American Thanksgiving

That's sad about the news of Gramout. But I'm so glad she passed away peacefully. What a blessing. I'll be thinking of you all on Tuesday. I'm glad you get to be there for it. How's Granny doing? I'm praying for you mom. Love you lots.

It looks like you all had a wonderful thanksgiving together in St. George!! Say hi to the Ashcrafts for me!! How are they all doing?

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful. We visited about 6 different families in the ward and I just love them so much. They are so sweet. It was a wonderful day and I was especially grateful for my wonderful family. We are so, so blessed. We have a loving family, and we have the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives us hope and peace. What more could anyone ask for? :)

Oh how I love being a missionary, and oh how I love Lake County!! This area is so awesome. I'm 90% sure that I get to stay here for Christmas and I am so excited!! :) We put our Christmas tree up and we just keep decorating the house more and more. I love the spirit that we can feel around this time. We shared a christmas video with the members yesterday (we had a dinner before the "1st presidency christmas devotional", but then it didn't come on BYU channel for 5...10 minutes. I then looked on lds.org on my ipad and had to break the news to everyone that it was next week :) haha) but the christmas video was wonderful and it reminded me again of the divinity of the Savior and how grateful I am for His birth, life, and sacrifice for us. I feel my love and appreciation for Him growing as I learn more and more here, and it makes me even more grateful that I am here serving a mission. 

This ward is so wonderful too. They have welcomed in the Rivera family so wonderfully - and yes, they all got confirmed and recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost this sunday! It was beautiful. I'm so excited to see them grow and to one day see those boys go on missions, etc. They are so wonderful. And so is the ward. Advice for all wards: just LOVE anyone who comes to church. Never assume they are a member from a different ward, and when there are investigators, greet them, sit with them, talk with them. Invite them to your home for dinner without the missionaries. Make them feel part of the ward family! Our ward bought them each a quad so that they could participate and read the scriptures!! This ward truly is a family. Everyone is different, but they are a family. I love it.

Sister Alba has asked us to pray for specific things in every prayer - we have already seen miracles from this, too. I believe in miracles!! We picked up 4 new investigators in the area this week! Sister Tracy is an amazing example of obedience too. Oh man she is fearless in talking to people and saying things even when it feels awkward. We wouldn't have 4 new investigators if it weren't for her obedience and boldness. So, we've got some new people to add to the list - Leticia, Jesus (pronounced hey-soos :) Michael, and Michalynn. You could even pray for Joe too. He isn't an investigator yet, but he came to church this sunday. It was a miracle, because we talked to him as he was working as a cashier at the grocery store about 3 mondays ago. We were talking to a hispanic man behind us, and he was surpised we knew spanish. We chatted a little bit, and then invited him to church. He said he would come and asked if he could bring someone and we said of course! We left him a card with our cell number on it, and the address, but he never showed up. It happens a lot. BUT this saturday, at like 10pm, he texted us and asked if it was still ok if he came to church!! He showed up early and we sat with him. He had lots of questions, especially about what we do as missionaries. He left after sacrament, but texted us and said "see you next sunday" without us even inviting him! We're going to go teach him this week, so please pray for us!!

Real quick before I go - Sister Johnson, the english sister we live with, talks in her sleep. Apparently the other night she said something, and I replied to her, and we had a conversation. Later on that night, she yelled, "WOAH, LOOK! A SPACESHIP!! Did you SEE that!??!" Hahaha. Sister Johnson makes me so happy.

I got a dearelder in the mail this week from dad, and I loved it. But, I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be an email for last monday and I only got it in letter form. I think that's been happening several times. Just thought i'd let you know!

Love you lots family :) Feliz Diciembre!

Hermanita Vance

Ps. I heard through the grapevine that my blog isn't being updated...you got this dad. Just remember what I taught you two seconds before I entered the MTC. Could you maybe please update that? :) You're the best! And my favourite and only dad. I'll try and get a picture by the truck :) love you.

AND I love Emma SOOOO much. I told my companion about your candy deal. She is in disbelief.

Rachel, I miss you so much!! Sister Johnson got a letter from her sister who started dating someone, and she is in grade 10, and Sister Johnson is destroyed!! She was like laughing and crying at the same time. I comforted her because I know  how much I love my teenage sister! :) Be good!!! :) Love you!

Nov 25 Braden and Esther

Dear Family,

 

How are you all? I got some dearelders in the mail this week and I think I was supposed to get them as emails last week, but I didn't get all of them. I think that might have happened a couple times so I'm not sure if maybe you should just send them as emails? So sorry Emma for not replying to your note!! I was so happy you wrote me :) I can't believe you got a froggy! And 92 ELEPHANTS? Holy smokes. Unfortunately I don't think there are any stores around here with Elephants that I can send you, but I'll look for one to bring home at the end of my mission :) How's that? Love you Emma!

And Rachel, don't be mad at me! I write emails every week :) That counts, right? I can't believe you're going to New York!! Lucky duck!! Who's the friend that you're going with? How's Young Womens? Say hi to Auntie ML for me! And someone call Monica and say hi to her for me too!

