Hello from my new AREA

Good Afternoon to my Amazing Family,

 

Well I got transferred!! Listening to the transfer call is the most stressful thing ever!! So i am glad that is over with it is always hard because you hear names on the phone call of friends who have become so close through out the transfer. Of course the call doesn't come until about 10:00pm so you are anxious all day long!!! Well obviously my name was mentioned, and it was sad. Hermana Heywood and I got along so well. Of course I had my days, but that happens no matter who you are with. These past 12 weeks really have been a blast. We both think we are pretty cool, and we like to have fun. Not to mention leaving a area is never easy!! Its like leaving home all over again as you say good-byes, and not even realizing what is in store. Its amazing the amount of charity you have for people within just a few months of knowing them. I guess the Lord just needs me somewhere else which I will tell you where as soon as I fill you on what has been going on. So this past week felt super long for some reason, but it went by fast!! Its crazy!! Well Hilda and Lulu Franco taught hermana heywood, and I how to make chocolate flan. Flan is some custard type thing then we made it with a chocolate cake mix. Really its not my favorite dessert of all time, but is super Mexican so you kind of have to know how to do it. Then we had a spanish meeting for all the Spanish missionaries so that was a fun little reunion. Its always fun when you have times to get together with other missionaries. On Saturday we had an appointment set up with Enrique, and Lily who were a referral from the elders. The elders found them tracting one night. Anway a few weeks ago we were driving at it was about 8:30 and we had to be back to our apt by 9:00 so we didnt have tons of time. We drived past the apartment complex, and I mentioned hey lets just quickly go stop by the referral. That day we had set up the appt for the following saturday. Well the next sat the appt we weren't able to meet with them because of some mis communication with time. We ended up having the appt this past saturday. They are so nice, and humble. They had mentioned something about seeing an ad for the finding faith in christ DVD so we ended up making that the lesson. Then at the end of the lesson we asked it we could kneel in pray to close the lesson. We asked lily to be the one to say the prayer as she prayed the spirit was so strong, and half way through she started crying. It was an amazing lesson, and they have such a desire to learn more. Obviously I am not in kent, but its moments like that on the mish that make it all worth it. The on Sunday we had our zone fireside which was a testimony meeting since it was the end of the transfer. That is always bitter sweet. Then monday we went to visit with quite a few people as I had to say my good-byes. You never know maybe one day I can come back to serve in Kent, but thats not something you can predict. We went and saw Marixa at the pupesaria and she made us lunch. I had to go say good-bye to my one of my favorite families Laura Nunoz, and her children. She made us dinner that night, and we had a good talk with her. She has been on the focus 5 families for the branch, and she has been through a lot. I love them so much, and she treats us so well. I cried leaving there house it was awful. Her kids are my favorite, and the whole night they just kept saying "Hermana Grimes we love you, and we are going to miss you." Of course tons of hugs and kisses as well. I got some cute pictures so I will make sure I send them your way very soon. Then I had to go see the Mercado Family another on of my favorites, but i know that they will be a family that I will keep in touch with after the misson. Then of course saying goodbye to elders that have become my good buddies. Even though you have so many changes, and it something I am just going to have to get used to. You quickly realize that there is something one else who needs you, and other things you need to learn. Even though things change every 6 weeks. What never changes is the Gospel or the testimony I have of the Restored Gospel. So for the new area..... I am in BELLEVUE!!! Its the craziest thing because there has been elders in bellevue before, but never sisters. I am in a 3 some with Hermana Stout, and Beak!!! Who would have thought that we would have been together this soon!!! The three of us get to rock Bellevue!! It will be fun because since we are the first spanish sisters to serve here we dont know what the heck is going on, and all of us our new to the area so we have a lot of learning together. Hermana Beak is only one transfer ahead of me and H. Stout so we are all pretty new still in the mission so like I mentioned a lot of learning. It will be fun for the branch, and everyone keeps telling us they are going to love us because we are sisters. Other than that we are opening the area up for sisters so here it goes!!! I was a little nervous for the 3 some at first, but it is going to be a blast!! I love Hermana Stout already, and who knew she would be such a big part of my mission!! Its funny because at our spanish conference we were joking about how me and her were going to open an english area together. Little did we know that we are going to be white washed spanish sisters!! Hermana Beak is Korean from LA California she went to school at BYU!! She is a very hard worker and very on the ball, and smart like most asians. She seems super sweet, and I can usually get along with everyone so its just meeting new friends!!! I will have to fill you in on the people next week as soon as I start to meet them. Yep this is where I will be spending Thanksgiving and Christmas!!! Oh and Guess what Dallin H. Oaks is coming to speak to our mission this Saturday!!! I am stoked for that, and whats else is nice is i get to see all the mission buddies again!!! Its amazing whenever you have a group of missionaries together there is always such a special spirit. I didnt have time to read your emails before i wrote this but I will get a real letter in the mail soon!!! Just know I love you all, and I hope you are doing well. Know I pray for you always. Enjoy every moment!! Love you. Oh mom I met Tammy Son Elder parsons!! He is serving in Bellevue so we are in the same zone!! Oh and i have run into Elder White a few times as well so thats kind of fun.

