A half month of fun and other events!

Sunday July 19th 2009

Hi everybody - family, friends, those far away, those close by (that would be Daniel),  and those who don't exactly know where they are...

I have so many thoughts on the brain today that I thought I would write one big letter this week and try and get it all down.  It has been an eventful month.  We headed down to San Diego for the fourth of July and spent a wonderful two days packed full of activities.  It was great to be in Joe and Daisy's home again and enjoy the fourth with family - just as we usually do.  It made the summer for me and feel like we weren't that far away. We visited with my mom and dad and they were even able to come up to Joe and Daisy's for the fourth. Spent some "talk time" with the Abernathy's, visited with our old neighbor whose husband died, went to our ward's 4th of July breakfast and saw friends. It's always hard to say good-bye to everybody but we managed.  We left on the 5th of the July and drove straight through.  The next day Nathan and family drove straight through to spend a week with us.  That was another absolutely wonderful week for me.  I'm still taking my CNA course but always found time to go places with the kids. On Tuesday,  Nathan and Colleen took the kids to Thanksgiving Point and toured the Dinosaur museum (Ammon went too) - that was fun for him.  I went to my class and then was able to pick up Aubrey and Kaitlin in the afternoon for a nap which made the day nice for Nathan and Colleen.  

Nathan wasn't feeling too well the week before he came up to see us and unfortunately continued to decline while he was here. We were all getting concerned that he wasn't his usual Gun- Ho person and felt more like sleeping and spending time in the bathroom and we all wondered what was going on.  The real clincher came when he was all dressed and ready to go to the Salt Lake Temple with Colleen and fell asleep on the couch and just didn't have the energy to go.  He was so looking forward to that!  So Colleen and I came up with Plan B and took Ethan and Hannah to the Oquirrh Temple Open House so they could see inside a temple.  It's in a beautiful spot on the west side of the valley.   Before we left Colleen and I decided to have a prayer for Nathan with Hannah and Ethan.  Colleen said a wonderful prayer praying that we would be able to discover what needed to be done to get Nathan better again.   Then we took off.

We were only about five minutes into the trip talking about various things when Colleen mentioned Nathan's scout trip to the Kern River with his boy scout troop.  A flash of light pierced my mind and I said,  "Did he drink any of the water?" Sometimes there are these nasty microbes that live in the water in the mountains that make you very sick if you drink the water.  It takes about 7-10 days to develop.   Colleen and I both felt that was the answer to our prayers.  Nathan went that night to the Urgent Care and actually walked right in and saw a doctor who had had Giardia before.  He began gettingt back on his feet about two days later - in time to go out to eat with Rasmina.  We are so thankful for the answer to our prayers so immediately.  He wasn't cured instantly but was put back on the road.  In the meantime, Daniel was able to give his first blessing (at Nathan's request) to Nathan.  That was a spiritual experience in itself and we will always remember the great spirit that was present. ( We found out later the Salt Lake Temple was closed for cleaning anyway)

Well, we did a couple more things with the family.  The "This is the Place" monument/frontier town was great!  I would recommend it to anybody coming to this area.  We took the kids to the swimming pool in American Fork and I slid down the whirly slide with Ethan two times.   What a Grandma!!!!  

They left on Sunday the 12th just in time to get Ammon ready for Scout Camp on the 13th He left the that Monday and so he had to say goodbye to Daniel early.Then we spent part of the day getting some picture frames to enter a couple of art projects that Rachelle did last year into the American Fork Art Contest for Steel Days.

