Im going to be a senior campanion...that poor girl

So...transfers this week...this whole week Hna Hanson and I have been saying that we are going to just stay together because, yeah, it would have been epic. However, she had to go and be all righteous...or super apostate...(quien sabe?) and she's going to be a Sister Training Leader with Hermana White in North Sac. SO CRAZY! Hermana Arntsen is going to Argentina, so you guessed it! I am staying here in my beloved South Sac! Hermana Gigger is going to come up here from Tracy. She just finished training so I am going to be senior companion...that poor girl :) Naw. It's going to be fun! I met her at Zone Conference last week and she is super chill. And, according to Hermana Arntsen, she already knows Spanish. That's half of the battle :)

     So, Temple Conference was uh-mazing! It was so nice to go back and just feel the peace that is there. I love the temple so much! If anyone reading this is going on a mission listen up: go as much as you can before because you don't get to go very much during! We wanted to go today for P-day but President told the mission that we weren't going to go because everyone was just there...bummer. Funny story: we did a nativity as a zone and I got to be an angel (first time in my life). So that's how I met Hermana Gigger because she was an angel too! :)

     We are still teaching Carlos. He is progressing slowly, but steadily. We are really hoping to try and get his wife to come and listen with us because I know that her would be more receptive if another member of his family was with him. I can't even imagine being the only member of my family. I am so blessed to have this gospel in my life!

     We are also still working with Brianna and Natalie. More so Brianna because she is just soaking it all up like a sponge. We are doing a Nativity activity with her and her siblings tonight so we are hoping to talk to her mom. I say that all of the time, but we really need to do it. It's hard because she always makes a bee-line for the door when we walk in. So, pray for us! She is so cute! I absolutely love them!

     We finally were able to teach Marta and Arturo again. This time, their three boys Arturo Jr, Ezekiel, and Isaac came in with us because we watched "La Restauracion" and they loved it! I think that Marta and Jr. have a lot of promise. We just need to get them to church. That seems to be the problem with a lot of people...they want the blessings without the work. But we are going to help them see the blessings of going to church!

     We had an amazing activity here in this area. Every year they have a display of nativities at the church in Elk Grove and it is HUGE! Like, the church is shut down for the weekend. Church services have to be moved. It is the best thing in the world. There were about 519 nativities. People come from all over the place. We did a turn in one of the rooms talking to people for a few hours on Saturday night. They also have a display of Salt Lake Temple Square so we took pictures in Temple Square :)

     We, seriously, had so much fun this week but I don't have the time or space in an e-mail to write it all. Plus, people might think that we never work. Pretty sure Elder Nelson said it was missionary fun not missionary work :) I love my comps so stinking much and, I won't lie, I cried when I found out that Hna Hanson and I were going to be separated...however, I know that the Lord has good things in store for both of us. I am also really going to miss Hna Arntsen! Maybe she and Hna Syphus will be comps...that be funny! Because Hna White and Hna Toro were comps and now Hna Hanson and Hna White are going to be comps. All of my old comps are comps! Ha! 

     Well, I love you all and I am beyond words excited to see you all next week! Sister Lesley is going to let us use her computers :) Well, Stay classy and know that I love you with all of my bum! I would say heart...but my bum is bigger :)

Love, Hermana Freestone

There's Nowhere Else I Would Rather Be Right Now

FAMILIA!!!

     So, I hope this e-mail is finding you all well and healthy...unlike things on this end of the line. Hna Hanson and I both nos quedamos enferma el Sabado...no bueno. We are just coming out of it, but it's no fun. I feel like such an apostate sleeping in, but there's no way I would have the juice to get out of bad at 6:30. Thankfully, today was P-Day so I didn't feel near as bad. I am slightly drugged, so if anything I say doesn't make sense...well...just go with it. 

     This week has been full of fun and many good things! We had an amazing zone training on Thursday where my companions and I taught a "lesson" and the spirit was so stinking strong! En Serio! Our ZL was in tears. We talked about it after and worked out a plan of how to make all of our lessons that way. It's good. We are really starting to get a hang of this trio...and transfers are next week. GAH! I secretly hope that nothing changes here. I love my comps! However, fun news for the day: After 6 1/2 months of waiting Hermana Arntsen finally got her visa! She is leaving for Buenos Aires on the 18th! She and Hermana Syphus are going to be in the same mission! So cool! Up to this point on my mission, half of my companions have gone to Argentina :)

     So, we taught this amazing woman named Laura on Saturday. I know the lesson was amazing because I felt the spirit. However, I was so sick I couldn't even tell you what was said. Props to my companions for bringing the Spirit :) Ha! But I am really excited to teach her!

     We've been doing a lot of practicing for the Christmas temple conference this week. Our district is going to sing and I am really excited. However, I'm even more excited that I get to go to the temple! It's been a few months. That is one thing I miss a lot, but I guess I am doing something else that is just as worth it. :) We are going to see a few of the other Hermanas too!

     Last night we went to a member's house for dinner and before we left she gave us some adorable beanie hats that she made for us! We were all 3 loving our lives last night. I absolutely love being a missionary! There is nothing better. And, there is nowhere else I'd rather be right now :)

     Sorry there's not a lot to write about this week. I love you all SO SO SO SO much and hope you have a fantastic week! 

Love, Hermana Freestone

Feliz Dia de Gracias

     FELIZ DIA DE GRACIAS!!! I hope you all had just as fantastic of a day as I did here in Sac-town! We started off right today with a Turkey Bowl! Holla! WE played football for a good hour and then ended with some touch-rugby (they were scared I would hurt them ;) ha). We did some shopping around town and enjoyed our all-day P-day! Woot! After our shopping we went over to an English member's house for dinner. They were the sweetest things ever! They are actually the members that the English Elders live with so we played some pranks on them and had a great time! We also sang for them (mom and dad should have got the video of it) in Spanish because they both have Spanish heritage, they just prefer English. It was so nice! Thanksgiving away from home really makes me think of the things that I am grateful for. However, I love my mission so much and I wouldn't trade where I am for the world :)

     We have had a very interesting past 10 days...that's for sure! We almost burned down the apartment...for realz. We have been putting candles on the burners on the stove (on low, of course) so we can have a holiday scent in the house. Well, Hna Hanson accidentally put the burner on high and walked away. Well, the wax caught on fire. Note to self and all others: don't pour water on burning wax. The flame has a tenancy to shoot up about 3 feet and THEN the fire goes out...I must have been asleep during that Chemistry lesson or something? Anywho, we got the fire alarm to stop sounding and put the other candle outside. I got a pretty sweet video of it :) God protects His missionaries...that's for sure! JA!

