Hello Everyone--
So not only did I shot gun, but I am also follow up training!!! I am serving in..... BEDFORD, NH!!! My mission president is in my ward, and the AP's. It is a big ward, and our area is tiny, but has tons of people. Oh my goodness, I went from the boonies of Sisters areas, to one of the biggest city sister's areas.
I am follow up training Sister Page from Nebraska. She has been in the field for 6 weeks. She is amazing!!! I swear she is not a greenie at all! I am learning so much from her already. So we got to our new area on Tuesday afternoon..... So we have 2 sets of missionaries in our ward... so we are allowed to go anywhere in the ward boundaries to visit members, but then we have to stay in our own to teach and find.... Well, we had two maps saying what our area was. We called the AP's, and they didn't really know either. So we sort of know our area (and we don't live in our area), but not really. We have gotten SO lost, but we are having fun! We are laughing a lot!
I will say, I don't like driving in a city!! It is so weird. Way too many cars, and people crossing the street, and where do we park???? But it is good. We don't really know what's going on still. We have only seen one of our investigators, a 17 yr old girl named Hannah Jones. We met her on Thursday and she had a baptism date for Feb. 25th.... well that night we were told that she is getting baptized on Friday Feb. 4th.... WHAT! So we have been trying to rush to get everything done, so that she can be baptized then.... And since I have no experience with that yet, I don't really know what I'm doing.
We have been doing a lot of trying to contact potential investigators, so we haven't done much tracting yet.... which is so weird to me, because that is pretty much all I did for 5 of my previous 6 transfers.
Shot gunning is crazy. Training is crazy. Luckily, my greenie is so good, that it's not even like I'm training. The only thing that is a little difficult here, is that our area borders the mission boundaries.... so we accidentally got lost one day, and realized we weren't even in our mission any more... :S But we quickly got back into it, and decided NOT to go that way again. We are both used to big areas, and our map scale was like 2 or more miles for each box on the map. Well here it is like 1/4 of a mile per box, and so we think we have a long ways to go, but really we don't. So we find ourselves way in the wrong direction.
Well we are still trying to find our way around, and meet our investigators, so I don't have much else to say. Other than it is weird to be in Bedford, because I feel like I know people here already. Sister Hill would talk about it all the time, and show me pictures (she served here for 7 1/2 months).... but in real life i haven't actually met them yet. haha. It's fun to also see other missionaries all the time!!!
Oh, PS.... SISTER HATCH IS IN MY DISTRICT! Yay!! (she was my MTC companion). We are in same district, so we see each other at district meeting, then we hang out on P-days, and we see each other at church on Sundays!!!! So awesome!!!!!!
Well I love you all, and I can't believe my birthday is tomorrow. It doesn't seem like it..... But I know I am old now, because this morning I was able to say... "I did that like 15 years ago." If I did something 15 years ago, and I still remember it, that means I am getting old now... the big 22!!!
Write me! :)
love, Sister Rankin
Mom,
I am so happy to have gotten transferred. Our apartment is in the basement of a members home. It is weird, tiny, and dark. But we are making the best of it. We also have no door between our apartment and the members living quarters... that is awkward sometimes. The area is so small, but tons of homes and people. We have a big (for New England) ward. I am picking up my birthday package from the mission office today. I was going to get in on Friday, but I didn't want to be tempted to open it early.
I'm all better now.. no more sickness.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Transfer 8 Here I come.
Hello Everyone--
WELL I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So is Sister Gaggini, they are bringing in two new sisters to the area. I will be shot gunning an area (me and my new comp will both be brand new to the area!) I will be staying sr. companion!! I am super excited!!! But it is a little stressful trying to pack all my stuff, and get the area ready for brand new people. I don't want to forget to leave any important info!
So it has been bitter cold these last few days! It is -2*F right now.... The highs have only been 16*, but usually only around 8-10* in the sun light! We are staying warm... at least trying to!
We were supposed to get an ice storm last week... well it didn't really hit us. We did get another 12-14 inches of snow. We spent lots of hours on Tuesday shoveling snow. Wednesday I was in bed all day sick. I had a terrible stomach ache.... so I just laid in bed and stuff. Thursday we had zone interviews.... boy was that an adventure. It was supposed to be in Concord, but an Elder in my district has some bad sciatic nerve problems, so the mission president came to the church where we normally have district meeting (in Laconia). We had some wonderful interviews with President Wilkey.... Boy, I have the BEST mission president EVER!!!!!
Friday and Saturday we did a lot more snow shoveling. That was basically how our week was filled.... boy does my back get sore. I can go strong for about and hour and a half, and then my body says, "I'm done." haha. It's fun though.
It's going to be hard to leave some of the members here, but I am so excited for a new adventure!!! Shot gunning will be fun. I have no idea who my new companion will be, or where I will be, but it will be fun!
