There's a Nightmare in My Closet

Dear momma, papa, family, and friends, 

This week has been good!  Don’t worry no lice! But oh I was freaking out. I had close contact with it, and was sure I would get it. But hallelujah! I am ok. For now. Sister Tufts said that we could check it again in a week to see if it's still ok. So please pray that I won't have it! That sounds completely dreadful!! 

That’s such a cute picture from mission football! That’s Elder Setu in the back. He’s hilarious. From Tonga. He’s a big guy! He’s awesome. And this picture is great. And I’ve been companions with all of them! Fun fun.  

So we have had a good eventful week! It’s been good! But that always means that the adversary tries to pick a fight that week as well, and we have felt that. But he didn't win! Ha! It’s been really good. We had a really great district meeting. I love my district right now, it's fabulous, and the district meetings are always so powerful. Elder Yaskell, our district leader is awesome. He's a convert of less than three years, and has quite the story. And he's just an amazing missionary. It’s really cool to see! I bet the missionaries that taught him are SO proud of him! But we had a great district meeting. Sister Whitaker cried in it, because she got an answer from one of the scriptures we were reading. It was really a tender moment.  After district meeting, we all went to go get sandwiches, and that's when Sister Whitaker found that she couldn't find her wallet. She was VERY stressed out, and we rushed home to look for it. I was very calm the whole time, just looking through all our clothes, and looking in the rubbish bins. She wanted to me to be as worried as she was, but I was calm. Ha-ha. Then we had to call Sister Ogden and tell her. And tell the office to cancel her cards. Oh it was a mess. Sister Whitaker was close to tears. So we called President Ogden. And he asked us where was the last place we went to use it? It was subway before mission football. He told us to go back there. So we did, and we went up, and told the girl that we lost a wallet. And she was like "OH! Sarah?" and Sister Whitaker said yes, and she got her wallet back. And everything was in it! Amazing. What a blessing. It had been lost for two days. Needless to say, we said a big thank you prayer at the end of it. We were so grateful! 

We also had another weird experience this week. We came home from our appointments on Monday night. And we walked into our flat, and Sister Whitaker asked how I felt. I said I was fine. She told me that she felt very uncomfortable and even scared and that something was wrong. So of course, I got scared. And I didn't want to go anywhere in the house alone. So we went through the house, checked everything. And everything was fine. We locked all the windows. And then made an obstacle course, just in case someone was going to try to get in our house that night. We moved the couches in front of the front door and the back door. And we took our mattresses off our beds, and put them on the ground in front of the door so that the door couldn't open. As she was freaking out, I just knew we had to call President if there was something really wrong. So we called him, and he said we could go sleep at the Sulihull flat if we needed. Because he was in Cardiff at that time, he couldn't come to our flat to pray with us. And so we just kneeled on the ground, and President knelt in Cardiff and he prayed with us. It was comforting. But weirdly, it was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in ages! No sleep walking! And in the morning, the feeling was gone. We cleaned everything up. And we noticed that something in the back garden had been moved. So maybe someone was back there. Because it was obviously moved quite a distance. So who knows? But we were safe, and at least we followed the prompting right? 

We have had a really cool week with a lot of people. But one especially. We are teaching a girl named Zsuzsanna, who I had taught with Sister Hedemark, but who wasn't really doing anything. And then went to live with her family in Romania for a month. So we hadn't seen her in a long time. But we saw her, and we had three lessons with her last week. And they were really good. We told her the promise of the Book of Mormon, that if you have a question, and bring it to the Book of Mormon, it will be answered. So we committed her to read 10 minutes a day, with a question written down. And then to write down her feelings and thoughts and impressions as she read. Well, the next lesson we had, she told us about the answers she got. And how clear they were. And so we told her to keep doing it. Then the next lesson we had with her, she asked us to tell her a bit about temples. So we talked about them. And the spirit was so strong. She asked many really good questions. I told her that someday she could go on a mission (she's 21 years old), and I took my tag off, to put it on her. And then I looked down at my jacket, and got really emotional. It doesn't look right to have my tag off. And it's going to be so hard to take it off for good. I started crying. And she said that the tag was heavy. We talked about it a lot, and it was really incredible. We invited her to be baptized. She said that she'd bring that question to the Book of Mormon. It’s incredible the progress she has made just in the last week. It’s awesome. We are thrilled! 

Ooooh! So on Saturday, we were out finding. Just talking to people on the street. Sister Whitaker answered the phone while I was talking to a guy across the street. She motioned that the phone was for me. I answered it, and it was Elder (not Elder anymore though) Davies! He was my first zone leader. And then he became AP. and we were good friends. He’s English, so he had stopped by the mission home with his fiancé to see President and Sister Ogden. And he called me to tell me that he's getting married in the Salt Lake  temple on the 21st of April, and asked if I’d play the harp for his wedding! I of course said yes. I’ll have to figure out how to get a harp down there. But I’m so excited!  So yeah, that's the exciting news of that day! Besides the fact that I don't have lice. Thank heavens. I would have about died! 

Yesterday we had a great Sunday. it was Fast Sunday in our ward, and the bishop prior to sacrament meeting asked all the YSA and the youth and the older primary kids to sit on the stand, and then to bear their testimonies. It took the whole time of testimony meeting, and it was so powerful. Mahdi even bore his testimony! I was completely thrilled. It was wonderful! And we had a lot of people at church, so it was especially wonderful. 

