Email received August 25, 2010

So, with an abundance of rain and mosquitoes, anyone want to guess what else we have an abundance of?

Investigators? Not really.

Yep. Froggies.

There's a series of swamps and ponds all through the area, and two right in the apartment complex, we have a lot of frogs. I, of course, am just fine with this, I think it's fun to see them. But Hermana Mendoza is rather your typical girl. Bees, snakes, frogs, and worms are all in her vocabulary as synonymous with "Gross." As such, I have refrained from picking any up, but I have touched a few, to her squealing protests.

The other day, however, a worm got lost on the pavement, about six inches from the garden where a few investigators were sitting. As we left the appointment, I took a closer look. He was absolutely HUGE, but, like most worms, wasn't very bright. so, very gently, I picked him up and set him in the garden. Hermana Mendoza, and all three of our investigators promptly began to squeal and shout, gathering the attention of all the neighbors. I frowned and told them it was just a worm, but this did not placate them. I sanitized my hand, and after a few more minutes of being the center of attention, we went on our way. I'm very glad that I only inherited half the squeamishness that most girls get.

We had two baptisms this Sunday. All went relatively well, except that all the leadership was way late. The family was very patient with us, and were content to sit and watch movies in the interim, but Hermana Mendoza was very sad, while I was struggling with an outright angry response. Still, the spirit was sweet for us the following Sunday when they were confirmed. It set the tone for an amazing branch/ward combined conference.

We're rushing to get to know all the English ward leaders, but we're having fun. We've got some amazing investigators, and some that would be amazing if they pan out. Hermana Mendoza Is going through last-week-in-the-MT sort of anxiety at the prospect of teaching in English, but I think She's doing fine. Certainly she's exited to work with people who have experience in the church.
That's about all on my end. Tell Jemile that she has to send me an invitation, or else.

Love you all, and hope you have fun in this new school year.

Sincerely,
Hermana Maren Jones

Email August 18, 2010

This week has been kinda hard for me. I've been really tired, and having a hard time getting moving in the morning. I'm sleeping well I think, and the weather has cooled a bit, but I've been frequently nauseous and I've been having a lot of headaches. I don't think I'm dehydrated. I've had a hard time gathering my enthusiasm for the work, even though we've been having some fantastic lessons lately, and some huge miracles. In fact, I'm having a hard time motivating myself to do do anything at all. I'm not unhappy per-SE, but I'm definitely feeling lazy.

It might have something to do with transfers. Today, Hermana Secrist, my trainer, and Hermana Goodman, my companion in The Loop, return home. Hermana Secrist goes back to Utah State in about 20 days, Hermana Goodman back to BYU in about 8. Hermana Goodman has learned, through inference, that she and her boyfriend (who served in the St. George mission), in addition to going home the same day, will be riding the same plane out of SLC to Oregon. As neither one will be relieved of their calling yet, This promises to be hopelessly awkward.

In other, more exciting news, the mission is short about 14 missionaries. As P. Doll has just opened up a few new areas, this is having some interesting effects: Sister "Grandma" Lyon (the oldest non-senior missionary in the mission) has been covering about half of our area on the English-speaking side. She's going home today too. Her companion has already returned to Temple Square. (Temple Square missionaries serve 4 months in other US missions doing regular proselyting work, and then return to Temple Square.) And guess who's going to cover their area in the current man-shortage.

C'mon, guess.

That's right: Yours Truly.

So, with high anticipation, I'm working on memorizing the First Vision in English, and re-thinking my teaching methods on the assumption that not everyone I meet is going to be catholic or former-catholic. Not to mention our number of investigators has just doubled. As has the number of meetings we have to go to.

Wish me luck.

Maren

Email August 11, 2010

So, last week, we had missionary week for the youth. We basically tried to replicate some of the MTC Experience, and gave them the opportunity to go out with either us or the elders. The youth ate it up, but the parents had other priorities, with the end result that we basically only managed three days of the program. Still, the youth loved it, and I think with a little bit more hype for the parents, and attacking the whole ride issue early, It could have been very successful. I'm going to work up a packet that other missionaries can use.

In other news, We got the whole fire-alarm issue resolved. Remember what I said about burning things in #38? Well obviously burning a tie is a smoky affair, and elders frequently remove fire alarms to do it. In this case, They had hidden one behind the mirror in the bedroom. SO, the second time the repairman came in to replace both units, We started freaking out because he had them both disconnected and the batteries removed. I was about 12 hours total short sleep, so after many apologies and thanks, I just about had a breakdown. that said, all is now well in the world.

Antonio is not getting baptized. He's changed his mind, saying he's not ready yes. says he wants to "study some more." We had a long and detailed conversation, covering all the possible issues, to no avail. Hermana was heartbroken, but there is nothing we can do.

Sounds like you all are having a great summer. I'm glad. Keep on rocking.

Oh, and Kudos goes to Myr for trying to get me Jemile's address. Sadly though, it's not quite right. Someone PLEASE get it to me? I CANNOT miss my cousin's marriage!