So I know this is really kind of lame this week, but all I can think about is all the things I have to do today.
My birthday is coming up soon... so a little letter would me nice.... HINT HINT!!!! ;P
love you all, hope the weather isn't as cold for you as it is for me! :)
love, Sister Rankin
WELL I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So is Sister Gaggini, they are bringing in two new sisters to the area. I will be shot gunning an area (me and my new comp will both be brand new to the area!) I will be staying sr. companion!! I am super excited!!! But it is a little stressful trying to pack all my stuff, and get the area ready for brand new people. I don't want to forget to leave any important info!
So it has been bitter cold these last few days! It is -2*F right now.... The highs have only been 16*, but usually only around 8-10* in the sun light! We are staying warm... at least trying to!
We were supposed to get an ice storm last week... well it didn't really hit us. We did get another 12-14 inches of snow. We spent lots of hours on Tuesday shoveling snow. Wednesday I was in bed all day sick. I had a terrible stomach ache.... so I just laid in bed and stuff. Thursday we had zone interviews.... boy was that an adventure. It was supposed to be in Concord, but an Elder in my district has some bad sciatic nerve problems, so the mission president came to the church where we normally have district meeting (in Laconia). We had some wonderful interviews with President Wilkey.... Boy, I have the BEST mission president EVER!!!!!
Friday and Saturday we did a lot more snow shoveling. That was basically how our week was filled.... boy does my back get sore. I can go strong for about and hour and a half, and then my body says, "I'm done." haha. It's fun though.
It's going to be hard to leave some of the members here, but I am so excited for a new adventure!!! Shot gunning will be fun. I have no idea who my new companion will be, or where I will be, but it will be fun!
So I know this is really kind of lame this week, but all I can think about is all the things I have to do today.
My birthday is coming up soon... so a little letter would me nice.... HINT HINT!!!! ;P
love you all, hope the weather isn't as cold for you as it is for me! :)
love, Sister Rankin
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
10 months out.... holy cow!
Hello everyone-
WOW, today is my 10 month mark!!! That is so crazy!!! I don't know where the time has gone. Pretty soon I'm going to have to figure out when I'm going to come home (Aug. or Oct).... :S I don't want to think about going back to reality! haha
So last Monday I had lobster for the first time.... a big, red, ugly animal on my plate. We got to break it all apart. Can't say it was my favorite, but it was fun to tear it apart. The Flinders made it for us. They are a super fun family in the branch. Also on Monday I started getting a cough/cold that my lovely companion decided to share with me.... :( It was one of the worst colds I have had in years.
Wednesday our cars were grounded.... We weren't allowed to drive them because of the snow. We got about 16 inches in one day in Plymouth. (Some other parts of the mission got hit WAY harder.,... 22''+) We had service that morning, that we didn't want to miss, so we got all bundled up and walked 2-2 1/2 miles in the over-the-top-of-our-boots deep snow. It took about an hour to walk there, then we did service for and hour, then walked home. When we got home, we ate lunch, then I shoveled snow for an hour, then we stayed in the rest of the day (with permission from President). Sadly, we didn't get to take a nap.... we kept ourselves busy working on our youth activity we are doing tomorrow, the lesson we taught in RS yesterday, and our talks we gave yesterday.
Thursday, because of all the cold meds I was on, and my mostly useless navigator (she is completely directionally retarded, and has never driven/can't use a map....... it's nothing against her), we missed our exit to go to district meeting... well we got lost. Needless to say, it took us an hour to get to district meeting, instead of the normal 30 min.
Friday my cold was killing me. Luckily it was weekly planning, so we don't normally go out till 2 anyways. I slept from 12:45 till 2:30 (with a couple little breaks). After that, I felt so much better. We were able to go out and work, after that.
Saturday morning we were out of cold med's so before we headed out for the day, we stopped at walmart to get some stuff. As we were checking out, our cashier (who has checked us out many times) was looking at my name tag weird. I moved my hair, and she started asking about where the church is and stuff. I was telling her, and then I asked her if she could take info about the church while at work. She said she couldn't, but she gave us her cell phone number and said to call her because she is looking for a new church!!! How cool!!!!!! We were so excited.
Later that day we were out tracting. We were walking on a road that had like no houses, but we were heading to a less actives.... there was a small spot that looked like it would be a nice path to walk on. I was going to play a joke on Sister Gaggini and pretend to go walk off the other way. Well the joke was on me. When I took my second step, I sunk.... My left leg was mid thigh deep in snow. Oh my goodness... It was cold, but funny. On our way back I tried to fill the whole in with snow, so that if someone saw it they wouldn't think something weird was happening.... well next thing I know, I am once again, mid thigh deep in snow with my left leg. Super annoying!!!! My leg was freezing for awhile, but it got better over time.