 

And mom, you were right about the socks and pens for christmas! The pens are BIC four-colored, that are RED on the trunk of the pen, because those ones are thinner. You can look on Amazon and order them to me if you want. I'm sure they'll have them on there. If not, no worries. I'll be happy with anything I get! We're so excited for Christmas although it does not feel like christmas time here! We just put up a tree in our apartment :)

 

So, I told you when I first got back that the Rivera family were getting baptized on the 30th, but then they moved their date up. So, they were baptized this Sunday after church!!! Oh it was so wonderful. We were able to teach them all of the lessons with plenty of time to plan the baptism and make sure everything was planned really well. On Friday night we brought them to the church to try on their baptismal clothing and we watched a video clip from The District about a family and their conversion process from being taught to baptism, to getting sealed in the Temple a year later. As we watched it the spirit was there and we were all crying (well not the boys). Afterwards we told them how much we loved them and how happy we were for them. This is going to bless their lives so much. Their plan is to be sealed as a family in the San Diego temple in 1 year, and so they wanted the San Diego temple on their baptismal program! I am just so happy for them.

The baptism was beautiful. We were so happy and I am just filled with the spirit as i write about it right now. Cynthia and Rafael are from Mexico and their 2 boys were born here. Miguel (8) was baptized first, and then Reyes (11), Cynthia, and Rafael. Cynthia can't swim so she was a bit nervous, but she did so great. Hermana Chavez (who was Hermana Tracy's companion) was able to drive up for it and give the talk on Baptism and it made them so happy. Hermana Tracy and I sang "El Bautismo" (Baptism from the Children's songbook in Spanish), and then Sister Livingston gave a beautiful talk on the Holy Ghost (Brother and Sister Livingston came to lessons with us) and they were welcomed to the ward with their own sets of scriptures which they LOVED. A lot of people from the ward came and they felt so loved. We think we overheard a couple invite them over for dinner this week too. It was just perfect and we are confident that they will stay active and be such wonderful members of the church. Thank you so much for your prayers! They will be confirmed in church next sunday so we're excited for that too.

 

This week we also got to go to the Temple and it was wonderful as always. I can't believe 3 months has gone by so quickly since I last went, but boy does it make you appreciate it more. Hermana Lawrence and Hermana Underwood were both there too and so it was so great to be with them :)

Gran, thank you SO much for the name I was able to take and sorry that I made you send it in 2 different ways. I barely got it (I went and printed it off at the Temple Family History Center a few minutes before) but I'm so happy I did!
I also translated in Sacrament Meeting for the first time and it was scary but went fairly well :) We had an investigator come to church, Maria, who had never been so that was wonderful! I just love it here. Our ward is so great. And don't worry, we'll be taken care of for Thanksgiving. This ward hasn't had sisters in the past and so the members all fight over us for dinners. Poor elders. We're excited because President Alba said that he specifically would like us to visit families and do service on Thanksgiving. So we get to go visit some of the ward members who are active but need some love :) I'm so excited.

 

So I keep forgetting to tell you who to pray for and I'm sorry. But, we have the Rivera Family (Rafael, Cynthia, Reyes and Miguel), Rafael Jr. (his son), Fidel, Leslie, Maria, and Rafael Ayala (and yes, we teach 3 Rafaels, sorry haha). Thank you so much for praying for them!! I know it makes a difference.

 

If I hadn't heard about Braden and Esther getting married 2 weeks ago (a guy named Tyler Hamilton is in our stake and he just got back from Braden's mission, and he told me!!!) I would be jumping up and down right now. Next time you see them, give them both big hugs for me and tell them congratulations!! I am SO happy for them!! :)

 

And congratulations to Zach on his baptism and confirmation. I'm so proud of you Zach! I know this is what Heavenly Father wants you to do :)

 

Mom, I'm glad you're feeling a bit better this week. I will continue to pray for you. I love you so much and I took you for granted too. We visit this lady Tamara and she always makes us cry because she tells us how proud our mothers are of us. I miss you but I am so grateful for you every day. You are the most amazing woman in the whole world, and I am so glad I am your daughter. How lucky am I? I love you too dad. Oh and I got a dear elder from you this week dad - it was so sweet. I'm hoping to reply to it next P-day.

 

I love you too, Tyler and Madeline!! Sorry I haven't written you two in a while but know that I do still love you ;) Enjoy Thanksgiving everyone and be safe!

 

Lots of love,

 

Hermana Vance

 

Ps. What is Tyler and Madeline's address, and mom, can you send me your lds account username and password so that I can get on the ward directory and grab people's addresses instead of having to ask you guys? :) That would be so great.

Nov 18

Dear Family,

 

It was fun to get the emails today :) Especially the dear elder from Rachel - I can't wait to get that one in the mail and read it again. Hahaha I miss you Rachy!! How's your temporary school?

