Hesperia, California -January 27, 2014

Hey family

 

Well since I just emailed three days ago, my email will be shorter today then normal I guess.

 

Well for transfer news.  I know you are all anxiously waiting to hear what happened.  So Saturday is when transfer calls come.  Both Sister Riley and I were freaking out all day because we had no idea what to expect.  So we were kinda just pointless people.  So we went and walked the bike/horse/running/walking trail that goes from Fontana to Upland.  Of course we just stayed on the part that was in our area.  We talked to those people that were easy to stop.  

 

At three thirty-ish we got a call from Elder Sanchez.  He told us that Sister Riley was staying and was going to be with Sister Stoffer.  We had no idea who that was, but we knew that meant I was leaving.  So then he said that I was going to.....the high desert.  Hesperia to be exact.  I am also with Sister Beagly now.  I don't know if you remember her, but she used to be in Rancho and I went on a couple exchanges with her because she was allergic to cats and couldn't be around them too much.  So we knew each other and should have fun together.  We are also white washing the area-which means that neither of us were in this area before.  So for the next few days, we will just spend all our time meeting the ward and getting used to the area.  It will be fun.  

 

That is about all my news for today.  I have not much else to tell you today.  The weekend we just said goodbye, packed, cleaned and took pictures.  It was crazy and went by too fast.  

 

Well have a good week.  Love ya all.  Talk to you next week and hopefully I will have more to tell you all.

 

Sister Woodward

Rancho Cucamonga, California -January 24, 2014

Hey family,

Well I have a lot to fill you in on I guess.  It has been 11 days since I wrote last.  I did survive.  It was hard.  But we did it.  Well lets see.  I don't have my planner with me.  It is in the car, so I will actually have to use my brain to remember what we did these last few days. 

We had a family home evening lesson with the Chamberlins on Monday.  President and Sister Hobbs invited them and us over for a lesson at the mission home.  So all of us went over there and had a good lesson. Of course Sister Riley and I gave the lesson.  It was the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It went will.  Of course with those three kids, it was kinda crazy though.  We got off topic quite often.  But in the end we made it through.  We had President and Sister Hobbs help with part of it.  Part way through the lesson we heard Isabella talking about how one day her family was going to get sealed in the temple.  We have never talked to them about that so it was fun to hear her say that.  The only problem is that Erika needs to get baptized.  Over all it was good though.  

We weighed ourselves at a members home, and I won't tell you how much I weigh, just that both Sister Riley and I have gone up a bit. It is scary actually.  Anyway.  Since we were both in shock and depressed we decided we would abandon our car and walk for a day. We left our apartment and walked ALL day one day.  It was long, hot and hard.  We are both so outta shape.  We also live a mile from our area, so we needed everything we would need for the entire day.  Our lunch and all.  So lets just say, it was a waste of time.  We did get a couple lessons in, but not as many as we had hoped for.  We walked a total of 10 miles though.  By the end of the day we were so tired, and 2 miles from home with 20 minutes til curfew, that we decided to just get a ride home.  That was nice. 

President is always encouraging us to not use our cars so much, that way we can talk with more people.  We tried to do that, and there is never anyone outside.  No one to talk to.  So we walked a lot, didn't talk to many people and slept real good that night.  We still walk a little bit, but we use our car too.  Going all day without a car is hard.  I feel bad for the missionaries that have to do it.  I guess it would keep you from gaining weight.

Saturday we got a call from a member of our ward, Sister Lister.  Her daughter and daughter's boyfriend and their son are living with them right now.  The boyfriend, Jesse, has always thought mormons were so boring and straight laced with no personality.  He has a friend though, who is not the typical mormon.  He has tattoos and hasn't had the best past, but has changed and is completely active in the church.  So Jesse's friend invited Jesse to go to church with him.  Since his friend was a little different then what Jesse thought mormons were like, he decided to go.  Jesse has been going to church for a few weeks now.  He wasn't ready for the lessons yet.  We eat with the Listers and visit them every once in a while, so we know Jesse and have become friends with him.  Anyway, back to the phone call.  Sister Lister called and said that Jesse has decided to start talking the missionary lessons.  So that was our exciting news of the day. 

