Tuesday, April 10, 2012
"It's been a tough week"
Hello family!
This week has been a tough one for me. Last week I had really no emotions and I was wondering what was wrong. Usually when I feel the Spirit super strong, I'll cry, as I'm sure many of you know haha But during conference, no matter how much the Spirit touched me, I couldn't cry. It
was so weird! I thought the change in climate and stuff had messed with my emotions LOL But this week I finally had a couple "breakdown days." It was hard, but it's ok. I just needed to cry.
With being in an area where we have to start from scratch, I just have felt kind of like a failure. I know I shouldn't feel like that but I was looking forward to coming out here and getting started teaching right away and all that stuff. But that didn't happen. We have to do a lot of tracting and
talking with the ward members and looking at old progress/former investigator records and that isn't what I was expecting to do. So emotionally it has been hard for me. It will get better of course so I'm not too worried.
I have also become super distracted during personal and companionship study. I have tried not to think about home and other things but it's hard. I can't lie, there have been times where I just
want to give up and come home. I feel like I can't do this. I feel like I can't be the missionary that my Heavenly Father wants me to be. I know I shouldn't think these things but I do. And yes they hinder me in ways but I cry for a few minutes and then I pick myself up and get back to work.
We had a mission wide conference on Friday and I really enjoyed it! There was so much said during it that I know it was for me! One main thing that was said, was a ton of stories about miracles. Mom, as you know, I love the words "Believe" and "Miracle" and I just needed a little bit of a reminder of that. "BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!" I really do believe in miracles! Another story that really hit me was when President Becerra told a story about his daughter, Rachel (sweet name!!! haha) She's out here with President and Sister Becerra and one day she came home from school and she had been struggling for a while. She talked to her parents about it and then she left to have them talk alone for a minute. During that they decided that they would
send Rachel back to Utah to live with family to make things a little easier. When she came back in, they told her and she said, "What would happen to Paula if I went home?" Paula is a girl she met at school who eventually started taking missionary lessons and who has ended up joining the church. What would have happened if Rachel gave up and went home? Paula wouldn't know that joys and blessings and happiness of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So, that story really hit me and I now think to myself, "What would happen to the
people in the California Arcadia mission area if I gave up and came home?" I would never be able to forgive myself for giving up, I could never be ok in life. Besides that fact that I know what I felt and I know why I'm here. No matter how hard it gets, I'm never coming home
early! There's too many people out here that need to gospel in their lives. So I'm thankful for the mission conference, it really helped me!
Two really cool things that happened this week! On Tuesday, Sister Davidson and I went tracting and we walked past this house but didn't feel right about going up. On the way back to the car we were going to stop by but Sister Davidson had the thought of going to get a Book of Mormon before we went to the house. While we were at the door, talking to this guy, Bill, his granddaughter came up behind us and started talking to
us. She seemed really interested in what we had to say but she was in a hurry for a softball game so she asked us to come back that night. So we did come back but she was tired so we set up another day to come by.
Turns out she had spring break so she was gone but we told her that we'd text her this week. She seems super interested! She even asked if we had youth activities! So even though she ended up cancelling twice, we're crossing our fingers that she doesn't cancel again.
Then we went tracting again on Saturday and on the way back to our car, this 20ish year old chica was cleaning out her car so we went up to her. I started off "We're missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we were wondering if we could share a quick message with you about Jesus Christ as it is Easter." She said yes and then I froze! I didn't know what to do! haha We've been "rejected" so many times that I guess I didn't have enough faith to think that she would say ok. So Sister Davidson took over from there and I chimmed in a couple times and, Natalie is her name, seem sincerely interested. She's going to school and is part of a all girls singing group so she's a little busy but we invited to her go on a church tour with us! We have to contact her and make sure we're still on for next Sunday! She was super nice and really genuine. She reminded me so much of Valerie! So we're praying and crossing our fingers on her.
I only have a couple more minutes on here and I want to put a few pictures so I better hurry. We're going to the park today to play soccer and frisbee with the district but I'll probably end up writing in my journal and writing another letter instead haha Mom, the people we had dinner with yesterday, their son should have sent you a message on Facebook and maybe even a couple pictures but here are a few from my camera.
