Raking up leaves and investigators

Hello hello hello HELLO everyone!

So this week was craziness, like always! On Tuesday, Elder Sitati from the Quorum of the 70 came and spoke to us! He was soooo spritual it was amazing! And he took the time in the beginning to shake all of our hands and call us by our name. It was so sweet and such a testimony to me of the way the Savior knows and loves us individually. 

Wednesday was RAKING!!!! I love raking! Poor Hermana W was still sick, so she slept in the car while the Elders, Hermana Rosen, and I helped one of our members rake her yard. Second time in my life raking! And I was finally smart and brought out my camera. We used GINORMOUS bags and filled 18 of them! Before we bagged the last pile, we decided to have some fun in it, hence the pictures. So much fun! The landing wasn't quite as soft as I originally thought...and when we bagged the leaves after playing in them there was a terrible smell of doggie presents...but it was still fun!

Thursday we had the first Spanish Forum ever here! Basically it was a meeting with and for all the Spanish missionaries in the area, with all the older missionaries giving advice and inspirational thoughts and identifying the differences between the cultures and how we can best work with the Hispanic people. It was so amazing! I loved it so much!

Sunday we had an investigator come to church...and she brought a friend! Hurrah for Israel!

Then Sunday night was transfer calls, and we found out Hermana R and I are staying here, and Hermana W is leaving us :(  We're so sad and are going to miss her so much!!!  And it's definitely going to be weird for me to stay in an area, that's a new thing! And since I'm pretty sure they give you your visa on transfers now too, that means that I'll be home for Christmas! Well, sort of. At least, I'll still be in the same country! Not gonna lie, I'm super stoked!!!!! And it is supposed to snow this year woot woot!

Anyway, hope you all have an amazing week! And don't work too hard that you die before you can even make it to the couch completely like my companion ;) And a Happy Thanksgiving!!! What what? Who's excited for Turkey!!!! I know I am! What are you thankful for?

Hermana Albright

Emus, Papusas, and a Molly-dog=my favorite house ever

I made it back! Ok so this week has been pretty great, full of good times and funny stories, your favorite!

So on Thursday, we went to visit a less active, and ended up teaching her husband! He was very friendly and agreed to another lesson on Sunday. When we came out of his house, it was dark. And it was Hermana R's day to back up so she was stuck outside in the dark while we got the comfort of the car. Suddenly, we hear Hermana R start to freak out. There's something moving on the other side of the fence, something BIG. And it's moving fast. Hermana Wilkins turns the car so the light is shining on the fence.................... and there in front of us.................... is........................ (yes, I added the dots for dramatic effect...........) some emus! Hahaha they are such funny lookin creatures! So when we went back on Sunday, we were sure to bring our cameras! We had some fun taking pictures of the emus, then went inside, where we finally met our less active. Her husband was upstairs "sleeping" but we had a grand ol' time with her! They have the most gorgeous house, and a cute little dog that looks just like Molly! (our dog at home is Molly) Already, I was happy. But then, as we're talking to her, she brings up her country, El Salvador, and we start talking about papusas. One thing leads to another and next thing you know, she's teaching us how to make papusas!!!! My dream come true!!!! Alright, so for all you non-hispanics that don't know the gloriousness of a papusa, let me tell you. They are the BEST! They're from El Salvador and I am maybe even sadder to leave them behind than I am to leave behind peanut butter . (gasp... peanut butter?!)  Anyway, it was great. We got to know this sweet lady very well and she was so grateful for us to be there. She lives the farthest away from the church, and doesn't get visits a lot from anyone! :( When her husband told her the missionaries had come by on Thursday, she didn't believe him! But it was so great to get to know her, and she is excited to see us more. I love her already and hope that we can help her and her whole family.

In other news...did you hear that oreos really are addicting? :( i guess i was right by calling them my happy pills. It's probably a blessing that I'll be leaving them behind too and get over that addiction.

And in happier news, General Women's Meeting say whaaat?? Yup, instead of splitting up the women for the young women or relief society meeting before General Conference, we're going to be all together both times a year! WHOOHOO!!!! I'm so excited.

