Hello!

Good Morning Family,

 

How are you? Can you believe that Steven is on his way to Chile right now?

Also buddy HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!!! I sent a card so I sure hope you got it. Sorry nothing crazy, but something little to let you know I was thinking about you. Go rock it out there bud, because Chile is about to get the best thing that ever happened to them. Since I already made you a birthday list I will just add on

Reason #20 of why I love you....

Not only are you the best brother in the entire world who I actually quite enjoy bragging about!!

You are serving a mission, and giving your family yet another reason to be so PROUD of you!!

Happy Birthday to Mormor as well on Friday!!!

Well Fam, sounds like your 4th of July was pretty sweet. Also, Steven I remember the 4th of July in the MTC was probably one of the coolest things ever. I really can't complain because it ended up being a pretty good day here in Washington as well. First of all it was beautiful!!! Which sometimes isn't the normal around here. We had a breakfast in the morning, district meeting, and then we just went out contacting, and chatting with people like normal. Then the Adams invited us over for a BBQ so that was pretty fun, and I even made a yogurt pie to bring. Then after we ended up having a lesson with Luis outside at the stake center. Then since we have to be back home at a certain time it was a little to light for us to watch fireworks. Don't worry because as we were planning we kept hearing them go off so we would run outside of our apartment to watch them. Which we did end up watching a few. It made it a little hard because our apartment complex is surrounded by trees don't get me wrong its beautiful but for watching fireworks its a little difficult. I LOVE FIREWORKS so I did make sure we a least got to catch some.

 

Also that night while we were outside having a lesson a former investigator drove up in the parking lot just because he saw us outside. His name is Arthuro. Hermana Peak and I met him the first day of the last transfer. It was actually pretty cool because we were grocery shopping, and speaking in Spanish. We decided that we needed to do it more often its funny how when your in America English tends to be spoken more often. Also its pretty dang fun because not really many people can understand. Anyway so we are walking down a isle, and all of a sudden Arthuro comes up to us. He starts talk to us asking us how we know Spanish, because he heard us speaking Spanish when we first walked in the store. He thought it was pretty weird that two white American girls were speaking Spanish. Obviously it led to us talking about missionary work, and he had heard some things about the church. So we got his information, and gave it to the elders. Well the Elders ended up meeting with him a few times, and he came to church twice. Then they weren't able to have contact with him then a few weeks later we saw him in the grocery store again, and asked the elders Hey have you had contact with Arthuro? They told us that they hadn't been able to get a hold of him, so we would send him a few text messages now and then just to invite him to church really we didn't think much of it. Then randomly on the 4th he pulls up in the parking lot, and we set up a return appt with him. Which we are now going to be the ones to teach him. We had a really good lesson with him on Friday. It was pretty funny because after we started the lesson with just a little small talk he asked can I be frank with you? Of course when someone says that your just like alright bring on the questions and your doubts. Turns out he just wanted to tell us that he is willing and ready to do whatever he needs to learn, and come closer to god. How is has a "boring" life compared to the world, but he has his priorities where they need to be. Anyway he is on date for this month to be baptized, and Sunday he made it to church!!! He is super great so keep him in your prayers. Speaking of church all 4 missionaries were asked to speak in church for yesterday so that was pretty sweet. We were asked to talk on the Forth Article of Faith, and since there are 4 of us we each took a different point. Somehow I ended up with Repentance, but it actually turned out pretty good. Now with our other boys. I have really no Charity for Victor I don't know what it is, but he kind of weirds me out. Like I am not so sure of his intentions of wanting to learn so like i said we need to see what direction he is going to go or just give him to the elders. Now as far as Luis and Lucio I absolutely love them both!!! They are both so great, and they just need to accept a baptismal date. We are still working on them so that they can feel more prepared and ready. It was sad because they couldn't make it to church on Sunday because Luis car broke down, and he is the one who gives Lucio a ride. By the time Lucio called us it was right before church, and since we were speaking we didn't get it until after. He felt bad that he couldn't come listen to our talks. What made it good is for our dinner appt we asked if we could invite an investigator so Luis was in attendance for that. Which is perfect because he is from Guatemala, and so is this family so we are getting him awesome fellowship. Which is great because the social conversion is definatly happening. This family is rock solid so they shared their testimonies, were able to answer questions as well, and it was really quite fun.

