Another email...

Good morning!!!! Today we are emailing early because our zone is finally doing something FUN for Pday! We used to do something fun every week but this transfer, not so much :( And it makes me kinda sad. But the ZL's texted us this morning and said that we are having a two-zone Pday playing Dodgeball! So I'm totally stoked! So we gotta finish everything early! And our whole zone will be wearing our new Zone Tshirts so that will be even more fun!

Anyway, here's what happened this week:

On Monday the 8th we had a Family Home Evening lesson with Brother and Sister Wilson. Sister Davidson and I used to go to their house every Monday and have FHE but we hadn't been in a while. This lesson was really good! We talked about the commandments and following the prophet. And with General Conference having just happened, it was the perfect thing to talk about. It was a very good lesson! The Spirit was really strong there! I talked about my favorite talk, given by Elder Holland, and how it has helped me since he gave it. I love going over to the Wilson's because I always seem to cry during the lessons. And this time was no different. For some reason I just love to cry! It makes me feel a lot better. And I love Sister Wilson. She really cares for me and my situations. It's just nice to be able to have a mom away from home. She's amazing!

Then on Tuesday the 9th, we had another lesson with the Hoch's. This lesson was on the Atonement. We answered their questions about the Holy Ghost and the Godhead being seperate beings and then we got into the Atonement. It was really cool to see Sister Hoch grasp that concept. She asked a lot of questions about it and we did our best to answer them. We have another lesson with them tonight! So we're excited to see where this lesson takes us. We are hoping to get them on a church tour this week sometime! They are a really nice couple and they are very open but also have a firm belief in their faith, which is good that they are religious but hard when we teach them. But with the Spirit guiding us, it will all work out!

Then on Wednesday the 10th, we went to volunteer some service hours at the Let It Be Foundation here in Chino! They are a non-profit organization that help families who have children with life threatening illnesses, which usually means cancer. They got started because the Founder had a daughter who died of cancer and she just wanted to help other people as well. So we walked in and asked them if we could volunteer (Sister Barnard in the ward also volunteers there) and they put us right to work making homemade angels for a Christmas brunch they are having next week. It was so much fun! All the workers/volunteers there are amazing! We were only there for about three hours but we just love them all now! And the Founder came up to us and saw our tags and said that her biological brother is Mormon and so she got really excited and took a picture of us to send to her nephew who is preparing for his mission soon. She said he would probably freak out! It was so funny! So we are very excited to volunteer there every week! It's a great foundation and there are great people that work there!

Then on Thursday the 11th, right before we were going to go home for the night because it was too late/dark to go knock on doors, we felt like we needed to go see our investigator Sabrina. When we got there, we heard her through the doors "Oh my gosh! It's the Sisters!!" She was so excited to see us, and we were excited to see her as well (BTW mom, she was wearing footie pajamas with Disney characters from Walmart... Just a Bday/Christmas idea for you ;) So we went in and ended up talking to her for an hour. It was just so wonderful to talk to her! She told us that she had been having a rough couple days and that it was cool that we showed up. She recognized that Heavenly Father sent us there that night, just like He did on July 4th when we met her for the first time. She said that He always seems to know just when she needs a pick-me-up! It was just so cool to see that she recognizes the hand of the Lord in this! So was sat and talked about everything! But the main things we talked about was prayer and the Atonement. She said that she hasn't been praying for the last couple days because she doesn't feel like God really cares. But then, like I said above, she now recognizes that He does care about her because He sent us to her in a time of great need. And so we helped her realize the importance of prayer. We asked her if she would pray and read a couple verses in the scriptures that talk about what she's going through. And that led us to the Atonement. We talked about how no matter how alone she feels, Jesus Christ knows what she's going through and is always there for her. Needless to say, there were a few tears shed on Thursday night. But it was AMAZING!!! Going to Sabrina's house that night was just another miracle and reminder that Heavenly Father is watching out for His children. He does care about each and everyone of us. And like Sister Monroe said in her testimony on Sunday "God does not forget the one!" (Sabrina did come to church on Sunday so I hope that she took that from Sister Monroe's testimony and will remember it.)

Then Friday the 12th we were able to go to lunch with Cherryl! We were so excited! We, of course, went to The Habit. Sister Carrell had never been to The Habit so we were excited to take her there. And it was good like usual! I have been getting a salad there lately but I decided that I would splurdge and get me a nice juicy burger! And I'm so glad that I did! It was delicious! And we had such a fun time there! We just love being able to talk to Cherryl. She is an amazing person! And we just love to spend time with her. Sadly she is back in Vegas and Florida for the next two weeks and with transfers coming up this weekend, I'm sad because I don't know if I'll see her again until my farewell next September. I've now been in Chino Hills for coming on seven months and I don't know if I'm pushing my luck or not by staying here so long. I guess we'll see!

Then on Saturday the 13th we went to visit a lady we met about five weeks ago. Her son was a former investigator and we wanted to go back and see him and hopefully start teaching him again but he wasn't home when we went over. So we talked to his mom for a while and when we went back on Saturday, she was very open. We felt strongly that we needed to go see her and when we got there, we asked how she was doing and she told us that her son had gone off to basic training that week. Bingo! No wonder we felt like we needed to go see her! So we talked to her a little bit more and had a small gospel discussion (I can't really remember exactly what it was about but it was good.) And the last time we met her, Sister Carrell asked if she knew what the purpose of life was and she said she didn't really know. So we just told her that we as missionaries would be able to answer that question. She didn't have time then or really seem like she wanted to know right now but we asked if we could come back sometime and teach her. She didn't say no and she seemed pretty interested and so we will go back either this weekend or next weekend and hopefully get to talk to her. She has a strong faith and belief in God and she has a family that she loves so much that I just want to be able to help her come to know and understand the purpose of life and that her family can be together for eternity. We have this strong bond between the three of us, I feel, and I just want her to come to know that Heavenly Father does have a plan for her and her family!

Then on Sunday that 14th, right after sacrament, the Elders came over and gave Sabrina a blessing. We had mentioned a blessing to her on Thursday when we went over and she said she would really like one. And the blessing was amazing! Elder Yoshikawa gave her the blessing and it was the first time he had met Sabrina and they only talked for a couple minutes and the blessing was exactly what Sabrina needed! It was amazing! Just another witness to Sabrina, and myself, that God really does care!

