9.23.13: Tom's River Spanglish

Tom's River Spanglish Sisters

so... I'll explain...

This was a verrrry interesting week. It was different then all my other weeks in the mission. (that's the fun of being a missionary, you never know what's coming) but in sad news. One of my best friends on the mission went home this week. IT was a total blindside. So we were in a trio all week. not just in a trio, but a spanglish trio. So I served as a spanish and english missionary this week. it was fun. haha I atempted to learn a little spanish but I wasn't super sucsessful.

Ok i'll just go throught the highlights of my week.

We met a lady named Sandy. We came over and she was so greatful to see us. She cried and just hugged us and was so happy to have us over. her life is just falling apart. Her house looks like wes and ems house (from huricane sandy). and is being infested with black mold. We sat and taught her a lesson. as we taught she just completely understood and said "So my baptism didn't count?... I need to be saved! when can I be baptised?" this is our first time meeting with her. we set her for the 20th and she wrote it on her calander and just is so excited "to be saved". man she is incredible. what a blessing to meet with her. goodness after the lesson we were all in shock. wow. so cool!!! we also had dinner with Jeneen and her family. we love them so much. her family is going through a lot right now. that kinda was the theme for the week. Trials, but how the lord and the gospel can strengthen you. we met a family who is being kicked out of there house. we've spent the past couple of days helping them back up there life into a pod and they have no place to go. On tuesday they will be homeless. So much heart ache. As we sat down with them to teach a lesson. the spirit consumed the room. I could feel and was overwhelmed with heavnely fathers love for these people. I know he loves us each so much. He is completely aware of our circumstances. sometimes we don't think of see or feel that he is. But I testify that he does. cause those feelings of love I feel for these people i've never met. It's so hard to comprehend but it's real. SO COOL TO BE BLESSED TO FEEL THIS LOVE. This week was just complete and pure craziness. i can't really even describe it but it was good. we had fun being in a spanglish trio. wahoo! it was a good week. oh and on other good news ERIC'S BEING BAPTIZED THIS COMING SUNDAY!!!!!! The cute adorable higgins family,,, oh man. they are so excited and I'm exicted for them. just so much excitement all the way around. wahoo. Missionary work is great.

sorry for the short letter. I just have a lot on my mind right now. a lot of souls to save. but just know I'm so greatful for all the wonderful suport and strength of all you back home. I'm so amazed by the power of righteousness and obedience. Testimonys are a fraguile thing. unless they are nurished and coninuely growning they can wither away. I'm greatful for a loveing heavenly father that brings us safety comfort and love. He is amazing. I'm grateful for my savior. He is so invested in this work. Sometimes I just sit back and look at all the miracles he does here and it's just... wow. I love you all so much I pray for you always. The atonement is real. How much love did one man have for each one of us... to the point that he would die for us. so much love! love is what makes this all work and worth it. the plan of salvation was founded from heavenly fathers love. and I love you all

Love Sister Clark

Clear eyes full heart can't lose

Biking Day! 

Nephite Leighs

Comp 

Add caption

$20 from a stranger

Sister Moe shoving a cupcake in our investigators face

The Higgins! 

9.18.13: A Evening of Pictures

9.16.13: "That's the Ghost"

Sister Morrison and me

ok so you may have heard me say that sister Morrison said we were going to set the area on fire...but just to clear the air we had nothing to do with the fire in seaside.

I don't know if you have heard anything about it but keep the people of Jersey in your prayers. Heavenly Father is humbling them and they need the gospel. thats why were here:). The fire was pretty bad from what i've heard. we have an apointment with one of our investigators in seaside tonight so we will see for sure. but a lot of our investigators live by the boardwalk. anyways everyone is doing good tho.:)

Wow what an incredible week. It's always so fun to open up my e-mail and to see my inbox full of stories and family letters. You all inspire me. Jason when I read about team chad I cried. I love the example and the sincerly good people you are. family thank you. I loved christophers letter as well. He seems so happy and just loving the work.. i'm jealous they get to go to the temple so often but i'm so happy for him.

