From sydney

Well, I was going to bash all y'all for not sending me recipes. Haha. But could y'all send me some other recipes: Red Beans and Rice, Missippi Mud Pie, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Etufee, e Gumbo? Hahaha.

 

So, Monday happened. I, Sister Powell, was so upsest that I didn't have a Jumbalaya Recipe. And then I have to be like super obedient. I asked EVERYONE IN THE WORLD online for a recipe. I even asked my nice Brother-in-law, Bradyn Fairclough to all who are confused who I am reffering to, to send me a recipe (Thanks Bradyn by the way:)) But at last, things weren't going my way. So I asked a random black man in front of me how to make stinking Jumbalaya. The spirit prompted me to the right direction. But after I made it, I figured out I should've cooked it WITH the rice. Hahahaha. I was like DUH! But at last, I made a type of Jumbalaya. Elder Clayton loved it so much. He bought me chocolate. Thanks Carrie and Kenzie, I will send him those:)

 

This week has been weird. I have been on splits in my second area. I have seen hundreds of people (more like twenty), all of which have said I am never getting my Visa. Ever. Hahaha. But my old Bishop has my back! He's praying for me.

 

I have been here a long time. I hit my sixth month mark! Crazy! I am so old now I officially have a year left in my mission.

 

Tuesday was interviews. I love President Watkins and Sister Watkins. They are the most giving and loving people. I really appreciate all they do. Their mission is so hard, but they have done so well. President Watkins, I think, made it his mission to provide me with a new wardrobe. At interviews, he gave me some shirts and a skirt. Which I LOVE. And then I went to Panda Express, and I got a fortune cookie that said, :"It would be wise for you at this time not to accept too much from others". And then on Friday, I recieve two HUGE packages from my Zone Leaders filled with clothes. I am like, "What do I do? I must follow Panda's advice!" But they were all so cute. I have so much clothes and they are all from Brooks Brothers. I never thought I would be so excited for clothes. The mission has changed me.

 

On Wednesday, we drove to the temple with some members. I loved the temple. I never wanted to leave. But I had to go back to the real world. Meh. Haha.

 

I love my mission. This week was a struggle finding people to teach. There isn't much of a teaching pull in the Tongan Program. But our members are so loving. They think I am sickly and feed me too much, but I know they do it because they love me.

 

Poly Day is coming up. I am so excited! I have waited for this day since Fuimaono. Of couse, I thought for sure that I would be in Brazil by the time it came. But obviously my visa is just waiting for Poly Day.

 

I have been trying to figure out what my purpose here in San Jose is. In the measure of success with numbers, I am failing as a missionary. But, I think I am here to help fix areas and companionships. I have been to so many areas that have had issues with the missionaries themselves. They have had rough times with the area, rules, or other missionaries. But I have felt such a deep love for them, and I love seeing them grow. It's probably reasonable to say, but I count my companions as my greatest success here in San Jose. All nine (or eleven including the MTC:)) are who I think about the most. I pray about them, and I love them so much. Sister Funaki is an amazing missionary. I am so lucky to be serving with her. We may have not been successful in the way that we report are numbers, but we have grown so much spiritually together. I have learned how to control my anger, and just love. Its ridiculous.

 

I wish I had more to tell you about my week (a man named Frank keeps calling me, but I ignore him. I am telling everyone that I have a boyfriend). But I think all I have to really share this email is my testimony. I loved general conference. A lot of my prayers were answered. It's amazing how inspired it is.

 

I know this church is true. I know it so much. I have realized, that I want to serve for this church always. Because it is the true church. It was the same church that was established by Jesus Christ. It has the same teachings, foundation, and leader. When I serve the church, I am serving Him. He is my best friend. I love Him, and I know Him. He lifts me up at my weakest moments. He died for all of us. I know that the temple is the place where we can be sealed (or married) to our families for time and eternity. I know that the Priesthood is real and poweful. I know that repentance is real. It works and it is liberating. Prayer is real. Heavenly Father loves us and listens to us. He recognizes our struggles, but he is shaping us. He sees us for who we are to become. He is our Father. We can turn to him for anything. I know that I am here in San Jose for a reason. I don't know when or if I will get my Visa, but I am on a mission. That's all I ever wanted to do. I am so grateful for all of you for helping me, supporting me, for loving me. I hope y'all know the church is true! Do missionary work.

 

My greatest regret that I have thought about over and over these past weeks is telling my friend in high school that she didn't need to invite the missionaries back. If my friend is reading my blog, I know that you do need to invite them back. The message they have is true. I am so sorry that I got scared. I hope you know that I love you!

 

I hope I never get scared anymore when it comes to preaching the gospel. It's true!

 

I love y'all so much. I hope you know that I am trying my hardest on my mission. I feel your prayers, and they support me. Read the Book of Mormon. Read the Bible! The Bible is amazing, and truly is the Word of God. Both help us know our savior more.

 

I love you!

 

Sister Powell

From Sydney

I have what I call, Tongan Food Poison Sickness. I blame the Fish Brain. Haha. No one eats the fish brain, and I go ahead and decide to chow down on it to be impressive. Disgusting. It tasted like...something that was disgusting. I have been up for 5 nights, all night, hanging out by the bathroom door. It's been terrible. But it solves all constipation problems if you catch my drift. But you sure don't want to smell it. Ha! Oh I am just soooo funny.

 

We have worked sooooo hard this week!

 

We have been lessoning everyone. We visited with this Hawiann Family that had this cute little old man, who just kept talking and talking. And he was so ashamed about his little morning scruff, he shaved right away. And he was so old, I don't think he knew he kept giving us referrals. He just kept giving them to us and giving them to us. Polynesians have a lot of family and friends.