Then that night we went to visit a guy named Tony and his wife, Jessica. Tony's sister joined the church about a year ago and Tony has been inactive since he was 17 years old and he wanted to take the missionary lessons again and have his wife take them as well. It's been hard getting ahold of him so we felt like we should just stop by their house. Well, Tony ended up not being there but we got to talk to his wife Jessica. It was nice to talk to her! She has a great light about her! I can just imagine an even greater light in her as we teach them and help her to come to know that what we have to teach is true and as her testimony grows. She seemed really happy that we stopped by and got to talk to her for a bit. It's yet another miracle that happened this week! We didn't know exactly what we should say or do but like the scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants chapter 33 verses 8-10 say, we "opened our mouths" and they really were filled! It was so incredible!

And the same thing happened that night with a lady who's husband is a member and he's been trying to get her to join the church for over 30 years. We felt like we needed to go see him and as we pulled up, she came outside. The miracle about that is that whenever missionaries, home teachers, or ward members come to their house, she stays in the back where we can't see her. So to pull up right as she came out of the house was just another miracle! Brother Curtain wasn't home that night so it was even more incredible that we were able to go on a night that he wasn't home and she came outside. Just amazing!

This week was just full of miracles! I have really seen the Lord's hand in all that we did this week. From the lesson with the Wilson's to the Let It Be foundation to finally getting to meet Sister Curtain, it was all done in the hands of our Lord! Sister Carrell and I really put our minds to all that we did this week and we saw miracles!

Now here's to another great week ahead! But also a tough one as transfer calls are this Saturday and every six weeks I start to wonder if I'm going to be transfered or not. The Carbon Canyon ward has really made me feel welcome these last 6 1/2 months and I have really grown to love them! I have seen so much change in the ward and in myself from being here. Sister Campbell told me this week that she and her family were talking about how much I have grown since being here. She said, "Even my husband and sons have recognized it." And that's not to gloat or anything but it just makes me feel good! It makes me feel like I really am growing and making a difference! Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing much but when a ward member that I have grown to love comes up to me and tells me these things, it makes me feel like I'm fullfilling my purpose as a missionary.

Love to all my family and friends! I can feel the prayers from each of you everyday! Thanks for everything you all do for me! And thanks to mom and Bekkah for sending my the conference package! :)

Love always, Sister Wheatley

General Conference WOW!!!!

Can I just say how AMAZING General Conference was?!?! I have never enjoyed conference as much as I did this past weekend! There were so many things said that I really needed to hear. It was incredible! But more on that later.

To start off... Thanks to Sister LuBean for her card! It made me smile :) And Happy Birthday to Grandma Wheatley and Nik and Erin's son, Austin yesterday! Also Grandma and Grandpa Wheatley's anniversary last week! Love you Grandma and Grandpa!

Lunch at Red Robin (YUM)
 

Ok, so this last week was a very good one! On Monday the 1st, Sister Carrell and I went out to lunch with Rachel Hendertilo and Cody Laursen. Rachel and Cody are both preparing for their missions. Cody leaves on Wednesday and Rachel leaves in November. Rachel is in the YSA ward but comes and hangs out with us on Pdays and Cody is in the ward I'm serving in. We went to Red Robin (YUM!!) And it was just that, YUM! And we had so much fun! Then Rachel spent the whole day with us as we went out and worked! It was so much fun! Rachel is going to be an incredible missionary! She has such a strong testimony!

Then on Tuesday the 2nd, Sister Carrell and I went to visit a less-active lady in our ward, Sister Bell. She hasn't been to church since they started the block schedule and she has a visiting teacher but we wanted to go see her. We ended up spending over an hour there! It was so much fun! She has been all over the world and so it was fun to talk to her about that because traveling the world is something I really want to do. And we talked about so much other stuff as well. It was just so much fun!

Redlands Temple - October 3, 2012
 

Then on Wednesday the 3rd, we had Temple/Pday! I was so excited to go to the temple. I have been wanting to go for so long! We went with Sister Williams and as we were driving, she almost just took the I-15 exit to SLC LOL Her son and daughter in-law are going to BYU so she wanted to just keep going and since we live there, darn haha But we decided it'd be better if we made our 7am session at the temple ;)

Sister Carrell.Sister Williams.Sister Wheatley at Redlands Temple
October 3, 2012
 

On Thursday the 4th, we had a really good Zone Training meeting. President Becerra has started this new thing where we have Zone Training once a month and it has really been good! This last week we talked a lot about accountability and faith. As missionaries we keep a daily number of how many lessons, less actives, recent converts, members, etc. that we talk to each day. We are told not to focus on numbers and to focus on finding God's children but at the same time, the numbers are important. So this week we talked about how we really need to pray when we are setting our daily goals and that we need to try our hardest to make those goals. And they said that when we aren't accomplishing them, what's something we need to change to meet them. So I always knew that making these goals was important but this training meeting really hit me hard and has made me think a little more about how important meeting our daily goals really is.

Then came Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th. OHMYGOODNESS!!!!!!! Can I just say how amazing General Conference was?!?! I learned so much! Some of my favorite talks on Saturday were: when President Monson announced the age change for missionaries, "Ask the missionaries" by Elder Nelson, Not a race but a journey by President Uchtdorf, and Protecting our Faith by Elder Anderson, Pavilions by President Eyring, Let down your nets by Elder Holland (my very favorite), Never postpone a feeling by President Monson, and Testimony vs. Conversion by Elder Bednar. First of all, I thnk it is so cool that the missionary age has changed! This just means that the work needs to more forward my quickly! Just think about it! There are so many young men and young women who would usually go to school, date, get married, etc. by the time they are 19 or 21 but now, they get to go right after high school! I think it's amazing!!! (I thought last night about all the soon-to-be or already 18-19 yr. olds in the Wheatley side of the family that can start mission papers and if we all go, there would be 9 of us out on missions by June/July of next year! How crazy would that be to have NINE of us out?! So cool!)