Time to go! haha My time is running out! Love you all!
Oh... Happy Birthday to Adam Wheatley this week and also Jenifer's son Ashton and Trevor Fleck and Elia Livovich! Hope everyone has an amazing birthday! :)
Love Sister Rachel Wheatley
This week has been a tough one for me. Last week I had really no emotions and I was wondering what was wrong. Usually when I feel the Spirit super strong, I'll cry, as I'm sure many of you know haha But during conference, no matter how much the Spirit touched me, I couldn't cry. It
was so weird! I thought the change in climate and stuff had messed with my emotions LOL But this week I finally had a couple "breakdown days." It was hard, but it's ok. I just needed to cry.
With being in an area where we have to start from scratch, I just have felt kind of like a failure. I know I shouldn't feel like that but I was looking forward to coming out here and getting started teaching right away and all that stuff. But that didn't happen. We have to do a lot of tracting and
talking with the ward members and looking at old progress/former investigator records and that isn't what I was expecting to do. So emotionally it has been hard for me. It will get better of course so I'm not too worried.
I have also become super distracted during personal and companionship study. I have tried not to think about home and other things but it's hard. I can't lie, there have been times where I just
want to give up and come home. I feel like I can't do this. I feel like I can't be the missionary that my Heavenly Father wants me to be. I know I shouldn't think these things but I do. And yes they hinder me in ways but I cry for a few minutes and then I pick myself up and get back to work.
We had a mission wide conference on Friday and I really enjoyed it! There was so much said during it that I know it was for me! One main thing that was said, was a ton of stories about miracles. Mom, as you know, I love the words "Believe" and "Miracle" and I just needed a little bit of a reminder of that. "BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!" I really do believe in miracles! Another story that really hit me was when President Becerra told a story about his daughter, Rachel (sweet name!!! haha) She's out here with President and Sister Becerra and one day she came home from school and she had been struggling for a while. She talked to her parents about it and then she left to have them talk alone for a minute. During that they decided that they would
send Rachel back to Utah to live with family to make things a little easier. When she came back in, they told her and she said, "What would happen to Paula if I went home?" Paula is a girl she met at school who eventually started taking missionary lessons and who has ended up joining the church. What would have happened if Rachel gave up and went home? Paula wouldn't know that joys and blessings and happiness of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So, that story really hit me and I now think to myself, "What would happen to the
people in the California Arcadia mission area if I gave up and came home?" I would never be able to forgive myself for giving up, I could never be ok in life. Besides that fact that I know what I felt and I know why I'm here. No matter how hard it gets, I'm never coming home
early! There's too many people out here that need to gospel in their lives. So I'm thankful for the mission conference, it really helped me!
Two really cool things that happened this week! On Tuesday, Sister Davidson and I went tracting and we walked past this house but didn't feel right about going up. On the way back to the car we were going to stop by but Sister Davidson had the thought of going to get a Book of Mormon before we went to the house. While we were at the door, talking to this guy, Bill, his granddaughter came up behind us and started talking to
us. She seemed really interested in what we had to say but she was in a hurry for a softball game so she asked us to come back that night. So we did come back but she was tired so we set up another day to come by.
Turns out she had spring break so she was gone but we told her that we'd text her this week. She seems super interested! She even asked if we had youth activities! So even though she ended up cancelling twice, we're crossing our fingers that she doesn't cancel again.
Then we went tracting again on Saturday and on the way back to our car, this 20ish year old chica was cleaning out her car so we went up to her. I started off "We're missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we were wondering if we could share a quick message with you about Jesus Christ as it is Easter." She said yes and then I froze! I didn't know what to do! haha We've been "rejected" so many times that I guess I didn't have enough faith to think that she would say ok. So Sister Davidson took over from there and I chimmed in a couple times and, Natalie is her name, seem sincerely interested. She's going to school and is part of a all girls singing group so she's a little busy but we invited to her go on a church tour with us! We have to contact her and make sure we're still on for next Sunday! She was super nice and really genuine. She reminded me so much of Valerie! So we're praying and crossing our fingers on her.
