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