It’s been hard this week. All the people we have had with dates have either cancelled or postponed their baptisms. But not all is lost. They will be baptized when the time is right. And I know they will. But it's sad that I won't be here! But it's not for me. It’s for them and their salvation! 

So today, we are here at the Tufts. We dearly love them. We asked if we could spend the pday with them. It’s just so relaxing here. It’s like being with our parents. It’s so nice. So we are on their computers, and they are reading the scriptures, all to Tabernacle Choir. It’s happy. And then next week, we are doing something really special! We have to keep it secret from everyone, which is hard for me! But I called Sister Ogden, and I told her that I’d like to spend my last pday with her. And what if we came the night before, on Sunday night and slept at their house. I couldn’t' believe it, but she agreed, and then convinced President to agree. So hopefully it'll be us and Sister Pope and Sister Baker. And we are going to spend the day with them. I am thrilled. It will be wonderful. And hopefully that day as well, I’m going to figure out some good Sisters gifts with Sister Ogden. I told her about our Sister’s weekends, and she loves that. And I got a good idea off her. It’ll be cute! 

I can't wait to see the skirts! And I can't wait to watch conference with you again! Happy days! It’ll be great.

I can't believe my time is running so low. I have fifteen days before my trunk night at the Ogden’s. The time has literally flown. And I will miss this so much. It’ll be nice to go home and see people. But I will sure miss people here! I have made some of my best friends. I love the people here! I love being on a mission, and I love to be able to feel the spirit so much so often. I am so grateful for you, mom and papa, for giving me this opportunity to be on a mission. I couldn't have come without you. I wouldn’t' have been able to support myself! But this has been a life turning, pivoting year and a half. And I am thrilled to continue my service when I get home. 

Oh, and to answer papa's questions, I get the post at the middle of the week usually. So maybe next week’s needs to be the last ones. Thanks! Papa, I love so much getting the postcards and the letters from you! I love the comments on the sides, and they are just great. Thank you for taking that time to send them to me. I love them all so much. Thank you thank you thank you!!! 

Things are good. I’m happy here. I’m happy about my service here. I have worked SO hard. I am so tired. And so happy! I love you! 

Thank you for all you do. I love you tremendously! Can’t wait to see you!

Love, Annie

PS  I have been asked by Sister Ogden to play the piano next week for my last zone conference. And I have to arrange the musical numbers. I am going to miss being needed in this way! I think my piano playing has gotten better. So that's nice. 

Ok! I love you! And I’ll see you soon! looooove youuuuuuuuuuuu! 

Giving Away Copies of the Book of Mormon and Conference

2 October 2011

Dear mom, 

That is so sweet, what the Tufts said! She was so cute. She was just so nervous to talk to people, and to hand out Book of Mormons. But she opened up! And that first guy we met with her, Ryan, was awesome! We left the church, and I saw him across the street, and I ran across, not waiting for them, so I could talk to him. And he took a Book! Hopefully he'll meet with us. He seemed very open.

So you sound like you have had a very busy week! I’m glad you were there to help Orva so much! That’s really great. I can't believe how bad she is! What a terrible thing! And all from practicing for her test! How sad. I hope she will recover quickly. It sounds like she really isn't able to do much at all! It’s good she only has one child now at home, and he's probably pretty independent. Poor Orva! 

Sleep walking is still happening. You know, it gets worse when I’m excited for something, or nervous for something, or something different is happening. Last night, I sleep walked probably 4 or 5 times, and each time I thought it was time to get up. And I would brush my teeth, and then finally look at the clock and realize, then climb back in bed. It’s so frustrating! I hope it calms down. Because sleep walking really takes it out of me! I am exhausted. Blaah! But today is mission football, and I’m so excited! So I’m not going to let anything get in the way! It should be a very fun day. Our team (Birmingham Stake) is wearing pink because we lost last time. And so I raided a little girl’s costume box, and I’m wearing pink fairy wings and a tutu, and it should be ridiculous! Ha-ha. I love being on a mission! Ha-ha. I can do ridiculous things, and everyone else is doing them as well. But Sister Whitaker isn't getting into it as much. I almost had to force her to wear one of my shirts today that has pink on it. Ha-ha. Not much of a girly girl! hahaha. 

Please pray that my sleep walking will slow down! I’d appreciate that. 

To answer your question about Sister Ogden. Her knee wasn't good before her mission. But it's gotten so much worse now. And poor girl! She went in for surgery and now it's worse. So she doesn’t' know what to do. But she's trying her best to stay off of it. Which is why we came to help. And it didn't feel like work at all. The Ogdens really feel like parents here. We joke around, and President sometimes just rolls his eyes at me..."oh Sister Clark..." then he just laughs! Ha-ha.  I’ll miss them soooo much! Its fun how many pairs of "parents" I have here. During conference we were sitting with lots of missionaries, including the Tufts, and it was like sitting next to you mom. I could put my head on her shoulder. But I never fell asleep! Conference was riveting!!!! 

Conference was amazing wasn't it!?!! Oh my goodness, I loved it so much. It was so perfect for so many of our investigators. And it was so perfect for me. I’m so grateful for all the answered questions I received. So here in England, conference is a bit different. This last Saturday, at 1:30 we had a relief society luncheon, and then watched the relief society broadcast! I loved President Uchtdorf's talk SO much! It was wonderful. Then a half hour after that finished, we watched Saturday morning session. It finished at 7 pm. then in the morning, the priesthood session happened, and then the Saturday afternoon, and then the Sunday morning. And then we don't have the chance to watch the Sunday afternoon. We just have to wait for the ensign to come out! It’s the worst!! I actually called President last night. I asked him if we could go to the Tufts to watch the last session of conference. But he said no. something about if he said yes to me...he'd have to say yes to everything. What rubbish! He wouldn't have to!! Ha-ha. Oh well. I’ll see it when I come home. But conference was absolutely amazing. I loved it. I thought President Eyring's talk was so tender. And what is wrong with Robert D. Hales? 

