March 18, 2015 Hermana Hammond Returns with Honor

March 18, 2015 Hermana Hammond Returns with Honor

                                                    Watching for her to come!!! We were soo excited!!

                                                        Together once again!!!!

                                             Lunch after the airport!!!

                                            Casa dulce casa!!!!

                                           We had fun decorating!!

                            We love our Hermana Hammond!!!!

March 16, 2015 Quoting from the words of Rafikki in Lion King, "It is time..."

March 16, 2015    Quoting from the words of Rafikki in Lion King, "It is time..." 

Feliz Cumpleanos: Meg, Kirsten and cute London!!!!

 Mi Querida Familia y Amigos

Elder L Tom Perry was amazing. Even with 6 broken ribs he sure is a fireball! He also served his mission in CHICAGO ILLINOIS! How cool is that? He had so much energy. While he was speaking I thought, "Man, one day I will have as much energy as you." I can tell you all about it at home though, but it was great.

We don't have time really to do anything today, so this will be short and sweet. I just want to finish my mission with my testimony.

I love my mission. Right when I say that my eyes get watery with tears. I think about all the people I have met, these beautiful people, I can't help but cry. I love them. I know God needed me here in Chicago because He wanted me to learn from them. All of them. I know God is in the very details of this work. I know He knows each one of His children. I can't fathom the thought, that truly all of Gods children run so deep, they all have such different lives, and yet he connects some of us, even from across the world together. God truly lives, and I know He loves us. I know he is hastening His work. He uses us little 19 and 20 year olds who don't even speak the same language as the people, to teach the most sacred and precious thing on the planet. Why does He do that?? How could He trust us? I know He has used me, something so little, from little Rexburg Idaho, who doesn't speak very good Spanish, who can't find her way around Chicago; because that is how he manifests himself. He shows that He is there, by very small and simple things.

I know Jesus Christ lives. I have seen lives change because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have seen people weep, smile, and rejoice because of Jesus Christ. He is so much more than those crude crosses hanging in peoples homes. I know we can be free from any guilt we have because of Jesus Christ. I know His grace is sufficient for us. I know that when people read the Book of Mormon they come closer to Jesus Christ. I have seen it change entire branches, I have seen it change families, I have seen it change lives. I know it's true. I love those beloved prophets in that book. I love our beloved prophet today. I know he is a prophet, seer, and revelator. I know that they do what the Lord tells them even simple things such as the inspiration of Ipads in missions, which can and will change the way missionary work is done, so in  essence change the world. I love each of the apostles as well, and know that they are called of God, and what they say, is what I want to do forever.

I love Joseph Smith. I would die for 3 people, my mom (my family), Jesus Christ, and Joseph Smith!!!  I know he died for this church because he knew of its truthfulness. I know he prayed to God, I have walked the grove where he prayed, and I know he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They appeared to Him. If you don't believe it, ask God, he is the one who appeared to Him, he would know!! I know that through Joseph Smith the Priesthood is restored. THAT IS WHY OUR CHURCH IS DIFFERENT!! I love the priesthood.

I know that God wants us to make covenants. He wants us to be a covenant- keeping people. Covenants truly do BIND us to Heavenly Father. That is why we make them. I love covenants, and forever I will strive to keep mine for the rest of my life. That's what this life is about. Binding ourselves with God, thus binding ourselves to our families. I know families will be together forever in the next life. I know I want nothing more than to live with my family forever, I love  you all, and well I will just be cheesy and say you all better have faith and repent so that we can live together forever.

I love that my missionary purpose is to bring souls unto Christ. To invite them, and help them have Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repent, helping them be baptized, and after helping them receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. Faith truly brings power.  REAL POWER. Repentance helps us change, and the last part is making covenants and keeping covenants. I know that this is the only way to happiness.

I know one day, we will all become like God if we do these simple things in life. That is the goal. I don't know a lot of things, but that is something I truly deeply know.

Well, I am crying here at the computer screen, and I can't see anymore.

I cannot tell you what my mission has done for me. I cannot, but I can tell you... I love the Lord. I love His children. I wish I could save all of them... but I guess I just cant... jaja.

See you in two days! SORRY I MIGHT BE WEIRD I DON'T MEAN IT!!! I love you!

