Mah's Baptism Was Beautiful

Dearest momma and papa and family and friends! 


KELLY! I got your letter. And your pictures! Reegan is SOOO cute. I can't wait to meet her, and I loved your letter. I can't believe I have not received so many letters from you! Sorry to call you out on my blog, but desperate times call for desperate measures...right? I love you! Can’t wait to see you and Reegan in person! Love you!  Miss you! 

And I’m super excited to see Kristy. She just sent me a letter, and it was good. I hope she is well. I’ll write her back ideally today. We’ll see if I have time.

The above picture is actually all the sisters in the mission that went to the Church History Sites.  It was so fun!!


We’ll be hanging out with the Tufts today. Ha-ha, I love them. And you'll LOVE them. She is just like you. Quilts and everything! She is like Aunt Christine too. A mix of you two.

Samuel’s room looks GREAT! That’s awesome that you have that room for sewing. What a good thing. That room was useless with two beds in it. So there you go! 

Jacket potatoes.... mmmm! I love them. They are great here. I’m excited for when I get home, the salsa. I have to be honest, the salsa here isn't great. I haven't found cilantro ever while I’ve been here. Weird, right? Oh well. Such is life. 

We have worked SUPPPPPER hard this week. And it's been AWWWEEEESSSSOOOMMMMEE¬!!!!! This week has seriously been the best. 

We’ll start with the best thing. MAH! He got baptized 23 July 2011, and we are THRILLED. Seriously. Thrilled. It was an incredible baptism. So powerful. Neither one of us gave talks. Mah chose everything in the program without us, and he asked us to do a musical number. So sister baker and I did an arrangement with piano and violin of Be Still my Soul. It was beautiful. I wrote a part for the violin...kinda a descant for one of the verses. It took forever without a piano with us, but it was wonderful! It sounded really great, and I’m proud that I was able to write something that actually sounded good! fabulous. And the whole baptism just went great. A great turnout. president and sister Ogden came, and so did the AP's and so did about 4 other sets of missionaries...all with investigators. And Mah just shone. He was SO happy. I’m so excited for him. And he just loved it, and it's something he's been waiting for for SO long. It’s been about four months since we first started teaching him, and he wanted to get baptized since the second week I think. Since then, he's progressed dramatically, and his English has really improved. It’s wonderful! 

Then on Sunday, the confirmation was amazing. He was so happy. I thought he looked happy before, but after receiving the Holy Ghost, he literally glowed. He’s changed, and he's all over a happier and more peaceful person. I didn't even think that was possible. Mah is awesome, and he will do great things. Last night, he showed us a letter that he wrote in April and was going to give us, but after praying about it for about a day, God told him not to give it to us. And the letter was a letter telling us that he didn’t' want to meet with us anymore. I’m so glad he prayed about it! And he continues to pray all the time, and listens for the answers, and then follows them. He is an example to me. 

So that's the biggest news of the week. It was completely wonderful!!! 

But other wonderful things happened this week as well. We’ll start with Monday and work through. 

Monday: Marcela got surgery on her nose, because she had a cyst in her nose, and so she got it removed. So she has to be home from work for a month. Normally, she never stops working, so this is a really good opportunity for us to be able to help her, and to teach her more. Because she has to be home! So she had that.

And then that night, we had a lesson with Mah, and his friend Hadi. We watched the Lamb of God with them, and then at the end of the lesson were leaving the church, and Hadi asked when he was going to get baptized. We thought he was joking because he has barely been taught anything, but he wasn't. So we said that we have to teach him more, and then he can decide. But we set a tentative date. He can't really set a date until he talks to president and has an interview with him. But at the baptism, he talked to president for a bit, and he told president that he wants to get baptized, so that was exciting. I think president will come to interview him in a week or two. But Hadi is great, and has really seen a difference in Mah through the gospel, and Mah has been teaching him, and still teaches him. Mah is awesome, I tell you! So that was exciting! 

Tuesday through Thursday: helped Marcela A LOT. It was good for her, because she kept getting out of bed to do housework, and to cook and stuff, but it just made her feel worse. So we were there to help with all that. Which was good. 