And can you BELIEVE the new temples!?!?!? Another Provo temple! I’m thrilled. And I laughed so hard about the Wyoming temple. I thought it was so funny. And President Monson's comment about fishing. President Monson and his facial expressions are hilarious! That was really wonderful! 

So conference was obviously the highlight of the week. But besides that, we have had many miracles. We have been finding a lot, and have given a LOT of copies of the Book of Mormon which feels wonderful. We had the greatest meeting with President Ogden last Thursday. It was a combination of our district (the Sturbridge district), and Sister Pope/Baker's district (Coventry). And so we were able to be with them again. And it was an incredible meeting. President Ogden is really so inspired! It was amazing the questions that he answered. And he just speaks with so much love and authority. Everyone loves being with President Ogden. We all feel like he's our dad, and we all love him and Sister Ogden so much. At the end of our meeting with him, he gave us all a Book of Mormon, and gave us 45 minutes, and sent us out to Harborne high street. Imagine. About 30 missionaries. On one street. Talking to everyone! It looks awesome! And we had such success. Sister Tufts came with me and Sister Whitaker, and she was the lucky charm! We talked to some really incredible people. And we have a lot of hope. We were meant to give at least one Book of Mormon out. But we gave 5 out in those 45 minutes. It was wonderful! And then when we all got back, we shared our experiences, and we got a few referrals. So great! 

We had a very difference experience on Saturday morning. We went to one of our investigators house, whose son just went into detox for drug addictions. His mom was so stressed out about cleaning out his room. Because he hadn't let her into his room for months. And finally when he left, she went in, and it was terrible! She was so overwhelmed. So we offered to help clean. So we came with dirty clothes and rubber gloves and got to work. We scrubbed and scrubbed the walls. And it was amazing to see all the smoke and grime come up. Did you know hair spray helps get tough stains out of walls? Yep! Anyways, we washed the walls, and the floorboards and everything for about 2 hours, while listening to Mormon tabernacle choir. It was crazy. At one point, we took down the lampshade and found very illegal drugs. The poor mom was having a hard time. It was a very weird experience for me. But when we left, things looked so much better. It smelled better. And the walls looked right again. We are going to bring a picture of the savior framed into his room to put up. He is in detox right now, and has the Book of Mormon, and is reading it. Before he left, he said when he gets out he wants to get baptized. The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God! 

Hmm. what else? Oh mom! I’m so excited to see the anthropologie skirt! How fun to have Violet to come with you! I thought of you guys the whole time. I was talking to an elder in my district, and he was saying that conference makes him trunky. And I agreed. I think about all the wonderful traditions around conference, and I miss not being able to go with you! But it is such a wonderful experience being able to share it with the saints in Britain! It has a different spin on it! 

It’s been an amazing week. Exhausting. Wonderful. Thrilling. It’s crazy how many emotions a missionary can feel in just one day! Ha-ha. 

I love you. I love the gospel. I am thrilled to be able to have it in my life, and actually apply it to my life. I am truly converted! 

I love the Book of Mormon! If you aren't reading it, READ IT!!! It changes lives. As long as the reader has an open heart! 

I love you! Thank you for all you do. You are marvelous!!!

LOVE YOUUUUUUu!!!!!!!

Love, Annie

Sleep Walking - and a Wonderful Baptism

25 September 2011

Dearest momma papa, family, and friends,

So I got the letter! Thanks. It did get sent to the mission, and they actually forwarded it to me as well, so that's nice.

Things sound like they've been good at your end. Fun about those salads. I am excited to try them! Make sure you teach me how to make all these things when I get home. Ok?

And also fun to have Aunt Christine there.

So we have had a good week. Well, actually, it's been one of my lowest of numbers in a long time. For some reason, I wasn't quite as well planned or something this week, and if I don’t' plan it, it doesn't happen, because I’m the only one who really knows the area. It’s kinda a pain. But I have to teach sister Whitaker the ropes of everything and everyone before I leave. Because we only have one transfer for her to learn everything that she needs to. Probably stressful for her. A bit stressful for me too. But at least it means I am sprinting to the end. Not slowing down.

But it's been a weird sleeping week this week. I think it's hit me that I only have 4 more weeks till I come home, and my body is reacting to the nervousness or something of it, by sleep walking EVERY night. Yep. Every night. I’m exhausted when I wake up, because I don't get very restful sleep when I do that. So I am frustrated. But I hope it stops. But I did make sister Whitaker hide the keys, and she'll do that every night now. Because if I leave the flat, it could be a disaster. Anyone know of any ways to stop sleep walking? I remember when I was younger, I asked Dr. Gillespie, and all he said was not to drink water after a certain point. But I don't think that's the problem. I think it's just my nerves aren't letting me sleep. I feel like the mother in pride and prejudice, worrying about my nerves! Ha-ha. But it's a weird problem to have on a mission, don't you think?

