Thursday, May 28, 2009
May 28, 2009 "I'm just doin my thang"
OK!!!!! So- where to even begin? I don't even know. I'm sorry I'll try to get in as much detail or cool things as possible. I spent a lot of time just sending pics- so try and get those up on the blog or whatevs so the people can see them! Then I won't feel so bad about a lame e-mail :) Ok- so! I've been out at Carthage. SWEEEEEEEET! Carthage just makes my life. It's just so good there. The tour is awesome. And oddly enough- I get worn out when I do lots of tours. Don't hate- it's hard work. Emotionally/spiritually draining I think? Who knows. So last week was pretty intense emotionally- and what that means- is that I, yes I, got a little emotional:) I had just gone through transfers and new comp and all that bidness and then my bff Sis Enser was actually sent home for medical reasons. Serious- BFF. Until I was transferred we had been with each other EVERY DAY of the mission. Crazy huh? So it was hard to not have her with me all the time because I love her. So- hopefully everything works out the best for her- because she is just an AMAZING girl. AMAZING! So that was that. Let's see- on Sunday we had to listen to this historian talk about Abraham Lincoln at the sociable (devo/fireside) It was probably the most boring thing of my life. Half the YSM's (young sister missionaries- that's what they call us:) ) were asleep which means approx 80% of the seniors had to be sleeping :) hahahahahaha Oh! I totally have a YPM bff now. Not sure what his name is- but I actually talk to him. HAHAHAHAHAHAH ok so he is the only one that ever figured out we were lazer-pointering them and he told me that for days it just drove him nuts because he couldn't figure out what was going on. And every once and awhile he'd just have this red light in his eye (ooopsies- no blindness) and he thought that it must be coming from the relief map we have of Nauvoo or something because that's how the one in SLC points stuff out. But then he'd always look at us and be like "oh no, the sisters wouldn't be doing anything" Oh contrare mon frare! (however you spell that) AHAHAHAH so I cracked up about that for awhile. Then he called me a Lamanite and I found out he's a halfie like me too- and one half is even Italian! So- I figure he's ok to talk to. Also! On Monday we had this family of Poly's come and dance- it was SWEET! They've been here for the past weekend doing shows. One of the boys did a hoop dance- everyone's always wanting to be all Native:) They came to Carthage the next day and I got to give them their tour!!! It was so fun! I LOVED it! There were 22 people. They had lots of cute little brown babies. And the girls had like all been on missions- and it just made me happy to see pretty, successful, rm girls that were just so cool. It was good to talk to them. And the dad was hilarious. I was joking around with him the whole time. I told him they needed to get a real drum and a real indian to sing if they wanted to keep doing the hoop dance:) they just had this plastic drum thing. HAAAAA!!!!! ok awkward. They had a son who goes into the MTC in a few weeks and the dad was like "ok- now you get in a picture with my son" and I was just like- "hmmm well ok this is not awkward at all just pretend that it's not weird that I'm a sister missionary and I'm just in a picture with their almost missionary son that's totally not weird ok just well ok smile!" ha. funny funny people. I just loved them. They reminded me of just good happy family-ness. Which is what my family is ALL about. :) I LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joseph Smith. I've been just a little book worm while I've been out at Carthage. They have a library that we're authorized to read from as missionaries. ONe of the Elders asked me once if I ever stopped studying:) I just LOVE to find out more about Joseph and Hyrum and the early saints and what exactly happened there because we get so many questions. My favorite book so far has been Joseph and Moroni by Legrand Baker I think? It's goods. I just like to know that Joseph went through difficult times too. He couldn't just magically one day translate the Book of Mormon or just magically start receiving revelation- he had to LEARN how. And that took a looooooooong time and lots of effort on his part. Heavenly Father will always give us opportunities to learn and grow. And any trial we go through- is going to be for our good. And teach us lessons we NEED to learn. So hopefully I'm not a dumbie and have to re-learn them a billion times:) Well! I need to go. Bleh bleh. Sorry not a better letter. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make sure and write to Elder Picard- he needs some lovin these last few MTC weeks. I LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sister Picard
Thursday, May 21, 2009
May 21, 2009 Carthage