Friday: was AWESOME. Well, actually I started out in a bad mood, and I didn't really know why. It wasn't normal. I was trying to figure out why I wasn't happy, and then the rest of the day, miracles came left and right. I figured out that Satan was just trying to bring us down, and not listen to the Spirit. But I got out of it, and the rest of the day went GREAT. We had a lesson with Bureh and his family. Bureh is the one from Ghana, who is really cool. Since our last meeting, he has read and prayed, and has felt good about it all. And then at the end of our lesson (the plan of salvation) Sister Baker and I both felt prompted to invite him to baptism. He said that it's something he would like to do. He is going to be able to not work Sundays after this month, and will work towards 10 September! We are thrilled!   But he's set for the tenth. We are thrilled! In honor of Benjamin Clarks birthday! We'll have a baptism. 

Well, actually two on the tenth...because after Bureh's appointment, we went to Sister Blair's house. She is the grandmother of Sarah Hamilton, the sister who served in Oakland that thinks she knows papa. Anyways, we were teaching her the plan of salvation, and at the end, we talked with her about how baptism is such a critical step to gaining salvation. We talked with her a bit about it, and then invited her to get baptized. This time it was different, and she said that she thinks she can do that. And that she feels good about everything. But that she'll pray about it to make sure. At the end of the lesson, she gave the most amazing prayer. It was so heartfelt and sincere, and it was just really good. We are thrilled for her. And she's going to be baptized on the 10th of September too! 

And then of course, Saturday was amazing. Mah was baptized. Hadi wants to get baptized. All was well and happy. Everyone was thrilled for him!

And then Sunday! Mah was confirmed. And it was an amazing confirmation. The blessing he was given talked about missions, and temple marriage. And I felt the spirit so strong throughout it, I really feel like he is going to stay strong. I’m so excited to see where Mah's life goes. He’s going to do great things. 

Then Sunday night, we went to Marcela’s house. We sat with her, and read some scriptures with her in Czech, and then asked her to explain them. This was about baptism and everything. Then she was quiet. She looked at me, and said, why do you want me to be baptized? Before I answered, she answered her own question and said "you want me to be happy". I said yes, and I know this is the way that she'll be the happiest. If she really puts her life into the gospel. Really LIVES it. Reads and prays every day. When she LIVES the gospel, she will be happy. Then she asked "what do I have to do before I get baptized? I already just quit smoking. I’ll stop drinking coffee and tea. What else?" We told her we just have to teach her everything and that she has to read and pray about it. Then she said, "I want to get baptized before you leave". So we set 15 October. Woo hooo! That’s Taylor's (Chinese) date as well! So now we have 4 solid people with a baptismal date, and Hadi who wants to have one. We are SOOOO blessed. 

Basically, life on a mission is great. Things are going so good, and I just DO NOT want to leave Harborne! At all!!! We have transfers next week, so I won't be emailing until Wednesday. But I really hope we both stay here. There are so many things happening in the upcoming 2 transfers. I hope the Lord thinks I should stay here! Ha-ha. 

Overall. Life is GOOD. This gospel is TRUE. And I am so HAPPY! I’m so grateful for the week. And I hope this next week proves to be just as good! 

I love you so much! Thanks for everything. Thank you for your prayers, and all you do. I love you DEARLY!!!

Love HUPDARO 
SISTER Annie CLARK! 

Dear momma, papa, family and friends,

I hope when Kristy is there I can see her!!! That’s awesome, and I love her.

You sound like you had a good week! I can't believe how much is changing; I won't know the house by the time I get home. Fantastic about Samuel's room being a sewing room. But that will mean you can't have movies on at the same time, doesn't it? But that sounds nice to have a master bedroom back. It hasn't been like that for some time. 

Glad papa was able to go to trinity Alps! I can't believe Anthony Celaya has a 13 year old son! I guess I’ve been gone a while...

how fun that you were able to see your high school friend. It sounds a bit like a Hailey.

Fantastic about the piano being in the dining room. Did you do that All by yourself?! You are going to hurt yourself. Be careful! But that sounds great. Where will my harp go? Oh...yeah...I don’t' really live there anymore. Weird. 

Funny about the vegan restaurant. I guess what would you expect? Vegans are supposed to be tree huggers, right? Ha ha. I want to go there though. Where was it? I would think there would be some vegan restaurants in Berkeley. 

Papa, do you remember a sister missionary from Birmingham, England. Sister Hamilton? She’s black, and cute, and thin? She was in the Berkeley singles ward for a while serving and she sometimes brought investigators to institute. Ring any bells? 