     Last Tuesday I went on an exchange with Hna White. It was so much fun because we got to talk about our time together and reminisce a little. I am slightly jealous that Hna Hanson and Hna Arntsen got to stay in Sac with Hna Toro because this is her last transfer :( However, I did still get to see her a little bit, so that was nice. I really enjoyed the moment when we were switching back because all of my companions (sans Hna Carlson) were in the apartment with me. I can say that I love every single one of them so much and wouldn't trade my time with them for anything. They are just like family to me :)

     Last Thursday we had zone conference and Elder David Baxter of the Seventy came and gave us a marvelous training! He was a little intense, but the Work of Salvation is no joking matter. He talked a lot about our relationships with the members and how important it is. I wish that the members of our branch could have heard it as well. It got me really pumped to do missionary work! I was sitting right in front of him while he was teaching and there was a point in his lesson about how no one "jumps into success." He asked if anyone was an athlete so I raised my hand. He asked me which sports I played and I told him, "Soccer, softball, basketball, and rugby." He did a semi-double take and was like, "I'm tired just hearing that." He then went on to ask me if I was good overnight at those sports or if I had to work hard. Obviously, I said I had to work at it. He went on to describe how missionary work is the same. We have to practice the basics over and over again and keep going in order to be a successful missionary. I really liked that part :)

     So, we met this new guy named Carlos. Apparently, he was going to church hace algunos anos atras and he went for like 6 months. I guess he dejo de ir porque su esposa no le gusto la iglesia mucho...we are trying to teach her too. He is more than happy to let us teach him. He wants to learn and I know he can feel the spirit because he never wants us to leave. His wife really warmed up to us last time we went because we were helping her with her English and she wanted us to help her with some vocab for her citizenship test (which is a complete joke, by the way. I'd be willing to bet that 80% of Americans couldn't even pass it). She really liked that. We will see how it goes. We extended him a date as a goal, but Hispanics are REALLY antsy about picking dates. They don't want to fall bad with anyone so if they don't think that they are ready then they won't commit...but he did agree to pray about Dic 21 so we will see. I've got a god feeling about this one!

     We were going to drop Daniel, but while we were doing it his friend came over and they both got-all of a sudden-interested in the Word of Wisdom...so we took that as a sign (yup, I'm becoming Hispanic) that we shouldn't do drop him just yet. Jose, the one that had to go to San Fransisco to work has been reading in the Book of Mormon and he even went to church there! YAY! I hope that I am still here when he gets back so that I can teach him again! We haven't been able to see Briana and Natalie for a while. I guess Natalie, who just turned 8, asked her mom if she could be baptized and she said no and that she was crazy! So, we are going to fast this Sunday for her mom's heart to be softened...por lo menos for Briana to be baptized. 

     Oh! We also had a miracle! We went over to see this family that we haven't been able to see for a while: la Familia Camacho. Well, the daughter just barely got her papers after 10 years and was so excited! But, she also wasted no time in telling us how unfair people are treated. She seriously went off for like 1 1/2. Then her mom was telling us her story of how she got to this country for another 45 min. It was rough to listen to, but none of us felt like we should interrupt them to leave so we just stayed and listened. After 2+ hours the daughter was telling us that we were something special to sit and listen to her and still be contect. She took it as a sign from God that we had something that she needed to hear. Long, amazing story short, we get to go back and read the Book of Mormon with her and her mom next week! I am so glad that we stayed. And Hna Hanson said it best, "Jesus wouldn't look at the sun and say, 'Oh I have an appointment. I'll catch you all later.'" She's right: He would listen. Obviously, we won't have 3 hour lessons every day, but this one happened to work in our favor :)

     We went over Blanca's house to decorate their tree with Nuno and Danielle. It was so much fun! I absolutely love them! I am totally going to come and visit them after the mission. Blanca asked me again for President Lewis' number so that she could ask him to keep me here for Christmas...we'll see :)

 I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and ate some pecan pie for me. Ja! I love you all and look forward to your e-mails on Monday! LOVES!

Love, Hermana Freestone

I'm Glad They Called Me On A Mission

     Sounds like you all are doing pretty swell at home. I am sorry to hear about the snow. I would say that I miss it, but I would be lying and I'm a misionera so I can't do that :) It is still in the 60's here and it's hilarious to watch people running around in long pants, sweaters, coats, scarfs, etc. I'm loving my life in shorts and a t-shirt (only on P-day, of course). 

     Things this last week were a baby bit bumpy getting going, but we finished the week out in style! A trio is really hard teaching-wise, but we have all been in trios before. We just had to start to mesh and it was good after that. 

     We went to visit Daniel this week...grrrr. Yeah, I don't think we will be teaching him much longer. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and asked if he would be able to keep that and he said no because he likes to drink with his buddies. Ohmigrsh!!! Alcohol should never have been invented! Ugh! He said he would try to go a week without it. He also doesn't want to come to church. It is just hurts because I know that what we have can help him but, as Hermana Arntsen would say, "Adam ate the fruit," so he has agency to chose it or not. It's like Lili all over again :(

     On the flip-side, that guy Jose that we found last week came to church! He really liked it too. The bummer is that he is going to San Francisco for work for 2-3 weeks and won't be back. So we left him a Book of Mormon and a few things to read. But he did ask for the address to the church there :)

     We also went to see Briana and Natalie this week. We taught them the Law of Chastity. Since they are little we had to get a little creative so we used the "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" demo (it will take too long to explain-just know it's more age-appropriate). They really liked that. They also wanted us to show them the teabag lesson again, but as of this week, we are no longer allowed to use object lessons in our teaching. That means no more cup lesson, teabag lesson, bridge lesson, toothpick lesson, nor any other analogies like the ice cream truck to explain authority, or the pen to help people understand prophets, or the ring to explain the Holy Ghost. Sorry if you have no idea what any of that is :) But yeah, it really makes things complicated. However, it came from Elder Ballard so I guess it's probably important. I am going to be a scriptorian when I get home :)

     Oh! Ha! We went to do a pass-off lesson with the elders (they found someone who spoke Spanish so we all had a lesson together) and we rolled up a baby bit late. As we came up to the door some lady yelled through the screen, "As God as my witness I curse you all!!!" And then she told us to come on in. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little creeped out. Thankfully, her parents were super nice :) We had a lesson with them but we won't be able to teach them because the man isn't really interested and the woman has Dimentia...o algo asi. No se...