So! It feels like it's been weeks since I've written! Maybe because it has been a long time or something? Officially- what I'm sure you are all dying to hear- is.. that.... I GOT TRANSFERRED TO CARTHAGE!!!!! yee. So I'm officially there this time. I've been there 3 days. I don't think there will be any changes. It's pretty sweet. Obviously my prep-day got moved to Thursday. I got a new comp- Sis Reece. She was in the MTC with me. She had been in Carthage the previous transfer. I have to admit- I do miss my Nauvoo Sisters sometimes!It's crazy in that house with 14 sisters- but I really did love my comps. And there are just amazing sisters there. But! There are amazing sisters in Carthage. This transfer will be a good one. Things are starting to pick up a lot out here. And the Carthage tour is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shoot. The Spirit is so stinkin strong. Everywhere you go. Especially in the Martyrdom room. It will like melt your face off. Or it just gets hard to breathe sometimes. I don't even know. And most of the time I just feel so inadequate and I don't want to ruin it for the people I'm giving the tour to. I really want everyone that comes through to have their testimonies strengthened in the ways that it needs to be. It's been harder for me to try and get referrals at the Jail so far. But that doesn't mean I'm not trying. I try to really give people the stare down when I ask for them... make em feel all guilty ;) ha! Just kidding. Maybe a little. Well okay. So! The other day I was giving a tour to a mom and daughter who were non-members from the area and it was AWESOME!!!!! So good. They wanted a Book of Mormon. And I committed them to read part of it. And tried to get them to have the missionaries over. It's just hard sometimes too because we had to give tours in companionships the first couple days. And I'm used to just doing tours by myself. So it's good to learn how to give tours together and work WITH each other and not against. I just so BAD want everyone to just get baptized. Or refer someone. That's really all I want in life. hahahaha What a dorky missionary huh? Oh well. That's what I'm about. And I know that no one believes me when I say it- but giving tours is hard work when you're busy. And it's hard to try and focus on the needs of the group that you are taking through when you've only been able to speak with them for a short while and you have to know what to say to them and what to bear testimony of. I pretty much just pray in my head the entire time just hoping I don't mess things up. It can be kind of draining. I do love it though. Life is good. Mission is good. There was a tour that I took through with a ton of little babies in it- which I loved:)- but the kids have a hard time focusing a lot. But they all just quieted right down the entire time we were in the Martyrdom room. It's just amazing. Oh I love it. SO GOOD! Ok- so. What else is up. Let me just think about it. I just feel crazy. And kind of out of it? Change always kind of does that I think. We stay in this sweet old Victorian house in Carthage. There are 6 sisters and 4 senior couples. I'll have to try and get a picture of it next week. Ugh. These YPM's are all up in my grill while I'm trying to write. They can't shut up I tell you. Well- I'm happy to report I am being a lot nicer to them. Mostly the guys. The girls are a little too drama still. But- I should probably only say nice things. I've been dragging my comps/roommates to the local track every morning. Pretty sure they love it:) It's been hard not having my running buddy Sis Brinkerhoff. But- it's fun to be able to run by myself kind of... since I just have to have other sisters at the track with me. I'm still trying to get used to not listening to music- and not singing apostate songs in my head while I run:) Shoot! What has even been going on. Shut up please miss annoying ypm. Ugh. My head hurts. Oh! Susan Easton Black has been here and has been speaking to us a lot. She actually came to our district mtg on Sunday and gave a lecture on Patriarchal Blessings which was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love her. And my title is a tribute to her. She always says "well okay" and then starts in to whatever she was going to say:) I'm just trying to make the most out of every day. And even when I have to clean the urinals at the Carthage Visitor's Center I just say in my head "I love my mission... I love my mission... I love my mission..." and that's been fairly effective. One of the Elders in Carthage played football at the U. We don't hate each other- but it's good to have someone to talk sports with every once and awhile. I saw an article in the church news or mormon times or something (I think it was outdated) about football and my heart hurt:) It's ok. I just feel like this e-mail is weird. Sorry to disappoint. I'll try to make up a really good one next week. Super good one:) Tell Cass that his letter will make my life if he ever gets around to writing it...:) and that we get a lot of people from Kansas up here visiting! Tell Aubs that I got her letter and have been DYING to write back- but it's been awhile since my last pday. I love everyone. I really do. A lot. Some more than others. hahahaha LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sister Picard
Sister Picard
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Bricklayers
this beautiful picture my love my mtc comp sis. morgan! we got to work together one day at nri. and what did we do? we layed some stinkin bricks! yee. we did work. seriously. work. and yes I wore my sweatshirt hood like that all day. because it was raining outside and cold. and we kept on doin work. man- that day was intense. but so good!