So it's been a cool week! Especially because of the baptism! It was such an amazing baptism. Sister Dorothy Blair, an 82 year old mother, grandmother, and great grandmother of a family of strong members finally got baptized! It told me to never lose hope!  But it was such a good baptism. The family did everything. They did the prayers and the talk. Sarah Hamilton and I did the musical number, she on the violin, me accompanying her, and we played "How Great Thou Art" and it was beautiful. And the actual ordinance was really beautiful. Because she's 82 and suffers from health problems, and is very weak, her son in law baptized her, and her grandson in law also was in the water, and after the prayer was said, they both picked her up so she was lying flat, and then slowly and gently pushed her down. It was very sweet. While we were waiting for her to change, we gave a missionary presentation, which was really nice. We have never done it before, but Sarah Hamilton asked us if we would, and it ended up being amazing. We taught the restoration, in presentation form. And then left them all with a commitment to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and share it with their friends. It was a very powerful presentation, and all the Book of Mormons we brought in were taken. And a lot of non member family members were there. It was so cool! It was a wonderful baptism!

Then on Saturday, I had the chance to go work in Sulihull with Sister Baker, because Sister Pope and Sister Whitaker had a baptism in Banbury. So I was on a bike! And boy was it fun! It was so much fun! Tiring. But it really made me feel like a missionary. Sitting in a car is such a luxury! But we had a good time. I loved serving with Sister Baker! I bet she'll be training soon. She’s such a good missionary! I’m so proud of her!

Yesterday, poor Sister Whitaker had the worst cramps ever. She brought a hot water bottle to church, and during gospel principles, she went into the YSA room and slept on one of the couches. She was so sick! Sad. But it was a wonderful day, and Sister Blair was confirmed a member of the church! I’m so excited for her and her family! In a year they will all be able to be sealed together in the temple! What a blessed occasion that will be!!

Today, we are with Sister Ogden. Her knee is really bad, so we came and went to Costco with her, and out to lunch with her. And are now helping her cook dinner for the elders tonight. And she even invited us to dinner! I wanted to spend a pday with Sister Ogden before I go home. So this is it! I really love her. I wish she had a son that I could marry, but alas. None to be had.

Overall, it's been a good week. Ready to work really hard this week. We need to get our work up! But I am SOOOOO excited for conference this weekend. I can't believe that it's already October conference. It’s crazy to me! I came into this area right before the last conference. It doesn’t feel like I've been here this long, but obviously I have. It’s weird how fast time really does fly on a mission.

Things here are going great. I am growing every day. And pray for me that I’ll stop sleep walking please! I pray for it every night now, and it's slowed down a bit. But I still wake up every morning with different clothes on than what I went to sleep in. So who knows?!

Love you! Mom. 

Well! I love you so so so so so so so much! Thanks for everything. You are wonderful! See you soon! Ahh! Four weeks. I have so much to do before then. Ahhh!

Love you!

Annie

Playing the Harp for a Wonderful Wedding

New Haircut. 

Dear mom, papa, family, and friends, 

So I feel like I just emailed you. It’s weird to email so soon after. I don't feel like I have as much to say. But things are going well here. It’s CRAZY to me how fast time is going. Being on my last transfer is weird. But good. 

So that picture is MY Sister Whitaker. Good job! That’s her. She is funny. 

So this weekend has been good. I got to play the harp for Charlotte and Mat's wedding! Can you believe it? Zoë Rasmussen brought her harp like three hours from her home, so I could play for the wedding. She is an angel! And the wedding went well. Sister Baker and I played Pachabel's canon for the entrance, and I played the Bach prelude (that goes along with that Ave Maria) for their exit. It was beautiful. And I’m excited they are now married. I hope that she gets baptized soon now! I’d love to be here. But if I’m not that's ok. It’s still so exciting to be a part of it. And it was good to play the harp for a bit. But oh. Let me tell you! It was nerve wracking! I haven't touched a harp in almost a year, and then on the day of the wedding, I get to practice a few hours before the wedding. I almost got blisters, but not quite. I just held in there. But it was sure nice to play the harp again. 

The outfit worked out ok for the wedding. I just looked like a missionary. But what can you do? I AM a missionary! Ha-ha. Oh it was wonderful to play!

So mom, have you talked to Kristy about when she comes to San Francisco? She wants to meet me on the Friday (maybe the 18th?) in November, and hang out in San Francisco. She thought she'd get hold of you to make sure if that was ok. Are Lucy and Brian coming for Thanksgiving this year? I sure hope so? David? Samuel? Ha-ha. I got a cute postcard from Samuel saying that he's excited to see me in October. Unless he's planning on coming to England, I doubt I’ll see him in October. Maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas though! 

OOOOOH! Remember how we are baptizing an 82 year old Jamaican woman this Friday!?!?!?!? Yeahhh!!!! She is the mother and grandmother of many members, and she is so so so ready for baptism. I think if somebody had invited her 10 years ago, she would have done it then too...just nobody asked! She is adorable. She always kisses my cheek, and is so sweet. She had her interview this week, and it was wonderful. She is a saint, and her family is THRILLED that she is getting baptized! Her granddaughter Sarah served in the Oakland Temple Visitors center, and also in Berkeley. And mom, do you remember when we went to the temple, and a sister told me that one of the sisters there was from Birmingham? She just wasn't in the center that day? Yep, that was her! Sarah Hamilton. And she's awesome. And she is so excited! She put on her facebook “my 82 year old grandma is getting baptized this Friday!!!" not many people can say that. 

Hmm. what else? Oh, Andrew Brock wrote me this week! He sounds like he had a really cool internship in DC this last summer. That’s cool! 