Yesterday Sister Gaggini and I both had to speak in sacrament meeting. She talked for 30 min.... I talked for 20, and didn't even get to cover anything, but we were completely out of time. Then we taught RS.
We are still working hard, trying to find people, (and get over our colds).
I hope you all have a wonderful week, and letters would be wonderful! :)
Love, Sister Rankin
WOW, today is my 10 month mark!!! That is so crazy!!! I don't know where the time has gone. Pretty soon I'm going to have to figure out when I'm going to come home (Aug. or Oct).... :S I don't want to think about going back to reality! haha
So last Monday I had lobster for the first time.... a big, red, ugly animal on my plate. We got to break it all apart. Can't say it was my favorite, but it was fun to tear it apart. The Flinders made it for us. They are a super fun family in the branch. Also on Monday I started getting a cough/cold that my lovely companion decided to share with me.... :( It was one of the worst colds I have had in years.
Wednesday our cars were grounded.... We weren't allowed to drive them because of the snow. We got about 16 inches in one day in Plymouth. (Some other parts of the mission got hit WAY harder.,... 22''+) We had service that morning, that we didn't want to miss, so we got all bundled up and walked 2-2 1/2 miles in the over-the-top-of-our-boots deep snow. It took about an hour to walk there, then we did service for and hour, then walked home. When we got home, we ate lunch, then I shoveled snow for an hour, then we stayed in the rest of the day (with permission from President). Sadly, we didn't get to take a nap.... we kept ourselves busy working on our youth activity we are doing tomorrow, the lesson we taught in RS yesterday, and our talks we gave yesterday.
Thursday, because of all the cold meds I was on, and my mostly useless navigator (she is completely directionally retarded, and has never driven/can't use a map....... it's nothing against her), we missed our exit to go to district meeting... well we got lost. Needless to say, it took us an hour to get to district meeting, instead of the normal 30 min.
Friday my cold was killing me. Luckily it was weekly planning, so we don't normally go out till 2 anyways. I slept from 12:45 till 2:30 (with a couple little breaks). After that, I felt so much better. We were able to go out and work, after that.
Saturday morning we were out of cold med's so before we headed out for the day, we stopped at walmart to get some stuff. As we were checking out, our cashier (who has checked us out many times) was looking at my name tag weird. I moved my hair, and she started asking about where the church is and stuff. I was telling her, and then I asked her if she could take info about the church while at work. She said she couldn't, but she gave us her cell phone number and said to call her because she is looking for a new church!!! How cool!!!!!! We were so excited.
Later that day we were out tracting. We were walking on a road that had like no houses, but we were heading to a less actives.... there was a small spot that looked like it would be a nice path to walk on. I was going to play a joke on Sister Gaggini and pretend to go walk off the other way. Well the joke was on me. When I took my second step, I sunk.... My left leg was mid thigh deep in snow. Oh my goodness... It was cold, but funny. On our way back I tried to fill the whole in with snow, so that if someone saw it they wouldn't think something weird was happening.... well next thing I know, I am once again, mid thigh deep in snow with my left leg. Super annoying!!!! My leg was freezing for awhile, but it got better over time.
Yesterday Sister Gaggini and I both had to speak in sacrament meeting. She talked for 30 min.... I talked for 20, and didn't even get to cover anything, but we were completely out of time. Then we taught RS.
We are still working hard, trying to find people, (and get over our colds).
I hope you all have a wonderful week, and letters would be wonderful! :)
Love, Sister Rankin
Monday, January 10, 2011
1-10-11
Hello everyone-
This week we had some opposition to say the least. We met some of the rudest people that I have met so far in Plymouth... and it was all in less than a 24 hr. time frame. :(
So last Monday we went down to Tilton, NH for a district shopping day.... yeah, that was weird. Basically it was so the Elders could spend their Christmas money, and so I could exchange some stuff. But yes, it was weird...
So we have this really awesome family in the branch, The Flinders.... We had dinner with them last Monday, and it was really fun. They have two little boys that are so funny! We have a lot of fun when ever we go and visit them.
Yesterday at church the talks were about member missionary work. They were wonderful. I hope it gets the spark under the people in the branch.
On Wednesday we had dinner with the family (who are members) of one of our investigators (Jim). (he had to work). It was great, because we were able to build up a lot of trust with the family. Also we found out that Jim has been reading the scriptures and praying on his own!!! That is so exciting. He has been being taught for 4 months or so, and he is just now starting to do that! WE are going to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial with him and his family on Saturday! I'm excited for that.
We met some really nice people while tracting this week... followed by some really mean people. It makes you so sad when you meet people who are so rude to you. The only thing they know about the church is Anti- stuff, and they won't even let you talk. I don't feel bad for us, but for them. If only they knew the truth, it would make them so much happier!!!
