Planting Seeds

Well, today is the start of another transfer and because I'm a new missionary and doing a new program they have, I get to stay in my area for another six weeks! I'm so happy! I don't feel like I have accomplished much here yet. But thank goodness that we have another six weeks that we will be in this area and we are going to get something accomplished by the end of these six weeks! I know that it doesn't seem like we are doing much but I also know that every person we talk to, we are planting a seed for somewhere down the road that will bloom into a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Not a whole ton happened this week so this might be a short email. To get started, last Monday (the 31st), we went to a home that we decided we wanted to contact this week. Mr. Smith is the man who lives there and he was taught in the past by missionaries and we saw him in our area book and thought maybe we should go see him. So when we got to this house, this guy came out and started to get kinda mad at us for being there. I guess Mr. Smith was staying at this other guys home and he said that he didn't want anyone coming and bothering them. Well, there was no note of that in our notes so that's why we went there. So after the home owner talked to us for a couple minutes about how he didn't want us there, he said he would go get Mr. Smith. Well, we stood there for a couple minutes longer and I asked Sister Davidson how she was feeling and we both weren't feeling very good. So we walked away. A couple seconds later we heard someone yelling from the house but we kept walking. I felt bad for ignoring them and walking away but neither of us felt good about staying. I'm so thankful to my Father in Heaven for the gift of the Holy Ghost so that I can know when I'm in a bad situation or not. It is such a blessing to be worthy and have the Holy Ghost. It is so important in our daily lives, especially at this time in my life as a missionary.

Then on Thursday, Sister Davidson and I decided to go to this place at the edge of our mission and visit a former investigator. The only problem with this is that on the map we have, we saw the name of the street but we weren't sure what street it was off of because there was a hole punch in the paper... But we decided to go anyway and just hope that we would be guided to where this lady was. Well, after making a wrong turn and going up this super scary one way road on the side of the mountain, we found a place to turn back and when ended up going to another road across the main road, Carbon Canyon Road. We didn't know where we were because of the hole punch in our map but after driving for a couple minutes, we finally found the road we were looking for! Can you say, guided by the spirit?! There was no possible way that we would have been able to find that road without guidence. So we found a parking spot (it was on a mountain side so there was very limited parking spots) and we walked up to this house. Well, the lady wasn't available at that time so we decided to go exploring and see where one of the roads would take us. We went past a home and Sister Davidson felt like we should go there. Well we kept walking but we were going down a road that we didn't feel particularly good about going down so we turned back. When we went back past this house again, we decided to knock on the door. The lady at home was very nice and we talked to her for about 15 minutes and she seemed really interested in what we were telling her. She had a few questions here and there and we tried our best to answer them. She asked at one point if she could buy a Book of Mormon somewhere so that she could read it. Well, we had some in our car so we hurried back down to get one. When we got back to her house, she was once again listening to what we had to say about the Book of Mormon and she said she would read it. We also gave her a DVD called Finding Faith In Christ and we thought that would be something she would like too. She told us that we could come back again this week! We called her yesterday (Sunday) because we wanted to check up on her and see if she had read the Book of Mormon or watched the DVD. She said she hasn't yet but she's planning on it. So we bore our testimonies again just to give her another reassurance and that was that. We will call her again this week and hopefully be able to go up and see her. I think it's interesting how we had no clue where this road was and when we found it, the lady we went to see wasn't available. The Lord really does work in mysterious ways. But I'm so grateful that we were led to her!

On Friday we went to the funeral for a lady in our ward, Vi Poh. It was such an amazing funeral. Her son and his family are not members of the church and almost everyone else there are non-members as well so it was nice that her son let our ward take charge of everything during the services. It was such a nice service. They told amazing stories about her when she was growing up and other things and it was just so nice to be there and feel her presence there. She was a very amazing lady and I'm sad that I didn't know her besides meeting her a couple times. It was also nice to be able to sit there and know where she is right now. To know that she is in the presence of her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that she is back with her husband who she is sealed for eternity with and also with her parents, her grandmother who raised her, and many other relatives who have passed on. It's so comforting to know that there is life after death. And especially to know that because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, we can be with our families forever.

