Sick of the flu!

3 January 2011

Dear mum, papa, and family,
Love you! I had so much fun talking to you at Christmas. I love that! Oh, and for the record, we were strictly told that we were able to talk no longer than 40 minutes. I think I kept within that. I tried to for sure. So that's why I was rushing, not because I didn't want to talk to you. I can't believe that J could talk to his family for over 5 hours! That’s a bit excessive. How are J and Je doing? How fun that they are both serving at the same time. I love that!

Oh this week last week... it's been a doozy. Monday to Thursday, we were pretty sick. Wednesday night, Sister R took Sister P and me to the doctor and it turns out that my flu had turned into a chest infection. So I had to get antibiotics, which really seems to have done a lot. So I am happy about that. Really annoying. Apparently one elder at the talent show had the swine flu. Lovely. So I am just grateful that I am doing better. I’m still not all the way better yet though. It’s lasted a long time. But I am hoping that it will continue to subside.

How fun that you went to Utah! How is all the family doing? I wonder if everybody would send me their Christmas card. And anybody else who sent them out. I got the Orris-Linford’s, which was so much fun to get! I just would love the others as well.

I am so excited Annelise is married. Thanks for sending me the picture! It took me a minute to even figure out it was her, because I wasn't expecting it to be her. Wow. Hopefully he's a great guy! She looked beautiful.

Thursday, we did some work. We were so sick of staying in by this point, so we went out and visited some people. But I was still having a terrible cough, and my voice sounded AWFUL. It’s finally almost back now, but just getting there. I still sound like a man. If I’d answer the phone, the district leader or whoever would call me Elder Clark. Nice.

Friday. We scheduled a lot of people to come out teaching with us for the next week. We were pretty excited to get someone almost every day. So that's exciting. And then we went and visited more people. That night, the Ws had us for dinner, and they were so funny that night! Brother W and E ran around trying to snap each other with tea towels. Except E only being four, doesn't really know how, but J definitely got her pretty good. And they showed us their wedding album. It was great! Because by a certain point, we weren't able to be outside, we had to be in because of New Years Eve, so it was a delightful night. I love that family!

Saturday. We went to A G’s baptism in Cheltenham. He is the cutest kid. When we walking into the room, he came up to us and hugged us. And then a couple more times that day. He likes us! Yay! Then the rest of the day we went to go visit people. It was nice to finally see people that we weren't able to see for a while because of not being able to drive. We finally gave out most of our Christmas cards as well. Felt good.

Sunday! We had church. Later we went to dinner at the D's home. Then we went to S’s to visit. Apparently S was all ready for church. He had his suit and tie and books ready, and then he chickened out and got too nervous. Sweet man. Hopefully he will build up the courage next week. He just has such bad anxiety, poor guy.

Monday. Today we went shopping for a couple hours to find Sister P some boots. She had some as a hand-me-down from another sister, but those broke, and she has either been wearing mine (almost 4 sizes too big) or just flats. Which is painful. We finally found some today. Hopefully they will last the walking we do.

It’s good to finally be back on a normal schedule. We have been a bit discouraged. Especially starting with G not getting baptized, and then the snow keeping us stuck, and then being sick. We are trying to get back to where we want to be.


Now. Here are funny quotes going back a few months:

Brother P (gospel principles teacher) - is there anyone we shouldn’t share the gospel with?
J (recent convert) - Catholics

This one is about tea tree oil in zone conference
Elder: does it have tea in it?
Sister Ogden: you're not going to drink it, you're just going to inhale it

M (former investigator): well I’m happy now because you gave me an owl

Peter (an old man we met on the street) - You don't have to be mad (crazy) but it helps

M (same former invest.) - Wherever u are un whatever u maybe doing. I thank u both 4 me owl cake I enjoyed very much thank u again.

December Testimony meeting:
B B: I'd like to bear my testimony that I know this church is true. I like coming to church every Sunday...and I hope my dad gets baptized on the 18th of December. in the name...
H B: I'd like to bear my testimony...and like B I hope my dad get's baptized on the 18th because I want more than anything in the world for our family to be sealed in he temple.

T (invest); I have to go - I have an AA meeting tonight
Sister P: what's that?
Sister Clark: trying to nonchalantly tell her
Sister P: oh. sorry, it's just been a while since I’ve gone

M B: I could do with a drink. where is the heck apple juice?

A G (about his baptism): It’s just one dunk in the water and then you feel great!

Well, I hope you have a great first week of 2011. I love you! pray for us please to be able to work hard without any illness. oh, and transfers are next Wednesday. so we won't be emailing till next Wednesday, and post anything from now until we know where I’ll be at the mission home:

187 Penns Lane
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
England B76 1JU
UK

I love you love you love you!
love,
Sister Annie Clark

ps. do you have the recipe for gingerbread cake? or Dutch babies? I’d love it :) thanks!