My favorite meal of the mission is baked potatoes. They call them jacket potatoes here, and they are somehow better than the potatoes at home. But when people feed us baked potatoes, I’m a happy girl. They are safe, healthy and delicious. Ha-ha. Oh, and we are in a tuna phase right now. Eating TONS of tuna. With great things in it. Relish, spicy mustard, celery, green onions, on top we put tomatoes, avecados, and cucumbers. All this on crackers. It’s delightful. 

Well, onto this week. It’s been great. With some stress thrown in the mix. But that's part of the mission I think. Sister Baker sometimes wonders why I get so stressed sometimes, but I feel like I’m more responsible to get things done that she is. If it doesn't happen, it's my fault. And everything has to be perfect. But she doesn't get it. And just tells me to stop being stressed. Easier said than done. 

But this week really was a good week. 
WE GOT STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE!!!! 
And we are thrilled about it. We worked SO hard till the very last second for that one!

But one of the most exciting things that happened this week is that MARCELA CAME TO CHURCH!!! Hallelujah! For real. This is a miracle. She is SO busy. And so stressed about work and her kids and everything, she always has an excuse not to come. But this week, she and her friend Anna came. And it was great. We had to drive to their house to show them how to get there. They followed behind in their car. We were late, but it didn't matter. She was there. And they loved it. And there is a family in the ward, the wards (the one who's Skype I used...from Camarillo), and they both happen to know Russian, so they are going to have Marcela and Anna over to their home. Fantastic. Thank you wards! She loved it, and loved the people. Couldn’t understand a word of the talks given...he had a bad Brummie accent. But it's ok. She still felt the spirit. It was good. 

We met a Chinese guy on the way to one of our appointments there a few weeks ago, and got his number, and were going to meet up and have a lesson when he was done with exams. Well, we called him this week, and we asked if there was a time that we could see him, and he said...yeah, what about today? And there was actually time we could see him. So we went to his home, and it was great. It was an awkward sitting situation. We just had to meet in his bedroom (don't worry, we had a member with us), but us three sat on his bed, and he sat at his desk at the end of the bed. So I was closest to him, and couldn't really see sister baker or the member. So basically I just mostly talked the whole lesson. And when we got to prophets and dispensations he asked "well, then, shouldn't there be a prophet today?"  WHAT?!?!?!? That never happens. It’s always supposed to, but it doesn't. He was just so good. and then at the end, when I was really testifying that all we had talked about was true, I looked at him and said "I KNOW this is true." he paused and just looked at me. And then said "YOU know that is true. But I don't know...yet, but I’ll find out." oh, it was great. I wish it could have been recorded. It was epic. But I hope heavenly father records the good clips from our lives so someday we'll be able to replay them. 

Another great thing that happened this week was we found the greatest little family. We were waiting for a member to come out with us, and we waiting in our car on the street. So we decided to street contact while waiting. So we got out of the car right as a man was walking by our car. We offered him a card, and he looked at us and told us he knows a bit about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said the full name. And we were a bit taken aback. But it was great. We asked if we could see him sometime. Well, he just gave us his number and asked us to call him the next day, because he was busy right then. Usually when this happens, there isn't much hope. But we called, an appointment was set, and he was there. With his wife and adorable baby. His name is Bureh, and his wife is Hawatu, and she is a former investigator as well, who used to study in London with the missionaries. They were really great. We taught the restoration, and they are going to read and pray. They are AMAZING. And they are a family. We pray for families to teach! Fantastic! They are great. And someday when they move back to Africa, they will bless those lives down there. 

We are also working with a less active - Jack. And he is cool. We met him for the first time about a month ago, and since then, he's been reading the Book of Mormon every day, and praying, and going to church. He works at a bar, and someone threw a glass, and hit the wall and glass got in his eye. He was temporarily blinded, but he still made sure he came to church, and read.with one eye. Last week, he said he had lots of questions, and if we could meet with him. And we met with him just yesterday, and he said that all of his questions were answered during his prayers and reading, and by other people at church. It was awesome. He realized that he needs to change his lifestyle to he can be all the way in at church. And he wants to talk to the bishop. He’s awesome. 