May 12, 2009
ok wow. I'm really sorry but this may be on the shorter side! I spent a lot of time trying to send out pics of me lookin all fine in my pioneer suit:) But! I'll try to make it good. We are going to the 10:00 session at the temple so I need to be done soon! By the way- my mission? THE BEST! Why? Because we get to go to the temple EVERY STINKIN WEEK! And a lot of times more than once a week. I'm just obsessed. I always have been. It's just so good. Tell Rachelley I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited she is going through the temple! Or already has? I'm writing her a letter. Oh man- it's so good. Ok. So! Where to even begin? I am not even sure. The schedule here is getting a lot more routine for me. I'm starting to adjust. So of course transfers are next week:) Unlike most missions- we have transfers every 4 weeks (or once a month for those of you who like math:)) ha! So we'll be finding out on Sunday our new comps. And I could possibly be out to Carthage again- this time more permanently:) Things are definitely starting to get busier around here! I've been giving a lot more tours at the VC- which makes me SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!! Giving tours just makes my life. Especially the part where I get to invite people to either accept missionaries or to refer one of their friends. It's just so good! I love it. The Spirit is always there (I pray for it like CRAZY the entire tour) and it's just so.... I don't even know. Real or something. It's kind of scary every time too- so I like feeling like I'm brave. Hahaha. Oh! I need Colie's address. Also! I got the package and everyone was WAY JEAL!!!!!! My family's the bomb.com! (favorite saying mom:)) and I'm SO excited to have my temple clothes today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been telling everyone about it. yes. And my comps and friends appreciated the cookies mamasita- so apparently they tasted good. I didn't have one yet- but I stashed them in my secret stash in the freezer. I have to do that or they will get eaten up. You can't leave ANYTHING sitting out in the kitchen. Or it will be eaten. One day I had popcorn for dinn and I had to go upstairs or something- I don't remember. But I SO was not even done eating my popcorn by then and when I came down like 30 min later- GONE. Oh sisters. So that's fun. Oh yes! Yesterday I had dinn with some SWEET seniors. Dean and Kathy Hughes. Sound familiar? They're pretty much famous mormons:) She was in the RS General Pres and he writes Children of the Promise books and such. They are the PR people here- so needless to say- I have always loved them! And Elder Hughes and I got on a little tangent about BYU football while we were there- haha- I don't think anyone else really appreciated it but us. Oh well. I need to talk sports every once and awhile or I'd probably die. I just LOVE my mission. I'm just happy all the time. Well- maybe not all the time. But I'm happy. If that makes sense? I don't know. I'm trying to not hate the YPM's so much. I don't hate them. I more just hate on them. If you know what I mean. YPM=young performing missionary. They're the ones in the play and such. So- this is probably really not good of me. But they just annoy me sometimes because they're always in the theatre practicing so I don't get to show movies to my visitor's and blah blah blah and yeah. So certain Sis that I love (I won't name names so that they can't be blamed:) ) well let me just say this- we have laser pointers we get to use on tours. And the YPM's come out of the theatre every once and awhile to do stuff. So we may or may not play this really fun game of laser pointering the YPM's. AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH oh man. I pee my pants every time. Because a) it's just funny b) they can never figure out where it's coming from c) we try to look inconspicuous (sp?) but we're really bad at it. So AHAHAHAHHAHAHAAh ok so one of the Sis (there are 3 of us) was doing it yesterday and this boy YPM just like finally turns around and yells "STOP!!!!!" like he just didn't even know what was going on but it bugged him and she goes "don't you EVER tell me what to do" AAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH oh man. that story still gets me. And then we had to have an ice cream social with them on Sunday night after Susan Easton Black devo which PS- she is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She gave a fireside about women in Nauvoo which was amazing. She focused mainly on Mary Fielding Smith which was awesome because we don't hear about her very often. And I LOVED it. And she's amazing. And yes. Ok- so the sociable. I came up with the brilliant idea that all the Sisters we should sing everything that we said to the YPM's. You know- to try and relate to them..... or something. And so I was singing something I was saying and one of them was like "wow, you should try out to be a ypm next summer!" or something like that. totally serious. I about busted a gut. But you know- you need to have fun on your mish. Or you'd go crazy. And maybe it's that I'm already crazy? Who really knows. But do know that I take being a missionary VERY seriously. I just want to do what Heavenly Father needs me to do. And He is going to prepare people for the Gospel and prepare members to have friends who need the gospel and it's my responsibility to help them. And that responsibility is HUGE! And I just feel very inadequate most of the time. But ! I know Heavenly Father will help me as long as I'm trying my hardest! Send my love to Gussy! Sorry I didn't get an e-mail just for him- maybe dearelder him this? And get the pics up on the blog too- Aubs' been dying for my pioneer pics. That means you Hann- mom I don't think will know how so teach her. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be good.
