February 8, 2010 it's been a minute:) (that's jersey slang for ya!)

Family-

I wish that my life was a little bit more interesting, but alas! You must listen to me each week tell you how cool it is to be a missionaryJ Things that happened that I loved this week. Ok! I have to tell you. We were over at a members house last night and I love this family so much. The mother and father are going to the temple this Saturday to receive their own endowment. Then hopefully they will get sealed soon after that! They have the CUTEST little black babies I have ever seen before ever. AJ is their baby baby and he will be two soon. He got my tag from me and he was wearing it last night. Man. The whole not holding kid rule is SO lame. So I give them all lots and lots of big hugs. That is one of my favorite things about being a missionary. All the little kids LOVE to give us hugs. We get bombarded every time we see them. I love kids. I LOVE kids. I will probably have a bajillion. You can thank Sister Bahr for that. She’s my hero. J Speaking of the Bahr’s! We got to go to Stake Conference for the Caldwell Stake yesterday because we were the special music! Sister Black is the pianist, so we had to go even though we aren’t in that stake. The stake conference was split into two sessions, one Spanish and one English. New Jersey is awesome. Elder Stephen B. Jones of the 70 was there. The talks that were given were awesome. I really liked them. Surprisingly enough, I understood most of the Spanish meeting. This sounds really crazy, but sometimes I feel like I know Spanish, even though I don’t. I mean- I didn’t really ever study it that much or anything, but it seems like it makes sense to me. So! I did really want to go Spanish speaking, but I figure that would have been too easy of a way to learn it. So instead I’m going to learn it when I go back to school. I’m going to learn a million languages I’ve also decided since being here. Oh New Jersey! I also discovered yesterday that I can definitely tell the difference between a Jersey and New York accent. I guess I’m really a Jersey girl nowJ So! Today we get to go to the mission home to practice for a musical number. Am I the only one that sees the hilarity of being involved in SO many stinking musical numbers? We’re also performing at church on Sunday with a recent convert. Crazy crazy that’s what I have to say about that. I love being on my mission. I love that I get to study the gospel so much. I know that it’s a time when I get to help others, but I see how much the Lord is really helping me to not be such a lame-oJ Sometimes I feel guilty because of all the blessings that I see in my life. So then it makes me think about D&C 82:10. I know that I have been given SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much in my life. I also know that there is a reason for it. God expects me to use my blessings and talents to further His work. I’m happy to do whatever it is that He needs done. The more we give to the Lord the happier our lives are. That is a true principle. I know that. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! I miss you!!!!!!!!!! Give Baby big hugs from me on her fantastic birthday! And dance a lot! And partay it up Picard style. Only like we canJ I LOVE YOU! Be good!

Sister Picard

February 1, 2010 Carlos Bakery

Family!

So! I have a few really exciting things to write about this week. There have been lots of baptisms going on in the branch lately, but there was an extra special one on Saturday! My good friend Cierra got baptized! She is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I know that Sister Black and I weren't the ones that officially taught her, but we definitely have a special connection with her. I love her! Her testimony is incredible. She has such a desire to do God's will. Her baptism was amazing. Sister Black and I sang. Apparently, I am just a little prima donna these days. Sorry I don't sing better everyone! Oh well. Also! I was able to go on an exchange to Jersey City which was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO fun! I was with a sister who has only been here as long as Sister Black named Sister Tupa. She is from Tonga and didn't know ANY English before she got here. Her English is amazing. It's better than people in the branch who have been in America for years. Gift of tongues:) God really does help his missionaries. It was fun to be in Jersey City because there are SO many people. The Hoboken area is supposed to be like mini-Manhattan. I got a picture of Carlo's Bakery just for Daniel. :) We got to teach some amazing investigators that they have. I got to talk to so many people! It kind of reminded me of the good ol Visitor Center days when there are people every where that you have to go say hi to. I would keep smiling and saying, “HI!” to everyone that we saw. I'm pretty sure that they thought we were crazy, especially when they saw the missionary tags. This guy tried to sell me some perfume, so I gave him a passalong card and said that I wasn't allowed to wear perfume. :) I tried to help this old lady at the post office and she yelled at me. Oh I LOVE IT! I'm being serious. I really am. I was so happy that whole entire day. Oh! It's a walking area there. The only one for sisters. And it's approximately 2 degrees outside. Right on the Hudson. Sister Tupa calls it “Faith Island” because only missionaries with lots of faith can be there. I told her I must've only had enough faith for one day:) I had these hand warmers the Elders gave me to use (after they made fun of me for going on an exchange to a walking area the coldest day of the year). I put about five in each mitten because it was so cold. It was fun to walk around. And ride the bus. I was all urban:) ha! Being a missionary is really the best thing in the whole world. Before we came to the library we got to go practice with the mission choir for one of the stake conferences on Sunday. It was so fun to be around all those missionaries. There is such a good spirit every time so many of us get together. Even if the music isn't the best, the Spirit is SO strong when a whole bunch of missionaries sing. I'm going to miss being here so much. So I'm trying to not think about it. But- I'm sure going back to Nauvoo will be good too. Bleh. Not thinking about it. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep being good. I miss you and love you lots!