 

Love Lindsey

Welcome to November

Good Afternoon to the Best Family in the World!!!

 

Can you believe that it is November!! Want to know something kind of sad? Yesterday in our ward correlation meeting our ward mission leader was talking about how the week of thanksgiving his family was headed to visit family in Wyoming, and he would be gone the whole week. It hit me for a second that everyone has work off, school, and that's when everyone heads home for Thanksgiving, but for me this year that won't be the case. This is home for the next little while. It was super weird. Good thing I am loving my mission more and more everyday. Not that it didn't love it from the get go or anything, but the more time that passes the more I love it. By all means that doesn't mean that I don't have hard days because I do that's pretty much expected. Really some days are hard no matter what your doing. Yesterday morning we got to attend Marixa's confirmation, and it was amazing. The spirit was so strong, and she just looked radiant!!! Also the member work that we have been doing has been paying off because we had over 100 people in our little branch yesterday which is HUGE!!! It was such a great day. I am loving spending time with members, and they are a huge part in working with the investigators. Every convert needs a friend has been the big push the last couple weeks. The members treat us so well. We had a fun lesson with Mercado family, and we played the candy bar game. We have had some amazing dinners with members. I am going to come home an AWESOME Mexican cook so be excited!!! Also I decided I might be turning into a little bit of an "Apple Snob" because you see Washington is the state of apples, and the have the honey crisp apples which are so delicious. They taste exactly how their name describes them...crispy!! One other thing I love about washington the SKY!!! I probably have already mentioned that, but i wouldnt be the Lindsey you all know and love if I didnt saythings a few times.. Right? I can't even get over how amazing the sunsets are, and pictures just dont do it justice.

I hope you all had a awesome Halloween. You know how I said we were going to dress up as elders well we didnt. I know I am way disappointed because you see these elders have known we were borrowing there clothes for a good solid month. Then for what ever reason something happened they totally fell through, oh but they managed to have time to show us there awesome costumes...Punks!!! Maybe next year. We did still go to a corn maze as a zone which was pretty fun, and I did attached a picture of that as well. We had zone conference last week!! Which I loved it was my first offical one, and I think what is so great about it is being surrounded by so many missionaries. There is such a powerful spirit when your all united together, and its fun to see some other people in different zones. Not that I don't love my zone I do, and we get along so well. Plus they are stupid if the dont get along with the sisters because lets face it we are pretty dang cool. Anyway we talked about our "Mormon Moment" right now in our mission we are having a mormon.org campain. Where we have signs on buses, billboards, and even TV commercials. Its going to be sparking a lot of intrest over the next few months in our mission. Which is pretty dang cool if you think about it. We talked a lot about the support the church is getting right now, and how we are having people defend the church that never before would. President Larkin showed a video clip in zone conference where Anderson Cooper was defending us(church) against some Pastor. It was so legit, and it is such an amazing time to be spreading the news of the Gospel. Obviously I am a little out of the loop, but its happening all over the world that people are hearing about who we are.

Just so you are aware we have transfer calls this week!!! I am freaking out!!! It makes me quite up tight, and I am super nervous to see what happens. I Love my area, and I dont want to leave!!  Where ever we are headed next transfer is where we will spend the holidays which is freaky because its all about the unknown. The reason I am telling you is becasue P-day will be switched until tuesday so I will let you know what happens. I hope you had fun spending time with everyone!!!

I love you all, and pray for you always. Enjoy every moment. Have an awesome week. Know I am thinking about you, and couldn't do it with out your support.