Then Elder Nelson's talk, I just couldn't stop laughing! I think I need to make a list of all the things people can "Ask the missionaries" about and study up on them ;)

I loved Pres. Uchtdorf's talk because I love quotes that talk about life being a journey not a race. It just reminds me that I need to enjoy things a lot more!

I loved Pres. Eyring's talk because sometimes, even as a missionary, I have pavilions that are up that are blocking my view or other things. I can't let one small thing get in my way. I need to have a clear view of heaven and a direct path for my prayers.

President Monson's talk was amazing because sometimes I feel like my feelings aren't really my feelings but one thing that I need to do is just act on those feelings and if they are right, they will work out. If they are wrong, Heavenly Father will put something in my way to where I'll know it's not right.

Elder Bednar's was amazing because President Becerra uses that a lot and I have always loved the story of the 10 virgins!

And finally, Elder Holland's talk!!! OHMYGOSH!!!!!!!! It was just so dang powerful! He said some amazing things in it! I need to really let down some nets that I have been holding on to and let the work progress here. If I don't let down these nets, I will never be successful as a missionary. I'm so thankful for that talk! It was something that I really needed to hear! I can't wait to have the Ensign come out next month! I'm sure it will be marked up in two days! haha

Well, on Saturday night, Sister Carrell and I drove out to Arcadia to meet up with her aunt for dinner. Sister Carrell got special permission for this and it was really fun! Her aunt it super nice and we had an enjoyable time! Aunt Susan went on a mission when she was 21 years old and so it was nice to be able to talk about her mission and just all these other things. We had a very good time!

Hermana Whitney Wilcox
 

And on Sunday night, we went to a baptism for one of Sister Carrell's investigators from her last area and Elder McKee told me that there's a Sister in a trio with Sister Filimoehala and Sister Harker who's from Provo. He told me her name was Hermana Wilcox. I know that Whitney Wilcox from high school was going on a mission and I thought it might be her and sure enough, she walks in and it was her! haha It was fun to get to talk to her and see her! It was a total surprise to see someone from home LOL

Well, that's about all that happened this last week! I'm just still in complete awe over conference! I just soaked it all up! It was amazing! I hope that everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did!

I gotta run but l love you all! Have a great week! (PS- I won't be emailing again until Tuesday because we have a mission conference on Monday...)

Love always,

Sister Rachel Wheatley

Our Zone at Redlands Temple, October 3, 2012
 

Rachel.Sister Carrell.Rachel Hendertilo

CHINO BOSS!

Sorry this letter is late. We went to the temple today so that's why we weren't able to email on Monday. But that's ok. It just means that our next Pday will come super soon!!! haha So last Monday, the 24th, was a very fun day! We all met up at the church and as a zone we ordered Tshirts! Sister Davidson designed them before they left and they are super legit! I was a little too excited to get one! But they are so cool! So we all changed and wore our shirts and we played Wilson Ball. It's kind of like Dodgeball but we only use one ball and it's a Wilson brand ball (hence the name "Wilson Ball" (Elder Lindsay took a while to get that one haha)) It was just so much fun! It was nice and relaxing too! Except for the fact that the Elders did not want to throw the ball at neither Sister Carrell or I. It was kinda lame but really funny!



I RAISED HER WELL!!!!!  HEE HEE!
 

Then on Tuesday the 25th Sister Carrell and I made the drive (10 minutes) out to Diamond Bar to my old place to pick up some things that I had accidently left there. I was really surprised when I got there and Mama J was back! She had been in the hospital the week before so I didn't expect her to be back. But it was a nice surprise and we were able to talk to her for a little bit! I have missed Mama J! So it was nice to talk to her again. She didn't look very good and that made me sad. But at least she is back home and hopefully getting better.


Zone T-shirts



Thursday the 27th, we went to visit a member in our ward who was baptized two years ago. While we were there I felt like bringing up being sealed as a family but before I could even mention it, she said something about it. We have talked about it before but hadn't been over to see her in a long time so I was glad she brought it up again.



Cute Rach

She and her husband were supposed to adopt a baby girl that they have been taking care of through foster care for about three months but now her grandfather wants to adopt her so that was sad for them. But we still talked about her husband and daughter and her being sealed. They are really looking forward to the day when that can happen. Sadly they just missed the temple prep classes from the ward but hopefully we can get them to start them up again for the Trenado's.

Then on Friday the 28th we had a church tour! Sister Navas in the ward has been talking to a lady whos son is part of our wards scout program and asked if she wanted a church tour and she accepted. And as they have become friends, May has told Sister Navas that she wants something (aka a church) for her son. So on the tour they asked a few questions that have been on their mind and it turned out really good!



The back of the Zone t-shirt

We have another lesson set up with them this Friday. But as we left, I felt that maybe we need to pass May and her son Eric off to the Chinese Elders because I think they would understand what is being taught better. So we have to pray about that still and ask them if that's ok. We have had to pass people off a couple different times which is sad but at least it is all for the same gospel, right?!

Ok, Saturday the 29th was SOOO good! We didn't have a lot happen during the day but we texted Sister Knecht in the ward that morning and told her that if she needed help we'd be around (they had a big Relief Society Broadcast dinner presentation that night.) So she text us later in the day and we went and helped her. Oh my goodness! This dinner and presentation was amazing!! Sister Knecht made all the food (plus about 200 Caramel Apples for as we were leaving) and they had different members decorate tables and Sister Knecht also put together this slide show presentation of Sisters in the stake with other Sisters in the stake. It was amazing! The Spirit was there all night so strong! Especially during the actual broadcast! I just loved it! It went by too fast! I thought we had only been there for 30 minutes when it was over. I just wish we could have had more and more speakers!

Then on Sunday the 30th, church was so good! It was the Primary Program, which is always fun! The kids are so stinkin cute! And it was so cool because there's a family in the ward that we live up the street from who's part member. We wanted to go by on Saturday night to invite Brother Kuhn to watch his daughter but weren't able to get over to see them. But when we walked in, there he was! So that was really cool to see him at church!