 

So we visited his referrals. We visited Patricia, a little Mexican woman who was baptized in the Tongan ward a couple years ago, and married a Samoan. She had the CUTEST baby. She was so happy we were there.

 

We visited The Ve'es. They are a part member family who just loves families. What I love about Polynesians, is that they just value the importance of families so much. Brother Ve'e is so cool and just loves people. He isn't a member, but he knows it is true. He is so supportive of his wife, and it's so cool cause she went to the temple with out him. She isn't waiting for the blessings. I like her.

 

We visited this woman named Deseree, who loves this nasty juice. If someone makes me drink that juice one more time, I don't know what more poor stomach will do. It just might run away on me!

 

On Thursday, we had what we called "Sisters Retreat" all the Sisters got together, and basically had a girls camp. It was really fun. We had a makeup class, a little arts and craft class, a cooking class (I need recipes people!), a health class (good news everyone, I am not balding. It's a part. And yes, I asked), and we had talks, and study time. We had a study time, and then we had a clothes exchange. It was fun. I came out of that place with Hydrogen Proixcide (I am such a horrible speller. My word).

 

Then the rest of the week, we visited a ton of people who blend together and have the hardest names in the world! I have no idea how I am going to learn their names. But they are all so awesome. East Palo Alto is a fun place. This guy named Alex approached me on the streat while we were contacting. This is a classic contact and usually how it goes for me:

 

Alex (looking drugged up and not looking at the right place): How old are you?

Me (Thinking none your buisness but I am the servant of the Lord and have to be polite): I am twenty one

Alex: What is your name?

Me (Ha!): Sister Powell

Alex: My name is Alex.

Me: (Kay)

Alex: What are you?

Me (Evil Smile): I am a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (takes a deep breath. That is a word full)

Alex: Oh. What do they do?

Me (We invite others to come unto Christ by helping them recieve the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repetance, baptism, recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the end. Which is what I call "Enjoying to the End): We help people come closer to Jesus Christ.

Alex: Cool. Can I have your number?

Me (what's the Elders number again?): Uhhhh...Sister Funaki!

Alex: Here is my number. The bus is coming.

Me: Okay.

Alex: 55555555555. Call me in two days when my parole is over.

Me: Will do my friend.

 

And that is how contacting goes for me. I get a lot of numbers though. Yeah!

 

I have struggled this week with thinking nice thoughts. I think it is the lack of sleep. But I also think it is because Satan doesn't want missionaries to get along with their companion. So I have done the opposite of what I think, when I think something mean about Sister Funaki, out loud I say something nice. I compliment her so much, I think she is going to go crazy. Haha. I love her a lot. And it is funny the things that bother me, usually I have the same issues with myself. She is a great companion, and makes me work hard. She loves the work so much. I love the work too. I am so lucky to be on a mission. I love you all!

 

Love,

 

Sister Powell

 

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From Sydney

My dear family and friends,

 

Let me take you to Tuesday-transfers day, a place I never thought I would see again. A place full of scared, weeping, and trembling servants of the Lord, and one extremely stressed Mission President. Its havock and not really that fun.

 

I walk in, as usual, and I see everyone I know (which is everyone when you have been in 5 different areas). Everyone wants to take a picture with me (I'm pop-u-lar! Actually that's a lie, I ask to take a picture with everyone and they are like "who is this crazy haired Sister?).

 

And I sit down next to my three companions, and I wait. And wait for my named to be called. Everyone is going up, the Sisters hug each other, the Elders do their awkward slap hug thing they do. Its too mushy. And then I get called and they say I am with Sister Funaki of the Pen Fifth Ward, and I am so confused. Cause I am like: Tongan? That's a Tongan sister. So I swear he didn't call my name. I stand up and just go in circles looking for my companion, and everyone just laughs at me. President makes his Pilot Program joke again. I don't like to remind him that he made that joke 4 areas ago.

 

So I find Sister Funaki in the front and I sit with her. And we wait for the end, and then they have to annouce their "Special Assignments". And Then they say my name: We are working with all the Polynesions. We are covering 7 wards. Yay! Ah. And then I hear my name again, and I learn that I have to drive. In California. In San Jose. On the interstate. For the first time in like 4 years. And I about pee in my pants. And I find out that I am living in my same apartment from before that is really tiny and birds poo on the car. I was so thrilled. Ha! I love my roommates: Sister Hall (companion 1) and Sister Raney. They are awesome.

 

Sister Funaki is so funny. Since we were trying to figure out what to do, we went to visit our Tongan Ward a lot. And Tongans are so funny. At first they did not like me. At all. But then I ate their food (every last bit) and then they loved me. I found out that that was probably a mistake because I HAVE EATEN SOOOOO MUCH! I am going on a diet. Meh.

 

Church was so funny. It was all in Tongan. Tongan is a fun language that makes no sense whatsoever. I am trying my hardest though. I can say a couple phrases:)

 

I am excited to work with 7 wards. We have to go to their Ward Councils, meet with their Ward Mission Leaders, and go to their Sacraments. And we get to visit like every member to try to get referels for any Polynesion. Its so cool.

 

This week was super good. I ate a dinner where a fish was looking right at me. It was good. The eyeballs we squishy;)

 

Everyone in the Tongan Ward is super friendly. There is a Tongan man named Frank Powell. We related to him?

 

I love y'all so much! Hopefully next time I have more to write to y'all. Not much happened except that I drive slower than an Asian Grandma, and I have gained twenty pounds, and I am learning Tongan. The Church is true!!!

 

Tau Toki Sio!

 

 

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.