First Week in La Grande

Heya,

So La Grande is great.  Different from Enterprise.  But good =)  It's a little more like Weiser.  We live right down town (not that it's very big) but that makes things exciting.  We have a cute little apartment that only has lamps in the front room and the bathroom is in a really awkward spot off the kitchen.  Haha.  Fun stuff =)

So on Monday we went home and unpacked.  Then we went to the church and played that piano.  Sister Mackelprang loves the piano too! So we are getting duets and all this fun stuff and just having a blast on the piano.  It's awesome to have a pianist as a companion!  After p-day I got introduced to the ward mission leaders.

Tuesday I was introduced to some other people.  Investigators mostly, and less actives.  So that was good.  The first week is always overwhelming because you meet so many people and you are expected to know everyone's names and everything about them.  So it's kinda crazy!  I don't remember everyone!  Haha.  We taught a 13 year old named Tekya who got baptized on Saturday.  So we taught her the commandments.  She is moving to Arkansas this week and wanted to get baptized here so we had to cram the lessons in tight in the last 2 weeks.  That was fun.  Then we went on ward splits.  Got to get to know one of the ward missionaries, that was fun.  She is so sweet and funny.  She uses her arms and hands all the time to talk as if she was in a Shakespeare play or something.  It's so funny.

Wednesday we did some yard work at a couple places.  That was fun.  Really nothing stood out though.  So.... ya

Thursday we started working on the bulletin board in the church (which, by the way, is the exact same layout as our church.  Super weird feeling!) to make is all cutsie and put my name up.  Then we taught our investigator, John.  He suffers from some kind of heart problem and other health problems, and depression.  So it's hard to teach him because he only has certain days that he is feeling up to company.  But he says that we make him happy when we come over.  So that's good!  He called us later that day and asked if we could pick up some apple juice for him.  Haha.  Weird request, but we did it and he was very grateful.  After that we did some weekly planning then we went to an investigator named Melissa.  She really wants to get baptized but can't because of some issues.  She was a little bitter at first but seems to be doing better.  It was actually a cool experience when we went to see her.  She knocked on the door and she came out in a robe and didn't look too good.  She said she has had the flu for a couple days and didn't want to get us sick.  So we asked if we could do anything for her and she just said to keep her in our prayers.  So after that she started shutting the door and right before it shut we saw her start crying.  We didn't know what to do because the door was already shut, so we started walking away.  About 100 feet down the sidewalk Sister Mackelprang turned to me and said she felt bad about leaving and that Christ would have given her a hug no matter what.  I agreed and we turned around and knocked on the door again.  She was surprised when she saw us again.  We gave her a hug and she started crying again.  She had just been having a really rough day and wasn't feeling good, was going kind of stir crazy and really really appreciated our visit after that.  We really uplifted her.  It was awesome!  I love being a part of making people happy =)  And if feels really good when you listen to the spirit.  No matter how awkward the situation might be. Hope that made sense!

Friday is Elgin day here.  We cover 3 wards.  Elgin, 3rd ward and 4th ward.  So we went out to Elgin which is about 30 minutes from La Grande.  We talked to some less actives who really loved to see us.  He even started crying a little bit.  It was very sweet.  Then we visited some other less actives.  And I am positive that Sister Mackelprang was being led by the spirit because everyone we saw needed uplifting that day.  Tekya's interview was at the church. Then dinner was interesting.... uh, ya.  I'm just gonna leave it at that.  Haha.  Leave you wondering =)... unless you send me a letter!  Ha! ;D

Saturday was exciting.  We learned a lesson when it comes to baptisms.... So Tekya's mom said she would get the programs and everything (she is a member) so we didn't worry about it.  We learned that we should do everything!  Haha.  It was pretty hectic.  There were only like 5 programs and they weren't in the right order because Tekya's mom gave it over to her dad.  =)  That was fine.  Not a big deal.  The bigger deal.... we had no keys to the baptismal clothes.  So we had no baptism jumpers.  Everyone was trying to call someone but no one was answer (I'm just sitting playing prelude while this is all going on).  So I played prelude for a good 30 minutes.  Then we decided to have people sing hymns while we waited for the key.  Did that for about 10-15 minutes and finally got a key.  So the baptism itself started 45 minutes late.  I don't think it was anyone's fault.  Just poor communication, and the wrong person planning it all.  It all turned out fine, and no one cared that it was late.  But next time we know that the missionaries coordinate it no matter how much the parents want to!  haha =)

