Two week's worth

Last week I was standing up for an hour using a computer at the Apple store and so I decided not to use any more time to write this email. I wish I could say that a lot has happened in the last two weeks, but that would be a lie. We're still working on finding new investigators but we've found more areas where Spanish people live so that's been exciting!

Also, I forgot to mention: I'm still in Oakland. And still with Hermana Ayala. So that's good. We're really going to make things happen this transfer!!!

We went lawn bowling a couple of weeks ago for our district activity. It was actually more fun than I thought it would be. I'd include pictures but I lost my camera card and all my pictures from the past year so......I can't quite do that. At least I didn't lose my camera. I'm just going to have to make up for all the pictures I lost by taking one everyday for the rest of my mission! We talked about goals this week and how they have to be attainable but also help us stretch. I'm not sure if this one is attainable for me.

We did find one new family a couple weeks ago! But then we kind of lost touch with them - they're working a lot and won't make the time to meet with us. So that's unfortunate. We've also hardly seen the Ramirez family - we haven't been able to set up appointments with them and when we do, they cancel. We've only seen them once a week for the past two weeks, and it's because we just decided to pass by. They haven't made it to church for the past three weeks even though they said they'd come, so we're just working to figure out what is going on. We stopped by Saturday night and they invited us in even though they were having a big family party. It was the craziest lesson we'd ever taught. Sister Ferguson was with me for exchanges and she didn't even know who were investigators and who were the less active parents and who had never met us before so it was all just a mess. We ended up just talking about the Book of Mormon. There were at least 8 people in the room and a few coming and going in and out. It was entertaining and the Spirit was there for a few key moments, but overall it wasn't a very effective lesson. But we'll see them tonight and figure out where Cynthia, Antonio, and Kathryn are at.

We dropped Marilu, and passed Martin onto the elders in the area. It's probably for the best and gives us a lot more time to work in our area. Marilu still came to church yesterday - she'll get it someday, she just needs time. And Martin isn't getting to church, but he has a baptism date and he's working on fixing his relationship with Guadalupe so that they can get married and he can get baptized!

Miracle of the week: We had a member scheduled to come out with us one afternoon but our appointments cancelled. We were super stressed about where to go - she brought her daughter so we couldn't bring them in our car and they had to follow us everywhere. After stopping by a couple of former investigators with no success, I felt super awful about dragging her around. We wanted it to be a good experience so that she'd want to come out with us again but we weren't finding anything! So we were just both praying the whole time to find someone and as we were contacting a former in a particular area that we'd never been to, we decided to knock on doors in the area. We happened to find a whole corner of apartments where everyone spoke Spanish! It was the biggest miracle ever. We didn't have a lesson but we found some potential investigators and our member was able to interact and get to know these people even though we were just tracting! It was the best. The. Best. A huge blessing and answer to my prayer.

Contacting former investigators has turned into our best finding tool. We found another potential, Luz, while looking for her neighbor Jose that used to live in her same apartment complex. As we talked to her, we found out that she was learning from missionaries in the past too and she didn't know why they stopped coming! She might just be ready now!!! It was super exciting - we're seeing her tomorrow. If nothing else, it's helped us to find areas where Hispanic people. It's been awesome.

One more VC miracle: I was serving at the VC this week when Jennifer came in. She used to live in Oakland and comes from a very bad background, and I had met her one other time before with Sister Ure at the beginning of my mission. And Sister Ure met her at the beginning of HER mission! Anyways, she was visiting from Santa Rosa and said she's finally ready to turn her life around and get baptized! She gave me her email address and phone number and I haven't gotten in touch with her yet but I'm super excited to teach her! I'm so grateful for the VC so people know where to go when they ARE ready, even if they don't know it yet :)

I think that covers it. We'll find a lot of new investigators next week and let you know next Monday!!!