And Emma, have you been using your spanish words? I have a new one for you - this one is my favourite to say when we read the Book of Mormon outloud. it's "Iniquidades." It means iniquities. But it's fun to say - you say it like this: "ee-nick-ee-DAD-es"

I love you lots Emsteroodle and can't wait to talk to you next month! :)

 

Weeks like these I can't help but LOVE being a missionary!! This area is seeing so many miracles, and we're also seeing so many around the world on Facebook. This week we went on exchanges and Sister Clawson and I taught a friend of one of her friends online. These two girls were talking and the one had just been married in the temple - she started talking about the gospel naturally and it sparked the other girl's interest, and so the friend referred her to talk to Sister Clawson. We taught her a Skype lesson and she wants to be married in the Temple with her boyfriend. She asked us "what the process of converting into your church" would be!! We had a wonderful lesson and she is going to be meeting with the missionaries so that she can be baptized. All it takes is someone following the spirit and opening their mouth :) I am so grateful for the technology we have because we are reaching people who otherwise might not be comfortable with talking to missionaries right away.

 

Which reminds me, I'm going to be adding family members and other friends/aquantances from home who are members. Unfortunately we can't catch up or talk, but please share any posts you like, and if you have friends who might be interested or who are going through a hard time, please send me a message and we can start talking to them! :)

 

We are so excited because next sunday the Rivera family will be baptized!!! Mom and dad, they are amazing. Rafael, the dad, is such a wonderful guy, and usually a little bit stubborn, but the gospel has touched his heart :) We taught him the Word of Wisdom this week, and the only thing that didn't make sense to him was Tea. We invited him to pray about it, and the next time we went over there, we asked him if he had prayed and if he would live the word of wisdom. He smiled and said that he had, and that he would live it. They have their interview tomorrow and we went over the baptismal interview questions with them. They are so happy and prepared and I just feel so blessed that I get to teach them.

 

Another amazing blessing and miracle is that Rafael's son from a previous marriage was over at their house and we asked him if we could stop by and share a little bit about why his family chose to be baptized. He accepted and when we went back and taught him, everything made sense to him. We taught him about how the Spirit feels, works with us, and testifies of truth, and he said that he felt it when we met him the few days before. We taught him about the Restoration and then later in the week taught him about the Book of Mormon. He had so many amazing questions that were answered by the Book of Mormon, and we talked about how the Spirit would work through his mind and heart - it would make sense and also feel right. He said that it already did, and we invited him to be baptized on December 15th. He accepted! :) We are so excited. The Lord really is placing those who are elect and who are prepared in our paths and I just feel so grateful to be a part of this amazing work.

 

I got lots of letters this week too :) made me happy. Dad, did you mean to send those YW letters when I was in the MTC? I loved them anyways.

I love you all so much and I love telling people about  my wonderful family. I sat by a little girl in sacrament meeting and when she got figety I pulled out a photo of us. Even 8 year olds think you're my sister, Mom!!

 

I'm doing so great and I feel so blessed. I love you all lots!

 

Con mucho amor,

 

Hermana Vance

Catfish

Hola familia!! Como estan?

 

I loved reading your emails this week, as always. Dad, my new address is

19366 Mountain Meadow South, Unit B
Hidden Valley Lake Court
Hidden Valley Lake, CA 95467

 

That sounds awesome about going on Splits with the Sister missionaries! Nice work family :) and Dad, you sound happy. I'm proud of you for all you're doing and all that you take on. I thought of you this morning as I read Alma 26. Alma was stressed and didn't know what to do to help the people he was leader over, but I love how the Lord was proud of Him for his efforts and helped him know what to do.

Emma, where is this fancy petstore? That sounds exciting! How many pets are we going to have when I come home??
As for the coat - sorry, I didn't want you guys to stress out about it. I'm not exactly sure where it is or which one I want, but just do/send what is easiest. I can definitely wait for thanksgiving, and if it's easier to buy me another one and have the store ship it for free, you can do that too. You could get Madeline and Rachel to pick me out one. No worries and don't stress about it :) Thanks so much for all you do for me!

 

Mom, how is your health doing? I've been thinking about you and worried for you more lately.

I want you to know that I am so grateful for you, every single day. I sure took you for granted when I had you :) but you really are the best mom in the whole world. I think often to when I was a little girl and the wonderful memories I have of you singing to me and teaching me to be kind to others and to live the commandments. Even when we resisted or when we made you feel bad, you stayed strong and you kept to what you knew was right and what was best. I am so grateful for your love, strength, meekness, and example. Every day we see mothers and people who are struggling and it breaks my heart to think of the lives that their children are going to have. I am so grateful for you and for your love! Hopefully it doesn't get old that I say this all the time, but I feel it all the time :) Love you lots and lots.

