Week 4 - June 29

"Why do ya'll dress like that...like pilgrims."

Hello yawllllll, hope your week has been just lovely!!

I've hit almost two weeks in the field, and I have absolutely loved exploring and getting to know our area in Northport. We drive around in the car a lot, so that means lots of listening to music with the windows down looking at all the beautiful green fields and trees. It reminds me a lot of Washington cause it's SO GREEN. I love it!

As fun as it's been, we've been hard at work on the finding grinddd. At one point we just felt so discouraged that we couldn't find people to teach. But the next day the lord showed up and provided!!!!! On Saturday we found so many friends, and everyone we talked to was so receptive with the messages we were sharing. Our goal was to find just three new people that day and we found six. Now, we are just praying that we can progress with them! But it was such a reminder to me that God sees and magnifies our efforts; sometimes we just have to be patient to see His hand in it all.

On that note, here are some other things I am so grateful for.

 Exchanges with my roomie/stl Sista Maxfield: We taught her friend Jay his first lesson, and just within his second lesson he accepted the invitation to be baptized! Seeing his desire to learn about his savior was so inspiring and motivating for me to keep finding souls that are eager to hear about the gospel.

Communication: I am so grateful for this and cannot stress this enough. I've been able to watch my companion and my relationship grow so much just by communicating everything. On the days that felt like there was a beef for whatever reason, when we opened up and communicated about it, we ended up having the funnest day together and laughed so much!! 

Saturday was one of my favorite days of being in the field so far and really made me start to fall in love with Alabama. We went to the local farmer's market and walked the cutest shops downtown. Everyone is so kind here! Two ladies at the farmers market gave us some of their products for free--whatttt!

 I saw my first firefly! Magical.

On Sunday we took a little trip to Gardendale/Birmingham. We got to see two baptisms, and the temple was literally in the church parking lot so that was pretty special to see for the first time. 

To end, I'll just share a couple notable quotes of the week...

- "Do you need a buggy?"(Apparently I didn't know this but that's what they call shopping carts here lol)

- "Why do ya'll dress like that...like pilgrims."

Peace out ya'll, and HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEK AHHH! Go eat a butt ton of watermelon and watch the Sandlot for me.

Week 3, June 22, 2026

Ya girl is officially in Alabama! 

And WOW, where do I even begin?! Well, first of all, let me tell you where I'm even at...T-TOWN BABYYY. (That means Tuscaloosa lol). My comp and I are opening a new area in Northport yipeee!! feel so blessed to be serving here. It has been a little crazy starting from scratch opening a new area (and also just being thrown into missionary work in general), but I have been learning so much and can feel that this area has so much potential and growth, I cannot wait to see who the lord brings us to! 

Here's my thoughts and what life has been like thus far 

- I LOVE, absolutely love, my mission presidents. I really think they are one reason I was called to this mission!!

- My area and district and comp! We have the coolest (and biggest) district in the whole mission!! There is a lot of work to be done here, and we all feel this transfer is gonna be lit. My trainer/comp is Sister Henry from Lehi, Utah, and she is the sweetest and so on her game!! 

- You guys. People weren't joking about the Alabama fans. They are so die hard that a member we visited literally has a dog named "Tide," so when they tell it to roll over they can say "Roll Tide".  I got a good chuckle out of that.

- That leads me toooo the MEMBERS. Holy moly! We have the best ward, the people here are amazing, and even non-members, southern hospitality is REAL. This whole week we have been driving to members' homes since we have no one to teach, and we had already three member dinners and it hasn't even been a week! The Elders Quorum pres, Brother Benners, is the GOAT. He was the first member we met basically and he and his wife told us to come in for dinner after we had just knocked on their door. He even made a sign-up sheet for more member meals for us. And he already has so many referrals for us. He's not even a legit missionary, but this guy is legit in his missionary work and does so much for the ward.

Also its so presh everyone here in the ward says "Welcome to Zion," so that makes me feel at home a little. Shout out, Bro Hutchison.

