May 26, 2014 Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!!

May 26, 2014 Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!
Feliz Cumpleanos My Amazing Dad!! And lance!
Happy Graduation to Jacob!!
Hermosa familia!

Thank you everyone for the many kind thoughts and everything! I love you all!
Happy birthday to me! Thank you for the package and everything! I
loved it all! It had all of my favorite stuff in it, my family must
know me well!

This week I am going to share miracles that happened because, I feel
like it, and I want to switch it up a little. Mostly for me, because
this week was rather hard, with lots of work and no mucho exito, and
for some reason I am just so happy. I just love it. Why? Because it's
the best thing ever.

We had an awesome lesson with Barbara. She is our investigator who
isn't married to Aaron YET, or she would be a member! We talked about
the Book of Mormon, and why it is SO important. She was so cute and
marked scriptures she liked, and she marked what questions she had,
and I was just thinking, "I wish everyone in la Rama did this."
Miracle #Barbara read the Book of Mormon!

On Saturday we had a lesson with Jamie, (who lives with Kelvin,
Joshuel, Barbara, and Aaron.) He speaks English and we had heard he
knew Buddy Sites (they are in the same grade) and we asked him to come
with us. He totally came looking like a missionary with scriptures
ready and everything. It was THE BEST member present lesson I have had
up here in Woodstock! Buddy shared powerful experiences and shared his
knowledge and wasn't afraid to shared what he knew. He testified of
when he wanted to know the church was true, and so he prayed, and felt
something so powerful. Jamie and him connected SOO well! At the end of
the lesson Jamie was like, "I am gonna pray tonight about getting
baptized!" And the look on Buddys face was so happy because already he
could feel love for Jamie, then it made me so happy. I was thinking,
"Yeah, I know, love man... It's real.." Haha. I was also thinking
about how much I really do love people out here. I can't describe it.
Miracle #Jamie WILL receive an answer

On Sunday we talked with 5 familias, menos activos! It was awesome! We
have tried their homes and finally we were able to meet them. I was so
happy, the first step is meeting them, serving them, loving them, and
THEN you can bring them back to the fold. Miracle #familias that will
come back to the church

We had four dinner apts this week. It's very interesting because EACH
family in our branch is going through a huge trial. Every single
family. Because we have taught the Book of Mormon to every family we
are on Plan of Salvation. This lesson is one of my favorites to teach
because it brings SO much hope. The families we have taught love this
lesson, they don't know too much, but they have so much faith that if
they read their Book of Mormon, like we have been asking and inviting
them to do, and if they prepare to go to the temple they can live with
their familias para siempre. I love it! How powerful of a doctrine is
this, in the midst of what these familias go through such as; drugs,
death, dudas, debt... Etc. this is a miracle!
Miracle #familias are realizing they can be together forever!

Another miracle is that the sun is finally out and I got some Vitamin
D! It also means that people are happier and they listen to us when we
knock on their door! It also makes riding bikes wonderful because we
get to talk to everyone we see, and we get a little bit of exercise!
Miracle #the sun!

Most of the rest of the week we tried to do finding. Finding those
people that have been prepared by God! But the last miracle I am going
to share with you all is that........ I AM STAYING IN WOODSTOCK! Yes,
another transfer but I love it here! I am excited that I get to stay
here with the people I love. There is still work for me too do, so I
better work really really hard this transfer to get done what I need
to do, whatever that may be. Miracle # I am staying in Woodstock!

Something's I learned this week. There was a big crisis that happened
in our branch a few years ago, and we learned about it a few weeks
ago. Our branch has many problems but right now all of us missionaries
are trying to repair the damage that was done, because it was really
really bad. Everyone in the branch was affected. Because of this, many
people have doubts about the church especially with the leaders of the
church. So, I decided to read the story of Naaman in the bible. It's a
story of this great warrior who is healed from leprosy. He goes to the
prophet expecting the prophet to heal him, and the prophets servant
comes our and tells him to wash 7 times. Naaman gets upset because he
wanted the prophet to heal him. Eventually Naaman does it, and is
healed! How critical is it to follow the prophet or any of the leaders
we have in the church? It is such a blessing that we have so many
people willing to help us and lead us if only we listen and obey, I
love it! I love the prophets we have, and I know they are men of God.