Sister Picard

January 25, 2010 yay

Family. Family. Family! (that was sung in my head like Elton John- Saturday! Saturday! Saturday!)

Life is soo good when you are a missionary named Sister Picard! I love to be here in this lovely Garden State of New Jersey. The weather is really wacked out lately. We’re having torrential rain right now. I like it. No one else does. I don’t like tracting in it much, but you win some you lose some. We had an AWESOME investigator at church yesterday. His name is Ariv and he is from India. His English is pretty good. The members did SUCH an AMAZINg job at fellowshipping him! It was AWESOME! I was so proud of them. It’s funny because you kind of think of your investigators as these little babies and you are worried about them making friends and having a good experience. He definitely did. We’ve have baptisms in the branch every weekend this month! It’s AWESOME! One of these days, it’ll actually be our investigatorJ But! I love being around all the people in the branch and helping out the elders when we can. Life is good. Missionary-ing is good. I’m not sure what else to say. Keep up the good work! Be good. Oh I know! So we don’t have the priesthood (duh) so we have the Elders give priesthood blessings to our members/investigators. Can I just say how much I LOVE the priesthood since I’ve been a missionary? It really is the power of God on Earth. I LOVE IT!

Sister Picard

January 18, 2010 ultra lord.......LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE

Fam-to the-ly

I have to admit, ok, this is going to be a long sentence. I was just thinking when I first came out on my mission I couldn't understand why all the older sisters didn't really care about e-mailing because I was so obsessed with it and always felt like I had something important to say. Now I know. I don't even know what to write anymore. I'm sure that there are exciting things going on, I'm just not sure what at the moment. I. am. a MISSIONARY!!!!!!!! :) Also- I would like to compliment Father P on his exceptional photog skills so evidently displayed in the pictures that you recently sent. Appreciated. :) Oh and! There looks to be a little picture in my senior picture on the wall. What is that of? Just curious.
So! Even though we haven't gotten a baptism, our branch is doing really well. We've had baptisms each of the past 3 weeks and we should have them the next two weeks. For some strange reason, I have been doing these musical numbers. I think it's because so many people here haven't grown up in the church so they aren't used to hearing really musically gifted people so they are happy with whatever comes out of my mouth. :) New Jersey is great. I'm really working on refining my accent. My most favorite is a recent convert named Marianne. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE her. She is my age. She is amazing. She loves being around the missionaries. And we love her. Oh! I know! So, I was talking to one of the spanish sisters that lives with us, Sister Erickson, and she totally knows Ris. She was roommates with Ris's bff Lauren. So we talk about how crazy she is together:) (I can say that because I dont' think I've heard from Ris since I was in the MTC. So- she is probably married or something by now. Whatevs. We're still one true friends. Forever and always.) We have a 70 coming for a mission tour in a couple weeks. That should be lots of fun. I love being here. It's kind of stressing me out knowing that there is an end in sight. Bleh. But! Onward and upward! Keep being good. Do work. Missionary work that is. I LOVE YOU! The Church is SO true. It has to be. Or my life wouldn't be as AWESOME as it is. I love to teach people. I love to see how people's lives change when they start to focus on Jesus Christ. It is amazing. And I love it. Almost as much as I love you fam!!!!!!! (Oh how nice:) )

Sister Picard

January 11, 2010 "New Jersey is for lovers!"

Family!