Daniel was scheduled to enter the MTC on Wednesday.  We scrambled to get the last minute items he needed and everything came together.  He didn't leave too much of a mess when he left.  He fit everything in two suitcases so we will see if that will see him through his mission.  He figures if he doesn't take his mouthwash on the plane and takes his vitamins the three months he is in the MTC, and leaves his soap behind he might make it under the 50 lb. limit for international travel.  It will be close.  Wednesday did arrive and fortunately I had the day off of school (everybody else did clinicals that day).  He spent the morning finishing up a birthday present from Erin - a Breakfast cereal box made into a scripture holder just the size of his scriptures which he pasted pictures from the Ensign and New Era.  It actually turned out great looking.  Now everybody else in the family wants one, so we are saving the cereal boxes we go through.  It sure didn't take long to drop him off at the MTC.  We followed the arrows to a side entrance where a very nice sister missionary was waiting with a clipboard asking for our missionary's name.  There was also a companionship waiting to escort him into the MTC.  They took a family shot of us, grabbed his luggage and before we could pull away from the curb he was inside.  Very efficient and hardly time to get emotional.  So there he is - haven't heard from him yet but we do have an address to send letters...

Elder Daniel Joseph Price

MTC Mailbox # 188-0928

Russian Samara Mission

2005 N 900 E

Provo, Utah 84604

I think the 0928 on his address means he leaves the mission home on September 28th.  We were thinking three months but I think it will actually be 2 1/2 months.

Well, if you remember Rachelle auditioned for the Lone Peak High School Ballroom team and made it.  So she has a few items she needed to get to get ready to be on the team - one of which was a $145.00 pair of ballroom dance shoes - that was only part of the expense.  But she is so worth it!  Right!  We did that this week and a bunch of other things she needs for the team.  I had a ten minutes presentation in my CNA class on Shingles on Friday. Kirstin and Philip arrived from being gone for the last 2 1/2 months.  McKeltie has grown and is walking and is a non-stop kid.  Don't plan on cuddling - she doesn't sit still long enough. I went to my first clinicals (actually working in a nursing home) on Saturday from 6:00am to 2:00pm.  When I got there - silly me - I volunteered to be in the Alzheimer wing.  Boy was that a lot of work!  I think at my age I will try something less demanding.  It was non-stop with about 18 patients.  I think they were completely understaffed but who am I to say.  It was quite the experience.  I learned how to transfer patient using a sling which left the patient dangling in the air and then we position them over the bed and lower them.  (that was the most fun part).   

Woodcarving

Leather Work

Indian Lore

Pioneering

Orienteering

Enviornmental Science

Mammal Study

Soil and Water Conservation

Plus, the Religious Award

Then I came home briefly before going with Rachelle to volunteer for the Steel Days activities at 3:00pm.  The family came at 7:30pm and we were treated to American Idol, American Fork Style, and the Biggest Loser Contest, American Fork Style, and then some extravagant Fireworks that made you think the whole show was the grand finale.  Somewhere in between all this Ammon came home from scout camp packing several Merit Badges.

We also found out that one of Rachelle's pieces of art won first place in the Art Show in her division and so she won a whoppin' $10.00.  You go Rachelle!!!

Now it's Sunday and we can slow down a bit - right?  Some kid pulled the alarm in the building so we all had to evacuate - that was exciting.

Erin is planning on going to Disneyland this weekend with some of her sister missionary friends.

I am really ready for my CNA class to be over.  I will start to look for something in that line of work - but I only want part time and no weekends - so we will see.

I know I've unloaded a lot of information - maybe more than you really wanted to know!.  I decided this was the best way to journal this week and to let Daniel and everybody know what's happening around here.  

I think I'm done for now.  Next week seems a lot slower. I do have another eight hour clinical on Wednesday.  I'm not volunteering for the Alzheimer wing this time! 

Now, I need to find something to keep Ammon busy. It's been pretty warm. My garden is growing and I now have a peach tree planted - thanks to Rahn and Daniel.

Love you all lots and I do like to hear what you are doing.  I like INFORMATION!  

Love Me, Mom, Grandma, friend etc.

Re: Letter from Connecticut

Hi Erin,

 

It's been an interesting week.  Kirstin got an infection from nursing the baby so I was up there for a day to rescue her.  She was miserable and had a high fever.  I called the doctor for some antibiotics but by the time Philip came home from school Costco was closed.  I felt really really bad and thought I should of gotten it myself.  So I would wake up in the middle of the night and pray that she was OK.  In the morning her fever was gone and she was doing much better.  So she didn't need the antibiotics. She was glad not to have to spend the money.