Hopefully Jonathan will be able to come to church this next Sunday! We have had some great lessons with him, and he finally got the Book of Mormon on tape, so now he can listen to it! :)
Oh my goodness.... Yesterday at church (during RS) I was asked by the deaf lady in the branch to interpret for her. The only person who does it was teaching the lesson so she couldn't. I was like WHAT.... I don't know sign language. Then she told me to just mouth everything that is said. Well, I'm not good at mouthing things well... and the whole listening and talking thing at the same time, doesn't work for me. After about 5 min, and the lady not understanding a word I was saying, someone finally stepped in for me. So embarrassing, and challenging. It made me grateful for my ability to hear, see, and talk.
Well transfers are in 2 weeks.............
Sorry this is kind of a really lame letter. hopefully next week will be better.... (And we are at weird computers, and we have to stand, so my hands are killing me from the weird angle we have to type at. haha)
Love, Sister Rankin
This week we had some opposition to say the least. We met some of the rudest people that I have met so far in Plymouth... and it was all in less than a 24 hr. time frame. :(
So last Monday we went down to Tilton, NH for a district shopping day.... yeah, that was weird. Basically it was so the Elders could spend their Christmas money, and so I could exchange some stuff. But yes, it was weird...
So we have this really awesome family in the branch, The Flinders.... We had dinner with them last Monday, and it was really fun. They have two little boys that are so funny! We have a lot of fun when ever we go and visit them.
Yesterday at church the talks were about member missionary work. They were wonderful. I hope it gets the spark under the people in the branch.
On Wednesday we had dinner with the family (who are members) of one of our investigators (Jim). (he had to work). It was great, because we were able to build up a lot of trust with the family. Also we found out that Jim has been reading the scriptures and praying on his own!!! That is so exciting. He has been being taught for 4 months or so, and he is just now starting to do that! WE are going to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial with him and his family on Saturday! I'm excited for that.
We met some really nice people while tracting this week... followed by some really mean people. It makes you so sad when you meet people who are so rude to you. The only thing they know about the church is Anti- stuff, and they won't even let you talk. I don't feel bad for us, but for them. If only they knew the truth, it would make them so much happier!!!
Hopefully Jonathan will be able to come to church this next Sunday! We have had some great lessons with him, and he finally got the Book of Mormon on tape, so now he can listen to it! :)
Oh my goodness.... Yesterday at church (during RS) I was asked by the deaf lady in the branch to interpret for her. The only person who does it was teaching the lesson so she couldn't. I was like WHAT.... I don't know sign language. Then she told me to just mouth everything that is said. Well, I'm not good at mouthing things well... and the whole listening and talking thing at the same time, doesn't work for me. After about 5 min, and the lady not understanding a word I was saying, someone finally stepped in for me. So embarrassing, and challenging. It made me grateful for my ability to hear, see, and talk.
Well transfers are in 2 weeks.............
Sorry this is kind of a really lame letter. hopefully next week will be better.... (And we are at weird computers, and we have to stand, so my hands are killing me from the weird angle we have to type at. haha)
Love, Sister Rankin
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's January.... CRAZY!
Hello Everyone-
So these last two weeks have been full of holidays, lots of snow, and then 40-50* weather!!!
On Christmas eve we went and visited members, and then we went to dinner with one of our former investigators Rita. That night we went to the RS presidents house and watch "On The Lord's Errand". Christmas morning, we woke up, exercised, studied, then opened our presents. We spent the whole day visiting single sisters, part member families, and a less active family. Then we went and had dinner at an active members house. I came home and made my phone call.... Did it feel like Christmas, NO! Did I feel like a missionary NO... it was weird to not tract for 2 days in a row!!! That was our Christmas miracle! No mom, the phone call DIDN'T make me home sick. It made my companion pretty home sick though.... YUCK, home sickness is yucky to deal with. I don't know how those other missionaries in our ward talked for 2 or more hours..... One was hard enough for me. I didn't know what to say. haha. but it was good to hear the families voices.
So Sunday night after Christmas we got a huge snow storm. It dropped 10 inches over night (we had absolutely no snow before it), and then another 2 inches that Monday. We went and made snow angels, it was fun! But it made for some interesting parking situations during the rest of the week. We would have to get out of the car, walk on the side of the road to see what was under the snow, and then drive over it back and forth a few times, to make sure we wouldn't get stuck in it! But it was fun! I did have my first slip on the ice.... So my companion is usually always the one tripping over things, but she never falls. Then we were walking down the road, and next thing I know, I am on my butt.... yes I slipped on ice and fell right to my bum... it was funny, we had to get a picture. But with my big fluffy coat on, it didn't even hurt. At points that week we were walking in snow that went up to our knees.... my feet were wet (from the snow going over the top of my boots), but they were warm... Thank goodness for good boots!!!
I got an exciting letter this week!! Sis. Patten (who got baptized in Sanford the Friday after I left) went to the temple to do baptisms!!! She loved it!! Wow, what a cool feeling that is to know that someone you taught went to the temple. She still has awhile before she can go and do her own things, but getting there at all is a huge accomplishment.