Sister Picard
Sister Picard
Sister Picard & Sister Enser
this is sis. enser and I. it's coming from that ugly angle that makes it look like I have no chin- we tried to have sis take it from a better angle but to no avail. she was sitting down. at least you can see the pretty flowers at the VC!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Greeting From Nauvoo May 8, 2009
Greetings from Nauvoo!
We’re sorry this has taken so long, but Nauvoo is getting very busy as we ramp up for the summer activities. We are so excited to have Sister Picard with us. We anticipate that she will continue the tradition of excellence that is part of the young sister missionaries that have served here over the years.
We will do everything we can to make this a tremendous experience for her. This will be a busy summer and she will have the opportunity to share her witness of the Gospel hundreds of times over the next few months.
We have included a few pictures that we took outside the Temple and here at the mission home.
Again, thank you for sharing your wonderful daughter as she faithful serves the Lord in this most wonderful part of the vineyard.
Love,
President and Sister Ludwig
Picture # 1 They had just finished pulling handcarts through mud and were told to be in front of the Temple in 30 minutes. 12 Sisters needed to shower, so Sister Picard washed the dirt off pulled up her hair and was there on time. I knew something was up when I got the picture, she always looks beautiful but I could tell she hadn't put much time in front of the mirror that day. I was very proud to hear the story and her concern for others to get cleaned and ready, she would be fine with a washcloth and could shower later:)
Computer Problems :( May 5, 2009
(We got three different emails from Sister Picard because the first long message didn't deliver)
please oh please bless that this e-mail actually went through. If not- I'm starting to try and write another version of it in approximately- 10 min. Ugh. Dumb computers. The comps here are super duper slow. Dumb. Ok! So! I've just been doin work. Pretty much all the time. I've been working a ton in NRI. We pulled up and washed a bunch of these big ol rugs that are in the sites in this big bathtub looking thing with these scrubber brushes. That was pretty sick. Then! I got to learn how to lay brick. That's right- official professional bricklayer status right now. So when I bring my kids to Nauvoo in whenever I'll be able to say "look at them bricks your mama layed" yep. Sweet. Then! Yesterday I was supposed to be working in the VC so I got all ready for the day (which does mean that I put on my make up and showered and tried to fix my hair after we went running in the morn) and then! I'm here for a mo and then we got a call saying they wanted me down at NRI. So obviously my reputation proceeds me:) And I had to go paint fences. So I painted one whole stinkin side of the Lucy Mack Smith fence yesterday. I did work. And I'm sure I got brownie points with Lucy Mack:) Ok- and ugh I'm so super frustrated I wrote this super sweet e-mail and it's going to bug if it didn't go through! Ugh. BUT! This is the best story of my life- and that is. Do you remember those people I gave a tour to the other week and they watched the Joseph movie and I had them fill out a referral card? well- THEY ARE TOTALLY TAKING THE LESSONS BY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes- that is the best news of anyone's lifetime. And it just made my life. And I did a total happy dance whenever I found out. And I have absolutely nothing to do with it. I just want them to have the Gospel in their lives SO bad and that's SO the truth. I know it's sounds cheesy or whatever but I promise- I just want everyone in the whole entire world to know about the Gospel so that they can be as happy as me! And that's all that is:) The temple just opened back up so I'm REALLY excited to be able to go today. Yesterday we went after NRI- paint in our hair and everything:) I got to serve in the Brigham Young home on Saturday and that was my first time in a home so I wore my stylin pioneer dress. Dang- I look so fly in that thing. But I just love it here. And I'm super sorry if my longer e-mail didn't go through and this is all you have. But I love it. I LOVE it here. And I want you all to be praying for missionary experiences. And I promise that as you do that, Heavenly Father is going to prepare you and also give you the opportunity to help His children:) it's SWEET! I love you. A lot a lot.