 

We had another wonderful week here in Lake County - there's never a dull moment here! :) The wonderful thing about it here is that people are so nice and generally willing to chat with us...or even tell us their life story! It doesn't always mean they're interested, but there are so many friendly people! It's great!! We have been trying really really hard to take Elder Adjukitis (of the 70)'s advice to talk to 20 new people each day as a companionship. It's hard, especially when we have lots of things scheduled, but we decided to challenge the Elders (winner gets ice cream) and we achieved the twenty 4 times this week!! Guess who gets ice cream? Hermana Tracy is fearless when it comes to contacting people. It's awesome to have her as a companion. We have seen so many miracles from it too - on Thursday, we went on exchanges with the English sisters we live with. I went with Sister Johnson to Middletown to visit some potential investigators (in English). (Ps. I LOVE Sister Johnson. She has this high squeaky voice and at first you think she might be kind of awkward/nerdy but then she ends up being absolutely hilarious). Anyways, it turns out that one of the english potentials (it was a miracle in the first place that we found his house!) is lots better in Spanish and really wants to learn English. I started talking to him in Spanish (which always feels good when you realize you can hold your own without a companion who speaks spanish), and asked if we could share a bit about the Book of Mormon with him. They had given him an English copy originally, but I asked him if we could read part of the introduction in Engish while he followed along in Spanish. After reading a few paragraphs and discussing them, I really think he felt something, because he said, "why didn't they give me one in Spanish?!" and I told him he could have the one he was holding, and he got really excited. He has friends who are members of the church in Mexico, and he prayed at the end that he could learn more about the book. So, we have a new investigator! His name is Rafael. I'm really excited to teach him more. We have an appointment on Wednesday.

 

Another wonderful thing that happened this week is that we had interviews with President Alba. He and Sister Alba are amazing. Sometimes I get nervous for interviews like this, because I know I could be doing better, but during our interview I just felt so much love from him and I thought about how much love Heavenly Father has for us. He doesn't want to scold us, He just wants us to know how proud He is of us.

Sister Tracy asked if afterwards he would come to a lesson with us as our member-present, and he and Sister Alba came! It was so much fun. The hispanic in him totally came out and he was chatting up a storm back-and-forth with Maria, the lady we were teaching. It was so great.

 

Last but not least, I won some points with the ward this week! We have dinner and correlation meeting with the Jessip family on Saturdays, and this saturday we had dinner on the dock to celebrate some birthdays. It was so much fun and so beautiful. The men had all their fishing rods resting against the railing to try and catch some fish, and as the night was ending, all of a sudden they start yelling that someone got a fish, and yelling at me to come reel it in! My friend Carl (he's like 75) told me I should do it, so I went for it, and I caught my very own catfish :) (with a little help from the Bishop). I hope you all are proud of me :) I even took a picture of it for you!

 

Oh, and Hermana Tracy is from Kansas City, Missouri (your mission I believe dad!). She keeps the energy level high in our house :) Did I tell you she bought a pink sparkly christmas tree? :) She loves sparkles. Its hilarious.
Oh, and yes, we sometimes have to use the 4 wheel drive. Some of the dirt roads here are CRAZY. It makes for an adventure :) I can't wait to tell you about some more adventures next week!

I love you all so much! Happy Rememberance Day and happy 6 months to me this week!

 

Love,

 

Hermana Vance

 

Ps. Also, I forgot to tell you but I had been talking with Cam (mom's brother) over facebook a few weeks ago, and I asked him if it was ok if I shared a message about the Plan of Salvation with him after he shared with me what happened about his brother Tony. He seems pretty sad about it and I know he would benefit from the peace that comes from the plan of salvation. I think he would be better in person because the conversation was a bit slow over facebook but mom and dad he told me to tell you thank you for helping get the stone for Tony. Will you talk to him and ask him if you can have him over when the missionaries are there or something to that effect?

Pps. Rachel - I love you! Write me!

Emma - I love YOU! Write me too and tell me what's new (when your project's over of course!)

 

photo's

Nov 4

Dear Family,

 

Sorry about the email confusion last week - I was able to skim your email before I sent mine so it worked out just fine :) Thanks for the updates on everything!!

Sounded like you all had a great halloween :) I liked Tyler and Madeline's costume and hearing about the girls too. I want to see pictures of theirs! Did you get lots of kids at the house? To answer your question mom, we weren't allowed to be out proselyting on halloween after dinner unless we had an appointment. We did weekly planning for the evening, and we only got like 2 kids. We got all excited and I started taping gobstoppers to mormon.org cards, but then no one else came. I guess one of the next people we meet will get some candy with their mormon.org card :)

 

Oh and mom, I got Diane's email a few weeks ago and loved it. She is such a sweetheart. I didn't have time to reply to it then and planned on sending her a facebook message later - I sent her a quick reply today and then I'm going to talk a bit more with her over facebook later. Thank you! 

 

So here I am in Middletown! Well more like Clearlake, because that's where we spend most of our time. This place is definitely different than Napa, but I'm beginning to love it. Our area covers several towns and the people here love fishing and hunting, and a lot of them also like to smoke weed. It's pretty exciting. Not the ward members though! :)

I told a few ward members in ward council yesterday about Grandad and his bow and arrow adventures :) They thought it was great!! Perfect timing, Grandad. They also love to tease me that i'm from Canada. Apparently they had an Elder from Canada who wasn't very good, so I'm supposed to redeem the Canadian name. So we are in an English ward now, but we switch off each week translating for the Spanish members, which are few, but growing. This week we made the Elders do the translating, and then in language study afterwards we practiced with a conference talk. It was SO hard!! I've never translated before and I think I might just start giggling in the microphone. We're going to work on it though :)

 

I love Sister Tracy and we love our truck :) It is well needed, because we are often driving on dirt roads with lots of pot holes. She is hilarious because she thinks it's the greatest adventure in the world to be driving on dirt roads in the dark. She is great, and has tons of energy, and no fear with talking to everyone. It's great. She loves pink, she is super creative, and her dream is to work for Barbie for a career. I love her and we're having lots of fun.

