Wednesday, August 14, 2013


From Sydney

Hi my lovely friends and family!

How has life been going? My life has been interesting. And this email is probably going to be really short. haha.

So, Tuesday. Transfer meeting. I was super depressed. Haha. I sat there, and I realized how much I am going to be miss, not only Livermore, but also San Jose California Mission. I sat there and was just like: "This is my last transfer meeting here." and I just started crying. I must have looked pitiful, because President kept apologizing to me. And he tried to give me shoes, but at last, there is none my size. Silly man. 

So at transfer meeting, I was sitting in agony, awaiting my fate. My Zone Leader from Livermore became the Assistant to the President, first transfer, and I was jealous because I wanted mine to be over. But I was like the last one. Haha. I am with Sister Livingston, Sister Tietjan, and Sister Weeks. We are in a quad so when I go to Brazil, it will be a trio. All of them are so awesome. Sister Weeks is fresh out of the MTC. She is super sweet. Sister Livingston and Sister Tietjan are hilarious. They all have blue eyes and I got stinky hazel eyes. Haha. Only issue I have with them:)

The area I am in is super awesome. We have a goal for 42 baptisms and we have high standards in this area. It's awesome! I have yet to be in an area so motivated. And I have been in a lot of areas here. haha

Wednesday was fun. We visited a lot of people. Including some awesome members. The only problem is I felt like the whole entire time that my stomach was going to explode. I had a fever and I was throwing up. My stomach hurt so bad! It had been hurting all week, but it was terrible feeling. I woke up, and my companions told Sister Abrams about it and I was forced to go to the hospital. Meh. And guess what it was! CONSTIPATION. Haha. Meh. I had 4 months worth of waste in my stomach. I haven't used number two since the MTC. Apparantly that is super bad for you and you get super sick if you don't poo. Go figure. I am super sorry parents.I got lots of laxitives though. Yay! The good stuff. 

My hair has been horrible here. It's been super depressing.

I have one miracle to say. We needed a new investigator. We were looking in our area book and we saw this lady Jeanette who was dropped. So we decided to go visit her and she said she had been waiting for us for 2 years! It was super awesome and now she is our new investigator. And this guy gave me his number at the Library and I think he thinks we are going on a date. He is going to be dissappointed when I have someone else with me and we teach about the Book of Mormon. haha.

I love y'all so much! I hope you are happy and in the words of my mission President:

Me (on the phone): I'm doing good! How are you?
President: I'm doing good. I'm pretty regular.

I hope you are all regular! I'll more next time. The world seems to not want me to email.

Love, 
Sister Powell

From Alex

I am happy to say that this week was a lot better :)
It was such a good week. I was sad to see Sister Gonzalez leave but I know that she is going to do amazing things at home :)

BUT I have two awesome new companions! One is Sister Millett and she is sooo amazing. She is 9 months in and has the most amazing testimony. The other is Sister Nestor :) I adore her! She is right out and is also a visa waiter! Guess where she is going??? Sao Paulo East!!!! How cool is that? SO COOL! haha Im pretty sure she is going to have 2 Sister Powell's as companions. Which would be way awesome.

We have worked way hard. Every night I come home and I am so exhausted. Which makes me so happy. I love to work more then anything. I am learning so much from my new companions.

We had an awesome service activity this week. We went around and cleaned businesses windows. So many people stopped and asked what we were doing. It was quite the sight seeing 20 or so missionaries on Jamaica Ave cleaning.

We have been doing a lot of look ups this week. A lot of our ward members have moved so we are trying to clean up the ward directory. On the way to one we stopped and helped a lady move her couch. I talked to her and I dont even remember what I promised her but I felt the spirit so strong. I have gained such a testimony that we are nothing without the spirit.

Everyone will be so proud to know how well I know my area! I havent gotten my companions lost once inside the elliptical :) It is awesome! Haha I sorta surprised myself.
We met with a less active named Sister Ba. She has 2 beautiful babies. She is so tired and her husband is Muslim so he doesn’t help out getting her to church. But She came this sunday and she said that she has already felt a difference.

We did a game day/street sweep and it was so successful. So many people came up and played board games with us. It is a fun way to share the gospel and meet so many of God's children.

The best day of the week was by far Saturday. We went and saw Sister Tinglin who lives next to the Parela family. This is the family that Bishop has asked us to keep on but everytime we go they dont answer their door. So I decided that we should all stop and pray for a miracle. We prayed that the family would be outside as we went by. And right as we walked by their house the Parela family walked by. It was one of the most amazing moments of my mission. God answers prayers. I felt so blessed. We have the faith to move mountains and that was for sure one of those moments.