Sunday we spoke in 3rd ward.  It went pretty good.  I was nervous more this time than I have been in other areas... just because it doesn't sound like La Grande is the most supportive to missionaries.  A little nerve racking being a missionary, talking about missionary work when the ward members are apprehensive about all of it.  It went well though.  Got some compliments afterwards!  I met the Kingstons cousin!  That was fun =) I don't remember her name though.  She came up to me afterwards and said she had cousins in Trenton.  So that was pretty exciting.  There are a lot of nice people in the wards.  I'm excited to get to know them and help them gain the trust of missionaries again!

So that was my week.  I don't think I told you much about Sister Mackelprang yet.  So she is from Cary North Carolina.  She doesn't have an accent.  She has 2 brothers and 1 sisters, is second youngest.  She thinks that her ancestors just made up her last name.  haha.  She loves chocolate.  Just as much as I do!  She has a lot the same personality as me.  We like to play off eachother's sarcasm and smart alic comments =) So that is a lot of fun.  We laugh A LOT.  She loves playing piano.  Loves doctor who and duck dynasty.  Is an awesome listener.  Is just the sweetest thing.  Might be one of my favorite companions =)  We have so much fun.  I just love her!  It's so nice to be in a duo again.  I wonder how many trios I'm going to be in.  haha!  

I am halfway through my mission this week!  It's so crazy to think about!  I swear each of my planners gets smaller and smaller.  Each transfer gets shorter and shorter.  Summer is almost over and I still feel like it's spring.  Time is just so weird!  Can I just say that I am so excited to tell you all my mission stories in person and explain pictures.  Because I don't know if you read these long emails.  haha.  THey can get pretty boring ;)  I'm excited to show you the videos I've taken too.  One of the things I'm really looking forward to!\

I really hope you all have a fantastic week!  Always follow the spirit.  Even if it's hard.  Because sometimes he asks things of us that we don't feel comfortable doing.  But they will make us learn and grow.  The Spirit will never ask you to do something that you can't do or that would put you in harms way.  So trust him =)

Love you!

Sister Radmall

Double Rainbow!
There is a Walmart here!

Transfers!

I got transferred :( To the far away land of La Grande.... actually not that far away. It's about 1.5 hours west of Enterprise. Same district, same stake. But it was SOOOO sad to leave Enterprise. I was crying yesterday while giving my testimony. And while hugging people. It was bad. Enterprise has to be one of my favorite areas so far!! I am totally going back to visit everyone next year =)

My new companion is Sister Mackelprang. She is awesome! =) She loves chocolate too! I'm so excited! I will tell you more about her when I get to know her better.

On Monday we had a really good lesson at the Bishop's house.  We taught a couple.  He is a member, less active, and she is not a member. We discovered that she is more interested than we thought in the first place. We committed her to pray about baptism. She is going to get baptized, I know it!

June 17, 2014

Tuesday we donated blood. That was exciting. Second time doing that. And thanks to mom sending me my blood donor card it was a lot faster than last time =) Thanks! haha. Later we just visited some people. Nothing too exciting.

Wednesday was fun. We helped a member bake a strawberry rhubarb pie. It was yummy! And super easy. We found a huge rhubarb plant in our yard and didn't know what to do with it. So with one failed attempted at making a pie on our own, we went and she taught us how. haha. It was fun. Then we went to Larry's and taught him. My last lesson over there :( I didn't know that at that point, but looking back I wish I would have known. The lesson went good. But not as good as I wish it did. The spirit needed to be there a lot more. With Larry I figured out that there is a happy medium of talking and listening. A little more listening and a little less talking bring the spirit a lot more with him. Sad I'm gone once I figured that one out. Oh well. Then we went to a member's house who is a talker! She talks.. and talks... and talks... I don't think she takes a breath... ever. For an hour we sat there listening while she just kept talking and couldn't stop. Haha. It was funny. She is so awesome. Has been through so much and still has such a strong testimony. She wrote three books about getting over different things and made it missionary oriented.  Wednesday was a pretty good day.