 

The most wonderful part of being here is the AMAZING family who we are teaching - la familia Rivera. They are getting baptized on November 30th. A mom, dad, and two sons, ages 8 and 11, and they are seriously so amazing. I love them so much!!! He is seriously going to be the Spanish branch president one of these months/years. I am so excited about them!!

Ok, well I've got to go but I love you so much and love being here! I am so grateful for my wonderful family.

 

Love,

 

Hermana Vance

 

Pps. Christmas list time. I'm a tad chilly in the mornings - I don't know how possible this is, but could you send me one of my old pea coats per chance? I have back up options that I'm using, but I totally didn't believe them when they told me to bring a winter coat.

Also, for christmas could you send me a comfy hoodie to wear in the house, and a cheap earwarmer-headband thing? And...peppermint patties. :) And don't worry about sending me a whole bunch of other treats/snacks. We have plenty!

Love you all sooo much! Thank you so much for your prayers.

Pps. I locked us out of the apartment this morning. I also broke us back in :)

So sorry the email didn't work last week!! :( I don't know what happened! Here I am :)

 

Well I had a WONDERFUL final week in Napa. Yep, that's right! I'm getting Transferred! My new area is called Middletown, in Lake County. I hear it's a great place and I'm excited for a new adventure. My new companion's name is Hermana Tracey - we were actually in the MTC at the same time, and sat beside each other on the plane flying in! I don't know her very well, but from what I remember, she is really sweet and happy and outgoing. I'm excited to serve with her. I believe she's already been in Middletown for a while, and I also heard that we drive a Truck, and there's lots of windy roads. She'll be the driver, so we'll see how this goes and how many times I get car sick! Hahaha. I leave on Wednesday morning, so until I have my new address, send things to the mission home!

 

I couldn't have asked for a better final week. On Monday for P-day we carved pumpkins in a beautiful park and the weather was perfect. This week we also had our very first Skype lesson!! It was really weird to teach in English, and weird to teach someone I had never met before over Skype! But it was AWESOME. We taught a guy named John. He is from West Africa (the way he spoke reminded me of watching videos from Tyler's mission), but is living and going to School in Arizona. We randomly started talking to him on Facebook, and he's going through a really rough time, and was looking for help. So, we taught him about the Restoration of The Gospel of Jesus Christ and how we can rely on Him during the trials of our lives. We also taught him about baptism and how as we more fully follow Jesus Christ in our lives, we recieve more blessings. He accepted to be baptized and to meet with the missionaries in Arizona. He is excited to learn more. It was so great! I attached a screen shot we took :)

Have I ever told you all about Cristobal? Cristobal is such an amazing man. He is probably about 70 years old, and he had throat cancer, and now has a hole in his throat, so he can't talk, except with a little machine thing that looks like he is holding a mini flashlight up to his neck, and it kind of magnifies the sound or something. Anyways, he speaks Spanish, and so it is SUPER hard to understand him. We can barely understand spanish in the first place, and then we try to read his lips and listen through the machine thing. Oh, and he also doesn't have teeth. It's hard, but I can feel the Lord blessing us when we talk with him - It's a miracle we understand anything! Sometimes his daughters or granddaughters help us out. So this week, we asked him how his reading of the Book of Mormon is going. He has read tons of chapters and he loves it. He told us how he had to go through radiation or something and that the doctors told him it would be extremely painful and he would get really sick, but he has barely had any side effects. He knows that the miracles that are happening in his life are from God, and he pointed to the Book of Mormon and said, "and from that book." He knows it is true. It made us so happy! We shared about in 3 Nephi when Jesus institutes the Sacrament and the importance of attending Sacrament Meeting, and invited him to go. Unfortunately, he was going to Vallejo for the weekend, but then I realized that Hermana Lawrence is in Vallejo (she still doesnt have her visa!) and he ADORES Hermana Lawrence. We told him how it would be the best surprise ever if he showed up to Sacrament Meeting there, so we gave him the information for the service. Tonight we're going to find out if he went and how it was!! :) So many little miracles there. He is the cutest man ever.

 

This weekend we had the "Fiesta de Pardi de Jalloween" (that's how the Branch President kept announcing it) :) combined with the English ward. We showed up for the last part, which was the Trunk-or-treat. We had a great turn out, and the kids were so cute!! Now that I'm leaving, I realize just how much I love these people and how much I am going to miss them. We have some incredible members here who are so devoted to the Lord and know that true joy is found in serving him. I have learned so much from the examples of these amazing people. On Sunday we took a bunch of pictures with the ward members (Hermana LeMmon is leaving too), and so I'll attach some of those.