Oh. Cool story from church. There was a girl that walked into the church on Sunday that I didn't recognize. I went up to her to introduce myself, and she told me her name, I recognized it as a less active. She then told me that her mother had just passed away. I quickly hugged her, and set up an appointment when we could come by her house this week. Then we sat together in Relief Society. And what was the lesson on? The spirit world! At first, I was nervous. I thought it would be touchy for her. But she said it cheered her up, and she knew she had to come back. Coincidence? I think not! 

I got the coolest letter off President Ogden this week. I wish I brought it, so I could copy it down. Maybe next week. But the gist of it is this 

Dear Sister Clark
I am writing to answer a few of your questions. 
1. You don't have to worry about miles for the rest of your mission. (Woohoo!)
2. You have set a standard for the mission. (Wow!!!!)

Sister Clark, your question for elder Bednar was perfect! After the meeting, Elder Bednar and I spoke about you. When you have the chance, give me a call. It was perfect! 

Love, 
President Ogden


OOOH MY GOOOODNESSS!!! So many awesome things there. First. No more worrying about miles! Whew! Because we have already gone over our miles, and we are just over halfway through the month. 

And I CANNOT believe that I have set a new standard for the mission. I am completely overwhelmed. Right after I got the letter, I called President Ogden, and he talked to me about what he talked to Elder Bednar about. He told me that after the meeting, Elder Bednar asked him what he felt was especially inspired when he answered our questions. He said he felt that two of his answers were especially important and needed. One was a question from an elder, and one was my question about "where do women fit in?" It was so perfect for everyone to hear. President just thanked me for asking that question, and he wants to have one more interview with me before I go home. 

What an amazing experience. I just cried on the phone with him. I can't really help it. When he talks, I just start to cry! He is wonderful, and I will miss him and Sister Ogden when I leave. Good thing they are coming home in July! 

It’s been a good week, and we are in for another good week! Love you!!! 

LOVE HUPDARO! 
Sister Annie Clark

New companion - Last Transfer

Dear mom papa, family, and friends,

Sorry I didn’t' email yesterday! It’s been the craziest week. Transfer weeks are crazy, and it's insane to me that this is my last one before I go home. It’s going by so fast.

So Sister Baker got transferred to Sulihull with Sister Pope, and I got Sister Whitaker, who was companions with Sister Pope before. So they just swapped. It’s sad for Sister Baker to leave. We got on really well, and I thought she'd be with me till the end, but I’m grateful for the chance that I have to do more growing. Sister Whitaker and I have only been on one exchange together, and so this will be wonderful to learn from her.

A little about her: she is from Nevada. She was a gold miner before she came. Yep, I’m for real. She is the only sister that has beaten me at arm wrestling. Not even a competition! She has a great story, and is funny, so we are having a great time. This is only the first day, so I’m sure it's going to go up from here even!

So I should really start from last Tuesday. Since I emailed last Monday. I have SOOOO much to fit into this email! I’ll try to get it all. Good thing I write down everything I do, so it'll be easier. Mom, it sounds like you need a missionary planner, so you can remember every hour of every day! Ha-ha.

So last Tuesday, we had some really great lessons I remember. But then we had a makeover! Now this seems like a funny thing for a missionary to do. But we needed to. Our recent convert, Rita Lee, has not had the best circumstances in her life, and she really has struggled. Nobody has ever helped her to look her best, so we decided because she trusts us, we would. So we set up a hair appointment. Had her hair cut. We dyed it for her. We did her eyebrows, her makeup, and went charity shopping with her! I wish I brought the pictures to the computer with me! I should send them to you. But she looks incredibly better. And we told her to go to her dentist and get false teeth, and she did. She looks awesome, and even better, she's walking with her head up now. She has so much more confidence. We plan to do more to help her. We told Sister Ogden about it, and she loved it!

Wednesday: we had a great great lesson with Cellie! She is amazing. She talked about her whole past with knowing about the church, and then she told us that she plans to get baptized when her parents come and live with her in December! She invited herself!!! Gosh. Sometimes, our work can be so easy and rewarding! So that was fabulous. But then on those kinds of miraculous days, there is always something to also try to get us down. We just had to laugh at it. We went to a member’s house, and she has a hard time. She’s crazy. Literally. And she had us come over to drop her something off, and they invited us in. and turns out that her family is completely anti Mormon, and basically yelled at us for a while. All I said was, I’m sorry you feel that way, and I’d smile and try to compliment them. Well, by the end, we just wanted to get out of there, but the mom was at least nice to us at the end. It was interesting. Not everyone loves us apparently. Sad.

Friday! We got a call from Sister Ogden. She has had a lot of pain in her knee, and has a really hard time getting around right now. Which has been especially stressful for her, because she is the one to get food done and ready for Elder Bednar. So she called us and asked us to come to Costco with her and shop with her. So we went, and pushed her in a wheel chair, and then had lunch with her. It’s one of the privileges of being APW (assistant to the president’s wife...of course!). It was nice to spend some time with her. I love her and President Ogden so much!

SATURDAY! Was a really really good day! Elder Bednar came to speak with us for a whole three hours. And it was amazing. I was asked to play the piano, and I was so nervous, playing in front of an apostle of the Lord, but it turned out ok. It was amazing to have the whole mission together. And the meeting wasn't long enough! We loved it. He started out asking us loads of questions, and we could answer. And then we could ask questions.

