Email Received February 3, 2010

SO. Things go on, and I'm not sure what to do.

We have our first baptism this Saturday at 1:00. We're praying and hoping nothing goes wrong...

Our tribe is distinctly lukewarm right now. We're going to try and plan to get them a little more fired up.

We have a baptismal commitment right now, one guy who we're never sure is he's serious or not. He has a couple of word of wisdom issues, so we haven't given him a date... slow but steady.

I've not been sleeping well. I wake up frequently, wondering if I'm up to the task. This is irrational and totally not important (the lord qualifies whom he calls), but damaging all the same. I'm a basket case right now, which is bad all around.

I love the members very much, despite all the frustration in my last letter. I just feel like I'm trying to reach across a gap without falling in. of course anyone who know about my natural grace (or rather the complete lack thereof) knows how much of a struggle that is for me. That said, I do not scold, and I'm not condescending (not intentionally, at least.) just frustrated.

We're trying to cut down of visits to members... but it doesn't really change anything since all our investigators feed us too. We even get fed when out knocking. We're supposed to work out for 30 minutes every morning... at 6:30 am. While I appreciate the necessity, I'm a complete zombie at that hour. Hermana has told me that I often spend 15 minutes staring at the wall, doing nothing. I believe it. I'm trying to improve, but I'm just not THERE at that hour. (No, I don't want to shower first thing. showers put me to sleep, as you well know.)

Hermana Maren M Jones

Email Sent January 27, 2010

What does one do with a branch that's been a branch for 30+ years?

While it is exciting to be trying to help the branch try to become a ward, the fact is that I'm not sure how to help. The main part of the branch consists of easily offended "creentes," or "believers" who don't do more than come to sacrament. Teachers are stuck in the read-from-the-book rut, and the youth are bored out of their minds. And because everyone has sensitive egos, (See the food-fat complex described below) we cannot be the least bit blunt in suggesting they try to do better. There are a few people who have managed to become strong in the gospel through their own efforts... and struggle to understand why everyone else doesn't do the same. The end result is that there is no visiting or home teaching, and poor excuses for mutual and primary activates. We've also learned that there is a distinct lack of testimony. Many of the members believe, a little, or want to believe, but lack the surety about the most basic principles of the gospel that all members need.

It's a real pickle.

Members generally like us, but we're in constant strife. The Relief society signs up to feed us on a calendar. However, there is a strong cultural tradition of offering food to ALL guests at ALL times, and as a guest, it is an insult to the host not to accept the food and then eat ALL of it. Because of this, we are many times obliged to eat several "dinners" every evening. Hermana Secrist, just before I came, had four full meals in as many hours; I've managed to escape with no more than three, thus far.

Not accepting the food has disastrous consequences. Hermana Secrist once related how one member forced several servings on her and her companion. When unable to finish, they were asked point blank why they weren’t eating. They said that the food was very good, and they were no longer hungry. The hostess proceeded to insist they have more, but they simply were not able to, and said as much. The hostess then said "Are you saying I'm fat because I eat this much?!?" and proceeded to kick them out of the house.

While this is an extreme cenario, It's a good example of how delicately we are being forced to choose our words and actions; I simply do not understand the culture well enough to cope. I do not know whether this is a failing on my part, or what.

All suggestions and help (NOT in the form of food) are more than welcome.

Sorry for the negative note; I'll hand write some better news later.

Yours Truly,
Maren Jones

Email Dated January 20, 2010

I don't have much time to write, but I want yo let you know that this has been my best/worst week so far.

The good stuff:
Tribe Lupercio, consisting of about 15 people, came to church this week, for a grand total of 11 investigators at church. (several of the kids are not baptismal age, and we saw a few new people as well). The Elders are jealous, and determined to beat us.

The branch has a goal to become a ward, and attendance has been high enough to validate that goal. (Although we're short 30 members and 4 Melechezedek priesthood holders). We did a lot of knocking, end every time someone would open to us. I've learned a whole lot about the catholic church. (Not the Roman Catholic church. evidently there’s more than one brand. shoulda known.)  President Doll is not transferring any of us Spanish speakers, and has pronounced us a "team" with the project to make this branch a ward.

We have one set baptismal date, two more wavering, and one catholic woman who has all the pieces, but needs to make the decision to change religions. (As of now, she's been "just learning.")  I have successfully escaped several run in with j-dubs. (All you have to do is offer them a card, and they run away screaming. ^_^)

The not so good:
We’ve had a lot of citas fall through. Thus, we've been doing a lot of knocking. We've been encountering a lot of resistance from parents. One little girl, who was able to assert powerfully that she knew the church was true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, is having doubts about getting baptized because her mom is reluctant to do anything.  A lot of less-active families are having issues, and we've been dragged in as marriage counselors. (Distinctly against the rules!)

We think one of our investigators is autistic, and have had to drastically alter our teaching methods.

One young man, who was going to get married, has been counseled not to by his lawyer because, "Her mom just wants your money." Oh yeah, I'm livid.  Everyone, from Presidiente Urrrutia (branch president) on down is struggling with either work, health, or family. We're both sick.

No more time. Love and miss you all. Hope you are well.

Maren.