This is an older lady in our ward named Helen.  We were visiting her one day and she was talking to us about how she wanted this thing called a Galileo thermometer.  She had gone to the store and got one that was on sale. (about 6 dollars) When she brought it home it was broken, so she took it back and they didn't have any more.  She looked online but they weren't on sale there and she couldn't afford one (about 15 dollars). 

Sister Riley and I felt bad for her because she just wanted one and couldn't get one.  So we went to a few other stores and they were all sold out every where (it is a Christmas decoration).  Last p-day Sister Riley emailed home and asked her mom to order one.  So she did.  We got it on Friday.  Opened it up, it worked.  On Saturday morning we took it to Helen and doorbell ditched it.  When we visited Helen just a few days ago, she had it sitting on her kitchen table.  That made us smile :)  

Saturday and Sunday was stake conference. Normally the missionaries aren't invited to go to the Saturday session, but this one we were.  There was a youth choir singing and we joined them in one of the songs, so we got to be there.  It was all about missionary work.  They had a recent convert (actually Tracy Wilford who Sister Morgan baptized) speak, one of the missionaries in our zone, our mission presidents counselor, the stake president, and Sister Baker from our ward.  They all got up and spoke on Member Missionary work.  It was really good.  Sister Baker got volunteered by our bishop because she helped with the Chamberlins.  Lucky her huh?  It was pretty good, except that it was SO HOT in there, and it went until 9:25.  It was supposed to end at 9.  So that was rough, plus it made us, as well as all the other missionaries miss their curfews.  Actually the others were probably fine.  We were late by 3 minutes and we live the farthest from the stake center.  

Then on Sunday, it was a broadcast from Salt Lake City for everyone on the Redlands temple area.  So quite a big group. It was all on member missionary work.  The general relief society president spoke, along with a member of the 70 and Elder Erying.  It was a really good session.  It ended half an hour early, so we enjoyed that.  Lots of members have stepped up their games in missionary work.  Hopefully they will keep at it.  

That is about all that has happened.  I know it has been a while.  Most of our time is spent looking for investigators.  We do a lot of potentials and formers.  No luck yet.  We have quite a few potential investigators though.   Hopefully we will start working with them soon.

We went to the temple today.  It was good.  We got there 7 minutes before the session, rented clothes changed and made it on time to the session.  We were in a bit of a rush-kinda like the last time I went with mom.  It seems to happen like that a lot.  But we made it and it was really good.  We had fun and got a couple pictures.  If I have time I will send some to you.  

Training calls have already gone out.  Neither Sister Riley or I are training. So we will see what happens with transfers.  We don't know if anything will happen, but we are hoping for a change.  I need to leave this area.  I am getting antsy for a  change.  We are hitting a rut that we need to get out of and a change would help with that.  So pray for something good to happen.  

I hope everyone has a good weekend.  I will write again in  just a few days and let you know the transfer news.  I probably wont have much else to say since you heard from me today.

Love ya all

Sister Woodward

 

Sister Woodward and Sister Riley and the Redlands Temple

California Sunset

Christmas Morning

Rancho Cucamonga, California -January 13, 2014

Did you know that Snoop Dog/lion actually has a house in Upland?  Well it is Mount Baldy, but part of Upland.  Sometimes people see him around getting ice cream or doughnuts.  Just all the cool people live down here.  You guys are missing out big time by living in Utah.

 

My ear is better.  I got some ear drops I have been using and the doctor also took a culture whatever is in my ears.  So she will try to grow that and find out what it is so that she will be able to get me the right medicine.  Well I guess that the MA really was the one that took the culture and man was she mean about it.  I thought she was going to stick that thing right through my ear drums.  I hurt so bad.  I was ready to hit her.  I was almost in tears.  I didn't like her much.  

 

Well news for here...My zone has a temple trip this next friday (24th) So I won't be emailing until then.  Our p-day won't be next monday, but on next friday-yeah I know 10 days with no p-day.  I might just die a little inside.  But that is okay.  Hopefully I have enough clothes to make it through ;) haha just kidding.  I will be fine.  But just a heads up. Don't expect an email next monday from me.