Oh also on Saturday we met this guy sitting outside in his truck from El Salvador. Of course I love pupusas so I started some small talk with him about that, and told him how I wanted to learn how to make them. Well guess what he let us come in is home, and his sister was actaully getting ready to start making pupusas so she let me help!! Then of course they let us eat with them as well. How sweet is that? Thats what is so great about being state side spanish I get to learn so many different cultures!!!

Well thats about the update from Seattle. Thanks for all your prayers, and support. I love you all. Know that you are always in my prayers!!! Have a great week, and enjoy everything.

LOVE ALWAYS, Hermana Grimes

What a week!

Letter from June 30th

 

Good Morning Family,

 

WELCOME TO JULY!!! Dad we hit fast Sunday number 13 yesterday!!! I hope you all had the best week. Well I read that you are going to the Stadium of Fire...Punks!!  I might just be a tad jealous, but next year I am partying it up!!! I can't really complain it should be pretty fun around here considering we have a branch activity in the morning, and then we are headed to the Adams for a BBQ. Other than that just soak in the fireworks for me because I don't know how much of those I will be getting to see. Also crazy to think that by the next time I have P-day Steven will be headed to Chile!!! That means you all get to talk to him really soon!!!

 

Well are you ready for a crazy update on my week. Like I mentioned last Monday Crystal and Misa got Married!!! We spent the day at the church helping get everything set up, and then spending time with them. It was so fun!! It was just something small, but it was exactly what she wanted. Its nice because really she is super easy going, and didn't really care which is good considering it was all done in a month. What a month it has been for the two of them!!! It has been absolutly amazing to be a part of the whole process, and I know that its a story that will be told the rest of my life. Lets be real here I will be telling a lot of stories for the rest of my life. Monday after we did all of our normal p-day stuff we headed to the church to help her finish putting the final details on everything. We had a lady in the Branch do her flowers, another lady offered to make the cake, and someone else was there helping her do her hair. They were married by the branch president, and after we had a little lunch. Which pretty much all of the food was provided by members in the branch as well. Which was such a blessing because Crystal just told everyone it was a pot luck, but not really anyone brought anything except one family brought rice.  It worked out perfect because they went and bought chicken at costco, someone else brought salads, and chips and salsa. They were so grateful for everything!!! Then on Sunday Crystal made a point to Hermana Peak and I that she wanted us to decorate her car. So of course we did, and she loved it!! It was such a good day, and she told us she felt like a princess all day long. I am so excited for them. You know they have been together for 8 years, and they just needed someone to tell them to get married. It was something that they had talked about for a long time, and they finally did it. Now it is Crystal and Misa Cardenas!!! Also the two newest members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!! What a process it has been as well. You know how last week I was telling you about that crazy intense lesson that we had? Well this week made everything worth it. Like I mentioned she was able to talk to President Campbell which I have gained such a greater respect for our branch president because of this experience. He was able to talk to them so he was well aware of her addiction. Honestly I have not met anyone like them before, and President Campbell told them that they need the chance to be baptized. He also made it really clear of the things that they need to do, and that it will be a process. Since crystal has had quite the past she needed to be interviewed by President Miller who helps out our mission President. Well that happened on Thursday night he spent some time talk to President Campbell as well so they could be on the same page for the interview. Well Thursday night after the interview she threw all of her cigarettes away!! Which is huge. We all know that it is going to be a process, but if anyone can do it, it would be her.  I will have to go into this whole story one day, and give you all the other details. Well Saturday afternoon they were BAPTIZED!! It was so amazing. Crystal was baptized by President Campbell, and Misa by Hermano Solis. They looked so happy, and I can't even describe how great it was. Just because like I have said before we have seen everything through this whole process good and bad. Not to mention I know a lot about there life stories, and the things they both have gone through. Then to be a part of watching them make the change, and be baptized knowing that they get to just start fresh. For the baptism we asked some of the young women to sing When I am baptized which at the last second us missionaries got pulled in. Even though it probably wasn't the greatest because we didn't practice at all. The spirit was strong!! We sang it in Spanish and English I look over at Crystal afterwards and she just has tears in her eyes. Seriously it was such an amazing day. Of course since we are talking about Crystal and Misa we defiantly got a few laughs for the day. The first time she walks out in her white jumpsuit she says "I look like a giant marshmallow." Man I love them. Then on Sunday they were both confirmed, and received the gift of the holy ghost. Which was another amazing part being able to listen the the blessing that they were both given, and how it was just for them. My MIRACLE COUPLE!!!

