Happy Birthday to Me! :)

Dec 16

Hello Family!

This may be a long email which I may or may not have time to finish. Its been a crazy week!

Monday we had dinner with a family I love and ate some delicious white chicken chili soup! :) And then Sister manning said her last goodbyes!

Tuesday We took sister Manning to the mission Office and she headed to Seattle! We then ate at Sammy's which brought back so many memories from the one in Rexburg! I bought the Seattle (A DELICIOUS BURGER) in honor of Sister Mannings new mission! :) We had some time so I got to go see D! I was so happy! :) But I found out B is in the hospital. Keep her in your prayers please.

One of the Spanish sisters had her training meeting and I was alone with one other sister for a while and we were talking a little. At one point she said "It would be so weird if we ended up being companions" and then was shocked when I told her I was serving in eagle mountain in the middle of nowhere, that it was so far and I was walking. I knew in that moment she would be my companion! haha. Then I was with the Spanish sisters when they said their goodbyes.

Wednesday was TRANSFERS! It was so different doing them this way. I got to see Sister Reynolds and talk to her which was good! We went and sang to a lady in the hospital! I have been rethinking what I want to do with my career so when christa mentioned music therapy in her letter I thought I would love that! I want to know more about it and the schooling because I loved that. It would be so rewarding as well. I might steal her career! haha. We went to transfers and found out as our district was announced first that my companion was none other than Sister Molina. The girl I sat next to and talked to the previous day. haha. She is from Hawaii and very sweet. Her last companion was sister Coleman from Kennewick. She knew Devyn. She has been out 3 months and I am her 2nd companion. We went to Walmart and ate at the subway there and a sweet man paid for us! Then we went home and  I found out she is allergic to cats...So that is the main reason we are moving even though it hasn't been as much of a problem as it was with sister manning. That night we had a dinner in White Hills. So she got to see our whole stake. And she got to meet some people.

Thursday We had a lot of contacting and stuff.

While walking a random family stopped us and had us help secretly deliver a Christmas tree to a family! It was so fun! And at correlation Brother Meyer gave me a hug! Oh my goodness! He felt so bad! He is a convert and I thought he knew that was a rule but I guess he didn't and he said give me a hug when I tried to shake his hand and I laughed because I thought he was joking. haha. oops!

Friday we went to a lot of homes and taught. Also over those three days I got one package a day! :) I loved my gifts! I needed socks and letter writing, and hot chocolate and handwarmers was so sweet! And then the lantern was so sweet and just what I needed!

Saturday was my birthday. We started off the day at a ward party. And then came home and studied. My comp made a little scavenger hunt! It was so cute and led to a little letter. It was so simple but she had no notice and still made the effort to do something. Then we had our baptism which was great! I love Elizabeth! And then we contacted and then had dinner at the M’s. They were sweet and made delicious taco soup and then got me a present of socks since that's what they knew I had wanted and a cake. I felt bad though because they were super busy with moving and I felt like I was in the way. It was sweet for them to do anything. Oh and mom Anderson bought me a scarf! So cute!

We then went to another ward party and Brother Meyer crashed it and made sure they knew it was my birthday so they brought me up and the ward sang to me. There is also a fireworks factory out in Fairfield and they were setting off some fireworks! Something I have never experienced on my birthday! haha.

Sunday I stayed home for the morning because something didn't settle well in my stomach that night. Then we went to church and accidentally went to the wrong building! Only in Utah! haha.

Then we set up a dinner with the family who bought us lunch who we found out is a less active family we had been trying to meet! The Lord really puts us in the right place at the right time!

Well I think that is all! I love you lots and hope you have a great week! :)

Sister Balero

A week of sickness and miracles

Dec 9

So...Monday we played 4 square and ninja and ultimate Frisbee and apple shmear! So fun!!  We then went to one appointment and then home early because we both weren't feeling well. It took me til about midnight to fall asleep and was rudely awakened to find out I had the flu. I was throwing up until 3:30 when the elders came over and gave me a blessing. I felt so bad to wake them up. Then threw up again at 6. More details than you want. And finally fell asleep at 7. I was laying out on the couches because I couldn't even get into my bunk bed before I had to run out again. So long story short we couldn't even leave the house until Friday evening. I gave sister manning the flu. But we experienced a couple miracles and got permission to watch a Disney movie! :) We chose Monsters University and LOVED IT! :)