Yesterday we had some big miracles..... so our area has been on a SLOW period.... But yesterday was great. It was testimony meeting, and for the first time in 4 months, it was actually normal! The spirit was strong, and people actually bore testimony, instead of crazy stories. Then after church we went and had a lesson with Jim Taylor. (the dad of a part member family). The spirit was really strong, and we were able to get him to open up some more. WE have been teaching him for 4 months, and we got him to say the prayer for the first time. We think it was the first prayer his family has ever heard him say too.... His wife and 14 yr old son were both in tears!! It was such a neat experience. I also love to hear people pray out loud for their first time. :)
Then that night we had a really good lesson with Jonathan. He is really understanding things, and recognizing the spirit working in his life. It's great!!!
Thank you everyone for the letters and packages!! I loved them. Thank you for thinking of me.
The work is moving slow here in Plymouth, but it is moving, so that is good!!!
Love, Sister Rankin
So these last two weeks have been full of holidays, lots of snow, and then 40-50* weather!!!
On Christmas eve we went and visited members, and then we went to dinner with one of our former investigators Rita. That night we went to the RS presidents house and watch "On The Lord's Errand". Christmas morning, we woke up, exercised, studied, then opened our presents. We spent the whole day visiting single sisters, part member families, and a less active family. Then we went and had dinner at an active members house. I came home and made my phone call.... Did it feel like Christmas, NO! Did I feel like a missionary NO... it was weird to not tract for 2 days in a row!!! That was our Christmas miracle! No mom, the phone call DIDN'T make me home sick. It made my companion pretty home sick though.... YUCK, home sickness is yucky to deal with. I don't know how those other missionaries in our ward talked for 2 or more hours..... One was hard enough for me. I didn't know what to say. haha. but it was good to hear the families voices.
So Sunday night after Christmas we got a huge snow storm. It dropped 10 inches over night (we had absolutely no snow before it), and then another 2 inches that Monday. We went and made snow angels, it was fun! But it made for some interesting parking situations during the rest of the week. We would have to get out of the car, walk on the side of the road to see what was under the snow, and then drive over it back and forth a few times, to make sure we wouldn't get stuck in it! But it was fun! I did have my first slip on the ice.... So my companion is usually always the one tripping over things, but she never falls. Then we were walking down the road, and next thing I know, I am on my butt.... yes I slipped on ice and fell right to my bum... it was funny, we had to get a picture. But with my big fluffy coat on, it didn't even hurt. At points that week we were walking in snow that went up to our knees.... my feet were wet (from the snow going over the top of my boots), but they were warm... Thank goodness for good boots!!!
I got an exciting letter this week!! Sis. Patten (who got baptized in Sanford the Friday after I left) went to the temple to do baptisms!!! She loved it!! Wow, what a cool feeling that is to know that someone you taught went to the temple. She still has awhile before she can go and do her own things, but getting there at all is a huge accomplishment.
Yesterday we had some big miracles..... so our area has been on a SLOW period.... But yesterday was great. It was testimony meeting, and for the first time in 4 months, it was actually normal! The spirit was strong, and people actually bore testimony, instead of crazy stories. Then after church we went and had a lesson with Jim Taylor. (the dad of a part member family). The spirit was really strong, and we were able to get him to open up some more. WE have been teaching him for 4 months, and we got him to say the prayer for the first time. We think it was the first prayer his family has ever heard him say too.... His wife and 14 yr old son were both in tears!! It was such a neat experience. I also love to hear people pray out loud for their first time. :)
Then that night we had a really good lesson with Jonathan. He is really understanding things, and recognizing the spirit working in his life. It's great!!!
Thank you everyone for the letters and packages!! I loved them. Thank you for thinking of me.
The work is moving slow here in Plymouth, but it is moving, so that is good!!!
Love, Sister Rankin
Thursday, December 30, 2010
no email but a letter came
dec 27, 2010
MOM-
so we had absolutely NO snow on 'Christmas.... Sunday night we got 10 inches. It's still snowing Now yuck :( .
I'm now serving in the Plymouth Twig. ( NOT branch) We only had 38 people 2 church on Sunday. That included 2 non-member visitors, 1 edxmember, and 2 non-members from a part member famil (they don't want to be taught). A 3 kids under 6 and the only had 2 hrs of church all month we probably had 60 or less @ church each week WEIRD!!!
Well I just talked to you so I don't know what else to say.
MOM-
so we had absolutely NO snow on 'Christmas.... Sunday night we got 10 inches. It's still snowing Now yuck :( .
I'm now serving in the Plymouth Twig. ( NOT branch) We only had 38 people 2 church on Sunday. That included 2 non-member visitors, 1 edxmember, and 2 non-members from a part member famil (they don't want to be taught). A 3 kids under 6 and the only had 2 hrs of church all month we probably had 60 or less @ church each week WEIRD!!!