 

Then Ammon came down with the stomach flu and was home for three days.  He had a fever and headache so you can imagine how I watched him.  We kept taking his temperature every 15 minutes or so.  But he is fine now.

 

I am not sure about the absentee ballot.  I actually need to get a Utah driver's license in order to vote and I don't know if that is going to happen before the elections.  I don't know what to do in your case...or about the driver's license. They  probably could send our ballot to our new address but the time might be expired by the time they send it by November and we are not down there to vote.  There are a few kinks in this moving thing. Daniel's driver's license actually has Pam and Guy Delouras address on it because we weren't sure where we would end up. I don't think there is much you can do about it right now. I should remind him to get an absentee ballot if he can. I will see if I can find any solutions. 

 

I also checked your bank balance.  It's a good thing I did because there was only $13.00 left on it.  So we put another $200.00 on your ATM card. 

 

Everybody here is having to learn patience.  Rachelle is learning patience with Ammon.  Ammon is learning patience with Rachelle.  And we are having to learn patience with ourselves.  Daniel is the ward bulletine coordinator and says he is doing pretty well cleaning the buildings at 4:00 am. 

 

Dad will be traveling a bit in September and November. 

 

I hope you had a good week.  Jarom and Tayler are still at Grandma/pa Prices while they wait to see if they get a condo that they put a bid on.  It may not happen though.  We will see.  Nathan and Colleen are fine too.  Marisa probably told you she has a date tomorrow.

 

It's time to get Ammon to bed.  I love you mucho!

 

You're doing a terrific job!

 

Love, Mom

 

 

On Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 9:03 PM, Rahn and Sue Price <rahnandsue@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey Family,

So glad to hear you are doing well. It's a big joke here about how my family moved to Utah. Everybody is saying things like, "Why would they move to Utah. San Diego is so beautiful. It has the best weather in the world." San Diego to New Yorkens and Connecticutians is like New York to us. But I'm really excited for you all and excited to (one day in the far future) come home to the new Utah place. Change is always exciting.

So first, what I've learned from my studies this week. Patience just doesn't deal with others. Patience deals with the Lord too. We are patient in our lives when we can face challenges and trials without getting angry, frustrated, or anxious. Why is patience such a great thing to have? It makes your life so much more relaxed! You can be sure that the Lord is in control and that you just need to rely on the his timing. Sometimes I used to think that trials came because I was doing something wrong and if I just fixed that one thing my life, everything would be better. But many times we just need to know that the Lord is in control and knows how much we can handle. That if you just work to do our part, being patient with ourselves, that the Lord can handle the rest! Hopefully that made sense. Patience is such a cool thing.

So now the down-low on everything else.

We had Mission Conference yesterday. It was all about temples and the importance of them. Really good. I learned some amazing things, probably not what I will teach investigators, but my understanding of the temple increased. It's funny because just at the times I think that I"m getting this whole missionary thing down, something comes up and I realize how much I don't know! It is sometimes frustrating, but I try to let it motivate me to study more. We also had water games that day for the second half instead of a training. Probably to boost morale and unity. It was really fun and a good break.

Blessing for the week. Maybe you remember Maria and Jairo who we were teaching. Well, they weren't coming to church despite inviting them every week and every week they would say that they would come and then they wouldn't. It was a hard decision, but we decided to stop visiting them for awhile and because they have so many problems going on at home they told us that they would call us when things were better. So for about two weeks we didn't go by, though we left notes here and there.

One night we decided to visit them again, and when we went in it was really awkward. Maria almost seemed mad at us at first. She later asked us why we had stopped coming and to not do that again. Both Maria and Jairo said it was a bad decision to have us stop coming. So we scheduled another appointment with them and extended a baptismal date, which they accepted! It won't be until December though because Maria has to get over an addiction to drugs. But they have that goal and are working for the 6th of December. I don't know if I'll be there for that, but I'm just glad that they are working for that.