     So, the thing that really capped off our week: we had 7 investigators in church! No lies! And there were like 4 less-active families there too! Briana and Natalie, Jose Andres, other Jose, A guy named James that we are teaching, Wendy (Hna Sanchez's friend), and Isaac. Also, la Familia Garcia, la Familia Vasquez, Hermana Islas, and la Famlia Suarez! I was just on cloud 9! :) Seriously, we all just looked around at each other and had to laugh. Hna Hanson got to bear her testimony in sacrament meeting and she did such an amazing job. The Spirit was so intense!

     I'm looking forward to this week because we are having zone conference with Elder Baxter of the 70. He spoke at my single's stake conference last year and I really like him :) It will be good! Oh, Mom, we don't have P-day next Monday. It will be on Thursday and we get an all-day P-day! Boo-yah! I'm not entirely sure what we are going to do yet. I think we will be going over to Hna Vasquez house to help them put up their Christmas tree :) Oh my, funny story! So we went over to eat at their house on Thursday and she turned to me and said, "Hermana, who do we have to call to keep you here for Christmas?" (because transfers are the week before) We told her President Lewis and she wanted me to give her his number. Ha! Not a chance because I know she would really do it. Though, I never want to leave this area because I love it with all of my heart! I love my companions and I love our investigators! It is a great time to be a missionary! I'm glad they called me on a mission <3

Love, Hermana Freestone

A Week Full Of Milagros!

     So, this week had been really fun! On Tuesday Hna White and I enjoyed our last day together in style with just being crazy and having a ton of fun! I already miss her as a companion, but she and Hna Toro are my sister training leaders so I will still get to see them :) Can't believe this is Hna Toro's last transfer...the sisters are going to start leaving in hoards in the Spring. Hermana Romero left on Thursday and I was a bit sad about that. She is from mexico and so adorable! I am never leaving...I have just decided! Sorry. 

     On Wednesday we met up with everyone at the mission office to see the new little missionaries come in. We have two new hermanas. I felt like I was just there getting paired up with my trainer...nope...that was almost 6 months ago...gross! So, I don't know how we did it, but we managed to get Hna Hanson and Hna Arntsen's stuff piled into our little car and then they unpacked and we went out to work. We have been blessed to see many miracle this week. I am so grateful for my new comps!

     On Friday we went to go and see a potential named Jorge and his nephew Omar answered the door. Well, we got to talking with him and he was almost baptized about 4 years ago. He showed some interest so we started to teach him. He's kind of a party guy, but the gospel has a way of changing people! We are really excited to start teaching him some more! Miracle #1. Another miracle we saw this week was when we went to see another potential named Jose. Well, he wasn't home so we were going to jump back into the car and go to our next place. Well, as I got in the car some truck rolls up and a guy gets out and start walking to the house. I yelled out the car, "Usted es Jose?" Yup! He was! We went into his house and started to teach him the Restoration and the Spirit was SO strong! He's leaving for San Francisco really soon so we are hoping to send him as a referral and still teach him when he gets back in January. :) Miracle #2.

     Daniel cancelled his appointment with us and I was like, "Alright...you have a life...ok." Well, then he ditched out of church too. I'm getting slightly frustrated, but I know that that is what Satan wants so there is only to be patient. I have learned a lot of that here. We were also able to teach Briana and her sister Natalie, who turns 8 on the 13th :) We are wanting to talk to her mother about baptism, but her grandmother wants to do it first so we will have to be patient with that too. 

     Oh! Miracle #3 of the week: Hermana Islas has a cousin that just moved here from Mexico that really wants to get to know the church even more so she came to church yesterday and I think she really liked it. I imagine that it was a little overwhelming at first, but she is super sweet and willing to learn. Also, #4, another member, Hermana Sanchez has a friend named Wendy that has come to church quite a few times and we were finally able to get a return with her for this week. She really enjoys church and so do her kids. #5: La Familia Andres-where all of the family is members except for the dad Jose-has been coming to church too! And we had a fantastic lesson about eternal marriage in Sunday School so we are going to follow-up with them tonight! This week has just been a week full of milagros!

     We have visited a lot of our less-actives, who are starting to have that flame re-kindled and want to come back. Poco a poco I know that they will be able to do it. Our ward is getting more and more excited about the work and more of them are willing to help us out. I feel like things are really going to pick up-which makes sense because the holidays are a season full of miracles...especially December.

    Oh, funny story! Last night we rolled up to our apartment and realized that we left the back sliding door open. We were all joking about how there was going to be a rapist in the closet or the shower or something. Hna Hanson went back into the closet and yelled, "OH MY GOSH!" and ran out of the room. I told her is was only going to be effective if she threw something and then yelled. Well, apparently she threw her planner and I turned around just in time for it to nail me right in the face! We were all laughing so hard! 

Love, Hermana Freestone

I Get To Be Comps With My "Mission Sister"

     So, transfer week has been crazy! I had feeling in the middle of yesterday that Hermana Hanson was going to be my new companion. I don't know why...I actually didn't think we'd ever be comps, but I had a feeling. Well, we got our call and Hermana White is going to North Sacramento with Mami Toro and Hermana Hanson is coming here to work with me! I get to be comps with my "mission sister." If You recall, we were both trained by Mami Toro! This will be fun!