Letter Postmarked 12 Nov 2009

Dear All,
    Did you know that despite the fact that I go up and down at least 30 flights of stairs a day, (my classroom is on the 5th floor,) I am somehow uninjured?  I have not fallen once!  While this seems silly to most people here, for me, this is no less than a minor miracle, as you well know, and one I am quite thankful for.
    The days pass so fast that I hardly recall what happened yesterday, or even a few hours ago.  The majority of the last month is a distant blur.
    Yesterday, Hna. Perez received a package from her sister (we DO eat things besides cookies, you know,), which contained, among the baked goods, a card … for me.  Inside was a note of respect and love, terminated with “If you need help coping with Becky, just ask.”  I was amused and touched.
    I have frequently thought of home this week, with a certain wistfulness, but I remain un-saddened.  I often reflect, in a frustrated moment of two, that I would very much like to pick up a controller and kill a few pixels, but it’s a silly, wistful thought, not a longing.
    I’ve become fairly close to elders Nielson and Condie, as has Hna.  Elder Nielson is one of these people who is constantly making strange faces for no apparent reason, and Elder Condie is quiet and reserved (kind of like father is) until he pulls out this small comment that just makes it hilarious.  Elder Nielson is also an artsy, kinda touch-feely guy, and he seem to appreciate the fact that neither Hna. nor I (neither one of us is very effeminate) are “Boys.”  (Nor are we “Girls.”  The boy is a hopeless flirt.)
    Hna. found out about my knife, which she proceeded to relate to the whole district, calling it a “small sword.”  The Elders desperately wanted to see it, and I wanted to de-tooth the rumor.  However, when I showed the little dagger to them, they all expressed varying levels of awe and wonderment, and several said that it made them happy.  I’m not sure why.
    This week, we have received a little slip of paper that reads “If you could ask an apostle one question, what would it be?”  Aside from being baffling (what DOES one ask an apostle?)  it reeks of foreshadowing.  In an awesome screaming fan girl kind of way.
    Elder Condie received a letter from a friend in Japan.  The contents of which were not nearly as fascinating as the engrish that plastered the paper and the envelope.  “I am cool bone guy.  All girls are gutlessnesses in me,” was the most understandable.
    Speaking of Japanese, there is a zone of Japan bound missionaries down the hall from us.  They frequently bid me “Oyasuminasai” in the evenings, which I find touching, but requires me to change gears very quickly.  I find my desire to learn Japanese drastically increased, which no one seems to understand.  I think I just love the language.  However, until I learn Spanish, that’s just a dream.  So I buckle down and work harder.  (On a side note, I did bring both of my Japanese dictionaries.  The Lord blessed the prepared.)
    Oh!  That Jim Butcher story that father had me read just before I left!  It’s actually been a real moment here.  The line that the angel Gabriel says, “The battle was fought while you weren’t looking,” has become very well known to our zone, as has the story, in an abbreviated sort of way.  I used it as an example to show that even though we will not likely see much of the fruits of our labors, it does not mean it is not worthwhile.  Everyone loved it so much, and I was very glad of it.  I find other examples in fiction frequently coming to my mind to help me explain ideas, and my mission president assures me that I will need, at least once, to use that talent in the field.
    In addition to the Christmas list I sent in the e-mail, there is one other things I want.  It is a picture of the young Christ sitting on a purple cloth, teaching at the temple.  I like it very much because it uses Asian posing structures to describe what’s happening.  They do not have prints here, and the image in a PMG (a cropped version) does not have credits.
    I love you all, and hope you are doing well.  Don’t have too much fun without me.
Sincerely,
Hermana Maren M. Jones

PS: I’ve enclosed a separate letter just for Myr.  Also, I have enclosed some doodles.  Enjoy.  The dragon is for Caedy.  I based the personality on Tsuki.

Email Received 6 January 2010

    So, We met back with the investigator who set the date. She says that she's not ready to be baptized, but that her daughter is. It was kind of an "oookaaay" moment. She won't tell us exactly why she's not ready, but she's increased her reading. I think she's looking for something, but I'm not sure what, and neither is my companion. We’re going to do all we can to continue to prepare her, with hope that she'll change her mind.

    That said, another investigator has his baptismal date as well. We’ve been teaching him for a long time. He might have a second-grade education... maybe. However, we've seen miracles with him. In the short time I've been here, his reading has improved drastically, and the other day, he called us, saying, "I have a really important question I need to ask you." Of course, he wouldn't tell us what it was. So, we made a appointment for the next day after our zone meeting. Well, in zone meeting, President and Sister Doll did a role-play about using the scriptures to teach.  They used 3rd Nephi 27 to show who Christ was, and what we should do to follow him. It was amazing and inspiring. So when we got to the appointment, It was fresh in our minds. So, our investigators question was this: "Who are they who will not return to live in the kingdom of the Father?" (It's not nearly that elegant sounding in Spanish.) Well, we used the exact same chapter, and before we knew it, he was asking to be baptized, and we set the date for January 24. However, since he works weekends, we have to baptize him Sunday, since it's his only day off. We're going to talk with the branch president to see if we can do it that morning. Otherwise, the confirmation will have to be held outside of sacrament meeting.

