Weekly email #15 Learning Experiences

Last week on Wednesday we had transfers. Sister Brown went back to the MoBat, and she had to be there at 8 for the Battalion transfer meeting, so we didn't get to exercise that morning. Anyway, she left and got her new companion, and I was just worried what it was going to be like with just Sister Greathouse and I. I said good-bye to Sister Brown/my trainer, and my emotions were so mixed up. It was hard to be trained, probably because I was so proud (not that I'm the most humble person now or anything, but I'm getting better) and so my relationship with Sister Brown was strained. We had good times, and I especially loved her when I served her, but as far as missing her, I don't really. That could be a good thing. She was a good trainer. I learned to be obedient, which is what I wanted my trainer to teach me.

After the MoBat transfers Sister Greathouse and I drove some of the new sister missionaries over to the church building where we transfers were held. Before that though, President Clayton saw me and asked me how I was, and I told him I was scared. He asked why, and I told him it was because two newly trained missionaries were going to be together in an area, and he told me that Heavenly Father knows what he's doing and there's a reason I'm still in Chula 3rd with Sister Greathouse. I started crying because I needed to hear that, and Sister Greathouse gave me a hug. President Clayton said he would give me a hug, but he has to wait for the airport. Apparently he hugs the Sister missionaries at the airport on their way home. Except his mission will end before mine, so that will never happen. Anyway, it was a nice thought.

Being with Sister Greathouse has been a little challenging. Mostly I want to talk more than she does in lessons so I have to make sure to let her take her turn. It was weird because with Sister Brown she was the talkative one, and now I am. I think I just fill in the holes depending on what kind of companion I have. Also, Sister Greathouse didn't feel well on Thursday AND Sunday, so we didn't teach any lessons both days. We still got 20 lessons in last week, so that's good. We don't have any investigators with a baptismal date, and the ones we do have will probably take awhile.

Hey loved ones,

First off, next week I get to go to the temple again! We get to go every 90 days. I CANNOT WAIT. So I'll be emailing later in the day. That's all. 

We had zone conference on Friday. Elder Nichols, an elder serving in Don's ward, gave me two pictures Don had printed out, one of them signed by Don, Laila, and Rose saying "We love you, Audrey!" Don, I cannot tell you how happy I was to get those. It made my day and I showed everyone. Thanks for having the foresight to give those to Elder Nichols to give to me. It was SO GREAT!

  Also at zone conference we were doing a role play and I was pretending to be an investigater we had just barely added, when Sister Pond (a sister in my district) mentioned baptism as part of Heavenly Father's plan of salvation, and I was so happy! It felt like Alexis wanted to be baptized, even though she didn't know what it was. It reminded me of when I was in the MTC practicing the baptismal invitation for the first time and I felt the Spirit so strong and I cried just a tiny bit. (I don't mean to equate feeling the Spirit with crying. I know I don't have to cry to feel the Spirit. But I'm so emotional that usually I cry when I feel the Spirit really strongly) There is such a spirit that comes with the invitation to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized! If people truly understood what it means to be baptized (that we are keeping God's commandments and allowing ourselves to be on the road to live with Heavenly Father again) and the blessings that come from it, I think they would all join. But the spirit has to teach them, and sometimes they're not ready to feel/listen to it. It makes me sad, but I just have to move on and keep working.

Mom, you sent me the words that are from some youtube video when I was in the MTC. Something like "Dear Elder". I finally read it this week. It was so good. It helped me get excited to find more people to share the gospel with.

Does anyone know if Landon Swalberg is in the MTC yet? I think he is. And if so, is he in the Brazil one? Yesterday (June 17th) was Zach Swalberg's birthday. Mom, would you please call Sister Swalberg and ask her to tell Zach that I was thinking about him on his birthday? I even sang him happy birthday, not that he could hear it. I really hope he had a happy 20th birthday. Does anyone know if Ben Hathcock got his mission call yet? If so, where to?