 

Speaking of Sunday we had yet another great day at church yesterday. Victor came which I am not sure about him. He is kind of fence sitting right now so we just got to figure out which direction he is going to fall.

Then Lucio and Luis both came to church. Which is so good because they are such good friends they both motivate each other. Well they showed up a few Min's late, and I turned around. Which I tend to do because I have to watch the doors for any investigators that come in. I missed them walk in. They are sitting on the back row, and I am up towards the front on the side so I turn around and Lucio just sticks is arms up and waves!! Then in our gospel principles class we had quite the laugh attack. So in the morning when we go exercising we have talked to a couple spanish guys who are usually headed out for work for the day. Well we had been inviting this one for a few weeks now, and to our suprise he actually came. Well in class we are sitting on the front row cystal, hermana peak, and then me. To the side is lucio and this guy well this guy starts to doze off in class. He is making the whole head nods and everything so crystal points it out, and I dont know what it is but all 4 of us start laughing. It was one of those things that once you start you can't stop. Of course Lucio is trying to be more dignifed about it so he is just putting is finger over is mouth kind of telling us to be quiet, but of course you see him laughing. Which makes it even funnier. Then we finally all get calmed down, and thats when the snoring started. Well that was about it for the 4 of us because we all bursted out laughing again!! After church we were invited to have a picnic in the park with Hermano Temo Chavez because he had a bunch of carne asada left over for saturday night. Well we invited Lucio and Luis to tag along as well so that was pretty fun. Then after all 3 of "our boys" went to a child of record baptism, and what is so great about it they recieved so much fellowship from the branch.  After the baptism there was a get together with food, and just people hanging we couldnt attend because it was out of our area. There was so many people after the baptism who just went right up to them, and invted them to attend so Lucio and Luis went to that as well!!! Heck ya!!

 

 

Love Always, Hermana Grimes

Pictures from Washington.

Yes, I still need to update all of you on Lindsey's summer in the mission field. I am sorry for slacking. Please forgive me. I will get those letters posted soon. In the meatime let's not tell Lindsey that I got behind and just look at these awesome pictures from Lindsey's week in Washington. Deal?

Basically...life is the same

Good Morning Family,

 

I hope you all had a good trip I am sure I will get details about it soon. Glad to hear you made it home safely. Happy Father's Day Dad. I know it was yesterday, but at least you have a little shout out. I did send a card nothing crazy, but just know I was thinking about you.

Also mom thank you so much for your email this morning, and making an extra effort to make sure I had it in my inbox in time!!! Your the best.  Mom really thanks again because I would have bursted into tears if nothing was in my inbox so thank you so much, and really you have now idea how much it means. Also could you please attach Stevens emails because for the past few weeks I haven't been getting them. Linnea Grimes good thing your email just came in!! Dad and B so did yours!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

 

