Another cycle past!

Good Morning Mom, Dad, and Family,

Jackie was confirmed on Sunday! Which was a relief and excitement because
the whole family came to church. Yesterday we were over at her house and she
comes up and says... "Do you notice anything different? About my face?" We
look at her and are thinking... "no you still have the same makeup? Maybe a
little tanner? I don't know." Finally she retorts, "I took like 5 earrings
out" Lo and behold, she had taken out several earrings that she refused to
do before. We were so happy. She has changed so much and the girls from the
church have been so supportive, especially since she has made a lot of
changes with the friends she usually hangs out with.I'm not worried about
her anymore for when we leave because of the great youth we have here.

We also met a family whose son is friends with Jackie. We started teaching
them about the church and they seem really interested. :). We of course left
them with a Book of Mormon and we are going to come back and give them a
baptismal date. As we left we were talking about baptism by immersion and
their daughter was amazed that it was completely underwater. She said, "I
want to do that!" So we asked how old she was, when she responded 10, we
said, "Well, then you can." Of course, we want the parents to be excited
about it to. But I have lots of faith because at one point the father was
quizzing me about me testimony, how I got it, what it was... etc.... and
then he said, "When I studied with the Jehovah Witnesses, they knew a lot,
but I didn't feel anything. But I feel something with you." That's the Holy
Spirit! The church is true!

Thanks for the package, I am excited to get it. We've been having random
rainstorms almost everyday. Apparently it rains a lot in the afternoon
during the summer. Who would have guessed. I don't think I could live here.
I prefer the East Coast, but it's been a good experience.

Love you lots and miss you. I'll get through, I've gotten through this far.
Just tell me the happy news and how you are doing. And when is Jarom getting
married. You told me that it is less than a month away. Is he getting
married in July or August? Anyway, love you lots.

Love,
Me

Happy Wednesday!

Dear Family,

We had the baptism last week for Jackie Fraioli, which was wonderful. The
spirit is always so strong at baptisms and we were happy because quite a few
people showed up. A lot of support, which is the best thing.:). We have been
working a lot with the whole Torres family. They need lots of help. The
mother and father fight all the time and blame each other for their
problems, and yet they are still together.... I was wondering why that is.
The only conclusion is that they love their daughter, Sofia. We have been
trying to get them to do something as small as compliments. That is a
constant struggle.

I had a really good conversation with Christine (the mother), the other day.
We talked about following the Holy Spirit. My original intention was to talk
about how to recognize it, but she told me she feels the spirit everyday and
she knows what she needs to do, but she brushes it aside because it asks her
to do something to difficult. I shared my testimony, that though those
things are hard, it will bring us happiness. That the Holy Ghost always
leads us to right. I believe she realized then that God really was answering
her prayers, she just struggles following the answer. I don't blame her. I
understand (at least in part) what she feels (I'm sure each of us have that
in our lives, where it just seems like too much to ask). But I do know that
until she follows that prompting, things are not going to be like she wants
it to be. Still, the atmosphere in the house is improving.

Had a really cool experience yesterday while tracting. We met a man,
William, who as we started to talk to him said, "Yes, I know the Mormons.
And I respect them a lot because they live what they believe." What a great
way to start! Next thing he says is that he wants to do some geneaology and
wanted to know if we could find out some information about that. We keep
talking to him and he says... "Yeah, if you have some time I'd love to sit
down and talk with you for an hour or so." So we will be meeting with him
next week. Unfortunately we have to work on his wife. He told us that she
thought Mormons were a cult (I've heard that one before). We will probably
bring a couple with us so she can see that we are normal people, with great
testimonies.

So, I'll be coming home to Utah. Wow, things have been changing fast. It
will all be completely new. Oh question... Dad, didn't you serve part of
your mission in Ecuador. There is a family here from Ecuador who want to
know when and where you served there. I know you served in several different
countries, but was fairly certain you spent some time there. Could you let
me know.

Love, Me

Lots of heat and crazy weather!

Family, Friends, and others

I love you all! You are fantastic and thanks for the emails and letters.
They always help out.