 

The best part of yesterday was that JOSE CAME TO CHURCH!! Jose is our investigator who has a baptismal date in December but is progressing very slowly. He says he will do things, but then he doesn't. We're having a hard time helping him act on his faith so that he can feel the blessings the gospel brings. He's such a wonderful person, and he needs this so much, but sometimes he doesn't have the motivation to act. But, yesterday, after weeks of saying he would come and then not coming or not being home when we stopped by, we went over with a ride for him, and he quickly got ready and came!! :) It was so awesome. Thank you for your prayers!!! I hope that he was able to feel the spirit and will continue to come. We have a lesson with him on Tuesday.

 

Also, there was a baptism in our branch last night, and Yolanda and Yaneli came!!! The spirit was so strong at the baptism, and afterwards Yolanda asked us if we were coming over to teach her soon. We set up an appointment for tonight, and we hope that after seeing Toni so happy and feeling the spirit, she will want to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized as well. I got a picture with them and attached it :) It was such a wonderful day!!!

 

I am sad to be leaving all these wonderful people in Napa and my wonderful companion, but still so excited for a new adventure!

I just heard from you - glad it was a good week! It was fun to see the picture of you two raking leaves. I love you all so much!! I think of you every day and I'm praying for you.

 

I am so grateful to be a missionary and grateful to serve my Savior. Every day I grow in different ways, and I grow in appreciation for my Savior, His sacrifice, His love, and His patience with me. I know that He atoned for us so that we can repent and change and live with God again. I am so grateful for that knowledge and the peace that it brings. I am so grateful that I get to share that knowledge with others and be a small part in the Savior's work.

 

Love you all and I hope you have a great week. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADELINE (on Sunday!!!)

Con mucho amor,

 

Hermana Vance

NEW with Photo's Oct 7, 2013

My dear family,

 

No worries at all about last week!! I wondered what was going on, but I wasn't worried or upset at all. I figured everything was just fine :) Thank you for sending the dearelder though Mom! I recieved it on Saturday and it was great to hear about the week. Oh, and the earliest time that we can get on email is 10:00am, so after that is when I'll send my weekly email.

 

Wasn't conference amazing this weekend!? I loved it. Mom, I thought of you too when he said to pray for missionaries and investigators by name. Good thing I already have an amazing mom who does that! I don't know Yolanda's other daughter's name because I've never met her, but Raul and Irene's daughter is named Valeria. She is SO cute. She has a little lisp and it's even cuter in Spanish. Thank you for praying for her too! Irene's brother lives there too and so you could pray for Enrique if you like as well. Also, this list is just going to keep getting bigger and bigger if we don't take people off....so, not that I don't want prayers for these people, but you can take off Juan because he's not our investigator. :)

 

Where did you watch conference? We watched it in the church, in the Relief Society room on the TV. Apparently in years past there hasn't been a very good turn out for conference (like 0-2 people), and so we wanted to make sure the members in the branch had the chance (and the motivation) to come listen to the words of the prophets and apostles with their families. When I gave a talk a couple weeks ago in sacrament meeting, I spoke on General Conference and shared with everyone some experiences of growing up, and how although we weren't perfect, we would watch general conference as a family and try to prepare for it and watch all of the sessions. I told them that I noticed the example of my wonderful mother and that I remember her taking notes. Although it was a bit boring as a child, I now love General Conference and I know that the Prophet and the Apostles are called of God, and that their words really are scripture for our day. I love listening for the promises and blessings during general conference.

To help the members have more motivation to come, we had a branch potluck lunch in between sessions, and it turned out to be a big success! :) We were so happy. Lots of people came and brought food and had a great time, and then stayed to watch the sessions. We had about 20 people there, which is a lot better than conferences in the past! We had a kids' table in the back corner for them to color and do conference bingo, crafts, etc. and that was the crazy part. I spent most of sunday

watching/helping the kids and trying to help them whisper so everyone else could focus on conference. It was a little crazy, but it worked out. Also, Hermana Underwood and I watched almost all of the sessions in Spanish so it was kind of exhausting to try and focus the whole time, but really good.

We loved Elder Ballard's talk about missionary work :) So, who are you all going to find before Christmas?

This week we had lots more miracles. Something that Adam O'Brien said to me in an email is that when we step out of our comfort zone, we step into a miracle zone! It is really true. The Lord blesses us as we put our faith before our fear and doubts, and try our best to trust in Him.

 

Remember me telling you about Marialena? We went and visited her this week after not being able to contact her for awhile, and we introduced the Book of Mormon to her. She absolutely loved it. She told us that she can feel that it is true, and we were able to explain about the Spirit and how it testifies of truth. We invited her to be baptized, and she accepted!! The only catch is that she was moving back to Mexico about 4 days later. However, she gave us her complete address and told us to PLEASE send the missionaries to her home there to help her prepare to be baptized. She is amazing, and so prepared by the Lord. It was sad that we can't teach her anymore, but we called in the referral to Mexico, and we are sure we made some Elders' days :) I hope one day I will be able to hear about what happens to her!