Well, it sounds like you may have been a wee bit concerned about me last week. Sorry about that. No need to fret. I am absolutely fine. I’m a missionary- God takes care of me.  But! It has been decided I’m hypoglycemic. So that’s lame. But! Now I don’t have to eat things I don’t want to. I just tell people, “Sorry I’m hypoglycemic I can’t eat that.” I’m telling you- when I am made queen of the world I’m going on a crusade about healthy eating in the church. Because it doesn’t exist. It’s a problem. Sisters should not all gain weight on their missions. Or become hypoglycemic. But! That is my soap box so I should get off it so I keep this letter nice and cheery. 
I hope that you had a good new year! And that mama had a good birthday! Sister Black and I went outside after we got done planning and shot of these little poppers that her mom sent her. We held them up by our foreheads, spun around three times and then said “BAPTIZE SOMEONE! SALUD!” and then we shot them off. We’re not quite sure what salud means, but we think it will probably help us get a baptism. 
I love the members in our Branch. I think it has been a really great experience for me to see how truly dedicated to the gospel people here have to be. There isn’t a big support system. If you are an active member of the church, you WILL have 32094804 callings and be expected to pull your own weight because there aren’t enough people around to baby you. People here have to have strong testimonies of the gospel, and it’s hard. That’s why we have so many less actives. Sister Black and I feel like we’ve made a lot of progress with the less actives in our area and we’re continuing to push our progressing investigators towards baptism. Pray for us!
I love life. I love being a missionary. I love the kind of lifestyle that I get to live while being a missionary. I’m kind of freaking out knowing that it will end. Don’t worry though- I’ll try not to be one of those weirdo freako nun RM girls. Can’t make any promises though! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much! Be good!

Sister Picard

January 4, 2010 "I got soul but I'm not a soldier...."

If you didn't hear, Sister Picard was hospitalized on Saturday for severe headaches and delirium. They did an MRI, CAT Scan, EKG and EEG, all were negative. She was released today and is feeling better. Thanks for all the prayers on her behalf. She received a Priesthood blessing and was told she would recover 100% and complete her mission. Her Mission President is a neuro-radiologist so that makes me feel better. She said he made sure she was at the best hospital, best doctors and everything that should be done was. So hopefully she will continue to improve and whatever caused this "ailment" is long gone :)
Angie
P.S. It was comforting to know Colie would fly out at a moments notice, if allowed. Colie always has our back!

FAMILY!!!!!!!!

Well- this week has decidedly been the weirdest week of my mission. But you know what?! After the trials come the blessings because one of our investigators is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that's all that is:) So- life is good.
I have really had my testimony of the priesthood increased. I don't think I ever really realized how neat it is until my mission. It's the best. When we have faith, God answers our prayers. He is always there for us. Especially when we need Him the most. I LOVE IT! I love church, I wish everyone would just join by now! I tried preaching in the hospital- I may have come off as a half-delirious crazy with gunga in my hair and a nightgown on..... but so it goes! I need to go. Sorry so short! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be good.

Sister Picard

December 28, 2009 Hey Ya!

Family!
So- Christmas was just wonderful! I’m so glad that I was able to speak with you! It was so weird to hear your voices- ESPECIALLY Daniel. What a crazy! He sounds so different! He’s not my little buddy sounding. Alas- I suppose everyone has to change and grow up. Blah blah blah. I really enjoyed all the packages I received. Thanks fam! You know just what to say to take a girls breath away! (this will take her breff away! Name that movie- please ) I especially loved the rubber ducky pj’s! Also- thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for remembering me- their little missionary I LOVED Uncle Joe and Aunt Sandy’s present. Cookies and this delicious popcorn stuff. I don’t know what was in it- or how it was made- but you know that all the missionaries chowed down on it! Also- the Lusk’s a missionary couple from Nauvoo sent me some tasty treats! I really appreciated that. It has been fun to hear from a lot of the Nauvoo sisters as well during Christmas. If I was a cute sister missionary I would’ve sent out little Christmas card pictures like they did- alas! I am not.
It’s kind of weird to e-mail you after I spoke with you just a few days ago. I can’t believe that it’s almost 2010!! What the cut the! And I am on a mission! Who would’ve predicted that in our predictions? Correction- mom probably did. She knows everything. 
So you may ask, what have I been doing with my life recently? Well- not too much. Being a missionary. One of my most favorite favorites is the Montes family. Sister Montes, she just understands me and I LOVE her. She is from Portugal and she served a mission and she joined the church even though her family is way hardcore Catholic and they pretty much disowned her and she even went on a mission! Oh I love her. She has two little babies Gracie and Coley (I LOVE them!) and we have been meeting with Gracie because she wanted to learn from the missionaries before she gets baptized. Her baptism is on Sunday so that should be lots of fun. I know it’s not a convert baptism or anything, but it has been really neat to see what Grace does understand about the gospel, even at age almost 8, and how strong her testimony is of things that are really important. It’s a good example to help teach our investigators. There is no way that Grace knows everything about the church, but what she does know, she knows is good and feels it’s good and knows that it’s what God wants for her. I need to be more like that. I think too often I think about myself too much. I blame myself for all of my inadequacies and think that my being inadequate is somehow going to ruin everything! That is pride. This is God’s work, and I am very privileged to be helping in it, even just a little bit. I love you all so much! Keep being good. Find people for the missionaries to teach- they need your help!
Sister Picard