And last night, a family had us and Mah and Jack, and the elders, and their investigators and recent convert, and we had a cottage evening, and it was great. All is planned for Mah's baptism. He is SO excited. And life is good. We are thrilled. I can't wait. It’s going to be the best!!! 

Sister Ogden came to our flat to have weekly planning with us this week, and it was really great. She came out tracting, which scared her apparently, but she was great! Mom, you should go out with the sisters. Do we still have sister missionaries in the 4th ward? They were there when I was last there...a few years ago.

Well. Life is great. Time is going fast. August is swiftly approaching, and that means transfers are soon too. First week in august I think. Please pray that I’ll stay in Harborne. I LOVE it here. I want to serve here until the end. Only two more transfers...it's possible...right? We’ll see! 

Well, I love you VERY much. Thanks for everything. Thanks for the fun email, and for all you do. I love you so much. 

Love, 
Sister Annie Clark
(APW*) 

*assistant to the president’s wife 

Ugliest cake Ever. Good things happening in Birmingham

Dear momma, papa, famiy and friends,

I hope when Kristy is there I can see her!!! That’s awesome, and I love her. And you will love her.

You sound like you had a good week! I can't believe how much is changing; I won't know the house by the time I get home. Fantastic about Samuel's room being a sewing room. But that will mean you can't have movies on at the same time, doesn't it? But that sounds nice to have a master bedroom back. It hasn't been like that for some time. 



We made the AP's a cake. Ss APW's. They had "try out's" for APW slots. But obviously there is no competition. Sister pope and iIare the REAL apws. :) . Ugliest cake EVER!! And we burnt it. hahaha. 

Glad papa was able to go to trinity Alps! I can't believe Anthony Celaya has a 13 year old son! I guess I’ve been gone a while...

How fun that you were able to see your high school friend. It sounds a bit like a Hailey.

Fantastic about the piano being in the dining room. Did you do that All by yourself?! You are going to hurt yourself. Be careful! But that sounds great. Where will my harp go? Oh...yeah...I don’t' really live there anymore. Weird. 

Funny about the vegan restaurant. I guess what would you expect? Vegans are supposed to be tree huggers, right? Ha ha. I want to go there though. Where was it? I would think there would be some vegan restaurants in Berkeley. 

Papa, do you remember a sister missionary from Birmingham, England. Sister Hamilton? She’s black, and cute, and thin? She was in the Berkeley singles ward for a while serving and she sometimes brought investigators to institute. Ring any bells? 

My favorite meal of the mission is baked potatoes. They call them jacket potatoes here, and they are somehow better than the potatoes at home. But when people feed us baked potatoes, I’m a happy girl. They are safe, healthy and delicious. Ha-ha. Oh, and we are in a tuna phase right now. Eating TONS of tuna. With great things in it. Relish, spicy mustard, celery, green onions, on top we put tomatoes, avecados, and cucumbers. All this on crackers. It’s delightful. 

You said in your email that you'd send pictures, but you didn't. You want to pop them into the next email? Thanks! 

Well, you sound like you've had a great week. It sounds GREAT that you are going to the church sites with mama pope. She’s great! I already love her. 

Well, onto this week. It’s been great. With some stress thrown in the mix. But that's part of the mission I think. Sister Baker sometimes wonders why I get so stressed sometimes, but I feel like I’m more responsible to get things done that she is. If it doesn't happen, it's my fault. And everything has to be perfect. But she doesn't get it. And just tells me to stop being stressed. Easier said than done. 

There was a stake BBQ - I love bouncy castles!

But this week really was a good week. 

WE GOT STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE!!!! 
And we are thrilled about it. We worked SO hard till the very last second for that one!

But one of the most exciting things that happened this week is that MARCELA CAME TO CHURCH!!! Hallelujah! For real. This is a miracle. She is SO busy. And so stressed about work and her kids and everything, she always has an excuse not to come. But this week, she and her friend Anna came. And it was great. We had to drive to their house to show them how to get there. They followed behind in their car. We were late, but it didn't matter. She was there. And they loved it. And there is a family in the ward, the wards (the one who's Skype I used...from Camarillo), and they both happen to know Russian, so they are going to have Marcela and Anna over to their home. Fantastic. Thank you wards! She loved it, and loved the people. Couldn’t understand a word of the talks given...he had a bad Brummie accent. But it's ok. She still felt the spirit. It was good. 