 

We were also able to introduce the Book of Mormon to Raul, Irene, and Valeria (and Enrique) this week. They loved it as well, and they were so excited to have a book of their own. We testified of how the book would bring more love and unity into their family. The spirit was strong, and we are so excited to hear how their reading has been going. They didn't come to conference, which was a bummer, and still haven't come to church, so maybe you could pray that they will be able to have the strength to come to church!!

 

Rachel and Emma, enjoy your fishies! They are so cute! I love you two!

 

Thank you so much for the blanket and shoes!!! The blanket is amazing and has been used every day since I got it. The shoes are pretty much perfect! I actually really like them!! I think my feet are just getting used to shoes with support so we'll see..

 

Also, thank you so much to the Fowers, Auntie ML, and Marissa for the mail this week!!

So exciting about Patrick too. I didn't really know him, but I remember Peter and Tara telling me a lot about him. That is so wonderful.

 

Love you lots family! Thank you for your prayers and thank you for all that you have given me! I am SO lucky.

 

Love,

Hermana Vance

 

NEW as of Dec 15 - Sep 30

Hi Family!

I didn't get an email from you this morning so I'm hoping (and guessing) that everything is alright. Hope you all had wonderful weeks!! We are doing great here in Napa. Hermana Underwood and I are getting along great. I don't know why I've been so blessed with such wonderful companions! She and I are different, but she is super funny and she makes me laugh. She is also a great missionary and we are working well together. Sometimes it can be discouraging when we feel like we don't know what we're doing, but it really is true that when we rely on the Lord and give Him all our stresses, worries, and insecurities, He blesses us and makes us strong. I am so grateful for His constant love that I can feel as I turn to Him.

 

This week we had some amazing experiences. We are teaching a woman named Yolanda, and she is incredible. She is so strong. Her husband died years ago of cancer, and she has two daughters in their twenties - one who has severe disabilities. She takes care of her daughter almost 24/7 day after day in her home. She is a woman of such great faith. This past little while, Yaneli (her daughter with disabilities) has been pretty sick and has been having seizures and attacks really often. Yolanda has to stay up with her and help her, and so she hasn't slept in days. We asked her if she and Yaneli wanted the Elders to come over and give them both a blessing, and she accepted. A few days later we went over with Elder Hermann and Elder Phillips, who are still both struggling with the language. We forgot we couldn't go inside without a man in the house, so we went out to the backyard. Yaneli was really friendly with us that day and she grabbed my hand and led me to the porch swing and we sat down together. She also grabbed Hermana Underwood and had her sit down. We held her hands as Elder Hermann gave her a blessing of health. It was in broken spanish and it was very simple, but it was perfect for Yaneli. Yolanda said that she usually gets really upset when someone touches her, but she was very calm and still for the blessing. Afterwards, Yolanda switched places with Hermana Underwood and the Elders gave her a blessing of comfort. It was a beautiful blessing, straight from heaven, especially because Elder Phillips said several things that we knew about her but we hadn't told him at all. The Lord knows us and our situations. In the blessing, Heavenly Father also told Yolanda how special her daughter was, and that she had already secured her reward in the highest kingdom of our Father. In that moment I felt the spirit so strongly, and I was so honored and touched to be holding the hand of one of Heavenly Father's most precious daughters. It was such a tender experience. Hermana Underwood and I felt so blessed to be a part of it. Please keep Yolanda in your prayers. I feel like she is ready to recieve the gospel and she has such faith, but with all that is going on, it's hard for her to find time and energy to read, pray, and recieve answers.

 

The Spanish is slowly getting better - gracias for your prayers! :) 

 

Thank youfor the letters this week - I got letters from Andrea Vance, Monica (I got your dearelder too!), Mary Lou, Gran, and Melissa. It was fantastic! It was so good to hear from everyone.

 

I'm still SO excited for Gran and Grandad!! How incredible!! Although it's good they "happened" to see me at the Provo temple, because I won't be seeing them for awhile! :( I'm so grateful for such an amazing family.

 

We have been seeing miracles across our mission with the use of online work and proselyting. Many people who aren't comfortable talking to missionaries in person at first have been taught and found online. Last week President Alba said that we have had 8 baptisms as a result of online work, and that it was only the beginning. We have had rules changed and changed so we are constantly adapting and trying to figure things out. Rachel, I forgot to answer your question last week - you wouldn't count as a member present because you're not over 16, but we could teach Isabelle on Skype if she wanted! Talk to her and tell her to facebook message me!

Also, please ask anyone who has a friend who might be ready to recieve the restored gospel to message me. We can message without becoming "friends" and then I can add or talk to anyone who might be interested or ready, especially those who might be more comfortable talking to missionaries online rather than in person. I promise we will take care of your friends!

 

I love you so much!! Sorry that I don't have any pictures this week but I'm doing great. If you were going to send an email but it just didnt work or whatever, maybe dearelder it, or I'll get it next week!