Hermana Hunsaker

Slow and Steady wins the race

Yes, this week was a little slow. We only saw Martin and his family once - we brought the Barragan family with us and they were AWESOME. Hno. Barragan is the ward mission leader and Hna. Barragan is a ward missionary. They have a son, Jonathon, who is about the same age as Martin's kids, Ryan and Martin Jr., and he colored with Martin Jr. at General Conference. The boys want to be baptized! But they have no idea what it means. Still, this family is slowly getting there. Guadalupe LOVED General Conference, but Martin was feeling sick yesterday so they didn't get to church this week.

Marilu's situation isn't quite improving - sometimes she accepts our help and other times she just doesn't want us to come over. We love her so much and don't want to give up on her, but we're not quite sure what to do right now. If anything, we'll keep teaching her daughter Atzidi and help her prepare to be baptized, and hopefully Marilu will follow! She needs the gospel so bad.

We didn't have any investigators at church, but Hna. Delgado and her daughter Monica came to church! It was a HUGE struggle trying to get them to return to church the last time with Sister Ivey and they went strong for a little while, but drifted off again. But we didn't let them drift too far this time! It was so great seeing them there, and it gave me the boost I needed to keep going.

We found a new family this week - the Familia Ramirez! I think I talked about them last week - they were a referral from another investigator Irma and we ran into them on the street after not finding them at home. They didn't make it to church because they went to a different church with a family member, but they'll be there next week! They're awesome - we found out that both the parents are members! They were baptized here 13 years ago but I don't think we have their records anymore because they went less-active soon afterwards and went to Mexico and then came back. They're all just so awesome - all the three kids did their reading assignment and almost everyone in the family has offered a prayer for us! Oh and I almost forgot to mention....they have BAPTISM DATES! We're just so excited - they all want to learn and they pay such close attention in all the lessons. It's the best. I'm just hoping I'm still here for their baptism on November 17th!

It's the last week of the transfer. Which always gives me anxiety. I bore my testimony in church yesterday, and right afterwards, I had this feeling like it might be my last time bearing my testimony in the ward. I'm hoping that's not true - I love this ward and this area so much, despite the challenges and setbacks. I'm so grateful for the six months I've spent here. Solo Dios sabe lo que va a pasar pero les digo en una semana!!!

Have a great week! Apply what you learned from General Conference, especially in missionary work!

Hermana Hunsaker

The best way to spend the weekend

Last week was slow, but the weekend was full of miracles! It's weird to think how I used to spend my weekends and how relaxing they always were. Despite the craziness and (sometimes) stress of weekends in the life of a missionary, I can't imagine ever going back to strolling casually to the movies on a Friday night or a Sunday afternoon picnic and nap. It just doesn't compare.

We had a few lessons during the week, and a whole day of contacting in Berkeley which turned out awesome. We found one AWESOME lady who seemed really golden.....but her phone number was wrong. And so was her address. But we found a couple of young adults that we told the sisters of the Berkeley singles ward about, and a lot more. We talked to way more than 20 people and we met 7 people who wanted to learn! Only in a couple of hours too! It was pretty cool. There are prepared people, even in the crazy city of Berkeley. 

But the real miracles came this weekend. General Conference was absolutely amazing and gave me and Sister Ayala just the motivation we needed. We didn't have any investigators watch it on Saturday, but I learned so much. I was so grateful for Elder Holland's talk about depression - I've taught a lot of people with depression and it's hard to understand but it's given me so much more compassion as I've seen how it really is another way that Satan limits our agency. It was particularly touching to me when he spoke about how all of these people will have perfect emotional health in the next life. We just have to support them and help them right now. President Uchtdorf's talk was spot-on as well as he talked about why people join the church and why they fall away. We all have to help ourselves AND help each other. That's the way the church works and that's why Jesus Christ established a church and has re-established this church again today, when we need it more than ever.