Zone Picture

Sabrina also came to church this week after not being able to come for two weeks. She was so happy to be there! It's been a little hard because she wants to get baptized so badly but won't be able to until she's 18 years old. So half way through Sacrament meeting, she leaned over to me and said, "Only one year and eight months until I can be baptized!" She is so cute! Then after Sacrament we went up to Cody, who is leaving for his mission next month, to talk to him. Cody joined the church about a year and a half ago and I just felt like Sabrina needed to talk to him. And it was cool because his mother was also there so she was able to talk to her (his mother has not been baptized). I wasn't really sure what to say to Cody but I just knew Sabrina needed to talk to him. So after a minute of awkwardness, haha, Sabrina asked him questions about why he joined the church, how he came to know it was true, and things like that. Cody's parents didn't want him to join til he was 18 years old but when he was 17 1/2, his mother told him she was ok if he really wanted to join, if he knew for sure that this is what he wanted. So Sabrina asked questions about that and it really helped her to have faith that it would be ok. She now knows that she just needs to keep doing what's right and it will all work out the way it's supposed to.

Caramel apples from Relief Society  Conference

Well, that's about all that happened last week. For some reason as I'm writing this I'm not feeling like it was written well but that's ok!

Not a whole ton happened but it was a good week! It was really enjoyable! The weather was even kinda nice (minus the weekend when it was in the 100s).



Hope everyone is having a good week so far! And I hope that it's not too hot for everyone back home. I'm just praying I can make it through the next couple weeks of total heat! haha I'm looking forward to when I can wear cute little jackets around. It's just too hot right now!

Yesterday was like 105 degrees and last Wednesday at one point it was 115 degrees! That's total craziness!



Crazy Elders
 

Oh, one last thing... The subject of this email "Chino Boss" is because I'm the oldest one here in the Chino Zone. Not age wise but time in this zone wise. It's now been 6 1/2 months! It's been a long time but I'm loving it here! Sister Carrell tells me I can't get too comfortable because that's when Heavenly Father is going to move me and I keep saying that I'm not anywhere close to comfortable haha We'll see what happens! I swear, transfers come too often (or too fast). We are already on our fourth week of a six week transfer. Time flies when you're having fun! But it's good!

Gotta run! Not really sure what we're doing today as a Zone but hopefully it will be fun!



Gorgeous girl (Her mom said that; not Rach ;)
 

But before I'm finished, a scripture! Something that I read this week in the Book of Mormon was Enos 1:1-17. It's when Enos is experiencing the power of the Atonement. It's something that I've been thinking about lately. We all experience the power of the Atonement at some points in our lives. I think it's amazing how we can feel such comfort because we know what our Savior Jesus Christ did for us. We never have to go through as much as He did. And whatever we do go through, we can be comforted knowing that He's already been through it all for us. We never have to be alone. And what a comfort that has been for me the last little while!

Love you all!

Sister Wheatley



Goofing around just before bedtime
 

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Another week has come and gone! It was a very good week, not much happened but what did happen was good! But to start out... Thanks to Jessie Brimhall for her letter and pictures! And a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Emily Sabins on the 26th, Jonny on the 28th, and Uncle Chuck today! Love you all and hope you have amazing birthdays!!

New haircut

This week went by really fast. On Monday the 27th, after Pday, we had a Family Home Evening lesson with the Moran family in our ward. We taught about the Gospel of Jesus Christ which includes Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. It was a very good lesson! The Moran family are very missionary minded and they brought great insights to the lesson. It was very powerful! And so much fun!

On Tuesday the 18th we had another lesson with Kellie and again, the Spirit was so strong. We had a lesson on the Plan of Salvation with our main focus being the Atonement. I know in my letter last week that I said that during her first lesson I'd never seen the Atonement work so hard on anyone, and it was the same for this week. I have really loved being a part of this change in Kellie. I know that it's been about six years since she's been to church and it's just amazing to see her turn around and come back. I've decided that if I don't get any baptisms the rest of my mission, it's ok because I want to help members of the church who have lost their way. I have loved seeing the change in Kellie. She has a strong testimony and I thank my Heavenly Father for letting me be a part of this change.

Also on Tuesday we had a lesson with some former investigators, the Hoch's. We met them about a week and a half ago and they let us come back. We had a really good lesson about the Godhead and about the Holy Ghost. They have some questions and concerns about how Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three seperate beings but we are helping them to understand better. They asked us a question about the Holy Ghost and neither Sister Carrell or I had ever asked that question ourselves or heard anyone else have concerns about it so we weren't able to answer that question. But we told them that we would study it and when we go back tomorrow we will be able to tell them what we learned. It was a very good lesson and I hope that they are coming to understand a little better what we as Latter-day Saints believe.

Then on Thursday the 19th, Sister Carrell had her interview with President Becerra in Hacienda Heights. When we got there, it was so weird because Elder McKee and Elder Williamson were there and it was like a mini district reunion haha And after her interview, we went out to lunch with Sister Lehman (my MTC companion) and her trainee, Sister Fogavai. It was so much fun to spend some time with them! I couldn't stop laughing!

Then Friday the 21st while we were weekly planning, I got a phone call from Mama J (I had called her a couple days earlier) and she told me that she was back in the hospital :( It was really sad to hear that. But she said that she is doing ok. I just hope she doesn't have to spend too much more time in there. We are hopefully going to go out to lunch when she gets out though!!



After Dinner with Sister Carrell and Emma

And also while weekly planning, Sister Carrell got a phone call from Sister Filimoehala saying that one of their investigators was back in town and she was getting baptized that night!! What?!?!? So after dinner we went to Walnut for Adri's baptism. It was so amazing! The Spirit was so strong there! Adri has come a long way. She used to be Athiest and really didn't even care about anything. But because of her friend who she met at school, she was brought to the gospel. Adri has gone through so much in her life that it was so cool to see her baptized. When she came up out of the water, she was in tears and you could just see a totally different light in her eyes. It's really an amazing thing to go to these baptisms and see the difference in people and see how far they have come. The gospel really changes people! It's just incredible to see!

Then on Saturday the 22nd, we did a lot of contacting. We went through the Area Book on Friday and wrote down names and addresses of people that we felt we should go see. Most of the people weren't home but there were a few that were super nice and we talked to them for a while and they said that we could come back!