     For "Noche de Brujas" on my end of life was pretty great! Hermana White and I were the only two misioneros in our distrito to dress up...lame. But that was probably due to the fact that we had a zone training right after. OUr mission president is pretty strict, but I love him. Anywho, some blessed members of the RS in some English wards were kind enough to make some food for us and then we watched the movie "Ephraim's Rescue." I absolutely loved it! And, as we all know, Hermana Freestone is a crier, so my eyes were completely red and bloodshot for our zone training...yeah...I looked like a goob. But it was so great! And I was happy to watch a movie :)

     So we taught Daniel a couple of times this week. The first night we went over to his house and we read Moroni 7 with him and he was all, "I've been thinking about getting an answer and I think I need to go to church so I can know." Um...every missionary's dream! Yes! He gets it! We were so happy! We also went over on Friday night and he had tons of fantastic questions about baptism, the Bible, the Holy Ghost and..............wigi boards.....what the random? Yeah...that was fun :) On Saturday the elders had a baptism so Daniel came to that too. It was great! The Spirit was so strong and he was even a little teary-eyed! He was really excited to come to church on Sunday...and then his mom bailed on giving him a ride...yeah, no bueno. Next week! Por seguro!!!

     Briana is doing well also. We went over to her grandma's for dinner and then we taught her the 10 commandments using the finger signs. She absolutely loved that! She is so adorable. She spent half of dinner trying to guess our first names. I think it's funny because only one person here has ever guessed it. I told her if she keeps reading the Book of Mormon and praying then I will tell her :) We are going to, hopefully, talk to her mom about letting her get baptized soon. We taught Briana the Plan of Salvation and she asked us if she could get baptized soon :)

     Last P-Day we had to go to a doctor's appointment for Hna White outside the mission in Roseville. So yeah...left the mission boundaries...I'm such a rebel! HA!

Love, Hermana Freestone

One Short of the 3 She-Fites

     It has been a really good week here in Sacramento! It is starting to get a little colder now. It was 70 and I had to put on a jacket. Can't complain too much, though. It beats the heck out of working in snow! It's getting windy, though. I've had a couple of close calls with the "Marilyn Monroe Moments." Got to love wearing skirts. 

     I will start by saying that Hna Carlson headed to the mission home last night so that she could leave this morning. We are now one short of the 3 She-fites...sad day. :( However, She will be a fantastic missionary and she is going to love Argentina!

     We were able to meet a lot of good people this week. There is an Hermana that moved into our area from Palm Springs and she lives with her three children and 4 nietos. Her nietos aren't members, but her nieta, Brianna, has 10 years and she really like coming to church. We are teaching her and her hermanitos. They are reading in the Book of Mormon...like, the legit blue copy and she understands it when she reads. It's so great! She loves Primary and loves learning more and more about the church. 

     We are also teaching a family. The padres names are Arturo and Marta. They are really open to learning more about the church and they love us! I can honestly say that the Hispanic people, as a whole, are the nicest people I have ever met! They love so easily and they always welcome us in like we are family. I am definitely well taken care of. We are going to teach them the Plan of Salvacion and I know that it will be something very special.

     Daniel is doing really well! Still not coming to church...I kind of want to beat him with a stick but I love him so much that I couldn't bring myself to do it. I know that he is ready and he has accepted a date to prepare to be baptized. He's like a little brother to all of us. 

     We also went to visit the familia Islas. She is the absolute sweetest lady ever! En serio! I adore her! She can't come to church because she has to work on Sundays and so does her husband. Her kids are still able to come. She always gives us breakfast and we teach her English. We are going to have scripture studies with her every week now. Um, she is recently having family problems so if you could just keep Hermana Islas in your prayers that would be so great!

     Also, the familia Vasquez. That is the one where she was in jail and got all cleaned up from drugs and now she is coming back to church and talked to Pte Beus about preparing to go through the temple. She is like my momma away from home. She loves us so much and would do anything for us! Plus, her kids are so great too! Her daughter is Mollie's age and actually reminds me a lot of her. Her son is about 7 and he is a stud! Every time we go over for dinner he gives me a big hug and says, "Misionera, will you play soccer with me?" I absolutely love him! Pray for their family because they are the best!

     I really love this area! There are lots of people to teach and, even though most of the members are less-active, they love us so much. I seriously don't want to leave-which is good because I will most-likely be staying. I am really learning how to love other people here. That's one thing that I can't say I was ever very good at. The mission is the best thing that I have ever done. I am changing in so many ways and I am developing an amazing relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love my companions, now companion, and I love the work. Someone made a comment to us yesterday that we haven't had much success in this area because we haven't seen baptisms. I'm not going to lie: if you think that success is measured in baptisms then you seriously need to change your attitude. That is one thing that I have learned. I know that Heavenly Father is happy with me and the work that I have been doing and that is true success!

     I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week! LOVE YA!

Love always, Hermana Freestone

Good Things Are Right Around The Corner

     So I read mom's e-mail about Stan Rees. My heart goes out to the family. I can't even imagine...isn't it so great that we have the Plan of Salvation? It is such a blessing in our lives. 

     This last week has been really good. I went to do another exchange with Hna Cosby in Elk Grove. That was fun! She's a transfer older than me. She's a little shy, but we got talking about Avenger's and life was pretty good. We had dinner with a family that moved out of Lodi the same week that Hna Toro and I got there so we were able to chat during dinner. It was really fun! Hna Cosby is really sweet and we had a good day teaching and contacting.

     Oh! So we decided to start teaching Isaac again. He is the one that is Seventh-Day Adventist and has been coming to church still. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he was okay with most of it except the pre-earth life. If it is not found in the Bible then he really isn't okay with it. I'm just glad we have the Book of Mormon to clarify the gospel! We also found out that he has a wife and 4 kids in Guatemala and he is here working for them! He is 23! It was crazy! I think you would just have to know him in order to understand just how big of a bombshell that was! He's super great though. I have high hopes for him.