    The soup sounds fantastic, and remarkably like something that one of the hermanos in the branch made for us. I think it would be a great tradition. I’m curious how Caedy did for Risk, since she so soundly schooled us last time. I'm also glad the kids got to make a snowman. I would have been sad if I had sent that kit and Teg never got the chance to use it.

    It's been very cold this past week. Sunday was -11 in the morning, and it has been hovering around 4 for the few days past. Today, however, is a balmy 24 degrees. Still too cold to wash the windows of the car... the cleaner freezes to them.

    The other day, we had to park our cars in another spot so they could plow our lot. We were greeted the following morning by a thick layer of frost... on the INSIDE of the windshield. Unsure what to do, we just sat in the car and let the defroster run. As a result, we were late to our meeting. No importa.

    By the way, I now have plenty of tights and nylons... I think I might be ok until say... Christmas next year. J It’s all good.

    I've written a letter to the ward. I'ts a little bit harsh, but I think they'll apreciate it just the same.

    I also got a letter from Bother Welch. Hermana and I laughed realy hard.

    Tell my little punk brother that if he doesn't send me his e-mail adress, I'm going to do something drastic... (not like there is anything I can do, realy...)

    Love you all. Best of luck to you in this new year.

Sincerely,

Hermana Maren Jones.

Email Received December 30, 2009

    Guess what?

    Gueeeees whaaaa-aaat!?!

    We've got two investigators with baptismal dates!!!
    Not even the ones we were expecting, either. This woman had been taught the lessons before, but had copped out just before baptism, saying she felt the missioneros had been putting too much pressure on her. We had taught her daughter (age 10) once before... I forget what. Anyway, the two of them were both at home for the holiday on Monday. We were planning on teaching about prayer, and the relationship between God and man. Instead, we ended up discussing a pamphlet I had left with them on a "whim". We essentially ended up teaching lesson 2 (plan of salvation) and explaining how the first principles and ordinances of the gospel fit into this. Towards the end, I was having an overwhelming feeling like I should ask them to be baptized. Of course, if it weren't for the visual aids Hermana was using, I wouldn't be able to follow the conversation. So as I begin looking for an opening, and trying to figure out how to parse the commitment, Hermana asks (pointing to the list of principles and ordinances) "How many of these have you done?"
    The daughter looks at the list, and struggling with her limited ability to read Spanish, acknowledges that she has faith and has repented. She then points to the third step, looks at her mom and says (in English) "Well, Mom, we haven't been baptized yet.”
    I had to keep myself from jumping up and down. We then very quietly handed them a calendar (even though we both could have exploded) and asked them when might be best for that. They were initially thinking end of February, but then (with no prompting from us at all) moved it back to the end of January!
    We ended the lesson, and got outside. Hermana looks at me briefly, and says, "What Just happened in there?" We restrained further comments till we got to the car, and just laughed and laughed.
    Hermana says we've been seeing miracles since I've come. Passive members are all of a sudden being active; we're teaching large groups of extended family, including children. We've knocked into two more likely investigators (and you know how profitable knocking usually is)  and have made major headway with others.
    Um, everything else has been shoved out the back of my head because of this awesomeness.
    Oh, we went to downtown Gilberts the other day. I think there was a grand total of 25 houses (Ignoring the large townhouse community that we couldn't even park in.) and I think we got them all. No Hispanics, but a couple referrals for the Elders.
    Got the gift card from David.
    Ah... I would ask that you refrain from sending chocolate until say, July. We have too much as it is.
    I hope y'all are working on your family mission plans. I know we're not exactly social butterflies, but every little reference helps.

Viendo milagros en este dia, por medio del Espiritu Santo: su hija,
Hermana Maren M Jones.

2nd letter postmarked 6 Nov 2009

Dear All,
    It is abundantly evident to me that I am an absolutely horrible letter writer, because last week’s letter is sitting on my shelf, addressed and stamped, but has not yet been sent.
    I would once again emphasize that Dearelder is the best service to contact me, and that I welcome letters from everyone, and would be pleased if you could inform friends and family as to its existence.
    All three strains of flu (A, B, Swine) are present on campus.  In fact, I just had a roommate come back from quarantine.  I myself have been ill a few times, (stomach flu, a cold and a cough,) but have not been judged ill enough to be quarantined.
    Because of the vindictiveness of the flu this year, all physical contact has been prohibited for the season.  No hugging, shaking hands, or even a friendly pat on the back.  The result is that we often end up waving our hands vaguely in the air in a combination of a wave and a handshake.
    My two teachers, Hno. Palmer and Hno. Millet, both have been working very hard on getting us to HIS (Habla su idioma; Speak your language.)  We are trying hard, but while I have a decent vocabulary, I am having difficulty keeping my conjugations straight.  The preterit and imperfect I find particularly challenging…not to their contents, but rather as to which is which.  I have a yellow cheat sheet, which Hermana loathes, but which I find useful to remind me which irregulars conjugate irregularly in which cases, and in which cases.  I would love to spend more time with the computer program they have for us (called TALL) but the labs tend to be full and noisy.  Hermana needs quiet to study, and does not like TALL anyway.
    Fast Sunday was excellent.  All of the speakers were inspiring and fun to listen to.  Choir, however, was cancelled, to my disappointment.
    Today I go to the temple.  The temple here is quite different from the Columbia River Temple, being much plainer in architecture and decoration, and lacking windows in the rooms.  The Spirit is, or course, the same.
    I cannot begin to tell you how much I miss having animals around.  The thought is constantly in the back of my mind that I would love to have a cold nose in my lap or have someone look at me with a “What ARE you doing” sort of look.
    While I have limited my drawing P-day and Sunday, doodles frequently escape. Pumpkins are particularly prominent this week.  Please enlighten me as to what Halloween festivities were engaged in this year.  What did ustedes wear?  What did you eat? Etc.  Many elders switched nametags for the occasion, and proceeded to act like their companion, inducing much amusement.
    The other day in gym, I was talking to Elder Nielson, (who is the other person who frequents choir) about what TV shows we watched as children.  After covering the young shows, we moved to other shows.  This led to me confessing my love of Sailor Moon.  Expecting him to either rebuff or ignore this, I took me almost 20 seconds to realize what he had actually said:” Yeah.  Sailor Saturn was my favorite.”  I was so flabbergasted it took me 10 more seconds to respond coherently.  He then told me that I must never speak of it in the MTC, which I promptly agreed to.
    On a side note one of the speakers on Fast Sunday said this of Isaiah: “I understand about half.  The rest I just love.”  I hope I can have that kind of faith and hope.