Sister Lehman and Sister Wheatley -- MTC companions at Yogurtland in California
 

And that night we went to Brother and Sister Gute's house to follow up on a challenge that we gave them. We have been inviting the members of the ward that we have dinner with to pray about who they could share the gospel with. All we have asked is to pray and we would follow up with them before they did anything else. So when we went over to their house, they told us that they have two friends who have come up lately that they haven't talked to in a few years but things have happened where they have had contact with them recently. So that was really cool! So we are looking forward to moving forward with the Gute's on how to share the gospel with these people. We have been taught that you have to have a social conversion with someone before a spiritual conversion. You can't jump right into sharing the gospel with someone. You have to show people that you just want to be friends and from there all you do is be an example and the people will ask you about the gospel. As members of the church you have to show people that we aren't just friends to convert them. We are friends with them whether or not they accept the gospel message. So that's something that we are now teaching members. And I think that's really true! Social before spiritual and if they don't accept the spiritual, at least you can still be friends!

After Adri's Baptism
 

Well, like I said, not much happened but everything that did happen was good! Sister Carrell and I are really working hard and well together. I have learned so much from her these past two weeks! I hope  that everyone back home is doing well! I love and miss you all but as of today, only ONE YEAR left. (No I am not counting...) I can't believe everything that I have learned in the last six months and I look forward to learning even more in these next twelve! I never thought that I would be serving a mission. But now that I am, I'm so happy that I made that decision, that I decided to listen to the Holy Ghost! It's already something that I know I will never regret!

Love always, Sister Wheatley

Hey Hey!

Ok, so there is a lot that happened this week! This was seriously one of the best weeks I have had on my mission so far! It's been very amazing!

First off, Happy birthday to Sarah Jane Dudley tomorrow (the 18th) and Sarah Alder on the 21st and Diana Fleck on the 21st! Hope you all have amazingly wonderfully fantabulous birthdays :) Love you all!

So last Monday, the 10th, we had transfers. In my email last week I mentioned that and that my new companion is Sister Carrell. She's from Lehi, UT and she is a very good missionary! I have already learned so much from her! She's been out for less time than me and I thought I was going to be the one teaching her and training her a little more but I think she has taught me more than I could ever teach her. She's very outgoing and bold and it's just been fun to have her here. It's also been a little rough just because our personalities are so different but that's ok! That's what is good about us as a companionship. We both bring different things to the table! And things are really looking up here!

Monday night we had a lesson with a new investigator, Chris. It was a very good lesson and the Spirit was there. He had so many questions that it was hard to get a set lesson plan in but that's ok! We were able to answer his questions and also do a mini lesson. So that was cool! And we set up a return appointment with him for the next day. He really didn't want to have too many days in between lessons so that was cool!

Then on Tuesday the 12th we had the lesson with Chris. This time we had the Elders over the Singles Ward, Elder Lindsay and Elder Nielson, come with us because Chris is 19 years old and he would probably be better off in the YSA ward than in the family ward. That lesson didn't go as well as we had hoped for (he was a little high...) But he accepted a church tour with the Elders for the next day and now they are teaching him.

Then that night Sister Carrell and I went over to Dirty Dennis's house. Dirty Dennis is a man just down the street from where we live who does metal work. Sister Davidson and I, when we first got to this area, noticed a bunch of roosters in peoples yards and one day we asked someone about it. So we went to Dirty Dennis's and talked to him for a little and he said he would make us one! We thought that was so nice! Well, that was when we first got to the area so after being here for 5 1/2 months, we figured he forgot about us. We saw him a couple weeks ago and he said, "Don't worry girls, I haven't forgotten!" And then on Monday night, he text us and said that he was finished with our rooster! Sure, right after Sister Davidson leaves haha So on Tuesday we went to pick it up! He is such a nice guy! I offered to pay him a few dollars but he said, "No, I just want to show that there are still people in this world who actually do something when they say they will." So that was really nice! And now I have this rooster to carry around while on my mission! I wish I could send it home but it's way too big! I might have to leave it with a member wherever I leave from and come get it sometime after my mission LOL ;) But it's pretty cool!

Then Wednesday the 12th Sister Carrell and I had a lesson with Kellie. She's a member of the church but has been inactive since she was 17 and a couple weeks ago she texted us asking if she could have the lessons again! So of course we said yes! And the lesson we had with her was amazing! The Spirit was so strong! We both started crying within the first five minutes of the lesson! haha It was just amazing! Kellie is a wonderful person and I'm so happy that she wants to change her life back around! She has a two year old boy and she knows that she needs to give him a better life. And she also said that she's never been able to imagine herself getting married anywhere other than the temple and she knows that in order to do that, she needs to be going to church and living the life that she's always been taught to live! It was just amazing! I could really see the Atonement of Jesus Christ working on her that morning! It was so powerful! I've never seen anything like it!

Then that night we had a Relief Society enrichment activity on Emergency Preparedness! I was so excited! I've decided that mom has ruined me ;) During the whole thing I just felt like I was back at home! It was so fun for me! I was talking to a lady in our ward, Stacie, and her friend Erin about it after and I told them about learning about most of these things while back home and that I have bought my own food storage supplies and water containers and they just started to laugh and said, "Wow, I'm married and I don't even have that much. I guess I better get started quickly." It was just kinda funny! It was just so fun to go to that!

On Thursday the 13th we had a great District Meeting on working with the members. We've had this topic before but it was just something that really hit me this time around. That's what we have been trying to do since we came to this area but it's been kind of a slow process. But I know that things are working out the way they are supposed to and that working with the members will increase! I'm so happy that I'm able to be here for so long to see the growth of the area and the ward! It's very cool!

And that night we went and visited a former potential investigator, Beverly. She is super nice and she was going out of town but she said that we could come back this next weekend! So we are excited about that! Sister Davidson and I have tried a few different times to see her but weren't very successful. So it's cool that we were finally able to talk to her!

Friday the 14th, that was a long day! We had weekly planning and that took us a while! And then that night we went out and visited some more formers and we got to talk to one, Sonny, who seems like he's interested. He said he's busy but he knows that he needs something more in his life and he's happy that we stopped by. So he accepted a church tour and we're going to do that this week!