Our second miracle is we went to Sister Vately's home and she ended up inviting two of her friends over. Collins and Allen. Allen asked us what was the point of us having him read the pamphlet. I told him that the point was for him to find out for himself that this is the only true church set upon the earth, and I dont remember the rest I was very bold with him. We have another appt. with him :)

My week was amazing. I am so grateful that I am here in NYC. I have learned so much. I have learned to talk to so many different types of people, I have learned to love, and slowly but surely patience :) My friend Hunter sent me a quote last week that says "Before great moments, certainly before great spiritual moments, there can come adversity, opposition and darkness." It is so true. I love my mission. I love that I have this privilege and that God trusted me enough to send me to Jamaica, New York. This will always be holy ground in my eyes. The Gospel is true and this is Christ church restored upon the earth. I am His witness :)

I love you,

Remember Faith is always pointed towards the future.

Sister Powell

From Sydney

Oi Todos Povos leem meu email!
 
Just to let y'all know, the Tuesday was a lot better than Monday. Haha.We didn't really do anything, but it was a whole lot better. We had dinner with the Manns who made the best pasta and lava cake. I am apparantly not allergic to lava cake unless if it is from Cold Stone. Good to know. Because Carrie, and any other aunt or female I know and like, we need to go on a cruise when I get back. I have a feeling that I need to work on my tan. I have a horrible farmers tan. Haha. Me and Sister Fuimaono decided to walk to first street one day. The sun was settting, but it was still hot enough to give me a tan. My feet are terrible. But we won some good cookies:)
 
Wednesday was super fun. We taught this woman named Carolyn Bott. We taught the restoration. I love saying the first vision, no matter the language. I feel the spirit so strongly. We invited her to baptized and she said "Yes. When I find out the Book of Mormon is true."
After we visited with Carolyn we went to In-and-out. It was terrivel! I vowed never to eat at that place again! We got a refferal from the Elders (love those things (not the Elders, the refferal) (How do you even spell that?)). We decided to go visit them and see if they were interested. They lived in Utah for a couple years and they always had the missionaries over for dinner and stuff. So we get there and the nicest and cutest lady opens the door. She is so nice and wanted to have an appointment with us every week. We than taught our Bishop's wife, who is fabulous. We talked about service, and for some reason a strange realization came to me how awesome service is! I love service! I love that through service, we are speaking so much about the savior. And even though the service might be super small or insignificant and not really world changing, the world notices and it slowly does change the world. I was like, woooooooeeeeee. Service is awesome. Speaking of service, we help out at this Thrift Store, and this woman named Kelly came up to us and just started asking us questions. I loved it. I love when people are interested. She is super awesome.
 
We also helped our local hoarder this week. Yay. I am the only one that is able to get her to get rid of stuff, and let's just say, she yells at me a lot. Haha. She also calls me a meanie. I was like, whatevs Cheryl. But I love her and I hope she gets rid of her stuff and moves, because, she needs something good in her life.
 
We ate dinner with one of our investigators. I love Miranda, Delaney, and Sister Browning. Sister Browning is so funny. We were eating dinner at chilis and the girls dress super cute, but have barely anyting on, so they were cold. Sister Browning was like: "I'm not cold. Sisters? Are  you cold? Nope. THey aren't. You know why? It's this amazing discovery called clothes." Oh Sister Browning. We were supposed to go to this fireside on Sunday, but they ditched us so we didn't go. Sad.
 
Thursday was a day filled with waiting for the call saying Sister Fuimaono was training. We weekly planned allllllll daayyyy. We were making plans for splits and calling people and such. We are planning to do splits every Friday. The call never came and I had hope I wasn't going to be transferred.
 
So I woke up on Friday ready for our planned splits and excited for the week! And for the rest of my time in livermore. Hahaha.
 
We went with Sister Schueller to see a whole lot of people, but no one wanted to open the door. We talked to Sister Sanders and we shared this awesome scripture about prayer. Alma 36:37. Or is it 37:36? I am sure both of those are awesome scriptures:) We had dinner with the T'ia's and taught these little boys who weren't members who are so awesome. They were so into the lesson. I think they were trying to impress their friends mom, Sister T'ia. Haha. That night we went on splits with Sarah East and Natalie Sturgeon. Sarah East just came back from Brazil and is awesome. We only get into Grandma Baers house. I love Grandma Baer though. And she needs as many visits as possible.
 
Saturday came, and I can't really remember it because I got a call saying I was being transferred. I didn't think I was going to be sad. I was heart broken. I didn't feel like I was as attached to Livermore as I was with El Camino. But I was. I loved the people in my wards, the people on the streets, my struggling investigators, my companion, my zone, my district, every annoying tree and dog in Livermore. I litterally love everything about it. And I hated that realization, because I tried so hard not to get attached this transfer. But I was and it hurt. The guy next to me is looking at me weird because I am about to cry. I just love these people so much. I tried not to love, but it is so easy to. You just do when you are trying to live like the Savior. And I shouldn't be afraid of that hurt. The Savior loved us so much he went through every pain and endurred so much. His love for us hurt so much, but he still loved and forgave. Hurt comes with love. I guess the only way we can know true love is through pain. But we can't be scarred of that pain, because something great comes after it. It eases, and it is so much more solidified. It's there in our hearts always.
 