I only have a couple more minutes on here and I want to put a few pictures so I better hurry. We're going to the park today to play soccer and frisbee with the district but I'll probably end up writing in my journal and writing another letter instead haha Mom, the people we had dinner with yesterday, their son should have sent you a message on Facebook and maybe even a couple pictures but here are a few from my camera.
Time to go! haha My time is running out! Love you all!
Oh... Happy Birthday to Adam Wheatley this week and also Jenifer's son Ashton and Trevor Fleck and Elia Livovich! Hope everyone has an amazing birthday! :)
Love Sister Rachel Wheatley
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
HERE YOU GO...more news from Sister Wheatley
Hello family (and friends!).
Well, it's my first week in 'sunny southern California,"
except for the fact that it's been kinda gloomy and it RAINED, twice!!! I
thought it wasn't supposed to rain! LOL JK But I was a little bummed that the
weather was kinda weird. But it's ok, it will get better! Hopefully this week
:)
First of all, General Conference was AMAZING! Every talk was
incredible! And of course my favorite were Elder Hollands and Elder Eyrings!
Just incredible! The spirit was so nice too. I just love General Conference.
I'm sad that it was over so quickly :( I guess I can wait another six months ;)
Well, I know that mom is probably dying to know about my
companion and other things so here I go. If I don't get it all written in the
email, I'll write a letter later today and send it home...
My trainers name is Sister Davidson. She's a really sweet
sister! She has such a strong testimony and I am learning so much from her. She
is super patient with me as I learn all these new things and that's really
nice. She grew up in South Jordan, Utah but moved to Houston, Texas a few years
ago. She did live in Provo for a couple years before her mission going to
school at BYU of course haha She has been out for almost 7 months I think she
said... So she's almost half done. She says that she feels like she just got
here.
Sister Davidson and I got assigned to the Carbon Canyon
ward/area. There were Elders here before us so we are white washing the area.
That has been a little rough for us. Not really knowing where the boundaries
are or who to go teach. We of course have maps and ward lists and former
investigators progress records and stuff but it's a little hard not having
appointments and stuff already set up. We really have to pray a ton and follow
the Spirit as to where to go. We found out that there have not been Sisters in
the ward for almost 10 years! Crazy! So there must be a reason why we are here
and I'm so thankful for this opportunity we have to start a new!
We live with a member in the Diamond Bar ward which is about
10 minutes from Carbon Canyon (the city is Chino.) Her name is Sister Jamentz,
or Momma J. She's a really sweet lady. She and her husband are converts, not
sure of how long though. He husband passed away a few years ago so it's just
her. She almost didn't have missionaries staying there anymore but she talked
to President Becerra a couple weeks ago and said how much she loves having the
Sisters stay with her.
The first night I got here, Tuesday, since we are white
washing, we didn't have the Area Book yet so we were able to go to Momma J's
and unpack and get settled. It was nice because it had been such a long day and
I was super tired. Sadly though, once we got there and were unpacking and
stuff, I got super hot and started to shake and I was not feeling very good.
But I kept unpacking so I wasn't getting any better but I finally decided to
lay down. I rested for about 30 minutes hoping to get lots more energy and
feeling better but I didn't. So I just decided I should probably go to bed. It
probably happened because I hadn't had much water to drink but I grabbed
some and had a whole water bottle before I went to bed. So by the morning I was
much better. I had a headache in the morning but it wasn't too bad. I just had
to eat and things were better.
We drove around our area that day figuring out where we
could go and stuff and it's a super nice area! We are so excited to get to work
and meet people and teach them about the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! It's a
pretty big area but it's good!
In this ward we are lucky because the lady that sets up
dinners for the missionaries is super persistant when it comes to asking people
to feed us! I guess she basically runs them down at church with her calendar
and says "What day you feed missionaries?!" (She's a cute little lady
from Taiwan!) So we have dinners with members almost EVERY night! It's so nice!
Yesterday we didn't have dinner with members but the rest of the week we had!
It's really cool!
Well, I swear this time went super fast, or I just write too
much about things... Either way, time is running out and I have to send off my
letter to the President so I better go! I was going to attach pictures but left
my camera in the car so I'll just send my SD card home with the letter I will
write!