All of me loves all of you all

Hermana Hammond

March 9, 2015 It's fine... ELDER L TOM PERRY IS COMING TO OUR MISSION THIS SATURDAY!!!!!

March 9, 2015 It's fine... ELDER L TOM PERRY IS COMING TO OUR MISSION THIS SATURDAY!!!!

Feliz Cumpleanos: Cookie!!!!!

Well family...

I just want to start off by saying that I love my mission. I love missionary work. I love the Book of Mormon. I love my family. I love the gospel. I love the companions I have had, and  adore my current companion. I love Hispanics. I love Spanish. I love Joseph Smith. I love singing himnos. But, mostly I love The lord, and I love His children. 

Our mission is actually a really special mission, because it was chosen to be part of the pilot of ipad missions. All of the missions that have ipads, were privileged to have Elder Zwick (on an assignment by Boyd K Packer) come to ever mission to speak to us. IT WAS AWESOME. Like you all probably have wondered, well it was a success. With Ipads came SO many blessings, and A LOT of challenges, for every mission. What they are doing is called "a reset". They are giving EVERYONE new ipads, and sending a very detailed training booklet. Elder Zwick talked about how the brethren have TRUST in us, so we are all getting better, new improved ipads. He talked firmly and clearly about how we KNOW if we are worthy of that very trust. It was awesome. Also, things here in Chicago are really picking up, Elder L. Tom Perry, even though he is 94 years old and has 4 broken ribs had the impression to come to our mission. BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN CHICAGO. Its all very exciting, and I feel so blessed that he is coming 4 days before I leave. HOW COOL! 

Well. Hermana Kohlhase and I put all of our goals this week at 10, 10 everything. (except for baptisms, and confirmations....) I am so excited to work hard this week. I had my final presidents interview yesterday, I just love President Woodbury so much. He is the mission president I needed and has taught me so much. He really has grown, and I have grown, and I know He loves the Lord. He told me with tears in his eyes, "Thank you Hermana Hammond, you have served with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength, and I wont lie, you look a little weary.. you have sprinted with full energy for the whole race. Every mission President needs an Hermana Hammond"   My eyes welt up with tears. One: because he could see how tired I was and I was trying to hide it. Two: Because I know I haven't been a perfect missionary, but the Savior has made up the difference and has made my mission perfect for me. I have seen myself change, and become magnified. I can not personally tell you what my mission has done for me. Any returned missionary would probably say the same. It is something that has to be lived. The best part is, is that it's not over. I know life is about  progression. 

I, love, my, mission. I have changed a lot, and there is still room for more change. You can all see some of the excerpts I put in from the beginning to the near the end. My mission has become very very sweet, and sacred to me. Something that I know has not only changed and blessed others lives, but truly has blessed and changed mine. 

BUT HEY.. I still have a week! So here we go! For the last week of my mission! I love you all! 

Question of the week?

Shall I falter? or SHALL I FINISH!!??

I will be a finisher

All of me loves all of you all! 

Hermana Hammond 

The CCM

Mexico!! HOLY Beautiful! I cannot get over it! It is so green, and we live in a PARADISE HERE! Although its RAIN season! haha, its insane how much it rains! The streets are literally ful everyday, like RIVERS AND PONDS flooding the streets, and do I have rain boots?.. haha no, but thats okay! I LITERALLY LOVE IT HERE. All of the workers are hispanics! Heck even my own roomates are MEXICAN! Right here from MExico city! ahaha! THEY ARE THE BEST! I love them" They hardly speak ANY ENGLISH! So, before I get to my Casa, I wanna talk about MEixco, we just got back from the TEMPLE!... It is BEAUTIFUL! Its like an actec TEMPLE! but.. white, and it literally stands out FAR more then any other temple stands out at all! Because surrounding it is GRAFFITI, literally everywhere, on every building and all of the buikldings are COLORFUL! LIke soooo colorful, like fusiah and blue and literally every color of the rainbow!

First letter in Chicago

Chicago, I am going to be quite honest, I do not like it very much. The sky is always grey, the buildings are ALL old old old, and so are the houses. I am in an area called Midway. South Chicago, TONS TONS TONS of black people, and the are Hispanics, and there are TONS of those too. 