Please do:

• Tell Myr to put my lava lamp back.  Again
• Post this & all other correspondence to the blog.
• Ask Myr to post this on BMoG, as well as all other correspondence.

   
All my love,

Hermana Maren M. Jones

Alma 60:6.  Not really.

Videos

Just some links to silly little things the mission did for christmas. I'm not in any, but Myr at least should find them amusing. post them on the blog, too.

Mission Slide Show 

Video Christmas Card 1 

Video Christmas Card 2

Letter Received December 23, 2009

Thing of greatest importance: did you get the brief note about my driving record; have you sent in the paperwork?

Brief guilt message: I've received Christmas photos from both Aunt Sarah and cousin Erika, but I still don't have pictures of the kids in their Halloween costumes. (On the other had, I've not sent any pictures home, either....)

Snow is fun. Sleet is not. And when everyone and their dog have a plow for their truck, the highway gets a little scary.

Had district meeting this past week. The elders are an interesting bunch. Of course, they all live in the same apartment complex, so they know each other much better than we do. (They also have a gym, of which Hermana and I are quite jealous.) We had some fun doing role plays and a white elephant gift exchange. (I received a package of toilet paper, while hermana received a men's shaving kit.) We had lunch together, and went our separate ways.

I've sent gifts home for y'all. They should get there later today or early tomorrow. I hope you enjoy them. As I said in the included letter, I want a full report of the haul this year, especially what santa bequeathed as a family gift. (Pictures would be great!) I beg to differ about the wrapping. You forget how many presents I wrapped last year. I hope Myr has been upgraded to full "elf" status.

(By the way, if that box you sent me is what I think it is, it might be for naught. Yesterday we gave our little Christmas tree away to a family who was going to go without one this year.)

We went caroling Monday night. A less-active family organized it. We and two other families sang to investigators, less-actives, and family friends. We gave away baskets of fruit and cookies, each with a complimentary church video (either 'the nativity' or 'finding Faith in Christ') and a bag of microwave popcorn. Hermana Secrist is very talented with the guitar, and played for the occasion.

We also took the opportunity of having the loaned guitar to write a song. I'll see what I can do about getting it to you.

By the by, Hermana Perez is NOT tall, nor dark-haired. I was standing with Hermana Curtis much of the time, whose companion was recuperating in the MTC from appendicitis. (Both Hermana Perez and Elder Lemkey are rather intimidating people, so I stuck close by; besides, she took good care of me on the plane.) Hermana Perez looks about as Hispanic as I do, and is shorter than I. She has the curly blonde hair. And I did grow to love her, although not in any way I would have expected. She reminds me very much of Mother, at times.

We went to Pizzeria Oro because they allow you to order ahead of time, while most of the others do not. Still, it was great stuff.

I'm still getting used to reading the faces of the Hispanics. While their intonation is very much the same as English, their range of facial expressions is different. This is important, especially when they are reading scriptures, as many times they can't intone while reading. (Although I have been pleasantly surprised by the level of literacy, both in English and Spanish.)

I'm still getting acquainted with the branch. Presidente Urrutia is very active with both Investigators y menos-activos. The Spanish elders and we are having Christmas Eve at his house, and then we're going to another house for Christmas day.

Hope Christmas is great for all of you. Ask Myr if he's organized the children's committee yet, and tell him to send me an email. Also tell him I'm glad he's doing well wrestling, and that I rooting for him from afar. I have much more time to write out here in the field than I did in the MTC. (An hour, as opposed to 30 minutes.)

Sierviendo al Senor con todo mi alma, mente, y fuerza, os doy a vosotros todo de mi amor.

Sincieramente,

La Hermana Maren Jones

A Quick Note

You will note that I have updated Maren's address. They ask that all mail be routed through the Mission Office. This is to allow greater security for missionaries.