So first bit of news.... the weather. We have now officially skipped to
summer. The past few days it has been 100 degrees. When I walk outside I
feel like I'm in a sauna (sp?) because it is so humid. I'm sweating so much,
I've stopped worrying about it. Don't worry, I've been drinking lots of
water. And the good news is that the weather has helped us talk to a few
people about the gospel. They wonder why we would go out for so long talking
to people about religion. Like one lady said, "I'm a devout Catholic, but
you wouldn't find me out in this heat." So we told her why it was so
important.

To continue with weather. Last Sunday we also had a crazy storm with
lightning and thunder. It was raining so hard that I thought it was hailing.
All in all it only lasted for about 5-10 minutes, but I was glad to be
inside talking to the Moranchel family (Part-member, less-active family). It
was a good thing too because when we went to go to a dinner appointment tons
of roads were blocked because huge branches and trees had fallen on the
roads and blocked them. Some had even taken down power lines. After three
different routes, we ended up parking the car and walking to the house.

We have a baptism tonight for Jackie Fraioli. It's so excited, though the
last couple of days have been a bit stressful. On Monday we called up and
her mom was stressed and saying things like, "You pushed her into getting
baptized!" and her mom's a member! We ended up talking to Jackie to see if
she felt the same way, since she had told us that she wanted to be baptized
earlier (aka Wednesday instead of Sunday). After talking for nearly two
hours, she was still set for being baptized. She was having doubts because
her friends at school are not supportive (she's 15 years old) and tell her
things like, "You can be good without having to be baptized." or "You won't
be able to change." Her testimony has grown, but we are going to continue
working on stregthening it and especially her faith in Jesus Christ because
she feels like she has to be perfect, but won't ever be. She has been a
great example to me in overcoming opposition.

I've really been thinking about and working on charity. My companion and I
still go up and down in our relationship. We are just so very different from
the lives we grew up in. She is great though and has a lot of love. I'm
working to strengthen my love for her, but also for the people I teach. It
reminds me of when I was set apart and it said that I would be blessed with
charity and to seek to develop this gift so that I could accomplish all that
I desire. I was reminded of it again with a conversation I had with my
campanion. So I've really tried to pray for that love and understand the
people and their lives. Sometimes it's difficult. Will you pray for me to be
able to have this love also?

We met Jairo and Maria this week. We taught them the first lesson and
committed them to church. They said they would come, so we are hoping and
praying for the best. They are reading, but I'm not sure they are really
praying to know. We will know better when we meet with them again.

I also had another cool experience this week. After a long, hot day we
decided to get pizza at a sit-down restaurant. As we waited for the food
another lady sat down next to us who was eating there by herself. And we
ended up talking about God, families, and the need for it in our lives. We
told her about Joseph Smith, modern-day prophets, and more about the church.
We gave her a pass-along card and invited her to church. She said she might
make it one day and before we left, she said, "You know, I believe that
things happen for a reason. I don't think it was just coincidence that I sat
next to you today." That was a good reminder to me of how involved the Lord
is in our lives.

Now on to your news! Moving in July. That's not too far away. How exciting.
You will have to let me know more about it as it comes closer. I received
Daniel's graduation/Eagle scout card. That's so great!I love you all and all
the accomplishments you are making. Keep it up.

Love you lots,
Erin

Good news....

Hello Mom, Dad, and Family,

Some amazing things that happened this week. We have been teaching an older
man from Honduras whose name is Basilio. He has accepted a baptismal date.
He's great! We taught him the Plan of Salvation the other day and he just
took it all in. I asked him what he thought of it afterwards and if he
believed it. He said, "Well, it's different, but I believe because you
taught me it." It reminds me of the scripture that says something to the
affect of "Blessed be those that believe on your words." Of course we told
him to continue praying and reading about it and he would know with more
surety.

My birthday went well. We were at church from 7:30 am to about 4:00pm. There
were meetings in the morning, then part of the English ward, and then the
Spanish ward, and then a baptism which we stayed for support (and because
Sis. Lakip was playing the piano and I was leading). Lots of people from the
hispanic ward attend the baptismal services.

