Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Posted on by
Reply

Hermana Kelsey 1:2 -email-
Madre,
Hola! Comos esta? It’s crazy it’s been two weeks. The first week felt like a month, and this last week has felt like a few days. I’m glad you are doing good. I feel like we have so much time to study all the things we need to, but it’s never enough. Oh well. Esta bien. It’s all good. I did get the package the day before yesterday. I was so excited because I hadn’t gotten any mail for like a week. I told my companions that if I didn’t get any mail that day that I would cry, and Hermana Rasmussen said, “Hopefully you get mail because if you cry then I’ll cry.” Then our district leader, Elder Geest, walked in after he checked the mail, and said, “Hermana, I have bad news you didn’t get any mail…but you got a package.” I couldn’t stop smiling. 🙂 Anyway, I’m glad you got to see Natasha. She definitely isn’t afraid to tell people what she thinks. It’s an admirable trait, but it may get her in trouble. 🙂 Tell everyone I say hi back. 
So this last week has been really crazy, but so good. I’m am to the point though, when it comes to food, that I just don’t want to eat anything ever, I have no appetite, and I just force myself to eat, and keep the food down. But I’ve gained six pounds, the last time I weighed myself. I’m pretty sure that it’s mostly muscle weight, because I’ve been riding the stationary bike like every day, but still. Six pounds! It’s crazy. Meals are like some of the best times here. It’s pretty much the only way we keep our sanity. Although the elders do crazy things. They have contests to see who can eat any entire cup of jell-o in one swallow fastest. It’s quite hilarious.
The spanish is coming along slowly, but surely. I feel like I’m starting to understand more, but I’m stilll behind like everyone in the class. It’s kind of sad, but I know that the only reason I’ve been able to learn all things I have is because Heavenly Father is helping me. This last Sunday we had a testimony meeting in sacrament and it was SOOO amazing. Some of the elders who got up got teary, and it was so sweet. It’s wierd to see their serious spiritual side when all you see normally is their goofy side. Anyway, it was super spiritual. On of the districts in our zone is leaving this coming Wednesday. It is so sad because they are like an awesome group of people, and they have the only other Hermanas in our zone. Hopefully we’ll get some the next time we get a new district. On Monday, we moved to a new building. I guess they are going to renovate the old one. So now we are one floor higher. It’s killer to walk up that many stairs.
This last Tuesday we had our second TRC which is where we teach a lesson to volunteer investigators. We had the hardest investigator ever! She made us work so hard, and we got nowhere. She acted like she was interested, but had no motivation to do anything. It was very frustrating and disheartening. I just wanted to scream how important the gospel is, but I couldn’t.
Anyway, I better go. I’m almost out of time. Love you bits. Love, Hermana Kelsey XOXOX
 
Padre,
Ha ha yeah I sure am getting up early to exercise. The gettting up early isn’t as bad as I thought it would be, although I do get tired after we eat lunch and go to class. Sometimes it’s hard to stay awake. Anyway that’s funny you got shirts for soccer. I wish we could play soccer. They might open the playing field outside when it gets warm, but it might be after we leave. Love you, Hermana Kelsey

Happy Birthday and Miracles!