This is going to be brief but Miracle numero uno! Our baptism planned for this Saturday we found out needed permission from her dad as well as her mom to be baptized since she is only 9. The mom was sending us hopeless heartbreaking texts asking us to beg and that he will never say yes and that she was in tears not knowing how she was going to break it to her daughter. Her dad hasn't had contact for 5 years and is anti lds living in the phillipines. I was heart broken! I ended up getting a second blessing because I felt so completely hopeless. In my blessing it said through faith and God’s power miracles can and will happen. We saw our miracle. She contacted him on facebook and gave permission! I feel as if we were sick for this purpose. There must be opposition so in order for a miracle to occur we needed that moment of complete humility. That's the short version. This sickness went from throwing up to dehydration because I couldn't keep anything down so I had a major headache and my stomach was very cramped. I couldn't stand up straight until Thursday night.

Miracle number two: I tried to read scriptures. During this whole time I felt so abandoned and alone and I was reading Pres Monsons talk from the General Relief Society Meeting and reading the story about Tiffany and How the very thing she wanted and needed was given to her by a complete stranger so that the Lord could show his love for her so personally and show that he is listening and I just kept hoping that I could receive a blessing similar because I felt so alone. But felt like I just wasn't being appreciative. That day I got a letter from Sister Lake in Highlands ward. She said that she had stumbled upon my blog and my asking for letters and so quickly sent one out and thanked me for my work. I know Heavenly Father is looking out for me and that he Loves me because he sent a random stranger to send me a letter in my time of need :)

We went to some ward parties and sister Manning said some goodbyes.

Thanks for your prayers! Love and miss you! :)

Sister Balero

Thanksgiving

Dec 2

Hi family!

So it’s been another LONG week!

Monday my companion was sick and so we stayed home so she could sleep. I had nothing to do because I didn't even have any letters to reply to. :/ I was not happy. That is my one day!

Tuesday for dinner we had café rio style burritos! So yummy! :) and the relationship between the dad and one girl was just like me and daddy! He kept making smart alecy remarks toward her and she would just punch him and he'd laugh and keep going! haha. The rest of the evening was okay.

Thursday was THANKSGIVING! It was so surreal. We had a turkey bowl in the morning. I was feeling way sick so I just watched but it was fun! :) My comp was sick as well but played anyway. We had a really good dinner and then later went to another family for pie and played guestures and then Mario Cart :) I don't think it’s technically allowed but I thought it was fine for the holiday. It was fun!

Friday I was sick again! Then over half of our appointments cancelled or weren't home. We were invited into a home for cookies and milk which was great! 

Saturday we went to the baptism of an 8 year old whose family is less active and we’ve been teaching. it was good! And then B came and we talked for a while! It was so good! I needed it! She was glowing! I have never seen her so good and happy! It made me so happy! There is something different about her! :) We then updated teaching records out in the warm sun at the park! :) And then went to Mom Andersons and had dinner and then played ticket to ride with a non member as a casual get to know and no one was home for the holidays anyway. The elders also gave my comp a blessing which she needed and things have been a little better.

Sunday I opened the package and Loved it! Too bad Christa stole my Christmas present for her! I was going to learn how to make that blue scarf! I wore a scarf and my socks to church and I was dying! It was so warm outside! But I was so excited! Who knew I’d be dying of heat December 1st in Utah! Church was good and then we had a dinner with the a family we love. So good! I tried Venison and actually liked it! I got super worried because they were all telling me not to get sick. And they had rolls just like ours and it was such a tender mercy! Happy 7 months to me! :) We then had a good lesson with our 9 year old getting ready for her baptism!

Well, I know that wasn't the happiest email and I’m sorry for it but I had a hard week. Love you and hope you’re doing well. On Friday I was thinking about you and how you were probably at Fred Meyers buying socks! :)

 Love sister Balero

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Nov 25

Wednesday we taught the 9 year old we put on date for my birthday! :) And we were reading her Book of Mormon stories and with big eyes she said I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is just filled with a bunch of tiny miracles! I thought that was awesome that she recognized that!

 Thursday was one of the most amazing days!! So I may or may not have been able to see my best friend aka FAIRY who may or may not have been staying with her sister in eagle mountain! :) It made me so happy! And it was just what I needed to be remotivated and to remember what I love about this work! :) She fed us lunch! :) It was super yummy! :) We then had exchanges which was really good because this has been such a hard week. We got fed some delicious food in the Spanish area! :) And then a second dinner later...Luckily it was just a tuna sandwich. When we went home we ate some Southern Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream! So delicious! It made me think of jean because I remember the first time I ever heard of it was when she was visiting from Texas and wanted to find the mix to make a cake. My comp for the day was from Texas.

