Hunters and Fishers

I have like no energy to write this week. Next weeks gonna be awful! haha. 

This Monday we had a zone activity which was fun! we totally won. it was a photo scavenger hunt type thing. And we acted out a ton of bible and book of mormon stories. haha. Everyone expected to get rides so we just laughed after when they realized that you don't get rides here in Provo. (they all have cars)

Tuesday we went to a relief society activity in the evening and did a little bit of zumba with them. it was fun! I miss zumba

Wednesday we met with M! I love her. we also went to mutual with the laurels of a ward. They were writing letters to missionaries and then we got to answer their questions and concerns about serving a mission. It was cool.

Friday was Halloween. We got to watch chronicles of narnia and play kickball as a district. it was fun! :) I also got to talk to sister H... and found out she was an elementary ed major and switched it to what I'm doing now. that gave me some peace and confidence in my decision. 

Saturday we ate dinner with Christa's visiting teaching companion and her grandparents. it was super fun! we couldn't stop laughing. 

Yesterday we had a few lessons that were really good. That's about all though! 

I'll write a letter today with any more detail I think of. Love you lots!

Sister Balero

P.S.

I forgot to tell you why my email was labeled that.

We were talking to a ward mission leader and he told us.

"right now you are hunters and fishers of men and pretty soon you're gonna be hunters and fishers of a man." hahaha

so funny!

Weekly

Not much happened this week. We went on exchanges which was really good on thursday. I love sister Lasson! I just love the ways she has fun but still gets things done. It was nice to talk to someone in my shoes as well. Since we were in the mtc together we are both preparing to go home together. We got to talk about my plan and be open about our feeling and enjoy doing missionary work. We were just kind of all over the place this week. I started packing. Crazy! But after exchanges I am excited and ready to come home :) Lots to look forward to. Wish I had more to write! Love you lots and I hope you have a wonderful week! :)

Sister Balero

Weekly

Another week where I have no idea what has happened! haha

This week we just had a lot of walking and talking and little lessons here and there. Tuesday I got Christa's package :) It made me so happy :) We got to go to institute which was really good and answered a bunch of the concerns I have had with going home. We went to the farmers market on Thursday like normal. :) We had president interviews on Friday which was really good :) Saturday we got chocolate milk for dinner. Good day ;) And Sunday we talked to one of our recent converts P... and he got the priesthood and when he found out he could get a limited use temple recommend he just lit up! It was so sweet! He was so excited and went immediately to go hunt down the bishop and was trying to figure out the soonest he could go :) We also met with A... and she made some brownies especially for us. It was so sweet! Well that's a really short week but it was good! I'm looking forward to what this week will bring :)

Sister Balero

Weekend of Harvesting

Hi Family!

Not much to report this week. The weeks are just slipping away. 

Most of this week was spent prepping for our 2 baptisms. 

Tuesday we got to watch Meet the Mormons. It was super good! I'm glad we got a chance to view it :) My favorite story is the one of the candy bomber! I told sis Howard after that THATS ME! haha

The elders also dropped off Krispy Kreme and chocolate milk! :) Its been a running joke for a while and something we have said we needed anytime they asked if there was anything they could do for us. We didn't expect them to actually do it but it came when I was having a hard morning and really needed it. 

Thursday we met with one of our investigators who is on date for baptism. Her name is A and she is the cutest thing. She is so ready for this and excited and I always leave just feeling so uplifted! 

Friday night we realized we still didnt have a pianist for the muscal number we were asked to do at J's baptism. Stressful right? Luckily an hour before curfew one of our ward mission leaders (Captain America haha)  told us He played piano and would be willing to practice and learn the song. What a tender mercy that he could and would do that so last minute and on a friday night!

Saturday we had our 2 baptisms :) P.. and J. Both meetings were so full of the spirit. And one of our investigators was able to go to J's baptism and feel the spirit there. After we got to go over to the temple with her and have a lesson about baptism and the temple. She wants it but is scared about her family and what they will think. She is from Bangladesh so its a hard transition. 

Sunday was a great day. We had both confirmations. The first was P... and the testimony meeting after was incredible. It was one of our recent convert's 2 year mark from baptism and she was the first to testify as she talked about the opportunity it was to renew her baptismal covenants with God on the anniversary of her baptism. It just set the whole mode. It was so focused on conference and missionary work and miracles. An elder who served in this mission 2 years ago got up and testified. He sat right behind P... and was overwhelmed with emotion as he realized part way into the meeting that his sister was a girl he taught when he had served here and to see the influence she has had on her family. There was an amazing spirit there. The bishop said that in all the the testimony meetings he has been to in his life he has never felt the spirit so strong. We then went to J's confirmation and B.. (Returning member) came even though her husband couldn't make it. C.. was at first the driving force but its so cool to start hearing B...'s experiences and her now leading the way to temple covenants. I'm so glad she was able to set that example and come on her own with an 8 month old baby. And then we went to go talk to her in the hall and caught her paying tithing. i was so happy and overwhelmed with joy at the progress she has made. I LOVE their family! Then long story short last night we got a call from J... saying he met up with one of his old friends after his confirmation because he had a layover in salt lake and he started giving him a presentation how he was making a bad decision and giving him all this anti-mormon literature. It was so worry some but it was a trial of his faith. I cant imagine being faced with that so soon after joining the church. He said his faith wasn't shaken though and although he doesnt know everything he told his friend what it comes down to is whether or not joseph smith is a prophet of god and if he is then that's all that matters. I'm so grateful for his faith!

I think that is all for the week! I love you lots! Have a great week!

Sister Balero

General Conference

Well. It has been a LONG week. I dont know why but it seems like decades ago that I last sat at a computer to email. 

Monday I thought we were going to have lots of time and had little to none instead. We went out with sister B like we normally do and then went up to the canyon. Just past Vivian Park. ( All of the stories President Monson talks about being in Provo canyon are there.) And in the canyon we finally got show and tell. The thing about show and tell though is that we cant talk about show and tell. So I have been waiting months to see and I can tell you that it was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life! I wish I could say more. I am just so grateful for all that I have and for the temple that seals us together as families. That evening we met with M to get her baptism record signed and we found out that she didnt know anything about her FHE group. She missed the first one and now she has been totally out of the loop. It made me so sad. So we had our own personal little FHE with her and bought her ice cream after. She is seriously the sweetest thing! I love her!

Tuesday through friday was just full of teaching and finding and meeting.

Saturday we watched the morning session with sister B which was good. Then we went to the H's for the afternoon session. 

Sunday was long. We watched the first session in the morning with some YSA girls and S. One of the girls made cinnamon rolls! Total tender mercy. Then we went to sister B's again. We had some other places we wanted to go but none of them worked out. She fed us in between and the conference report stuff was on the TV in the background. There was a snipit that showed some sister missionaries coming home and hugging their families and crying and it became real and i just started bawling and couldnt stop to save my life. I'm not ready to come home. The thought is just overwhelming. I know there will be good things about it but it was so hard to see it become reality. We then had 2 baptismal interviews which both went well even thought hey took forever haha. It will be a good next week. 5 weeks left. That is insane. I love you all and wish i had more to report. 

Sister Balero

Less than 50 days

Its been a really long week. We just got transfer calls and there is not going to be a change in our companionship! We had lots of lessons this week with some really great people. I love them! M was being taught in orem until she moved to BYU and we taught her her last couple of lessons. She is the sweetest thing and it was so neat to see her at her baptism this week! I really want her to meet Christa because they would totally be best friends! Things are picking up and I forgot how stressful it is to be busy but I definitely prefer it to slow! Heavenly Father has a plan and I am excited to see it unfold. I love you lots and although I miss you I can already tell you its going to be a hard adjustment going back home. Time is flying and i will see you soon! :)


Sister Balero

Captain America is one of our Ward Mission Leaders!