Letter Postmarked 6 Nov 2009

Dear All,

Last week was just too busy.  I’m sorry I didn’t write.

I finally found my immunization record, so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

I’m not sure what of my e-mail and letters you have received.  Including this, I have sent 3 e-mails and 2 letters.

Hma. Perez makes sure we’re always on time but the elders are still struggling with the short meal times, and are frequently late to class.  This has resulted in a game called “Get There Before the Hermanas,” which frequently sends the elders dashing up the stairs past us, which I find amusing.

I’m enjoying choir a lot.  It is my favorite time.  This week, most of the elders are joining me in choir.  (Hma. Perez, while gifted to play the saxophone, has a rather terrible voice, and she’s quite aware of this.)  The directors are both very talented, and always have uplifting things to say.

We spend one day a week in the Response Center.  There, we make follow-up calls, take inbound calls, and participate in chats from mormon.org.  The other day, I spent half an hour talking to a woman who was looking for a church that would accept her.  She had several obvious tattoos, and while she was not proud of them, they had caused her to be rejected from several churches.  She had a sincere desire to come closer to Christ.  I read her the first vision, and committed her to pray and come to church.

The newest district in our zone has two new sisters.  I’m thrilled and Hma. Perez is happy, too.

I must freely admit that I am not sleeping well.  On a good night, I get 6 to 6 ½ hours of sleep, which has begun to tell on me a bit.  I’m getting help and will let you know what’s happening.

Please Do:

•     Send my camera cable to the mission office
•     Publish all mail to the Blog and BmoG (Myr will know how to do this)
•     Send one of my smallest square Aquabee drawing books. (In the brown portfolio)
•     ¡Tell Myr to put my lava lamp back!
•     Publish my various addresses and DearElder to everyone.
  
  Sincerely,

    Hma. Mären Michelle Jones

Mission Office

Hermana Maren Michelle Jones

Illinois Chicago North Mission

3295 Arlington Heights  IL  60004

In response to father’s letter:

I highly recommend DearElder as the best way to contact me.  I only have 30 minutes online on p-day, so myldsmail is not very practical (and apparently has bounce issues) and while snail-mail will get to me, I am limited to writing letters on p-day.  (Although sometimes I fudge a little on that, using quiet time.)

I gave some details on Hma Perez in my e-mail.  However I did not mention that I am struggling to form a relationship with her, an issue she is aware of and that we are working hard to resolve.  We both work hard to care for each other, but have not developed even a cursory friendship.  Our mission president assures us that as we share experiences, we will build common ground and friendship.   So, to be bluntly honest, I’m not sure there is anything I love about my companion yet.  I am constantly seeking some way I can open up to her and try to respond warmly to her attempts, but as of yet, there is little between us.

I have not included details of my schedule because it is hopelessly erratic.  The teachers are all BYU students, and so teaching is worked in between classes.  There are few constants, which I will list on the back.

Daily (except Fast Sunday)

    6:30 – arise & prepare

    7:00 – breakfast

    12:30 – lunch

    4:30 – dinner

Weekly

    Monday @ 6:00 pm Response Center

    Tuesday                    Saturday

        8:30 – Laundry                6:00 Training Resource

        1:00 – Temple                             Center

        7:00 Devotional

        5:15 – Choir

    Sunday

        4:15 – Choir

        7:00 – Fireside

As you can see, this leaves most of my time in flux.  Personal, companion and language study is planned the night before, but those times change frequently.  Gym time is also different every day.  In short, I flat-out refuse to transcribe my schedule.  It’s just too nuts.

As for spiritual experiences, I have too many in a day, let alone a week, to try and filter.  If one strikes my as significant, I will try to share it, but I’m riding such an emotional high, I’m not sure what’ll come to me.

Last night, however, Elder L. Tom Perry was at the devotional.  It was quite the experience.  The choir (w/me as 1st soprano) sang “Lead Thou Me On.”  I took many notes, and was strongly moved, but I’m not sure I can pull any one thought from it.

On a side note, I began my medication, Trozodone, last night.  I took one 50mg tab and got four (as opposed to the previous night’s 2) hours of sleep.  I’m starting to worry.  I can’t point to any reason I’m not sleeping sound.  I’m not stressed, I’m comfortable, and with the exception of 5:00 am on (when the other sisters begin their rigmarole) the room is quiet and dark.  I will take two tabs tonight and pray for health and rest.

Sincerely, and I miss you too.

Hma. Maren Jones

Postmark 15 Oct 2009

Dear All,

              To give a brief account of my first week, I have managed well enough.  As anticipated, I have spent these past days in a state of moderate confusion, a state that was not helped by the fact that I managed to get a stomach flu on Thursday and Friday.  I received a pair of fantastic anti-nausea pills which helped immensely, and am now quite recovered.

            The food here is richer than I am used to, and does odd things to my digestion.  I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to hear that I am eating breakfast every morning, and that , aside from some awkwardness my first two days, I am sleeping quite well.

            Mi Compañera, Hma. Perez, is a self-motivated and rather serious person, making her my perfect foil.  We get along well, and she takes very good care of me.  (For Myr: she is almost Kyouya to my Tamaki.)