On Saturday we had Transfer calls. Sister Davidson and I knew that we weren't going to get a phone call because of the 12-week program I am doing. But when the phone rang and the ringtone was the one set specifically for the Assistants to the President, our heart sank! Luckily they were just calling to tell Sister Davidson that President Becerra has called her as the new Sister Trainer. So that's kind of like being a Zone Leader but for the Sisters. That just means that when we do exchanges from now on, she will be the one that goes to an area and teaches new ways areas can be successful. So she's excited about that. And I'm excited that I'm not a Sister Trainer LOL It sounds fun but at the same time, a little hard.

For lunch that day, we went out as a Zone. There are a couple changes happening in our Zone, one of the ZL's is being transfered, an Elder is going home on Tuesday, and we're adding another Elder to a tripanionship. So there are some things being changed so we all went out to lunch. The ZL that is being transfered decided he wanted to go to Buffalo Wild Wings... I think he just wanted to go for the sports games that would be on LOL That's the only time he would be able to watch sports on his mission... It was a ton of fun! And yes, there were a couple baseball and basketball games on! haha The Elders really enjoyed those! And I'll admit, I watched a little as well... But for the most part, it was just fun being together as a Zone! It was funny because all of the Elders got some kind of BBQ wings and Sister Davidson and I got Chicken Quesadillas LOL We are so cool! ;) Like I said, it was just an enjoyable time!... Until we got the bill.... It was $160! That's a whole months worth of money! It was funny because one of the ZL's thought it could all go on one check and we would just pay them back. Well, when the bill came and we realized how much it was, that was not possible. So at that point it took us almost 15 minutes to figure out how we were going to pay for it because they could only split a check in four ways, so that was hard. But we finally figured it out after much frustration and laughing! Good times!

On Sunday night we called Momma J at the hospital to see how she's doing. She's waiting for the surgeon to come and decide when she can have surgery. She is really not liking staying in the hospital but if she hadn't been there, she could have died. So she's thankful for that fact. She's not sure when she will be able to come home but hopefully it is soon. It's really lonely walking in the house at night and her not being there, kinda like the Elders said a couple weeks ago about their place when Vi Poh had her stroke... And also, Momma has a dog, Cassie, and she's been at a friends house for a week and it's sad to come in and not her her barking and her little feet running to the door. I never thought I would say that about a dog but it's true... We miss it! But she keeps asking for prayers and we of course say them and we just hope that she will come home soon. We know that whatever happens, will all be part of God's plan but we hope that His plan is to let her stay here a while longer and be healthy again.

On Sunday after church we went on a "tour" of the Family History Center here because we learned that that's another way we can get investigators. There are so many people interested in Family History these days that we need to start talking to people about that. Anyway, it was really cool to get a tour of it! It really got me thinking about Family History! And I just scanned over your email today and saw that you said something about Family History and doing your families! I think with your experience and mine and thinking about your family while I was at the Family History Center, that's saying something! I think it's time you (and I when I get home) start doing some family history! I got super pumped over it! haha

Anyway, that's all the time I have for now! Not a very exciting week but it was fun! I'm really looking forward to these next six weeks! Good things will happen! :)

The pictures on here are of my District (minus the ZL's who are in my district) and of our Zone! We had a little too much fun taking the District pictures haha And the Zone group one isn't the best but it works! Tons of fun!

That's all for now, love you all! And Happy Birthday to Ben and Erin Wheatley this week! Hope you both have a great day!

Love always and forever,

Sister Rachel Wheatley

IT'S GONE SO FAST!

Can you believe that I've been in California for ONE MONTH already?!!? It's gone so fast! There are days that were slow but for the most part I feel like I just got out here! My mission will be over before we know it at this rate!

Well, to get started, I know there's a lot that I didn't write about last week but I'm in the middle of writing a letter home. Last week there was just a lot of stuff to write about so I wasn't able to finish my letter. But today I should be able to and get it sent off by tomorrow.