Mirian, has been another story. She loves church and she loves the things we teach, but she won't accept a date. She keeps saying that she needs more time. We've extended about three different dates to her and each time she say she needs more time. We finally asked her how long she felt that she needed to which she responded "At least 6 months." 6 months! That is so far away. Our plan is to  teach her everything to be ready, which will be another 3 weeks and then tell her  that she's ready. That we have nothing more to teach. I believe it will shock her and prepare her better for baptism. She's just comfortable where she is at, with us stopping by and learning more. She's another one I just love so much and needs to be baptized. They just don't understand how important it is.

The first presidency has encouraged us to vote this year for elections. I tried looking into absentee ballots before I left, but it was a confusing thing trying to register that early and I wasn't able to figure it out before I left. Do you know what the process would be for me to get an absentee ballot. I don't know how that would work with the move. Am I still registered for California. That's where my driver's license is at.... by the way... do I need to different driver's license because technically I'm  not from the Santee address any more. Please let me know.

So this cycle I'm really focusing on increasing my understanding in spanish. Dad, Nathan, Jarom or any others who have learned a different language. Do you have any suggestions on what helped you during this whole language learning process. Sometimes I think my studying of the language is so scattered that I don't really get anything from it. I thought it might be helpful if you were able to send me some talks in Spanish on a cd. Or any other suggestions would be helpful. I used to think that it would just come. As many people said, "It just takes time." Well, yes, that's true, but I think I can help it along faster with some good suggestions from other people. Please let me know for that as well.

This is becoming an epistle. Sorry, I'll try to cut the other stories shorter. It rained yesterday like none other. Thunder, down-pour, and all. I of course used my handy-dandy rain jacket.

We had a zone activity today. A picnic and I was able to play volleyball again after almost of year of withdrawal. It was lots of fun.

Last Sunday, Sis. Pena and I were in charge of the game for the ward Noche de Hogar (Spanish Family Home Evening). We divided everyone into groups, had them write down three things that would be embarrassing to do and then asked them questions. If they got the question wrong, they had to do the embarrasing thing. If they got it right, they picked another team to do the embarrassing thing. It turned out well. It was a little frustrating though because I would explain something and everyone would be like, "Huh, I don't get it." So then Sis. Pena would explain it saying the exact same thing and everyone was like, "Oh I understand." Maybe I should work on my accent.

We taught a member in our ward the Plan of Salvation to practice and to have her hear the lessons again since she is a fairly recent convert. She started getting into deep doctrine. Like whether they was another way for us instead of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit.

She's funny. She's also redoing her house in the "California style" and keeps asking my opinion. "Does this look good? Does this give a California feel? I want it to be a California eclectic look." I don't even know what a CA eclectic look is. Oh well. We love Mary Kay.

Love you family and am always happy to hear from you. Thanks for the letter Ammon. Glad school is fun. Love you lots. Have a great time.

Love,
Erin

Letter from Connecticut

Hey Family,

So glad to hear you are doing well. It's a big joke here about how my family moved to Utah. Everybody is saying things like, "Why would they move to Utah. San Diego is so beautiful. It has the best weather in the world." San Diego to New Yorkens and Connecticutians is like New York to us. But I'm really excited for you all and excited to (one day in the far future) come home to the new Utah place. Change is always exciting.

So first, what I've learned from my studies this week. Patience just doesn't deal with others. Patience deals with the Lord too. We are patient in our lives when we can face challenges and trials without getting angry, frustrated, or anxious. Why is patience such a great thing to have? It makes your life so much more relaxed! You can be sure that the Lord is in control and that you just need to rely on the his timing. Sometimes I used to think that trials came because I was doing something wrong and if I just fixed that one thing my life, everything would be better. But many times we just need to know that the Lord is in control and knows how much we can handle. That if you just work to do our part, being patient with ourselves, that the Lord can handle the rest! Hopefully that made sense. Patience is such a cool thing.

So now the down-low on everything else.