So lots happened this week. Lets see if I can remember all of the important things

Monday. Was supposed to be relaxing but I spent all my relaxing time writing letters. haha. I wrote for 4 hours straight. I got more mail that week than I had for the whole month before. haha. Now I think I am going to have a mail drought for a little. Monday night we had an FHE with a recent convert which was good.

Wednesday we got to teach a couople of seminary classes which was cool. It was neat to testify and share some experiences. It gave me time to refelct and really feel the spirit as I recognized how much I have grown and been led by the spirit on my mission. I really wanted those kids to understand the joy that comes from serving the Lord and how blessed I feel to be a missionary even through all the hard times.

Thursday was a good day. We met with the Mc's and N. I love them both. N was so sweet. Everytime we meet with her she just tells us how much she loves what we teach her and she wishes she had understood it earlier. During the lesson she caught herself taking the Lords name in vain and she asked are we not supposed to say that? And we explained that we use God's name reverently and respectfully. She then corrected herself throughout the lesson. At the end she prayed and crying apologized for taking his name in vain and that she didnt mean it disrespectfully and asked for forgiveness. It was something so simple but so powerful to see how much it meant to her. 

Later we went to the farmers market. There is always people to talk to. One of the venders gave us some fun milk. I got peach milk! haha. It was pretty good but definitely different. We then went to a ward party and ate dinner and talked to some people. We then went to a lesson with J. Last lesson he started to have some doubts and concerns but this lesson he seemed so confident. He kept saying WHEN I get baptized. He is so ready! And I am so happy for him. We then had a coordination meeting with one of our YSA stakes. When getting the names and numbers of the ward mission leaders one of them said his name Steve Rogers.... Immediately I thought...You are captain america and I just got your number! hahaha. He probably gets that a lot. I'm glad I didn't say anything out loud. 

Friday I woke up with a stomach pain. We had a meeting in the morning and a lot of walking in the heat. We had an interview with one of our investigators being baptized. she is so sweet! I love her!  Then we had lots of weekly planning. I didnt feel very great all day. We then realized we had no sister to come with us to our lesson with a new investigator. Since he is male then we can't even teach him unless a female is with us. We were desperate because we have been trying for weeks to meet with him to lots of complications and we finally were. Everyone was busy or on dates so I facebooked Kenedy and said. Please tell me you are free and can come right now to a lesson and she could :) Such a tender mercy. So our area is experiencing a little bit of a drought right now. We feel like we are doing everything we can but we can't find any work and any work we do have, the investigators don't seem to really have a desire or are really slipping away. And it has been super hard. We have been praying and praying for prepared people to teach. We went into S's lesson and he was so prepared. He told us about the temple and how he could feel such a peace on the grounds and how he felt like there was a reason he was in Utah and that he never wants to leave because he loves it. And he told us a lady saw him in a restaurant and asked him if he had ever read the Book of Mormon and when he said no she asked if he wanted to and he said yes so she gave him her personal copy and he knew it must be important. We put him on date for baptism next month and he was so accepting. It was a miracle. The only problem is he is native Spanish speaking even though he is fluent in English and insists on being taught in English he will have to be taught by the Spanish Elders. It was the hardest thing to do. I cried as I prayed for the strength to be obedient and keep the order of his vineyard. I thought I would feel at peace as I texted the elders that they could teach him but I just got the sickest feeling and couldn't sleep all night. I have felt unsettled since. I guess we just have to wait and see now. 

Saturday was really hard. I still wasn't feeling great and we had no lessons planned because our few cancelled. Our numbers were really low this week :( We spent a lot of time trying to contact leadership and recent converts and studying. It was an off day.

Sunday was really good. We got to watch one of the broadcasts of one of the sessions of the Ogden Temple rededication. It was super neat. One thing that really stood out is that it's not just a temple rededication but a time to rededicate ourselves to the Lord. The prophet said we need to Love the temple. Appreciate the temple. And Attend the temple. I hadn't been feeling great all week but yesterday was the worst. I have had this stabbing stomach pain right under where my ribs are. Its beginning to worry me a little. We met a new investigator but he was immediately dropped when he wasn't even willing to pray to know the truth of the things we taught. That was hard. We stopped by a recent convert though and that was super good. She has been having a really rough time and last week got really bad but she shared with us the answers to prayer she finally received and how good things are and how her testimony has been strengthened. I am so happy because I have been so worried for her. She is back on the right track. Tender mercy. We also didnt have dinner so we stopped by the h's and they fed us. WE had yams :) YUMMY :)

Then the biggest tender mercy We got to go to the temple this morning! I have missed it so much. The peace is so strong and I needed that. It was perfect timing right after the dedication and also when not being able to take the sacrament for multiple weeks has started to take its toll.

Well I think that is about all. lots of ups and downs but what is a mission for. I love you all!

Sister Balero

Is September Really Half Over?

This week went by really fast for some reason. The work has been picking up so we find ourselves running round a lot more. 

Monday we didnt stop all day. My companion had a bunch of things that she wanted to do so we didnt even have time to stop and eat dinner. We had FHE with the Ha...'s which was super fun. We shared a lesson and then played Hucklebuckle Beanstalk and totally related it to the message. The kids loved it and it was so much fun to see them love our traditional FHE game. Tuesday there was a big flash flood and then everyone cancelled so although the flooding didnt last very long we were soaking all day and walking all day. 

Wednesday I couldnt walk because of all the walking we did the day before in wet shoes it created a huge blister covering the whole bottom of my foot. ouch. At one point we were walking campus and a girl stopped us and asked if we had a minute. We did so we sat down with her and she started just bawling telling us that she was having a hard time and couldnt feel the spirit and doesnt know why she is here. It was so hard to see her like that but I was so glad she trusted us to see us and talk to us so that she could let out all of her feelings that were overwhelming her. 

Thursday our dinner cancelled on us and that same sweet girl texted us and offered to feed us. It was so sweet. 

Saturday was the sat evening session of stake conference which was really good. The speakers were all great besides the fact that no one got much time because one of the first speakers assigned to talk 7 minutes talked for 25...My patience was being really tried. haha. 

Sunday morning was the regional stake conference. We got to attend at the Marriot center. It was super cool. We heard from Elder Nelson and Elder Scott. They were really great. Elder Scott talked about prayer and our personal communication with God. It was really great :) Then in the evening we taught a couple of good lessons. One of our investigators wanted to go to the temple so after scrambling for a ride we got to the temple walked around and had our lesson there. 

Besides that one of our investigators dropped us after inviting his friend to come and him making a point to prove us wrong and then one of our investigators on date told us he doesnt know if its true and doesnt really care. That was really hard. I feel like I keep giving my everything for these people and each  person I have taught here is so prepared and then they just drop it all. Lots of emotions this week. 

Well thats a very rough draft of the week but thats all I've got. Love you lots!

Sister Balero

Testimony

The weeks are just flying. Its scary to think that we are down to single digits in weeks left. Well it was a kindof a different week. We had some really good lessons, we had some lessons that went not as well, we found a ride in a drive thru, and later drove right out of the mission and amongst all that I got to see my best friend and sister.

 I'll probably just share a couple of experiences today.

 

Good lessons- We had some great lessons with some of our normal people which was good. And then we got a call on Friday from Nicole's husband who said they had invited their friend to take the missionary lessons. He accepted and we met with him first on Saturday morning and then Sunday evening. He is so prepared for this message and we are so grateful for the opportunity to teach him. It's amazing to see all the different ways God works with His children to soften their hearts and prepare them for the message we have. We also had a couple of really powerful dinner appointments which I will share a little about later.

The lessons that didn't go as well as we hoped- It's always sad when someone that you have so much Love for and so much hope in can't see what you see or turns away from the message you have that you know will bless them so much. S was one of those this week. He is preparing for baptism in a couple weeks and now feels like he still doesn't know if God exists but more than that that we can't help him to understand why it matters. He is willing to follow every commandment and do anything necessary. He even wants to pray and be baptized but thinks he can do all of that without God and he wants to know for sure before committing to anything 

 but that's hard when he doesnt even have the desire to really know. 