Ok, so this week we did exchanges. Exchanges are where we switch companions for a total of 24 hours with other missionaries. We usually do it within our zone but Sister Davidson and I are the only sisters so it's not like we could do exchanges with the Elders LOL So we exchanged with Sister Butler and Sister Arbogast in the Monrovia/Duarte area about 30 minutes from our area. It was fun. I was companions with Sister Butler. We did a service project at the Food Bank in the morning and then we went to Less Actives or Recent Converts homes most of the rest of the day. Most of them that we went to see weren't home but it was a good try. We also had a lesson later in the afternoon with a lady who'd son and his family are members but no one else in the family is. When we got there, her son, who lives in Alaska, was there visiting so that was nice to have him there to share his testimony and insight on the gospel. Then we had a lesson with these two teenage girls (I forgot their names). They seem like they are really grasping the gospel and loving it. They had a lot of questions which was nice that we could answer. We also had a recent convert with us (President Becerra's daughter friend, Paula) and she was able to share her testimony with them which was nice. It was a very good lesson and there were times where the spirit was there strongly!

When I got back from exchanges on Thursday, Sister Davidson told me that Momma J (the lady we live with) was in the hospital. She has a lot of health problems and we could tell that she wasn't doing very good the last few days and she finally got so bad that her daughter took her to the hospital. I was so sad to hear that! I love Momma! She is a wonderful lady with such a strong spirit and testimony! It was just so sad to hear that she wasn't doing very well. So on Friday her daughter told us that she really wasn't doing well so that night we went to go see her. I am not a fan of hospitals and that's one of the reasons! It just makes me more sad! But she is strong and she is fighting to get better so that she can come home. The doctors are so wonderful and helping her and her daughter Julie said that she should be home by the end of this week. So we are crossing our fingers and saying our prayers for her.

Last Monday we were able to meet with the Relief Society president and she gave us a list of less active sisters in the ward and asked if we could go visit them. So Sister Davidson and I, in typical Mormon standard, made cookies for some of these sisters and took them around. It's surprising what a plate of No Bake Cookies can get you! haha No, the sisters we went to see are super nice and let us in so that was good! We had nice conversations with them and we'll just keep going back and being their friends. We really do care about them and want them to come back to church of course, but a little plate of cookies for an incentive never hurt anyone ;)

On Friday night we visited this kid that we met a couple weeks ago, Gordon, who we felt inspired to give a Book of Mormon to and when we went to see him, he told us that he had been super busy and hadn't had time to read. So we asked if he had a couple minutes that we could sit down with him and read a little bit and talk about what we believe. He's an athiest so it was a little hard trying to figure out how what we had to tell him would help him. Obviously the gospel of Jesus Christ can help anyone no matter what but how do you tell an athiest that? So we asked him questions about God and things like that and talked about the Book of Mormon and there were many times where the spirit was definitely there! It really seemed like he was taking it all in and especially the fact that there is a God, I think he accepted that. He still has to find out for himself but with examples that we gave and testimonies that we shared, he really seemed to have a more open heart by the end of the lesson. So we asked if we could come back this week and he said yes! So we aren't going back til Friday but we are going to keep in contact with him this week to keep the church and what we taught him on his mind. We think that having the lesson at the church building will be even better for him because the spirit is so strong there!

On Saturday we had a service project at the local high school, Ayala HS (whose mascot is a Bulldog haha), where we put mulch in their flower beds and other areas in their courtyard. It was a Mormon

Helping Hands service project but we tried to get the community involved. There were a few non-members there which was nice! It turned out to be a good service project. They had 4 hours set aside for it but we finished in an hour and a half! That's how many people we had there! It was so cool! The only problem with it was at the end, there were no donuts or hot chocolate. I thought every service project we do in the church has donuts and hot chocolate! LOL JK But one of the Elders that was there mentioned that too so I'm not the only one that thinks that way :) But in all seriousness, it was a very good service project with a great turnout!

Today we were finally able to go to the temple! We went to the Redlands temple! We are the only zone in the mission that goes to the Redlands. So it was nice to go there and the spirit was great there like always! We had to get a member to take us so we had Sister Jones and Sister Brock go with us! It was very good! I'm glad that we live so close to the temple that we are able to go, even though it's only twice a year. I know there are many missionaries who don't get to go at all on their missions so I feel so blessed!

Well, time is running out so I better go! I will finish writing my letter from last week and a few other things from this week and will send that off asap!