Saturday the 15th was another long day! Our stake put on a Family History Seminar and we as missionaries had a couple booths in both of the church buildings set up. We weren't able to talk to people unless they talked to us (I guess President Hinckley said something about that in the past...) so we just sat around for four hours. It was a very long time but after it was all over, Brother Collinwood told us yesterday that another set of Elders got a new investigator out of it so that was cool! And while at the seminar, Emily Sabins' aunt came and I was talking to her and she told me her name and I was like "Wait, you're Emily's aunt?!" And I just got so excited that I finally got to meet her! And we had a very nice conversation! She is so amazing! But I should have known that since she is related to Sister Sabins and Brother Walch!

Then that night we were about to go do thank you cards because we didn't have any appointments set up for the 8:00pm hour and we're not supposed to be out in the dark knocking on doors that late but before we did that I felt like we needed to go to one more formers house. So we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Hoch. And they answered they door and we talked to them for a couple minutes and set up an appointment to see them tomorrow (Tuesday.) So that was exciting! Just when we were about to call it a night, Heavenly Father leads us to one more house!

Then Sunday the 16th, that was a good day! Church was good like always! Sabrina wasn't able to come because she and her parents were out of town but she text us and said she wanted to go to church in Anahiem Hills where she was but wasn't sure if she should (we of course told her that the next time she wonders, yes, she should go!) She also said that she feels "lost without church." And that's not the first time she's said something like that. So I thought that was really cool! Sabrina is an amazing girl! She has such a strong testimony already! She wants to get baptized now but will more than likely have to wait until she is 18. But she keeps saying that she can't wait til she's baptized!

Then last night we had a meeting with Brother Holland. He's our new ward mission leader and OMGOSH!!!! He's incredible! He has so many wonderful ideas about how to get the members going on their missionary work. He has a theme for each month of the year to help with getting non-members to come to church acitivities, or to have members give out pass-along cards, or things like that. He is just wonderful! I know that as soon as we get these final plans set, there's going to be success in the Carbon Canyon ward area! I wish I could stay in this area for my whole mission! I have loved seeing the growth so far and I know that it's only going to get better! I can already see it! This church is amazing! I feel so blessed to be apart of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I have seen so many wonderful things happen in my life because of it. And I've said it before but I feel so lucky to be here in the California Arcadia mission at this time in my life to be a full-time missionary! There are so many other things I could be doing back home, but I don't know if I would learn the same things that I have learned while being out on my mission these last six months. It's just amazing! I love this work! I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. If I didn't know that, I wouldn't be here right now. If there is anyone out there who is wondering if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, whether you were born in the church and your testimony is a little rocky, or if you have been investigating the church, do as it says in Moroni 10:3-5, read the scriptures and pray to our Father in Heaven with real intent and He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. I know that He will. He never breaks promises!

Love, Sister Rachel Anna Wheatley

Transfer #5, Area #1, Companion #2

Well, another week has come and gone. And today starts a new transfer! I can't believe how fast the six weeks go. I feel like we just had transfers a couple weeks ago. But I am staying in Chino Hills in the Carbon Canyon ward but no I am not training, there aren't any English Sisters coming in for the next two transfers. But Sister Carrell is my new companion and she's barely off her 12-week program so I am "senior" companion...even though technically we don't have junior/senior companions here in this mission. But yeah. Not gonna lie I'm a little nervous about being the senior comp but I am excited. I have been here for 24 weeks now, I think it's time for me to "spread my wings and fly" like I told Cherryl on Sunday. So I think this will be good for me.

Ok, now to let you know what happened all this week. on Tuesday the 4th, Sister Davidson and Sister Filimoehala had zone council so Sister Carrell and I spent the day here in Chino Hills. It was funny because our ward was on the edge of their seats all week knowing that we were getting transfer calls this week so I didn't want to freak them out by going past some of their houses so I just told Sister Carrell that we would go to potential investigators and see them. Well, turns out we could have gone to members houses since Sister Carrell is now here in Chino Hills with me haha But it was a good day and we got to go by and talk to a few potentials that we've been needing to see.

On Wednesday the 5th we had interviews with President Becerra. I was really looking forward to this interview for some reason and by the time Wednesday came, the interview lasted for maybe 10 minutes. It went SOOOO fast! I was totally bummed! But he asked each of us to find our favorite obedience scripture and as I was praying to know which one I should use, I just kept coming back to 1 Nephi 3:7 where Nephi says "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded..." And I was totally confused because I didn't know what that had to do with obedience. But the more I read it and thought about it, I realized that when the Lord commands something, we have to "go and do" and when we "go and do" we are being obedient. I never thought of that scripture in that way. It is now one of my favorite Book of Mormon scriptures. And now everytime I see the word command, I think to myself, "What is the Lord wanting us to obey?" So I thought that was pretty cool!

Then on Thursday the 6th we had Zone Meeting. President Becerra started this new thing where the first Thursday of every month we meet as a zone. So I was happy about that! And the meeting was SO good! I learned so much from that meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, Elder Lindsay and Elder McKee asked us to think of a question we wanted answered by the end of the meeting. And Sister Davidson and I had been talking earlier that morning about something and she said, "You should go into Zone Meeting with a question." So I had been thinking about it and when they asked us, I really thought even harder about what question I wanted answered. And by the end of the meeting, I didn't really get an answer. But then they asked another question, or a statement, that said, "After this meeting I now know...." and as I was writing the answer, I was almost done and my hand just kept writing and by the time I was done writing, I realized that the question I had at the beginning of the lesson had been answered! I just couldn't believe it! It was something that had been on my mind for a while and I was finally able to move on from the question and be happy! After our zone meeting, we all went out to Cici's for lunch! It was so good and so fun! I just love my zone! It's been so much fun to spend time with all of them these last 24 weeks! I think it will still be fun but every companionship in our zone had a change so it's not going to be the same. But that's ok! I'm sure we'll have just as much fun together!