Mom, is there anyway you could find Jenny (or Jeniffer) Kellis's facebook on my account and ask her to tell her mom my address? Or ask Jenny for theirs. I really want to write a letter to Sister Kellis, but I don't have her address. I think it's 9 Appaloosa Way, in Carlisle PA, but I don't know the zip code. Starts with a 0, I think. Anyway.......

Dad, did Brother Carlseen call you and wish you a happy father's day for me? I told him that I started crying when the primary children went up to sing for fathers day because I missed you, and he offered to call our dads. I was thinking about what a great dad you are, all the father's blessings you given me, the way you always pop my back when I give you a hug, how you like to saute mushrooms and poblanos and listen to funky old guy music when you do it. =P I was thinking good things. I love you, Pops. I hope you got my card.

Mom, could you google Australian Perth (Pirth) mission and the song "My Lord My God"? You know, the song that I love singing where the female does the alto part during some of it? I'm pretty sure you can download the song for free. If you want to print it off and send it to me, I'll do it for one of our mission president firesides. It'll be sweet.

We took Robert, one of our investigators to the MoBat on Saturday. He really liked it because he likes facts and history, but he also liked it because it's fun and way cute. He was smiling and laughing the whole time. There was this one time when a 5 year old dressed up like a soldier and her name was Annie. Sister Harris, the missionary that took us on the tour, was trying to hand Annie the guy to hold and she wasn't looking, so she said "Annie, get your gun", and it was SO FUNNY! Love musical references. Robert is still having a hard time feeling the Spirit and learning because it's essential to his salvation instead of just interesting. But we're praying how to help him.

I think I'm just about done with my email. It's longer than last time, so I hope you liked it.

I love you, family!

-Sister Bishop

p.s. Sister Greathouse found me reading the Ensign with the root beer in my hand and she wanted to take a picture, so I let her. I thougth it was funny.

The second picture was taken behind the MoBat at a missionary/investigator gathering thing. Most of the missionaries in the picture are from the Spanish Chula Vista zone, but my district leader, Elder Anderson, is in there somewhere.

Weekly email #14 No More Training

Well, I've made it through the 12 week training program. We finished on Sunday. I am now officially "trained". Transfers are tomorrow. We know that Sister Brown is leaving and going back to the battalion. Sister Greathouse and I are staying here. To be honest, I'm nervous/scared. We just barely finished training, and we're going to stay together? It just sounds difficult. We don't have any exciting news this week. Sorry. Sister Brown and I went on exchanges with Sister Mims yesterday. That was fun. It's funny because Sister Mims has such a strong accent, and I don't have an accent at all, so I feel like a fake Texan when I'm with her. But I'm not a fake Texan. I'm a real Texan. Promise. Anyway, it was just a bunch of fun.

Dad, are we related to a Clarence Bishop from Bountiful? Someone in the ward down here knows him and wanted to know if we were related. Also, just for kicks and giggles, I found out that the ward Don is in borders the ward I'm serving in. Crazy, right?

And. just wondering, was my mission plaque made yet? I just want to see a picture of it.

I'm really sorry I don't have much to say right now. I'm still worried about how this next transfer is going to go and nothing amazing happened this week. I'll write again if I remember anything. Love you all! -Sister Bishop

This is a picture of Audrey with her companion, Sister Brown and our Sister Mims from our own Dallas Stake!

Weekly email #13 Suprise Baptism, Say What?!?!?!

I had my first baptism this Saturday!!!!!!! Rachael Schacht, the 19 year old we've been teaching for about 2 and 1/2 weeks was scheduled to be baptized on June 8th. She graduates on June 6th. She was going to move like 2 hours away a little after her baptism to live with her mom and step dad, but as it turns out she was getting picked up the DAY OF graudation. So she asks to meet at her house (which we've never done. We always met at her fellowshippers house) and she asks if there's any way she can get baptized sooner. She had been to church 3 times in a row, so we said "yep! Ready to get baptized on Satuday?" (It was Wednesday, the 28th). She said yes, and it was full speed ahead. We taught her the gospel, word of wisdom, chastity, tithing, and fast offering all in 3 days. And she was interviewed for baptism and baptized on Satuday!!! I tell you what, it was exciting! We were waiting right on the steps for her after she got baptized and after she got baptized and was about to change, we did a group hug and Rachael said (choking up) "I finally did it!". It was motivating,  that's for sure.