            This Saturday I must be prepared to give 5-minute lessons… en español.  I am barely getting my verbs memorized.  I hope I’ll be ready.

            I’m struggling with everything right now but I have faith that if I persevere, I’ll either succeed or be respectfully dismissed.  Whatever is best.

    (Bad spellers, UNTIE!)

Tell Myr that there is a cream-soda tree here; they have had to rope it off because too many nuevos have been sniffing it.  Elder Nielson, who is in my district, is particularly enamored of the tree and has a stick in pocket as we speak.

            I did my first Referral Center shift yesterday.  You take calls, make follow-up calls, and do online chats (via Mormon.org).  I received no chats, but made several follow-up calls.  I also took one call.  The lady had called the Spanish line, but spoke English.  The difference between what I as saying and hearing and what the script showed was dizzying.  But I managed.

             As I may have mentioned before, I’m struggling, specifically with prayer en español.  Not that the rest of it is easy.  I’m coping by trying not to look to far forward or back, but doing as much as I can to learn right now.  I have faith that as long as I work hard, all will be well.

Yo testifico que el Evangelio is verdadero, y que Jesuchristo es nuestro Salvador, y que El vive.  Yo se que Dios es nuestro Padre Celestial, y que El tiene muchas amor por nosotros, su discendientes.  Digo estes cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen

P.S.  You may want to investigate a service called:  Dearelder.com  by which you can send me mail for free every day I’m at the MTC.  So can anyone else, for that matter.

PSS  I almost forgot! Please, Please, PLEASE check my immunization record.  There is some confusion about my MMR.  Send me all MMR dates & the dates for Hep A & B (Twinrix)  Love you all:  Maren

Please send my smallest, emptiest Aquabee drawing notebook.

OK, so things in the MTC get written in stages.

We have an awkward situation in our zone:
We have 1 sister who is staying for a few weeks to resolve health issues
We have 1 sister who will show up late
We have 1 sister who never showed.

Until the new sister comes we’re tangled in a series of awkward splits.  It should be worked out as soon as we get 1 more sister, tho.

I have a health interview with the health clinic to check on my insomnia on Thursday.  I should have no issues.

I’m in the MTC choir, and it’s a great experience.  The directors are such great teachers, and singing helps me de-stress.  Hobbies are not nearly as suppressed here as you would think.  Musical talents are encouraged, and there are drawing supplies in the bookstore.

Email Received December 15, 2009

Ok, I was kind of sad not to have an email or snail-mail or anything this week. Not to guilt you or anything.

This has to be brief. I don't have much time.

The city where we live is called Carpentersville. It's a small community, and I'm not exactly sure why it's here. We have a lot of outlying areas in out mission, but with limited miles on our car and very little bus service (each stop only gets hit twice a day) we spend a lot of time close to home.

We share the local Spanish branch with another pair of elders (One of which is a gamer of a flavor similar to mine. Yea!), who cover the Elgin area, and are overlapped by a pair of English elders who are also our district leaders. (No, I'm not sure how that works; there may be another pair of elders I've not met yet.)

As of right now, I'm lucky if I can understand one word in 10 that the investigators say. I have no problem understanding Hermana Secrist, so I'm hoping that I just need to get accustomed to the accent.

I finally fell down the stairs. I strained my neck, and it's taking a while to heal.

Christmas is almost here, so we're planning on going caroling with some members. From what I understand, caroling just isn't part of Hispanic Christmas tradition, so sometimes they don't really understand what to do.

Food is great, salsa is better, and I'm hungry right now.
I miss you all, and wish I could be home for Christmas. I want to see Tegryd open his presents.

Love you all,
Hermana Maren Jones

Video Sent From Maren's New Mission President

Below is a message to a link to video of Maren arriving in Chicago.  The video was sent by President Sherman Doll.  You can click through to the video in the message or I will embed the video in this post.

Here’s a little video of the arrival of our new missionaries this past week: http://www.vimeo.com/8137227

Thank you letting them serve with us.  We’ll take good care of them.

....................................

President Sherman L. Doll

Illinois Chicago North Mission

sdoll@ldschurch.org

Here is the embedded version.

We Made it to Chicago! from Sherman Doll on Vimeo.

Maren Reaches Chicago!!!

So I'm out in the field now. Not in Chicago proper, but a small community nearby.

The plane ride in was awful, and I got sick. Airline hostess has been permanently stricken from my possible job options. We ended up only delayed an hour, disembarking around 2:30. O’Hare is very big. We only got to see a small part of it, but it took the plane forever to taxi around to our gate. The Mission President, his wife, the three assistants (don't worry, One of them was in training to replace one other, who left for the field today.) and two service missionaries (both older women) met us there, and then took us out for pizza.

Yes, Chicago style pizza is awesome.

After the pizza, the assistants took us on a tour of the area there. While interesting, I must admit that Chicago has no more appeal to me than Salt Lake or Seattle. It's really just another city. Of course, the driving sleet might have detracted from its brilliance. Or something.

We got to the mission home late, (we missed the first train) and soaking wet (from our half hour tour; even my supposedly waterproof gloves were soaked through) and were interviewed by president Doll, who is much more easy-going than I anticipated, as is his wife. We stayed the night there, and received the bulk of our orientation this morning. We met our new companions (My new companion is Hermana Secrest), and I've been introduced to my new apartment. 