I thought EVERY mission fit under this, Either a really really really COOL place (like Europe, south America,... beautiful ... etc) or you have the loving accepting people. Well I am here to say Chicago, is neither. The area, is one of the scariest, darkest, saddest places I have ever been in. And quite honestly, the people match the place, they are either rude, or Very catholic. That's how it goes here. Its hard, My companion opened this new area last transfer, and so this week TOTAL we have taught 4 lessons. 2 in Ingles and 2 in Espanol. And the rest of the time, we are knocking doors, on the bus talking to people, or walking to potentials houses with them telling us they don't want to hear our message. It is really hard, when my companion isn't very happy because literally EVERYWHERE surrounding is seriousness and sadness. So, basically its the hardest thing ever. I have wondered SO many times why I am here, when no one even looks at me, or even knows who I am, or doesn't even care that we literally have THE greatest message they will ever hear in their WHOLE lives. Sp, basically, all week I have been praying to like the area and love the people I serve. and, youll be pleased to know that I have made some progress, now, I don't hate the area!1 Yay! ... I just don't like it! I know! haha, step up right? 

There have been two songs that have been playing over and over again in my head, and one was Savior Redeemer of My Soul. (from 17 miracles), the line where it says "Make me more worthy, of thy love. And fit me for the courts above" The reason I am doing this, is because I want to be more worthy of Heavenly Fathers love. It doesn't matter where I serve, it matters HOW I serve. On Wednesday when I realized this I have been MUCH happier because I realize that it really doesn't matter. Youll be proud to know that not once have I complained out loud, I smile/talk/wave to EVERY person there is. (my thoughts are a little different)... but I am really trying hard to be sooo positive. 

11/12/13

"all of our appts fell through sadly, oh well, my goal was today to be happy, to love the people, and the weather is PERFECT, I CAN DO THIS.".. 

Jueves- In my journal it says, "Ah, hoy fue buen dia!" .. It was a good day!... we knocked doors, visited potential investigators that either didn't answer the door, or told us no, and then it was planning day, and planning takes around 3 hours... kinda the hardest thing ever, and then we had our first dinner apt! With Cinthia! Her daughter is crazy, and sooo cute Bella, during the whole lesson to keep quite she put stickers ALL over my arms, haha, hilarious, and then she ripped them right off me, along with a few of my arm hairs.. and the food made both Hna Felt and I sick, but not too sick! Another blessing! 

12/2/13

If we so much as act on a twig of faith, by knocking one more house, God grows it. Its incredible. Spanish is coming:) 

1/20/14

Domingo- well, because it was my last Sunday here I got pictures with
everyone and Angeles and Rudy let us come over to eat, and I told
Ricardo y Carmen and they almost cried, and they were like... no mi
hija!! ......While I was lamenting haha, I was flipping open my scriptures and
right as I opened them, I read the last lines from the book of Nefi,
which say, y yo debo obedecer

2/17/14

It was interesting because every Sunday I decide to read a story from the Bible (on a mission you never read from the bible, everything is from the Book of Mormon) but I want to get more familiar with the stories from the bible so I read a story every Sunday:) This Sunday I read the story of Job. I didn't know why, but I realize now that I needed to read it this week. Man, Job went through some of the hardest things, but one of my favorite verses that I read from it was Job 5:18 which says "For He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth and His Hands make whole." It reminds me of one of the talks by D Todd Christofferson about the Current Bush and it says, "How could you do this to me? How could you cut me down?" And the master says (something like) "Look little current bush, I know what I want you to be." In life I know the Lord needs to "make us sore" so that we can realize its through Him that we are "bound up." He needs to "wound us" so his hands can "make us whole". He does all of this because he know "what he wants US to be". 