So, it has been said by many people that we work with that I am a lot happier. I was never unhappy, but needless to say I love sister Morrison. we have so much fun, but do work at the same time. I'm just so happy to be here and loving the people. LIFE IS SO GOOD. missions are the best! Sometimes I just feel so much love for these people it literally hurts. I feel like my heart is going to explode, there possibly can't be anymore room to love them then boom it happens. we meet someone new and heavenly father makes room:)

Sick Movie P-day

Monday

my companion and I were sick so we stayed in and watched 17 miracles. I always love bragging about our ancestors and how awesome they are. no big deal. We had an appointment with Raegan and her boys and one of her boys brended committed to be baptized!!! we are jazzed. he's so excited to start coming to church. we're excited for him.

Tuesday

we were still getting over our sickness but we still worked hard. we got frosties at one point and danced to joseph and the technicolor coat. the sickness is nothing that a frosty and some dancing can't cure. we went to go teach Jeenine. Aimee and Raegans friend and as we walked in she just asked us in all seriousness. if we were brain washed. hahah we laughed. she just doesn't think it's possible for people to be so happy about something. she asked us if we have to take something before we go into appointments. we just laughed. she really is a great investigator, she's trying to figure out whats going on in the church. we love her a lot she makes us laugh.

The Boardwalk

Wednesday

I was on a spanish exchange with sister Stevens. she's basically one of my companions. we go on lots of exchanges together it's fun to pretend I know spanish. I love the people. they are so nice. I wish I could speak to them but i've learned my ablitiliy to learn a language is nada. haha it's ok tho i'll stick to english. props to other fam members that spoke a language.

Thursday

we rode bikes and commited marco to be baptised! he's 15 and after we meet with him he locked himself in his room and read for an hour.. his mom then came in and took the book of mormon from him and read untill 4 in the morning............... yes how incredible is that. they want to come to church and see. wow so many miracles heavenly father is blessing us with. I just am in awe at his love and mercy.

Friday

ok so friday We met with Ray.. he is one tough cookie... sister morrison and i were at a complete loss of what to teach him. I pleaded and pleaded with my heavenly father all morning to guide us and help ray feel the spirit. and as we taught the restoration he listened, and retained. we then talked about joseph smith and I bore testimony of him. ray felt the spirit and just shook, literally the holy ghost has to bulldoze him over so he can feel it. and he smiled and opened his eyes and said "that's the ghost" I started to cry out of gratitutde to heavenly father. Ray then told us he knows JOseph smith is prophet and he will not deny it..... so cool. prayers are answered.

Saturday

We had set a goal to teach 3 lessons other then the ones that were set and heavenly father guided us. It was either a neighboor or some one we just meet. but he guided us and helped us. we had a man we had given a book of mormon to forever ago, we stoped by him and he just without a word took us in the back and told us he's read 1/2 of the book of mormon and he has some questions for us. so neat.

The Promised Land Sisters

Sunday was incredible

we had stake conference.. now all you utah people wouldn't believe it but for us new jerseyers it's an all day experience. driving up and then the conf. then going home. President and sister Jeppson spoke and rocked the chapel with there spirits.... when your in president jeppsons presence you just feel the spirit immediately hit you. man it was superb! Krystal and Eric came. I love them so so much. We are teaching them tonight and are extending a baptismal invite. pray hard for us. he is ready. he just needs some spiritual strength.

This has been an incredible week. this work is true. the Lord hears and answers prayers. I love missionary work. i'm having a lot of fun. :) I got to go!

Love,

Sister Clark

clear eyes full heart, can't lose

Look at the book I got

'Nuff Said (Cat Hair)

Meat! 

9.9.13: Mucus...

Ok the kids are just to cute! the reunion sounds like so much fun, and JAN AND JASON!!!!!!! I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU BOTH! It sounds like life is good out west. It brings my heart so much comfort and joy to know all is well and everyones happy.:) Remember that one time after this transfer I will have spent 1/3 of my mission in toms river? crazy huh? That went by fast!! but that's at the end of next transfer so i'm still only at 4 months old (till the 17th).