Well some weeks I feel like my emails are just super boring because everything is just going. Which I should be grateful that its at least all still going. You know I have never been on the biggest emotional roller coaster in my whole entire life. You know there are so many things I love about missionary work really, but one thing I am not going to miss is feeling like I am walking on egg shells. I feel like everything I do nothing is really right or the way it should be done. I try to be exactly obedient, but somehow I am human- imagine that, and that doesn't always happen. Some rules don't make sense, and some times I just wish I could just get a break or some slack cut you know.  Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself because really there is only so much I can do, but emotionally some times I just wonder how I have ever made it this long. You know and soon I will have some great things to tell you, and be able to go into more detail. You know missions are just hard which means they wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't hard. Or somehow I would grow the way I needed if it wasn't hard. I was talking to crystal yesterday after Relief Society. She turned to me and said you have a lot of patience i can see it in your eyes. I told her you know before my mission yes I would have considered myself a patient person, but now not so much. She just said no know now your getting to know more of the meaning of patience. I don't know why I loved that so much, but really I had a light bulb turn on in my head!! Sure I knew a certain level of patience or maybe the definition, but now I am getting to know it personally.  Which by the way Crystal and Misa were in church yesterday!! I love them, and they are the biggest tender mercy this transfer. On Wedensday they pulled out their wedding rings that they had bought. On Sunday the wedding was announed in sacrament meeting. Before Relief Society a cute lady who likes to make cakes hermana Maurn comes up and says I will be making your wedding cake. Next Monday is the big day!!! I am so Excited for them. Keep them in your prayers the baptismal date might have to be pushed back another week, but dont worry they will make it. I have never met a couple like them my entire mission, and it has been so fun to just watch them learn and grow. Not only that to establish a relationship with them in the gospel as missionaries, but also as their friends. Everytime we go over there Hermana Peak and I always walk out just thinking how the heck did we spend so much time in there. The lessons are that solid it just goes from one gospel topic to the next and so many good questions. Not only that they make me laugh so much, and I seriously just love them. Also victor came to church. We are still working on the word of wisdom well he is working on it, but its coming. Also with Lynda we are to the point we just don't know what to do anymore. I mean really there is only so much we can do. She told us all week long how much she wanted to come to church, and then didn't make it. She is just going through so many things right now she still smokes, and takes so many medications because of mental/ anxiety problems. We just need a little more effort you know the relationship here has got to work both ways. Same with Alex I mean all we can do is invite, but they have to be the ones that really want to change their lives. I was reading a scripture in Mosiah 5:2 where they people are talking about a change they had in themselves because of the change they had in their hearts. It has to be that way because our desires have to be linked to actions and eventually that is what is going to make us change, and want to change into the person we are or who we want to become. Basically I know so many people want to change they just don't realize that we are more than just two girls to help them feel good on a bad day. We are the way we are because of the gospel.

 

Speaking of that just in case you forgot guess who hits one year on FRIDAY!!!! I am almost to the point where I can say this time last year I was a missionary. Crazy. Oh man it sure has been quite the ride full of good and bad times. This somehow better make me a better person. Good thing I wouldn't trade it for anything!! Well family go out and celebrate for me. Also little tatum HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!!!! Family I love you all so much, and I am glad you loved the vacation. Have the best week ever, and enjoy every moment. Love you, and a big hug from Seattle.

XOXOXO Love Always, Hermana Grimes

Staying in Seattle

Good Morning to my Favorite People

From Seattle to Newport to the Prove MTC!!!

 

I am staying here!!! My companion is still going to be Hermana Peak. Which I am not sure President made to many changes with the Spanish hermanas this transfer. Actually I am quite excited. You know for some reason the last transfer really was more on the rougher side. I am not 100% sure why I think it was probably a lot of little things that kind of just were building up. Its amazing how much my attitude had changed just the last week I was here. Not that I didn't love the people or the area, but I am starting to love it more and more. Just over the last transfer I have come to realize how much I really do love the work, and love being a missionary. There were just times where I just wasn't happy, and like I said I don't know if one thing triggered it or if it was just a bunch of small things. I realized I can't really depend on other people making me happy. I have to learn to be happy no matter the area, investigators, or my companion. I have also been praying for charity a lot, and I am actually quite excited for whats coming next.