Also, I want to end with 7 things I am grateful for because I have
been working on gratitude this transfer! So I will end it with what I
have been doing everyday!
1. My familia-- which includes my real family, and my family out
here..meaning the branch:)
2. Being a missionary-- the best thing ever
3. The Book of Mormon-- because that is what we are focusing on with our branch
4. The plan of salvation-- so that FAMILIAS PUEDEN SER ETERNAS PARA SIEMPRE
5. Bikes-- I am maintaining weight right now.. Instead of gaining:)
6. Love-- it is key out here! Love the people, let them know you care!;)
7. Jesus Christ-- because he is everything. The center of our church,
the Book of Mormon, the plan of salvation, why I am here as I
missionary, and well everything else.

Well this was basically my week! I am so excited to stay here in
Woodstock, Hebron, Harvard, Marengo, and our other little pueblitos. I
hope you all have a wonderful day and week. Thank you for your prayers
for me, I know prayer is power! I feel them! I love you all.

Can you believe I am 20?.. Yeah! weird.
All grown up and savin China. (That was for dad)
All of me loves all of you all!
Love,
Hermana Hammond
                                            Tan lines from riding bikes!

                                          Before singing in church!

                                                          Our district!

                                                          Feliz Cumpleanos!

While Tracting!

May 19, 2014 Let the storm rage on

May 19, 2014 Let the storm rage on
Feliz Cumpleanos: My Beautiful Cousin Lindsey
Familia hermosa!

Jacob is graduating! I am so proud of you bud! I was thinking... When
they say your name you need to turn around and throw the Rocky
punch..(like in the movie..) you know why:)-- or yell "Avatar State
Yip Yip"

Let the storm rage on! Cold never bothered me anyway!
I decided to choose this topic title, theme, because this week I heard
this song -while buying chocolate for one of our members- with these
words in it, it was only the end of the song but I thought it was 
good; and it applied to me this week. I will tell you why...

Martes-- We went to Hermana Monges home. We went to basically see how
she was doing. Like always there were screaming kids, people smoking,
messy kitchen, and alcohol on the table. Right when we arrived, the
door was opened and the screaming was turned into smiles, the kids ran
and hugged our legs, and we got a big wet kiss on the cheek from
Hermana Monge. Then, as always, Hermana Monge started to cook up a
storm, thank goodness not with raw meat, or menudo this time. After
eating, Hermana Monge asked if we could give her a message. Haha. It
was quite hilarious, but I would give that woman a message everyday, I
love this family! Then we had Memo and Bella (Hna Monges grandchildren
who were born in jail) help us do the dishes and they were so cute to
help us. We shared a message about the Book of Mormon, and one day I
know these people will love and KNOW the Book of Mormon! 
Then we tried to find people, but no body wanted our message, I thought, bring it
on! We are one step closer to finding the people looking for the
gospel!

Miercoles-- we went to the temple! We go twice a year as a zone, at
Christmas and Mother's Day. I love the temple. It was hard to leave
the Celestial room knowing I had to go to do lots of hard work, go
back to getting rejected. Then I was comforted in knowing that this is
the best work ever! Because Woodstock is so far from the city we went
straight from the temple to our Book of Mormon class. We had to teach,
it was a good lesson and 4 people showed up! Good turn out! If we get
a few people there every time it's worth it!

Jueves-- we had a Zone meeting. It was good. It was all about
obedience. Apparently most missions, including ours, with IPads are
having extreme disobedience problems, especially with Pornography. It
was really sad, but good because obedience is so important. The
adversary will do anything to get us to fall.  One minute of
disobedience is a loss of the spirit, as a missionary, well in reality
as anyone, you cannot go through life without the spirit. It teaches,
testfies, protects, warns, and well, you cannot do anything without
it! This life is a battle, a test... Una lucha. As a missionary
especially I feel like we are on the front lines of the battle field,
and Satan is trying really hard to get us to fall. Why? Because we are
on the winning side. It was a great day!  Then we went to a birthday
party for one of our investigators, Monse, she's been taught by a lot
of missionaries, basically a member, she LOVES us! And we LOVE her! It
was quite the Mexican birthday party! We helped cook and we talked and
we sang, and it was so fun! It meant a lot to Monse, we couldn't stay
for too long, but it was fun!