 

LOVE ALWAYS

 

Hermana Grimes

Happy Halloween

Buenos Dias to my Amazing Family,

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! I cant even believe it is the end of October!! Where the heck did it go? I hope you all have something fun planned. Halloween has never been on the top of the list for favorite holidays, but its not so bad as a missionary. I really don't have to worry about dressing up since my costume choice is a little limited this year.  Which every year I always tell myself at the beginning of the month I am going to be something cool an then on Halloween I end up just throwing something together not a problem this year. Actually Hermana Heywood and I are borrowing some Elders clothing, and yep we are dressing up as "Elders." I think we think its more funny than anyone else will. Really it will just be to take a few pictures. So stay tuned for next week!! Also since its P-day we are having a zone party at the corn maze. Which we be super fun, but we are going to freeze our little butts off. Then tonight we have Dinner with the Franco's, and they always make us the best stuff!!! Which we will be something Mexican. Then we cant be out past 7 unless we are in members homes so its going to be an early night, and since we have 2 other sets of missionaries that live in the same apartment complex we will probably have a little party in the lobby until about 9. Halloween actually hasn't been to shabby this year. On Friday Night we had our Branch party which was combined with another ward so us missionaries decided to switch name tags... oh man aren't we cleaver!! All the kids were dressed up so cute, and we even had a truck or treat so we passed out candy for that. Now I have to tell you the funniest story. I attached a picture of my friend I think its the third one. I didn't ask him his name so you can just make one up for story purposes. I was standing in line by a bunch of kids, and I see this one little boy. I start talking to him, and I ask him what he was for Halloween.

He made a little grunt noise "You don't know what I am for Halloween"

Bud, your just dressed up so good. Are you Batman? Vampire?

" NO, nobody ever knows what I am"

Well can I have a hint?

"The first word is Halloween, and the second word starts with a P"

In my head I am thinking, freak I don't have the slightest idea. Once again I say really bud your just dressed up so good.

His voice gets increasing louder by this point it time " I AM A HALLOWEEN PRINCE"

Really who would have guessed that. This ten year old boy was seriously angry with me, and it was quite funny.

So he walks away to go play some doughnut game. In the meantime I was telling the one of the elders this story.

After he is done playing he comes up to me like we are best friends, and starts telling me all about the game. The Elder who I just told the story to said "Hey, can I guess what you are for Halloween. Are you a Halloween Prince?" He smiles, and then looks, points his finger at me and says "Did you tell him?" Well, of course not buddy. ( yep I lied)

By this point me and him have become the best of friends. He is giving me hugs, and we are just have a great conversation. I told him when he goes out to truck or treat he had to come find me. Then about 30 Min's later I am sitting in the back of the truck, and this little boys yells " There you are!!!" Runs up to the car, and gives me a hug. He is so funny, but he hated me just one hour prior now all of a sudden its like we have been life long buddies.

 

Well this week has been pretty uneventful. Hermana Heywood has been sick so that's never fun. We did have some great lessons with members. Remember how I said last week we are on repair duty for the branch. We went to visit with the Mercado Family, and I LOVE THEM!!! I have gotten to know them so well!! The mom was headed to the Dominican Republic for about 6 weeks, and by next summer there going to probably be moving there. Which is  super sad, but on the upside she said we could visit anytime. Yep, I have hook ups in the Dominican Republic!! We went to visit with her before she left because who knows if we are going to be here when she gets back with transfers and all. Anyway we ended up talking to her about for about 2 hours, and she just opened up about her life, and kids. I love getting to know people on that level, and having them really trust you that they do tell you everything.  

 

Yesterday evening we had our baptism!! I love Marixa, and she was so prepared. Its amazing how the people I think are the most prepared really aren't, and then the Lord has someone completely different in mind. She is amazing, and she looked so happy last night. It was beautiful. Of course we had a nice little dinner after the baptism the castillo family is amazing. I attached a few pictures for the baptism. So enjoy. Well I love you all. I hope you have an amazing week!! Just know I am thinking about you, and praying for you always. Its sounds like you have had some fun with having Grandpa, and Uncle Rog in town. A small part of me Mom wishes I could be curled up by the fire place watching Lion King with all of you, but I know thats not where I am supposed to be yet. Keep doing whats right, and enjoy every moment. Know that someone in Seattle Loves you!!!

 

Love Always, Lindsey

4 Months out

Buenos Dias to the Best People in the World,

 

This week went so fast!!! I can't even believe it.

This week has been amazing, and we have had some amazing lessons. Of course we always manage to have fun. 