 

Now we had the biggest miracle of all this week!!! You know how I talked to you about Crystal and Misa last week, and how absolutely amazing they are. So to recap: we taught the law of chastity Friday and  they talked to Branch President Sunday.  Well we had an appt on June 5th so last Tuesday. We walk into their apartment, and the first thing she pulls out is a 8 1/2 x 11 Manila envelope. Guess what was in the envelope? Their Marriage License!!! Yes first thing Monday they went and got their marriage license. We had a minor freak out. That day she also went and got her self a dress, they looked at rings, and are making all the other plans to have a small wedding. They were even able to contact the branch president who will be the one to marry them. They are getting married June 25, 2012 and then baptized on June 30, 2012!!! Can you believe it?! Also this weekend we had a stake picnic which they were both in attendance, and they were even at church on Sunday. Come to find out they weren't even feeling very well, but they didn't wanted to miss church!! Just in talking to them this week I can't even believe we have to chance to know and teach them. I mean that is the greatest thing ever to help to people not only get baptized, but help them get married so they can be living all the commandments to be baptized. Then the fact that they are so willing to do it is even better. Also come to find out the day we knocked on her door which would have be May 27, 2012 happened to be her 34th Birthday. Well Her and Misa had just had an argument, and the in her words "then we got 2 girls knocking at our door." Now nothing will ever be the same for them. Its amazing because they have been reading, and praying personal and together. Basically they are just on Fire!!! Keep them in your prayers.

Also Alex and Victor came to church. Victor has the goal to be baptized this month we are working with him on the Word of Wisdom, and as of Friday he hasn't smoked. He told us that the desire to smoke is getting less and less. So we just have to keep working, and supporting him. Now Alex on the other hand he need to gain a testimony so we are still working on that with him, but a least he is coming to church.

 

Now on to some funny stories because I have a few. Last Monday we were tracting and we met a younger guy named Luis. Who of course was busy at the time, but said we could come back. We set a return appt for Friday evening. Well Friday evening rolls around, and we knock on his door. He opens the door with a mouth full of food, and a surprised look on his face. Kind of like I can't believe you actually remembered. Well hello we are missionaries, and since its your salvation were talking about what makes you think we would forget. Anyway he told us he was eating. Gee never would have guessed that I think only the mouth full of food gave it away. Then he told us to come back in 20 minutes. Well 20 Min's pass and we pass by his door again and posted on the door is this note. "Disculpenos tuvimos que salir que Dios las bendiga." Which basically says Sorry we had to leave god bless. Then we write a little something back on the note, and hear dishes clashing. We just laughed, and walked away. I mean if you didn't want us to come back you could have just told us the first time come on buddy lets save our time and yours. At least we got a good laugh.

 

Now speaking of good laughs. This one is great. Now I have to tell you this one in person because it will be that much better, just because its that good, but I just can't not tell you. Just so you have something to hold you over. The other day we made our way up to North Seattle to teach Rey and Elsa brother and sister from Argentina. They are probably in their 50's. Now the English elders have been working with them, but they wanted our help because Elsa doesn't really understand English like Rey. Now we are tag teaching them with the elders, and its actually quite fun. They had us over for the lesson, and after the lesson they fed us dinner. OK well he went to culinary school so he knows his stuff when it comes to cooking so we had a great authentic Italian dinner. Besides the point. Anyway I always offer to help after the meal to clean up just because is polite. By this point Elsa was taking dishes into the kitchen.

So I ask Necesita ayuda con las trastes. Which means do you need help with the dishes.

Elsa says no estoy bien.

Segura, porque a mi me gusta a lavar las trastes. Are you sure I love washing dishes

Elsa in her sweet little voice just tells me she we do the dishes later.