 

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Vance

NEW as of Dec 15, 2013 - Sep 23

Sep 23

Dear Family,

 

Rachel, you are hilarious. So good to hear from you!! I loooooved your handwritten letter around the time of the wedding and my plan is to reply to it today if I have time...P-days are always interesting, and we'll see what my new companion's P-day expectations are :) I still can't believe that you are getting your learner's lisence and going to seminary and dances! Write me a hand-written letter that no one has to see about the real deal scoop about friends and boys and how everything is going. :) It'll only take half an hour. Haha I can tell that your new word is snazzy! I remember when Tyler used to have word phases. I remembered this week when we went to a Soup Kitchen to do service, that one of his words was soup kitchen. "What is this like a soup kitchen or something?" Remember that? :) Hahaha. I love you Rachy! Tell Emma hi for me and that I love her too and give her a big huge hug for me!

Sounds like a good week at home :) Happy Birthday Grandad!!! I love getting your letters, and especially this last one with the BIG news about you and Gran serving in Ghana!! That's crazy, and so amazing!! I still can't get over it, I keep talking about it all the time! Keep me updated on everything, but it sounds pretty certain! After reading the letter, I thought, how is Gran going to do with the heat? You two are going to be amazing missionaries and the missionaries there are going to love you! We love our senior missionaries here. I love you both and I'm so proud of you! Thank you again for all the letters, prayers, and support.

 

So this week, on Wednesday, I met my new companion!! She's a lot different than Sister Lawrence, but I like her a lot. She's from Orem (but doesn't know Pete/Kristi or the Ashcrafts, I tried) and her dad actually served his mission in the Alberta mission! :) So she's used to my canadian quirks. I'm trying to think how to describe her - she's tall, and she's kind of tom-boy ish. She loves sports and she loves cars. I told her she'd have to teach me all about them so that I could be my dad's dream daughter when I get home. She and her dad buy old cars and restore them like you and Tyler would, dad! She's great, and she has so much love for the people here. She had a rough companionship before this, so I'm trying to help her out with that...It's kind of stressful being the Senior Companion. I'm pretending I know what I'm doing, and some days it works out :) Other days I forget things at home several times or make mistakes and we roll our eyes, laugh, and go to plan B. We've had some really good laughs already :) She's funny, and fairly easy-going so far. She's particular about other things though. We work really well together though, and I'm most excited about her passion for giving her all for these people. I'm learning so much from her.

 

The most fun part is our Spanish. We're at about the same level :) I actually love it, because I get to laugh my head off several times a day at how ridiculous we sound, and we get to work hard together instead of one of us getting frustrated with the other for not knowing how to say something. The phonecalls are the most fun, because we put the phone on speaker so that we can both try and pick out parts of what the person is saying, and it's already super hard to understand anyone, even in english. A few times this week I've just laughed my head off after a phonecall. It's just so funny to me!!! We strain and close our eyes to try and hear better, and whisper to each other frantically during the phonecall to try and piece it together, and then take turns to try and speak to them back. It's hilarous. I'm just glad we get to have fun and be happy while we struggle. It makes life so great.

 

We've been really blessed this week with referrals and set appointments with new people - I feel blessed because we've been able to plan productive weeks with the Lord's help and little miracles along the way. We had a lesson with Raul and Irene and it went really well. Irene read the whole pamphlet before our visit (that's big) and she was super into it. They love their daughter a lot and know that this can better their lives. Please keep praying for them, especially that they will come to church! They are amazing!

 

This sunday I was so proud of our branch. Victor passed the sacrament for the first time, and also for the first time, there weren't any missionaries involved in passing/blessing the sacrament! All 4 were branch members. It was so wonderful to see. We're excited for general conference and we're praying that the branch members will attend/watch!

 

I'm praying for you all at home, especially those who are struggling. I love you all lots. Thank you for your letters - i love hearing about what's going on lately and how everyone is. Mom, how's your health doing? Dad, I hope all the car stuff works out...sorry that the car is a lemon. Emma, I hope school is going well and that you don't have too much homework yet. Your spanish word for the week is "loco" or "loca" for a girl which means crazy or insane. Use it nicely :)

 

Thank you for the letters Grandad, Mom/Dad, and Scott. Also, thank you so much for the package Jenny! I love the shirt you sent!!! I wore it to church yesterday :) I am the luckiest missionary ever!

 

Love you lots, and thanks for the prayers. Oh, and here's some photos. Dinner at a Mexican restaurant with Victor before Hma Lawrence left, last lunch before Hma Lawrence (my "mom"/trainer), the peach pie that Hermana Lemmon made for sleepover night (we pull our mattresses into the living room and have a make-shift sleepover) - dad, I thought you'd enjoy that, and one of me and my new companion! :)

Love,

 

Hermana Vance

 

Ps. So mom, the only thing about the shoes is that I don't think we'll have time to go find a pair...trying to keep companions happy on P-day can be interesting, and my new companion needs to play sports at the church in order to get through the rest of the week...So needless to say I don't think we'll be doing much shopping :) and at this point, I think I just need something better than the flat runners from grade 10 I have now...maybe you could just send me something, and it'll be better than what I have now? If not, I'll try to find time next week.

Pps. Can you maybe send me a fuzzy blanket? It's getting colder in the mornings and I kind of want one for during personal study. You can just choose one and amazon it if you like :)