 

I might actually be able to go to the temple again soon.  One of the people we are working with (Bill Bevacco)  Is thinking of taking us over there.  He isn't a member, so he can't go in, but just to look around the grounds and stuff.  So that should be fun.  Hopefully we will get permission.

 

We met with the Chamberlins this week.  They are all still doing pretty good.  We are working on getting the new member lessons set up.  That is a challenge.  They are coming to church pretty regularly.  Erika misses about every other week, but at least she still comes the other weeks.  

 

Things have really slowed down since the holidays are over.  We still have all of our Christmas decorations up.  We just cant seem to take them down because it makes our apartment a little more homey and fun.  And we really have to need to because we are barely ever home, and we are the only ones that get to see it anyway.  

 

Transfers are in 2 weeks.  By the next time I email, I might have a little idea about what is going to happen.  Training calls will have gone out, but not transfer calls.  Sister Riley and I will probably be split up.  I wouldn't be surprised if we both left the area as well.  That is very possible.  I bet Sister Riley will train.  We have like 10 or 11 sisters coming out.  So quite a good number.  That will be fun.  I emailed president last week and told him I would be okay going to Barstow. haha :)  I bet that will make mom happy huh?  Actually my exact words were: Sisters in Barstow.  That sounds like a good idea right?

 

So we will see what happens.  If next transfer I just tell you I got moved to the desert, just assume I am in Barstow.  I figured I was born in Muscoy (mission born of course) So how much worse can Barstow be.  Muscoy was real rough.  Did I tell you we tracted into a half-way home and taught a few murderers....that was an adventure.  Oh the good ol' times I had in San B.  It is....so great.  Dad calm mom down a bit would you.  It will be okay. I am still alive and doing well.  And don't you dare let her call President Hobbs.  Because all President Hobbs will say is that God is in charge and we will see what happens.  I can bet money on that one (because that is what he replied back to me haha) 

 

Well I hope you all had a good week.  Have a good week.

Well talk to you all in 11 days...ugh

 

Sister Woodward

Rancho Cucamonga, California -January 6, 2014

Well the weather here in Rancho is still pretty great.  It is usually in the 70's during the day with sunshiny blue cloudless skies.  It couldn't get much better.  We still run our A/C at night time so we can sleep with out it being too hot.  It is wonderful.

Well lets see....New Years eve.  Well we were in by 6.  That was fun.  Luckily we have a chill district leader and he gave us permission to go play tennis.  He said as long as we stayed in our complex and didn't drive anywhere, we where fine.  So we got our tennis racquets out and played tennis, outside, on new years eve, in shorts and t-shirts.  It was quite fun.  Then we went and dyed my companion's hair brown.  That was also an adventure.  I think it turned out okay. 

Yesterday at church, everyone thought that I had a new companion.  We got a lot of, "Oh we thought you were new, but then we realized that you had the same face, just different hair color"  It was quite funny to watch peoples faces when they realized who it was. 

Well I have a great ear infection going on right now.  It is pretty painful and un fun.  I am going to call the doctor today and set up a time.  Hopefully I will be able to get it cleared up soon.  So because of that, We haven't done too much this week.  I went to an urgent care recently and they are just crap so I had to wait for a real doctor to look at my ear.  Thanks to the holidays, that made it a little difficult.  My ears have had problems for a while now.  I have seen three different doctors, got two different medicines and three different professional opinions on what is happening.  Nothing has helped at all.  It has just gotten worse.  So hopefully soon, it will get better.  I don't like being in pain and ear pain is the worse.  So that is really all that is happening here.  I have just been sleeping a lot, which is hard because it hurts and I can't lay on my right side at all.  And my left ear won't stop draining.  So if I lay on my right side I am in constant pain and if I lay on my left side I have a wet pillow from the river running out of my ear.  Pleasant huh? I sure do love it.

We visited with a couple less actives this week.  Our president and his wife have become quite the fans of the Chamberlin family, so they are working on setting up lessons at their house. So we are looking forward to that.  It should be fun.  And it will probably help Erika progress a little faster to have them helping out at lessons, since President and Sister Hobbs could actually answer the questions that are asked haha.  It should be good.

Love ya all

Sister Woodward