I said goodbye to all my old ladies yesturday. I bore my testimony in Sacrament and I once again realized the sad reality that a missionary loves their ward much more then the ward loves them. And I said goodbye to my once upon a time investigator Joe and got him to give up coffee. Success.
 
I love y'all! I'll let you know where I am going next.
 
Love,
Sister Powell

From Alex

Oi Familia! I love you :) This week has been a rough week. But it was my fault and I learned a lot grom it. So its all good. It started with sister mann getting her visa. Im so excited for her! But it made me so sad. Ive always had comfort knowing Sister mann was here. She is my best friend, pretty much goes up there with Sydney and Mckenzie and very few individuals have that honor. And then I felt bad because I was jealous, and then I lost a lot of hope that my visa will ever come. So pretty much I had a pitty party. lol Which isnt good. Because this work isnt about me.
 
So I studied the Christ like Attributes a lot this week and a lot of talks. Ive learned a lot about patience. Something I like is "patience is a process of perfection it is the waiting rather than the recieving that we grow the most." The Lord has a plan for me here in NYC and I will grow and learn from it :) I will become the individual God would have me be. I read another talk about a man who was really sick and Elder Bednar gave him a blessing but first he asked the man "Do you have faith not to be healed/" The man never thought about that. He said that "My faith was dependent upon the outcomes I wanted." So he changed himseld and said, "Strong faith in the savior is submissively accepting of His will and timeing inour lives--- even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted" We must have faith that "He will guide us from where we are and where we need to be." and we need to ask "Please give me the faith to accept whatever outcome thou hast planned for me." He then asked the question "Why should I have faith if His will ultimately is what will precail? After this experience, I knew that having faith-- at least in my circumstance--- was not necessarily knowing that he would heal me, but that He could heal me, I had to believe He could then whether or not it happened was up to Him." I have to believe and have faith my visa will come. God can not perform mirackes if I do not have faith, But also I have to have faith that my faith will not be shaken if it does not come. Satan is in the visa process but so is God :) And that gives me hope.
 
Well thats what I learned this week. hahaha Tomorrow I get new companions (sis g is going home.) Im going to miss sister gonzalez but Im excited to learn from new companions :) Im staying in jamaica! Which is good :) I love it here. I love the people and the place. This next transfer is going to be awesome! I know it will.
 
The elders told us that there is a street full of portuguese speaking individauals so we thought we would knock it :) lol BAD CHOICE! hahaha but it made us laugh. I can not speak port. and they were all from portugual and apparently they dont like Brazil... hahahaha It was way funny.
 
Keep on praying for my visa :) and that I develop patience.
 
Love you lots!
Sister PowellOi Familia! I love you :) This week has been a rough week. But it was my fault and I learned a lot grom it. So its all good. It started with sister mann getting her visa. Im so excited for her! But it made me so sad. Ive always had comfort knowing Sister mann was here. She is my best friend, pretty much goes up there with Sydney and Mckenzie and very few individuals have that honor. And then I felt bad because I was jealous, and then I lost a lot of hope that my visa will ever come. So pretty much I had a pitty party. lol Which isnt good. Because this work isnt about me.
 
So I studied the Christ like Attributes a lot this week and a lot of talks. Ive learned a lot about patience. Something I like is "patience is a process of perfection it is the waiting rather than the recieving that we grow the most." The Lord has a plan for me here in NYC and I will grow and learn from it :) I will become the individual God would have me be. I read another talk about a man who was really sick and Elder Bednar gave him a blessing but first he asked the man "Do you have faith not to be healed/" The man never thought about that. He said that "My faith was dependent upon the outcomes I wanted." So he changed himseld and said, "Strong faith in the savior is submissively accepting of His will and timeing inour lives--- even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted" We must have faith that "He will guide us from where we are and where we need to be." and we need to ask "Please give me the faith to accept whatever outcome thou hast planned for me." He then asked the question "Why should I have faith if His will ultimately is what will precail? After this experience, I knew that having faith-- at least in my circumstance--- was not necessarily knowing that he would heal me, but that He could heal me, I had to believe He could then whether or not it happened was up to Him." I have to believe and have faith my visa will come. God can not perform mirackes if I do not have faith, But also I have to have faith that my faith will not be shaken if it does not come. Satan is in the visa process but so is God :) And that gives me hope.
 
Well thats what I learned this week. hahaha Tomorrow I get new companions (sis g is going home.) Im going to miss sister gonzalez but Im excited to learn from new companions :) Im staying in jamaica! Which is good :) I love it here. I love the people and the place. This next transfer is going to be awesome! I know it will.
 
The elders told us that there is a street full of portuguese speaking individauals so we thought we would knock it :) lol BAD CHOICE! hahaha but it made us laugh. I can not speak port. and they were all from portugual and apparently they dont like Brazil... hahahaha It was way funny.
 
Keep on praying for my visa :) and that I develop patience.
 