Viernes-- well, we had a planning day. But we had 2 awesome lessons!
One with Gabriela, she is our investigator in Hebron! (Hebron is
seriously as small as 1,200 people, 15 streets, and state champions in
basketball of 1952. And yeah they are still proud of it.) she had read
the Book of Mormon! She is 20 years old and has 2 children, and we
were so happy she read the Book of Mormon! Then we had an awesome
lesson with Barbara y Aaron, the spirit was so strong. We talked about
the Book of Mormon. After so much testifying of the Book of Mormon
you'd think I would be sick of it, but in fact it is my favorite thing
to do! I love to testify with all of my soul that the Book of Mormon
is true!

Sabado-- well, you'd never believe it, but we helped set up....
Yes.... Another wedding. For the president of the Young Women's
daughter. As you all may have guessed President wants us doing a lot
of service for the members, and here especially because our main focus
here is to build the members in the branch so that more can come into
it. Well, because our branch depends on the English ward the young men
and young women and primary go to the English ward, so it was an
English wedding. It was actually fun because she had all the stuff, we
didn't have to buy it at the dollar store using our food money, and it
was pretty!-- Want the gospel? Ask the missionaries! Want the spirit
in your life? Ask the missionaries! Want to have eternal life? Ask the
missionaries! Need help with a wedding? Ask the missionaries!-- ha ha,
I'm so funny. After setting up for the wedding we went straight to
Kelvin, Joshuel, and Jamie. Some of our investigators (Kelvin and
Joshuel are the kids of Barbara and Jamie and his family are living
with them.) we taught them the Plan de Salvacion. It was good! I love
teaching children because they just have incredible faith.

Domingo-- MIRACLE DAY! We had so many miracles! First we went to
church and HILDA was there! Hermana Monges daughter! (The mother of
Memo and Bella, who was in jail). She is 22, and we have become pretty
good friends. When she came in the church she tapped my shoulder,
cause I was turned around, and was like, "hi hermana." I turned around
so fast and gasped and yelled "Hilda!" (Well a quiet yell because we
were in the church) and threw my arms around her! I was so happy to
see her! She just came right in and sat by us! She listened to the
talks and sang the hymns! It was amazing! I was so incredibly happy!
Then we went after church to find a less active we had been trying
Hermana Chavez and WE FOUND HER and taught her! She doesn't come to
church because of work, I think work is totally the devils tool, but
it was awesome that we finally found her at home. After Hermana Chavez
we went to Marengo! (Another city we cover) and we found ANOTHER less
active family! It was amazing! The family Aguilar. Well,we got to know
them and it was awesome! Now it's time to get them back to church.
After la familia Aguilar we rode our bike around Marengo for a bit to
go find some people and then we headed back to Woodstock. It was such
a day of miracles. Many prayers of gratitude were sent heavenward for
this day.

During the past few weeks Hermana Woolf and I have really been working
hard, and doing a lot of finding. Sometimes it feels like we are in a
storm. It's hard to keep going, it's hard to have faith that you'll
find these people at home, it's hard to get rejected; but when I heard
the last words of this song "Let the storm rage on!" (Sorry if this
song is inappropriate, just ignore the song, I promise I only heard
the last sentence of it haha) I was thinking-- of course it's going to
be hard to find people who are ready for the gospel! Salvation is not
cheap.-- So let the storm rage on! I will go find people every day if
it gets us closer to finding the ones who have been prepared by God! I
will try finding people, and I will be a seed planter if it means it
gets us closer to those who are the humble, and the ready! Let the
storm rage on! When you have a miracle day, like saturday  it is worth
every minute of hardship you go through. When I go tracking my new
theme is-- Let the storm rage on! Cold never bothered me anyway! Some
times the people are cold and mean-- but it doesn't matter because
soon The Lord will humble them and hopefully more missionaries will be
lead to them! This was my week!

I pray that we are reading our scriptures, especially our Book of
Mormon. Why? Because I am BEGGING people out here to read it, and I
know if all my family at home reads it then the people clear over here
will read it. I know it! So you all better be reading it! I also hope
we are reading Predicad mi Evangelio! It's the word of God!