     We also visited Daniel this week! Again, my heart broke when he couldn't come to church, but we had a fantastic Plan of Salvation lesson with him! He had a ton of great questions and he really understood it. He really likes the idea that we can be with our families forever. He really gets it-which is more than I can say for a lot of the other people that we teach. We can see a difference in him and his family is always really sweet to us when we go over. They are super Catholic, but I think they can see that we only want the best for him and that he is slowly making changes. He is praying about baptism! I can't wait to see him again this week!

     In terms of new investigators, we added new people but it was while I was on exchanges so I don't know them yet! I'm going to meet them tonight! Hna Carlson isn't leaving until the 28th so we get one more week. We are basically planning for a miracle this week before she leaves :) 

      Things have been a little bumpy lately-but I know that it is the storm before the miracles! We are working hard here and I know that good things are right around the corner! Until next week! MWAH!

Love, Hermana Freestone

i hit 6 months.... yikes!

 This week has been, well, interesting. Our new Relief Society president Hermana Vasquez (fantastic) gave us referral of a lady that she works with named Araceli. I guess Hermana Vasquez was praying to know who she should share the gospel with and Araceli's name came to her. We went over to teach her and she is so fantastic! She is Christian and says that she is very open to learning about what other people believe. After we had a short, but powerful lesson about the Restoration she was like, "Oh, that makes so much sense!" We are going back this week to see her. She is so great! I am excited to teach her :)

     We also taught Daniel and he is still praying and reading, we just have to get him to come to church! His mom is super nice to us and she loves that her son is getting more into praying and church. He is so great! His faith is increasing more and more each time we go over and I can tell that he is happier. His countenance has changed since the first time that we went over. Isn't it so amazing how the gospel can help people?

     On Thursday morning Hermana Carlson got a call from President and she has her visa! She leaves on the 22nd. That is next week! I am excited for her, but sad at the same time that she is leaving. It will be just me and Hermana White...weird that there will only be 2 people again. Especially for Hermana White because she was in a trio the transfer before I even got here. Hermana Washburn also received hers :)

     We did two exchanges this week...sort of. Hermana White was given an English companionship so she just decided to leave us in our area while she went to English work for a day. I was so shocked when we drove into their area to drop off Hna White. I am so used to my Spanish culture and living in the city. They live in this nice little tucked back area with a bunch of very nice houses and they live in a palace! I don't think I can convey to you in words how weird it felt being in a house like that. The only thing that Hna White could say at the end of the transfer was, "I'm glad to be back in Spanish." On Saturday I went to Elk Grove to work with Hna Griffith. She is in her third transfer and she is fantastic! Her and her compaion Hna Cosby live with Hna Naatjes (still in English work) and Hna Sharp (who recently returned from a quick surgery). It was nice to be with all Hermanas :) Hna Griffith and I were able to teach quite a few lessons and we had a lot of fun. She is a fantastic missionary and will do great things!

     We are doing pretty well in our area. We have some new investigators that are great! I feel so blessed to be able to help them come closer to their Heavenly Father. Sometimes I wonder why the work is as hard as it is, but then I remember what Elder Holland said about how we can't expect it to be easy for us because it was never easy for Jesus Christ. This is His work, not ours. :)

     On a lighter note: I hit 6 months this past week...yikes! That was slightly weird. It is just astonishing to me how fast the time really flies by. You cannot take one second of a mission for granted because you don't get do-overs. I want to work even harder and keep coming closer to my Heavenly Father. I am building a relationship with Him out here that I don't know if I ever would have found it had I not served. I am truly blessed! I love this work so much!

Love always, 

Hermana Freestone

 

1 of 80,333.... how lucky am I?

  Wow...you all have been super busy by the sounds of things. I LOVED the pictures! Oh my goodness! I am glad that I was not there in person to see my brother look like that for Powder Buff...quite frankly, the pictures were scarring enough. Ha! But it looked like Homecoming was a blast! You went to Mechams Meadows? Best place ever! Good times there...good times. Also, congrats on the shutout to the entire soccer team. Special props to my baby sis! Holla! I expect lots of pictures and all sorts of stuff from the first round of play-offs. Also, if you have an extra copy of the newspaper clip will you send it to me? I want to put it on my cork board :)

     The highlight of this week was definitely General Conference! The talks were so amazing and I learned a LOT! Oh, I watched it all in English. Anywho, I am officially part of the army! 1 of 80,333! How lucky am I? Can't wait for one year from now when they announce those numbers and me and my brother will both be a part of it at the same time. Freestone Power up in here! Ha!Though we can't watch the news I would imagine that the group of women "petitioning God" or whatever for the priesthood were in full swing again? What a waste...that's like the glorified Girl's Night Out in Utah. Mormons everywhere just give you free SWAG if you know where to go looking! But on a more serious note. I feel bad that they are doing that because it makes everyone looking in think that the church looks down on women because we don't have the Priesthood. SO NOT TURE!!! OBVIOUSLY, they missed that part of conference. If they wouldn't let their pride get in the way they would realize that we, as women, have a sacred role. It honestly makes me very sad to see that they are (knowingly or unknowingly), by petitioning, going against the laws of the very Being that they are "petitioning" to...Satan is working and he is working hard. I loved it how Sister Oscarson told the youth-though it could apply to anyone-that they need to develop a testimony NOW. Things aren't like they used to be. You used to be able to lean on your parents' and leaders' testimonies until  young-adulthood...not any more. We have to be strong. Ugh! I wish I could write you all about everything that I learned from Conference...if you missed it...REPENT! Watch it!

     We taught Daniel this week and he was so cute. He didn't do his reading and he didn't pray very much. It's because he has been playing a video game...whoever invented those is going to get an earful when we meet in the Spirit world...I can't stand the stinking things! Anywho, Daniel said the opening prayer to our lesson and he was like, "I'm sorry I didn't do the reading that the sisters left me...I feel kinda bad." We were all just so amazed! We had an amazing lesson and Luis was able to come with us again. The Spirit was so strong! He has so much faith...we just have to get him to act on it. That is a huge problem. There are so many people that just expect God to do everything for them and they aren't willing to act on it. And then, when things go bad, they blame God. I just don't understand that mentality. If you want something, you have to work for it. Tangent...sorry. Pray for Daniel, though. He needs it :)

     I'm not sure what we are going to do with Lili...It's super sad because she has a desire to learn, but not really to change. The lessons we have with her are so great and she gets it! She just is 16 and isn't willing to work for it. Action...people...faith is an action word!