We had another cool experience. So remember Mapfumo and Julia? Remember how they were terrible to us, and we wondered why we had gone for so long to their home? Well, we found out at least one of the reasons this week. We met a Chinese guy on the way to one of our appointments there a few weeks ago, and got his number, and were going to meet up and have a lesson when he was done with exams. Well, we called him this week, and we asked if there was a time that we could see him, and he said...yeah, what about today? And there was actually time we could see him. So we went to his home, and it was great. It was an awkward sitting situation. We just had to meet in his bedroom (don't worry, we had a member with us), but us three sat on his bed, and he sat at his desk at the end of the bed. So I was closest to him, and couldn't really see sister baker or the member. So basically I just mostly talked the whole lesson. And when we got to prophets and dispensations he asked "well, then, shouldn't there be a prophet today?"  WHAT?!?!?!? That never happens. It’s always supposed to, but it doesn't. He was just so good. and then at the end, when I was really testifying that all we had talked about was true, I looked at him and said "I KNOW this is true." he paused and just looked at me. And then said "YOU know that is true. But I don't know...yet, but I’ll find out." oh, it was great. I wish it could have been recorded. It was epic. But I hope heavenly father records the good clips from our lives so someday we'll be able to replay them. 

Another great thing that happened this week was we found the greatest little family. We were waiting for a member to come out with us, and we waiting in our car on the street. So we decided to street contact while waiting. So we got out of the car right as a man was walking by our car. We offered him a card, and he looked at us and told us he knows a bit about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said the full name. And we were a bit taken aback. But it was great. We asked if we could see him sometime. Well, he just gave us his number and asked us to call him the next day, because he was busy right then. Usually when this happens, there isn't much hope. But we called, an appointment was set, and he was there. With his wife and adorable baby. His name is Bureh, and his wife is Hawatu, and she is a former investigator as well, who used to study in London with the missionaries. They were really great. We taught the restoration, and they are going to read and pray. They are AMAZING. And they are a family. We pray for families to teach! Fantastic! They are great. And someday when they move back to Africa, they will bless those lives down there. 

We are also working with a less active - Jack. And he is cool. We met him for the first time about a month ago, and since then, he's been reading the Book of Mormon every day, and praying, and going to church. He works at a bar, and someone threw a glass, and hit the wall and glass got in his eye. He was temporarily blinded, but he still made sure he came to church, and read.with one eye. Last week, he said he had lots of questions, and if we could meet with him. And we met with him just yesterday, and he said that all of his questions were answered during his prayers and reading, and by other people at church. It was awesome. He realized that he needs to change his lifestyle to he can be all the way in at church. And he wants to talk to the bishop. He’s awesome. 

And last night, a family had us and Mahdi and jack, and the elders, and their investigators and recent convert, and we had a cottage evening, and it was great. All is planned for Mahdi's baptism. He is SO excited. And life is good. We are thrilled. I can't wait. It’s going to be the best!!! 

Sister Ogden came to our flat to have weekly planning with us this week, and it was really great. She came out tracting, which scared her apparently, but she was great! Mom, you should go out with the sisters. Do we still have sister missionaries in the 4th ward? They were there when I was last there...a few years ago.

Well. Life is great. Time is going fast. August is swiftly approaching, and that means transfers are soon too. First week in august I think. Please pray that I’ll stay in Harborne. I LOVE it here. I want to serve here until the end. Only two more transfers...it's possible...right? We’ll see! 

Well, I love you VERY much. Thanks for everything. Thanks for the fun email, and for all you do. I love you so much. 


Love, 
Sister Annie Clark
(APW*) 


*assistant to the president’s wife 

Gardening, Haircut, Benbow Farm and a Baptism Coming Up

11 July 2011Dearest momma, papa, and family, and friends!

Hello! It’s been a great week. A bit of a weird week. I think zone conferences do that to you, because they completely eliminate a whole day of work. But it's been great. And we are happy campers!

Glad to hear you are on the Tufts blog. Sister Tufts reminds me of you, mom. You’d love her. And they just live right next to Provo, so it'll be fun to have them around when I’m back at byu. And the Henrys. How fun!

Tyrone didn't show up at his appointment. But we still have high hopes for him. He’s awesome. And so we just need to pray hard for him. We’ll see how it goes. He’s just so great. Really ready for the gospel.