Let the storm rage on! Cold never bothered me anyway...
I love you familia!
All of me loves all of you all!
La Hermana Hammond
                                                   Memo, Bella & my comp doing dishes! 

May 12, 2014 El Valor

May 12, 2014 El Valor!
Feliz Cumpleanos: Elder Spencer Williams!
Mi Hermosa Familia,

 I loved talking to you! Holy cow! I love you all so much! Your all so
beautiful/ handsome! Jared-- I love the first glasses you showed me!
You look so handsome, but make sure they are comfortable! Man I just
have the most gorgeous beautiful family ever! Ah I just love you all!
(I am starting to get really flowery, I blame it on the Mexicans) :)

Martes- we were in Harvard! We went by and saw Rosanley and she needed
our help translating. Well, one day she will get over all her problems
with offense and come into the church. It's a little nerve racking
going over to her house because she's, well not the nicest person on
the planet. After Rosanely we went finding! It was awesome! We finally
used the bikes, not too much success, but it was awesome! I was
seriously pumped the whole time. Does my bike have two different
tires? Yes it does. Is it one bad bike?Yes it is. Did we bargain for
it in Spanish? Yes we did. It's awesome! I love it! We were so tired
by the time it was done.

Miercoles- we had district meeting and it was awesome! I love district
meetings. It's such a comfort to have people out here doing the same
things we do! We all strengthen each other! We help each other out,
it's da best, I looove it. After, we got our bikes ready to do some
finding in Woodstock. It was great, not much success but it's still
awesome to have a bike. Then we had our Book of Mormon class. It was
the Elders turn this week and they taught Lehi's dream. It is SO cool
teaching Latinos this story because they are descendants of Lehi and
they all have dreams! They are seriously blessed with this spiritual
gift, they can see visions with dreams, it's so cool! They totally
connect with this story. 4 people showed up to this class and they all
loved it because they are the Lamanites. What can I say? It's awesome.

Jueves-- We made cookies ALL day. We made 375 cookies ish. Our cookie
blitz last time worked, and so we thought, it's Mother's Day we will do
it again! So we did. We worked hard all day to plan and to make
cookies!

Viernes- We delivered some of the cookies to all of our members in
Harvard. It was a good effort! Then after delivering in Harvard we had
dinner with Hermana Sori. It was so great. She has a daughter who is
really struggling, her friends are terrible, her decisions she's
making are horrible and it's really sad. The night before her daughter
threw one of her crazy scary tantrums (she does it quite often) and
they had to call the police and the ambulance, it was really bad. Pray
for this family! When we went over the next day her daughter was home
sleeping, and we were there to help cheer up Sori (her mom). It was a
great time as we cooked and cleaned together.

Sabado- We went to the city because Hermana Woolfs old investigator
got baptized! It was awesome! I LOVE THE CITY! There are so many
people to talk to, it's awesome. The baptism was so wonderful. The
lady getting baptised was so ready. When I was there I said to
myself, "Man, this really does happen!" In our branch we don't have
too many baptisms because our first priority is to build the branch so
people can be baptized into it. I love Book of Mormon classes and
working with members, but I really love baptisms! That was literally
our whole day because driving there takes awhile, but totally worth it
because baptisms are the best!

Domingo-- I gave a talk in church! Hermana Woolf and I both did about
being disciples of Christ. It went great! Then I got to talk to my
wonderful family! It was awesome! I'll be good till Christmas now! I
loved talking to you! Your all just so beautiful! Then we delivered
more cookies in Woodstock and had a lesson with Barbara and Aaron. It
went alright, but they don't remember anything from the restoration
and they stopped coming to church. So we went over the first and we
realized that they need to be taught the lessons over again, it's a
little sad because they were really awesome about going to church but
now they don't even know about the Restoration, the adversary is real.
When people come to know the truth the devil doesn't really like it.
But honestly it doesn't matter because Satan's power compared to
Christ's power is sort of embarrassing. Christ's power is the ultimate
power!