Then on Friday the 7th we had a lesson with our investigator Sabrina and Rachel Hendertilo from the Young Singles Adult ward came with us! Oh my goodness! It was an amazing lesson! The Spirit was there so strongly! Everytime we asked Sabrina a question, she answered it better than I've ever heard anyone answer these questions! Sabrina has such a strong, special Spirit! It's been so amazing to see how much Sabrina has grown in the last two months that we've been meeting with her. She was amazing to start with, but I have just seen so much growth! She is so happy! She has so many questions and just loves learning about the gospel. She can't wait to be baptized! Sadly she will most likely have to wait until she is 18 years old though. But she is so strong! It was just an amazing lesson!

Ok...Now onto Saturday the 8th. Transfer calls! We had a district lunch at Chili's (which I was happy about because I have been craving chips and salsa FOREVER!!!!) That was fun! Then Sister Davidson and I went tracting and went to see a family we're trying to set up a tour with but they weren't there, so we just walked around their neighborhood for a few minutes. As we were walking, Sister Davidson cut infront of me haha and walked over to a couple guys at their house. It was really cool because one of them was really interested in learning about what we had to say and he had so many questions that he had been wondering about for the last couple weeks. So we ended up talking to him for almost an hour! It was crazy because there were so many things that kept happening where we knew that it was the adversary trying to get in the way. But we were able to keep talking to him and we actually have a lesson set up with him tonight! So we're excited for that! The only sad thing is that we'll probably have to pass him off to the Zone Leaders because they are over the singles ward and he's 19 years old. But he's very happy to be meeting with us because he's had so many questions on his mind lately that he even said himself that he's been wanting answers and he recognizes that Heavenly Father sent us to him! So that's way cool!

Then that night, our district all met up at the church to see Elder Yoshikawa do the "Gallon Challenge." He wanted to drink a gallon of milk in 30 minutes! Crazy right?! But he wanted to. So we got together and he failed! :( But it was fun to watch it as he was trying! Then we all got our transfer calls! It was a very bitter-sweet time. I had a hard time with it, worse than Sister Davidson! haha She was so excited to leave because she likes change but I've never been good with change so I was sad. Plus Sister Davidson has taught me so much that I was sad to have her leave. But I know that Heavenly Father trusts me to be with Sister Carrell so it will all be good! I'm excited to still be here in Chino Hills! I'm thinking I could stay another two or three transfers and spend half my mission here! haha I've already spent 1/3 of my mission here so I'm excited!

Then on Sunday the 9th, WOW! Such an amazing day! Sabrina came to church! Cherryl came to church! The Spirit was amazing at church! Just so wonderful! I felt bad for Sabrina though because she was having a hard time knowing that Sister Davidson was leaving. We have both grown to love Sabrina and Sabrina has grown to love us! So it was hard! But at least they can still keep in contact with eachother! And having Cherryl at church, just so happy! It was just a good day! And last night we went to Arcadia for the farewell of the missionaries going home! Such an amazing Spirit there too!

Ok, I know this is a short email but we have a lesson so I had to write this as quick as possible! We didn't have much time to do anything because we were in Arcadia all morning for transfers. So yeah, so sorry this isn't as long as other emails. But I hope that everything is good back home. Thanks for the letter and pictures this week Jessie! Grace looked so happy in those pictures! And a very happy birthday to Jose last week, Allie and Mandy today, and Trent and Cameron McKee on the 14th! Love you all and hope your days are amazing!

Gotta run!

-Sister Rachel Wheatley

 

PS - Could I ask for something??? Anyone reading this... Could I possibly get conversion stories from anyone who is willing to write and send me theirs? Whether you were born in the church or you're a convert, we each have our own conversion stories and I would love to read each of them and I know that it could help having conversion stories to tell people that I come in contact with. Thanks tons!

6 Months Say What?

WOW! I can't believe that this week I hit my six month mark! It feels like just yesterday I entered the MTC! It has gone by so fast! But when I look back at everything that has happened, it's amazing! I have learned so much! I am a different person than I was when I left. And I still have a year left... I wonder what I will be like when I get home! We were at dinner the other night at the Peterson's and we were talking about how long Sister Davidson and I have been in this area and they were laughing because when I first got here, we went to their house for General Conference and I barely talked! And they said that I have really grown! It's really nice to have people tell me that because when I look back I have seen so much where I have grown but at the same time I feel like I'm still the same person. Which is good! I've just grown in being a little more confident and a little more talkative LOL

Rach and Yendia, an investigator, and her son Nathan!
 

Well, I guess I should probably start writing about what happened this week. It was very eventful! Lots of miracles happened!

Monday the 27th, Sister Davidson and I went to the Norton Simon Art Museum in Pasadena with Sister Hruby from the ward. It was a good field trip! There were a lot of beautiful paintings! There was especially this one called Explosion or something like that where they took these flowers and froze them in some kind of chemical and then took a gun to it and they captured the explosion (hence the name.) And it was beautiful!!! I wish I could have taken a picture of it but it was in an area of the museum where we couldn't take pictures :( I forgot to write down the name of the artist but I hope that when I get home I can find it online because I would love to have it in my future home! It just took my breath away!

As we were walking out of the museum they gave us this free print by a famous artist (I can't remember his name...) of a ballerina, so needless to say I was excited for that! And that night we were going to go visit this lady that we met a couple weeks ago and as we pulled up, Sister Davidson felt like she should take this print and give it to her. She didn't know why but she took it anyway. So Mary Joan answered the door and sadly she wasn't available to talk but before we left S. Davidson asked if she liked art and Mary Joan said yes. So then S. Davidson gave her the print and Mary Joan looked at it for a second and then said, "This is my daughters favorite painting! And she just started a ballet class at school, today." Creepy right?! And then Mary Joan said, "And we just remodeled the living room and I was looking for something graceful to put on the side table." OMGosh! We couldn't believe how good creepy that was! It was amazing! Even the smallest promptings to give a picture to someone is amazing! So at that point we talked to her for another 15 minutes or so! And it was just amazing! We walked away with our jaws dropped at how amazing it was!