Well I just talked to you so I don't know what else to say.
Monday, December 20, 2010
hello from cold plymouth
Hello Everyone-
So this was another cold week in Plymouth... well only half the week was cold. The last half of the week was like 30* or it was nice and warm... :P
We haven't found anyone new to teach, but on the coldest day of the week... (11* walking in 5 or 6 inches of snow all day) we found a potential investigator. Because of the holiday's she asked us to come back at the first of the year. We will keep in contact with her until then. That was a big miracle, because most people in this area don't even pretend to be interested. So we are hoping and praying for the best.
We spent most of the week tracting with no success. On Saturday we did meet a really nice couple, and a really nice man. They weren't interested at all, but we were able to have good conversations with them. And it made our 7 hours of tracting in the snow go much faster. haha. So only part of our area has snow.... Luckily we picked those areas for our 2 longest days of the week. So far it hasn't been bad tracting in the snow. We actually have a lot of fun. If it doesnt' get colder, or more snow, then I think I will be able to survive this winter.
So we found out that 6 new sisters came out this transfer. 4 from the MTC, and 2 more temple square sisters..... Sister Gaggini and I were to only sisters in the mission (including the single sr. sisters) that didn't go to transfer meeting..... So that means everyone got changed, and we have no idea what the results were. We tried to ask the elders, but they don't really know any of the sisters, and didn't pay attention to what happened... And anyone who knows me, know that it is driving me crazy to not know! haha. But I'm getting over it. haha.
Yesterday we had a very interesting Christmas program for Sacrament meeting..... Let's just say, they did the best they could with the small branch/ little resources that they had. It was nice though, because all the youth ( well 6 out of the 9) participated, and the primary, plus the 7 person branch choir. They sang songs and had the story of Christ's birth. The highlight of the day though, was all the baked goods we got..... If they would last this long with out going stale, we would probably still be eating them in Feb.... We got a ton of breads (7 loaves), cookies (probably 3-4 dozen), and fudge (like 3 or 4 Tupperware full).... oh, and 10 popcorn balls.....We are going to try to find some other people who could use them, because there is NO way that we will even be able to put a dent into it, before they go bad.
Good news, Rita invited us over for Christmas eve dinner. We didn't have any plans so far, but she called us today and invited us!! That is also a good sign, since she had dropped us. We are excited about that.
We are still working our hearts out trying to find people to teach. It is hard in this busy time of the year, but peoples hearts are definitely softer!!! It's also a wonderful time to reflect on all that Christ did for us!!!! :)
Well I hope you all have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!! I also hope that you can all take some time to think about our Savior. There is a line from the Dec. ensign that says, "There would be no Christmas, if there had not been Easter." (pres. Hinckley said that I believe). Take some time to think about that, and even record your feelings in your journal or on a paper to put in your scriptures or something.
Love you all!!!
Love, Sister Rankin
dear mom
I sent Christmas Cards, one to you , one for the yw,and to gma/pa to your house.... they should have all come together. that is weird if you didn't get it too.... I guess the mail just doesn't like to deliver things to you, for you at your address... WEIRD!!! I got the 2 packages, none from Costco yet though. I sent Ashley's package on Wednesday.... last week. I will take pictures, don't worry. They canceled church for bad weather, even though the weather wasn't even bad.
S. Gaginni is a little better, but a woman in our branch printed out that article about Switzerland (not letting the American missionaries in anymorefor her) to read (which we aren't allowed to read), and it is really worrying her, She hasn't been sleeping well because of it. She said most of the missionaries there are from America.... :S
No new investigators... we think our mission here is to help the branch... seriously, they struggle a lot!
On Christmas we are going to a part member families house, a less active families house, and then an active family for dinner. I will be CALLING AT 8PM HERE, SO 6PM UTAH TIME!!!! I can talk for maximum one hour... so be ready with stuff to talk about. Tell Cory that I will call and leave him a short message before calling you, if he doesn't answer. I can't call during the day like he asked me to.
We loved the book you sent, we read yesterday, the Dr. Seuss one... it was funny!!!
Mom here. I sent Hillary this story that I glued the words into the book Green Eggs and Ham
I am Lurch
I am Lurch
Missionary for the church.
That Sister Lurch!
That Sister Lurch!
I do not like that Sister Lurch!
Do you like the Mormon Church?
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
Would you read the Book of Mormon
here or there?
I would not read it here or there.
I would not read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
I will teach you at my house?
You could come over with your spouse.
I will not go into your house.
I will not let you teach my spouse.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read itanywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
We can talk about this in a box?
With our latest convert,Brother Fox.
Not in a box.
Not with Brother Fox.
Not in your house.
Not with my spouse.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
I’ll come and get you in a car.