Love you lots!
Sister PowellOi Familia! I love you :) This week has been a rough week. But it was my fault and I learned a lot grom it. So its all good. It started with sister mann getting her visa. Im so excited for her! But it made me so sad. Ive always had comfort knowing Sister mann was here. She is my best friend, pretty much goes up there with Sydney and Mckenzie and very few individuals have that honor. And then I felt bad because I was jealous, and then I lost a lot of hope that my visa will ever come. So pretty much I had a pitty party. lol Which isnt good. Because this work isnt about me.
 
So I studied the Christ like Attributes a lot this week and a lot of talks. Ive learned a lot about patience. Something I like is "patience is a process of perfection it is the waiting rather than the recieving that we grow the most." The Lord has a plan for me here in NYC and I will grow and learn from it :) I will become the individual God would have me be. I read another talk about a man who was really sick and Elder Bednar gave him a blessing but first he asked the man "Do you have faith not to be healed/" The man never thought about that. He said that "My faith was dependent upon the outcomes I wanted." So he changed himseld and said, "Strong faith in the savior is submissively accepting of His will and timeing inour lives--- even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted" We must have faith that "He will guide us from where we are and where we need to be." and we need to ask "Please give me the faith to accept whatever outcome thou hast planned for me." He then asked the question "Why should I have faith if His will ultimately is what will precail? After this experience, I knew that having faith-- at least in my circumstance--- was not necessarily knowing that he would heal me, but that He could heal me, I had to believe He could then whether or not it happened was up to Him." I have to believe and have faith my visa will come. God can not perform mirackes if I do not have faith, But also I have to have faith that my faith will not be shaken if it does not come. Satan is in the visa process but so is God :) And that gives me hope.
 
Well thats what I learned this week. hahaha Tomorrow I get new companions (sis g is going home.) Im going to miss sister gonzalez but Im excited to learn from new companions :) Im staying in jamaica! Which is good :) I love it here. I love the people and the place. This next transfer is going to be awesome! I know it will.
 
The elders told us that there is a street full of portuguese speaking individauals so we thought we would knock it :) lol BAD CHOICE! hahaha but it made us laugh. I can not speak port. and they were all from portugual and apparently they dont like Brazil... hahahaha It was way funny.
 
Keep on praying for my visa :) and that I develop patience.
 
Love you lots!
Sister PowellOi Familia! I love you :) This week has been a rough week. But it was my fault and I learned a lot grom it. So its all good. It started with sister mann getting her visa. Im so excited for her! But it made me so sad. Ive always had comfort knowing Sister mann was here. She is my best friend, pretty much goes up there with Sydney and Mckenzie and very few individuals have that honor. And then I felt bad because I was jealous, and then I lost a lot of hope that my visa will ever come. So pretty much I had a pitty party. lol Which isnt good. Because this work isnt about me.
 
So I studied the Christ like Attributes a lot this week and a lot of talks. Ive learned a lot about patience. Something I like is "patience is a process of perfection it is the waiting rather than the recieving that we grow the most." The Lord has a plan for me here in NYC and I will grow and learn from it :) I will become the individual God would have me be. I read another talk about a man who was really sick and Elder Bednar gave him a blessing but first he asked the man "Do you have faith not to be healed/" The man never thought about that. He said that "My faith was dependent upon the outcomes I wanted." So he changed himseld and said, "Strong faith in the savior is submissively accepting of His will and timeing inour lives--- even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted" We must have faith that "He will guide us from where we are and where we need to be." and we need to ask "Please give me the faith to accept whatever outcome thou hast planned for me." He then asked the question "Why should I have faith if His will ultimately is what will precail? After this experience, I knew that having faith-- at least in my circumstance--- was not necessarily knowing that he would heal me, but that He could heal me, I had to believe He could then whether or not it happened was up to Him." I have to believe and have faith my visa will come. God can not perform mirackes if I do not have faith, But also I have to have faith that my faith will not be shaken if it does not come. Satan is in the visa process but so is God :) And that gives me hope.
 
Well thats what I learned this week. hahaha Tomorrow I get new companions (sis g is going home.) Im going to miss sister gonzalez but Im excited to learn from new companions :) Im staying in jamaica! Which is good :) I love it here. I love the people and the place. This next transfer is going to be awesome! I know it will.
 
The elders told us that there is a street full of portuguese speaking individauals so we thought we would knock it :) lol BAD CHOICE! hahaha but it made us laugh. I can not speak port. and they were all from portugual and apparently they dont like Brazil... hahahaha It was way funny.
 
Keep on praying for my visa :) and that I develop patience.
 
Love you lots!
Sister PowellOi Familia! I love you :) This week has been a rough week. But it was my fault and I learned a lot grom it. So its all good. It started with sister mann getting her visa. Im so excited for her! But it made me so sad. Ive always had comfort knowing Sister mann was here. She is my best friend, pretty much goes up there with Sydney and Mckenzie and very few individuals have that honor. And then I felt bad because I was jealous, and then I lost a lot of hope that my visa will ever come. So pretty much I had a pitty party. lol Which isnt good. Because this work isnt about me.
 