Sister Picard
Other things that I'm loving about Nauvoo by now. All the senior E. They are all like old farm guy manly men. I love LOVE listening to them talk. It makes my life. And I try and talk like them every chance that I get. I also just love the senior couples- they make me feel so loved. Things I'm not loving so much by now- the "young performing missionaries". I'll get over it though. Right now I'm really working on having Christ-like love towards everyone:) I think I'm really funny- and I really loved my e-mail that I sent you all- but I'm just way mad it didn't go all the way through. Stay tuned for next week. I'm going to find my camera cord and get you some sweet pics of me rockin the pioneer status. Also! THanks to Aubs and Kaiti for the letters- you make my life worth living:)
my comps are still writing so I will write more. Painting the fence yesterday- I made a friend with a bumble bee. He was kind of annoying. I named him Bumble. I made a deal with one of the E. that when he gets this harness he's having this Amish guy make that I get to go down and RIDE THE HORSES! I don't know if that's legit- or even allowed- but I'm planning on it one of these pdays. The horses here are HUGE!!!!!!! And I'm going to talk like all the senior E. "giddy up them there horseys" It's gonna be SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! Also- let's see what else goes on. My bed is the top bunk. I almost killed myself this morning getting out of bed. I was just like looking over the side or something- but I hadn't put my feet down yet...... and I felt my equilibrium shift.. and I started falling.... and then my life flashed before my eyes:) I love running here. It's so sweet. It's SO pretty in the morning. I'm not terribly excited for it to start getting warm. Or for the bugs. I hate bugs. Especially since I'm brown- so they think I'm a tree and try to land on me:) ahahahahahahha. I just love preaching to people too. I love tours. I LOVE tours. I love bearing my testimony so much. It's such a unique thing to this mission I think. It's sweet. Everyone makes fun of me and how much oatmeal I eat. Whatevs. They're just jeal. Please just know how much I love you..... and how much everyone should just be a missionary all the time. Gospel is TRUE! and I love it:)
Oh Hey!!! April 21, 2009
oh hey! so- I bet everyone is just dying to read about my life. It's almost been a week- and it feels like I've been here FOREVER! Which is not necessarily a bad thing. But sheesh- time is definitely not flying- although I would say that I'm having fun:) SO! I got home I mean I did not get home after I was done e-mailing we went to dinner at the Mission Home with President and his wife. While there, I found out that I was actually NOT going to be serving in Carthage- but was getting moved back to Nauvoo. So- I piled up all my junk yet again (what a nomadic lifestyle those first few days :) ) and headed back into Nauvoo! Which is good good good. Our house here is SWEET! It's pretty big- well it would have to be there are 12 girls living there. 3 bathrooms. Kinda crazy in the mornings. But! I LOVE my companions! I don't know if I had ever mentioned Sis. Enser in any of my previous e-mails but she was in my district and we were roommates in the MTC. She is my companion and our trainer is Sis. Brinkerhoff. There are more sisters coming in (11) then there were returning (7) so there are some companionships with three sisters. I LOVE them! Oh man- they are just so chill. And Sis. Brinkerhoff has been so nice to us. And she is a health freak just like me! We just are all about our oatmeal and veggies together. And we've been running every morning. Which is SOOOOOO good. There are some sweet runs here. Admittedly- I'm still kind of trying to get my wind back- there is a definite difference between running on a track at the MTC and running outside. It's pretty hilly here. I love it though. Especially in the mornings running by the river- DOWN BY THE RIVER!!!!!!!!!!!! ha. So yes- it's been SO crazy crazy crazy busy. I don't even know. I'm kind of lost as to what day it is or what time it is. haha- I'm in this weird missionary space time continuum? OK- so! Last I wrote was on Wednesday I believe. On Thursday we went on a handcart trek they have here that goes around in the "woods" so we did the Thursday morning. It was pretty sweet. I'm like SO pioneer status. Veteran handcart pusher. I've been on a billion treks by now. Ain't no thang. SO! I just pushed that cart all up and down them hills. It was funny Sis. Enser and I were pushing a cart together (and supposedly Pres. & Sis. were pushing with us- not.) And there was this part that was just mud. I mean- mud. So we're like- "we got this" and just pushed straight on through the mud. Mud up to our calves- up the hill. We were laughing SOOOOOOOOOO hard. Oh it was funny. So then! We had district meeting like right after and there were 18 girls trying to get ready in our house. I just washed my face and feet. I figured I was good :) haha- I bet that kills mom:) THEN! We went to the Temple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH man. Coolest temple I've ever been in. Might be a new fave. Oh it's AMAZING! And so beautiful. I love it. I LOVE it. So that was awesome. And they actually just closed it for cleaning for the next 2 weeks so we were lucky to get a session in. Oh which reminds me- I can still rent temple clothes for free here- but they really encourage us to have our own. Which they failed to tell us- or I would have brought mine. So madre- perhaps we should figure out a way to get them out here? Koot-noo! Ok- so then! On Friday we went on the wagon ride around Nauvoo which was fun. Then we had training. Then we went out to