Love you all so much! I really can't thank you all enough
for the love and support and prayers that I feel. This work is going forth and
I'm so thankful that I have the chance to be apart of it! I know that the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's true church restored
back on this earth today! I know that Joseph Smith was called as a Prophet of
God to restore it! I know that Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet
today, called of God! If I didn't know these things to be true, I wouldn't be
here in the California Arcadia misson right now! I just want everyone to come
to know of it's truthfulness and to Come Unto Christ!
Love always and forever,
Sister Rachel Anna Wheatley
Well, it's my first week in 'sunny southern California,"
except for the fact that it's been kinda gloomy and it RAINED, twice!!! I
thought it wasn't supposed to rain! LOL JK But I was a little bummed that the
weather was kinda weird. But it's ok, it will get better! Hopefully this week
:)
First of all, General Conference was AMAZING! Every talk was
incredible! And of course my favorite were Elder Hollands and Elder Eyrings!
Just incredible! The spirit was so nice too. I just love General Conference.
I'm sad that it was over so quickly :( I guess I can wait another six months ;)
Well, I know that mom is probably dying to know about my
companion and other things so here I go. If I don't get it all written in the
email, I'll write a letter later today and send it home...
My trainers name is Sister Davidson. She's a really sweet
sister! She has such a strong testimony and I am learning so much from her. She
is super patient with me as I learn all these new things and that's really
nice. She grew up in South Jordan, Utah but moved to Houston, Texas a few years
ago. She did live in Provo for a couple years before her mission going to
school at BYU of course haha She has been out for almost 7 months I think she
said... So she's almost half done. She says that she feels like she just got
here.
Sister Davidson and I got assigned to the Carbon Canyon
ward/area. There were Elders here before us so we are white washing the area.
That has been a little rough for us. Not really knowing where the boundaries
are or who to go teach. We of course have maps and ward lists and former
investigators progress records and stuff but it's a little hard not having
appointments and stuff already set up. We really have to pray a ton and follow
the Spirit as to where to go. We found out that there have not been Sisters in
the ward for almost 10 years! Crazy! So there must be a reason why we are here
and I'm so thankful for this opportunity we have to start a new!
We live with a member in the Diamond Bar ward which is about
10 minutes from Carbon Canyon (the city is Chino.) Her name is Sister Jamentz,
or Momma J. She's a really sweet lady. She and her husband are converts, not
sure of how long though. He husband passed away a few years ago so it's just
her. She almost didn't have missionaries staying there anymore but she talked
to President Becerra a couple weeks ago and said how much she loves having the
Sisters stay with her.
The first night I got here, Tuesday, since we are white
washing, we didn't have the Area Book yet so we were able to go to Momma J's
and unpack and get settled. It was nice because it had been such a long day and
I was super tired. Sadly though, once we got there and were unpacking and
stuff, I got super hot and started to shake and I was not feeling very good.
But I kept unpacking so I wasn't getting any better but I finally decided to
lay down. I rested for about 30 minutes hoping to get lots more energy and
feeling better but I didn't. So I just decided I should probably go to bed. It
probably happened because I hadn't had much water to drink but I grabbed
some and had a whole water bottle before I went to bed. So by the morning I was
much better. I had a headache in the morning but it wasn't too bad. I just had
to eat and things were better.
We drove around our area that day figuring out where we
could go and stuff and it's a super nice area! We are so excited to get to work
and meet people and teach them about the true Gospel of Jesus Christ! It's a
pretty big area but it's good!
In this ward we are lucky because the lady that sets up
dinners for the missionaries is super persistant when it comes to asking people
to feed us! I guess she basically runs them down at church with her calendar
and says "What day you feed missionaries?!" (She's a cute little lady
from Taiwan!) So we have dinners with members almost EVERY night! It's so nice!
Yesterday we didn't have dinner with members but the rest of the week we had!
It's really cool!
Well, I swear this time went super fast, or I just write too
much about things... Either way, time is running out and I have to send off my
letter to the President so I better go! I was going to attach pictures but left
my camera in the car so I'll just send my SD card home with the letter I will
write!