He talked all about turning out versus turning in. Being selfless versus being selfish. And how in our missions especially we have to turn out. But even when we get home (or get transferred home to a different kind of mission - that's how he put it) we have to turn out and concentrate on others. He talked about how the gospel is full of paradoxes. Is that the plural of paradox? I don’t know. But he talked about losing one's life to find it, etc.

He also talked a lot about being an agent versus an object. And how in our prayers we need to be agents. We need to act, not be acted upon. It was an amazing meeting!

He talked about the priesthood for a good half hour, and I think all of us sisters wanted to hear what he'd say about women’s roles in all of it. So when we only had 20 minutes left, he asked if we had more questions, and I raised my hand. I stood up and asked where women fit into the gospel. And his answer was incredible. I knew a lot of the answers, but oh it was wonderful to hear it from an apostle. He first had his wife answer the question. Then he talked, looking at me the whole time, not even breaking the eye contact, and told us that women turn out automatically. We have the ability to love. When we do something well, we think we didn't do it well enough. Whereas men don’t do things very well, but they think they were amazing. Men provide for the family. Women nourish the family. Men need the priesthood to go to the temple. Women don't. Basically women just don't need the priesthood.

Well, by the end of him talking, I was feeling very overwhelmed and emotional, and he asked if that answered my question. I said, yes, thank you. And then he looked at me, and said, "I can tell that you got more out of this than what was said by the smile in your eyes", and wow. That was amazing.

It was an incredible thing to be at, and to be a part of. I’m so grateful I was able to be on my mission for that! It was amazing!

Then the next day, we had a tri stake conference with Elder Bednar again. And he spoke to us about many of the same things! We had 6 investigators there! Two of which were Bureh and Hawatu! It was their first week, and they loved it. Elder Bednar took some time to talk to non members, and it was amazing. He taught them about the gospel. And it was wonderful! The spirit was so strong. And everyone loved it so much!

Monday, I got my hair cut! I was just sick of it. And I saw someone with a really cute hair cut, and so I just decided to go for it. And I chopped all of it off! Well, not all of it. I still have hair. It’s just short. It’s a-line. And I love it. And I am sorry; I have no pictures on me. But maybe on Sister Tuft's blog soon? She has pictures. But I like it a lot. It’s short. But great. And it's nice. Less time having to do my hair. It’s a relief! And then that night we found out Sister Baker was leaving. I was really sad. We have gotten so close, it's sad. But we'll always be close, so I’m happy. We’ll always be friends. And now Sister Pope is her follow up trainer! It’s great she gets both of us! Lucky duck!

Tuesday, we saw sooo many people to say goodbye. It was a sad day. But good day.

Then Wednesday, we got her out of there!

So today was Sister Whitaker’s first day, and we have had so many blessings today. It’s been wonderful. There is a wedding rehearsal tonight. I am pretty sure I get a harp to play on for the wedding! I have nothing to wear for the wedding. I feel stupid, it's all missionary clothes.  Blast! Oh well. 

But things are great. Life is good, and I love being here on a mission. I’m so grateful I have been able to spend 6 months here, and will have 7 and a half by the end. Wonderful!

Mom, papa, I love you! Thank you for all you do. You are wonderful. And I miss you, and am excited to see you. Kinda. I’m not going to be one hundred percent excited to leave my mission. I’ll miss it! But I’m excited to see you!

Love you sooooo much!

Love, Annie

Garry's Baptism and other Miracles - using the word Shattered

5 September, 2011

Dear mom, papa, family, and friends,
GARRY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!? GARRY ACTUALLY GOT BAPTIZED! It was the most wonderful day yesterday. So many people were there. And it was just wonderful. It’s perfect; this was exactly how it should have gone. Nobody pressured him to come to this point. The Sisters haven't taught him for months now. And so he's done this all on his own, and their family looked SO happy. I couldn't help but cry as I sat on the row. I sat with his family and Sister Pope, we are family. And Maddie was between me and Sister Pope, and just hugging us. Those kids are so happy! And 12 year old Bradley has been waiting to get the priesthood from his dad. And he'll be able to baptize Maddie! It is wonderful. I so badly want to come back for their sealing in a year. Probably not possible, but I can dream, right? Oh it would be amazing! But the baptism was spectacular. President Ogden was there, and not everybody could even fit in the baptismal room to witness the event. But don't worry, we were in the front, kneeling with the children, to make sure he got all the way under! It was wonderful. And Garry looked so happy! President Retallick asked me and Sister Pope to bear our testimonies, because we are his missionaries. Nobody was so attached as us. I could hardly hold back the tears when giving my testimony. It’s amazing to see this wonderful family finally able to progress together! Hip hip Garry!!!! 

It’s hard to even think of anything else actually. I am so distracted by Garry’s baptism yesterday. But we have had so many miracles this week. I’ll try to remember them all. It’s a good thing that Sister Baker and I write our miracles down on a miracles page that we put at the beginning of every week in our planner. So we don't forget the miracles that really happened. 

Many many miracles. 

I may be able to get a harp to play for Charlotte and Mat's wedding. That would be awesome. We’ll see. But it will be good regardless. 

I have played the piano in church in the last two weeks for sacrament meeting. I love playing in church. But as a missionary, I feel like I’m' missing out because I am not able to sit with our investigators. So I will be happy when the usual pianists return. 