We have been fighting against Satan for our investigators, and it really is a fight!!  Sara was our on date investigator who we had two lessons with last week. One we talked about the importance of a prophet, and we watched his latest general conference address. Then Saturday I was on exchanges with Hermana Stout, and Beck. We went over to stop in we shared 2 nephi 31:20, and talked about the blessings of enduring to the end. Both lessons were very uplifting, and her bearing her testimony. She told us all week long she was coming to church. The lesson on Saturday she was even counting down the days to her baptism. Well we had member who was willing to give her a ride to church, and called her about an hour before church to just finalize plans. She had mentioned that her Husband didn't have to work, and he would be taking her to church. I know we should have a little more faith in people, but we were skeptical so we even called her 20 minutes before church started just to make sure. She had told us that she was on her way, and would see us soon. We even made sure she new how to get there.  Well she didn't show up to church-SURPRISE, SURPRISE for reasons that I still don't know. I mean she has a testimony, and when we asked her the baptismal interview questions it was amazing to hear her testimony. Which means since she didn't come to church she fell off date. During Sacrament I was not going to let it get me frustrated because it was the Primary Program. It was perfect, and I even Cried during the program. Yep, Cried during the primary program. The kids were adorable saying their cute testimonies in Spanish as the teacher whispered it in there ear. You have the cute kids who are so shy, and you can barely hear. Then you have the ones who are practically eating the microphone. Then you have the parents sitting in the congregation smiling from ear to ear. I know a little pathetic that I cried, but the spirit was so strong. Who knows whats going to happened the day I actually have kids in the program. I guess just plan on bringing tissues.

 Then it hit me during Sunday School about how I was so disappointed that she didn't come to church.  I was getting really down on myself. Asking what am I doing Wrong? We have so many people who are so close, and I don't know what else I can do. I was getting really discouraged, and started to wonder why the heck I decided to do this. I mean its a sacrifice to pay the money to be here. I could just be working saving money, and finishing up school. Then I started to get to the point where I didn't care. You know if there not coming to church I don't know what else to do for them. They have to gain their own testimony, and they only way they can do that is by reading, praying, and attending Church- you know keeping commitments. I know its awful that I was thinking that, but really I have had it. I had done everything in my power that I knew how. I mean these are people that I am constantly studying for, and praying for as well. They are just not keeping any commitments. I have to continually work on having faith, but I have faith. Faith in Jesus Christ, and Faith knowing that with God all things are possible. I am working on having the confidence that it will happen Church did get better because we ended teaching the Young Women's lesson which I loved.  Sunday afternoon we had a correlation meeting, and our branch is hanging on by a thread. The members need some serious strengthening. We have detected a plan, and I am all for changing the way we are working things because as of now what I am doing is not working. After Sara coming to church was just a reason to change and really work on building the members then having them do the member missionary work. Obviously what we are doing know is not working so why not change. Since we are in a Hispanic branch, and they know how to party. We get to go party it up with the members, and do missionary work. Sounds like the best of both worlds. It really is what this branch needs!! The spirit was so strong during this meeting. We talked about how we are anonymous servants of the Lord sent to do his work. A lot of the times we are just pushing a wall not knowing if your ever going to have success. Or even being able to see the results of things you do, but you just somehow keep pushing, and your the one who gets stronger, and stronger.

  Later Sunday night we had an appt. with Marixa. We had received this referral from some elders, and she works with a strong LDS family (Castillo's)  at a restaurant the Pupuseria. Which is so good!! Anyway all of our appts we had set up with her throughout the month had fallen through. To the point we decided one day we would go in and find her at work. We set up the appt for wed. well she called a few days prior to cancel, but she did reschedule for Sunday. Not only that the Castillo family would be present for the lesson. The spirit was so strong, and the Castillo family is amazing. They even participated in the lessons, and were bearing their testimonies. We taught her lesson one, and she has been attending Church with the Castillos for the whole month of October. We taught her the doctrine of Christ, and asked if she would be baptized. She Accepted!! We didnt even do anything. The Castillo family has played a huge part in this, and of course the Lord. She is READY!!! She is getting baptized Sunday October 30th, and it is a Miracle!! She told us she had received her answer, and doesn't want to wait any longer. To end the lesson we sang I'll go where you want me to go with everyone. It was such an amazing experience. The castillos have 4 kids 3 boys and 1 girl. The little girl is 7 and she lead us in the hymn with pencils, and then the rest of us sang. Of course the boys sang at the top of their lungs, and it was so off pitch. Probably one of the little but best moments!!! Marixa has been reading the book of Mormon, and we gave her all the pamphlets yesterday. Today we had a lesson with her, and she has already ready almost all of them. We went over the interview questions, and she has such a strong testimony. She is on fire. The lord truly blessed us, and I am so grateful. It was exactly what I needed!!! Then you have moments like this, and it makes it all worth it.