The first two pictures and me and my companions with Rachael before her baptism. The 3rd picture is her and Nathan Humiston, her friend that invited her to church just 4 weeks ago and did the baptizing. The 4th is a picture of me and Mariela Macias. She's 16 and she has a sister serving a mission, called to be in Russia. She's still in the MTC, I think. We met her when we got here. Anyway, I can identify with Mariela because I have a sister on a mission and I also miss her a bunch. So basically, we're good friends. 5th picture is me last night at this girls grad party and I had just spilled homemade BBQ sauce all over my skirt. I was going to make a funny face but then someone said something that made me laugh, so I'm smiling in the picture. And last of all, I got my hair cut today. Sister Klein is in our ward and is amazing at hair and does it for free for missionaries. So that was cool. We were there for like 4 hours because Sister Brown and Sister Greathouse got their hair highlighted. I passed because I don't want to up keep it and I don't want to grow it out again.

I don't have much else this week. I am so happy to hear Hank was born!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cried, I was so happy. Congratulations to Mark and Kristin on their brand new son.

Love, -Sister Audrey Bishop

Weekly email #12 Sunset Cliffs and Service

Well, another week come and gone. Last P-day we went to this place called Sunset Cliffs. We can't go to the beach, but we can go to sunset cliffs because it's not sandy. It's just cliffs by the ocean. It was gorgeous and we all loved being there. =D We took district pictures and I did two ballet poses and it hurt. I am so out of shape. =[ Bum. I hope you like the pictures!'

This past Saturday we got to help someone in our ward move to a different house in our ward boundaries. I feel crazy saying this, but I had fun. It was fun to serve and fun to be involved. I hope I have opportunities to serve when I get home and I take them. Even when they're just at home helping Mom and Dad around the house before I go back to school. I am just really loving service.

Another thing I'm really loving is reading the scriptures! This week I read Luke 15. It's all really good, but vers 10 almost made me cry.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of angels of God over one sinner that repententh.

I love the hope in this! We invite people to repent and change every day. Angles of God are joyful when we repent! I just want to show this to everyone.

Also, Alma 44:5

 5 And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have gained power over you, ^aby our faith, by our religion, and by our ^brites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support which we owe to our ^cwives and our children, by that ^dliberty which binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us—

I love the highlighted part. I just do. I hope you feel Moroni's testimony.

Speaking of more spiritual experiences, last......Sunday? Maybe Satuday, I was feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes it is hard to live up to the expectations of my trainer. I CAN'T  BE PERFECT IN 12 WEEKS! Anyway, I was praying and I decided to give it to Jesus. He knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed. I said that, and immediately I started to feel better. The atonement is real and it works. It is real for me, and real for everyone else. At least, I hope it's real to everyone else. I don't have a whole lot more to say in this email. I hope everyone is doing fine. Julianne, I hope training is good. I don't want to train because it's hard, but I do because I'll learn a lot. I don't know how my trainer can do it so well.

Mom and Dad, did you give mission prep my letter? Mom, did Sister Cecchitini ever email you the picture of us? 'Cause if she did, I would like it, please.

I'm learning lots! I hope I'm being an effective missionary. LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!!!!!! And family. =D -Sister Bishop

Weekly email #10 Some Weeks are Normal and Some are Exciting

Weekly email #10

So......this week was pretty awesome. Here's why:

Sunday was mothers day and I got to talk to my mommy! By the way, Mom, thanks for keeping up with my blog. People tell me they read things on there and then they email and tell me things, and it's great. You are the best!