So I studied the Christ like Attributes a lot this week and a lot of talks. Ive learned a lot about patience. Something I like is "patience is a process of perfection it is the waiting rather than the recieving that we grow the most." The Lord has a plan for me here in NYC and I will grow and learn from it :) I will become the individual God would have me be. I read another talk about a man who was really sick and Elder Bednar gave him a blessing but first he asked the man "Do you have faith not to be healed/" The man never thought about that. He said that "My faith was dependent upon the outcomes I wanted." So he changed himseld and said, "Strong faith in the savior is submissively accepting of His will and timeing inour lives--- even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted" We must have faith that "He will guide us from where we are and where we need to be." and we need to ask "Please give me the faith to accept whatever outcome thou hast planned for me." He then asked the question "Why should I have faith if His will ultimately is what will precail? After this experience, I knew that having faith-- at least in my circumstance--- was not necessarily knowing that he would heal me, but that He could heal me, I had to believe He could then whether or not it happened was up to Him." I have to believe and have faith my visa will come. God can not perform mirackes if I do not have faith, But also I have to have faith that my faith will not be shaken if it does not come. Satan is in the visa process but so is God :) And that gives me hope.
 
Well thats what I learned this week. hahaha Tomorrow I get new companions (sis g is going home.) Im going to miss sister gonzalez but Im excited to learn from new companions :) Im staying in jamaica! Which is good :) I love it here. I love the people and the place. This next transfer is going to be awesome! I know it will.
 
The elders told us that there is a street full of portuguese speaking individauals so we thought we would knock it :) lol BAD CHOICE! hahaha but it made us laugh. I can not speak port. and they were all from portugual and apparently they dont like Brazil... hahahaha It was way funny.
 
Keep on praying for my visa :) and that I develop patience.
 
Love you lots!
Sister Powell

From Sydney



Last week is over and the new week started terrival! hahaha. Man. Yesterday, Sister Fui wanted me to talk to a woman in our ward who isn't a member but her husband and children are, and ask if we could visit her, and something was stopping me. I just couldn't do it. But Sister Fui keeps pressuring me to do things, I need to be bolder, so I just walked up to her as she was talking with the Bishops wife and like someone with terrets, yelled:
Can we meet with you?
And the Bishops wife was like:
Sure!
And I was like:
 Uhhhhh....Can we meet with both of you on? On different days? Sometime this week?
And you could tell that this woman did not want to meet with us. But Sister Fui came and continued the conversation (Thank goodness, because I am not smooth whatsoever), and the only day we could visit her was on Monday-our PDay, so we already met with her! It went loverly. Let's just say she is upset that her boys were baptized, and she really wants nothing to do with the church (except to come with her boys to support them somewhat). And I seriously felt the Spirit tell not to say anything church related. It was the weirdest thing. And Sister Fui went with the game plan and it really backfired. I felt so bad for her, because the Spirit was seriously telling me that it wasn't her time, and I was being silent and only talked to the lady when it wasn't gospel related. I just kept thinking: Let her come to us. But yeaaaahhh. All a learning experience, right? Timing is everything. And her dad gave her antimormon things to read when she was younger, so it happens!
 
But the week before went pretty well! I fasted alot this week for new investigators, and it went awesomly! We got a hold of our old investigator, Judy! We knocked on her door and she let us in like we were best friends! She was so nice to us, but it was like a repeat of the last lesson (look at previous emails for information because seriously same exact thing). And we thought she wasn't going to invite us back, but she told us "when you girls come back next week". We were so shocked! And she said she would read and fast. Nice.
 
We also have an appointment with a former investigator named Carolyn. Let's just say Book Keeping does not mean keeping books! Que embarrasing my friends.
 
And then there is this woman in our ward that hasn't been baptized but goes to church who really wants to meet with us (even though the way she ran from us on Sunday shows otherwise). But we are going to meet with her Friday.
 
And we went contacting, and a lot of creepy people kept coming up to us and asking things about me. I had my scripture case ready to swing upwards, just incase. Haha. This guy named Tye wanted to meet with us, and he was just totes weird. We are sicking the Elders on him:)
 
Fasting really does work.We are slowly but surely getting people to teach. I have learned on my mission, that the Lord does give us miracles, but we have to work. We have to believe too that it is possible.
 
I wish I had more to write you! That was the only thrilling stuff that happened.
 
I guess I just want y'all to know that I know Heavenly Father loves us. I know he has a plan for us. I know that he leads our descions if we seek His help, and that he shapes us. I don't know what kind of person I will be after my mission, but I know I will be shaped for the better. And hopefully I become a better teacher and companion quick! I want to support Sister Fui the best I can. I am imperfect, but I know that through Preach My Gospel and Studying the sciptures, the Savior will supply the knowledge I need to be a better companion and teacher. I love being a missionary! It's hard sometimes, but it is so rewarding. I love y'all! Hope you are reading your scriptures and talking to everyone!
 