We found a ride in a drive thru- So we needed a ride to a meeting in Orem. Desperately. We didnt know what to do. We couldnt get a hold of anyone and anyone we thought of was busy. So we decided to just go out and find one. We were by the swig drive thru and I said lets just ask someone they obviously have cars and time. But we felt uncomfortable about it. As we walked by one of the cars the driver frantically rolled down the window and asked sister Howard if she knew her. She replied that she didnt but asked if we could get a ride. They willingly accepted. there were 2 boys in the car both headed out on missions this week. It was so cool to see the hand of the Lord in our life as we were able to find a ride with a stranger but who we knew we needed to receive it from.

Drove right out of the mission- With Permission. haha. On Saturday we got to go to Manti to witness J's sealing to her husband. It was such an incredible opportunity. Every part of it. Lots of little miracles. I found out two days before the sealing that our ride couldn't take us anymore. I was devastated thinking I wouldnt be able to go and I have ben looking forward to this for months. I said a prayer and got on facebook to think of people to ask and saw Sister F who I felt like I needed to ask. I did and she was able to take us. Then there was the sealing in and of its self to be able to know and see the joy that comes from eternal families and temple covenants. Its so cool to have been able to see the baptismal white and how it has led to the temple white.

I got to see Christa! Highlight of the week. I dont even know what else to say. It's crazy how much she has grown but it felt so good to see her and to feel that kind of love and care that only comes from your family. I miss her a ton and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity to see her in the perfect way and to have that little tender mercy at a tough time.

Back to dinners- so we had a couple little miracle dinners. Yesterday we didn't have a dinner and as we were walking home one of the sisters in the ward picked us up to give us a ride home and took us to her home when she found out we didn't have dinner. It was so sweet of her. She is a single lady and I was glad we were able to spend part of our Sunday evening with her. She made a homemade apple crisp with homemade raspberry ice cream. It was incredible. :) Later we went to J's appointment and Nicole made delicious peanut butter cup brownies but we were so stuffed after haha. The other dinner was a couple. They took us in last minute as well. We had a mix up with our dinner calendar. He shared an email from his missionary son and then we testified of the Savior. The spirit was so strong. As he read his son's email it made me realize that sometimes I get so caught up on mondays in all that I did that I forget to bear testimony to those who are most important to me.

I KNOW God lives. I know His son Jesus Christ lived and died for us. That's what this is all about. Our Heavenly Father knows and loves us. Our Savior Understands us perfectly because of His atoning sacrifice. He chose to suffer "according to the flesh...that he may know...how to succor his people." He was willing to go through the greatest of all pain that he could help us to know hope. We mean the world to them and we can return to live with them again. We have divine potenial and when we come to understand that we are empowered and strengthened in ways indescribable. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church Jesus Christ established himself and that as we follow the teachings of Christ that we find in the scriptures and through prophets we will find immeasurable blessings of hope and peace and direction in our lives. This is only a small part of my testimony but I know it to be true. I wish I could help everyone to have the same conviction of its truth that I have and I know that I can't but as I help the few I have the chance to share this message with that I can feel of His joy. 

I love you so much and I hope that you have a great week!

Sister Balero

Fall is Coming :)

Sep 1

So this week is a big blur.

Monday I had to go to the dentist. I had been having some wisdom tooth issues again but by the time I had my appt it was basically all cleared up so it was no big deal. Then I found out the news about Karen. It was a shock.  President didn't know who it was but that one of my cousins had passed away. It was hard getting the news but I was grateful for the peace that I found in the Plan of Salvation.

That day we did skittle bowling with our district. It was really fun!

Tuesday we went on exchanges which was really good. I was with sister L who I haven't served around since we were in the MTC together :) It made me miss sister Volmer though because I miss having a companion who I was just so comfortable around and could be obedient and focused on the work but have fun as well.

Wednesday we got a new investigator and she is on date for the end of this month :) She is super sweet. She is 15 and I think she has a slight learning disability so it might take a little longer but she wants it and believes it :)

Thursday was the freshman party I believe and since we cover most of the freshman it was a great finding activity. I ran into claire, Sam and Haley there :) We also had a couple of good lessons that night :)

Friday we had zone conference most of the day. Its crazy to think that was my last one! I'm going to miss it! 

Saturday along with all the other days this week we did a TON of walking. Thats when we saw Sandra and she told us about getting to spend some time with you. She gave us the sandwiches which was sweet. I was so full though. On our way back over to the Riv to contact some investigators we ran into Quinn and Conner. It was fun to think back to when we were in sunday school together and all of our missionary role plays we would do and to now see me on a mission and both of them returned and think how much has changed since then. 

Sunday was really good. We went to lots of church and did lots more walking. And we had a lesson with one of our recent converts. She is a TRC investigator in the MTC and she was telling us how she was finding all of her missionaries blogs and reading how each of them thought she was so real and what they said about her. haha. It was so funny! She is amazing though and each time we see her my testimony is strengthened. 

I feel like there was a lot more that happened this week but I cant remember. I am so glad to hear from you and cant wait for more news next week :)

Sister Balero

Training

 

Aug 25

Hey! 

So lets start from the top.

Monday we got the transfer call. I am training. a little bit of an overwhelming statement. definitely excitement though. And then we find out our car is being taken. stress. The day was full of goodbyes for sister Hinkson.

Tuesday was full of lessons and goodbyes as well. Awesome! Except for the fact that that leaves no one else to see the rest of the week. More stress. 

Wednesday was transfers. I am one of 3 english sisters training. Pressure. Anxiety. We had our meeting and then off to work I go with my new companion. Her name is Sister Howard from Florida. The cocoa beach area. We spent most of the day talking to people and indroducing my companion to others. We had a ton of complications with dinner which made me feel horrible. We had the wrong number to confirm and our dinner for this week called thinking she was feeding us and then since we couldnt find a ride I underestimated the time it would take to walk and we were 20 minutes late :( Not the way to start off my comp's first day.

Thursday we spent a lot of time on campus talking to people during ed week. ( this week I ran into the Nelsons and Laurie Mcdonald) In the evening we had a lesson with a new investigator. Her name is V. She is amazing. She was super busy the whole summer so wasn't interested in the Church at all but Sister Hinkson and I have been praying for her for months. a few weeks ago she was given a Book of Mormon and then she finally went to church Last sunday and loved it and really wanted to meet with us before she left. So we taught her the restoration. She just let us in and said thank you so much for meeting with me I have so many questions this is my background. She is Hindi and she is so prepared. We taught her and the lesson was very quick and simple. She loved the message and was so open hearted. We invited her to pray at the end of the lesson and the spirit was so strong. I think it was the first time she had ever prayed. We asked her and she enthusiatically said yes and then asked how she prays. We taught her the format of prayer and she began. At first it started kindof uncomfortably and I was worried as she paused and then she started just crying as she poured out her heart to her Father in Heaven. She thanked him for sending her to BYU and for the faith she has been able to gain. she then told him that she had no faith before she came but now she does and she will continue to learn of him and grow her faith and how grateful she was to him. I cried a little as the spirit in that room was overwhelming. It is something that I will never forget. She was leaving to go home to Pennsylvania the next day but she told us she would give us her info so she could learn more there. I am so grateful for the chance I had to teach her if only one lesson. 

Friday was a lot of walking and talking and planning and phone calls, but a lot was accomplished. We had a lesson that day with A which was better than past ones but still frustrating. 

Saturday we did a lot of contacting and then in the evening we had a really good lesson with S about the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chasity. 

Sunday was good. We were going all day. We ate lunch while walking between church meetings. We then had two lessons one with a recent convert we haven't seen in a while and one with a new investigator. 

So that was basically the week. I am so excited as everyone has started moving in for the work to pick up and to continue to see prepared souls come unto Christ. 