Ok so everything gets cleaned up. Rey waits until everything is off the table. Now really quick let me just tell you Rey is just one of those guys who likes to give you a hard time which is good he has this kind of personality because thats what made the story so funny. Then he says you speak a lot like a mexican. Now remember they are from Argentina even though we all speak spanish its different. He says because you just asked to help with las trastes. Which in mexico they say that for dishes, but in places like Argentina it means ass. (Sorry for my language) Then by this point all of us our dying of laughter. Rey goes so you just asked to help wash our asses, and then you told us that you love doing it!!! Now he was not kidding, but I sure got teased about it all night long. Then another thing. You know that stuff that I sent you home for Christmas that is like the sweet carmel spread. Well Elsa pulls that out and I mentioned how much I loved it. Well guess what the word Cajeta means...the same thing. Then that gave Rey even more reason to give me a hard time. Basically I just provided the entertainment for everyone that whole night. At least we got a good solid laugh. Note to self I am going to stick with Los Platos instead of Las Trastes for everyone. Its not like I never said platos I just had no idea that trastes was so different in everyother country expect Mexico. I guess I missed that one in the MTC amazing that wouldn't teach you the swear words.

 

Well family I love you all so much. I hope your enjoying your vacation it sure sounds like fun!!! Know that I am thinking about you, and praying for you always. Keep doing whats right, and having fun. Enjoy the new cars land it sounds legit!!!

Love you Always, Hermana Grimes

Welcome to June

To the people I love the most,

 

How was your week? Welcome to Summer Vacation. You punks by the next time you get my email you will have been starting your vacation. It sure does sound like fun so I hope you all enjoy it, and I am sure you will tell me all about it. Also dad we hit fast Sunday number 12!!! Crazy!!! I was thinking about you yesterday like always, but its always a little extra on fast Sundays just because its our thing.

Well this week has been great. We had a investigator well actually he is the elders investigator Gonzalo. Who wanted to take us out for seafood. Well I love sea food so i am not going to turn down that offer. He ended up taking us to a nice place that over looks the Seattle skyline and right by alaki beach. The restaurant is named Salty's. He told us he wanted to take us somewhere nice because all the sea food restaurants around where we live they fry everything. He heard about this place, and decided to try it out. Of my gosh it was fantastic. One the view alone, and the food. It was a little pricey so I felt kind of bad. He told us we could get whatever we wanted. He actually convinced me to get my dish because he knew how much I love salmon, and told me not to feel bad about it. Even though I ordered the most expensive thing out of all of us it was 50 dollars!!  It was a copper river salmon that comes from Alaska and they only have it a certain time of the year for about a month. So I took full advantage!!! I attached a picture just because my food looked that pretty, and tasted that good. Also that purple stuff under the fish I did not consume. Luckily I had a great piece of fish, asparagus, and bread so whatever that purple mashed crap was I did not eat because I pretty sure we all know it is. At least I think it is I must have over looked that part of the menu but it worked out because I was quite full by the time I got to that point. SO YUMMY!!!

We were finally able to do our exchanges. On Friday to Saturday I got to go kick it with Hermana Stout in Bellevue. It was so needed. Its so nice being able to have a bestie in the mission because are just like little girls with so much to catch up on. Friday night of course we had some people to visit, but we went to some Burger Joint for dinner just because we could. Also we were able to stop by and see the Cardenas Family. Who I love with all my heart. It was so great, and I love they have become such a big part of my life. They are such a great family, and no matter what happens I know i will always have that connection with them. It was so good to see them. Then on Saturday once again we caught up on all shorts of crazy things, and then went out to lunch. I seriously love that girl, and we have such a great time. It was nice to have a recharge. Another thing I realized the work still continues after you leave because its the Lords work, and is never going to stop. It was part of the Restoration we were promised that it would never stop again. The greatest thing is really is all for me I just am blessed enough to be a part of it, and be able to meet people to establish these relationships, and to grow in ways I never thought possible.

Also in talking to Alicia this last week she was asking her 9 year old son Carlos who just got baptized. If there were 3 things that he could teach his friends what would they be. She said she was just asking it in general conversation just to know and guess what he spits out?

1. Word of Wisdom

2. Law of Chasity

3. Reading the scriptures.

How cute is that? We got a little laugh as she was telling me that.

 

Yesterday Lucio came to church!!! I sure do love that guy, and he absolutely loved it.