Love you all so much! I really can't thank you all enough
for the love and support and prayers that I feel. This work is going forth and
I'm so thankful that I have the chance to be apart of it! I know that the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's true church restored
back on this earth today! I know that Joseph Smith was called as a Prophet of
God to restore it! I know that Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet
today, called of God! If I didn't know these things to be true, I wouldn't be
here in the California Arcadia misson right now! I just want everyone to come
to know of it's truthfulness and to Come Unto Christ!
Love always and forever,
Sister Rachel Anna Wheatley
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
CHINO IT IS!
Just received an email from Rachel's mission president. She has been assigned to CHINO, California. Please keep her in your prayers that her adjustment will be easy and she will have a great first experience in the mission field! Oh, yeh, and SEND LETTERS :)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
A MUCH NEEDED LETTER FROM SISTER WHEATLEY
This last week has been very long, waiting to hear from Rachel...well, a few minutes ago, this sweet letter popped up in my inbox and I couldn't have been more excited! I know she was struggling a bit last week, so I was praying that things would turn around and she would have a good experience with the MTC this week... well, although she had her share of struggles, you can tell just by reading this email that she has caught the vision and she even made me smile when she said, "I have really enjoyed the MTC and all the learning that's been going on but it's time to leave and teach people in California about the gospel. Even though I'm a little scared, I'm so excited! It will be wonderful!" She made her Mom VERY happy with that statement. I then knew she would be ok -- so, without further adieu, here is her letter:
Hello to all!
Can you believe this is my last week in the MTC??? I leave
on Tuesday! It's going by so fast! Sister Lehman and I were talking this
morning and there's only like 75 or so weeks til I come home LOL It sounds like
a long time but only 17 months left! haha
Just a couple things that happened this week! We got our
travel plans last Thursday! We have to be at the travel office at 5am on the
27th! So early! But I'm getting excited! I'm also kind of sad because I have
really enjoyed the MTC and all the learning that's been going on but it's time
to leave and teach people in California about the gospel. Even though I'm a
little scared, I'm so excited! It will be wonderful!
For the last two weeks we've been teaching this lady,
Lawanna, who's investigating the church. She's really tough and it's hard to
teach her because she never says anything or asks questions. She just sits
there. Last Thursday we were teaching her (I can't remember what we were
teaching her) and when we were done she asked how we thought we did. Well, we
thought we did fine... Turns out she wants us to TEACH her... Umm... what does
she mean by that? I thought we were... We were trying to teach by the spirit
and give personal examples and make it relate to her but in the end apparently
it wasn't working. And all she kept saying the whole time was I want you to
T.E.A.C.H. me. I was getting so frustrated! I didn't understand! She wasn't
explaining herself. Then Sister Lehman started to cry so than I started to cry
and it was just horrible from there. Turns out she's been a member of the
church for 4 years but she comes and does these things to help the missionaries
learn. But I was so frustrated by the end of the meeting with her because she
didn't explain what she wanted. Anyway, it was hard to go back yesterday just
because we didn't know what to teach her now that we know she's a member. So we
just talked to her and got to know her a little better and it was so much
easier to talk to her this time around! We have one more time with her so we'll
figure out what to teach her! She's a nice lady but she's a hard investigator!
haha
We are also teaching two other investigators, James and
Daniel. They are being portrayed by Brother Nate and Brother Pinnock but they
are playing these investigators that they had while they were on their
missions. It's really hard but fun! On Saturday we were teaching James and we
were teaching him about prayer and the spirit was so strong! It was amazing! We
even got him to pray at the end of our lesson! Sadly, Sister Lehman and I both
felt like we should ask him to be baptized but for some stupid reason, neither
of us asked him! We were so mad when we left! I've been thinking about it all
weekend and hopefully today the same spirit will be there and we won't miss our
chance to ask him again!
Yesterday at our devotional we were lucky enough to have
Elder Dallin H. Oaks and his wife come speak to us! It was amazing! The spirit
the second he walked in was incredible! We were singing prelude songs and all
of a sudden we all stood up. I couldn't tell who it was but obviously with us
standing up it was a general authority and the spirit was just so awesome! He
talked about the Holy Ghost and about the sacrament. It really made me think
about how I take a sacrament each week. This next week I will for sure change
the way I take the sacrament! I feel so lucky that we were able to have a
general authority come before we leave! It made me so happy!