We had Mission Conference yesterday. It was all about temples and the importance of them. Really good. I learned some amazing things, probably not what I will teach investigators, but my understanding of the temple increased. It's funny because just at the times I think that I"m getting this whole missionary thing down, something comes up and I realize how much I don't know! It is sometimes frustrating, but I try to let it motivate me to study more. We also had water games that day for the second half instead of a training. Probably to boost morale and unity. It was really fun and a good break.

Blessing for the week. Maybe you remember Maria and Jairo who we were teaching. Well, they weren't coming to church despite inviting them every week and every week they would say that they would come and then they wouldn't. It was a hard decision, but we decided to stop visiting them for awhile and because they have so many problems going on at home they told us that they would call us when things were better. So for about two weeks we didn't go by, though we left notes here and there.

One night we decided to visit them again, and when we went in it was really awkward. Maria almost seemed mad at us at first. She later asked us why we had stopped coming and to not do that again. Both Maria and Jairo said it was a bad decision to have us stop coming. So we scheduled another appointment with them and extended a baptismal date, which they accepted! It won't be until December though because Maria has to get over an addiction to drugs. But they have that goal and are working for the 6th of December. I don't know if I'll be there for that, but I'm just glad that they are working for that.

Mirian, has been another story. She loves church and she loves the things we teach, but she won't accept a date. She keeps saying that she needs more time. We've extended about three different dates to her and each time she say she needs more time. We finally asked her how long she felt that she needed to which she responded "At least 6 months." 6 months! That is so far away. Our plan is to  teach her everything to be ready, which will be another 3 weeks and then tell her  that she's ready. That we have nothing more to teach. I believe it will shock her and prepare her better for baptism. She's just comfortable where she is at, with us stopping by and learning more. She's another one I just love so much and needs to be baptized. They just don't understand how important it is.

The first presidency has encouraged us to vote this year for elections. I tried looking into absentee ballots before I left, but it was a confusing thing trying to register that early and I wasn't able to figure it out before I left. Do you know what the process would be for me to get an absentee ballot. I don't know how that would work with the move. Am I still registered for California. That's where my driver's license is at.... by the way... do I need to different driver's license because technically I'm  not from the Santee address any more. Please let me know.

So this cycle I'm really focusing on increasing my understanding in spanish. Dad, Nathan, Jarom or any others who have learned a different language. Do you have any suggestions on what helped you during this whole language learning process. Sometimes I think my studying of the language is so scattered that I don't really get anything from it. I thought it might be helpful if you were able to send me some talks in Spanish on a cd. Or any other suggestions would be helpful. I used to think that it would just come. As many people said, "It just takes time." Well, yes, that's true, but I think I can help it along faster with some good suggestions from other people. Please let me know for that as well.

This is becoming an epistle. Sorry, I'll try to cut the other stories shorter. It rained yesterday like none other. Thunder, down-pour, and all. I of course used my handy-dandy rain jacket.

We had a zone activity today. A picnic and I was able to play volleyball again after almost of year of withdrawal. It was lots of fun.

Last Sunday, Sis. Pena and I were in charge of the game for the ward Noche de Hogar (Spanish Family Home Evening). We divided everyone into groups, had them write down three things that would be embarrassing to do and then asked them questions. If they got the question wrong, they had to do the embarrasing thing. If they got it right, they picked another team to do the embarrassing thing. It turned out well. It was a little frustrating though because I would explain something and everyone would be like, "Huh, I don't get it." So then Sis. Pena would explain it saying the exact same thing and everyone was like, "Oh I understand." Maybe I should work on my accent.

We taught a member in our ward the Plan of Salvation to practice and to have her hear the lessons again since she is a fairly recent convert. She started getting into deep doctrine. Like whether they was another way for us instead of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit.

She's funny. She's also redoing her house in the "California style" and keeps asking my opinion. "Does this look good? Does this give a California feel? I want it to be a California eclectic look." I don't even know what a CA eclectic look is. Oh well. We love Mary Kay.

Love you family and am always happy to hear from you. Thanks for the letter Ammon. Glad school is fun. Love you lots. Have a great time.