Thursday we had to go to Les Schwab in the morning to get a nail out of the tire. Then we went with the Butlers to Troy. About 2 hours away. It was fun. Gorgeous scenery, and the members down there took us to lunch. Such sweet people!

 Then we came home and did weekly planning, then had dinner, then visited one family, then went to a relief society activity. I got super motivated to do some things there! It was called "The Happiness Project" Which is actually a book. But she took some ideas from there and taught us. We learned about a one sentence journal, which I am doing. I made one out of a composition book that will last 5 years. So each page is a day and in a couple years I will be able to look on a page and see 4 or 5 entries of one sentence. It will be cool. =) We also learned about a one word focus. At the beginning of the year you pick one word to focus on all year instead of a new year resolution. So that one word is always in the back of your mind and it can help you do things. We made some collages with our word. Mine is, Be... When I think of that word it think: Be who you want to be, be who the lord wants you to be, be kind, be a superhero, be whatever! =) And more. But it just seemed like a good word for me this year. Thursday went by really fast!

Friday we helped an older lady plant bulbs. She has been sick and hasn't gotten her energy back, so we helped in her garden. Lots of fun. My pants ripped!! so I gotta get some today. Haha. Sounds like there is a lot of service in La Grande too. So I definitely need them. We also did some yard work in our yard. Didn't get nearly enough done, but we did get some. The young women might go over there to help soon. Because the missionaries can't keep up the yard. We are too busy most of the time. Saturday was transfer calls and we mostly packed :( I was so disappointed that I wasn't going to stay. But like I said before, I am super excited to start a new adventure with Sister Mackelprang. Sister Duncan is staying there with a new companion. Hopefully they get along well! I know them both, and we shall see :) Sister Leavitt gets to go to Weiser with another companion. They are both new to that area, so she is a little nervous because neither knows about it. But I told her she will love Weiser =) I'm excited for her.

 We weeded a pasture on Saturday. It was tough! The back of my legs hurt so bad! It hurts to walk.... I'm walking a little bowlegged. haha! But she was so grateful to get it all done. Had horrible hand cramps after that. Had a hard time folding my clothes to pack. We had dinner at Ranzie's house. so that was fun. She is getting baptized July 21st. Which is a Monday. So I might get to ride the tram after all! We might spend our p-day up there =) I'm crossing my fingers!

Sunday I was a mess. I seriously felt like I was leaving my family to go the the MTC again. Haha. I was such a baby most of the day. Especially when all of my favorite people started hugging me goodbye. Bishop had us bare our testimonies, and I was a blubbering mess then too. Haha. Everyone knew that I loved the area. So that was good I guess. I really do love Enterprise. It is so amazing to me how much you can love someone after serving them selflessly. I was there only 3 months and most of them are best friends and close to family now. If there is one thing I've learned on my mission... selflessly serve those you love and you will selflessly love those you serve! My heart just wants to explode with the love I feel for the people I've taught. The members I've served with, the missionaries I've been around. I can't explain it. The best way to explain it is, I think it is a glimpse of the love we might feel for everyone in the celestial kingdom. =) Makes me tear up just thinking about it. Haha. I'm such a baby :P

This morning we woke up at 5:30 so my other companions could get to Baker at 8:30. I got dropped off in La Grande with my fabulous companion. And then we did laundry, and now I'm here. So ya! that was my crazy week. I really hope those who actually read my email all the way through don't get bored. If you got to this point, good job! I congratulate you. Haha! ;) I have lots of pictures to send today! Enjoy! Thanks for all your love and prayers. I am grateful so much each day for you.

Love, Sister Radmall

Overlook from Joseph

Sunset over Enterprise

Last week of my 6th Transfer

This week really went by faster than last week!  Kinda just disappeared.  I feel like this one will too since it's the end of the transfer. 

I don't feel like we did a ton, but obviously we did something cuz It's another week again.  Tuesday we pulled weeds for a less active lady again.  This time was a lot easier than the last time.  Haha.  A lot less weeds.