3/17/14

So we started driving back towards home, and the spirit
spoke to us again saying, "Hebron." And I was like Hermana, "I think
we need to be in Hebron today." Which Hebron is a TINY town of 1,000
people, it's at the border of Wisconsin, and smells like cows. I
thought I was in Rigby. We have been told by tons of missionaries that
there is NO Mexicans in Hebron, but we went anyway. At first we
started knocking, giving out pass along cards and asking if people
knew of any Mexicans around, and then we went to the one store in the
whole city, which was.... subway... And we were like, there's gotta be
a Mexican in there, well there wasn't, but we asked the worker if he
knew were any lived, and he was like... "Yeah! Right across the
street!" So we went, and knocked some doors, and the last door we
knocked, they were Mexican. The mom had taken the lesson before in
Texas, and her daughter was AWESOME, she's15 years old. It was really
cool! This is the first Mexican any missionary has found I Hebron, not
only that, but they told us that they had family and friends in
Hebron, meaning, that's where we are going to be for the next while,
trying to light up the gospel in This little town! I know the spirit
lead us here, and honestly Hna Michael and I dont know what would have
happened had we stayed in Harvard, there wasn't a shooting or natural
disaster. But I learned that if you plan and work and be obedient, to
the best you can, then The Lord can bless you, and he can change you
course to what he wants you to do. But it's after ALL you can do on
your part!

4/28/14

"Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice,
and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water
that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell
on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he
is the God." Elijah then has all of the "prophets of Baal" killed.
WHOA!
There are many things that can be learned in this story and how it
applies to us, the main thing I learned that when God chooses his
prophet we better follow him! I remember in the CCM we watched a talk
given by Jeffrey R. Holland which he said, "If you don't know the
words of the prophets, it's the same as not believing them."
Do we know the words of our prophets now?  Are we reading Preach my
Gospel and reviewing talks from conference? These are ALL words and
scripture the prophets are giving us today! I know I need to do better
in knowing the words of the prophets.

5/19/14

We went to Hermana Monges home. We went to basically see how
she was doing. Like always there was 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 massage. Haha. It
was quite hilarious, but I would give that women a massage everyday..

6/16/14

 "I pray every single night, even when I can smell the smoke
from the cigarettes that my brother smokes." My heart sort of stung at
this comment. She knows that when she prays she will get help, that is
faith! She will receive comfort, even in the midst of her hard family
life. I love it! What faith is this? 

7/28/14

  I love the words from the Gardner when he says, "I know what I
want you to be...". God gives us trials and tests our faith so we can
grow to become like him. He knows what he wants us to become. My goal
and theme that I am working on this week is put my faith and trust in
The Gardner. Aligning my will to His. Being patient and waiting on His
timing. And I know one day I'll say, Thank you Lord for loving me
enough, to cut me down.

8/4/14

 Let me describe the house..... We started just throwing all the clutter on the floor away, we got
the vacuum but within the first push, it was clogged because of the
amount of flies.... We got to taking out the dishes in the sink...."We have to power-hose the dishes, it's the only way." We nodded
our heads, and silently got to work. Listening to Vocal Point

."I stand all amazed, at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the
grace, that so fully he proffers me." I was not crying because I
thought it was gross, not because of the smell, not because of the
sight, but because those words sank deep into my heart, and soul. I
was so confused as to why this women had to go through such a hard
life, I was so confused at why does she have to feel what she is
feeling, I was feeling so sad for how bad she hurt inside. Why did she
have to go through this? Why did she have to be the one to ache
inside? Why not me? Why did she get the family she got? There were no
words to describe what I was feeling for this women. I just stood
there on the grass, with tears streaming down my face. Then the words
rang in my head, "Oh it is wonderful, that he should care for me,
enough to die for me... Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me." 

10/13/14

ON wednesday we were running at 6 in the morning and we started doing some lunges and we look up and who do we see??..... ONE OF OUR INVESTIGATORS. Her name is Irma, and we met her contacting on the street. She told us to pray for her mother in Guatemala and so we did and then we saw her, and she came and told us her mother had passed away. What a miracle we were out there and she just happened to be walking (crazy right at 6 in the morning). Later that day we went to her home and taught her the Plan of Salvation, just a little part, it was a really powerful lesson. It was awesome because she was so grateful. Later on that day she told us that there was a pasture from the Catholic church going to her home to pray for her mom, and it just made me think that the message we brought her was nothing but hope. It was centered on Jesus Christ, and how families can be together forever, and about how she WILL see her mother again! The prayer they brought her, was nothing but morning over those who are passed, and a sad time. The gospel is amazing. It was a really cool miracle! 

10/27/14

I have such a testimony of how incredible God is. With each of these people, they hit their low, their personal rock bottom, He sent his messengers to go and rescue them. I always want to be ready for that call, whatever the Lords errand may be, I want to be ready for it. 