Well, I don't have much time left on the computer so I will
have to end now and write a letter and send it off asap.
But first, Happy Birthday to Brooklyn on the 25th, Maria and
Jazmine McKee on the 30th. And I know that last week I forgot birthdays for
Michael IV, Aunt Kate, Gabriel Tharp, and baby Lillian! And also happy birthday
to Celeste last Sunday! And Happy Birthday to Margo tomorrow, and Laura and
YaeJin this coming week! I think that's everyone! If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry
and Happy Birthday to you!!
I have one minute left so I better go! But I challenge you
all this week to memorize the sacrament prayers. Elder Oaks mentioned that we
should all have it memorized so I challenge you all to memorize it!
Gotta go!
Love you all!
Sister Rachel Wheatley
Hello to all!
Can you believe this is my last week in the MTC??? I leave
on Tuesday! It's going by so fast! Sister Lehman and I were talking this
morning and there's only like 75 or so weeks til I come home LOL It sounds like
a long time but only 17 months left! haha
Just a couple things that happened this week! We got our
travel plans last Thursday! We have to be at the travel office at 5am on the
27th! So early! But I'm getting excited! I'm also kind of sad because I have
really enjoyed the MTC and all the learning that's been going on but it's time
to leave and teach people in California about the gospel. Even though I'm a
little scared, I'm so excited! It will be wonderful!
For the last two weeks we've been teaching this lady,
Lawanna, who's investigating the church. She's really tough and it's hard to
teach her because she never says anything or asks questions. She just sits
there. Last Thursday we were teaching her (I can't remember what we were
teaching her) and when we were done she asked how we thought we did. Well, we
thought we did fine... Turns out she wants us to TEACH her... Umm... what does
she mean by that? I thought we were... We were trying to teach by the spirit
and give personal examples and make it relate to her but in the end apparently
it wasn't working. And all she kept saying the whole time was I want you to
T.E.A.C.H. me. I was getting so frustrated! I didn't understand! She wasn't
explaining herself. Then Sister Lehman started to cry so than I started to cry
and it was just horrible from there. Turns out she's been a member of the
church for 4 years but she comes and does these things to help the missionaries
learn. But I was so frustrated by the end of the meeting with her because she
didn't explain what she wanted. Anyway, it was hard to go back yesterday just
because we didn't know what to teach her now that we know she's a member. So we
just talked to her and got to know her a little better and it was so much
easier to talk to her this time around! We have one more time with her so we'll
figure out what to teach her! She's a nice lady but she's a hard investigator!
haha
We are also teaching two other investigators, James and
Daniel. They are being portrayed by Brother Nate and Brother Pinnock but they
are playing these investigators that they had while they were on their
missions. It's really hard but fun! On Saturday we were teaching James and we
were teaching him about prayer and the spirit was so strong! It was amazing! We
even got him to pray at the end of our lesson! Sadly, Sister Lehman and I both
felt like we should ask him to be baptized but for some stupid reason, neither
of us asked him! We were so mad when we left! I've been thinking about it all
weekend and hopefully today the same spirit will be there and we won't miss our
chance to ask him again!
Yesterday at our devotional we were lucky enough to have
Elder Dallin H. Oaks and his wife come speak to us! It was amazing! The spirit
the second he walked in was incredible! We were singing prelude songs and all
of a sudden we all stood up. I couldn't tell who it was but obviously with us
standing up it was a general authority and the spirit was just so awesome! He
talked about the Holy Ghost and about the sacrament. It really made me think
about how I take a sacrament each week. This next week I will for sure change
the way I take the sacrament! I feel so lucky that we were able to have a
general authority come before we leave! It made me so happy!
Well, I don't have much time left on the computer so I will
have to end now and write a letter and send it off asap.
But first, Happy Birthday to Brooklyn on the 25th, Maria and
Jazmine McKee on the 30th. And I know that last week I forgot birthdays for
Michael IV, Aunt Kate, Gabriel Tharp, and baby Lillian! And also happy birthday
to Celeste last Sunday! And Happy Birthday to Margo tomorrow, and Laura and
YaeJin this coming week! I think that's everyone! If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry
and Happy Birthday to you!!