We’ll go to church.
It’s not that far!
I would not, could not, in a car.
You may like it.
You will see.
We’ll talk about Joseph Smith and genealogy.
I could not do genealogy, nor Joseph Smith! Lurch, let me be.
I won’t discuss it in a box.
I will not meet with Brother Fox.
You won’t indoctrinate my spouse,
so don’t invite us to your house.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I won’t read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
A train! A train! A train! A train!
Could you, would you, on a train!
Not on a train! Not genealogy! Not in a car! Lurch! Let me be!
I won’t discuss it in a box.
I will not meet with Brother Fox.
You will not get me or my spouse
to set one foot inside your house.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
Say! In the dark?
Here in the dark!
We could teach you stories about Noah’s ark.
I would not, could not, in the dark.
Would you, could you, in the rain?
You’ll have to give up your champagne.
There’s nothing wrong with my champagne.
I’ll need some when I get off this train!
Not Joseph Smith, not genealogy.
I do not like them, Lurch, you see.
Not in a house. Not in a box.
Not with my spouse or Brother Fox.
I will not read your book here or there.
I will not read it anywhere!
You do not like the Mormon Church?
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
Maybe you think Mormons are weird.
Were you told we have horns and a beard?
Mormons have parties with snacks and root beer!
You shouldn’t believe everything you hear!
You know, I kind of like root beer!
And parties are not at all that queer!
I think I’ll give up my champagne.
I hear that stuff can melt your brain!
But no more cigarettes and tea?
I cannot do that! You let me be!
I won’t discuss it in a box.
I will not meet with Brother Fox.
I will not come into your house.
And keep your distance from my spouse.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read it ANYWHERE!
I do not like the Mormon Church!
I do not like it,
Sister Lurch.
You do not like it.
So you say.
Try it! Try it!
And you may.
Try it and you may, I say.
Lurch!
If you will let me be,
I will try it.
You will see.
Say!
I like the Mormon Church!
I do! I like it, Sister Lurch!
And I’ll invite my friends to hear,
and teach them all to love root beer!
I’ll throw away all my champagne,
and head for church on a car or train.
I’ll do my genealogy.
It is so fun, so fun, you see!
We’ll go discuss it in a box.
I’d like to meet your Brother Fox.
And you can take me to your house,
and have the Sisters teach my spouse.
I’ll read the scriptures here and there.
And convert my good friends EVERYWHERE!
I do so like the Mormon Church!
Please! Please, baptize me,
Sister Lurch!
So this was another cold week in Plymouth... well only half the week was cold. The last half of the week was like 30* or it was nice and warm... :P
We haven't found anyone new to teach, but on the coldest day of the week... (11* walking in 5 or 6 inches of snow all day) we found a potential investigator. Because of the holiday's she asked us to come back at the first of the year. We will keep in contact with her until then. That was a big miracle, because most people in this area don't even pretend to be interested. So we are hoping and praying for the best.
We spent most of the week tracting with no success. On Saturday we did meet a really nice couple, and a really nice man. They weren't interested at all, but we were able to have good conversations with them. And it made our 7 hours of tracting in the snow go much faster. haha. So only part of our area has snow.... Luckily we picked those areas for our 2 longest days of the week. So far it hasn't been bad tracting in the snow. We actually have a lot of fun. If it doesnt' get colder, or more snow, then I think I will be able to survive this winter.
So we found out that 6 new sisters came out this transfer. 4 from the MTC, and 2 more temple square sisters..... Sister Gaggini and I were to only sisters in the mission (including the single sr. sisters) that didn't go to transfer meeting..... So that means everyone got changed, and we have no idea what the results were. We tried to ask the elders, but they don't really know any of the sisters, and didn't pay attention to what happened... And anyone who knows me, know that it is driving me crazy to not know! haha. But I'm getting over it. haha.
Yesterday we had a very interesting Christmas program for Sacrament meeting..... Let's just say, they did the best they could with the small branch/ little resources that they had. It was nice though, because all the youth ( well 6 out of the 9) participated, and the primary, plus the 7 person branch choir. They sang songs and had the story of Christ's birth. The highlight of the day though, was all the baked goods we got..... If they would last this long with out going stale, we would probably still be eating them in Feb.... We got a ton of breads (7 loaves), cookies (probably 3-4 dozen), and fudge (like 3 or 4 Tupperware full).... oh, and 10 popcorn balls.....We are going to try to find some other people who could use them, because there is NO way that we will even be able to put a dent into it, before they go bad.
Good news, Rita invited us over for Christmas eve dinner. We didn't have any plans so far, but she called us today and invited us!! That is also a good sign, since she had dropped us. We are excited about that.