Also, Feliz Navidad everyone! We're listening to Christmas music and loving it! (Like so many others, Heidi seems to have forgotten Thanksgiving) And our branch has caught the spirit of missionary work yay!!! So our branch presidency has given us the best gift ever by assigning us families to work with and these families in turn are supposed to bless 3-5 other families and bring them the gospel! Whoop whoop! I'm so stoked! Member missionary work is the best! And on that note, have you done any member missionary work? It's easy! You can help share the love and light of Christ! Serve those around you, give out a Book of Mormon, slip a passalong card in a plate of cookies, and lots more! Talk to the missionaries in your area for more ideas how you can help! Let me know how it goes, I'd love to hear your stories! And I know that you will be blessed as you reach out to others.

Love you all! hope you have a very merry Christmas!

Hermana Albright

A testimony of your worth

Hey everyone!

So this week, I just wanted to spend the time to bear my testimony of your worth. That's right, you! You, right there, reading this post! I may not even know your name, but there is someone that does. And not only does He know your name, but He always knows exactly what you are feeling. He has felt the same. He went through the greatest pains and sorrows so that He could help you through this time. And He will help you, if you turn to Him. The person I'm talking about, of course is Jesus Christ. As Christmas starts to come up (YAY! Christmas!) I hope you all take the time to think about your Savior, what He has done for you, and what you can do for Him.

You are of such great worth to Him. You are so important. There is nothing that He wants more than for you to be truly happy, always. No matter what anyone else thinks of you, He loves you. He sees your great potential, and will help you to reach it. You can reach it! You can do anything and everything with Him! And He will never give up on you. You are His family. "ohana means family. And family means no one gets left behind, or forgotten."

I hope you all know just how much you are loved.

Have a great week! And don't forget to take the time to pray and talk to your Father in Heaven.

A Dios!

Hermana Albright

Heidi is playing for the Primary program in her ward.  I hope she has time to practice! Here is what she says about that: 

The primary program is the end of this month. One of our investigators just moved and we don't know where :( But we have formed great relationships with our less actives so we're super excited to go see them all this week! 

First experience playing an organ

Happy Halloween! There's a little trick or treating party going on here in the library today for all the little kids! Oh my goodness they are all so cute and adorable! I love it! and I miss my little munchkins so much! 

It's weird being a missionary during Halloween. We have to be inside for Halloween... studying. (dun dun dun)  So that's fun. But it's all good! Obedience to all the weird rules is vale la pena when we see just one person come closer to Christ.

First full week out in this area! Yay for nobody being sick! That's the best! The weeks are flying by faster and faster, I can not believe that October ends this week! Whaaaat? (Minion voice) It's so weird! And basically everything is running together so it's harder to remember what stories I have from this week. Sorry if this email is a little lame.

 So ummm ya funny stories.... I was asked to play the organ on Sunday! GAH! 

I smiled and said I'd try. But then they gave me a card with instructions of how to turn the organ to self playing mode! (saved by the card)  WOAH! Who knew? So cool! So I sat up there and pressed all the buttons to make the organ play by itself and then afterward many people came and told me what a great organista I am...if only! I'm gonna need lots more practice. Haha but during one  song, the organ changed its sound between the intro of the song and the actual song itself so it was like super louder and more intense and I literally jumped and almost fell off the bench! Haha so that was fun.

We spent a lot of time this week visiting with people that have stopped coming to church. The interesting thing was to hear their testimonies. They all bore such powerful testimonies about the gospel and their conversion and we all felt the Spirit so strongly. It was so sad though to know that they KNOW of the truth, and are just choosing not to act on it. It definitely was a great reminder to me that our conversion to Christ is a continual process, one that we must always actively work on. I know that this gospel is true, and I know that as we act on its truth we will be blessed and strengthened in our daily lives. I do not know what I would do if I did not have the help of Christ. I need Him so much in every moment of my life.

How will you strengthen your conversion this week?

I hope you all have a Happy Halloween! Eat lots of candy for me!

A Dios,

Hermana Albright