Potter for ya. I had only heard horror stories of teaching in trios though but to be honest, I loved it! She is quiet but a sweetheart and was very easy to get along with. I loved it too because though I still don't know jack, I got to show her the ropes on a lot of different things so it made me feel like I actually knew what I was doing for once. And the fact that I translated for her in some of our lessons? Yeah, that made me feel really good. Maybe I actually am learning Spanish after all!
Highlights for this week:
-Blueberries are on super sale everywhere so that's been a nice a treat to have around. I love me some fruit and the prices are actually in my budget!
-We went and ate dinner at a less actives house and her daughters were just so cute! One of them especially really liked me and of course I really liked her. One of the first things she said to me was "I like your nose". hahaha! She was too dang cute. Then I pretended to eat her toy and she just thought I was the funniest person alive. Last but not least, she told me she had a pet turtle named Michael. I told her "wow, that's the name of one of my good friends!" and her eyes just lit up. She demanded that I hold him and so I did and let me tell ya, that was the fastest turtle I have ever seen! So now I can say I have held a turtle!
-During another visit this week with a less active member, I got to teach the basic of all basics. Margaret lives with a Chinese family that speaks very little English. Right after visiting with Margaret, but before the lesson, the two daughters got home from school and decided to come meet Margaret's friends. Well, they were there for prayer and then started asking questions about "Kris" (Christ). They have heard a few things from Margaret but that's it so we told them about heaven and how all good things come from God. Apparently they saw a movie about the crucifiction of Christ so we started talking about that too. The 4-year old spoke hardly any English and the 8-year old's was super broken so it was quite interesting. But, the girls loved learning that God was the one who gave them to their mommy and he is the one who gives them their food every night so it looks like we will be going back to teach them some more! After the parents warm up, we'll send over the Elders who speak Chinese that way they can have "real" lessons in which they will understand since it'll be in their own language.
-Gladys! Her husband’s name is Cesar (the same as his son) and he has agreed to marriage as soon as he gets over his addiction and is active in church again. He wants to be able to support his wife if she is going to be baptized. I think it's a great step in their relationship and we have the Elders working with him while we teach Gladys so keep praying for them! They have a long way to go but they are so on the right track.
-The Caballeros, well, we haven't been able to meet with them this week as they are sorting out their priorities. Hopefully we can meet with them this coming week though! I miss them. Isaac, the 8 -year-old, has been reminding them all to pray and read their scriptures everyday though so at least they are keeping commitments! Just not apts... :/
-Because NY is getting more and more expensive, the mission is now going to give us an extra $20 every month. Yes, the prices are insane here. Every fast food place, instead of having the normal $1 menu, it is a $2 menu. how funny, right?
-Knee Update: Yes, I tore my lateral meniscus and my ACL as well (yay, on the bright side there may be a possibility that my ACL actually isn't torn) but none-the-less I'm going to need surgery. The soonest they can fit me in is September 17th so along with Ciara, I'm hoping September comes here fast! I just want to get it done and over with already. Luckily I really like my doctor and the surgery should only take a 1/2 hour, no biggie but the thing is, recovery is usually 3-4 weeks. I'm hoping my recovery will be more like 3-4 days but we'll just have to wait and see. I'm glad it only took 3 months to figure this out though :P
Thanks for being oh so awesome! I'm glad I get to hear from you every week, it's wonderful!
Love you lots!!
-Hermana Watts
Highlights for this week:
-Blueberries are on super sale everywhere so that's been a nice a treat to have around. I love me some fruit and the prices are actually in my budget!
-We went and ate dinner at a less actives house and her daughters were just so cute! One of them especially really liked me and of course I really liked her. One of the first things she said to me was "I like your nose". hahaha! She was too dang cute. Then I pretended to eat her toy and she just thought I was the funniest person alive. Last but not least, she told me she had a pet turtle named Michael. I told her "wow, that's the name of one of my good friends!" and her eyes just lit up. She demanded that I hold him and so I did and let me tell ya, that was the fastest turtle I have ever seen! So now I can say I have held a turtle!
-During another visit this week with a less active member, I got to teach the basic of all basics. Margaret lives with a Chinese family that speaks very little English. Right after visiting with Margaret, but before the lesson, the two daughters got home from school and decided to come meet Margaret's friends. Well, they were there for prayer and then started asking questions about "Kris" (Christ). They have heard a few things from Margaret but that's it so we told them about heaven and how all good things come from God. Apparently they saw a movie about the crucifiction of Christ so we started talking about that too. The 4-year old spoke hardly any English and the 8-year old's was super broken so it was quite interesting. But, the girls loved learning that God was the one who gave them to their mommy and he is the one who gives them their food every night so it looks like we will be going back to teach them some more! After the parents warm up, we'll send over the Elders who speak Chinese that way they can have "real" lessons in which they will understand since it'll be in their own language.
-Gladys! Her husband’s name is Cesar (the same as his son) and he has agreed to marriage as soon as he gets over his addiction and is active in church again. He wants to be able to support his wife if she is going to be baptized. I think it's a great step in their relationship and we have the Elders working with him while we teach Gladys so keep praying for them! They have a long way to go but they are so on the right track.
-The Caballeros, well, we haven't been able to meet with them this week as they are sorting out their priorities. Hopefully we can meet with them this coming week though! I miss them. Isaac, the 8 -year-old, has been reminding them all to pray and read their scriptures everyday though so at least they are keeping commitments! Just not apts... :/
-Because NY is getting more and more expensive, the mission is now going to give us an extra $20 every month. Yes, the prices are insane here. Every fast food place, instead of having the normal $1 menu, it is a $2 menu. how funny, right?
-Knee Update: Yes, I tore my lateral meniscus and my ACL as well (yay, on the bright side there may be a possibility that my ACL actually isn't torn) but none-the-less I'm going to need surgery. The soonest they can fit me in is September 17th so along with Ciara, I'm hoping September comes here fast! I just want to get it done and over with already. Luckily I really like my doctor and the surgery should only take a 1/2 hour, no biggie but the thing is, recovery is usually 3-4 weeks. I'm hoping my recovery will be more like 3-4 days but we'll just have to wait and see. I'm glad it only took 3 months to figure this out though :P
Thanks for being oh so awesome! I'm glad I get to hear from you every week, it's wonderful!
Love you lots!!
-Hermana Watts
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