I love this work and love being a missionary! 

I hope you have a great Utah trip and I love you!

Sister Balero

Transfers Bring New Adventures

Aug 18

Another week past and gone. I don't even know where to start. Oh yes I do! haha. Transfer calls were this morning. To our complete and utter shock we actually got a phone call. Sister Hinkson is leaving the area after 7 months of being here and I am staying and training a new missionary straight from the MTC. Holy cow. It is a bit overwhelming but definitely exciting and motivating. I can't believe I have only one more morning of wonder for my mission future.

Well, Monday was a good day. We had absolutely nothing to do. I didn't even have any letters to respond to so we went with sister B (who was trying to escape her family-more details later) to a park in the canyon and just relaxed. Then we went to her home for dinner. All of her family was in town and threw her a HUGE 80th birthday party. It was so sweet. They had memories of her and a how much do you know about our mom game and a table with things that came out the year she was born and some of her childhood favorite candies. It was darling! We then tried to go to a closing ward social but we couldn't find where it was. we eventually made it but it was a testimony meeting.

Tuesday I  don't remember what we did...haha

Wednesday we made zucchini bread with sister Harrison and then delivered it to some of our fellowshippers and people we are teaching :)

Thursday We had some lessons and planning and helped one of our Recent converts move. It was a busy day. 

Friday We had a crazier day. We had DTM in the morning and then we had out first lesson with N :) And then we had a bunch of phone calls to make and surveys to take. Then we started teaching sister Hinksons high school friend over facebook. Then we had dinner with a cute family and ate hawaiian haystacks :) My favorite :) Then we rushed off to S's lesson. We got there and his roommate Na.. said he's just down the hall let me go grab him. But then they couldnt find him. They told us they had talked to him 30 minutes before to remind him and were calling and texting him and scrambling around to find where he could have wandered. Then 15 minutes later Na.. says I'm going to go check his room and there he was sleeping. hahaha. He was home the whole time. Made my night. His lesson went awesome as usual. He has made so much progress! And WE PUT HIM ON DATE!! YAY! We then had two more lessons that night :) 

Saturday we finished lessons with one of our recent converts. We then spent a lot of the time hanging around the Riv. Later we met with a recent convert who we have never met. She is really struggling with her testimony and it just breaks my heart. I wished so bad that I would just have the right thing to say and I hope she was strengthened in some way.  We then went and got snowcones. It was super busy because it was so hot. If the snow cone shack is still open when you get here you need to get one. I've heard the sweetened condensed milk is really good on it or coconut ice cream inside. Da Kine is my favorite flavor :) We then had a really good meal from a family. They had some perplexuses. Those things are so addicting and mind wrapping haha

Sunday we sang with the stake choir :) We were bummed because no one came to church :( Later we found out though that S who wasn't going to go because he had a late night and didnt feel well ended up going for the last 15 minuites of sacrament and the other hours of church! And one of our potential investigators went to all three hours for the first time and told the ward mission leader that she wished she started coming at the beginning of the semester. We are meeting her on tuesday but then thursday she is headed back to Pensylvania. Then we went to dinner and they forgot we were coming and had other plans and told us to come back in an hour. So we went and met a recent convert who just moved here from orem and then went back. We then did a lot of walking and trying to talk to people. 

I think thats about it. It was a great week. We have 3 on date! S and two that the other missionaries were teaching and have now moved into our area :) We almost met all of our goals. We were one lesson short for both nonmember and less actve/recent convert but we did make contact with people for both but didnt have time to share a lesson. I also got permisson to go to Manti for J's sealing! (My recent convert from orem) I cannot wait!

I am excited for this next transfer and hope to see miracles! I love you!

Sister Balero

Plenty of Parties

Hey y'all!

Monday we had a really fun zone activity in Elder and Sister Pratt's backyard. We did Volleyball, mini golf, and zip lining :) I also got Harry Potter stamps! They are the coolest!! That evening we went to a home and ate dinner and sang. Long story. haha When we left there was a mini flash flood. But it was dry by the time we went to bed.

Tuesday we had some lessons. We ran into some college students who had rented a puppy. It was ADORABLE!

Wednesday we had a couple of lessons as well. And then we had lunch at the restaurant one of our former investigators works at. Its called El MexSal. It is Mexican and El Salvadorian food. She is from El Salvador. You're going to have to go when you're in provo. Get pupusas and Horchata :) 2 Pupusas is plenty! Dont be decieved. haha. It's the food El Salvador is famous for :)

Thursday we did some service in the morning and then ate lunch with a less active family. They fed us Cream Cheese Chicken Croissant Puffs. haha. They were so good! It’s a pinterest recipe they said :) Then we did a member visit. It was the home of one of the girls I went to theatre camp with. haha  Then we had another lesson and then planned for the week. In the evening we went to the farmers market they have at the stadium every Thursday. One lady was selling pillowcases and had one with the cutest sister missionary material so I had to buy it! haha Then we spent the evening with the Harrisons. I love them but they are talkers! haha. Our 10 minute stop by turned into a 2 hr visit. 

Friday we had ZTM. And then made phone calls for most of the afternoon. Then we attempted to cover macadamia nuts with chocolate. There were a lot of complications and then when we tried to deliver them they all melted haha. FAIL. We saw a couple of member families in the evening.

Saturday was Party day! Google Fiber throws the best parties. They had a carnival thing and we just went and talked to lots of people. We got free kettle corn and lemonade and cotton candy and there was a steel drum band playing ;) and the photo booth as well. And then we talked to an inactive member for about half an hour and got to testify to him. That was a neat experience. We then went to our dinner appt and no one was home so we went to that malt shoppe that we went to last Education Week we were at. Then we had S’s lesson which was on the book of mormon. It was awesome :) He is really progressing and it’s so neat to see his desires and answers come. We then crashed a YSA closing social.

Sunday we had church. We had a former investigator and less active show up by surprise which was awesome. But a couple people who said they would be there weren’t which was sad. We had dinner with a semi active family which was awesome as well. And then we crashed a stake choir practice. I miss singing! And then we strolled around the Riv bc we always find people to talk to there. If I were to go to BYU I think I would live there. I love the people and wards! :)

Well, I think that’s about all! I love you and hope your week is great! Transfers are next week so I'll let you know then! :)

 

Sister Balero

Lots Of Rain :)

Hey you all :)

This is going to be a shorter email. It was a good week and I feel like a lot happened but at the same time not much haha

Monday we got a new car. The new car scent is so strong that it gives me a sore throat :( but the car is nice :) In the evening we went to a ward FHE. A talent show where 2 of our investigators were. It was super fun! haha. Lots of funny acts! Monday it also rained :)

Tuesday it rained :) and we had some lessons

Wednesday it almost rained. and we were given wayy too many sweets

Thursday we had a really neat chapel tour with the Mckinnons and went and took ritas custard to one of our former investigators :)

Friday we had a lesson with Simon. It was really neat. He basically volunteered to read the Book of Mormon. He has such a sincere desire to act and find out the truth for himself. His prayers at the end of our lessons are so sincere. We also had a lesson with our other new investigator. It was kindof a frustrating lesson but it was good. I hope he receives his answer as well.

Saturday we did some service during the day. Thank goodness the elders could come and help because that birdhouse was not going to be built by three unexperienced women. Then there was a party for all the housing complexes we covered so we crashed it and talked to a bunch of people. That was really good. 

Sunday it rained :) And we had a lot of meetings. Our 3 less actives who said they would be at church werent :( But simon came :) and stayed all three hours :) We also met a really neat recent convert :) 

So basically that was all for the week. Hopefully i will have more to report on next week :)

Oh and I have officially been out for 15 Months! crazy!!

Love you!

Sister Balero

A Great Week

 

Well this was a great week :) I am grateful for a faster moving week than the last ones have been.