 Friday was a rough day. At one point we were knocking doors in the cold for about 2 hours which at that point our hands were not able to move. Even all the member families we would normally stop by to warm up and make a plan were gone. Eventually we went and hung with Bishops wife. She is seriously the cutest and sweetest! And I love their kids! One of the doors we knocked was a member family and she opened the door and we asked if she was okay because she just looked upset and she said it’s been a hard day. We then said sorry and she told us that her husband has been unemployed for 6 months and the job they thought he was going to get was given to someone else that day and that Christmas was coming up. It broke my heart. I felt so selfish! I decided I am not going to buy anything but the food I need while shopping and buy presents for them!! We also met one of our investigators who is completely active and knows it’s all true but wants to wait another year and a half to be baptized by his missionary son and is very stubborn about he will not change his mind.

We then slept at the Spanish sisters house because my comp was leaving very early to go with her family to watch her younger siblings be sealed. Approved sleepover number two! I am happy for her but it has been tough hearing her talk about getting to be with her family all week when I can’t!

Sunday we went to a primary program. I loved it! For dinner we had homemade chicken and broccoli hot pockets! So delicious!!!! :) And then appointments cancelled. Then we went to a missionary BYD. Which was awesome! And then we went to a member family who invited us over for cookies and hot chocolate! It was great! They are adorable!  It was so much fuN! :)

 Did I tell you before my nickname given by the M girls? Sister Buffalo. Because she couldn't remember my name and couldn't pronounce balero! haha.

 That was the week! There was more than I remembered! Love you! Can’t wait to hear from you this week! :)

 Love,

Sister Balero       

Hot Chocolate & Service

Nov 18

Monday a lady gave us each $5 at the restaurant we ate at with tears in her eyes! It was so sweet! And we went to target which made me miss fairy and christa! A lot! :'(

Tuesday we had a great zone conference! I will probably send notes in the mail.

We had some great lessons and one very hard lesson where the lady was very offended and told us that she only got baptized because of peer pressure and has no testimony. :/

Wednesday was tough. I got an incredible blessing though which was an answer to prayer. One of the sisters wrote it out for me and I am so grateful! We had exchanges which was great!! I got to talk to her about some things which was a blessing.

Thursday was really tough! We experienced a tender mercy though! We found a package from the bishop’s family with supplies and each $10 saying they were thinking about us and to let them know if we needed anything! It was so sweet!!!!

Saturday we did service for an animal sanctuary in the snow which was fun but cold. Also tender mercies Friday. We were walking after a rough morning super depressed when a car pulled up and handed us hot chocolate saying she saw us freezing so she ran home quickly made us hot chocolate and then tracked us down. And then she gave us a ride! It made me want to cry! And then we got to talk with one of our moms which made us feel a lot better. We had another tough lesson that night.

Sunday was incredible! The talks were so good and so personal! And answers to prayers! And then I had a rough moment when I found out Sister Rees is going home. She and president have prayed, fasted and gone to the temple and know that she needs to be with her family right now to help support them. She will be released honorably. It is just hard to have my friend who has been with me since day 1 leave. I then got another awesome blessing. Then we went on splits and had a really powerful lesson. Even though they did not accept to be baptized I think they will eventually. They are a family I love so much and the spirit was so strong in the lesson!

Well, That's the short version of the week! I love you and hope to hear from you!

Love,

Sister Balero

Loving Eagle Mountain

Nov 11

Hi family!
I got my first letter in about 4 weeks yesterday!! :)I was so grateful to finally get a letter even if just from my last companion. But please send mail!
I have lots to say again. I have probably written about 12 pages in my journal this week.
Monday we went shopping at the Walmart 20 minutes away. Haha. We then went to a chapel with our district and another with special permission and we played volleyball, poison and slaughter ball! It was a blast! Poulima about killed all the elders though! It was scary! Holy cow! He kept attacking them! I may or may not have slammed him in the head with a ball though...haha. In the evening we went to an appointment where they fed us this yummy chicken chili and then went to the M’s and burned my shirt for my 6 month mark! And then had FHE with them. It was great!