And right after General Conference, we worked in the VC and found a super golden family! They live in Oakland but had never come to the temple before. They decided to come with their friend Manuela that was visiting from Honduras. We showed them God's Plan and taught them a little bit about the Book of Mormon, and they immediately accepted a copy! They don't live in our area, but I'm so excited for the elders to teach them!

Guess what? That was only Saturday. Sunday was full of miracles. Sunday morning ended with exactly the talks I needed to hear from Elder Richard G. Scott and President Monson. Then we had a ward potluck with our members - I just love this ward so much. It was so fun. I couldn't focus much on the Sunday afternoon session very well - we watched it in Spanish and MARTIN AND GUADALUPE CAME! Martin Jr. was there but coloring, and Ryan was sitting in the car because he didn't like his hairdo. But Martin and Guadalupe were there for Russell M Nelson's talk about marriage (I knew he was my favorite apostle) and they were even holding hands! This family is SO CLOSE. So close to coming to church together and eventually, the temple :)

So after that, we had a whole night completely open. We didn't have any set appointments but we were really motivated and ready to find new investigators! And that's exactly what happened - we went to visit a member and they weren't home so we knocked the door of their Spanish-speaking neighbor. She immediately invited us in, we taught her, she accepted to be baptized and we're teaching her whole family tomorrow! And then, she gave us a referral for her sister who lived a block away so we took a little stroll over there. No one was home, but on the way back to our car, we ended up running into her sister's family! Without her sister. It took us a little while to figure out that it was the same family but then we decided to compare the addresses and it was! The dad really wanted his kids to learn about God, and his kids really wanted to even though they are 16 and 19 years old. But they are so awesome! We're seeing them Friday. It's going to be the best week ever.

And it STILL doesn't end there! We went to visit our investigator Marilu and found out that the woman that rented a room in their home is causing loads of problems. She's always drunk and the kids are absolutely terrified of her. But when she came home drunk the other night, Angel's first response was "We need to pray." This rambunctious crazy 5-year-old knows exactly what to do when things aren't good. It's scary but I know God will protect this family and they will learn to trust Him and His gospel. They are SO close. They watched General Conference as well at the Preciado's home but it was in English with Spanish subtitles so Marilu didn't get too much out of it. But we'll work on that - that's why it's online!!! Afterwards, we went to see the Preciado's on a whim and taught them about tithing. They've been members for more than two years but haven't made it to the temple yet because they haven't been paying a full tithe. They're working so hard and we were able to support them and help them recognize that they CAN pay their tithing. I love getting to know the members so well that they tell us what they need so we can strengthen their faith. And I'm grateful for the companionship of the Spirit that prompts us to visit members and give them the support and encouragement they need. We need each other - even other members need our testimonies and our compassion. There are situations every single day where we can be the Lord's hands here, inside the church and (especially) outside of the church.

And there's even more. Because we visited the Preciado's, we didn't have time to head to Berkeley like we planned so we had to improvise. With the Spirit of course. So right as we decided to pull over because we had no idea where we were going, we saw a Hispanic man and he walked right into the house that we were parking in front of in that very moment. We took that as a sign from the Spirit, and indeed it was! That man didn't answer the door, but his cousin did. We couldn't go in and teach because his wife wasn't there, but he invited us back on Thursday so that's what we'll be doing Thursday night! And we already know the perfect members to take with us.

Sister Ayala and I are really excited for these last two weeks of the transfer, and praying for more time together!!! We're going to find a lot of new investigators through family history (she's an addict) and service projects in highly populated Spanish neighborhoods of our area (which are rare but we'll make it work). We're also starting our own MTC - Member Training Classes! More details to come! There are prepared people for us to teach, and we're going to find them and really get the work going in this area! I'm grateful for all I've learned in the past few months. Once again I'm reminded of one of my favorite scriptures at the end of Alma 32: "Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you...behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."

And like M. Russell Ballard taught, we ALL have this responsibility as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and....mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" and we can all feel this pure joy as we bring souls to Christ. 