We added two new investigators. One we found street contacting, and the other we found by a member inviting him over for dinner. And Robert (that's his name) came to church this Sunday. We were really excited about that. Ana, our one investigator with a date, fed us dinner on Saturday night. We had barely started eating when she said she had a question. Usually her questions are about doctrine, but this time she said "I was wondering if there is any way I could get baptized sooner?" We were so surprised. And of course, ridiculously happy! She was set for the 25th. The only reason we hadn't picked the 18th is because she was supposed to be out of town, but her husband's work cancelled his vacation. So Ana said she knew it must have been for a reason, and she should get baptized this Saturday. So now we're putting together a baptism for this sweet lady who has a growing testimony of the gospel. It's wonderful to watch and be part of. We're working on talking to everyone about the gospel and asking questions, just like we learned in MTE, (missionary training experiences. See next paragraph) to get to know them better and know what to teach. We were successful on that yesterday. We're also asking everyone for referrals. We haven't seen success with that yet, but we know we will! If any of you are not talking about the gospel to everyone you know, DO IT! Missionary work is the greatest work you could be part of. Missionaries need referrals and finding through the members is the best way. And if you're worried about not being their friend, just remember that giving them the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ is the BEST way to show your love for them and for Heavenly Father. THIS MESSAGE IS TRUE. I love bearing my testimony every day. It is one of the greatest blessings I've ever been given.

MTE's are like zone conferences except we go on exchanges with a trainer for the day. Sister Brown was a trainer for another set of sisters in a different zone, and Sister Greathouse and I had a trainer. Her name is Sister Kober. She's great. =] We saw two people pray for the first time (which is one of the coolest things about missionary work) and had a lot of great street contacts. It was good to have Sister Brown back, though. And now we're applying the things we learned last week. We're becoming better missionaries! It's great!   .

On an unrelated to missionary work note, I tried some new things this week! Mom, I wore that animal print scarf I thought I was going to hate, but I didn't. I kind of liked it. Thanks for sending it to me. I also did pin curls. I put them in on Saturday night and had curly hair on Sunday. That was fun. People don't need to see these pictures, but they can if they want. It's the little things we occasionally get to do for ourselves that keeps us going sometimes.

Missionary work is the best thing ever! Ups and downs, with mostly ups because when we are obedient and diligently engaged in the Lord's work, we are bound to be blessed.

-Sister Bishop

Audrey and companion with Anna and children. Anna is getting baptized this Saturday!

Animal print scarf modeling

Curls! (back) and Sister Brown!

Curls! (front) (look at that face!)

This is the painful process. (How it's done)

Weekly email #11 Missions are Hard But Don't Forget Rewarding

Everyone,

This week was one crazy emotion roller coaster. Ana's husband didn't let her get baptized. We were all really sad, but we know she has a testimony and she has friends in the ward that are keeping in touch. We got a referral from the elders in Linda Vista who already has a baptismal date for June 29th. His name is WD Rice and he for sure is going to get baptized. He came to church this Sunday along with Robert, a member referral, and Rachel, another member referral. 

Rachel is 19, still in high school. She set a date with us for June 8th. She's really excited about it. We are too, obviously. We can see the work picking up in Chula Vista and we are so excited! When Sister Brown and I white washed Chula 3rd we had no solid investigators and we didn't know what to do. So we went to work, and people are coming out of nowhere. Actually, they're coming because the Lord has prepared them. 

We reached 21 lessons last week, which was the first time we've ever reached 20 here. The first time I've ever reached 20 lessons in a week period. One day we taught 6 lessons. Our companionship study was full of role plays, and we can tell that it helped. We're learning to simplify and intensify our teaching and people can tell. 

OH EVERYONE! NEXT WEEK I WILL BE EMAILING ON MONDAY!!!!! There's some kind of sister retreat the first two hours of P-day next week, so we're going to email on Monday. Be prepared and send things before Tuesday or I will be a sad missionary and nobody wants a sad missionary, right? Email me! =P But seriously, signing on to an inbox full of emails is the best thing ever.