Posted on by
2

Today is my brother Keith’s birthday. He is here because of miracles. I called him today to tell him Happy B-day, and asked his permission to tell a little about him. He said, “Of course.” So here goes. 
My brother Keith is only about a year and a half older than me. Sometime in the process of growing up Keith lost his way. I say that, because the way he was going, was not the way our parents had taught him. He became involved with drugs. He used many drugs, Nicotine, Alcohol, and others. The drug that caused the most damage to Keith’s body is Cocaine. When using Cocaine he injected it into his body and became infected with Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C attacks the Liver and destroys it. After years of drug abuse, Keith ended up in big trouble. He ended up in jail, awaiting what might be the biggest possible change, time in prison. I’m sure he was very upset and felt like he didn’t deserve this. Or at least he didn’t want what was happening to him, to happen. He spent 6 months in jail waiting to find out, what the judge would decide about his future. It was a very difficult time for him, no drugs and all day long, day after day to think about life and what might happen. Even that was a miracle. To go from being under the influence of drugs, and not seeing clearly or caring only about the next fix. To having the opportunity to really see, or think about his life. After this period of time in jail, Keith was allowed to go home to my parents instead of prison. That was another miracle. He was 34 years old and had been given a second chance. There was so much prayer and fasting going on during this time. So he was home and was really ready to start a new life. He was aware of the way his life was and he knew what he needed and wanted to do, to make his life better. But what about the Hepatitis C? Well, it was still there, doing damage. Keith had been given a second chance but might not be able to be around very long to enjoy it. He married a wonderful and caring woman, and they started building their life together. But as time went by, we all realized that we would need, another big miracle for Keith. By 2007 he was in really bad shape. He would have to spend time off and on, in the hospital to help him survive his illness. He was on the -transplant waiting list- waiting for a new liver, but you don’t always get one. Sometimes you die while you’re waiting. Then on July 7th 2007, Keith received a call. They had a liver and could he be down to the hospital within a few hours. Keith and his wife Teresa went as fast as they could, down to the hospital. We all gathered in the waiting room to wait and pray. We felt very positive, everything would be ok. Sure enough, after hours in the operating room the surgery was finished and our Keith was alive. We went to visit him the next day and could not believe the difference. He was ready to really live his life. We had received another miracle. We are all so thankful to the donor family for their great sacrifice. Their decision blessed Keith, and gave us a miracle in the middle of their sadness. It has been almost 4 years since Keith received his new liver and he is doing great. I am so glad he is here to have another birthday! I love you, brother!

What works for me!

Posted on by
Reply
I am the mom to a missionary. 
A missionary mom. 
Actually, I am the mom to two missionaries. These missionaries are adult children. I love them so much. I really do miss them. You need to know that when you serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you leave your family and live somewhere in the world. You share the gospel, and serve God’s children. You communicate with your family by email and letters. Except for twice a year, Mother’s Day and Christmas when you get to talk to each other on the phone. Sometimes it is hard. But I think I have figured out how to enjoy this time while they are gone. Whenever I feel sad or like the next year and a half of my life with take forever, I reason through the emotions like this: First, they are adults. They are young, but they are adults. And I want them to become independent and able to live on their own. Second, they are learning and experiencing life. They will see life out in the world. In a place where they have never been before. I want them to learn and experience life. Would I deny them this opportunity just to have them here with me? No. Third, they are there to serve. They have given up a year and a half to two years of their life to serve, love and help others. I have taught them their whole lives to love everyone and to serve others. They are amazing. Fourth, the only time I feel sad and lonesome is when I am thinking about me. If I think about them and what amazing kids they are, and how this opportunity will bless their lives and bless the lives of those they serve, I am thrilled for them. And next thing you know, I am no longer sad or lonesome and I happily go about my day. I will say, probably the most important thing in all of this, and the Fifth thing is that I believe that our Heavenly Father loves them and will protect them, and bless them. This is what works for me! It may not work for everyone, but it works for me, and I thought I should share it. 

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Posted on by
2


Elder Flexy 9:1 -email-

Make

life is great. my birthday was fun i made some breakfast burittos. anyway swaziland continues to be the best. we had a really good week. 
1 How was your week?1.great we walked so much this week it was crazy talk.
2 How is your new member doing?
2.he is doing great he got confirmed yesterday.
3 Do the other members fellowship good?
3.ya usually
4 Are you healthy? is your toe healthy?
4.ya i’m fine the toe is all better.
5 How is your contacting going?
5.good we find people like crazy
6 Any new investigators?
6.well ya you can say that we have lots that are progressing fast.
7 Do you get to exercise or do you feel like you do enough walking?
7.well today we played basket ball today it was really fun so we do exercise too.
8 How is your companionship?
8.great no problems
9 Have your investigators asked you any questions you didn’t know the answer to?
9.yep 
10 If so, how do you find out the answer?
10. we just tell them we will look it up for them.
11 Do you have an area rep/general authority? who is it?
11.yes for our area its Elder Watson

Special question:

12  Do the South African people have a tradition or ancestral story that involves Christ coming to visit them, around the time he visited the Americas? If so is it helpful in the teaching process?
12.that one i’m not sure but i’ll check.
anyway life is good and the work is going forward. anyway time is almost spent. love you.