Love,
Sister Powell

From Alex



Hello People that I love :)
I didnt get to email... Im still in the good USA. hahaha It made me sad not to email because the only thing I like about Pdays is emailing. Laundry can die... Its when I do laundry that I wish I was a witch. Id be of age now so I could do alll the magic I want. Bt atlas. I am a muggle. hahaha
 
Its been a week fulll of lookups. We had the oppurtunity to go to south Jamaica this last week. In the words of Carrie "It was FABULOUS!" haha We met a nice lady though who lived in a members old apartment named Alison. She was so nice and made the trip so worth it :) I love that I have the privildge to meet so many of Gods Children.
 
We also ran into a guy this week that I met on the bus with Sister Hererra. We sat next to a guy who had a beard like Brad Pitts (His name is anothony) Well I didnt have a lot of time to talk to him so I gave him a pass a long card. I thought Id never see him again BUT! we did :) We were eating in the Jamacain Market when guess who sat by us :) Anothony! It was so exciting.
 
I went on exchanges this week with a sister named Sister Lee. I love her so much! And learned so much from her. She has such an amazing spirit and is such an example to me. One thing I learded from her is that I promised God that I would serve a mission in the Premortal Life. SHe also taught me to pray more. This is Gods work so I should always have him involved. We had an appt with a guy named nick. Who is so ready to get baptised. The Lord has prepared him his whole life. It was an awesome experience.
 
Sister Sandberg was there as well! I love seeing my MTC district randomly :) It makes me happy! She is from San Hose where Sydney is at!! So she was telling me all about the area :) It made me happy.
 
It was a good. week. I cant believe that I am on the last week of this transfer. Its so crazy! Who knows where I will be next week :) I love you all so much!
 
Some quotes I loved from personal study this week are these :)
 
"You are here at this time not by chance but as part of an eternal plan--- desugned, agreed upon, and implemented before the earth was ever created."
 
"Life is hard, but with God it is possible"
 
Remember to trust in the Lord.
 
Sister Powell

From Sydney

So. Apparantly nothing happened Monday. Actually, I am positive nothing happened monday. Haha. And that is the way of life it appears.
 
Tuesday, we recieved a new INVESTIGATOR!!! YAYA!!! I have already talked about her, and I probably already mentioned her in my other emails, but her name is Miranda. Her mom is a member, and she had to wait till she was 18 to join. She has had several baptism dates, but talking to her, it seems like missionaries just thought she was an easy baptism. She wants to be baptized, but she has never read the Book of Mormon, except in seminary, she goes to church to please her mom, and she has never really had a spiritual experience. So, Sister Fui and I are going to help her become converted. Miranda is so awesome, and Sister Fui and I just love our only investigator so much. And yes, I said only.
 
I have no idea what happened on Wednesday, I forgot to bring my journal with me. I do know that we visited a lot of old people. Haha. OH! We visited with Clara Schueler once again, and we sang to her. She is 98 and has seen a lot (even though she is blind now). But it is so cool to ask her questions. We also visited with Betty Ryan, who is 94, and who is still driving around. She is so funny, and wants to feed us at every resturant in Livermore. I am not complaining.
 
We have also been to so many funerals this week. I love them though, even though they are so sad. They are so pretty and they are all about the atonement and the plan of salvation, and how God is loving. I love how peaceful the gospel is. And I have yet to see the parents, or the wife,cry at funerals. They know that they will see their family again.
 
Thursday was a good day. We had interviews with President Watkins and we had to say some talks to Sister Watkins. They are so amazing. Being around them makes me realize how the Lord really does call His servants. They have such a hard job, but they love so much. And not only that, they have personal things to worry about. They are the most selfless people I have ever met. In my interview with President Watkins, he kept asking me over and over if there was anyting he could do for me. He is super funny too. Apparantly he loves Louisiana Food and Motorcycles. Haha.
 
Friday was a sad day. We went to teach Joe, once an investigator, about he Plan of Salvation. He lives in a love triangle. His wife and her boyfriend live together. I love them, but it really is hard for the spirit to dwell in a situation like that. It is the first time in my mission, other than in spanish, I honestly had nothing to say. Worst, we were there way too long. Sister Fui said she didn't feel the spirit leave at an hour, but he was gone. I kept trying to make us leave, but nope. And, of course the boyfriend and wife had to start arguing. It twas terrible. And then he said goodbye. And he believes in the gospel, he just doesn't want to change.
 
I learned in that lesson, that I needed to change too. I need to be so obedient. It doesn't matter if I am being the only one obedient. We are having such a hard time finding people to teach, but I believe it is only when we are obedient in everything that we will find people to teach. I also learned I really need to know preach my gospel. So I am going to study that bugger like my life depends on it. I love the scripture in Alma 17:2-3 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting; therefore they the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.
 
I have fasted so much. I need to work on my knowledge and praying though. Sometimes I get frustrated when I pray in Portuguese.
 
I have felt the spirit on my mission. I recognize times when the spirit has taught through me. It's the most amazing experience. I have also seen times where I have been prompted to visit someone. Like this week, I was prompted to visit Sister Lloyd, she didn't answer the door even though she was there, but I found out later that her dad died that day. I was prompted to go there, but it is up to people to open the door, and it is up to me to be perfectly obedient and a worthy instrument.
 
