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