Funnry story this week. We taught a lesson on Monday for a family home
evening at the Arenas' home. They had several families over. So Sis. Lakip
and I taught about faith and how many times the situation seems dangerous or
scary and we are not sure how we will get out of it, but then at the moment
we think we are going to fail, the Lord lifts it away. (Alma 36:3). We had a
demonstration afterwards where you take a tea bag (the kind that's stapled
shut) and empty out the contents and stand it up on your hand so that it is
a tall cylinder. You then light it on fire and it burns down, but right
before it gets to your hand the entire things lifts into the air and it
finishes burning.

Well, we had one of the youth come up to be the demonstrater, but then we
couldn't light the matches. So Hno Yulan came to help. I guess we didn't
explain well in Spanish what to do because he dropped the match onto the top
of the tea bag, which lit it on fire and then the match dropped to the kids
hand. Of course it burned his hand so on instinct he dropped it (I felt so
bad). All I could think was, "Oh no, don't burn the house down." Luckily the
bag is light enough that it stayed in the air with a couple of lifts from me
and was able to burn out. I was slightly burned in the process, but at least
no houses were burned. :). Hopefully the next demonstration goes better than
that.

We also have a baptism for Jackie set for next week. It was amazing because
on Sunday she stood up to bear her testimony and she started crying. She
said how grateful she was for everybody and the experiences she's had. Also
how she loved the sisters :). But the greatest part was when she said, "And
it has made me so happy. And because I'm happy I am going to be baptized."
She was crying, her mom was crying, Sis. Lakip was crying, I was smiling.
Everything is set for next Wednesday. She just has her interview tonight.

Yes, I would like my raincoat back. We still have random rainstorms here and
it would be good to have. I don't know why Connecticut is more wet than New
York, but it really seeems like it. Maybe it's just the rainy season now. Go
figure.

Question, Did Nancy Madsen move? I never heard if she did or not. Do you
know what Kristin has been up to?

Anyway, love you all and miss you. Thanks for the birthday cards. They
lightened up the day. Again love you lots and hope you have a great week.

Love,
Erin

It's raining, no pouring!

Hello Family!!!!

Oh goodness, it has been raining so much around here. Yesterday was a
surprise attack. When we left the house it was promising a warm, maybe even
hot sunny day. But as Sis. Lakip and I started tracting, these huge, black,
omninous clouds started rolling in. Well, to be optimistic I thought, "No,
it won't rain." Well, maybe it was more of denial because I hadn't brought
an umbrella. But as we continued walking down the street it started to mist,
then sprinkle, then rain, and then practically a downpour. We were soaking
within a few minutes. Luckily Sis. Lakip had brought her umbrella which she
shared. So her left side was drenched and my right side. And our feet were
squishing in our shoes as we walked through small rivers of water coming
down the sidewalk. It was quite fun, especially because it wasn't cold.

We had a great experience this last week. We have been working with a
less-active family who has started to come to church recently. The Torres
family, but more especially with their daughter Jackie Frioli. She is 15 and
not baptized. My first week here we had a great conversation with her and
after meeting a few time committed her to baptism. Which she accepted, but
was a little bit nervous about it. She went to Youth Conference (in
Kirtland, Ohio) and had a great experience their. She was telling us about
how she cried as she watched the restoration video and during testimony
meeting. The youth did a great job helping her and fellowshipping her. It's
a big change for her and many of her current friends don't believe that she
can do it. So I was so happy to hear that during testimony meeting, one of
the youth in our ward bore his testimony about her difficult it is because
others don't understand what they have with the church and how much of a
blessing it really is. But that they keep being an example because they know
how important it is. She's set to be baptized on June 14th. It will be my
first one (not that that's really important, but it makes me happy).

I've really been working this week on teaching in Spanish, but more
especially teaching quick, powerful lessons. I like to explain things a lot,
but then the lessons become longer than needful. The spirit testifies to
short, powerful testimonies. So, the goal of the mission and my goal is to
do a teaching appointment in 20 minutes total. This is a lot harder than I
thought it would be because that gives 5 minutes to start, prayer, song, etc
and then only 10-15 mintues of teaching. It's doable, but not what I am
used to. My companion is really good at it, so she has been helping me out.

I had my first street meeting the other day. It was actually really fun. We
were handing out free VHS videos to whoever wanted one on the street. Then
teaching them right there on the spot. It was really good for me to do
because it helped me realize that you go and talk to everyone. I was really
excited when I talked to these ladies from Peru. They had relatives in Peru
that were members, so I talked to them about the restoration and how it
blesses our families. Then got their information to teach them more. Sharing
the gospel is great!