Monday we got a text from Bryndi asking if we could do something together so we decided to go hike to Stewart Falls. This is my third attempt at this and I actually made it this time! It was a really easy hike for most of it and the falls was so peaceful and beautiful! It took longer than we expected but if you have time when you come drop off Christa I would definitely recommend it! :) My shoes got so dirty though and it was exhausting but definitely worth it :) And it was good to see Bryndi :) We ate lunch at Ripples where the short film the phone call was filmed :) it was so yummy too :) Monday night we taught a YSA FHE which was good. They made rice krispy treat temples as the activity! It was so funny!

Tuesday we had most of our lessons for the week which was really good. We had President interviews as well. We also made teddy bears with one of the wards we cover. They do it every month for children who have had to deal with abuse.

Wednesday night we ate with a really fun family. We ate dinner and then while they baked some cookies we played apples to apples and then boom boom balloon. haha. It's basically like jenga but the goal is not to pop the balloon. haha. You roll a die and have to put the pins in that many notches. And then the chocolate chip cookies were some of the best I have ever had :) I need to get the recipe!

Thursday was the temple to temple run. We helped out at the end cutting the 6,000 bananas haha. 

It was cooler in the morning though which was good :) (side note: LDS Bookstore sponsored it so if you check out their facebook page there is a picture of us even though our backs are turned)

We then planned during the day. 

Friday we had a bunch of lessons which was awesome! The evening was full and most of the time that is the hardest evening to fill because its date night haha. We also have a new investigator :) He is going to be a lot different to teach. He is doesn't know if God exists and He is super smart. He is 17 And graduating college this next year. His parents( also atheists) sent him to efy twice and then made him transfer to BYU haha. He told us when explaining it "They told me to put anything I wanted in a box and then to follow that box to BYU." 

Saturday was one of the best days I've had in a while. We ate dinner at the stake president's home with his family. They made the most delicious homemade pizza and had a perfectly juicy and flavorful watermelon -better than I have ever had in my life! and then yummy brownies which I have been praying for! Everyone keeps giving us ice cream. We then went to a YSA ward activity in the Canyon. 3 of our investigators were there. Alex was one- and she is actually going home for a month so we are losing another investigator in our teaching pool but she came and thanked us for teaching her and told us she would miss us which was really sweet of her. Then we have Becca who we are working to teach. We taught one lesson with her but then there was some awful roommate drama and now she doesnt feel like she can meet with us. But we keep seeing her everywhere which I think is good for us to have daily contact with her. And then we have Axan who will be a new investigator this week. Remind me next week to tell his story :) It was just so fun talking to people in the canyon and they were throwing a Frisbee, playing volleyball, eating  and playing twister on a HUGE board. 

Sunday we had the less active couple we have been working with at church :) And Axan was at church as well :) The rest of the day was kindof boring and then we spent some time talking with the Harrison family. I love them! Definitely my Provo family! And it ended up being really spiritual sharing some of the experiences we have had recently! 

Well, I hope i got everything but my life is great and I hope yours is too :)

Love,

 Sister Balero

Little Miracles

Hi Family

This has been the longest and hardest weeks of my mission so far. And its mostly just a blur right now. 

Monday we took it real easy because of sister Hinkson's grandma's passing. I was also overwhelmed because I had to take over the area the next day for exchanges and didn't know what to do. We also had one of our investigators drop us

Tuesday we had exchanges which was again overwhelming at times but turned out really well for the most part.

Wednesday we exchanged back after studies. In studies we studied faith in finding again. It was frustrating because I'm sick of being told the reason we don't have work in our area is I don't have enough faith. Then we had just kindof a tedious day and I was worn out and just felt really low. The evening was good though. We experienced a little miracle. My companion felt like we needed to stop by this one family who moved in. We went and the non member son (40's) answered the door and was friendly but didnt seem particularly interested. Then he said you really need to talk to my mom. He brought us in and called to his mom saying "look what God sent you." His mom N came down the stairs and got really excited she invited us in and told us all about how she is inactive and wants to go to church but no one had come by to give her any information. S (her son) asked us if we needed anything and we said we were fine. He scrambled around and told us he smokes and drinks and would remove that stuff from the area and opened a door to let the house air out. Then he came back with a tray with cups and a pitcher of water and ran out. It was so sweet and then we kept talking with N. Then S came back again. With two fabric roses and gave us each one.  And he started to cry. He said "I had a conversation with God this morning and now you are here. Thank you. That's all I wanted to say." and he ran out. And then we talked with N some more and we are going to start teaching her. It was a little miracle moment. Then we did some service with a yw's group.

Thursday was an okay day. We had some good lessons but after one we lost investigator number 2 for the week. I was happy with that parting though. She is here studying for the mcat and the program is ending so she needs the last couple of weeks to study. Her lessons in the past have been frustrating because they were more of a debate between her and the felowshipper but this lesson was different. There was a calm spirit and acceptance as we talked about the gospel of jesus christ. It was neat to see that change and a good way to end.

Friday we basically planned all day long.

Saturday was a day full of contacting and it was hot and long as well. We went to contact a media referral and decided to knock on a neighbors door to find out who it was because there hadnt been an answer all day. We prayed and both felt prompted to ask the same door. The family who answered was an inactive family. No miracle. They werent interested but I know the Lord works in mysterious ways to get us to where we need to be. The referral's apt was vacant but we knocked on the door that mattered. Hopefully they will one day come back.

Sunday we went to a lot of meetings. One was Nikki's ward and we sat next to her as she came to church and partook of the sacrament for the first time in 55 years. That was a sweet experience.  For like 10 minutes I got to sing with a practicing YSA choir which was a blessing. I miss that feeling of singing :) Then we had a lesson with one of our nonmembers who I have really been pouring my heart out in prayer for and we lost investigator number 3 of the week. Someone in the ward pulled a really mean practical joke on her and she just said it is too hard I feel like I need a break. My heart broke in half. Last night I cried myself to sleep. Its just so hard when you care about these people so much and you see them turn away from what you know will give them the greatest peace and happiness. I feel like the Lord in Jacob 5 when he says "What could I have done more for my vineyard?" Its just so hard in these last few months of my mission to really feel like I am trying to give my all to these people and this area and nothing seems to grow. What more could I have done for them?

Well I love you and Hope you have a great week

Sister Balero

It's a new transfer

It has been one of the longest weeks of my whole mission. Holy cow. 

Monday we got transfer calls and then just did little errands throughout the day. 

Tuesday we taught a new Less active family we found. The spirit was so strong as we taught the first vision. I am so happy they are making the steps toward the temple. I guess a few months ago they were a no contact family from the ward. We then had a district lunch at an el salvadorian restauraunt. It was so good :) Later in the afternoon we met with a recent convert who needs the new member lessons. She is so sweet.

Wednesday we met another recent convert. She is incredible! she shared her whole conversion story with us. It is supposed to be in the New era sometime this year. Her name is Devan Bertolino. Keep an eye out.

Thursday night it rained! :) We walked in it and it was amazing :) We also had a district meeting to find out we are not in that district.

Friday we met our new district which consists of our zone leaders and the APs. They are awesome and it was a blast :) 

Saturday we had morning exercise as a district. which was fun but it was early and soccer is not my thing haha. I also ran into one of my college friends again who is doing EFY here so I got to talk to her. We did some service at a sisters house by cooking and it was awful. Probably a story for a letter. It was so hot sat! ugh.

Sunday One of our investigators gave a talk which was awesome. Were still working on her. But it was really good :) Sister Hinkson made us a yummy grilled cheese for lunch :) For dinner we ate at a party house. There were 3 families. haha. One of them was one of the main guys in Kid History!!! It was awesome! It took me forever to figure out where I knew him from though. The church is true :) FACCCT ;)

So basically that was the week. All the rest was scrambling around trying to figure out what to do which is why it was so long.

I love you and hope you have a great week :)

Sister Balero

4th of July

Hey family!

So This has been a crazy week. 

First off HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE BUG! STAY AWAY FROM THE BOYS!