Tuesday was really cold!! Because we hadn't figured out our dinner calendar yet the Ms fed us again. We shared a spiritual thought with them. It was the video of I’ll go where you want me to go from the work of salvation broadcast. Those crazy kids didn't say one word as they sat and watched attentively. There have been few times I have felt the spirit so strong. There was such a reverence. At the end brother M said with tears in his eyes. The feeling in this room right now is no different than in the chapel. I wish we could have held on to that moment a minute longer but he then rushed them off to bed.
Wednesday the elders had scheduled us booked from 3:30 to 8 so we planned to eat at 8 and ate a little at 3. We were just going to feed us but then Sister M talked to one of the fellowshippers so we could have a meal to take home. His wife wouldn't be home so we couldn't come in. So earlier in the day all but one appointment cancelled but we still had our dinner plan til 8. So we went out contacting and met a lot of people which was awesome! And then Brother M scheduled something for us at 8. For not eating I felt great! The Lord really does bless us as we just go and do the work! It feeds us spiritually. When Bro M and the man we taught at 8 found out we hadn't eaten yet they were furious!! Holy cow! They told us to never go hungry again and to make sure we are taken care of. They wouldn't believe me when I told them I wasn't even hungry! But needless to say we are being taken care of here!
Thursday we had ZTM which was really good. And then in the evening we taught this girl and her family.

Friday we got to go to the temple which was a blessing. The temple is the only time I get for myself. The elders and us waited outside for about an hour for the Spanish sisters wondering why in the world they were taking so long. We had fun taking a bunch of pictures including awesome jumping ones! Haha. It was super fun! And there was this adorable bride and groom! :)

At one point we were tracting and didn't know who to go see and so we said a prayer and my comp said that we should go visit a certain family. We went over there and no one was home but across the street a family was sitting on the porch that we wouldn't have thought to go see. Normally I would just kind of say hi and walk off but I have really realized that The Lord works in mysterious ways and puts us in the path of people so I just told my comp. Let’s go talk to them. She was really hesitant but we walked up and said hi. They were really open and he had to leave but that gave us the opportunity to sit and chat with just the grandma. She was really open about the situation her daughter in law was offended and she and the son were inactive as well but trying to return and we shared a thought with her and she said it’s really ironic that you shared that because of what has been going on this past week. The next day I heard that same comment. It is really ironic. I just wanted to tell her that it wasn't ironic. It was the spirit that knew what she needed. Nothing is a coincidence. The Lord cares about her and he provided that way for him to talk to her!  She told us she wanted to have us back and even invited us to go to thanksgiving point with her when she found out we had never been and said we had to. I hope we can get permission for it!

Saturday we started off the day by going to a primary presidency breakfast. The stake president talked to all of them but I felt like it was just for me! A couple of things he said were first "Sometimes we get caught up in the little things and lose sight of the purpose we are called." And the second is "Don't compare yourself. We each have our own talents and are called specifically for who we are and our personal strengths and talents".
He also talked a lot about the influence that we have on children. He said "Children are like wet concrete.  A feather can make an imprint but an elephant can't once it is hardened." It is so important that we teach our children. I am so grateful that I have been taught since I was young of the truth so that I could have that strong testimony now! He also talked about how every fast Sunday it is the children that you see lined up to share what they know with no fear! They don't care that they don't know everything but they share what they do! Lastly, president Hinckley dedicated our stake center! That doesn't happen every day that the prophet will dedicate the stake center! He and other apostles since have said "This area will be a great training ground for the future leaders of the church" That is incredible! This is an amazing area! He also said "Your youth are better than you, they are stronger than you, but you are meant to train them!"  And went on to say "They are training us as much as we are training them" we are meant to be as little children! Homework watch the Mormon message the Christmas spirit. It again just demonstrates the influence of children! Sister A fed us dinner that night! She is going to be one of many moms in this area. She is Elder Niuia Tofa's mom! This was his first area! He keeps texting her and asking if she's taking care of me! I really feel a connection with her though! She is seriously the sweetest lady! We then taught one of the hardest people I think I will ever teach and do not have time to go into!  And we knocked lots of doors.
Sunday we spoke in two sacraments and met with the stake president. We then had a delicious dinner at one of the bishop’s homes! I love them! One boy has the most energy I have ever seen in a kid which means a lot! Haha. And then the oldest boy was adorable and calm and just taking care of the baby and picking up all of the toys the other was throwing around! We then had an appointment with a sweet family out in the boonies! Haha. And then we came home and went straight to bed! There is the week! :)
Please write me! I love you!