I can't believe I’m missing a family reunion!!! I am so bummed. Where will it be? Blast! Oh well. Can we have them more often now that g and g are home now? Was that their last mission?

Fun to have Vance so close. I love having them close by! They are awesome.

I HAD NO IDEA ALEX AND LINDY WERE EVEN PREGNANT!!! I can't believe they have had a baby, and nobody informed me they were even expecting. My goodness. Family! Well, exciting for them. And funny about it being Wayne and Elna! What great news!

You sound like you are super busy! How fun! We will have lots of projects to do. I’m excited. Life will be good.

Ok. This week, it's been great. We gave a lot of service this week. We always ask people what we can do to help. And nobody ever gives us anything. But when it rains it pours. So we were asked by two families to help. One in the garden, and one painting in the house. Oh man. The garden. You would have been proud. I think I could have been included in the "Matthias boys!” we worked SO hard. Two hours, no break, and got so much done. There was grass mid calf high, and I mowed the whole three hours. Uphill, through uneven ground. I am now an expert. I was such a man! It was great. I walked away with blisters, and almost the whole place mowed. It’s a big garden. You’d be proud. And the elders were there too. We got lots done for them. It was great!

And then the next day we worked for two hours stripping wall paper and sealing the wall and stuff. I had paint ALL OVER ME. And then we went to the bathroom to wash up and change, and we looked like we hadn't done anything. It was awesome. It’s fun to help the ward out. Especially less actives and part member families. It’s great!

OK. Miracles of the week! We have had so many. Sister Baker and I have really tried to focus on following our plans and our back up plans. And we have had a lot of cool experiences from it.

Gwen. We were tracting on a street that we had felt pressed to tract. And about the tenth door in, a woman answers the door who clearly had a hard time with her speech. She had a cane, and she was barely older than fifty. She told us that she had recently had a stroke, and couldn't talk very well, so wouldn't be able to talk to us. But immediately when we heard that she had had a stroke, Sister Baker and I jumped at the opportunity to maybe be of service. I think she was touched at how much love we showed her, and she invited us in. she told us about her life. She showed us pictures of her family. And she told us that we were sent by God, because she was particularly down on that day. We left her with a Book of Mormon, and she invited us back. She is lovely. And we brightened her day.

Wayne. We met Wayne on the street Sunday night. It was raining, but we had decided rain or shine, we were going to talk on that street. I felt like I really wanted to take a picture with Lady Bracknell Mews, and so we walked there first and took pictures. And on our way back, we ran into Wayne. He’s great. He told us he's talked to sister missionaries before, and has been given a Book of Mormon. He said that he always runs into us when he's at his lowest, and maybe it's because God is trying to tell him something. He decided that he'd have to listen to what we had to share. And we walked and talked to him for about a half an hour. I really think we gave him hope. He’s really been struggling. But we are going to see him tomorrow, and he said that he would read the book of Mormon every day. He’s fantastic!

Janet. We went to Janet because she was our back up plan. When we went to her, we kept questioning why we had put her down, because it was a far drive. But we knew we needed to keep to our plans. So we went, and she was so happy to see us and invited us right in. we talked for a while, and she told us that she was wondering when we would come and see her, and hoped we would come again. And then we came. And she seems like she's in a better place than she has been lately. Much happier. It’s good to see we are following the promptings from the Holy Spirit. So cool.

Marcela. She is doing OK. Actually better than before. We taught her the restoration and she finally understood. She understood what we were trying to share with her. I really love Marcela. And she told us that she would pray about if it's true. At the end, I told her I liked her ring. It was really pretty. And she took it off and gave it to me. What!? I refused for about fifteen minutes. But to no avail. She said it was so I would always remember her. Oh my word. So now I have a really pretty ring, that I feel completely bad about. But it would offend her to not take her gift. Oh dear. I will never be able to compliment anything of hers again! Crazy. I do love her though.

Elliott.

He is a returning member, and he's awesome. He is 12 years old, and has just begun to pass the sacrament. And we went to their house, and he has a MASSIVE afro, and his mom was fed up with it. So she asked if we would like to cut it. Of course we did! So we cut it, and it was awesome. So I’ll put in pictures. My first hair cut. My goodness. It was a LOT of hair!!