Now let me tell you about our other miracle for the week. So Last Sunday we had an appt to visit with some members in the branch. We arrived at the apartment complex, but were not sure what apartment they lived in. Guess what we do check it out in the ward directory. OK wrong. We go and knock on the door of the apartment we think is theirs, and some white lady answers. In our minds we are thinking OK she is not Hispanic, and not who we are looking for. I am telling you, you never know whats going to be behind the door. Its actually quite thrilling. She asked us what church we belonged to. Then of course we told her the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. She went on to explain how she used to meet with the elders and has attend church a number of times. They had moved, and hadn't had contact with missionaries. Then we go on to tell her that we teach in Spanish, and that we could get her set up with missionaries. Then she says well that's perfect because my boyfriend speaks Spanish, and he never went to church with me because he thought it was only in English. We were able to go in and get to know them Crystal and Misa. She expressed how much she wanted to be baptized because she is 34 and has not had that opportunity. We were able to go back earlier this week and teach them, and but them both on date for baptism at the end of the month. Now the thing is they are not married, and she is a smoker. Get this we talked about the law of Chasity and the word of wisdom and then invited them to church. We get a call about 25 minutes before church starts a 9 usually when that happens its is some one cancelling. Well not them!!! Then called telling us that they were already waiting in the parking lot. Then during the Gospel Principles she wanted to talk to the branch president and spent a good 45 Min's talking to him in his office. Of course he brought up the same things. She has this attitude I don't even care what I have to do or not do nothing is getting in my way!!! She already told us that they would get married because they have been together for 8 years, and just had never done it. The branch president can also be the one who marries then. She told us that if she has to quite smoking she would do it, and the president got her involved with a guy in the stake who help with addiction recovery programs. After church we had a lesson with them, and the BOTH LOVED church!!!! Misa mentioned the gospel principles class 10 times through out our whole lesson, and it helps because he works with the teacher.  Well they see each other around so it was good for him to see a familiar face. Also crystal asked a question about why there are so many different churches if their is only one god. We of course have a little object lesson planned to explain, and help people understand. You just have to know her personality but she just stops us and says " I get it, it all makes sense god just has multiple personalities or he is schizophrenic." We all busted up laughing for a good solid 5 minutes. I promise she was kidding, but we were dying so funny. Really they are so great, and I LOVE THEM!!! Lots of questions, but they have such a desire to learn, and to change.

 

Also talking with Alex. I don't know if you remember the story about the complements a few weeks ago that were so funny. Well i found out the reason his brother thinks I am so cute is because apparently I look like some famous Mexican singer named Belinda. So you should check it out, and let me know. Since I don't have access to that kind of stuff.

Well family I love you all so much!!! Thanks for your emails. I hope you all enjoy your week. Know that I love you and am praying for you always. Also transfers are next week!!! I can't believe I am actually saying this but I want to stay, and I would actually be OK if its with Hermana Peak. Trust me I don't know if I would have said that even 2 days ago. I have been praying for charity so much, and its coming. I sure do love what I am doing right now even though I have times where I just want to be done. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! 

Love always, Hermana Grimes

Loving you from seattle

Good Afternoon Family,

 

First of all I am so glad to hear that you got the package of Seattle Chocolates. Aren't they so yummy?!! OK let me tell you the story behind it. So around Christmas time I saw some elders with chocolate wrappers that said Seattle, and I thought it would have been so cool to get some and send it home. It turns out they ended up getting the chocolate from a member in their young single adult ward so then I didn't think much about it. Well since I got called to serve in Seattle one night about a few weeks ago we were talking to a lady after a meeting we had, and she was telling us about how the factory/ retail store for Seattle chocolates here in our area that we had to go check out. Of course I was all over it so last week Hermana Peak and I had a little fun exploring the chocolate store. Well the cute lady that gave the elders the chocolates works at the store so she let us sample anything and everything. We ended up talking to her for a while just having a great time, and she is not a member but has been investigating the church. So she knows a lot about missionaries having families that live far away. Anyway turns out the one of the presidents of the company is a Mormon, and happened to come in the store when we were there. He actually told us that we could get whatever we wanted, and he would cover the bill. How sweet is that? Then the cute lady working there was like well we can just ship it to your families from here for free, and I will even take your picture to put in the package!!! I even sent one to steven so he got to be part of it as well!!!