     Nothing else too crazy to report. We've had a bajillion meetings this week so I was able to see Hna Toro again. She's still doing well. She only has one transfer left after this...sad day! Hna White and Hna Carlson are still hilarious. We have so many adventures and I still think we laugh more than we talk at nights. I have really been blessed with some fantastic companions! Don't get me wrong...we are all extremely imperfect and have our moments. However, I took Mama Sandey's advice about loving all of your companions to heart. When you're not dwelling on the negative things it is really easy to just love them for who they are :)

     Well, I love you all family and amigos! Keep staying classy! MWAH!

so...i got baptized...no really!

     So, some of you may be wondering about my heading for this week. I want you to know that I am very much worthy and still in full-missionary mode. But yes, some guy off of the street shook my hand and baptized me. I was a bit star-struck to be completely honest. We were just chillin' in church and this guy walks in. It was very obvious to us that he didn't speak Spanish so we were a bit confused. We went and shook his hand after sacrament (that's when he baptized me) and found out that he is a guy that we actually see a lot. He usually stands on the corner of Florin and Franklin and is waving around a sign that says, "Jesus Saves, I Repent, Amen!" We always honk at him and wave so we felt pretty privileged to have him in our church. He only stayed for a little bit of sacrament meeting and then he left, but not before he spent a good 20 minutes telling us all about how the Spirit of God was inside of us and how we need to embrace that spirit. He was very into it. He even started crying a couple of times! It was so fantastic! Hermana White turned to us and said, "Just think, if you wouldn't have come on your mission you never would have met him." SO true! The Elders were joking around that night when they called and congratulated me on my baptism HA! 

     Also at church, Presidente Beus taught a lesson on Family History in our combined RS/Priesthood and he was so excited to tell the whole branch how we found out that we were related. He even passed around a picture where his great-grandpa and my great-great-grandpa-who are brothers-are having a family picture. Nifty, eh? Their family is going to Logan this Thursday to visit their oldest son. I think Hermana Beus is going to try and get ahold of Mollie or Jake through FB. I also gave her Grammy Freestone's name so she could send a picture-so be ready for it :)

     Last Tuesday we went to the temple and it was SO fantastic! I learned a TON! Seriously, me and the Hermanas walked out and were like, "WOW!" So, I'm going to try and go back next transfer Tuesday. It was so nice to be in the temple again. It's been way too long. That is the one downside of the mission...we only get to go 4 times per year. Sad day :( I was able to see Hermana Marroquin, though. She left last Thursday to go home. She is the first Hermana to leave since I have been here. I got to hug her goodbye in the temple. It's amazing the friendships that you make here!

     Um...investigators...Lili. We're really struggling with her right now. She's having some doubts and we may have to drop her. I will cry...no question. I love her so much and I know that this gospel can bless her, but if she doesn't put in her part then we can only help her so much. Daniel, however, is so GOLD! No chiste! We stopped by on Thursday and gave him a Book of Mormon. He was really excited about it. We explained to him how it can help us learn alongside with the Bible and how it also clarifies some things that were lost in all of the translations of the Bible and he was like, "How come everybody doesn't read it?" Yeah. We just laughed a little and said, "We don't know. But that's why we're here-to help you and as many others who will listen come closer to Christ." It was a super powerful lesson. He was also praying every day and he said that he could notice a difference in his life! Score! However, he didn't come to church yesterday :( We went over after dinner and took Luis-a member who is leaving on his mission on October 9-and had another super great lesson. Luis bore a very touching testimony about his conversion and how the Lord gave him strength to become a better person. The Spirit was so strong in there. We even talked about baptism and he is now praying about whether or not he should be baptized on October 26. Keep him in your prayers!

     Oh! So here is a classic joy of being a missionary. I guess there has been a story going around that there are some European women who go door to door selling "baby stuff" and they walk through your house to get a layout for their "supplies" and then they come around a few days later, steal the little girls, and sell them into sex-trafficking. Sick, right? Well, a lady in our branch gave us a referral and we have been trying to contact them for a few days. We would just knock on their door and no one would answer. We thought that they were just ignoring us. Well, we ran into the member and told her that would could never get ahold of her neighbors. As it turns out, the neighbor was home, but she thought that we were these creepy European women and that we wanted to steal her daughters! She called our member and was like, "The women are at my house! Do you see them? I'm going to call the police right now!" Our member saw us and told her, "No! Those are sisters from my church! Don't call the cops!" And that, my friends, is the story of how we almost got arrested :)

     I absolutely love it here! I seriously would not trade this for anything. Every day-no matter how tiring it is-I fall more and more in love with my mission. I have also never been closer to the Savior in my life. I was watching the Relief Society Session and I just had this calm, peaceful feeling the entire time and I realized just how truly blessed I am to be here. I love this gospel with all of my heart and I know that it's true. There is no way in heaven or earth that I would be here if I didn't.

     I love you all more than I can express in words! I look forward to hearing from you :) The mail has been super backed up so I'm not ignoring anyone...promise! Well, work hard, have fun, git 'r done! MWAH!

Love, Hermana Freestone

its crazy how the lord prepares people

     This week a lot of crazy stuff has happened. A LOT! For starters, Hna White, Carlson, and I are all staying in Sacramento. This pretty much guarantees me another two transfers here because Hna White will have been here for 3 transfers and Hna Carlson is waiting on her visa so I will be here for a little bit :) Which is a good thing because I absolutely LOVE this area!

     Last Monday we did some thrift store shopping. Not gonna lie, that was fun :) After P-day was over we went to say goodbye to a family that Hna White baptized last transfer: the Suarez Family. They are the cutest family ever and I am going to miss them so so much! Especially Hermana Litzy :) On Tuesday we did an English fast. It was so much fun and it really helped me to learn some more Spanish :) On Wednesday we went to go and teach Maira and Gabby again but they weren't home so we talked to Gabby's mom (the witch doctor lady) again. Well, she made them same "prophecy" for all three of us again about our future. It was kinda crazy! She also fed us dinner. She was so nice! We tried to teach her and her husband, but they really aren't interested. We did sing "Soy un Hijo de Dios" with them though!