GADFIELD ELM: it was awesome! Mom, yes we went to Benbow's farm and the pond. It was great. I loved it. We hiked, and had a great time. It was really powerful to have a meeting in Gadfield Elm, the first Mormon Church building, and it's beautiful. I loved it there. And we had a really great time. we didn’t' have much time for a meeting, but all those that are departing in the next few transfers gave their departing testimonies, and it was very emotional. And then I realized that at the next zone conference I’ll be giving my departing testimony. I can't believe how fast it's gone! I still feel like a greeny. But it was a wonderful experience. I loved it there. And I’ll attach photos.

I love you. It’s been a GREAT week. Mah is getting baptized on the 23rd, and we are thrilled! And life is GREAT! Love you!

Love,
Annie

Birmingham still and working hard!

4 July 2011
Dear mom, papa, family, and friends!

Hip hip on all the work you've done in the house! There won't be any projects left for when I get there! I guess harp and all I have planned will be enough. And I bet you can think of good projects while I am home.

I loved the shirt! And I love that both of you found it and liked it! Wonderful! I wore it the next day. Thank you thank you!!!

I am thrilled about being able to take with Linda. I can't wait! She’s amazing. I can't wait to work on my Liebestraume with her. She’ll do wonders. I do love her. I haven't seen her in years. Crazy!

Harborne is doing great. We are becoming more and more of an equal companionship. She is learning the ropes well, and we are learning to work well together. It’s very fun. And we get along great. So it's great really REALLY want to stay here for the rest of my mission. But we'll see what the Lord has in store I guess. (But if he has any brains he'll let me stay, ha-ha!) Just kidding. But I do love it here. It’s great. And we are working great together.

Frank being so far away is over a half hour drive. I’m not really sure how far. But it's a lot of miles, and it's too much to go very regularly. It’s bad. But it's great. It’s called Great Barr, you can look it up.

We got a new car today, and it's FANTASTIC! It drives so well. It’s pretty fun to drive it. We have so many luxuries. Sister Pope and Sister Whitaker are riding bikes in Sulihull. They are EXHAUSTED. I’m kinda jealous. But it's all good. We need a car in this area. Otherwise we'd die! It’s so crazy driving here; I don't know how the elders survive on bikes!

Happy Fourth of July! We had a big zone party today. It was great! So much fun. The tufts went out to Costco and got hot dogs, and we played sports (the elders mostly...) and we on the side lines just talked and had a great time. I’m tired! But it was SO much fun. I completely beat an elder at air hockey! Yeah!

So this week has been good. It’s been a little weird actually. A bit hard. But really good. Just a lot of things have gone wrong. But we GOT STANDARD! This week! Yayyyy!! We have had a lot of really cool experiences.

One day we were visiting a girl, Anna, in the ward that's less active. She Polish, and loves us, and has been really coming back. It’s awesome to see. Well, we were at her house on time, but she wasn't. So I told Sister Baker "lets run around the block and talk to as many people as we can before Anna gets back!" so we did! And we gave like 5 books out. And we met a guy named Tyrone. And he's AWESOME. He is this black guy, 28 years old. And he set an appointment with us. And then guess what!??!?! HE ACTUALLY WAS AT HIS APPOINTMENT!! Yep. It’s true. I’m not pulling your leg. It was awesome. And we taught the restoration. And he told us about how he's changed his life, his group of friends, and what he does, because he wants to prepare for the judgment. And he told us that he prays and sincerely searches for Gods will for him. And he basically is completely awesome. We set up another appointment, and committed him to read 3 Nephi 11. Then he asked us what else he can read this week. Yep he did. And so we said to start from the beginning! He’s so great. As we were leaving, his uncle was in the kitchen cooking for them. And I went in and basically, when we go back on Saturday, they are feeding us as well as having a lesson! And that was on Sunday! Miracles happen after long hard weeks. And we are SO blessed here.

What else...

This week, we had to say goodbye to Edwin. He went back to Malawi, and oh, it was so sad for us! He’s so great. And we have really grown close to him. And when we left, we left him a talk to read "safety for the soul" by Elder Holland. And he texted us later saying that he loved that talk and that he was really grateful for us. And he was going to miss us. Everyone in Malawi is informed at his coming, and we really hope his family will learn about the gospel and will accept. He’s amazing. I cried as we drove away from his house. I’ll really miss him. He was one of the first people I taught in Harborne. And I really have grown to love him. But I’m so glad he's back home with his wife and six kids. He’s been so homesick for them. But we sure will miss him!

