February 8, 2011

ok- This has been a crazy week of lots of drama with elders. We had
one that lied to us about a YSA investigator and also to the zone
leaders and just pulled a lot of crap on us. Then they got their ward
members involved and they were giving us crap too. Frustrating but
what can you do? other than that it's just been pretty slow. Tomorrow
are transfers and i'm pretty sure my companion is going to be Sister
Osmeni. She's a temple square sister from Albania. I'll let you know
next week for sure. ummm.... I can't really think of anything else new
to tell you this week. Any questions or anything for me??

ok- to answer your questions... in spanish Hendrix is pronounced (in dreex).
because the H is silent. the E is like an I and the I is like saying the
letter E. The girls we are teaching
right now have really changed their commitment level. They are finally
seeing the blessings of the gospel. There are three girls here that live
together. 2 are recent converts and one is being taught. One of the converts
got baptized for a missionary and has no testimony. The other one loves the
gospel but little doctrinal knowledge and the non member is the most
religious but has been super catholic. I love them all so much! but they are
on completely different levels. I think that was all of your questions. LOVE
YOU!!!!

So- I had one awesome experience this week I forgot to tell you. This
sunday I attended a baptism in the spanish branch of a guy named
F. Back when Sister Clegg was here and she was sick all the time
we went on exchanges every day. One night on exchanges me and Sister
Bloomfield went to knock on a potential investigators door but he
wasn't home. F Answered the door. He told us the guy wasn't there
and then started to close the door and walk away. I asked if he knew
about the church and he said no. So I bore my testimony and asked if
he wanted to learn more and he just sat there for a minute and then
said ok. Now he's a member! it just reminds me how important it is to
talk to everyone no matter where we are!

I have definitely seen the
importance of living up to our covenants. It is so sad to watch. Two
weeks ago we had a baptism and we started working on the program. We
couldn't even find someone worthy to baptize her. It was terrible! and
REALLY akward. We had to call them and they would say "sorry Hermanas
but I can't. But i'll be there to support her". We started having to
make a list of those who aren't worthy to use their priesthood. It is
SO important that we keep the commandments and remain worthy of the
blessings of our Heavenly Father.

Tell President Eggbert I said hello! it's weird to see you write that
you had your PPI because I always have to have PPI's as well haha.
Aren't they great? I love them. President Hale is the BEST mission
president. Well gotta go. Love ya!

January 31, 2011

Hey family! This week has flown by. It's been a stressful one but also a very good one. President Hale came to our apartment to do interviews. If everything goes as planned I will finish my mission here in the snapper creek YSA branch. YAY! My companion is leaving this transfer- very sad- but will be going to Miami beach ysa! she's going to my VERY favorite place. I will have a new companion each transfer until I go home and at least one of them I will be training. Other than that I don't really know. President Hale has been trying to figure out a way me and Sister Lowe can see each other again before she goes home because he spoils us so much and he's figured it out. Next week we will be doing exchanges with her and her companion and sister Bloomfield will spend a few days with her figuring things out in Miami Beach before transfers come. He said it will be most effective if we have lunch together to start it and end it :) He's the BEST! I feel so spoiled! me and sister lowe are the only missionaries that have permission to talk at any time for any reason without permission. The amazing thing is that he told sister Bloomfield when she leaves that me and her will have that permission too! He told her "if anyone has a problem with it- you can send them straight to me and i'll take care of it" President Hale is the best!

January 24, 2011

i can't believe it's show time already! Time goes faster and faster every day. I can't believe I have so little time left. I have truly come to love Miami and the people here. I love the culture and the missionary life. I feel so blessed for the opportunity my Heavenly Father has given me to share the gospel. I have learned more and received more blessings for my time here than anyone I have taught. I have seen the hand of God in my life every day and I witness His miracles constantly. I LOVE being a missionary!

as far as answers to your questions- I don't have sinus problems... just a bad case of stress! its what I do best. I've had a lot of problems in my back and shoulders and neck but my companion is a gem and beats on me every day to keep the headaches away. I also have a sty (sp?) on my eye so my eyelid has been swollen and hurting. I'll take care of that one later. We didn't have very many discussions this week because I've been apartment hunting. We are getting kicked out of our complex because church policy won't let them do background checks on us. Unfortunately no where else in Miami will let us stay without them either. Its a big change sweeping this area. Anyway- we have been working with a realtor so our schedule has been really hectic. Still no place yet but we'll find something. The Lord will take care of us. I still LOVE serving in YSA but never want to attend a YSA branch haha. Yesterday they were chewed out over the pulpit for not dating enough. No thanks! So glad I'm just the missionary :) We don't eat with members. We cook for ourselves. It's expensive but i'm trying to budget better. It's hard to buy EVERYTHING you need in a month for $140- especially in a touristy place. We have set more goals now that the 75 day promise is over and they are for the rest of my mission. I'm also regularly commiting myself to better live the commandments and be more obedient. I think that pretty much answers your "mom questions". I love you all a ton and hope things are going good!

January 18, 2011

ok so this week I will tell you about my AMAZING companion. Her name is Sister Bloomfield and she is from Snowflake, AZ. I basically begged the Lord to have her as a companion. She works so so hard! and we're basically twins in every way.... it's really scary. We often wonder how we get along so well but we love each other like crazy. She actually went to school with Avrey. she was an el-ed major at BYUI. She's been out for 6 months and sadly will prob only be my companion for 1 transfer.

Hopefully you got the e-mail I sent to President Hale for the weekly update (found a the end of this post). This week has been one full of miracles and answers to our prayers. I realize more and more every day how much our Heavenly Father loves us and how much he wants to bless us if we just ask. The highlight of my week was a fireside that we put on with Miami Beach. We had 2 D and M from Miami Beach and J and C from Snapper Creek share their conversion stories and testimonies and then President Acevedo from the mission presidency spoke on the power of the Book of Mormon in personal conversion and missionary work. I was stressed all day long because I was in charge but it was a success. It was so great to see the growth they have all made since their baptisms and also to see some of the members who have become some of my very best friends. It was also the last time I will see sister Lowe before she goes home. This is her last transfer. I can't believe I only have 3 left after her!! The time has gone SO fast. I love the gospel and being a missionary more and more every day. My Heavenly Father has changed me so much into the person He knew I could be.

What a week of miracles! We have had so many prayers answered I can hardly believe it. As we have done AMTs with our members we have made a lengthy mighty prayer list of their friends and loved ones that they are currently contacting and working with. We have been doing it for about 4 weeks now and have seen so many great things happen. We had 3 inactive members on the list show up to church on sunday, 3 non members have come to church or activities and 3 people on the list have been taught by missionaries. The fire is definitely being lit! I am so grateful for my companion and her hard work and desires that are making success possible. I am learning more and more how important relationships are and how essential good ones are in order to progress the Lord's work. We also have a baptism coming up this Sunday. Her name is L and she was prepared long before we met her. She often teaches us and it is so fun to meet with her. Another great experience we had this week was our YSA fireside. It was especially exciting for me to see how much converts in Miami Beach have grown and to see some of my very best friends! President Acevedo did an incredible job in teaching the importance of the Book of Mormon in personal conversion as well as our personal lives. I know that the impact will be lasting on the Snapper Creek Branch. I am also grateful for your reminder on using our phones wisely for both texting and calling. There is always room to tighten up and we will be sure to do that, confirming that every communication relates to our purpose! It's a great day in Miami!

Sister Hendrix