Carthage- which was so good. I really am excited to serve there. When I actually get to:) The spirit there is awesome. And it brings back a lot of memories of when the fam has come to Nauvoo to visit. Actually- pretty much everything does. Which reminds me- could you send me the pic of dad and the girls in the Family Living Center in Nauvoo? It's baby sleeping on dad- me looking like a tool and hann looking cute and we're sitting on a bench. OH and PS!!!!!! I got your letter in the mail yesterday with all those pictures in it. Everyone kept talking about how attractive my family is- I was like "duh where'd you think I get it from" I got it from my mama :) HA! Ok sorry tangent. Ummm where was I? OK- OH yes. Then we just study all the time. And then Saturday we went to ALL THE SITES IN NAUVOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh stink that was a long day. loooooooooong day. They wanted us to see how everything will work though- which is good and I appreciate it but man. I'm surprised how worn out you can get from just going to sites. But we were bookin it. There is a LOT to do here. And! We got our pioneer dresses (which I'm including a picture of- not on my body- I don't know that I love you enough to send that yet. oh sick. ) Ok- so then on Sunday we went to church at the ward that is for all the visitors that are in Nauvoo and also all of the missionaries - us and the Senior couples. I guess in the summer time they have to open the cultural hall and chairs are even on the stage it gets so packed. And as the young sister missionaries (ysm's for short..... trespassers will for short :) ) they have us actually sitting up on the stand. HA! That was fun. Now I feel for all those people that have to sit up there and try not to fall asleep- because trust me we were all so wiped out. And church is at 8. So I sat there recited D&C 4 in my head to keep me awake :) Then we had lunch at President's which was fun. Then we went home- oh and PS! All the senior missionaries just spoil us to death. We have had SOOOOO much sugary goodness brought over to our house the past week. And I've been good about not eating it- but it is ALWAYS there. And everyone always wants to feed you desert wherever you go. So after President's we had our district mtg at the Horan's house (SUCH a cute couple! oh I love them) and they had made us dinner and Sis. Enser & Brink & I just looked at each other like- "we can not eat anything right now" but we tried. And then they just kept pulling out more food. And then they wanted us to eat this blueberry cheesecake so we're finally like "can we just take our pieces home? we're really full" and they gave us the whole thing. ha! But the other two sisters in our district are single sisters and they are SOOOOOOOO cute!!!!!! Oh man! I love me some old people. I just love it. Serving with senior couples is where it's at- for real. OK- so then. I just have to tell Hann because I almost forgot but whenever we were driving around there are all of these Pres. Lincoln signs everywhere so in my head I'm always like "Land of Lincoln!" but if I were to say it aloud no one would laugh. Name that movie! ALSO!!!!!!!! There is a main road here named Mulholland St and EVERY TIME we drive on it I always thing "Christomer.. Mulholllan" "bed and breakfast, bed and breakfast, bed and breakfast" and then I start laughing and once again no one gets it. Alas! SO! Sunday afternoon was my first time working in the sites. I have been at the Family Living Center. I was there yesterday as well and will be there almost all week. It's really fun. It's the place where you get to see spinning and breadmaking and ropemaking and candlemaking galore!!!!!!!! :) It's fun though seriously. Except I am in my pioneer dress all the time. WOW. That's a humbling experience let me tell you. Yesterday this family came in with girls our age and like our sisters ages and they all looked so cute and we just felt stupid. Oh well. Vanity is a bad thing I suppose. And I'm DEFINITELY being humbled :) ha. Oh but yesterday was so fun! We had a couple of pre-school groups come in which was SOOOOO fun! I loved seeing all the babies! And it's so funny because when we're done we're supposed to ask if anyone has any ?'s so I'd ask and they'd raise their hands and be like "my grandpa uses a screwdriver" "is that sheep real?" "I'm the smartest" but this one girl was like "do you know what?" and it reminded me of darla on little rascals so I said what? and she goes "you're really pretty" so that made me feel better about my pioneer status. Although- she is a little girl- so I don't really know :) But yeah- that's what I've been up to. Goodness I'm tired at nights though. Especially after yesterday. Because when we weren't giving tours we were tying quilts for humanitarian aid or making rugs for the sites and houses or sorting through literally a freakin TON of fabric that was donated to the church for humanitarian work. SO grateful for my dansko's and that comfort and support. HA!!!!!!!! Oh yes- and could you perhaps also send that one pic of Grandma Teddi laughing at the picnic? Sorry I'm so demanding with the pics. If it makes it any better- I'm now going to try and attach pics so you can see me in my mission glory :) I love you all SOOOOOOOOOO much! Please dearelder this to Gus and tell him that I'm sorry I didn't write sooner but I just haven't had my pday till today so that I do really love him and miss him and I know he's being an AWESOME missionary!!! woo! K- love you all a lot a lot! OH! And tell Andrea Dean that her e-mail was AWESOME! Just what I needed- and if you could get her address I want to send her a letter. MAn- I just love those Dean's. Probably the coolest people ever :) K! LOVE YOU!