I love being here in Livermore, California. I love the people I am serving, my uno investigator, and I love my Mission President. I especially love Sister Fui. She is an amazing missionary who is helping me learn so much. She is awesome! I love her and her jokes. We have so much fun even though we annoy the snot out of each other. Haha.
 
President Watkins told me Brazil is going to be my mission, and I am going to get there eventually. But he said I am where the Lord needs me. Sometimes I just wish that the Lord would just send me to Brazil, but I do know at this time, this is where I am needed. I love this Mission. I love y'all!
 
Read your scriptures and pray always! The Lord loves you!
 
Love,
 
Sister Powell

From Alex

This week was quite the week! I have so much I need to work on. I want to be the best I can possibly be. We had a trainer trainee meeting this week. It was way awesome. President Calderwood (the mission president) is such an inspired man. His testimony makes mine stronger.
 
We got our air condition after trainer meeting! Wonderful moment :) It is so hot it NYC! But im sure its is cool compared to Brazil. We had another miracle walk into the church this week. Her name is Amaris. We gave her a church tour. She is so sad. I just wwant to give her all my knowledge so she can be happy. Hopefully we can teach her.
 
Sister Gonzalez had he departing missionary temple trip this week. So I went on an exchange with Sister Mortenson and Sister Price. It was awesome! We had a music sweep and it was cool being in an area with homes! Mine only has apartments. I love homes :)
 
We had service this week and sister Mann was there! I love her so much. SHe makes me happy :) It made my week seeing her.
 
We had ward conference yesterday. The stake pres is so bold it is fantastic. He basically told the ward "Get over yourselves." hahaha
 
We also did ward look ups this week. Yesterday we walked so much. No one lives where they say they live. It is fantastic. At least we are getting the ward directory ready for those that will come in next.
 
I read a cool talk about using the atonement in everything we do. When we testify, give a talk, or teach it should all be geared back to the Atonement. This is because everyone on earth once had a testimony of Jesus Christ. When we speak of the Savior we trigger a memory and they are drawn to it.
 
Well I love you so much! You are all so amazing.
 
Mary-Catherine, Whitney, and Elaine. Yall should all write me and telll me how things are! I love you all!
 
Sister Powell

From Sydney

So this week has been a week of trying and trying and pretty much failing. Hhaha
 
It's been awesome though. I have found that failure isn't as bad as it used to be. And I really didn't fail, I tried pretty dang hard and just reached something else. Right? I don't not what, but something or the other. And now I am rambling.
 
First off in this lovely email, I want to start of a list of things I have learned on my mission. There have been many things and I have decided I am going to compile a list of things that I have learned:
 
1- 90% of the things I want to do, is not the Lord's will.
2- Turning my heart towards the Lord's will really hurts.
3- Turning your will to the Lord's brings a lot of blessings.
4- Miracles really do exist.
5- This is clearly not my mission- every moment of my mission is the Lord's.
6- Don't allow someone who is on a new lifestyle to buy fast food (your money will be gone)
7- I still hate hot dogs
8- I am allergic to an unknown substance
9- I think it might be nuts or soy -I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER THOUGH!!!
10- (This number I will emit from my families eyes. Sssshhoorrry!)
11- Never answer the phone to your Mission President unprofessionally. Not pro. YIKES!
12- I look like a Victoria Secret Model
13- I am the weakest person I know. I need to rely on the Lord always. He is my strength!
14- Don't make best friends with the Bishop. Or anyone. I also shouldn't wear my hair down. Girls hate me for things that I really don't understand.
15- I am super forgetful
16- I need to watch what I say.
17- I should be on TLC helping Hoarders
18- Never help a Hoarder move.
19- Heavenly Father qualifies and helps his missionaries do everything especially love automatically.
20- Jesus Christ is central to everything.
21- I am pretty sure our family was on the focus 15
22- I am the female version of Lehi.
23- I need the Spirit every moment
24- I know my Savior is my best friend.
25- Old Ladies love the song Count Your Many Blessings
26- Sister Fuimanono takes forever in the Bathroom. She shouldn't eat otterpops.
27- Mary Catherine Zachary should marry a Samoan- they are exactly like her and hate dogs.
28- Perfect obedience is vital
 
I stopped my list right there, but there is a whole lot more.
 
Last week we were with a Sister Training Leader. Sister Johnson was so funny. We found this man who promised us he would come to church. He promised he said. So I am going to watch out for him. Everyone we visited that day, did not answer, except for Clara Shueler who is 98 and can't go anywhere and Betty Ryan who is 94 and also can't go anywhere. I really do love old ladies though. They are so cute!
 
Tuesday we helped a hoarder named Cheryl Gray move. We have been helping her for a couple weeks, but I was getting sick of her keeping everything. I went in my acting mode and I pretended I knew how to reason with a hoarder.
 