About the mail thing, they do not want us using our apartments as addresses, so continue to send things to the mission office. Please use US postal for letters, as those can be quickly forwarded to the correct address. Packages can only be forwarded to me if sent US postal and if I'm living at a member's house. (I'm not. Send the packages however you like.) I will receive packages at zone meetings and conferences.

I'm so sorry about not writing last week. It was my "teaching week.” Classroom instruction was reduced to two hours, with the rest of the time being for MDT (Missionary directed time) or teaching. In a lot of ways, teaching was easier than learning. We did 26 lessons last week, which was one above our goal.

I just want to take a moment and thank you for all the support you've been giving me. All your advice and love help me so much.

Wish you were here.

Hermana Maren Jones

Maren's Leaving For Chicago

A quick note.  Maren will be leaving for Chicago on December 8th.  Due to this we ask that you hold onto any mail until that time.  I will have Maren's mission and new address posted soon.

The Editor

Email Received December 1, 2009

I'm sorry about not e-mailing last week. Things were a little awkward, and I did not have time to get on the computer. (By the way, there are as many computers here as on any modern school campus. I never need to stand in line... although I do have to hunt for an open seat, some days.)

This week is my teaching week. This means that I only get two hours of instruction a day. The rest of the time is spent studying and teaching. On the whole, it's a lot easier than I thought it would be.

I'm sad at the thought of leaving my district. It’s amazing how close we've gotten in so short of a time. They're like my brothers, and I love them all. Only one of them is going to Chicago with us. The others are all headed to Dallas or Fort worth.

The other night, at the fireside, the speaker (current head of MTC national and international operations. I can't just say president because almost all the male staff here have the title of 'president') said that most of the missionaries in the MTC have said that the MTC is the hardest thing they have ever done. I took a moment to think, and decided that this wasn't actually, the hardest thing I had ever done. In fact, my time here in the MTC has been relatively easy, for all of the intensity of it. I'm only studying two subjects, which in practice aren't unrelated; my time is almost entirely planed out for me, which makes life easy; I have a responsible, caring companion who is not afraid to nag me back on task. I do not need to cook, or to care for anyone besides my companion and me.

Now, I know much of this will change when I get to the field, but the fact that this has been so easy concerns me; have I been less than diligent? I have been pushing myself hard; I've learned how to make goals, (not well, but I can do it, which is more than I could say before,) and study independently (fairly well, actually) and how to teach. (I've never been so quiet and pensive in my life!) I'm more organized than I ever believed I could be, and I'm waking up on time every morning. I'm sleeping easily (not that I recognized I had a problem before) and every evening, I have just enough time to organize my thoughts for the next day. But it hasn't been difficult, per say. Challenging, yes. Stretching, certainly. Not difficult. Not hard on my mind or soul.

I'm out of time. Love you all, and hope you are well.

Maren

Email Received November 17, 2009

I am surprised about what you told me about the knife. I know sharp objects are not allowed in carry on, but I thought that as long as you declare what you are carrying (a gun, for example) then they could take care of it? if it's true that I'm not allowed more than a small pair of scissors, I may have to send my sewing kit home... or mail it to the mission office. I also brought my paper scissors with me, so those will have to go ahead as well...

(what does this mean for my companion, who has diabetes? will she have to ship her sharps ahead?)

I brought the knife because I use it. It's a useful thing to have, and with a blade barely four inches long, (and really dull. I've never had it sharpened.) I was surprised at all the hullabaloo it caused. My scissors are sharper, longer, and made of stronger metal. But scissors lack a hilt, which is half the reason to have a knife, and are unwieldy to carry.

It snowed here. It didn't stick, though.

I am beginning to wonder if my winter clothes are heavy enough. I've been hearing that Chicago is a lot colder than I expected. I think, if I have opportunity, that I may purchase a wool jacket, or something similar, that I can wear both by itself and under my big black coat. I hope that I will also be able to purchase good boots quickly when I get there.

Someone brought up an interesting point: we are going to be flying into O'Hare in the middle of winter. There is a strong chance that we'll get delayed... possibly for days. I dislike the notion of such a hassle.

Our classroom is quite small, and there is barely enough room for all of us in there. One day, we were kneeling for prayer, and Elder Nielson, trying to get a place in the circle, commanded his companion: "Escuchalo!" which, roughly translated, means 'Listen to him/it.' we all found this quite funny, as it proves that we've learned enough Spanish to get ourselves in trouble, which is the first step.

I have also thought that the RAM might be going on my computer, but every once in a while, the BIOS won't run, which makes me wonder if it's not the motherboard instead (north bridge). Unfortunately we have no ram laying about the house to test it with, and I'm dual channel anyway...

I'm almost out of time. please give my regards to the family at large. please post this and other correspondence to the blog, and have Myr post this to BMoG. And have him write or DearElder me. I miss talking to him.

All my love, striving for exact obedience, Hna. Maren Jones

PS - Elder Hollaand is coming for Thanksgiving!!!