    We were able to teach Lili this week again. We had a really great lesson about Keeping the Sabbath day holy. It was super powerful and the Spirit was so strong. Unfortunately, she still never made it to church :( Sad day! We're hoping that her mom will let her get baptized and that will give her some more motivation to come. Mostly she doesn't come because she's 16 and stays up until 3 or 4 in the morning and then sleeps until 1 or 2. I don't understand how you can physically do that...but I'm getting old...

     Saturday was the best day this week! It actually rained! We were out and about with our paraguas and just loving life. I'm not gonna lie, it was 60's and I was pretty cold. I'm not excited for the winter here! On the plus side, when it stopped it warmed back up to 70. Well, we were trying to contact a referral from the elders and we met a boy named Daniel. He is 18 (we think) and he is so golden! Like, we taught the first 3 lessons in one visit! He grew up Catholic, but he doesn't go to church. His mom wants him to have religion in his life. He had some fantastic questions about Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation. The spirit was just so strong! He told us at the beginning  that he really doesn't believe in God. After some questions, we found out that he just doesn't feel like God has answered any of his prayers. We told him about the Plan of Salvation and he said, "Maybe He does exist." I was really to cry! He said the absolute sweetest prayer at the end of the lesson (only the 2nd in his life). We are all feeling so good about him and blessed that we are able to teach him! He even said yes to be baptized :) It's crazy how the Lord prepares people. He got sick on Sunday so he couldn't come to church, but he's coming to soccer on Friday :)

     Unfortunately, our temple tour with Gleidy fell through :( She went out of town. Also, her mom still has to go in for some appointments about her throat cancer, so we are praying that they will be able to come with us to church soon. We had a really great lesson with them last night! Gleidy is still reading and her mom has started to read the Libro de Mormon! They were really excited to learn about General Conference though. Who wouldn't? I CAN'T WAIT!!! I am so excited for my first conference in the mission :) That also means 6 months for me...gross. 

     On Sunday I had to bear my testimony in sacrament meeting. SCARY! I think it went well. It all made sense what I was saying in my mind, but I'm not entirely sure it made sense to anyone else. Oh well, the spirit was there so hopefully, if nothing else, they got a good feeling :) Ha!

     Well, lots of great things happening at home! I love reading about all of Mollie and Jake's activities. I think my companions are sick of hearing how fantastic my siblings are...no me importa ;) I love to brag about them! Keep up the good work! I love you all so so so so much! I love the work here and I know that I am definitely where I am supposed to be. I wouldn't trade it for anything :) MWAH!

Love, Hermana Freestone

our investigators are golden!

     So, I hit 5 months this last week...sick! That day (Tuesday) we had a new missionary meeting. I got to go in with the trainers this time. Imma just say, I hope I don't have to do that anytime soon. Training would be terrifying! I like being middle man. But since when has a mission ever let me feel comfortable? Ha! We did another exchange on Tuesday-the last one!- with Hermana Skidmore. She is just so fantastic. She is one transfer younger than me. Talk about a prepared missionary. I hope that I will be able to work with her one day!

     We had two lessons with Lili this week. The first one we were going to teach her about the Word of Wisdom, but it just went off in an entirely different direction. We talked about recognizing the Spirit. Lili also mentioned that she really wants to talk to her mom about being baptized but she is scared so we helped her to overcome a few things and gave her some advice about how to approach it. Lili started to cry a little. She told us that she always feels good when we come over :) It was very powerful! We also went over on Saturday and we were able to teach her and her sister Lesli "the Big 3" aka The Law of Chastity, Tithing, and Word of Wisdom. They both agreed to live them too! Even more fantastic: they both drink coffee sometimes but decided that they weren't going to do it anymore. Just like that! Ah! I love the mission! The Lord truly prepares his people :)

     We also are teaching another lady named Gleidy and her mother Antonia. They are from Guatemala. Gleidy has been taught before, but she was dropped because her mom had throat cancer and she was also going to radiation and didn't have time. However, her mother is now in remission! Gleidy has 4 kids and is actually married (a miracle in and of itself) AND says that she knows that The Book of Mormon is true! We taught her the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit was SO strong! She and her mother both loved it. She even expressed her desire to be baptized. She just wants to make sure that she is qualified. We are going to have a temple tour on Saturday. Pray for her! Our investigators are golden!

     There is another less-active family in our branch that has a ton of drama, but I love them SO much! So, the dad Carlos is married and has two kids: Daniella and Nuno. His wife is Blanca. Blanca has been in jail for the last bit because of drugs and being around the wrong crowd. She just got out of jail like 4 days ago and she loves us! Blanca's sister Caroline is 19 and moved in to the apartment to help Carlos with the kids a while ago. We visit with Caroline a lot. It's a bit crazy with her sister back, but they are more than willing to let us come over for dinner, to share scriptures, and they told us that they are going to start coming back to church this week. We'll see, but it's definitely a start. Caroline is very special to me so I hope so!

     Hna White has been sick this week and Hna Carlson isn't feeling so hot at the moment. Um, yeah, I am living off of Vitamin C right now. That's the only downside to being with someone 24-7. It's rough. However, I love my Hermanas so much! We have had several moments where we have been laughing so hard that I started to cry! I am so blessed that we get along so well. I can't believe that next week is transfer week. That means Man-up Monday. You know, cuz our P-days are usually Monday, but on transfer week they are on Tuesdays. Bonus: we are going to the temple next week! I CAN'T WAIT!

     Well, I love you all! MWAH!