Well from the title you may guess what my week consisted of.. haha my companion and I have been sick all week. It has been fun to get to know each other on a very vulnerable level but it's been hard. I just want to work hard and to introduce her to all the people and teach. We are doing our best. It wasn't the most productive week, between transfers and meetings we only had 3 real days of missionary work this week. but they were great! I'm going to keep this letter short so I can go home and rest but know that with every fiber of my being I love you all. I know the church is true and Heavenly Father loves us.

So this week was good.  It's so funny my companion has only served in Jersey city and Patterson area. All up north very city like areas. She is going though some serious culture shock down here. It makes me laugh. It makes me think i'm in for a real treat when I leave Toms river. My companion is sister Morrison. She is wonderful. She is strong and she's been out for 14 months. She is from California and she's a shortie. We have fun even when were sick. She is so perfect for some of our investigators, they needed her. It amazes me how Heavenly father knows all of his children so perfectly and plans for them so perfectly. My mind can't comprehend it but I know it works. I've seen it. We met some people who are so prepared to hear the gospel. As a companionship our goal is to strengthen the ward. there are a lot of familes that need our help and I'm looking forward to be able to work hard and give it my all. It's been a strange week, being sick on a mission is not fun. it makes you realize how greatful you are for your health.

Most spiritual experience of this week was probably yesterday. We went to go see a recent convert and as we finished praying we got a text from her mom saying she wasn't home. We sat for a second contemplating what to do. We then decided to go try to see a less active member who lived close by, as we were walkilng we ran into our recent convert and her friend. We asked if we could share a message and invited her friend Marco to listen. Talk about prepared! He's only 15 yet he reads the bible everyday and takes care of his family. He is a very special spirit and he was so touched and grateful for the Book of Mormon we gave him. He asked if he could come to church and our recent convert (Ashley) testified of the truth of the church and the Book of Mormon. It was so neat! As we left we asked him what he was going to do for the rest of the day. He told us he was going to go tell his mom and his family about the church. He is so cool. He was our biggest blessing this week.

Oh also Raegan recieved the Holy Ghost this week. Her smile consumed her face. She was so happy. I'm so happy for her. We started to teach her boys this week and one of them just said "Can I get baptized already?" they are all so cute. I LOVE THAT FAMILY!!! Speaking of love and families we get to go see the Higgins tonight! always a highligh of my week!:) 

Yesterday at church the hermana's (spanish sisters) had a baptism. as they were filling up the font they forgot about it or something so my companion and I spent a good hour with buckets and pitchers from the kitchen trying to empty the font enough so it wouldn't overflow. it was pure craziness but the spanish program fed us after so it was a nice reward.

This week I've been so greatful for the help of my Heavenly Father and his help, strength and support. It's hard to lead your area, for a while you are the only one who knows these people, and have an idea of their needs and remember who we need to see when, but it's been such a blessings to know my Heavenly Father knows them better then I ever could. As I trust in him He will help and guide me and my companion. He is so wonderful.

I'm doing my best to be obedient and to work my hardest. This week will be a lot better then last week I just know it. Hold me accountable people back home. There is a work to be done! Well family and friends, what can I say more? The church is true. There is truly nothing that brings more happiness then the gospel of Jesus Christ. and by sharing it with others. I know he lives. He is real. I love testifying of him everyday. I know heavenly father doesn't give us anything we can't handle. He did not, and will not set us up to fail. He Gives us chances to prove ourselfes and to grow. how grateful I am for those experiences.

This is so fun. I love being a missionary:)

Love you all!!!

Love, Sister Clark

Clear Eyes, full heart, can't lose.

The Hand off!

9.4.13: Week of Change

deep fried oreos on the board walk

Ok first off. I have the best family ever. Thank you for all the letters and all the updates. I love hearing about the fun and challenging experiences back home. It reminds me of where I come from and how grateful I am to be here to share what I know with these people.