Email Received November 11, 2009

Despite my best efforts, I have not seen hide nor hair of Jared, although I know he is here because I've heard him called to the front desk a few times.

I received the package that was sent me. The pumpkin seeds are very delicious, and it is good to be able to have good paper. (I do limit myself to Tuesdays and Sundays for drawing. this past Sunday I drew little lemmings over my notes... in a spare moment, of course. I'm particularly good at the ones with umbrellas.) I am thankful and remember you in my prayers. (Although I still want some of those Halloween pictures! ^_^)

Language is going. I know most of the tenses (except the subjunctives, which I keep coming across in my reading, but which no-one will explain to me, and since I'm still struggling with irregulars, I have no time to explore, myself...) but frequently get the preterit mixed with the imperfect (if anyone knows what that means) especially in the irregular verbs.

I'm doing well enough, although I miss the boys from D&D, and sometimes when I am frustrated wish I could pick up a controller and kill a few pixels. Hna is driving me to new levels of diligence, constantly reminding me not to waste a single second of time (we spend all our time in line for meals memorizing verbs.) and for some unknown reason, my handwriting has improved drastically. (In my eyes, at least)

I would again (how many times is this?) ask you to tell EVERYONE about DearElder, especially Grandpa and Grandma. I would also like to have the e-mail addresses for some of the other family members (Jemile, Carmen, Larson, and Myrddun especially. They'll write back. I think.)

I do not know If I have mentioned this, but every Sunday, while the men are in priesthood meeting, the sisters go to listen to motab's "Music and the Spoken Word," which is beautiful and uplifting. this week, for veterans day, they did entirely patriotic songs, which included a medley of the fight songs of the US armed forces, and John Williams' Hymn for the Fallen. I was again reminded of how much I love orchestral stuff (small orchestra, preferably) and wondered if the orchestra at Temple Square ever released their own music... sans motab. (It’s just not my thing...)

Which brings me to my Christmas list (I can't believe I'm starting this already...):

Scarves (long AND wide, made of soft, gentle fabrics, preferably not wool) black, gray, and white preferred (although red would be nice...)
Orchestra at temple square CD (If it exists)
John Williams CD.
Warm hats (I wouldn't say no to a black beret)

I love you all and you are in my prayers.

Sincerely,

Hna. Maren Jones

P.S. Happy holidays. I never know when they happen.

Email November 3, 2009

Thank you all for your support. I love you all very much and miss you dearly.

!!!Please do not send me any pictures via e-mail!!!

I have nothing to store them on, and I'm not even sure this client would allow them, as it is a pre-groupwise vintage of Novell e-mail. The browser client is no better as it is, as I said before, a hacked version of IE 4. If you could, I'd rather get prints of the pictures.

I want to again tell you how awesome DearElder is. As long as I'm in the MTC, I can receive letters from anyone, free of charge, on any day of the week except Sunday. I would love to receive more letters.

I am doing quite well, and will elaborate on the details thereof more in my snail mail, which I promise will be sent off on time this week, as opposed to last week's which is sitting on my desk stamped and postmarked.

To answer the letters sent to me:

I HAVE stopped eating dessert. I never ate much dessert in the beginning. Most days I get an entree and either fruit or spinach salad. (They have spinach salad almost every other day!!!) However, those entrées are so rich. I've been pining after simple foods like sandwiches, good bread, lunchmeat, ramen, and cheddar cheese. (They only use American most of the time.) However, they had some fantastic pastrami and Swiss sandwiched the other day, and I was thrilled, even though the bread was cut far too thick. Not all of us are starving 19 year olds, you know. Oh, wait....

In addition to being rich and heavy, I have never been so gassy in my life, which is embarrassing at best and physically uncomfortable at worst. I'm thinking it's because of all the fat and sugar that’s in EVERYTHING. I'm serious. I had clam chowder the other day and it tasted like they had added a spoonful of cinnamon and sugar to it. And they put sweet corn in everything. The corn is like eating Carmen's sweet potatoes... you know, the ones that are 50% marshmallow?

To answer father's note about tracking Spanish league soccer, I'm not sure that will be feasible. I certainly can't now, and while in the mission field, I'm pretty sure I won't be allowed to use a radio (not that I have one) or purchase periodicals (not that I will have the allowance for them.) I will talk to my mission president about it... when I get to the field. right now tracking anything besides the BYU home games (you can hear the booing all the way over here) is nigh impossible.

Please Do:

Tell myr to put my lamp back or I will NOT try to procure a souvenir from Uematsu's Distant Worlds concert (Not that I think that will be likely, but that doesn’t mean I won't try. One must hold on to good composers like they are going out of style... oh wait...)

Please post this and all other correspondence to the Forum.

Please ask Myr very nicely to post this letter and all others to BMoG, and ask him to put in a plug for DearElder as well. I would love to hear from the D&D gang while they are still in one place. I imagine they're going to scatter fairly soon...

Please make sure that the Aoyamas know about both my e-mail address and DearElder.

Please tell those of the CBC administration (Mainly Alice and Tim Still) of DearElder and my e-mail address.

I love, love, love you all. I miss you and hope all is well with you.

Happy Halloween and all other such things.

PS - I have ALL of my immunization records. As time provides, I will return them.