There you have our chocolate adventure, and now you each got to be the benefit of some nice people here.

 Something funny the other day we were playing the game two truths and a lie with some of the young women. I totally said I was writing a missionary, and it stumped everyone!!! Little did they know at that time it was my bro.

 

Also I did receive the i-pod with Stevens farewell talk. He did a really good job!! I do have to give him props because of the little shout outs. I am not sure if you noticed, but  I sure did that right in the beginning when he was talking about the story of the Helaman and the strippling warriors he said he has liked that story "since he was like 5." Oh my gosh I laughed so hard!!! Love you kid, and you rocked it.

 

Now for the update from Seattle.

Well the reason why your receiving this email later in the afternoon is because we were able to go to the temple this morning so that is always a nice change. Also on Friday I was able to attend the baptism of Alicia's two youngest boys. The English elders have been teaching them, and they got baptized!!! That was a really great experience to be able to be a part of that, and just watch how in such a short amount of time she has been able to help her family. Also Lynda went to church, and had a great experience. She was telling us all last week how she really wanted to go. I think she felt really embarrassed that we had to see her in that way, but its part of what we do. What makes it even greater is how much she wanted to go to church after everything kind of went down. Another thing that happened I don't know if you remember me telling you about Alex. Anyway he is the one that is going through a really hard time with his wife, and basically has a broken heart. He is kind of pessimistic and has a little bit of an attitude just because of what he is going through. Its actually really great because he is slowly making the changes. The first time after his wife left when Hermana Spiller and I were meeting with him we couldn't even get him to pray. Just because he was so mad and hurt that he didn't even want to talk to god. The best part is that he is trying, and he keeps telling us how hard he is trying. Well he came to church on Sunday. Not only that he now prays at the end of our lessons, and he calls us angels which is really quite nice. We also had another one of our investigators at church named Victor. Then we have another older guy we are teaching named Lucio. Who is great, and I really like him. Once again just reminds me of a little grandpa. We met him a few weeks ago just walking around an apt complex. He had told us that his daughter used to meet with missionaries in Mexico, and that's how he knew who we were. He was busy that night, but he told us he would call and we could start meeting. Now when that happens you just think OK the chance of that happening are the chance of getting blink cards...just aint going to happen. (Linnea that was just for you) Well he did, and he is really interested. He came to church last week. He wasn't able to make it a few days ago because he was in Oregon. He is so interested in learning, and is so funny. He always goes in our lessons at least for the first ten minutes about how he didn't attend school, and is really interested in learning and that's why he has so many questions. We always explain to him well Lucio that's our job as missionaries is to help you learn. He makes me laugh, but he is reading the book of Mormon. One day soon he will be baptized so I will keep you posted.

There you have just a small piece of what has been happening.

Yesterday for Memorial Day we were invited to have a BBQ with the Adams Family.  Anyway we had dinner with them last week because they told us to come over anytime, and then they invited us over for a Memorial day American BBQ. They are such sweet people, and I love how I have been able to get to know them because they are in a English ward that meets in a different building. I met them last transfer because we taught Alicia, and she attends an English ward so I had seen them every once in a while when we were helping Alicia. Just to give you an idea of the kind of people they are he told us "Don't call 911 call Brother Adams." That was really fun.

 

 

Also I need to give a shout out to B!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!!!! I sure love you, and will be thinking about you tons. I sent a little something nothing crazy, but just to let you know I didn't forget about you.  Party it up in a good way of course. Also I was looking at pictures and wanted to ask how many piercings in your one ear?

Well Family I love you all so much!!! I am praying for you. Enjoy every moment, and Live it up. With a big hug from Seattle. 

Love Always, Hermana Grimes.