I have one minute left so I better go! But I challenge you
all this week to memorize the sacrament prayers. Elder Oaks mentioned that we
should all have it memorized so I challenge you all to memorize it!
Gotta go!
Love you all!
Sister Rachel Wheatley
Thursday, March 15, 2012
FIRST E-MAIL FROM SISTER RACHEL WHEATLEY!
Hello to all!!!
Right now we are in the laundry room doing our laundry haha :) It's so weird to do laundry with so many people around especially since I'm the only one that ever really used the laundry room upstairs at home!
Things are pretty good here!! It's been a real adjustment this last week. With a very packed shedule of classes, workshops and meals. I'm not used to having to be so scheduled with things. But it is all good!
This weekend was a little hard for me. I kind of had a breakdown because we were learning to much and I'm kind of a perfectionist that not being able to get understand things is hard for me. But I'm lucky that I have a great companion who is there for me and we were able to talk to one of my teachers, Brother Nate, and he really helped me as well. And then last night we had a devotional and Craig A. Cardon of the Seventy spoke and it was really good! The one comment he made that really hit me and helped me with what happened this weekend was "I am here because of what I felt, not because of what I know." And that is totally true for me! I may not know a lot but I know that I am here for a reason and if I try my hardest, God will help me and this mission will be a success.
Also on Sunday at the devotional, no mom we did not have a General Authority, but Richard I. Heaton spoke, he's the administrative director here at the MTC. He said something I like and I hope that I write it how he said it.... "Missionary work is a "perhaps" goal. It may or may not happen, but I do my best because I know this is what I'm suppose to do and the rest I leave up to God." So both Elder Cardon and Richard Heaton gave really good advice that will help me through these 18 months.
And the classes are good! My main teachers are Brother Nate and Brother Pinnock (Bro. Pinnock served in the Netherlands like 2 years ago I think he said...) And they are super good teachers! They really love what they teach and that really helps!
I feel so loved to have gotten packages this week and so many letters from home! Almost everyone else wonders if they are going to get something everyday and thanks to mom I know that I will get something and I feel so blessed! I love recieving letters! They make my day! And also a package from Shellie the first day I got there! I haven't been able to write her a thank you yet but I will soon! But I thought I better mention something here :) And also Bekkah and Jen at DearElder! I love getting packages from you guys! They make me smile so much! I love you guys and miss working with you!
I only have 10 min left so I better hurry....
We got started right away with learning how to teach investigators. We are teaching James (aka Bro. Nate) and Daniel (aka Bro. Pinnock) and things are going ok... It's really hard for me to do role play but I'm trying.... We got both of them to read the BoM and James is really taking to it. Daniel on the other hand is a deep thinker so it's a little harder to teach him. Plus for both of them our first time teaching them was a total fail! It was HORRIBLE!! But it was our first time and that's why we are at a training center, it will get better! Then yesterday we started teaching in the TRC and teaching a real investigator (or at least we think she is...) And she totally called us out on all the bad that we did. It was horrible and depressing. But I know that if we try our best, and trust in the Lord, we will be able to teach her what she needs to learn!
Just a couple things before I have to get off and then I'll write you a letter during the week on other things you asked me about or things I want to tell you.. The thing about the $4000 freeze-dried meats/cheese order, SO cool! That's a lot of stuff! So happy for the ward and all they are doing to get prepared!
Dad, Sister Lehman's mom served in Holland in 1981.... I'm trying to remember when you were there? When was that?
Mom, Sister Erickson is from Cedar City and Sister Debruin is from Sacramento. And in case mom, you didn't put up my other letter LOL for everyone else, my companions name is Sister Lehman. She is from a town in Florida that I've never heard of LOL She reminds me SOOO much of Emily Sabins!
Well, I better go. Time is ending quickly! Like I said, I will try to write a letter during the week with other things that I've been thinking about.
I love you all and I'm so thankful for all the love and support and prayers that I feel! Thank you!
Love,
Sister Rachel Wheatley :)
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