Secondly I am so sick of everyone talking about getting married. Its like a curse. Especially on campus...I need like bug spray!

Thirdly Sister Hinkson and I will be staying together for transfers

Okay so starting with Monday I guess. We had dinner with a new ward mission leader which was good :) Then we taught a couple of FHEs which were awesome :)

Tuesday we taught our 2 new investigators who are now progressing :) They are so prepared! We also made some popcorn with a cute saying for some of our YSA Ward Mission Leaders because I feel like they dont get recognized much for all they do! The deliveries on the other hand were all extremely awkward in their own way. A few weren't home and their roomates were confused and then the WMLs who were home all seemed confused and kept asking how they could help us. haha. 

Wednesday something must have happened...I have no clue what haha

Thursday we got skirts that Sister Harrison made for us for the 4th! They are adorable!! Then that night everyone camped outside our house prepping for the parade and were cheering and screaming all night so I didn't sleep :(

Friday was awesome! We walked in the parade! I saw Jessica, the Egberts, Brooklyn (Dyck), and Mindy Strong, Grant Gallinger and also Aubrey Hunt. I think that was all. It was so HOT! But the parade was fun! Then we went and did service at the freedom festival which was good :)  Then we had our district activity and watched frozen :) It was so good!! And it was so much fun! Our District Leader is about to go home so when he heard both for the first time in forever and Love is an open door he was like that is my song! haha. It was great :)

Saturday we didnt do much. We tried but everyone was out of town.

Sunday was really good. We fasted and I wasnt even really hungry all day which is amazing. and then we went to lots of church. And in the evening we taught Desciree which was really good! The spirit was strong and she is progressing!! I love her so much and can't wait for her to recognize her answer.

I think that was about it. Sorry it's a shorter less detailed week. But I love you and can't wait to keep rocking BYU Campus :)

Sister Balero

Wishing you Whale

June 30

Wow! Where to even start. Next week is transfer calls so pray for President that he will know where we need to be! I dont know where all my email time went so I'm going to have to speed through all of this week. Its been a long week though so its all kindof a blur anyway. I stink at writing in my journal too. Any tips? I do write down my blessings each day though so I'm doing better than doing nothing.

Okay so Monday I wrote you a letter but I was so excited to get my Whale Cardi :) Love it! And then I bought new shoes which were much needed. And I got a blizzard for the first time in a year! It was incredible!

Tuesday we had 5 lessons! Only One less than we had all of the previous week! I miss teaching. I felt so rusty though because I havent been teaching much here. One of the lessons is a new investigator :) She is prepared. I cant wait to continue teaching her. She is so neat. We also walked campus for a couple of hours during the day and talked to people.

Wednesday I got a package from grandma and 4 letters :) I felt so loved :) We then walked campus again and decided to go inside and get some BYU creamery ice cream. When we walked in there was a table of Football Camp Councilors (big black guys haha) who we talked to and they wanted to buy us Jamba Juice and said they had a free card. We told them we were okay and were just going to get some ice cream anyway and thanked them for offering and then they said well then we will buy your ice cream. We said it was okay but again they insisted and started walking over and said follow us. So we got some ice cream. He told us get a lot of ice cream. The more ice cream the bigger the blessings. haha. We just got a scoop of ice cream but that was plenty! It was so yummy! And total tender mercy We then ran into a recent convert Sister Hinkson taught and talked with her for forever. She is so funny. Then I called and talked with Bryndi for a little bit and she told me some experiences she had had. She is doing so well and that makes me so happy! That night was awful and I was a mess. I dont really want to go into it but I know the Lord had prepped me throughout the day. I learned a lesson though. There were some talks given on Sunday that I had really needed to hear and I decided to put my revelation to work. We had talked a lot about asking Heavenly Father for the What am I meant to get out of each trial versus the why am I going through this. We also talked about being grateful in our circumstances. So I focus more on the Lord's vision and purpose than on myself. Its amazing what a difference that little change can make. It still wasnt easy but I could see the blessings and experience the miracles of the faith afterward. 

Thursday we had a zone meeting. It was good but I was still recoving from the lack of sleep and exhaustion from the night before. It was a bright sunny day and when we went in for lunch I remember telling sister Hinkson Do you think if I pray it will rain? I need rain. We just kindof laughed it off  because there was no way it was ever going to rain. There was no chance of it. When we walked back out an hour later it started to rain. I almost started crying. I didnt pray for it but I knew my Heavenly Father Heard me and knew I needed that blessing that morning. That night our dinner cancelled because one of them had to go to the ER so we went to Panda Express. It was so good :) I havent had it in Forever! 

Friday was just a lot of planning and knocking. Oh and we got another new investigator. I felt bad though because I think she felt overwhelmed.

Saturday I met another Recent convert. She is so sweet! Love her! We also had a super good dinner :)

Sunday we got to go to all three blocks of church. It has been a while. It was so good. I ran into Mindy Strong who was with Grant. And we had a dinner that made me so sick to my stomach and she kept making us eat more :( Then sunday night I went to bed early not feeling well and we forgot to send in our numbers. Long story and we got our door pounded on by the STLs checking to make sure we were safe. Just as I had finally fallen asleep though :(

Well that should about cover it. I love you all so much and miss you! 14 months out tomorrow! INSANE!

Sister Balero

Baptism

June 23
Hello all!
So this week there was a bunch of ups and downs so let's see if I can get through them all. First things first I forgot something from last week. We went to the temple! Yay! But I forgot to bring my family name :(
Okay so Monday we had a district activity. If you can even call it that. Haha. We were going to hike to a waterfall in the canyon that you can stand under and we were so excited! The elders said they knew where they were going but they really didn't so we spent most of our day and a bajillion miles following them in our car by ourselves. And so we decided to walk around this little creek we found instead. As we headed put we found the waterfall and kind of slapped our faces. Haha. On the way back home there is this other waterfall called bridal veil which is a super easy hike so we decided to do it as a companionship. It wasn't bad. Then we went to a couple houses for a lesson. The whole day was kind of a disappointment to something we had been looking forward to. By the end of the day we were just ready to go straight to bed. When we came home we found our door heart attacked :) it was so sweet. We were trying to figure out who did it and we saw a gift bag and inside was some muddy buddies :) so we knew it was the Harrison family but they'll never admit it because we didn't admit heart attacking them a couple of weeks ago. But definitely a tender mercy.
Tuesday we had exchanges. I was with Sister Nielson which was neat. I got to teach some lessons which was nice. I feel so rusty though because I haven't been teaching much lately. We also had a good dinner of breakfast :) yum. Also their landlords are relatives of the klines so I got to see McKinley who is in town. She is expecting her mission call soon :)
Wednesday we exchanged back. We met with people. Dinner was great. We had a delicious lasagna and a yummy salad with Catalina dressing. I was skeptical of it but it was way yummy! The person we ate with was a girl who was just married and she invited her friend over because her husband wouldn't make it back on time. They were high school friends and then I asked them when they graduated and they said 2013 and I kind of freaked out that they were both younger than us. I can't even imagine myself married. 20 even feels too young! They were a lot of fun though so the dinner conversation was nice.
Thursday we had a full day with no down time. Down side we knocked a bunch of doors on the hot sun and no one was home. We were inviting members around a complex to the ward activity. We had another good dinner too :)
Friday we planned and then we filled our dead afternoon hours walking around campus and talking with people. People make themselves hard to talk to. Either avoiding you or walking fast or talking on the phone. There were so many people though between new student orientation for summer and efy. The efy counselors were screaming and cheering for us. It was so embarrassing. Haha. By the end we were dying from all the walking in he heat and were headed to dinner. I was telling sister hinkson how badly I wanted a drink of cold water and how I really hoped that they already had the water on the table and dinner ready so we didn't have to wait a half hour longer to get something to drink like most nights. I also was tellin her that I really hoped we had something cold to eat like a salad. A salad sounded so good. So we go to the house and I see ice water on the table. Check☑️ And then she looked at me and said you told me you like pork right? I had totally forgotten but she had asked us weeks ago what we didn't get often that we would like to be fed and I said pork. Because we get so much chicken and lasagna and noodles and stuff. So she said well I figure the best pork comes from costa vida check☑️ True. What I hadn't told her that is is that that was exactly what I was thinking. Haha. So then she said so I hope you like costa vida salads check ☑️ I was dying! Answer to prayers! So heavenly! And then after she gave us chocolate chip cookies!! And they were totally toll house check☑️My favorite! And she was so sweet too! She was talking about her two girls. Her first has a major disability and wasnt supposed to live. she was there and the way she talked about her was so touching. she was saying that she cant communicate but that she feels like God allows her to communicate the way we did in Heaven. And that she has the ability to show love so deeply even so. She also cant see but she says that shell look around at times and she knows that she someone is there with them. 