Sister Picard
April 28, 2009
OK- so I really do not even know where to start on this e-mail. I really am in this weird I don't even know what day it is or whatever thing. But! I do know that it is my preparation day- and so that means yay happy e-mail writing times she comes. Ok- so my trainer S. Brinkerhoff is a beast at running- she pretty much kicks my little tush (well big tush) everyday. Every time. And today was no exception. We went for like an hour long run all through the hills of Nauvoo. Ok- and who even knew that Nauvoo was so hilly? HILLY!!!!! (wasn't that baby's imaginary friend? Don't let her read that sentence. Bad things could happen.) Regardless- I'm a little worn out right now I think. But it felt GOOOOD. We've been running a lot in the rain lately- which I LOOOOVE. If you all remember my affinity for rain- well there have been some sweet rainstorms while we've been here. Kind of reminds me of SD. Which oddly enough- is where I claim as home here. But- it's the last place I lived the longest. And I can't say UT- I can't do it. So apparently it's been flooding bad there? I have no idea. But people keep saying that when I say I'm from Rapid and I'm like "oh yeah........... real bad...." SO! It's been insanely slow here as of late. It's the lull in between Spring Break and people coming after school is out. And it is HARD to stay focused all day in the Visitor's Center. I have read a LOT lately. SO I'm pretty much a church historian by now;) jokes. But I do get a lot of study time in. And from what I here when it starts to get busy, we won't even have time to eat. There can be up to 2000 people coming through the VC in a day. Crazy. Admittedly, I was/am having problems with not feeling like a "real missionary" because they get us so geared up at the MTC to go out proselyting and then I come here and maybe give one or two tours a day. But you know what- it's hard. It's hard to be able to just flip the "on" switch and immediately bring the Spirit. It's hard to speak to people after I've been reading for the past 3 hours. And it's SO hard to be able to find out a persons needs after only speaking with them for a few seconds. BUT! There are experiences that make everything worth it. There was a non-member couple who came from St. Louis just to "check out Nauvoo" and the man had read a little about the church but the woman was unfamiliar. They happened to walk in right as I was about to start Joseph Smith:Prophet of the Restoration Movie (ps BEST MOVIE EVER! I'm obsessed with it these days. And maybe am developing a crush on Alvin... I dunno. Must be a mission thing. :)) So! I asked them if they'd like to join in on the movie- they said yes. And then! The woman was crying when they came out! And I could tell that they both were touched by the movie so then! I gave them a tour of the VC (which only takes 10-15 min) and focused a lot on Joseph Smith and the things that they had seen/felt during the movie but most importantly I really wanted to focus on the Savior because I think that sometimes in Nauvoo the missionaries will only testify of Joseph or the Saints or things like that but we are the church of Christ and I've also REALLY been trying to focus on testifying/extending commitments/promising blessings BECAUSE! missionaries just don't do that here. And I am going to. Because that's what I do. So I was just praying so hard the whole time to know what to say to them so that they would feel the Spirit and that I would be able to say the things that Heavenly Father wanted me to because I get SO concerned especially when I have opportunities like that because I don't want it to be my dumb fault or all of my inadequacies getting in the way of people coming to Christ. Ok- wow. I'm sorry- my grammar and what not is so bad in these e-mails- alas:) Ok! So we are coming to the end of the tour and I played the Christus for them and the woman was crying again and quoting all of the scriptures that Jesus says :) And I just loved it. I loved being there. And it totally made the past few days worth it. And I didn't even want to say anything because I didn't want to ruin anything:) But I just told them that they had felt something special while they'd been here- and that was the Spirit telling them that the things they had been hearing are true. And that although we do love the Prophet Joseph and appreciate all of the things that he and the Saints did, they did it all because it was the will of God. And that this is Christ's church. And that more than anything we believe in a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants us to be able to live with Him forever. And that is the purpose of everything that they had seen that today. And then I gave them a referral card and told them to fill it out and that missionaries would come over and talk to them. :) So I'll never know what ends up happening- but it was a good experience regardless. And it's kinda sad I don't get to follow up- but! I'm over it. All I can do is pray for them now. So! Like I said it's been way slow here comparitively speaking so they have us working at "NRI" which stands for Nauvoo Restoration Inc. The purpose of NRI is to keep Nauvoo lookin