Love,
Erin

Oh what fun!

Dear Family,

I wrote down a whole list of things I wanted to tell you about and being like I am sometimes, I left it on the table.... Hopefully I can remember it all.

We did get permission to teach the Muslim lady, but after a few lessons we haven't been able to contact her. We are not sure what happen, but we have a few guesses. One is that she has a Christian cousin that she talks to a lot and when she called us last she said that her cousin told her not to read the Book of Mormon and doesn't think she should learn about Joseph Smith. We are going to try her again today. Hopefully we can get a hold of her.

We recently had to drop all, but one of our investigators. It seems so discouraging at times. The goal for the mission is to get 80 baptisms in September with every companionship baptizing. At this point, Sis. Pena and I are looking for miracles because the person would have to be super prepared, but it could happen! Miracles happen everyday.

We did find a person the other day. Her name is Betsy and she struggles with depression. She was at first really resistant for us to come in, but finally let us in. We'll be following up with her tonight. Also have another appointment on Saturday with another potential named Wendy. I'm really excited for her because when I talked to her on the phone she was already saying things like, "Rules are there to help. That's what I've learned in my life and I don't see why every else has it the opposite way." It will be good.

One of the things I've realized recently is how much I've grown to love the people here. For example, we taught a lesson to this retired man named William about a month ago. After one lesson we werent' able to make contact through phone or visits and the other day I felt like we should go by and see him. So we did and he was home. He was telling us about how it's been there in the back of his mind. The analogy he used was that he was standing there on the diving board, not sure if he is ready to jump in. He believes in the apostasy and see the need for the restoration. He really finds the Book of Mormon interesting as well as Joseph Smith. He just needs to take that leap of faith, and it kills me that he doesn't.

And same for all the other investigators that we have recently stopped visiting because they won't do what needs to be done to prepare for baptism. Maria and Jairo who have eveything to gain from the gospel. Even people we meet on the street I'm starting to feel that love for them too. It's amazing and heart breaking at the same time.

I see people and I think. I want to see you one day in the celestial kingdom. I don't want you to be missing there. How great a reunion it will be to see these people again. The scripture in D&C 18 has taken on greater significance. How great will be your joy if it so be that ye bring one soul unto Christ. And then how much greater will be your joy if you bring even more souls unto Christ. Joy comes from serving others as you desire to see them succeed and able to know that that soul was not lost. I might sound very much like a missionary right now, but that's ok. I love it! Even with all the discouragements. I keep praying that my love with increase even more for these people.

But we do still have Mirian. She hasn't accepted a baptismal date yet, but I don't feel like we should drop her. We are trying to build her faith. She doesn't want to start something she won't finish and she has fears in that. The other day we went to a dinner appointment at the Baltazar family's home and she asked us about tithing! And she was fine with it, which is one lots of people struggle with. She even told us on Sunday that she decided not to go to a Saturday activity at the church, so that she could go on Sunday. She's another one that I just want so badly to be baptized because I want to see her again someday in the Celestial Kingdom.

Oh man. I could go on and on with all the people and yet still trying to get that baptism.

But we had a great Sisters training on Tuesday about baptismal commits and practice extending dates.

Oh, we heart attacked some member's house the other night.... it's so much fun and it never gets old. I'm glad I'm a sister missionary and can do those kinds of things.

Love you lots and hope you are well. Sounds like it. Thanks for keeping in touch so well.

Love,
Erin

Still here in CT

Oh Family,

Let's see what I can remember from this week. One week just seems
to blur in the other and time is getting faster. I'm finding it
true that your mission just seems to go by faster and faster. It's
almost September and school has started again! I remember when
school got out. The weather has cooled off a bit, but it's not
cold. Today it actually reminded me of San Diego when you have the
cool breeze coming in from the Ocean. Unfortunately it smelled
like car exhaust instead of the ocean. Well, I guess you can't get
it all in Stamford, CT.