Love you tons!

Sister Rachel Wheatley

PS - Happy birthday to Nik and Tasha Wheatley! Love you guys!

PPS - I love getting letters from everyone! I feel so blessed to have amazing family and friends! I am trying my best to write each one of you back but you might not get a letter right away, but you will get one!

Life is getting better every day!

Wow! Each week gets faster and faster out here! I swear I just wrote you last Monday! But I'm not complaining. As much as I love being out here, no matter how hard it gets, I am such a homebody so I will be excited to be home. But that doesn't mean I won't work hard while I'm out here!

Well, like every other week, not much has happened. One thing to start with, Mom, remember how you always tell us that story about being on your mission and the morning you woke up and Sister Frost was sitting there glaring at you because you kept saying that you didn't know the language and then come to find out that you wouldn't stop speaking spanish in your sleep??? Well, I kind of had the same experience haha I guess one night Sister Davidson was having a hard time sleeping because she couldn't stop thinking about what we could do to get investigators. Well, I guess at one point I sat straight up in my bed and said "Without the members we will not succeed." And then I layed back down. Oh my embarrasing! haha But totally funny! She said that she's going to be using that in her talk in a couple weeks when we have to speak in church (not sure when that will be but Bishop Hancock says it will be soon...) So when she told me that I thought of you mom. I'm just glad I didn't give the whole first discussion in my sleep, then I'd really be in trouble LOL :)

On Thursday, our Zone Leaders, Elder Thorstead and Elder McKee, invited Sister Davidson and I to go to Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) with them to set up a booth and talk to students as they walked by. We haven't had a whole ton of success in our area as of yet so we thought, "Why not, it's not going to hurt." So we went. It was hard for me at first. I was super quiet and I didn't go up to anyone but by the time it was over, I talked to three people on my own. I know that doesn't sound like a lot but for me, that's lots! haha It was hard because I don't normally go up to random people on the street and just start talking to them about things, but it turned out well. Towards the end of the day, Sister Davidson and I went over to a group of three people sitting on a bench and talked to them. It was really funny to talk to them because one of them asked so many random and weird questions about our church and what we can and can't do. I guess they aren't random and weird for people who don't know anything about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but for me who grew up in the church, knowing that we're not that different for others, they were weird questions. Some of the things she asked us about were if we could have cell phones, listen to music, wear make-up, and have boyfriends/girlfriends. We laughed with them and helped them to understand a little more and to let them know that we are just like the rest of the world but with high standards. There was another time where this athiest came by while I was talking to someone and interrupted and wanted to know what I was talking about. So I think I talked to him for about 30 minutes and then Sister Davidson came and saved me and we talked to him for another 15 minutes. When Sister Davidson saved me I was so excited! I'm not very knowledgable in the Gospel but I know it's true and that's all the proof I need. So this athiest was asking me all these questions about scriptures and God and Jesus Christ and I didn't know how to answer most of them except for to bear my testimony to him. That's not a bad thing but I wish I knew more so that I could help people understand rather than just bear my testimony all the time. But obviously I'm out here for a reason and maybe my testimony is all some people will need. I know I don't need to know facts and scriptures and all that but it's something that I'm working on and will hopefully get better at by the end of my mission.

I had an experience on Friday night that really meant a lot to me. It wasn't anything super big but it was big to me. I had not been feeling very well for a couple of hours and I was very uncomfortable because of it. We were at the church waiting to teach Rose (I think I mentioned her last week... she's been investigating for a few years and will only call us when she wants to learn more) and I just didn't know how the heck I was going to make it through the lesson. I decided to go to the bathroom (because that's really the only place we can ever be alone LOL) and say a little pray asking my Father in Heaven to help me through the lesson. About 5 minutes later, I started to feel comfortable again and my sickness was going away. It was something really small but to me it really meant a lot. I think that experience was a test of my faith. I try to have so much faith but when things don't go like we planned or we don't find any new investigators, I get really discouraged. But to me, with me being sick and Heavenly Father answering my prayer to help me feel better, just shows me that He really is listening to my prayers and that He's there for me. This is hard work but I know that through Him, it will be ok. And I know that I say that a lot but it's because it's true. There is no other way through these 18 months then with Him. Sister Davidson and I (and all other future companions  of mine) can't do this work alone, we will never be successful if we try to do it on our own. So this little experience really tested my faith and showed me that Heavenly Father is listening to me.