"Cheryl, I know it is sad, but you have to get rid of this."
"Cheryl, you are moving to a smaller place, you have to give 70 percent of your stuff. I know it is sad, but you need to."
"Okay, out of all these ear rings, you can only keep one. I know, I know, but these would sale really nicely at a garage sale."
"No one uses those anymore, I don't even think they make batteries for those."
"Girlfriend, that isn't even in style anymore."
 
By the time it was over, she was all excited about getting rid of things. It was a party!
 
Wednesday was Zone Training Meeting, and I had to bare my testimony. I have born my testimony so many times. I love it, but dang, people need to stop picking on me;) We visited so many people on Wednesday, and no one answered us.  And Cheryl fired us cause we knew to much about her and she wanted to live her own life. Man. Failure! We tried so hard, that we were so emotionally drained.
 
Thursday, we went and visited all these people that Salt Lake threw at us and they all moved or never existed. And we got a new investigator! I probably described him before, but his name is Joe and he has this issue that he just doesn't want to change. I keep praying and fasting for him. I read in the Book of Mormon about Amulek and Alma. Amulek was this man that was all set in his ways even though he knew the gospel, and then an angel appeared to him. And he changed. Joe needs one of those experiences. His wife told us: good luck! Better ones than you have tried and failed.
She obviosly does not know Sister Powell and Sister Fui and the power of having the Spirit as your companion!!! WOOHOO!.
 
Friday we yelled at an old woman. Well, sort of. She just couldn't hear us and she was really far away. The whole neighborhood could hear us except for her. Haha. And then an old lady slammed the door in our faces. It's alright, they all are a tiny bit crazy.
 
Sunday we went on splits with this young married girl named Sister Light. It was so funny because everyone we visited wasn't there. Go figure. Haha. Story of our LIVES!
 
We went contacting that day and I was just so fearless. I was just walking through huge crowds offering mormon.org cards to everyone. They all take the card thinking I am twelve. It's really funny. And they all look at me strangely. But it's best to embrace the awkward.
 
Sister Omdahls husband finally passed after having no food for 22 days. She has handled it so well. She had been feeling so alone and hurt, but after her husband died, she said she was surrounded by peace and she was happy, because she knew he was in a better place. I love that we know the Plan of Happiness. Heavenly Father isn't hiding his plan or purpose for us. He loves us so much and lets us know that we can be with our familes again and we will see them! I love Him so much. I love our purpose!
 
I love y'all so much and I pray for you always! I hope y'all have an awesome week. Don't forget to pray and read your scriptures!
 
Love,
 
Sister Powell

From Alex

What a week!! So good/sad/all other emotions. haha Its amazing the different emotions you can feel during one week of your mission. I GOT YOU PACKAGE!! Horrah for packages :) It made me so so so so so so so so happy!! Thank you everryone so much!
 
We had an awesome adventure this week of trying to find Carmelles home. We might have been lost... haha BUT we found her apartment.. BUT she wasnt home so we heart attacked her door and she contacted us again! YAY!
 
We went to sheharas home this week. It was good! Her 80 year old grandma is in love with me. She kissed my hand for a good minute and said was an angel :) It was so cute! haha I gave the workshop at ZTM this week. It was about enduring to the end. I think it went well. It didnt go at all as planned but hopefully I said something good.
 
Sister Hererra got her visa this week :( (for me) :) (for her) haha Im going to miss her so much! She was my angel her in Jamaica. But I know that these next three weeks with Sister Gonzalez are going to be amazing. I know it.
 
We taught a lady named Angela this week. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong. SHe is really sad but I know that the Gospel will bring her the happiness that she needs.
 
I had a President interview this week. It was amazing. I know why I am here in Jamaica, NY. I can do what the Lord needs me to do. For now this is where the Lord called me. We are called as missionaries and only assigned to areas.
 
I did exchanges with Sister Chipman this week. It was such a good day! I learned so much from her! We went and saw a lady named Millicent. She is 87 and Im pretty sure she is not all there. She was so sweet though! She blessed my me and my children and their children and their children because we gave her a BOM. She started crying because she was so happy. She is in a care center and is so loving. She kept on squeezing my arms and saying "Eat more! You look so young!" haha
 
Its been a hot week. We had to take our air condition unit out. So basically we are on the top floor with no air condition dying... lol its fun though!!! We had a water fight! hahaha
 
 
I have learned a lot this week. On thing I have learned is that Obedience should always be done with an obedient heart or you will never change. I read an awesome talk called the fourth missionary. Here are some quotes :)
 
 
"Every challenge you face, every hard thing you confront, every bad thing that happenes to you, every unfairness, every conflict, every sadness, tragedy, every disappointment and heartache, every temptation and every opposition happens for one purpose: to give you opportunity to repond by applying in your life the teachings of Jesus. As you do you are changed to become like Him"
 
Something cool that he said is That you make who you are and only you can change you.
 
I am so happy :) I want to be who the Lord wants me to be!
I love you guys so so much! Stay strong and know God loves you!
Love Sister Powell