Sister Balero

Hello Eagle Mountain

Hi family!

Tuesday was my last day in the area and let me tell you it was so much harder to leave Orem than I thought it would be. In our hectic day I only had about 2 hours to say goodbye to everyone. I first said goodbye to Grandma G which was really hard. She is such an incredible lady and I am going to miss her smile and willingness to do everything she can to help us! We then said goodbye to K -! And then I went to my trainers meeting. Some bold things were said but they were things I needed to hear! I just want to be the best missionary I can and not waste any more time with disobedience or negativity because I have really learned this week that it is such a blessing to be able to serve a mission. There are so many who don't have the chance to serve or their time is cut short and I just take it completely for granted when there are so many who can't and desire it so much. We then came back and I said goodbye to the S’s which was a really hard goodbye. They were the ones who made me feel welcome and loved in Orem when I was having a hard time and didn't feel that way. We then had to rush off to judge a chili cook off.  There were a couple really good ones! We just downed it with homemade root beer which was delicious! We then went to the H’s to say goodbye. The hardest goodbye. Schultz made me a crown and played my favorite song and we just hung out with them!

Wednesday I left Orem. Transfers were crazy! We eventually figured out our ride and how to get all our stuff to our new home. My new companion is Sister Manning. She is from Roosevelt/Vernal (eastern Utah). She is a trial missionary because she was on medical leave and should be headed to the Seattle mission at the end of this transfer. We got lost on our way and eventually made it to Eagle Mountain. It is seriously in the middle of nowhere! Haha. We got to our house and the landlady wasn't home. We had the garage code though so we went in. We then met up with the elders and a fellowshipper took us to some appointments and the elders handed over the people to us. So it took us 20 minutes to drive to one appointment in our stake and we are a walking area...there are two wards way out but luckily the rest is kind of close. Haha. It took us 15 minutes to walk to the nearest neighborhood from our house...yeah... It'll be an adventure.
Thursday was Halloween! :) We went shopping so we had some food. Then we had DTM which was good. I like our district. We then facebooked. I went through and started editing my blog a little bit. So that it all matches and such. And then we changed and went to the chapel for our district activity. It was super fun! There are 4 sisters and 2 elders. All us sisters wore superhero shirts! Haha. And the elders are hilarious. We watched Ephraims Rescue which was good :) at one point there is a kiss and all of us started hiding our eyes and yelling this was approved what was president thinking?? Haha just as a joke and then one elder yelled 11 months! Haha. It was so funny! And then we played spoons which was really fun too.
Friday we tried to do our weekly planning but had no information. That's what happens when you take over an area from elders! Haha. That evening we went to another appointment that the elders were turning over. One of our elders is Samoan and hilarious but he is a great teacher and I have learned so much from just a few times of him teaching. He has a bunch of analogies that just make everything so simple and he is really good at always testifying. Every time he hands them over to us he says " we can't come back but you are so lucky to be getting these wonderful beautiful sisters" hehe. We then ate dinner at an awesome Ward Mission Leader’s house whose daughters are crazy and hilarious!  And they gave us a ton of names! There is so much work to be done here! Oh and it was my 6 month mark!! :)
Saturday we went to a service project in the morning. It was there that I received news that Sister Rees's mom had passed away the night before! It broke my heart and I was in shock. I didn't know how to help her and then I kind of had a break down thinking about what would I have done if it was my mom or someone in my family. I just want you all to know how much I love you and how grateful I am to have been blessed with such an incredible family and to be blessed to have so much time with them. I really hope I can make you proud. And please keep her and her family in your prayers. We then went to Lehi for a baptism in my comp’s last area which was good. We then came back and I rested because I was not feeling well. Then in the evening we had another couple of appointments with the elders.
Sunday we woke up to it snowing. Yeah...We got a ride to church and sat with the WML(Ward Mission Leader) . We then went and had a meeting and then knocked a lot of doors in the cold. We got a couple of appointments though! :) And then the elders wouldn't call us back and let us know what was going on so we basically spent the whole evening with the WML family again. We ate some yummy tacos! I was so hungry that night. And then we had an appointment in one of those forever away towns and we had the wrong address.

Well, That has been my crazy week! I hope I got everything in there!

Love you so much and hope you have a wonderful week!! :)

Love,

Sister Balero