Well, on Saturday night we met with Rose again and really just talked most of the time. We obviously put in scriptures and other church related things but we just sat and talked the whole time. She told us that one big reason she hasn't joined the LDS church yet is because when she was studying with the Jehovah's Witnesses, she never felt like they really cared. She said that the second she was baptized into their church, they basically just checked her off their list and wanted her as a number and didn't really care about her. We tried to assure her that that's not what we as Latter-day Saints do but I can, in some ways, understand how she is feeling. She told us a lot of other things as well and we of course cried half the time we were with her but it was good cries. She is a wonderful lady! She has a Word of Wisdom problem, she's been sober for 9 months but still smokes, but we know that she can overcome that if she puts her trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We just need her to believe that. We haven't talked to her since Sunday when she came to church, but we're hoping that she will call us sometime this week. She has a lot of struggles in her life, mainly with her son who is mentally ill, but we also know  that it's through faith in Jesus Christ that her son will be ok. It's hard to "convince" her of that but I really believe that she will come to understand that as we meet with her and teach her more.

It was sad to hear that there was a small fire in the Conference Center this last week but it couldn't have been better timing! Could you imagine what would have happened if it would have been before General Conference? I wonder if they would have just had GC in the Tabernacle... But still, the fire couldn't have been better timing! It was definitely something that the Lord had a hand in :)

Ok, time is running out and I have to write President Becerra. I'm going to include a couple pictures from this week... The first picture is me with one of the best meals in the world!!! Panda Express orange chicken and chowmein noodles :) The second is of Sister Davidson and I slaving away at our weekly planning session. And the last is a picture of me with the Wilsons. They are members in the ward who are letting Sis. Davidson and I practice our lessons on them. They are converts of 45ish years so we have asked them to pretend that they are back 45 years ago. Such a nice couple!

Well, I gotta run. Love you all so much!

Love Sister Rachel Wheatley

Pictures from Pomona area - Week of April 16th

Can't figure out why I can't rotate the pictures...not even being given the option, so sorry everyone!

It's been a much better week!

I can't believe it's been another week! It went super fast! And not a whole bunch happened this week. We made a lot of visits to members homes to get to know them better. We also made some stops at less actives/inactive members home. It's nice getting to know the people in the Carbon
Canyon ward. They are very amazing people! I'm glad that this is my first area.

Well, unlike last week, this week has been better. On Friday the 13th, Sister Davidson and I met with President Becerra and it was something that we both needed so much! After the week we had last week, we just needed some words of encouragement and we definitely got them! President Becerra is an incredible man. While we were talking, tears were shed of course,
but he said some things that I hadn't told anyone!! You can tell he is an inspired man! And I'm so greatful for him. He gave both Sister Davidson and I blessings and those really helped! I've always known that my Father in Heaven loves me, but after what President said, I know now more than ever that Heavenly Father loves me and He knows my needs, and wants, and He will help me through. It's amazing! I just felt so much better after our meeting.

Also on Friday, there was a major rain storm! It was so cool because I LOVE rain storms but driving back from Arcadia was a little scary. We could barely see 100 feet in front of us. But everyone on the freeway was going super slow so that was nice. President Becerra said that the rain would be the perfect time to go out tracting! haha I really didn't want to because I would
have rather stayed in and studied or something but we went out. It was incredible because after such an amazing meeting with President, I think Sister Davidson and I had more faith than ever. We went out happy and trusting in the Lord that we would be led to people who were being prepared for us. There were a couple people who we talked to that weren't interested but there was this one lady, Christie, who after we told her we were missionaries and that what we had to share would bless her and her family, she asked us if and when there were classes that she could take! It was so cool! So we are going to meet with her tomorrow (Tuesday) and see what happens from there. I can tell that she has been prepared. We just have to have faith that there are people here for us! And I do have faith, but sometimes it can be a little discouraging. But when we get people like Christie, it just reminds me even more that I'm here for a reason!