We are still working for some solid people to teach. We have a
couple of potentials that we have set appointments with that we
are praying will go through. And we have one solid lady, Mirian,
but at this point doesn't want a baptismal date. I have
confidence, though, that that will come soon enough. She comes to
church (even without her husband), is praying, and starting
reading the Book of Mormon from the cover! We will be teaching her
some of the commandments. It will just take some time. We have a
couple other people this week too. Just hoping that all goes
well.

I'm still learning how to recognize that spirit. Sometimes it just
comes as a thought, a light bulb. I becoming more and more
convinced that whenever we have those lightbulb ideas it is
because the spirit brought it to mind. For example, Sis. Pena and
I were walking down N. Water street to look up a referral when we
passed a house. The thought crossed my mind, I should knock on
that door... so we did. But nobody answered. "So much for
inspiration," I thought. Then, the next day we planned to look up
a former investigator and as we drove up to the address it turned
out to be the one I had knocked on the day before. Coincidence...
I don't think so. Today we knocked and talked to this lady who is
a friend of the former investigators and have a return appointment
with her. We are excited for it!

My spanish seems to be coming along. At times I don't feel like
it's any better than when I started, but then I think... "well, I
can now talk on the phone and know what they are saying, if not
always in the appointment." It's been really good. Not what I
expected it to be like, but really good.

Where is Daniel living. There are a lot of youth that are headed
out to BYU-Idaho. Maybe they will be living at the same place. Let
me know.

Love you lots and I pray for you. Sometimes it seems unreal
because I'm so far away from it all, but it's very exciting at the
same time. So much will be different when I come home, and I'm
sure there are still going to be a lot of changes from this point
on still. I still have awhile left.

Thanks for all your support.

Love,

Erin

Es bueno la obra

Hey Family,

The work is good. It's been a change and I find that amid all the learning and trials that I am learning myself. There are the difficult days, but you have to keep looking up and forward and having the faith that it will get better. Sometimes I start getting discouraged because of spanish, but as Hermana Lakip said, "Siga adelante." Just keep doing my part.

We are still teaching Maria and Jairo. We were so close to stopping our appointments with them because despite their desire, they have not come to church and it's been about 2 months. I think I keep holding on to them because they need to gospel so much. Well, everyone needs the gospel, but I'm afraid their family will fall apart wihout it. I think we've made a breakthrough with them and hopefully this week they will go to the addiction recovery program and church. Otherwise, I'll just have to leave and believe that sometime in the future they will be baptized.

Still I think we talked about both of their concerns. We showed the Restoration to them and Maria told us how she had always had that question too. So we testified that she could know of the truth through prayer by asking specifically and she committed to do that. Jairo just need to know what faith was and how to develop it. So we shared Alma 32 with him. He told us that it made so much more sense what faith was and that he never really understood it before. He was so nice, he even said how he learns so much from us. Well, I would guess that it's the spirit, but I'm so grateful that I grew up in the gospel, learning all these truths since I was young. Thank you Mom and Dad.

We are also teaching Sophia who is from Sudan. It's been an interesting experience because she has no Christian background. I can't remember if I talked about her in the last email, but she learned about Christianity when she was 10 years old and has wanted to be baptized ever since. We gave her a baptismal date for October and we are working towards then. She wanted it earlier, but there is a language barrier as well. So we try to teach as simply as we can. You have to teach really different to those who have no background with Christ.

I'm learning the importance more of more of doing our part by expressing our faith. Believing that good things will happen and then working to have it done. Faith isn't passive, it's working hard even though you probably don't have any idea how the work will come about. How the goals you set will be filled and where you will find that person. It comes from talking to everyone so that you find yourself in the right place and the right time. I am praying to find a family to teach that can be baptized in September. I know there out there. There are hundreds and families, but it's just a matter of finding them and then teaching them by the spirit.

I'm enjoying myself here in Connecticut. I'm learning to love the people and the place. I will miss it when I'm gone. There are some days I look around and think, "Wow, this has gone by so fast. It needs to slow down a little." It's been good. Hard, but good.