Mom, could you find the quote that I love about graduating from seminary, loving home and family, not settling less for a temple marriage, and then women can perform miracles for the Lord now and throught eternity? It's on a picture thing I have somewhere. Or it's at the back of the new personal progress books. It's from an older prohpet like Ezra Taft Benson or Spencer W Kimball.

Dad, once upon a time you were what kind of 70? (the priesthood calling)

Mom, could you also call Sister Teresa Johnson in San Antonion and get Ana and Reed's email addresses? I'd like to get in touch with them.

Everything is great! I included a picture of me being a missionary. =P Well, I'm actually showing mom the awesome new clothes she gave me, but you can probably see my name tag.

I love you, Mom and Dad!

New scarf/missionay clothes

Me in beautiful San Diego!

My new scarf and sweater

Weekly email #9 It's Almost Mother's Day

Hey, it's almost Mother's day. In case I don't get to send a card today, Happy Mother's Day to the best mommy in the whole wide world! I can't wait to talk to you.

Does anyone know if Peyton Green has turned in her mission papers and if she has her call yet? I heard she wanted to serve.

The picture I've included is from this last Saturday. The Chula Vista YSA ward had an all day activity they called "One Day Mission". Basically they went on splits with the Chula Vista missionaries. We went out proselyting for 5 hours. Sister Greathouse and Sister Brown stayed together and they were supposed to get a third but she never showed up. I had two companions, Sister Lao, who served her mission in Lubbock, TX (WHOO-HOO!) and Sister Lee, a recent convert. They were awesome! We added a new investigator that day and taught a less active family, taught an active member, got a phone number to a guy who said we could come back, and talked to a bunch of people. It was a pretty cool day.

I love being a missionary. This Sunday was fast Sunday and an elder that used to serve in our ward that just barely went home last week came and visited. All 3 of us sister missionaries (we're in a trio now) bore our testimonies as did the former Elder Roestenberg. It was such a spiritually uplifting sacrament meeting. Lukas Roestenberg said in his testimony that he didn't know what true joy was until he came on his mission. He said "you want to know what true joy is?" And then he went on to say that true joy was seeing members of the ward that were recent converts in the congregation, or less-actives that were at church. That really rung true to me. Our whole lives are missionary work. Just for this little amount of time, I get to focus on nothing but serving the Lord's children by inviting them to be baptized and join His church. It is SO good when those we're helping take a step towards Christ. It really is rewarding.

There is a 16-year-old in my ward that came up and sat with me after I sat down from bearing my testimony. Her name is Mariella Macias. We identify with each other because we both have a sister on a mission. She was really missing her sister (that reported to the MTC 2 weeks ago) and she came and cried on my shoulder. She's super sweet and wants to serve a mission one day. While I know that missions aren't for every young woman, they certainly seem to be for a lot of them. And they are! The Lord is hastening His work and we are scrambling to keep up.

While I love being a missionary, I have some days that I miss home and other "worldly" things. Last Saturday I had a dream about dancing. I LOVED that dream and was sad when I woke up. I did fouette turns in my socks in the gym before we started morning sports. I was sad at how out of shape I am. Still am,actually. Did you know that 30 minutes of exercise isn't very much? And people like to feed us? Yeah.........weight gain happens. Bum. Anyway, I love ballet. I realized that I haven't done ballet in what will soon be 6 months. That is the longers I've EVER gone since I started at age 9. There is an 11-year-old in our ward that just got her pointe shoes. She showed them to me when we went over to their house for dinner last night. I almost cried. I miss my pointe shoes.

BUT! I love being a missionary. I just put my faith and trust in the Lord that I will be blessed for my service in His work. It's pretty exciting. Sometimes I still can't believe that I'm a missionary and that every morning I put on a name tag that shoes I'm a representative of Jesus Christ. Crazy cool, that's what it is.

I love you!

-Sister Audrey Michelle Bishop

Audrey and her two temporary companions