Saturday we had Francis's baptism which was a neat experience. And then we had a bunch of appts throughout the day with Ward Mission Leaders and service and one teaching. 

Sunday I wasnt feeling well all day but our schedule was packed. We had Francis's confirmation and spoke in sacrament and then Went to other church meetings. They were all really good and exactly things I needed to hear. In one of the Wards a girl came up to talk to us and I was like I know you! She didnt recognize me but it was Marissa Avila! It was neat to see her. I realized it has been almost 8 years since they moved! crazy! 

Well Thats about all! I hope you are doing well! I love you!

Sister Balero

Weekly

June 16

This week is a blur. We went up to 9 lessons this week. haha 

Monday we shopped and then played a board game with an 80yr old recent convert.

Tuesday we got dropped by one of our only investigators :( And we got our ipads updated which means we can’t get wifi on campus anymore :( But we do get to check our email daily :) We just can't reply until Monday. And we get the Facebook app which is nice :)

Wednesday we had to take our car in to be checked and ate popcorn and tried not to watch the TV right next to us with previews for Maleficent. That night we had bishop meetings to try and find work and the building we were in had insitiute classes going on for Jessicas stake and I peeked my head into the classroom and there she was :) Then afterwards I got to go and talk to her because we needed to talk to her boyfriend who is the Ward mission leader about a nonmember we had just talked to their bishop about. haha. It’s probably the only time I will see her though because now she is moving out of my area.  

Thursday we had a really delicious dinner for the first time in forever! YUMMY! And then we had lessons with Francis and then J.

Francis is good :)

J flat out told us she wouldn’t read the Book of Mormon and will not change religious beliefs but she does like meeting with us and wants to learn more. It broke my heart :( Maybe one day things will change though. Then we had a stake coordination meeting and only 2 WMLs showed up. It was really frustrating.

Friday we planned and heart attacked all day. We were dying because we have nothing to do and are out of ideas! We have no names to even stop by :( I dont know what else to do. It’s hard. We keep getting referrals too and all ones that aren't ours so we keep handing off more work to other missionaries :( That night I got a blessing from a bishop but I feel like It wasn't really for me that I felt prompted. When it was over my comp and his wife both had tears in their eyes. Their daughter is serving in alaska right now and they said she is going through the same kind of thing I am so I felt almost like I was being their daughter they could bless in that moment and my companion was sobbing saying that’s what she needed to hear. Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Saturday I was really frustrated and dont even want to talk about it. But we did contact a referral that we found out wasnt ours but she is really cool and seems really prepared. She is from Bangladesh and told us that if she joins our church she wants to serve a mission! haha

Sunday Was a good and busy day! We had bishop meetings and a really awesome sacrament meeting! There was this really incredible talk given by the called that day Ward Mission Leader who we were then told didn’t find out he was speaking until he saw his name on the program 10 minutes before it started. We were all shocked! haha. It was so good and everything touched me so much with what I needed to hear. Then Francis had his baptismal interview so we are good to go for next weekend :) And then taught a couple of lessons :) 

 

So thats the brief version of my long week. I love you and miss you and hope I have more to report on next week!

 

Sister Balero

Little Tender Mercies

Jun 9

Hi family! This week was long but not as long as the past few. Lots happened.
Monday we went to café Zupas. It was delicious! We will have to go there after my mission or maybe when you're here to drop off Christa :) it's soups salads and sandwiches :) a sweet lady who has a missionary paid for us. I also found coconut almonds at our walmart :) who knew what a blessing it would be to have a walmart near my area again. Haha.

Tuesday we did service for Sandra. She is an Argentine lady who needs a lot of help. She is not allowed to lift more than 2 lbs and her sister living with her just had foot surgery and her husband is in Afghanistan. When we did service for her last Saturday I was going to ask her about Argentina and see if there was any connections to Daddy's mission but didn't have the Chance. This time I did though and I told her my dad served in Argentina on his mission. She asked what part and I told her Salta. Then she looked at my tag again and started getting really emotional and was asking me all these questions I didn't have the answer to but we figured out that it had to have been him who was the elder who did her interview for baptism. It's amazing that she still remembers him even though he wasn't even the elder who taught her. She then told her sister who said Elder Balero is your dad? He is my friend. Small world and tender mercy. Their English is not the best though so I typed out the message to send to you and she got your message but said she hasn't had the time to sit down and reply. I might just have to give her your number to call. I hope your Spanish is still good or that you can decipher her Spanglish. Haha.

Wednesday we did a lot of walking around campus and then bought a delicious snow cone :) then we had a lesson with Tharinee. She was my first lesson in the area last week. She is Thai I believe but she served a mission and is fluent in English and doesn't respond to Thai. It has been interesting. We think from what we've heard that she might have a brain tumor which is really sad. We were talking about the Book of Mormon and finished the lesson up and then we asked if there was any questions she had and she said she wanted to learn about the law of chastity. We were kind of taken aback because we don't get that request often so we said we would talk about it next time and she said no now. And so we taught about the law of chastity. I think it went well but I think we were all just kind of in shock. Haha.

Thursday we had some non-member lessons. One was Francis. Now Francis is a former investigator. He was doing everything has had the lessons before but just wasn't ready to commit to baptism and got really busy with tennis. We got a text from him Tuesday that said "if I wanted to be baptized on June 21 what would I need to do." Haha. All in the Lords timing I guess. So I met him Thursday for the first time and the lesson went good with seeing where he was at. He has a hold up about somethings saying that no one can know for certain if those things are true but they can hope and believe 99.9%. Which is mostly true but that's where faith comes in. So I've been praying for him like crazy. We also had a lesson with Julianna. All of these I have talked about are in our YSA stakes. So Julianna we had our first lesson with last week as well and honestly it was a disaster. I don't know what happened but it was a mess so we went through the restoration again and this time was a lot better but still frustrating at times. She is catholic and just has a lot of questions  and is more curious than wanting to know if it's true. I want her to have this gospel so bad. She has a hard time understanding the godhead and apostasy and things like that. At some points I think the fellowshipper got carried away in answering her questions and bible bashing than of just testifying and keeping it simple so she can feel the spirit. I just really hope her heart is softened and she will come to know of the truth of our message. Friday the tender mercy was a light dinner of taco salad.