That was basically my week! I am so happy I got to talk to you all. I
miss you all so much! I just want to share a little bit from my talk.
It was about how we can be a disciple of Christ. I love this topic
because our branch doesn't know that they are disciples of Christ. So
Hermana Woolf and I tried to nail it in them. WE ALL ARE DISCIPLES OF
CHRIST! I used Elder Anderson's talk from conference and Hermana Woolf
used Elder Hollands. My talk was about how being a follower of Christ
means we all love each other. I said it really boldly that this Rama
CAN BE FAMILY if we start loving each other. Then I talked about
courage. In this world we need more courageous people! We need people
who will stand up for what is right! This is one of the quotes I used
for my talk and I need to apply it to myself. It's from President
Monson, "We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and meet
opposition. Let us--all of us--have the courage to defy the consensus,
the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings
the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an
attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die
manfully but also as the determination to live decently. A moral
coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because
others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their
fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as
well." This is such a powerful quote! What else can I add to the words
of the profetas! Nada!

My companion is good! Sometimes not the nicest but all is well! We
learn to get along with all different sorts of people on the mission.
She's struggling with this area and wants to be back in the city, she
misses her old investigators and old ward members. That's just part of
the mission!

I am doing wonderful! I love it out here in the sticks! It's awesome!
I love the people here, some are harder to love, but I still really do
love them all. For another week in Woodstock!

All of me loves all of you!
La Hermana Hammond
                                             Hermana Woolf & I

                                                      We LOVE our bikes!

                                                         Yay for cookies!

   LOOK MOM!! The shoes I said I would never wear! They work great!! Some shoe lovin pic!! :)

Cinco de Mayo 2014

Cinco De Mayo!
Feliz Aniversario= My Amazing Grandma & Grandpa Green 60 years! WOW!
Mi familia!
Well, it's been a great week with lots of adventures!

Martes--We were crazy busy on Martes. We had an appointment at 10 with
our now new investigator in Hebron, Gabriela and we taught the first
lesson! It went so well! I love the first lesson! I love testifying of
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Then straight from Hebron we went
to Harvard to go visit Hermana Monge, we helped her clean and cook and
she fed us some DEEP fried chicken. Like a whole pot of Canola oil, She put
the chicken in and let it sit there. The chicken also wasn't too good,
like a little bad, but no worries! It all came out eventually. We then
shared a message about The Book of Mormon with her.
To all of our members who don't come to the Book of Mormon class, we give them their own Book of Mormon class. Our strongest members don't really know who
Nefi is.  So we are going to go through the whole Book of Mormon
with them!

 Then we had another eating cita all the way in Crystal Lake
to Hermana Calixs. I love that lady! We made homemade tortillas and we
had a great time together! We also shared a lesson about the Book of
Mormon. She's so cute:) then we drove down and met up with Hermana
Felt for exchanges!

Miercoles-- I had an EXCHANGE WITH HERMANA FELT! I went to the city!
Oh my goodness I love the city as a missionary! I LOVE to contact! In
Woodstock and Harvard and Hebron and ALL of our many cities there is
NO one outside and we are in the car SO much, I just love talking to
people! It was SO fun! I love Hermana Felt. She is just one of the
companions that I just click with, we really know how to work hard but
still laugh! It was SO fun! I love their area! We ate at Hermana
Milagros (a member) (who is SO cute!) then we went and walked to an
appointment with their person on date Wanda, and then we ate again at
another members home, but no worries cause we walked it all off! It
was SO fun! Ah! It was a little difficult for me to go back to
Woodstock where the branch struggles and where we are trying to find
people all day. I didn't want to leave! But... Then I got to Woodstock
and knew.. Esta bien:)

Jueves-- planning day! Horrah!