12/8/14

Nicholas's questions

Do dinosaurs need to be baptized? Because they are mean they need to be baptized

Do animals go to the celestial kingdom?

How did Jesus know he was Jesus?

Why did Jesus have to get baptized?
  "Because maybe he was a little bit bad?....no!"

What are Gods shoes look like?

12/15/14

I know that God gives us commandments not to uncage us, but to FREE us! 

I have seen what happens to families lives when there is Word of Wisdom problems, or when the law of chastity is broken. It is nothing but sad, and it takes a long time of repairment, but that is way we have the Savior! He helps us! I just love the thought that the we the missionaries, and the ward, and our friends are here on the side rooting, cheering on those who are coming, BUT i know its the Savior who is pulling with them, who is there every step of the way. I love Him. 

1/19/15

Then one funny story to end off this email: so last week one of our
less actives told us to go to this one Thai Place and she has been to
Thailand and said it was the best one in Chicago, so we decided to go.
Before this, I had taught Hermana kohlhase the Thai national
anthem.... 

2/16/15

I am learning so much, about how this gospel helps people know who
they truly are. It helps them have self worth. Why? Why is that?
Because the gospel tells us WHO WE WERE before this life. It tells us
what kind of people we were before we were sent down here. We are down
here, because we were the generals, captains, and front lined soldiers
in the war before this life. Heavenly Father saved us at this time,
and put us in the families he did at this time, so we could do once
again what we did back then. So I ask you, are you being that person
you were? Even more, I hope your being even better.

                                                          We were really tired!

                                                            Look where we went!!!

March 2, 2015 We went to an herbal tea party! (Don't worry it was approved!)

March 2, 2015 We went to an herbal tea party!  (Don't worry it was approved!)
Feliz Cumpleanos: Scott!!!

Hola mi querida familia,

We have had a crazy week, we had 3 exchanges, one meeting, service,
and lots of food. (Are we surprised, not too much)

On the exchanges we talked to EVERYONE. It was a blast. Some people we
meet in Chicago are hilarious. Also, just imagine two people in
sleeping bags (because that's what our coats look like) sprinting to
catch the bus (Actually it's called, fast waddling in sleeping bags)
it's quite the adventure out here.

We went to this place today and we didn't think it would take 5 hours! My
time is up! I will make it up next week! Love you all!

All of me loves all of you all!
Pray that I can be a finisher
Hermana Hammond

Feb. 23, 2015 It was quite cold this week.... Only -30

Feb. 23, 2015 It was quite cold this week.... Only -30
Feliz Cumpleanos: Chad, and Bava!! Especially my Amazing G-ma Bebe.. 80th!!
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

Family

We had a good week!

I just have one experience I would like to share with you. Hermana
kohlhase and I were at this active members home, named Hermana
Delgado. We are teaching this Hermana how to read because she really
wants to learn and we have just seen so much progress with her. On
Tuesday when we went to go help her she fed us and then she starting
tell us her story. She has had a hard life, and has fought for every
single one of her kids and husband to be active in the church. So far
almost all but one is active now, and we are trying to work with her
husband.

On this particular day she tells us, "Hermanas, I really think you are
so special to me, and I am so grateful for you....  I trust you and
want you to read my patriarchal blessing to me, because I can't
read..." Hermana kohlhase and I were kinda shocked, but the Spirit was
telling us that it was okay for us to read her blessing to her,
because she can't read it by herself.  It was a powerful moment for
me. While I was reading her blessing to her, Hermana Delgado stops,
just looks over at Hermana Kohlhase (I was across the table witnessing
this moment), and lunges herself on Hna Kohlhase and just hugs and kisses
her. Then looks at me, with tears in her eyes says, "THE CHURCH IS
TRUE, LOOK AT THESE BLESSINGS!!" Haha, we laughed and she laughed and
cried, and it was just the best moment. First because, now I am all
for the hugs and besitos every 5 minutes, (love Latinos)  because
it shows her gratitude that she has for the gospel. She is promised
a lot of blessings, some of those blessings Hermana Kohlhase and I are
watching now in her life being prophesied. It made me think, how I am
living, will I receive those blessings I am promised by how I am
living? Am I living up to my heritage? Am I living in a way that I can
receive the blessings promised to me? My blessing to me is very
special and very sacred. At the end of our lives, I feel like there
will be few things that I actually truly want, and desire, these are
what I think I will want, one: submitting to the will of God (or
knowing that I have submitted to His will), the next one would be:
Saving His children, third: watch my blessings from my patriarchal
blessing be fulfilled. After those things, I know I will be able to
say.... Take me home. For now.... I have lots of work ahead.