Love always, Hermana Freestone

And then a bum took our picture

     Oh my, this week has seemed so long because of our severe lack of P-day time. There is a reason we have them people. Sundays are the busiest day of the week, therefore Monday is our day of rest. Hna Toro and I had a joke. The Spanish version of "Welcome, Welcome Sabbath Morning" starts, "Bienvenidos, dia santo. Ya podemos descansar." LIES!!! So we changed the words to "Bienvenidos dia santo. Ya debemos trabajar." Ha! We're so clever :) We had to make a bajillion phonecalls, face-to-face people, find rides, study, train, and a ton of other stuff that seems simple, but we were completely drained!

     On Tuesday I did an exchange with Hnas Washburn and Clonts in North Sac. We did a LOT of tracting! My door approaches are getting pretty fantastic. We all had to stretch ourselves a little bit because we're all still learning :) I love Spanish!!! I have a sneaking suspicion that Spanish is the language that we all spoke in Heaven...just sayin. I can definitely testify that the Lord is helping me because I took 2 years of Spanish and just learned the bare essentials. I've been on a mission for 5 months and I can, at least, have a halfway decent conversation with someone. The gift of tongues is real! :) Really though. On a serious note. I know that he is helping me every step of the way :) We did another exchange on Saturday. Hna Carlson and I were with Hna Hanson. It was great! We taught some really great brothers Jose and Eusavio. They are from Mexico :) They are very deep searchers and are going to get baptized...they just don't know it yet. We taught a fantastic Plan of Salvation lesson with a member and they were both like, "It makes so much sense!" One of them even said he felt like he'd heard it before. The gospel is so great!!!

     On Thursday President and Sister Lewis took us to breakfast at IHOP because our zone broke the high water mark for baptisms in South Sac. it was 10 in one month and we hit 11 :) We were all eating or fluffy pancakes and President had us go around in a circle and talk about our baptisms. Well, after we went around we only counted 10 people. Everyone was looking around and the zone leaders were frantically counting numbers in their planner and President was like, "Did you really not break the mark?" We were all freaking out! Then, some blessed child of God Elder realized that he was counting for the wrong month and we really did have 11. Mini heart attack right there! We all went out to take a picture after and President asked some homeless guy to take our picture. His name was Gabriel. Talk about an eventful morning....

     We have really been trying to strengthen the ward here. The retention isn't all that fantastic so we visit a lot of less-actives. Honestly, I love it! I love listening to their conversion stories and reminding them that they truly do have testimonies! It also builds mine. One thing I am learning every day is that everyone has their story. People are so complex and yet we are so quick to put them in boxes and criticize them for their faults. The Lord loves us all individually. Once we learn to love people the way Heavenly Father loves us, we will be so much better!

     I just love my companions. We laugh SO much! We are all different from each other and I think that is what makes it interesting. Last night we were laughing so hard that we were crying. My stomach hurt so much! I was laying in bed laughing uncontrollably. The Lord truly knows what He is doing when he puts people together :)

Love, Hermana Freestone

on the move missionaries

 This week has been so crazy busy and there are no signs of slowing right now. I did another exchange in North Sac with Hna Clonts and Hna Kennard and it was so much fun! I just love working with the other sisters. Funny story: we went to dinner and the member made some super spicy food. I'm not talking spicy like, "Oh, I need some water." I'm talking like so spicy my lips were turning red and it burned both ends if you catch my drift....On Saturday we had another exchange and I finally got to stay in my area. Hna Hanson came to party with Hna White and I. We did some service that morning. There is a lady in our branch that cleans houses and one of the houses that she cleans had a gigantic orange tree in their backyard and they wanted us to come and pick them. I thought it was just to help them gather them all up, but they let us take home all 10ish bags that we picked. Hna Hanson was climbing all over the tree, I was on a ladder, and Hna White has a nifty little picker. It was great and we were able to share a scripture with the people that lived there :) We also taught quite a few other lessons that day. We were definitely "On the Move" missionaries. 

     Thursday was Zone Conference. It was my first one. Apparently, you have to get your cars inspected and if you don't pass you could lose your driving privileges. Well, the sisters hadn't cleaned that car for almost 3 transfers and it was a disaster. You probably could have filmed an episode of "Hoarders" in there with all of the junk and nastiness. I don't know how we drove it to be completely honest. After one run through the car wash, 6 rounds of quarters at the gas station vacuum, and an hour of spot-cleaning, dusting, and window washing our car was sparkling! You could definitely feel the difference. Anywho, training was fantastic! We talked about being "on the move, on point, and on purpose" missionaries. They actually changed the dress code for the elders. It's pretty nifty. I learned a ton from it. I love our meetings as missionaries! You just have so many spiritual experiences!

     We were able to teach Lili again this week and  it was fantastic! She is so ready and I just keep praying that she will receive an answer and that her family will support her. I have never heard someone pray so genuinely. She almost made me cry again! We were also able to teach her older sister Lesli. She got framed for something a while ago and got out of Juvie around the same time I arrived here and is on house arrest. She is 17 and told us that she has been praying for her sister to get baptized because she knows that Lili really wants to and she also told us that she wants to come to church because of how much Lili loved it! Ah! I am so excited for them! Other than that, it has been really hard to get ahold of people this week. La semana que viene will be better though :)

     So, fun story. Our branch president is President Beus. After much digging yes, we are related. His great-grandpa and my great-great grandpa are brothers. He has a book of the original Beus family and all of the following generation up until the 80's. Yeah...dad's name is in the book. I took some pictures of what it looked like. I was kind of awe-struck in their living room for a few minutes :)

     Today we had a huge activity "El Campo Esta Listo." It was for all of the Spanish population in the mission. We have been planning it for a couple of months now. We had it at the temple grounds. We had carne asada, brincolines, zumba classes, un torneo de futbol, and a ton of other stuff. We were so excited for it and were expecting a lot of people. Well, you know how it hasn't rained since I've been here? Yeah, the heavens opened and the rains came down and the floods came up! We were drenched. However, "no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing" and we still had a huge turnout! Like, over 800 people. I love this work! I was also really excited to see the other Spanish missionaries again. I got to see all of my Hermanas today :) It was a big success and I know that we were blessed because of it :)

     Well family, I love you all and am so proud of you! Congrats to Kris and Lori! So excited! Keep staying great! Happy Birthday today Ali. MWAH!

Love, Hermana Freestone