I'm glad things are going well in Utah. Thanks for the letters and update and I hope that I'm detailed enough when I write to you about things that are happening. My suggestions for you is to get to know the missionaries, let them know that you are willing to help, and then when they ask to for help, be willing to do so. It's what I wish I had done before my mission, but will certainly do afterwards. I guess it might be a little different in Utah, but develop that working relationship with them. It will move the work faster and farther than it has before.

Ok, off my soapbox. Good luck with school and have fun. Daniel, you are going to love BYU-Idaho. There is so much always going on campus and off. It can be stressful, but it's great. Rachelle and Ammon, I'd love to hear more about school. Sounds like it could be really cool.

Love you Mom, Dad and rest of family. You are amazing and don't lose sight of always sharing the gospel. It brings joy into your life and into the lives of others.

Love,
Erin (aka Sis. Price)

Another week in paradise

Hey Dad, Mom, and Family!

This week has been great. I loved my last companion, but as you know there were the struggles. Hna Pena and I are still learning how to teach together, but it has been good. Tonight we have a great lesson planned for Maria and Jairo about studying the scriptures and praying! I am excited. We had them read 3 Nephi 11 in preparation and we will be following up by seeing what they learned and watching part of the Testaments with them. It's some of the techniques shared in Preach My Gospel. That's such a great book, you really should study from it to!

I was worried about them for awhile because they seemed to stop having interest, they weren't really reading or coming to church or making any sort of effort. But I couldn't drop them yet. Their family would have fallen apart. So we stopped by one night and talked to them. It ended up in an argument and accusations between the two of them. Hna Pena said some inspired thoughts to them (which I can't remember) and before we left I had them each say a pray and in the pray they had to pray for the other companion. I really believe that that was an inspired because the next time we came by they were telling us about what a differenct it had made. How they hadn't fought and that they felt the spirit more in their home. I love the spirit!

As a mission we are focusing on getting 80 baptisms in September. I'm excited for this as well. There has been a lot of focus on spiritually preparing ourselves, so that we can have the spirit to teach others. I'm still learning how to organize all these good trainings and thoughts so that I remember them. I think I've changed my study journal technique nearly 4 times since starting my mission. I'm getting closer to what works for me each time.

Anyway, stories for this week. I ran into a spider web and almost ran into another one. I think that's my fourth time since starting my mission.

We also had a muslim lady come to church. Her name is Sophia and she is really sweet and even told us she wants to be baptized. Unfortunately, we don't know if we can teach her yet. Her family is Muslim, which means we need special permission to teach her. She was telling us about how she had learned about Christ in Sudan and had wanted to know more, but was to scared because her family could kill her for it. She lives with her sister here and she can't let them know that she is going to church. It's so sad that those who have that desire to learn and come unto Christ can't because of the religious/social situations around them. It makes it even more frustrating when those who have the ability to learn don't because of apathy. This is so important! We don't know what will happen, but hope that some way will open that we can teach her without putting her in danger.

I wish I could have been at the wedding, but such is part of life. I haven't seen any pictures of it yet, but maybe Marisa just hasn't caught the time to be able to send them. I'd love to see how the reception went. I'm sure it was lovely. Do you have the address for Jarom and Taylor? I'd love to have it.

I'm 5' 2". I always knew I'd be the shortest in the family. I saw a picture of Rachelle in one you sent of McKeltie. She looked so pretty! You know, not many people can pull such beauty with a mask over their face. She's got talent.

And I remember when I was the oldest at home. It was a little strange at first. I really believed that I learned (even though I didn't really know it) qualities during that time that prepared me for the future. I'll be quite honest, one of my favorite memories was family dishes as we each took our spots (drying, washing, rinsing, etc) and sang and danced to music. We had our arguments then too, but I also loved the bonding. It was great.

I'm excited for this week. I'm rededicationg myself to writing down events so that I'll have more specific stories to tell you. It's been fun and thanks for your letters and support. It always comes at the time I need to most.

I love you lots and glad you've found paradise in Utah. It must be an exciting change.

Love,
Erin