Well, we have worked so hard this week. We are seeing little fruits,
but that's part of life. When I was set apart, I remember ONE thing
said, (you would think I would remember more... But in all honesty, I
don't..) I remember it said that in my mission I would be a seed
planter. I truly feel like that is my mission. I know one day Heavenly
Father isn't going to ask me how many baptisms "I got", or how many
people I helped reactivate, but rather he will judge me on how
obedient I was, how diligent I was, more than anything I know He will
give me chance to teach the people who rejected the gospel later. I
really have strong impressions that I came out here, not to see people
get baptized here on my mission particularly, but I will watch some people
from my mission be baptized on the other side of the veil. I will
hopefully get to teach them one day maybe in the far future, and they
will accept in the spirit world. I love Heavenly Father and that He
gives his children another chance to learn about the gospel even after
death! This church is true, and it truly brings the most happiness
ever.

Well, we are doing great!
Love you all!
All of me loves all of you all
Hermana Hammond

Ps: I am feeling way better! Thanks for all the prayers!
Pss: challenge for the week: write 5 ways you have seen the hand of
God in your life everyday

Feb. 16, 2015 Loving Life!

Feb. 16, 2015 Loving Life!!!
Feliz Cumpleanos: Gary Walker!!
Hello family!

Well, this week was a good one.

I went on exchanges with Hermana Pearson from the CCM, that was just so fun!

This week, I wanted to share a sweet experience that happened. We were
at the Martinez familia, they are less active and they are awesome.
They also like to feed us crazy foods, but we love them. This
particular day we went in the house and the Hermana told us to come
in, and watch her cook, so for about 20 minutes we watched her prepare
how she cooks fish. It was interesting, as we saw her slab mayonnaise
all over and inside the fish, put on some chile, tomato, and salsa,
wrapped it up in some tinfoil and threw it into the oven. Well, after
that, they fed us some pork, and rice, and salsa, and some tortillas.

After we had eaten we had a feeling we needed to show them a little
Mormon message called Moments that Matter Most. After the video the
Hermano started to cry. He explained to us and said, "this made me
reflect Hermanas. There have been times where I have been wrong as a
parent. There are times when I have felt like I have tried my best as
a parent, but their are times where I was wrong." He explained to us
that in Mexico it's very common to hit your children, he told us some
stories and just said, "I was wrong a lot of times..." Tears were just
streaming down his face, and we were able to tell him and testify to
him how we all make mistakes, and that's why we have a Savior. We also
explained and testified how we are all here on this path, trying to be
better together, trying to lift each other up. We told him that
anywhere in the world there are hypocrites, and liars, but as long as
we know we are doing our part, The Lord will help us. They loved it.
It was a little bold, but you can never be too bold if you show love
after.

This week we also have heart attacked a lot of our members. We couldn't
do them all, because we just didn't have time,   but we did a lot. They
were grateful and loved the surprise.

I am learning so much, about how this gospel helps people know who
they truly are. It helps them have self worth. Why? Why is that?
Because the gospel tells us WHO WE WERE before this life. It tells us
what kind of people we were before we were sent down here. We are down
here, because we were the generals, captains, and front lined soldiers
in the war before this life. Heavenly Father saved us at this time,
and put us in the families he did at this time, so we could do once
again what we did back then. So I ask you, are you being that person
you were? Even more, I hope your being even better.

It's been a good Semana. Sorry I would write more, but that's all that
time permits. I love you all!
Bullet points of the week
- NUNEZ FAMILY GOT SEALED! They were a less active family, and now so active
- Hermana kohlhase and I taught in zone meetings about diligence
- loving life!

All of me loves all of you all!
Hermana Hammond

 Look who I did exchanges with!!!!! Hna Pearson!! I just LOVE her!!!

Valentines Breakfast!!!

                               The Nunez family!

                               Some are active- some we are working with!

                                           I think this is so funny!!  This is how I feel right now!