Wednesday we got to play with horses.  Brushed a couple.  Then we helped her plant some raspberry starters.  I learned a lot about gardens!  Made me excited to plant something.  Haha! Then we helped Larry Chambers in his yard.  Edged the lawn for him.  It was so hot!  But it was fun.  Got to talk to him about the gospel in a less 'official' teaching setting.  So that was our teaching appointment with him for the week.  He is going to get a testimony and get baptized.  I just know it!!  He is praying to get an answer, and I am more than 100% positive that he is going to get his answer.  Don't know when, hopefully soon!  We had dinner with them after helping.  I really do enjoy Larry and Gene's company. Sweetest people ever!

Thursday was kinda hard.  We were struggling for things to do.  But we did visit some people that we hadn't seen for a while.  I was noticing that the spirit doesn't always shout out places or names to go, and we don't always recognize that we helped or that it was mandatory that we see someone.  We are always being prompted to go somewhere, but it's usually just a thought that pops into mind and it's usually mistaken for our thought when it's really the spirit =)

With Sister Lewis.  Sweetest lady.  She has an awesome accent.

Friday we had the same problem, struggling to find people to see.  So we practically begged Sister Hunter to give us some service.  Haha.  We ended up cleaning out the seminary room.  Then she had us come make cookies to take to people later that day.  That actually worked really well.  It broke the ice for a lot of people!  So we will probably start making cookies once a week to bring to people =)  We will be cookie masters!  haha!  That is, if we stay here.

With Sister Hunter

Saturday the Butlers took us to Imnaha to go visiting teaching with them.  There are 2 members out there (Imnaha is 1.5 hours away from Joseph) and the Butlers visit teach them both every month.  Pretty cool!  It was a really pretty drive, though a little rainy and cloudy.  And the people we met were very nice.  Probably wont go down there again.  This week we are going to go 1.5 hours the other direction to Troy where another family that the Butlers visit teach lives.  That should be fun.

Sunday, fathers day!  It was good.  Pretty much just a normal sunday.  We were going to have a linger longer at a member's house but it was rainy so they moved it to the church.  Then people weren't interested enough so they canceled it all together.  Then people ended up going to the member's house anyway.  haha.  All that didn't really matter.  haha. oh well=)  We had really good visits with some people after the linger longer that wasn't really a linger longer.  So it was a pretty good day.

And today we did normal p-day stuff then went the end of the lake and played mini golf in the rain.  Good times.   It was pretty fun.  Got ice cream afterwards even though we were super cold.  Hopefully it warms up this week!  I'm ready for the warm sun again.  We were going to go on the tram to the top of the mountain, but it was snowing up there... so we decided against that idea.  haha.

I was thinking about the spirit a lot this week.  Probably because I am studying 'recognize the spirit' in the Preach My Gospel.  But I realized... now this isn't doctrinally proven, mostly just an assumption.... Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father both have bodies, the Holy Ghost does not.  So I realized that while Christ gave his life for us, the Holy Ghost gave up the opportunity to even have a body so he can help us all.  That just shows how much he loves us.  He wants to help us all the time if we let him.  Like I said, not really doctrine, but I thought it was some cool food for thought =)

Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Love, Sister Radmall

With Bishop and his wife.  They are the best!

Slow Week

Hey!

This week was a bit slower than the other weeks have been lately.  We were scraping the bottom of the barrel for things to do.... in other words, we went tracting a bunch.

Monday we played mini golf with Brother Butler.  That was fun!  Especially since it was for free =)  Then we went and saw some members.  Had family night with one of them.

We had an appointment with our new investigator, Joseph, but he had to work so canceled.  That was disappointing.  At least he is still interested!  We went to Larry Water's house and he made us hook his mules up to the cart and drive them around the block.  Haha.  Still trying really hard to actually teach him something!  Loves his mules =)

Wednesday was kinda funny in the morning.  We got a call from the Realtor trying to sell Pat's house saying that someone was going to look at the house.  So we took our study time and cleaned really fast so it looked as good as possible with all her stuff in there.  Then we disappeared as not to be there for the showing =)   Went and helped clean the relief society president's house because she moved to New Mexico.  Then we went to Larry the barber's and had a really good discussion about the plan of salvation.  We finally got him to commit to pray and ask if the church is true.  He is scared to ask because he already knows the answer, and knows he will get an answer if he asks.  So I testified to him that if he prays to know the truth, that any fear of the church will be gone.  He believed me, and it made me so happy because I really want to see Larry with the priesthood.  And I want to see him in the Celestial Kingdom with his awesome wife =)  