We are still working our hearts out trying to find people to teach. It is hard in this busy time of the year, but peoples hearts are definitely softer!!! It's also a wonderful time to reflect on all that Christ did for us!!!! :)
Well I hope you all have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!! I also hope that you can all take some time to think about our Savior. There is a line from the Dec. ensign that says, "There would be no Christmas, if there had not been Easter." (pres. Hinckley said that I believe). Take some time to think about that, and even record your feelings in your journal or on a paper to put in your scriptures or something.
Love you all!!!
Love, Sister Rankin
dear mom
I sent Christmas Cards, one to you , one for the yw,and to gma/pa to your house.... they should have all come together. that is weird if you didn't get it too.... I guess the mail just doesn't like to deliver things to you, for you at your address... WEIRD!!! I got the 2 packages, none from Costco yet though. I sent Ashley's package on Wednesday.... last week. I will take pictures, don't worry. They canceled church for bad weather, even though the weather wasn't even bad.
S. Gaginni is a little better, but a woman in our branch printed out that article about Switzerland (not letting the American missionaries in anymorefor her) to read (which we aren't allowed to read), and it is really worrying her, She hasn't been sleeping well because of it. She said most of the missionaries there are from America.... :S
No new investigators... we think our mission here is to help the branch... seriously, they struggle a lot!
On Christmas we are going to a part member families house, a less active families house, and then an active family for dinner. I will be CALLING AT 8PM HERE, SO 6PM UTAH TIME!!!! I can talk for maximum one hour... so be ready with stuff to talk about. Tell Cory that I will call and leave him a short message before calling you, if he doesn't answer. I can't call during the day like he asked me to.
We loved the book you sent, we read yesterday, the Dr. Seuss one... it was funny!!!
Mom here. I sent Hillary this story that I glued the words into the book Green Eggs and Ham
I am Lurch
I am Lurch
Missionary for the church.
That Sister Lurch!
That Sister Lurch!
I do not like that Sister Lurch!
Do you like the Mormon Church?
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
Would you read the Book of Mormon
here or there?
I would not read it here or there.
I would not read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
I will teach you at my house?
You could come over with your spouse.
I will not go into your house.
I will not let you teach my spouse.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read itanywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
We can talk about this in a box?
With our latest convert,Brother Fox.
Not in a box.
Not with Brother Fox.
Not in your house.
Not with my spouse.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
I’ll come and get you in a car.
We’ll go to church.
It’s not that far!
I would not, could not, in a car.
You may like it.
You will see.
We’ll talk about Joseph Smith and genealogy.
I could not do genealogy, nor Joseph Smith! Lurch, let me be.
I won’t discuss it in a box.
I will not meet with Brother Fox.
You won’t indoctrinate my spouse,
so don’t invite us to your house.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I won’t read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
A train! A train! A train! A train!
Could you, would you, on a train!
Not on a train! Not genealogy! Not in a car! Lurch! Let me be!
I won’t discuss it in a box.
I will not meet with Brother Fox.
You will not get me or my spouse
to set one foot inside your house.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read it anywhere.
I do not like the Mormon Church.
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
Say! In the dark?
Here in the dark!
We could teach you stories about Noah’s ark.
I would not, could not, in the dark.
Would you, could you, in the rain?
You’ll have to give up your champagne.
There’s nothing wrong with my champagne.
I’ll need some when I get off this train!
Not Joseph Smith, not genealogy.
I do not like them, Lurch, you see.
Not in a house. Not in a box.
Not with my spouse or Brother Fox.
I will not read your book here or there.
I will not read it anywhere!
You do not like the Mormon Church?
I do not like it, Sister Lurch.
Maybe you think Mormons are weird.
Were you told we have horns and a beard?
Mormons have parties with snacks and root beer!
You shouldn’t believe everything you hear!
You know, I kind of like root beer!
And parties are not at all that queer!
I think I’ll give up my champagne.
I hear that stuff can melt your brain!
But no more cigarettes and tea?
I cannot do that! You let me be!
I won’t discuss it in a box.
I will not meet with Brother Fox.
I will not come into your house.
And keep your distance from my spouse.
I won’t read your book here or there.
I will not read it ANYWHERE!
I do not like the Mormon Church!
I do not like it,
Sister Lurch.
You do not like it.
So you say.
Try it! Try it!
And you may.
Try it and you may, I say.
Lurch!
If you will let me be,
I will try it.
You will see.
Say!
I like the Mormon Church!
I do! I like it, Sister Lurch!
And I’ll invite my friends to hear,
and teach them all to love root beer!
I’ll throw away all my champagne,
and head for church on a car or train.
I’ll do my genealogy.
It is so fun, so fun, you see!
We’ll go discuss it in a box.
I’d like to meet your Brother Fox.
And you can take me to your house,
and have the Sisters teach my spouse.
I’ll read the scriptures here and there.
And convert my good friends EVERYWHERE!
I do so like the Mormon Church!
Please! Please, baptize me,
Sister Lurch!
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