 We also met someone on campus and as we were talking we saw all the efy kids being escorted around campus headed to the dance which was so loud. Haha. I miss it so much. I can't wait to be a councilor next summer which is totally my plan! :) Saturday morning we did service for Sandra again. She had a bday party. In the canyon. A water party. But no water there. So that why missionaries where told to fill up buckets to put in a uhaul to take there and then carry all the heavy food and water to the furthest area. So we died in the sun hauling things. It took forever! Finally we had to go absolutely exhausted. Then we came back at 2 because guess who was invited to the party?? Alfredo! So I got to meet him. We didn't get to stay very long though so I didn't get to talk with him as much as I would have liked to but it still was a neat experience. As I said goodbye it was a tender moment as he told me how grateful he was to you daddy. That you changed his life. He was almost in tears as he told me how grateful he is that he now has the gospel because you chose to serve at that time. I hope I can have the same Impact on someone here. We then had a delicious dinner of fajitas and then yummy brownies and ice cream and get this...cotton candy grapes... Mind blown. They are grapes that taste like cotton candy. Yum! To prove I am not lying the website it said to go to on the bag is divineflavors.com
Sunday was a long day with lots of meetings. It wasn't bad though. In the evening we taught desciree. This is the first time I've met her. Her hold up is not feeling like she has had an answer to her prayers of whether Joseph smith is a prophet or the Book of Mormon is true. She is so close. I felt the spirit so strong in her lesson and I just want her to recognize it. I know that she will understand it in time though. She is so sweet. So there have been a lot of heartfelt prayers this week.
So basically that is all. I will keep you updated! Love you lots and looking forward to email Christa today because SHES GRADUATED!! CONGRATS! Love ya bunches

sister balero

News From BYU

It has been a long hard week. I found out I was leaving Roosevelt which was really sad but I was super excited to go to a new area and be more involved with the work. So Monday and Tuesday were goodbyes. Tuesday night we spent with the Felkins and cracked open the piñata :) So transfers were Wednesday morning sister volmer isn't allows to lift anything heavy so I packed the car all on my own. It only took me 20 minutes :) and then we had the long drive to the transfer chapel. My new area is BYU central with sister Hinkson. She has been out 7 months. We cover 5 stakes on campus (certain complexes like the riviera, glenwood, Helaman halls, and heritage halls) and one family stake. Because not as many people are here for spring semester the work is extremely slow. We have about 10 people in our teaching pool and we are not actively teaching all of them. It's been a really hard adjustment from my last 2 areas. I guess I got too comfortable because I am now way out of my comfort zone with trying to find. And we have had some interesting dinners all in the family wards...There have been a couple of nice families. There is a bishop's family-the Harrison's-who are awesome :) we helped them make muddy buddies :)

Music Recording

Hola Family!

So this week wasn't a very exciting week. Honestly most of it is a blur. haha

Monday we had a zone activity which was fun. One of the sisters in our district told us funny old stories while she crocheted. haha Then we had dinner at dusty's which was really good.

This week we did the recording. We were going to record for mothers day but then didn't have time but then we got a call from the daughter of one of our fellowshippers who couldn't stop talking about the song that we had sung in church and asked if we could record it for her mom whose sister had just passed away. It was complicated haha. We had a crazy week. But found an hour time slot and had to do it within that time frame. He then asked if we wanted to send it home so we did. Not the best recording but we got it done and it was still a good experience.

Wednesday night we invited some investigators and less actives to come to this free community concert that was Jessie Clark Funk and Daniel Beck so we got to attend with them. One of our investigators-The for sure going one- Sprained her ankle really bad though and couldn't come. We didn't get to stay for the whole thing because we had a coordination meeting but it was sooo good! They are amazing! 

Friday was our zone conference which was really good :) President is so inspired. He always seems to know exactly what each of us needs. We also got asked to sing as we showed up to zone conference so we had to run home and grab some music and sing. haha. Good thing we've sung that song a bajillion times. haha

Sister Volmer wasnt feeling good saturday so we stayed in most of the day.

Sunday we went to church at the villa and each had to speak and then sang. We then went to multiple linger longers and then taught some lessons. After reporting numbers we went to the eddingtons who were having cake waffles and singing after seminary graduation. They were delicious. Just a cake mix in the waffle iron and then a scoop of ice cream and syrups on top. yum yum!

Well, I think thats about it. Love you lots!

Sister Balero

Happy Mother's Day!

So not much has happened this week. haha. Just teaching lessons like we always do.

Wednesday night we did a mutual for a couple young women in whiterocks branch. We played missionary jeopardy. It was super fun. Our ward mission leader was there and was super competitive, It was hillarious. 

Saturday we planted a garden at the Felkins for service which was fun and then we had a steak fry in the evening where everyone tried to give us ALL the extra food and there was a lot of it. No wonder the average weight gain is 60 lbs! haha. 

Sunday we went to two wards. The second one the Laurels class presidency spoke and they all did awesome! I wish I had a copy of all of their talks. And then we handed out some mothers day cards and then in the evening I GOT TO TALK TO YOU! I think that wins for best part of the week. It was hard to say goodbye but I felt so good afterward :) 

But I think that is about it! I love you so much!

Sister Balero

One Year Come and Gone

May 5 

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Well it has been a crazy but really good week for the most part :) And I forgot my notes...again.

WE HAD NO CANCELLATIONS THIS WEEK :) AND ALMOST 100% TRUE FELLOWSHIPPING :) 

Monday was really boring. I ended up falling asleep. oops! We had 3 lessons that night which was good :) One was Dusty the lesson before that I said was my total teaching by the spirit lesson. He said he had a couple of rough weeks but knew it was coming because that lesson was so powerful and has really stuck with him and thanked me again. Really it was the spirit teaching but it is a blessing to see the spirit work through me because I was able to listen and follow it and be worthy to have it.  And our last appt gave us each John Bytheway CDs to listen to and we love them but have realized how much we drive because we are almost done with the first set. haha. A break from the music we are sick of though.

Tuesday was a busy day all day which was awesome :) We read like we do all tuesdays. I love the ultimate gift and am excited to finish it in a couple of weeks. Its hard to have to wait a week to read more. Sometimes its hard to remember we are only doing it for service because we get so excited and in to it. haha

Wednesday we went on exchanges which were good except for the first time we had a bunch of dead time and nothing to do and felt like I was totally lazy. The lessons that day were really good though. My companion for the day and I were really good at equalizing our teaching which was nice. 

Wednesday was my year mark!! :)We first had ZTM in the morning which was good :) We had a dutch oven dinner at the felkins and burned my skirt :) It was awesome! I love them :) We then had two really good lessons in the evening. It was a good day :)

Friday we had our long weekly planning session and then more really good lessons :)

Saturday was awesome as well. We filled our empty day with productive things to do :) We ate lunch at home and then i realized I had no food so I ate a small bowl of cereal and was starving. I remeber saying a prayer that I would be able to find food or last until dinner. We were then invited to the stake baptisms. We were 20 minutes late and they were all over. We were bummed. The girl we were going to the dad is excommunicated and so the priest age son baptized the 8year old. The rest of the family was really active. So I updated some teaching records in the chapel and then the mom saw us and invited us over to lunch. So I got lunch and we got into the home :) It was awesome and an answer to prayer. We then had a lesson with a couple who are impossible to teach. They like to talk and will tell a 10 minute story about a bunny cupcake in the middle of our repentance lesson. True story. But they were quiet and listened and it was short but powerful as they said they needed to go back to church. We then stopped by the Wildas and talked and she made us this strawberry lemonade and chocolate peanut butter ice creams that were delicious! :) Yum! and then we had another lesson that goes about the same as the other couple and it went really well too!

Then Sunday we went to church all day which was really good! WE havent had like ANYONE at church for weeks and so many people came!! It was awesome! There is one less active who took himself to church last week and came again with his wife this week. We werent in his ward but heard he bore his testimony. I taught the restoration to them on exchanges. We had been trying to get into that home but struggling and then we finally did and then last night found out HES NOT A MEMBER! Tender Mercy! We have been struggling to find investigators and we didnt even know we were already working with one who was progressing! We were so happy! Everyone told us he was less active because they assumed he was a member! :) yay! That was neat! We helped the felkins prepare their dinner in one of our dead times and then we headed to dinner...starving...it had been a full 24 hours when we got there and they invited us in and said. so its not done so do you want to just share your thought first? It ended up being 20 minutes later. haha.  Hawaiian haystacks! My favorite! In the evening we went to singing again which was good :) 

So I know there was more than that but that is all I can really remember. 

I love you! have a great week

Sister Balero