                                      Love Elder Flexy

Sunday Best!

Posted on by
1

-Lesson given by my friend, Laura-

Thoughts from “Charity Never Faileth” by Thomas S. Monson, Sept. 2010
Main Ideas- 
Part A:
1. No one is perfect…”and yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others”.
2. There is no way to know the a) heart, b) intentions, c) circumstances behind someone’s actions [we don’t have all the facts].
3. “Appearances can be so deceiving, such a poor measure of a person”.
4. “Each of you is unique”…the differences are endless. Do these differences tempt us to judge one another?
Mother Teresa said, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
Part B:
Instead of judging, President Monson admonishes us to focus on the following:
“I consider charity-or ‘the pure love of Christ’-to be the opposite of criticism and judging”

  • Charity is tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions
  • Charity forgives
  • Charity is patient with someone who has let us down
  • Charity impels us to be sympathetic
  • Charity is compassionate 
  • Charity is merciful in time of weakness or error on the part of others
  • Charity gives attention to those who are unnoticed
  • Charity gives hope to those who are discouraged
  • Charity aids those who are afflicted 
  • Charity does not gossip
  • Charity resists the impulse to become offended easily
  • Charity accepts weaknesses and shortcomings in ourselves and others
  • Charity accepts people as they truly are
  • Charity looks beyond physical appearances toward attributes
  • Charity resists the impulse to categorize others
  • Charity manifests itself in a hundred small ways
“Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life.” -Thomas S. Monson
*****************
What a great lesson! Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

"Have a super great day!!"

Posted on by
Reply
I work at a dental office. 
It is a great place to work. 
In fact, as far as dental offices go, it is a wonderful place. 
My job is to talk to the patient at the end of their visit. I reschedule them and collect money. I don’t mind it at all. I am usually the last person they see before they walk out the door. One day, while visiting with the patient who was checking out, I finished the conversation with, 
“Have a super great day!!” 
All the people that I work with just laughed and teased me about that, like I was being sappy or not sincere. Just so you know, I’m not the type of person to wish someone a 
“super great day“
unless I meant it.  They apparently don’t know that in order to have a “super great day” you have to be “puttin it out there”, like “The Secret”.  I always use the word “super“ in front of “great day!” When I say my prayers in the morning before I leave my home, I ask God to please help me “Have a super great day!” It’s what I want and what I am trying for, everyday. I want that for everyone, I hope you “Have a super great day“ too! 
Natasha, Havin a super great day!

Happy Birthday to my darling Flexy!

Posted on by
1
My darling Flexy turned
 20 years old today! Wow! 
Where did the time go?
Just to celebrate, 
here are 20 things
 I love about Flexy…
* he is rarely upset
* he knows how to have fun 
with out spending money 
* he is responsible
* he loves Heavenly Father
* he is a good friend
* he is kind to everyone
* he is easy going/happy go lucky
*  he is a hard worker
* he is my most quoted child
* he is a good brother
* he loves Jesus
* he is a good example 
* he is loving
* he is strong
* he is funny
*he is an Eagle Scout
* he is very profound
* he is handsome
* he is respectful
* he is a great son! 
You are a wonderful son!!! Happy Birthday Alex!
I love you!

Family History Friday: Handwriting!

Posted on by
Reply
If you do a lot of research that involves a census or parish record, where the names and information is hand written by a enumerator or census taker. 
Having a guide or an example of the handwriting  that was common at the time, would be very helpful in being able to read and know what they were trying to record. 
There are many helps out there. 
I like to keep a sheet of paper with me when I do research that shows example of the way some letters or numbers might be written and what they are.  You can also find many helps on the internet. One such place is britishgenealogy.com 
You will find it here.

Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Posted on by
Reply

First Letter February 24th 2011
Dear Familia,
Hola, Wow! The MTC is crazy! There are so many great people here. Today is thursday, so the wild stuff is mostly over. Yesterday was pretty much a blur, but I’ll tell you what I can remember. After you guys left, they took me and my luggage back to a room where a bunch of other sisters were. I met a bunch of them and we chatted for a little bit. Then a sister that has been here for a while came and got me. She took me around to pick up a bunch of different items I would need (i.e. my key to my room, my name tag, books and scriptures in Espanol, and lots of other things), and to drop off my luggage. Then she took me to my class. Hermana Billins is so cute. She is one of my teachers, and she mostly speaks Spanish. she’s trying to have us speak as much as we can, as often as we can. Haderlie is my other teacher. He is great too. I’ve only met with him a little, but I can tell he is going to be awesome. After class we had a Welcome Orientation where we met the MTC Presidency. They are so amazing! I know they are called of God. Next we went to dinner, which reminded me of high school or jr. high, except everyone is nice, and talks to you.
Oh, I forgot to tell you about my two companions. Hermana Rasmussen is from Idaho Falls, and Hermana Barlow is from Washington DC. They are super great and adorable. At dinner I saw, none other than, Sister Buswell! It was so exciting! We both got all excited and gave hugs, and she talked with me a bit. It was so nice to see her. She is such an inspiration to me. Also, I saw Brother and Sister Fowers, and gave them hugs. After dinner we went to a group teaching where you are in a small group (maybe 20 missionaries), and you teach an investigator. You are supposed to try to see what their needs are. We met with three men. It was really a good experience to talk to them, and see what we could do for them, and to see how just us sharing small parts of the gospel with them changed their disposition. It was really neat. After that, we met our Zone Leaders, and them ca e back to our room to unpack. I had a really hard time sleeping last night I got bed @ 10:30, but couldn’t sleep because I had so much going on in my head. Plus I woke up several times in the night. We decided wake up @ 5:45 to go to the early morning exercise class just for girls, so we went to that. Today has just been really busy. That’s pretty much what we always are though. Busy, busy, Busy! But another good thing about today…I met another Sister going to Fort Worth, Spanish speaking!! Her name is Hermana Valdez and she is leaving to go down to Texas in March, because she already knows Espanol. It was so exciting to meet her though. I’ll probably see her down in Texas. Anyway, I probably better go now. Love you all lots. Do good things! Love, Hermana Kelsey
PS Be sure to give my address to everyone!  I want lots of letters!
🙂 oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Posted on by
Reply

Elder Flexy 8:4 -email-



Make,
wow thats so cool i’m glad all went well with dropping Kelsey off. my new comp is awesome and all is well. but this computer is the laggiest computer ever so i have to be short. ya i just bearly realized that my birth day is coming up soon its kinda weird. anyway

1 Did you ask the Blackburns if they will do a disc of your pictures?
1.ya i’m gonna talk to them about that.
2 Did your baptism happen?
2.yep Babe Elias Dlamini is officially a member
3 If so how was it?
3.great all went well i gave a talk on the holy ghost it was good
4 What is the name of the town/city that you live in?
4., , swaziland
5 How is your companionship?
5.great elder diseko is a great guy
6 Favorite scripture?
6.Mathew 14:26(CTR)
Special question:
7 Why do we need to not judge?

7.  because we don’t have all the facts as to why this person did this only God has that knowledge.
love you sorry this computer stinks

 Love Elder Flexy



Babe,
glad to hear all the good news i’m still alive and kickin the work is going well and i’m loving swaziland. thats cool about your friends shop we have an investigator that has some swords and battle axes on his walls as decorations. anyway this computer is giving me a hard time love you.
Love Elder Flexy


EM!!!
your all alone i hope all works out with your friends thats why you get friends like me and colter then you don’t have to worry about all that. anyway i love you my little sister.

Love Elder Flexy