I love you all so much!!! Thank you for all the emails, and letters. I pray for you always. Have an amazing week!!! Any big plans for Halloween?

 

It's a beautiful day in Washington

Hola to my Amazing Family!!

Les Amo Mucho!!!

 

Well here we are again. Guess What it is a beautiful day in Washington!!! Not even a cloud in site!!! Gotta Love it. I am beginning to have a love for the rain, and cloudy skies but maybe because its only the beginning of many months ahead. Washington is beautiful, and I could see my self living here one day in the future. I guess I should just get through this crazy thing I would like to call a Mission!!! Not much has really happened this week its been a little uneventful. Of course I am still doing missionary work, and working my little butt off. Carolina has had to work a double shift this past week oh so guess what she didn't come to church. Maybe one day in the future she will be baptized. I pray that I get to be here for it. The Lord is really testing my patience, and faith especially at this moment in time. Its amazing how this is a time for you to completely forget yourself and go to work, but I am going to be the one who does the most growing. A lot of times people say that if the only person you change is yourself than that's enough, but the more I think about it. For me that's not enough. I know all I can do is my best. At this moment in time there really is nothing better I could be doing, but yet your always feeling like your not doing a good enough job. Its hard because we have about 5 people who are just one step away from being baptized, and for some reason something always comes up. For instance Sara we went over the baptismal questions with her Friday night, and she answered them perfect!! She has such a strong testimony, and knows so much about the church. For some unknown reason she didn't come to church even when she told us she was going to be there. The Lord is testing my faith right now and its really working. There are a few lessons I am learning. 1. Its his time frame and 2. People have the wonderful gift of agency. On the other hand Alejandra came to Church. We had a lesson with her Saturday and read Alma 32. She said she wants to be baptized, and just feels like she needs to learn more. We are trying to help her strengthen her testimony, and trust in the Lord.

Now I have a few funny stories. Lets face it you have to have fun, and I think I am pretty funny. Ok so there is an elder in my district who is way negative all the time, and very quite serious. He is nice don't get me wrong. Anyway he was asking me if I had a good birthday a few weeks ago, and I said yes of course. Then asked when his Birthday was, and he wouldn't tell me. Which is so dumb because I love birthdays, and Like to know things. So every day we text him and wish him a Happy Birthday. One hand he probably gets annoyed, and on the other hand he probably likes the attention. He always responds. Its not my Birthday!!! Then of course me having a little sassy side always says Prove it. Its so funny. Next we received a referral from some elders who ran into a "spanish" lady had a doorstep lesson, and left her a book of Mormon. So Saturday we go and check up on the referral, and guess what she speaks English from Hawaii. So technically she is still there investigator. Me once again being the funny person I am figured I would just joke with them. About 15 Min's later I called them, and had them put the phone on speaker. Then I went on to tell them that she had read the introduction to the Book of Mormon, and the first 7 chapters of 1 nephi & committed for baptism. They were so excited, and then I had them tell me about the lesson they had with her, and what they taught. Then told them to keep up the good work then after about 5 Min's I had to tell them I was kidding. What really happened is we get up to the door and say HOLA, and she is say "I don't speak Spanish" so then I had to joke with the elders about the difference between English and Spanish. Classic, and the next night at zone fireside they gave me props for getting them good. One more thing we were leaving are apartment on saturday, and realized some guy was fixing his car. I got out to ask if he needed some assistance my comp stayed in the car and was making some phone calls to see if we could get someone to help him. Anyway I ended up talking to him for a little while. He is from turkey, and has been in the united states for about a year and he works at a gas station. Well he ended up figuring out the problem before we could get anyone to help. He expressed his gratitude to me for stopping to talk to him and help. He mentioned that many people have come int he parking lot, and know one asked if he needed help. So then he proceeded to them me that he wanted to do something. Of course I said No, thanks I was just seeing if you needed help. Then he offered to buy me coffee, and me being a missionary just said you know I dint drink coffee, but I do have a book for you to take. Yep he took the book of Mormon, and then made me take his phone number. Kinda Funny!!! Thats ok because I am going to give the referral to the elders because I managed to figure out where he lives. We will see what happens. Not only do we teach the gospel, we are detectives, stockers, and counselors.

The Life of a Missionary!! Love it

Well family I love you so much!! Thank you for all your love, and support. Keeping doing whats right, and know that I am always praying for you. Seriously I don't stop praying. Have an amazing week, and know that a missionary in seattle LOVES YOU!!!

 

Love Always

 

Hermana Grimes