Mar. 24, 2014
Dear family and friends,
I have decided I have a low pain tolerance this week. I used to think I had a high pain tolerance...and then I got a hang nail. It's a little guy on my ring finger on my right hand and it kind of has a heart beat in it. I've been trying not to complain about it but I realized that I am a WIMP with pain haha.
I have decided I have a low pain tolerance this week. I used to think I had a high pain tolerance...and then I got a hang nail. It's a little guy on my ring finger on my right hand and it kind of has a heart beat in it. I've been trying not to complain about it but I realized that I am a WIMP with pain haha.
Besides that, I discovered another fruit I love: mangoes! But specifically, mangoes with blueberries and honeydew. A member made a fruit salad with those fruits and it was soooo good! Oh man I just love fruit. Before I came out here, I would rather have a vegetable than a fruit. But now, I am converted to fruit before vegetables. It's partially because I am also always really thirsty, and fruits are much more thirst-quenching than vegetables.
I had a great dream this week about that Thai place in Arizona (my close family will know what I'm talking about): I was eating that sticky rice with mango and custard on top. Yum. Then I woke up and I wasn't eating it, and it was sad. But it's alright!
I had a great dream this week about that Thai place in Arizona (my close family will know what I'm talking about): I was eating that sticky rice with mango and custard on top. Yum. Then I woke up and I wasn't eating it, and it was sad. But it's alright!
I apologize in advance, because I forgot my camera again, so no pictures. BUT, the vineyards here are looking GORGEOUS - the spring time is doing this valley wonders! Everything is bright green, and the vines are starting to have green growing on them again.
As for my week!
Yesterday after church in St. Helena, we headed over to Yountville for Sacrament Meeting at the Vet's home. After church there we taught Jim Kelleher, who's working towards April 26th for his baptism. We were introducing the Book of Mormon to him and he stopped us as we were flipping through the pictures. He saw the one with Moroni burying the gold plates and said, "Wow, I'd sure like to know what is on those plates!" Then Sis. Petersen and I both closed our Books of Mormon and showed him the cover and said, "This book is what is written on those plates."
The Spirit was soo strong and he got so stoked to read the Book of Mormon! We also read Ether 12:27 and Moroni 10:3-5 with him and he loved those verses. He is doing so well! We are going to call him every day this week and remind him to read and pray. He is such a sweet old man, and it is so amazing to be able to see him growing his relationship with the Savior and with his Heavenly Father. He has a few phrases that are so funny: "Alrighty!" and "Okey-dokey." With his Boston accent, it's always fun talking with him.
This week I felt pretty great, but Sister Petersen was struggling. We had a great companionship inventory on Friday and were able to talk through some things. She has been feeling like ever since we taught this man Paul (who was very nice to us when we met him but ended up just wanting to bash) Satan has been trying to get her down. We talked a lot about the importance of keeping the faith, and also of not letting our minds be idle. As we've just gotten out and served, she has been doing much better. It's in the quiet moments when I think she's struggling - the drives and such. We decided we need to tell stories and listen to hymns and keep ourselves focused out, not in. I love that about Jesus Christ - no matter what He went through, He always focused Himself out on others. It reminds me of a talk given by Elder Bednar called "The Character of Christ." I totally feel for her because I struggled last transfer when I came out - it's easy to turn in here, but that's not why we're here! We're here to turn out and to serve others, especially the Lord, but bring them closer to Him.
Cool thing about this week: we hit our 20 contacts every day (as a mission of "high expectations", we are supposed to talk to at least 20 new people every day - we call them contacts because it's someone new that we contacted)! Sister Petersen is doing wonderful with contacting! She isn't afraid to talk to people. Now we're working on making our contacts turn into return appointments :)
Also, we're doing great with teaching 50/50. Yesterday during Jim Kelleher's lesson, we were going back and forth so naturally and really involving Jim in the lesson - asking inspired questions, testifying boldly - it was so neat to see how far Sister Petersen has progressed since she first came out. She's a fire pistol! I love her very much, and am so grateful she is my companion.