Next week's email will be filled with even more miracles as we visit these families and find more. Talk to you all next Monday! Les quiero!!!

Hermana Hunsaker

Quick note

We had a great week! Not much progress on the part of our investigators and no luck finding new investigators, but it was great. Like always.

On Monday, we saw our recent convert and her new baby! I didn't take pictures - I'll repent and get some this week hopefully. She's doing great though - she's so amazing. Single mom with six little kids. Wow.

We tried to visit members to help them do missionary work. I think they're a little more motivated to do it. When we visited Hermana Lopez, we helped her clean up her house. It took a little bit of persistence on our part, but it was so great doing service! People don't let us help too often, but serving and getting to know the members is one of the best parts of missionary work. 

We had a mini-miracle with Martin's family. We're were trying to figure out how to involve his whole family in the lessons and get them interested to learn. We got a call Thursday morning and found out that their little dog, Chocolate, was hit by a car and the doctors suggested that they put the dog down. It was really hard for his sons but we were able to go over there that night and teach them about faith. Both of the boys and Martin's wife Guadalupe, who hasn't come to our lessons in a over a month, all sat and listened. They still don't know if Chocolate is going to have surgery or if they'll have to put him down, but it helped them unite as a family and think about what they really want. They didn't come to church, but they are SO CLOSE. So close.

On Friday, we had a General Authority, Elder Aidukaitis (not sure if I spelled that right), who came to train our whole mission. We talked a lot about setting high goals and planning well so we could use our time effectively. The work's been slow, but there ARE prepared people. We just have to use our time well to find them. So....that's the plan. We have super high goals that require a lot of faith, but this training opened our eyes and helped us realize that WE CAN do this. So......here's trial week 1. Hopefully the stress doesn't kick in here. We'll just be counting the miracles - I'll have a whole email full of daily miracles next week. 

Also, the General Relief Society Broadcast. So great. President Monson talked about prayer - it's something so simple but so important. I know it works - we don't always get the answers we want, but as we wait on the Lord, we'll recognize the answers. And whatever happens will be the best thing. I haven't gotten everything I've wanted on my mission, but I've learned to be humble and accept the things God wants to give me. It's all in His timing. 

I'm SUPER excited to watch General Conference this weekend! Don't miss it! We CAN receive revelation through the words of the prophets. Because we have prophets, we have everything: the priesthood, the Holy Ghost, and the truth. I'm so grateful for the chance to learn from them this weekend, and to share this unique message with the world everyday!

Love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Hunsaker

Four days later.....

I have my planner today.....which also means I have two weeks to catch up on. Fortunately (but at the same time not), not too much has happened in these first couple weeks of the transfer. There's nothing to report from the past four days - it's so weird having a preparation day again already.

So instead............I'm going to put on some pictures! I haven't taken enough pictures in my mission so I made a goal this transfer to take a picture EVERY DAY. As with every goal I make, I never quite make it, but I've done better! So here are a few of them:

 
First day of the transfer with Sister Ayala!!! She's the best.


September 11, 2013
Doctrine and Covenants 121:4 "O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us."
This picture didn't turn out quite as well as I wanted it to, but what can I say? I tried being artsy. But even amidst all the trial and turmoil of the world, His hand is over all.

And.......this email won't let me attach anymore pictures. I'll send some more separately. Try taking a picture a day this week. It's kind of fun. I'm worried I'll forget everything about my mission because there's no time to be an excellent journal-keeper (and even if there was time, I probably wouldn't be one anyways) so pictures are an easy way to do it!

Hermana Hunsaker



Favorite part of Cali: Super huge authentic burritos


We had a lot of meetings after Stake Conference. And security locked our car in the upper parking lot. Aye aye aye.


How many sister missionaries does it take to open a can of tuna? 20 minutes if you break the can opener. We just gave up on opening the corn. 5 minute meal FAIL


Stress test. Haha.

That's it for now.