-Also...what is up with these kids growing up so fast... I'm not ok with it! they sound like they are just loving life. thank you for all the pictures! they all look like they are so big!

Ok I'll start at the beginning of my week

smurf fire hydrants

This week was a blur of emotions and fast paceness... (yes that's not a word but it describes my week) All the craziness started Monday night when Sister Kimball got a call from President Jeppson... The time has come. Her visa finally came. All I could do was sit there and cry. I love her so much but I was so happy for her. The expression of relief and love on her face is something I will never forget. She has been a wonderful helper here and will be seriously missed. Brazil doesn't know whats going to hit them. So the week was just flooded with craziness trying to get her packed and ready to go.

Then on Wednesday we got another call from President Jeppson. Sister Richardson was called as a Sister Training leader. (no surprise there she's incredible) so that just added to the craziness. But we still taught the people and said lots of painful goodbyes. We first taught Wanda.. funny story so we were sitting waiting to start the lesson and we found a vhs on her table. She told us she brought this home from the church but she doesn't have the 'technology' to work it. We opened it up and looked at the vhs and she said "I've never seen one of those before". We were in shock. Then Sister Richardson leans over to me and whispers "she was a nun." it was funny. Wanda thought it was funny as well. We also then went to Joans. She gave us those shirts that look like they fit on a doll then they stretch to fit you. ya we had fun with those haha. It was very sweet of her she told us it hides all her 'rumple dumbles'. Toms river people are funny. We taught brother Weignburg this week. he lives in a mental insittuion, and I kid you not, It looks like the Tower of Terror in Disney land. (i'll send pictures). but he has the biggest heart and just wants the gospel back in his life so much. so we will be back there again. 

Me and the gold spartan...Jersey style (turned out to be a jewish womans car)

Friday was RAEGANS BAPTISM!!!!! oh man she was just glowing the whole time! the ward members welcomed her in with love and with so much support. we were so grateful for the ward. It made the stressful day worth it. (background info) sister Richardson had to go to her sister training leader meeting so it left sister kimball I and a new trainie together to figure out everything we needed to do for Raegans baptism... and sister kimball had brazil on the brain so I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. but it turned out great... even though the water was green. hey it's just baptism by emersion.. it can be by green goop instead of water... can't it? ok it wasn't that green but still, we had some laughs. We love Raegan and she was so happy to be baptized. Saturday we went down to the shore and taught a less active and her husband. he committed to read. it was pretty cool! we also went and got Deep Fried Oreos...and yes they were delicious! it was bad how good they were. Sunday was a great day, it wasn't to crazy but the love and the spirit was so strong. We went to the Higgins for one last time after church and they gave us frames and expressed there love for us and all we've done for them. I LOVE THEM!!! then monday morning the transfer text came. Sister Richardson was being transferred. I am leading the area in toms river. we franticly packed and drove sister kimball up to the mission home and said our goodbyes. it was quick but hard. then we came back and packed for sister Richardson as well. We had a zone activity in there somewhere where we played ultimate frisbee. it was great!. 

Tuesday.. yesterday. Transfer Conference. We sat there nervously and waited to hear our futures. Sister Richardson is going up to caldwell. And I'm staying down here. My new companion is Sister Morrison. She is a legend of the mission. everyone loves her. so I"m supper excited. (she's friends with Elder Holland,,, no big deal) she's great and a lot of fun. I'm super nervous to lead the area but i'm excited to grow and to stretch and for the new phase of my mission. it's still surreal to me that our trio is split up. but we enjoyed every moment of it. transfer conference ended with us singing "God be with you till we meet again" ya sister Richardson and I didn't make it past the first 4 words. I'm really going to miss them. We've seen so many miracles together and they have a special place in my heart.

But life is good. Sister Morrison and I are going to light the World on fire with the spirit:) thank you for all your love and suport. It means the world to me.! Love you all! Keep the Faith!

Love,

Sister Clark

clear eyes full heart, can't lose

Shirts from Joan

cleaning the font before the baptism

REAGAN!! 

Reagan's baptism! 

Sister Brown! 

the Villanueva's