Viernes-- We had an awesomely epic story on Viernes! There was Hermana
Woolf and I, and we went to visit Hermana Monge and she has had such a
hard life. One of her sons was murdered, her other son was deported,
one of her daughters (who is the other member) has had a child in jail
at 15 years old, and her last daughter was kidnapped from the age of 5
and was just found a year ago, and is now breaking the law of Chastity
and doing a lot of drugs. Her daughters live with her, Hilda and
Kimmy. We went to visit this Hermana Monge and right as we step in the
house she hands me a potato peeler and a potato and guides me right to
the sink where the raw meat and potatoes were (yes, in the sink
together) and I started peeling potatoes. Then she grabs Hermana Woolf
and throws a white plastic robe and gives her a mallet, a mallet for
tenderizing the raw meat. Hermana Monge then showed Hermana Woolf how
to tenderize some meat, (oh I wish I could have seen my own face, my
look of terror!) Well, literally Hermana Woolf pulled a Thor and
tenderized that meat like I've never seen, both of us had raw meat all
over our arms, skirts, shirts, hair, and yes on our faces and in our
eyes. - I gagged a little at the scene but I was alright after awhile.
Then Hermana Monge left, (right as she left she literally turns my
face around and plants the biggest kiss almost right on my lips to say
she was leaving, Did I love it? Yes I did) because she had to work but
then MIRACLE happened! As we ate some of the meat and potatoes we got
to talk with Hilda and Kimmy! It was the coolest thing! They never
really open up to us, but this time they did! They told us that it was
hard for them to believe in a God because when they start to believe
horrible things happen to them. We told them that we, and because we
are missionaries, can feel Gods love for people, especially for Hilda
and Kimmy. We testified of the atonement and we showed Because of Him
and their hearts were softened. It was truly a miracle! Loving people
and being their true friend is the first step! I love this family!

Sabado-- ALL day Sabado... Guess what we did???.... Yep we had to set
up A WHOLE. ENTIRE. WEDDING. AGAIN. We told Sori we
would help (it's the parents of Sori-- the one who makes really good
food) and we went and almost NOTHING was set up, so we had to do
EVERYTHING, welcome to our branch :).. Anyways, so we did! All of us
missionaries, Elders included, were so tired. We stayed the whole time
(and I mean Mexican weddings are tiring) and then we had to clean up.
It was crazy. We had the help of one English ward member Sister
Parolgean... We couldn't have done it without her. Well.... I decided
that I am never doing a reception in the church, I am sorry mom and
dad. Truly..haha

Domingo-- WE HAD OUR CITA WITH KATIE! She fed us THE BEST lasagna I've
ever had! It was weird because the portion sizes were like... Normal
people food... And I wasn't like overloaded full when I left! Weird..
But it was really nice! Her husband served a mission in San Fransisco
and he was really nice! We shared "Because of him" and they all really
liked it, but we can tell she's not ready to be taught yet, Hermana
Woolf and I feel like we need to serve her a little more and then when
she is ready to be taught we will hand her over to the English
missionaries. Katie is just a little fragile, but we know that with a
little time and some service she will be ready for the gospel.
It's kind of crazy because they moved and so the English ward doesn't
know where they went, but guess who's the only person in the whole
world with their address and phone number? I AM! (That's just kinda
cool to say) but no worries I will give it to the English ward:)
They would make THE best Mormon family! Katie is SUCH a good person!
When we were at dinner she was like, "Well, Noelle and I are like Soul
Mates... She wants us to come to Idaho.." Haha it was awesome! Mom you
need to find her on Facebook! Katie Demsky or Densky. Anyway super
cool!

Well, that was basically my week! I am working right now on the
attribute Gratitude! I started working on this attribute at the
beginning of the transfer. It's not in Preach my Gospel, but like
President Uchdorf said, "it's the catalyst for all the other
Christ-Like attributes." I try to write 7 new things everyday that I
am grateful for. Sometimes it's really hard to think of new things
when you just feel so tired and no one listened to you, but I have
realized that sometimes even being able to get up and work out is such
a blessing! I have realized that I am so grateful for the tiniest
blessing Heavenly Fathers gives us. I feel like when we are grateful
for even the littlest things we are able to see with spiritual eyes
the power of God. We are able to realize just how blessed we are. We
are able to love people on a deeper level. We are able to serve with
all our heart, might, mind, and strength. It's amazing. It love it.

Well family I get to talk to you next week!, BAAHHHHH! :)  Wahoo! I can't wait! You are the best family ever! I miss you so much! Thanks for all you do!

All of me loves all of you all!
Love,
Hermana Hammond

                 We served in the library! We set up for Star Wars day! Just for jared!

 

Hna Calix  

 

Setting up the wedding!

                                        A la Boda!