Hmm what else happened this week?

OHHHH! Ok. So we had cleaning checks this week. So we were cleaning out this disgusting closet full of spider webs, and we found the most ridiculously massive spider. I am not exaggerating. We completely freaked out. And screamed. And got the vacuum, but wasn't even sure if it would fit in the hose of the vacuum. Yeah, it's THAT big! So we got out raid, and sprayed so much, we may have poisoned ourselves. But he died. Oh dear. He was massive. It gave me night mares. Oh dear. That was an exciting moment in our week. And we tried to make the tufts their favorite dessert (to bribe them while they were checking our flat) which is lemon meringue (I know that's not spelled right) pie, and it went terribly wrong. A member taught us how this week, and everything went well, but the crust. Very wrong. But it was hilarious. And my wrist hurt for two days because of whipping all those egg whites! I had to wear my wrist brace for two days. I looked completely ridiculous. I was wearing it while we were finding. I was curious to know if I would get sympathy and more people would talk to me. But I think it had the opposite effect. Oh well. Blah.

So Charlotte!! She is MARVELOUS! She told us that she moved her wedding date up from December to September!!! So she can get baptized!! Wooohoooo!! We are thrilled. I just hugged her for like a minute. She probably thought I was crazy. But I’m so excited. I love her, and that means I’ll be here (hopefully be here in Harborne) for her wedding and baptism! Blessings!!!

Oh we had a really cool experience this week. So you know Marcela? Well her dad speaks zero English, but is always there when we are there. He lives with her. And he is adorable. He always brings us bread. He’s hilarious. We love love him. Anyways, he went into the hospital this week. And so while Marcela was there (so we thought) we went to the hospital to visit him. And she had just left, but we went in, and spent a little while with him. And it was hilarious. Sister Baker can understand a little bit of what he says because it's close to Russian, and he can understand some of what she says. But it was hilarious. He was singing and dancing. And was showing us the views from all the windows, even trying to take us into people's private hospital rooms. It was so funny. And my communication with him is thumbs up. That’s about it. I wrote a few Slovakian things in my planner I could say to him. Like thank you. And such. But it was so fun. And we prayed with him. He first prayed in Slovakian, and then Sister Baker prayed in Russian. It was a very tender moment. And I think we really touched Marcela, even though she wasn't there. It was great.

A man named magic asked me to go to a restaurant with him when I invited him to church. Clearly I said no. then we gave him our card, and he gave us his. Hilarious. Hope he comes to church!

Mahdi is doing great. Can’t beat it! He just the best, and so wants to get baptized!

The ward loves us. We are getting more dinner appointments now than the elders, much to their dismay. We are gaining popularity points apparently. And we try really hard to write a million thank you notes all the time, and give them with chocolate that everyone gives us. I don't know what it is, but at church, different old ladies come up and have bought sweets for us. They are adorable. But we just keep them to give to other people. There are some of the most adorable old ladies in this ward though! I love it.

Mostly things are going great. We are so so tired all the time. We are waking up early to run more, and it's good. But oh so tired.

I saw Sister Pope today. I love her. And I miss her. And it was so much fun. We wrestled. Good old times.

We are going to Gadfield elm this Thursday. It will be really wonderful. I was supposed to do a music number with Sister Baker (her on the violin) but alas, no piano! Only a very very poor organ apparently. Oh well. Hopefully it will all go well.

We were given an APW (assistants to the president’s wife) task this week to bake for the AP's (as requested by Sister Ogden...because the AP's asked her to request it) some cookies or cake. And because Mahdi gave us a cake this Sunday, we passed it on to someone who will eat it all! Ha-ha. Yay for being an APW. Life is good.

Things are great here. It’s warm out. It’s weird! But that'll soon change. And we just found a place that sells good apples, and persimmons! Hallelujah. I miss Larry’s produce. So much. Can’t wait for that. And for the strawberry stand. Mmmm.

Love you SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much. Thank you for all you do. I am so grateful to be here on a mission, and it's all because of you, my dear parents. Thank you SO much. You are wonderful.

I love you!

Love,
Sister Ann (ie) Clark