Bureh and Hawatu! They are so amazing. They love us coming, and they are such good students! They do their homework. They read and pray and do all that we ask. It’s incredible how humble they are! We love them. Last week we taught them word of wisdom, and Hawatu told us that she drinks tea all the time, and that because of it she sleeps terribly. Only a few hours a night. I don’t' know how anybody lives on that little sleep! Especially with a baby! Well, we gave her the invitation to stop drinking tea, and that we'd bring her tea that she can drink. Well, at our lesson this week, we asked her how it's been going, and she told us that she just drank tea once. And Bureh saw her, and asked why she was drinking tea. She had just forgotten, and from that day she promised to never drink tea again. And she says that she's sleeping better now. Fantastic! They are amazing. They are coming to the multi stake conference on Sunday, and it will be wonderful. He’s changed his work schedule so he'll never have to work Sundays again. Beautiful. 

And then Sumit is amazing! He comes to church regularly now. And we have had some really amazing lessons with him. Mom, you mentioned what a blessing it is that there is someone who speaks Punjab in our ward. But this ward has multiple people from India. And from everywhere else. I’ve never been in such a diverse ward. It’s wonderful! And it's great to bring people of other nationalities to, because they see that no matter where we all are from, we are all family. So Sumit loves church. And even though he gets home late from work Saturday night, he's at church! And he loves it. He raised his hand in priesthood to volunteer helping clean the building for when elder Bednar comes. He’s a right member! But another miracle happened with him this week. He told us yesterday that he was skyping his parents this week, and they asked him what he was doing on Sunday. Usually (before he met us) he'd work in the morning, and then play football (soccer) in the afternoon. But this time his answer was different. He now goes to church! And he told them that hesitantly, not knowing if they would be happy about it. But they were thrilled! They asked all about it. He told them about how we met him at subway and invited him to church, and he came. And he liked it, so he'll come again. And that we are really nice. And they were so happy they told him that if we (Sister Baker and I) ever go to India, we are welcome to stay with them! So nice! We really want to find out how to send the missionaries to them. Because they seem prepared. And his only holdback for getting baptized is because he'd rather die than offend his parents. Apparently in Indian culture, mother comes before God to them. But this is now making the way!  We are thrilled. 

And remember that DA that we did the role-play with the McMorns? And how Cellie came to church? Well she came again. I sat with her in RS, and she loved it. She told me that everything we were learning was how she was raised. And she's so excited to come every week so that she can learn how to be a better mother. Cellie is a professional pianist. But because she has a daughter, and she's single now, she has to find a more stable way of taking care of her family. So she is going to school right now to do something with computers. And she's just so happy to learn all that the church has to offer. Naomi McMorn gave her a hymn book to play the hymns to her daughter Felicia. And she loves it. And we have an appointment to see her this week! OH! And when I was talking to her, while we were checking on her daughter in nursery, she was talking about how in years to come, she's so excited for Felicia to go to primary and learn, and how just happy they are! What a wonderful miracle! And I am sure that Naomi and Joe McMorn are thrilled!! Member missionary work is the BEST. Really. Ideal. 

While we were finding the other day, we met a guy named Chucs from Africa, who was a Jehovah’s Witness. But he was interested in learning about other religions, and he took a Book of Mormon! Miracle! I have met so many JWs and they NEVER take the Book of Mormon. I hope he reads it! He’s cool! 

I don't know if I told you about Azad and Janet. Oh I am sure I did.  Since her priesthood blessing, she's been doing so much better. She lets us in every time now. Awesome. Well, her son, Azad, has been trying to get into detox for the past two years for his drug addiction, and is having a really hard time. And last week, he got a letter saying that he has been admitted in, and that in two weeks, he gets to go into detox! And Janet told us that he reads the Book of Mormon every day, and that when he gets out and stable, he wants to get baptized! We haven't even properly taught him. He just read the Book of Mormon, and knows the effect we've had on his mom! Amazing. We are so thrilled for him! 

Mahdi went to a YSA convention in Manchester last weekend, which is awesome. So he is doing really well. He helped prepare the sacrament yesterday. And he talks to everyone at church. Best fellowshipper EVER. Fantastic! 

We had a district/zone meeting in Coventry this week. And Sister Baker drove. And we ended driving 99.6 miles that day. We were shattered. 

Basically, this week has been fantastic. Exhausting. But fantastic! 

Mom, while I was playing piano at church on Sunday, I looked out at the congregation, and saw Sister Tufts, and she reminded me of you, and it made me homesick. I miss you, and CAN'T WAIT to see you! When you come, we want to figure out a time that Garry and his family can join us in something. Maybe London. Or the temple? Oooh baptisms!!! I don't know. But they want to see us and Sister Pope and her mom. And Garry said we'll see them. So hopefully we can figure it out. If you have any good ideas, you can email them. And if we know any specific days we are somewhere, we can let them know. What do you think? 

I can't believe it's already the second week of September. The time moves so fast, and is swiftly coming to a close. 

Has anyone gotten married or had babies that I should know about? 

Marielle has moved to southern California with McKay, her husband. I’ll be sad to go back to Utah without her there! 

Umm. Anyway, I think that's about it. Transfers are next week CRAZY! So I will be emailing next Wednesday. I’m glad I’ll be staying, if it all works out right. But I’d like Sister Baker to stay as well. It’ll make six months with her. It’s just stressful to get new companions. So I’d like to just keep her. But whatever the Lord wills. 

I’ll be praying for Grandma Clark, and I hope all goes well with her. I’m glad you've been bringing them flowers and bread so much. That’s amazing! I’ve written them a few times.

Love you LOADS! HUPDARO! 