Feb. 9, 2015 Finally: I teach a Diva

Feb. 9, 2015 Finally: I teach a Diva
Please tell uncle Den how sorry I am to hear of his sister!!

Familia!
It's so good to hear that you are all doing well!

On Thursday night Hermana Kohlhase and I were walking home, after MCM
(which is missionary correlation meeting) we live really close to the
church, perfect walking distance. That day, Hermana kohlhase and I had
talked to quite a few people and all the cards we had left, were two.
She had one and I had one. It was around 8:53 pm, and we had just
given Hermana Kohlhases card out to a lady that wasn't interested and
then I said, "Hermana, I have one more card..." In our minds we both
thought, we just have to give it out before the nights over. You have
to imagine, that both of our hoods were up, and we had scarves on, so
we not only looked like ninjas, but literally there was NO peripheral
vision. We then turned down the street where we live, started walking
hermana kohlhase in front and I in back, we have to walk single file
because there is so much ice and snow and they only shovel it for one
person to fit. Randomly Hermana Kohlhase looks, (meaning she had to
turn her entire body, looking like an owl, because no hay neck
movement) and because she looked, then I looked, and we saw a lady in
a black coat with a white scarf, and I ran to her (meaning I waddled
to her, because that's all the movement I can do in this mother coat)
and said, "Hi, can we give you a card!" Hesitantly, and with a Mexican
accent said, "yes." Then Hermana Kohlhase said, "habla espanol??" And,
this woman just lit up and said, "SI," well, this womans' name is
Leti. (Leticia for short) and she just opened up and started talking
to us. She told us she had had a beer before meeting us, and (we could
smell it pretty bad) and she said The Lord told her to leave the party
and walk outside. She said when Hermana Kohlhase asked her "habla
espanol?" She said she knew we were angels. We didn't even get the
chance to tell her who we were, she said, "I know who you are" we
didn't even ask her if we could visit her because she told us, "you
can come visit me, here is my address." More than anything, she is a
hoot. We can't get 4 words in without her talking about God.

   On Saturday we went to visit her because that's when she told us to
come, and right when we walked in we knew, THIS LADY IS A DIVA! I am
obsessed with her. Right in the door way, she had 20 paintings,
that she did, all modeled after the artist Frida or she calls her, my
friend Frida... Haha look her up, talk about unibrows. Anyways...  I
have realized that on my mission I have taught people who are addicted
to drugs, people who are so poor they hardly can get food on the
table, people who just LOVE to feed me, I have taught people from all
over South America, but I have yet to teach a Diva, and so here it
goes!

That first day she showed us her paintings, and then she showed us her
dog. Her name is Princess. She is a miniature poodle and she has a
purse that she sits while Leti carries her. Leti calls her, her
celestial dog because when she prays Princess closes her eyes, and
when she plays her Christian rock, Princess sings. She also fed us
some of Princess' chicken while we were there. I loved it. Actually, I
just loved that she cooks her dog chicken, it reminded me of Mousse.

Hermana Kohlhase and I just love her. We taught the first lesson to
her, well tried, we brought a cute Hermana with us, Hermana Liboria
and they got a long, and honestly Leti wouldn't even look at us
because we couldn't keep up with the speed they were talking, we got
through God is our Loving Heavenly Father and and Gospel Blesses
Families, we each probably said one sentence, and it was great!! She
loved it!

Mostly what this is teaching me is, that God prepares ALL people to
hear the gospel. On my mission I have mostly worked with people who
live in very humble circumstances, and it was a testimony that God
prepares people, no matter how rich or poor they are. Some times I
have felt like Alma and Amulek who went to the Zoramites to preach the
word, and this time I felt like Ammon who went straight to the King
Lamoni to preach the word of God. Truly God humbles us so that we
hear his word, and I love it! This is how I felt this week as Hermana
Kohlhase and I have prayed and prayed for someone prepared by The
Lord,

"And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face
immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld
that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a
preparation to hear the word."

Pray for Leti.

All of me loves all of you all!
Hermana Hammond

Cool fact that dad probably already knows: Islam means: to submit, or
submit your will to God.

Challenge for all: find the will of God and submit to it

                                                      Cute Hermana Delgado learning to read!!

                                             This is the Devils play- it is real popular