I think Thursday was the hardest day.  We were all out of energy and motivation.  So we started walking through town with the idea to tract, but we just ended up at the park for a little break with no place in mind and no ideas.  So we stopped and prayed and got a couple names come to mind.  One was a member.  We went to her house and it turned out that she needed help making a craft for a relief society night.  She was so grateful.  And we got to see a couple people on the way there too.  Prayer works!!  A lot of times it works instantly too.  We are so blessed to have the opportunity to be best friends with our Heavenly Father and talk to him about anything at any time =)

Friday was zone meeting in Baker City.  It was fun!  Got to see other missionaries.  haha.  Then we drove home and visited some people afterwards.

Saturday was kinda fun.  We went to Joseph to a farmer fest thing.  All the shops were showing off their stuff.  We went to help wheel around one of the members, and to try to talk to people.  Then we went to Butlers to talk about the week, then had dinner at VanBelle's.  They are so fun.  

Sunday I was exhausted.  Don't know why.  Just was.  After church we went to the Hunters for a much needed visit.  For me at least.  Sister Hunter is just so fantastic.

That was my week.  Sorry if I bored you.  It wasn't too exciting of a week.  But it wasn't bad =)

I dare you to read through Moroni chapter 10 and write down what all the things Moroni "exhorts" you to do... then write all the blessings that come from those exhorts.  It's pretty cool =)

Love you all!

Sister Radmall

The Living Christ

I just want you to know that I know that Christ lives! I know that he suffered for us so we can overcome our sins and weaknesses.  And I know he died and was resurrected so that I can live with my family and those I love, FOREVER!! I'm so grateful for him =)

This week was great!  And I can't believe it's June!  I've been out exactly 8 months today.  Feels like 2.

Tuesday we went to district meeting and did exchanges with the sister in La Grande.  That was fun.  Sister Mackelprang came here with me and Sister Duncan, and Sister Leavitt went to La Grande with Sister Thomas.  We saw some people that we hadn't met yet.  Had dinner on the lake at a member's house.  Gorgeous view!  Scary driveway though.  They say... "when you hear the splash you know you are there."  Haha.

Wednesday we got to teach Larry.  All we could really do was testify and give him a chapter to read for next time.  I know he is going to come around even though he is a little stubborn.  I feel like we cant give up on him just because he isn't progressing as fast as we would like.  We had dinner with them again.  I just love them!  They are so great =)

Thursday we went tracting.  It was pretty monotonous. And not a lot of progress came out of it.  But Sister Leavitt really wanted to, so we did.  I took a bunch of videos this week while we were taking breaks.  It was fun.  I can only send the super short ones, so sorry... you are going to have to wait until next April to see them.

Friday we did some yard work at home because someone left flowers on the porch, so we had to plant them.  It was fun!  The yard looks great! Then we went and helped paint Bishop Lowe's shop thing that they are making.  That's what we did all day Saturday too.  Painted.  It was pretty fun, I do admit.  Made me want to paint my room again ;)  Then we went to a pot luck dinner at the church with some ward members.  That was fun.  Played a quick game then went and visited people. 

Sunday was the best day of the week.  It was testimony meeting, I got up and bore my testimony.  Felt good.  Then we got to work to get ready for the Living Christ music fireside later that night.  Everything went smoothly.  The program was awesome!  Everyone did fantastic.  There was a good turn out, not a ton of people, but enough.  The spirit was SOO strong the whole time.  Especially when Sister Hipple sang "His Hands" and the ending song of "I believe in Christ"  It was a congregational hymn, and I swear there were angels singing it with us.  It was way to loud and powerful for the amount of people that were there.  It was just awesome!  And a lot of people that we wanted to come, came!!  That was even better=)  It was just fabulous!  Can't say it enough.  Haha!

That was my week.  It was fun.  I love it so much up here in Wallowa County.  It is the most amazing area I've had so far=)  You wouldn't believe how much I love the people here.

I hope you  all have a fantastic week!

Love Sister Radmall