Many Miracles this week - and Missing Yosemite

28 August, 2011

Dear mom papa, family, and friends,

 So cool about David bringing Jdawgs. He’s such a valued customer. I love Jdawgs. I have dreamt about them more than once on my mission.
 
Ok.  GARRY IS GETTING BAPTIZED THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!! So it will be Sunday at four in Cheltenham, and I am THRILLED. I can't wait. It’s going to be amazing. Apparently Garry is just telling everyone, and making it widely known. Which I think really shows his commitment this time. So we are thrilled, and will be driving over with the Sulihull sisters (i.e. Sister Pope, Whitaker, and Rose). It will be GREAT!

So this week really has been amazing. We got standard again! We are thrilled! We got 5 investigators to church, which is amazing. And they all LOVED church. And so many amazing things happened. We challenged Sumit to come to church with a question, and promised him an answer would come in church, and he did, and it did! He got his answer, and recognizes it as a miracle. Fantastic!

Also with Sumit, we had a dinner appointment with Sumit at an Indian family’s house in the ward. And they are amazing. And we had such a good lesson afterward. Mostly it was between Brother Morala and Sumit, because they were speaking half English, and half Punjabi. And it was amazing. Such a good lesson and the spirit was so strong. Hopefully someday Sumit will be able to be baptized. I think for him, it'll take a while. But we'll see!
 
Charlotte also came to church (of course!) and she asked me to play the piano for their wedding! And Sister Baker to play the violin. So hopefully Sister Baker will be here. But I’ll for sure be here. President told me yesterday that I’m staying here until the end. I’m SOOO happy about this. It’s crazy, so little left!

Other miracles of the week! We were eating dinner at Sister Purba's house. Sister Purba lives alone with her three daughters. The oldest daughter, Sunali, isn't a member, but we are friends with her. Anyways, after dinner, Sister Purba was meant to come teaching Marcela with us. Before we left, Sunali asked us if she'd ever be able to come teaching with us. We were completely taken off guard. I of course said YES! But then didn’t' know if we'd be able to drive her in our car. So we called the district leader, who didn't know. So we talked to the zone leader, who also didn’t' know. So I had to call president! Who said YES! So we brought Sunali, Sister Purba, and her other daughter (11 year old) Ayesha, to Marcela's house. And it was one of the best lessons we had. And Sunali asked so many questions. And Marcela loved it. It was great. What a miracle. An investigator asking to go teaching! Fantastic.

Another miracle! We went to Naomi and Joe McMorn's home for dinner. They are mid twenties, and Brother McMorn just recently was released from being on the MTC presidency, and now he's working for CES. So he knows his missionary stuff really. And he taught at the MTC for like 5 years. So when it came to giving a spiritual thought, I was nervous. We have been asked to have role plays as spiritual thoughts, and role playing them inviting their friends to learn about the gospel. I was seriously nervous! I thought they'd judge us for some reason. They told me to calm down, so I did. And we had a great role play. They thought of a friend, Cellie, (pronounced like cello but with i.e. at the end. she's Albanian), their next door neighbor that they wanted to come to church. So first Sister Baker and I role played Naomi and Cellie, and then we switched it to the McMorn’s. Well, they committed to invite her sometime this week, for Sunday (yesterday). It was great. Well, on Sunday, guess who we saw walking to church, yep! Naomi with her pram, and Cellie with hers! And her little daughter Felicia also LOVED church. They both loved it and already said they were going to come back next week. Amazing. Way to go McMorn’s!
 
Hmm. what else? I don’t' really know. We have had so many miracles. We are working like crazy, and president can see it. In my interview with him, he said something like "you guys are doing really well here!” to which I said "yeah, this area is amazing." to which he replied..."maybe it's not the area that's amazing, but the missionaries.” I refuse to believe that. We will continue to just be humble and believe that this area is just really the Promised Land. We have seven people committed to baptism! I think last week I said eight...I was just being overexcited. Charlotte will soon make it eight. woohoo!

Anyways, life is good. I can't believe I have just two months left. And it will be jam packed full of excitement.

Sept 4: Garry's baptism!

Sept 10: Elder Bednar comes to talk to us missionaries! It’s just a question answer period. Thinking of questions....it's good!

Sept 11: Elder Bednar is having a multi stake thing. And speaking to all of us. And holding it in Birmingham! fantastic!

Sept 14: transfers
Sept 17: Charlotte and Matt's Wedding

Sept 23: Hadi, Dorothy Blair, Bureh, and Hawatu get baptized!

October 1-2: general conference!

Oct 14: Hailey's bday!

Oct 15: Taylor, Marcela, and Nikolas baptism!

Oct 26: getting picked up by mom!

WOW.

Oh!!! One more miracle of the week. We woke up to a text from Edwin! Yes! The Edwin that moved back to Malawi with his family. The text says:

"Hi sister, I hope both of you are fine. My last borne daughter, Nganawe, says hello. She says she wants to join Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is 11 years old. While everyone else has refused, Nganawe says she will visit Salt Lake City when she is old. So not everything is lost. Wish both of you good health" 

AMAZING!!! It's awesome to know that what we do has further reaching effects than we think!

This week has been wonderful. And we are prepared for yet another fabulous week! Thank you for everything. I love you dearly! Thanks for your support, Linford Clark reports/quizzes (which are killing me, and I may be looking up just a few answers....*cough cough*....) and postcards. Thank you G &G Linford for your letters! I love them! Thank you! #
 
I love you all! Take care!

Love, HUPDARO
Sister Annie Clark