Being out here on a mission, and especially after that one week where I "bashed" with someone on the street, I realize how much more like Christ we can all be, particularly myself. It's been neat as I've been able to be filled with charity instead of annoyance or anger. I hope I can continue to improve. Lately I've really been working on developing patience and diligence, especially in St. Helena because this is an area where I feel patience and diligence is very important.
Many of the people are pretty proud, but there are so many good people here as well. We meet really neat people every day that just make me smile and be happy to be serving the Lord :)
Yesterday after church in St. Helena, we headed over to Yountville for Sacrament Meeting at the Vet's home. After church there we taught Jim Kelleher, who's working towards April 26th for his baptism. We were introducing the Book of Mormon to him and he stopped us as we were flipping through the pictures. He saw the one with Moroni burying the gold plates and said, "Wow, I'd sure like to know what is on those plates!" Then Sis. Petersen and I both closed our Books of Mormon and showed him the cover and said, "This book is what is written on those plates."
The Spirit was soo strong and he got so stoked to read the Book of Mormon! We also read Ether 12:27 and Moroni 10:3-5 with him and he loved those verses. He is doing so well! We are going to call him every day this week and remind him to read and pray. He is such a sweet old man, and it is so amazing to be able to see him growing his relationship with the Savior and with his Heavenly Father. He has a few phrases that are so funny: "Alrighty!" and "Okey-dokey." With his Boston accent, it's always fun talking with him.
This week I felt pretty great, but Sister Petersen was struggling. We had a great companionship inventory on Friday and were able to talk through some things. She has been feeling like ever since we taught this man Paul (who was very nice to us when we met him but ended up just wanting to bash) Satan has been trying to get her down. We talked a lot about the importance of keeping the faith, and also of not letting our minds be idle. As we've just gotten out and served, she has been doing much better. It's in the quiet moments when I think she's struggling - the drives and such. We decided we need to tell stories and listen to hymns and keep ourselves focused out, not in. I love that about Jesus Christ - no matter what He went through, He always focused Himself out on others. It reminds me of a talk given by Elder Bednar called "The Character of Christ." I totally feel for her because I struggled last transfer when I came out - it's easy to turn in here, but that's not why we're here! We're here to turn out and to serve others, especially the Lord, but bring them closer to Him.
Cool thing about this week: we hit our 20 contacts every day (as a mission of "high expectations", we are supposed to talk to at least 20 new people every day - we call them contacts because it's someone new that we contacted)! Sister Petersen is doing wonderful with contacting! She isn't afraid to talk to people. Now we're working on making our contacts turn into return appointments :)
Also, we're doing great with teaching 50/50. Yesterday during Jim Kelleher's lesson, we were going back and forth so naturally and really involving Jim in the lesson - asking inspired questions, testifying boldly - it was so neat to see how far Sister Petersen has progressed since she first came out. She's a fire pistol! I love her very much, and am so grateful she is my companion.
Being out here on a mission, and especially after that one week where I "bashed" with someone on the street, I realize how much more like Christ we can all be, particularly myself. It's been neat as I've been able to be filled with charity instead of annoyance or anger. I hope I can continue to improve. Lately I've really been working on developing patience and diligence, especially in St. Helena because this is an area where I feel patience and diligence is very important.
Many of the people are pretty proud, but there are so many good people here as well. We meet really neat people every day that just make me smile and be happy to be serving the Lord :)
I'm sorry I don't have any super crazy stories this week. I'm sure I will next week, though. Stay tuned for more...
I love you all! Choose the right this week, and remember that God loves you more than you can every imagine!
Love always,
Sister Kolee Decker
I love you all! Choose the right this week, and remember that God loves you more than you can every imagine!
Love always,
Sister Kolee Decker
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