Also on Friday night I felt like we should go knock on this home and so we did. These people are members of the Calvary Chapel church. Calvary Chapel is a very big church in this town. We started to share our message and then they cut us off and said that we needed to find out for
ourselves if what we were teaching is true (sounds like the same lady we met a couple weeks ago huh...) So we once again shared our testimonies. They were very closed and said that Joseph Smith is just some dude that read the Bible and decided to write another book like the Bible that was full of lies. We asked if they had read it and they said they had and that it wasn't true. I
asked if they had prayed about it and they said no. So at that point I asked how could they know it's a lie if they didn't even pray about it, they didn't have an answer. It's sad that so many people say that the Book of Mormon is a false book, yet they don't take the time to read and pray about it. You can't force anyone but it's sad! You can't judge a book by it's cover, I've learned that time and time again.

On Friday night we had dinner with the Brock family (their son just got back from the Utah Provo mission). We had been talking about referals and things during dinner and Brother Brock said that he NEVER gives referals. We have been taught that the best way to find people to teach is through members, so when he said that, my hopes kinda dropped. I didn't give up all hope but he is a very firm man so I wasn't really sure what would happen. For our message that night, we decided to share the reasons that Sister Davidson and I decided to serve missions. Sister Davidson went first and we cried and then I went. I looked over at Brother Brock while I was talking and he was crying!!! I didn't know what was happening! haha At the end of my testimony he gave us THREE referals! I couldn't believe it! Miracles do happen!!! It was incredible! His kids and his wife were totally surprised! His kids even asked him, "Dad, why didn't you ever give referals to the Elders?!" It was just amazing! Now we just really have to treat those referrals well and pray hard! We don't want to let him down!

Oh, on Tuesday the 10th, Sister Davidson wasn't feeling well so we went to the Campbell's home to see if Sister Campbell knew what to do. Anyway, while we were there, President Becerra called and said that he had been thinking about us and really wanted to know what he could do to help us get investigators. It was really nice to have him call us. Sister Davidson said that it is very rare when President just calls missionaries to see how we are. So that was really nice! And because he called us, we felt like we could call him when we were having a rough time this week so that's how we got a meeting with him!

Yesterday (Sunday) we were asked by the Primary chorister, Sister Zdunich, to come in for singing time, so we did. She had all the kids stand in a circle and we went around and touched each one of the kids on their shoulders. This was because they were learning a song, If The Savior Stood Beside Me, and she wanted them to know what it was like to have someone super famous stand beside them. It was so cute! Especially with the little kids, they just loved it! We felt like major celebrities. Who knew being on a mission I would become a celebrity LOL :) It was a lot of fun!

So one night I had some Grasshopper cookies and so I of course had to have some milk with it and since I don't share my milk with anyone, I just drank straight from the carton. It was funny because Momma J looked over and freaked out and said, "You're drinking right out of the
carton?!" haha It was probably more funny being there but it was funny! haha She said that she has never seen anyone do that before. I just laughed!

Well, not a whole ton happened this week, just a lot of tracting and visiting members. So I don't think this week I'll write another letter home. I have so many that I have to write that I think only an email this week (sorry mom LOL) But next week we are going to the Temple on Tuesday so that will be our Pday, instead of Monday. We go to the temple 2 times a year so I'm excited to go next week. I wish we could go more but all the temples are kinda far from us :( But at least we get to go!

We had a service project today at a ladies house in the ward. She's 96ish and she's still going strong! It's awesome, so there's a picture from that. Also, I am eating healthy food mom, picture to prove it :)

And just other pictures of the beautiful city I serve in! Just gorgeous! And the walk sign, it's actually a doorbell at a members home haha Well, I forgot my birthday list in the car but I think I saw that birthdays this week are Uncle Mike, Uncle Dennis, Dallin, and Brianna... If I got that wrong, forgive me :) And also Happy Birthday to Liz (Poops ;) ) I hope you all have a wonderful birthday!

I'll write again next week! Love you all so much! Thanks for all your love, support and prayers, I can really feel the prayers being said.

Love always,
Sister Rachel Wheatley

Leaving on a jet plane to California from the MTC...