good:) So we've been working at NRI a couple days a week. And what do we do you may ask? Well- we chip paint and paint fences. And wear REALLY cool looking paint-jumpsuit-ghostbuster looking things. And EVERY TIME a senior walks by they say something about Tom Sawyer. And you just have to sit there are be like "oh man- so good. every time. you're so funny!" Probably be what Dad is like when he's old. And he'll think he's telling everyone the funniest joke in the world:) ahahahahhaha yes. OH I KNOW! So! I was able to go and serve in Carthage on Sunday because sometimes we'll go and rotate S.'s out on Sundays. Let me just tell you- I am SOOOOOO STINKIN EXCITED to actually serve out there. It was funny because the senior couples were like "you're back! why'd you leave!" :) Oh man though- Carthage is where it's at. Seriously. And I only got to help with tours with my companions- but I'm really excited to be able to do tours by myself. Which- ps- hello- is the best thing for me ever. We give all of our tours by ourselves. And that makes my life. Not that I don't love my companions- it's just different than teaching. I think teaching with a companion is a whole lot easier than trying to give a tour with a companion. And Heavenly Father just made me love speaking in front of people:) ahahahhahaahhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. wow. Welp. Gus sounds like he is doing great. Just keep up the good work man! Make sure and forward this to him or dearelder him or something. I want to be writing more but dang it gets hard on pdays. The temple opens back up next week so I'm SOOOOOOOOO excited for that! We've only been able to do one session. Oh yes- and that was lots of fun this past week all of these cranky people yelling at me because the temple is closed for cleaning. And I just wanted to say- "ok dumbie- why did you not just call and check before you came. who honestly just thinks they can walk up to the Nauvoo temple and do a session? no one should- because everywhere there is anything about the Nauvoo Temple it says you have to make a reservation. And dumbie- if your WHOLE ENTIRE VACATION (waa waaaa wambulance) was based on going to the temple- did the thought EVER cross your mind that perhaps you should make sure it was open? no? oh. ok. continue yelling at me then" :) yeah- I'm getting pretty good at just keeping my thoughts in my head. and trying to smile on the outside:) We had an awesome "sunday sociable" (that's what they call firesides here) and afterwards these crazy people came up to S. Morgan and I and were telling us how we are on the "easiest mission in the Church- do we ever even do any work? do you feel like a real missionary?" etc...etc...etc... and S. Morgan puts up with less poo than I even do so THAT was a fun experience trying to not go crazy on them. Oh they were nuts. They needed a pile drive to the face. Ugh- you don't even know. But just so everyone knows- VC missions get a bad rap- but it's HARD work. And there is a reason that every mission pres in the Church wants VC sisters on our outbounds. Just sayin. Well! I don't know how much more I can write. Oh yes- family. I'm sorry I'm not better about the whole letter writing business. I PROMISE I try to get them off asap. And I try to be detailed in my e-mailing. So I'm trying to give you a good idea of what all I'm doing here. And you have NO IDEA how much I love getting all of your letters. Every one here is convinced I have the sweetest fam ever. Well- because I do. Yes, I do. So I love you all immensely. I hope Daniel got my sweet (ok admittedly I had another word written there but I'm trying to mish edit) card I sent him for his bday. Also- Hann. You do work sucka. Like everyday. I just got that newspaper article of you lookin real good runnin :) hahahahahahahahahha got a good lil chuckle. Also- Baby- you are the smartest of all of my brothers and sisters and you are the best drawer in the land. AND! Maybe we should go to India on a Disney cruise? Also- I'm excited to see pics of Daniel's mooo-stache:) AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Also- WAY excited to see pics of Hann workin it a prom yo. Dang- she'll be lookin so fine:) I love you mom and dad- thanks for being SO supportive. Everyone is jeal of how many letters I get from home. It really actually helps me to stay focused hearing from you so often. And the pics have been AMAZING! My new favorite picture ever taken is of me and baby playing vsmile. Man it's sweet. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE you. And I'm so proud of all of you. Esp Gus- because I KNOW how mish life is at least a little bit and I know he's working his hardest and that the Lord is going to bless him. And that the harder he works- the more people's lives he'll have the chance to bless because Heavenly Father is going to trust him :) (which is something I'm really working on now:) ) yay. ohana means family. ok wait funny. I love how we all call each other sister and brother at home just kind of oddly like we do and now I have to call people that all the time. ha. ok I'm done. peace.
Sister Picard
Sister Picard
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