Making water conservation bracelets at city hall for service
 

On Tuesday the 28th, not much happened but this little bit of funny I liked! We went up to the very edge of our area/ward boundaries to visit a inactive family that we've felt prompted to go see for a couple weeks but never really felt like we should go. But on Tuesday we felt like it was right! Well, turns out the family that lived there had moved in July to Ohio. But we got to talking to the guy, John, that lives there now and we talked to him a little about what he does for a living and other things. And guess what...he's an actor. I thought that was pretty cool! And then we asked him if he's done anything that we might have heard of and he said that he was on the show "Rob" starring Rob Sneider. I kinda freaked out a little because I watched that show before I left! haha It was only on for like one season but hey! At least I knew what show he's been on and he told us what episode and I totally remember it! haha That just made me happy! But what was even cooler than that is that he's looking for a church in the area and he said he would love a tour of the church sometime! So we have to go back up and see him sometime this week! Plus his brother and sister in-law are members in one of the wards in our stake so that's cool! And he seemed really interested!

Sister Davidson made us breakfast yesterday (9/3/12)
 

Wednesday the 29th was a good day! The biggest thing that happened is that we got a text message from the Jones' daughter who has been inactive since she was 17 years old and she said that she's been going back to church the last month or so and she's wondering if we could come teach her the lessons since it's been so long! So we are very happy for that! We had dinner with the Jones' the night before and her boyfriend was over, he just returned from his mission in March, and we all had a good time! So we are happy that she is going back to church (she's going to the singles ward) and that she wants to take the lessons so that she can learn again!

Also on the 29th we had a family home evening lesson with the Monroe family in the ward. We are working really hard with the members and we felt like we should go teach the Monroe's. We had a lesson about the Gospel of Jesus Christ which consists of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. And that was a very good lesson! We made stepping stones and explained that you need each one of these to return to our Father in Heaven! We had Brother and Sister Monroe sit on the couch and had each of the kids try to get to them without stepping on the "lava" which was the floor. But because there were no stepping stones to start with, they couldn't do it. But then we read scriptures and had a good discussion about each of these steps and by the end each of the kids were able to walk on the stepping stones over the "lava" and make it home! So that was really fun!

On Friday the 31st we had dinner with the Dunn family! They are a part member/inactive family but they feed us dinner once a month and we had so much fun with them. After dinner we had a lesson which consisted of a tea bag, matches, and lighting the tea bag on fire and having enough faith that the fire would not touch our hands when we hold the tea bag in our hands. It was really fun! Then we went outside and played with the kids for a bit and then Sister Davidson showed them how she can balance things on her chin. And not just things but ladders! Yes, ladders! It's pretty cool! And we just had a lot of fun with them! We love their family!

After dinner with the Dunn family (Sister Dunn, Rachel, Christopher, Brother Dunn, David)

Saturday the 1st was an AMAZING day! First off, at church on Sunday, Brother Apgar came up to me and told me that we should have come over to his house to watch the BYU football game with him and his daughter on Saturday! You have no idea how much I wanted to watch that game! He kept rubbing it in my face for the last couple weeks! haha So I heard they won! Almost a shutout right? Anyway, I'm happy that mom and dad got to go to the game!

Cherryl's birthday sign (9/2/12)
 

Ok, back to Saturday the 1st. In the evening Sister Davidson and I didn't have any set appointments we had to be at so we were trying to figure out where to go. There is this family that we've been thinking about a lot lately that we met a couple months ago and have gone back a couple times in the last few weeks but they were never home or the wife wasn't home. So on Saturday we just thought, what the heck, we should go see John and Julia! So we went there and Julia answered the door and she said, "Oh my goodness, how are you guys?! I haven't seen you in forever!" haha What a welcome! So we just started talking to her about her kids and about school having started last week and things like that. Then after about 10ish minutes I asked if she had had anytime to read the Book of Mormon that we gave her a couple months ago. She said she hasn't read it but she's looked through it. So then we said that if there was a time, we would love to come back and kind of explain to her what the Book of Mormon is all about. But right then, Sister Davidson just explained in a quick couple sentences what it was. And that got her asking a couple questions and then she asked, "So I have a question... What's the difference between being a Catholic and a Mormon?" So we answered that and she understood a little better. Then right before we left I felt like I should tell her why we had come to her house that night. So I just said that her family had been on our minds recently and we felt like that night we needed to go by. I also said that the first time we met her, we felt something super strong and that we know that God has put us in each others paths for a reason. Then she looked down at her arms and she said, "Wow. I just got the goosebumps!" And it was so true! Sister Davidson and I also were getting goosebumps and the Spirit was just so incredibly strong! It was amazing! So she said she would like us to come back and she would also like to have a church tour sometime soon! So we are going to be setting that up this week! I know that Heavenly Father sent us to Julia that night for a reason. And I know He sent us to their house three months ago as well. It's amazing how Heavenly Father knows the perfect moment to send us places!

Cherryl's birthday was on Sunday (9/3/12) so we wrote her a happy birthday on the driveway

Then on Sunday the 2nd Sabrina came to church! We were so excited! She's been so frustrated the last couple weeks that her mom hasn't let her come to church and she made her mom promise that she could come this week, and she did! Her mom asked her that morning if she was sure she wanted to go and Sabrina said, "Mom, you promised! I really want to go!" So she did! And it was Fast and Testimony meeting so that was really cool! All the testimonies were so amazing and the Spirit was strong so we're glad Sabrina was able to come!

Also, Sunday was the ward fast to end our 40-day fast! And let me tell you, I have seen so many miracles from this fast! It's been amazing! And I know that there are going to be even more miracles to come! It's like Christ and His 40-day fast. After it was over, that's when He started His ministry. And that's how we feel about this area. Even though we have seen so many miracles already, now is the time that they are really going to start coming! But of course we have to do our part and work hard and be servants of the Lord! So it's just been amazing!

Beautiful night sky!

Well, that's all I have time for now! I gotta get going! But I want to thank Mandy Parrott, Brieann McDonald, and Renata Skousen for your letters/package this week! Brie and Renata probably heard me all the way in Heber get excited when I took those pictures out! haha ;)

And Happy Birthday tomorrow to Brandi and on the 8th to Aunt MaryAnn! I love you both so much! Hope you both have amazing days and you get spoiled! :)

Love you all so much! Thanks for everything! I can really feel your love, support, and prayers daily!

Love always, Sister Rachel Wheatley

RAINBOW!!!!