I have a cold today. No fun, but luckily it is preparation day. I day to do
a bit more relaxing to rest of for the rest of the week. Hopefully it will
be mostly gone by tomorrow.

Love you lots. Hope all is well. Let me know the current news. Love you.

Love,
Erin

Connecticut girl!

Hello Family,

Yes, Connecticut is beautiful, even though I had to travel three hours to
get there. Lots of trees and lots and humidity. It's been raining almost
every day since I've been here, except for a few pockets of sunshine. Today
is actually quite beautiful. I sent home my rain jacket because I hadn't
used it that much, but now I'm thinking I might if this keeps up.... I'll
have to let you know :).

It's been a big switch back to spanish. I just don't have the confidence
there. I've been struggling with that confidence my whole mission, but I
think I've noticed it more since I've been made the senior companion and am
making more of the decisions. I'm definitely going to have to learn how to
deal with stress.

But things have been going well. I had a really good lesson with one of our
less-active members, Lidia Morranchel. She has two kids, but doesn't attend
church much because her husband is not a member. She even served a mission,
but she doesn't want to push the gospel onto her husband. We are trying to
build her faith and courage (I found it ironic because I'm still trying to
build mine). So we watched "Finding Faith in Christ" and asked her to bear
her testimony. We then talked about the example Christ set and how her much
her example is helping her children and husband and how her prayers and
faith will make the difference with her husband. She really wants him to be
baptized because she herself has a strong testimony. I felt the spirit so
strongly. It was a confidence booster for me too. We continue to work with
her and her husband.

Well, I love you lots. Don't worry, I drive safe and I have a great
co-driver who looks out for me to. Together, everything will be fine. I'm
getting used to it again. Glad to hear that all is well. Sounds like
everything is so exciting! I forgot that Daniel was graduating. How fun is
that! You get to see Elder Monson! How cool!

You are all so great and are in my prayers. Love you lots. Keep up your good
work.

Love,
Erin

Another cycle come and gone

Hello family and friends,

So, once again we anxiously awaited transfer calls Monday night. When that
phone finally rang we heard Elder Jones saying, "Pack your bags, both of you
are leaving." What! Both! They are closing the area to sisters and putting
in Elders. So we've been rushing around Kingston the past few days, trying
to get everything situated for the switch. That makes (not including the
mtc), 4 different companions and 3 areas in 4 cycles. I hope this isn't
going to be a habit for the rest of my mission.

I'm now in Greenwich, CT home to the richest and poorest zipcodes in the
United States. Yes, that would be my new area. And my companion is Sis.
Lakip. She came out a cycle after me and was trained by Sis. Milkanin also.
So, I'm senior companion, which I'm not sure how I feel about that. I would
have been fine being Junior companion my whole mission. I don't think it
really makes much of a difference though. We are really close in "age" and
she has had more spanish experience. We are pretty much equal. The only
difference is that I have to drive the car (yes, not get to, but have to.)

So, I am back in a Spanish ward, but we are still working English also. From
what I hear I mostly find and teach in English and mostly member work in
Spanish. Ay, que voy a hacer? Well, I'm going to learn spanish. My stomach
still does this little flippy thing when I have to speak it, but it's better
since being in Kingston because I had to do all calls and lessons by myself
in Spanish. I just will be speaking more here. Pray for the gift of tongues.

My new address is:

69 Clinton Ave # 2G
Stamford, CT 06901

Ha, I'm in the 0's now. :)

Not much new this week. I told most of it to you on Sunday. It was so good
to call you. Don't worry, I know I was crying when I left, but I was fine
once we started tracting. Still, I do really appreciate all of your support
and love. It helps me make it through those tougher days.

I sent a package home today. I still have a lot of things that I hate
carrying around (I'm such a heavy packer). But slowy I'm getting rid of
things that I don't really use. And things I accumulate from member's and
such. Such as my dirt buddy and woodstock bee. Had to give away the former
and send home the latter.

Love you so much. Hope all is well on the homefront. Let me know of any
changes. I have the best family in the world and I'm serving in the best
mission.

Love you lots,

Erin