- The HUMIDITY. I think I actually love it. It is doing my skin wonders. I might change my mind about that when we hit 100 degrees and straight sun though...

- I held a raccoon 

Anywho, overall the past 5 days (feels like its been weeks) has been amazing. I get it now when people say missionary work is HARD, it's no joke. But it is also so GOOD. And never in my life will I have this experience to be so close to the spirit and see so many miracles. I have seen God's hand so much!!! Even through the hard. 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT

"...But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." 1 Nephi 1:20

Look for the tender mercies because they're there, and they're not coincidences. I love that despite Nephi's trials and persecutions he faces, he chooses to STILL see god's hand in his life.

Have a fabulous week ya'll. I think about and love everyone of you!!!

Week 2 - June 10 (Provo MTC)

 

Currently jumping for joy!! 

By this time tomorrow I will be on a flight to Alabama wahoooo!!I cannot wait to put everything I have learned here to work! As excited as I am to get out of here, saying goodbye to the MTC has been so bittersweet. I never thought I would say this but I think I might actually miss it. And to be honest, it's all because of the people. My companion, my district, elders and sisters we met from other districts, my teachers, the new friends we've met playing volleyball or just from seeing them in the cafeteria all the time. Those moments remind what it's all about. The people. Also, how cool is it that the ground here is dedicated similar to temples?? Every moment you are just being submersed in the spirit, I love it.

In honor of my time at the MTC, here are some of my highlights:

Departure Devotional: Holy Wow!! I BAWLED my eyes out when we sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth." I got hit with the spirit so hard I couldn't sing a word the entire song. It was so powerful. I was reminded how I have been preparing my whole life for this and Iiterally have the restored knowledge within me. And now I get to be a part of the Lord's army and share it!! What a gift!!!!! Go listen to that song if you need a real motivater and reminder of your purpose! Also, shoutout mom and dad, I thought of you two when we sang the very first line.

Yellow butterflies!  Iykyk;) They are everywhere. And, in fact, the same kind as the mascot of Alabama. One day there were two flying outside our classroom window and at one point one literally flew up and hit the window trying to come inside. Kinda caught me off guard when I was role playing a lesson haha. But a sweet reminder to me of God looking out for me.

My district is the best. So grateful for no drama and everyone getting along. Only downside is we did have 3 ER visits within our district--whoops. Satan can't get to us so he is trying to get to us physically ha.

WE HAD OUR FIRST BAPTISM INVITE! Well, not actually because it was in an HOA (That's where we have the opportunity to teach someone in the closest setting to the mission field). I'm pretty sure the lady we taught was already a member though. But, when I tell you even though she was role playing, both Sister Hanks and I felt the spirit SO STRONG. And my heart was literally pounding before I asked this lady to be baptized. Such a cool experience, the spirit is so strong in those lessons and truly guides you in what you say.

I don't think I have fallen asleep more times in the middle of devotionals, church meetings, or temple trips than I have since being at the MTC. Man, it is exhausting living the missionary schedule. But of course so worth it and so rewarding.

I just love you all. I hope you can feel of God's love for you individually because he loves you SO MUCH. And so do I ;) Peace out and see ya'll next time in the south

Week 1 - June 3 (Provo MTC)

I finally made it to the MTC, wahoo!! 

And I'm alive and doing well. Hallelujah! As of yesterday I'm finally starting to feel like I'm getting into the groove of things. Since being here I've realized how much work I have to do! Not just missionary work, but work on myself. There is sure a lot I want to develop and understand more. 

I know this is going to be a hard period of my life, but I know in the end its going to be even harder choosing to not to serve and not receive the blessings that come from it. We get to choose our hard!! 

HIGHLIGHTS

- My companion: Wow, I love her. God really does put us with companions for a reason. She has been such a support to me and I look up to her so much!! We have such a sweet bond and it hasn't even been a week! We also have so much in common it's crazy, but at the same time I feel like we're so different. Fun fact about Sister Hanks: She has a pair of earrings that she made from the eyes of her dead fish. Weird, but we still love her.

- My district: I don't think I've ever laughed harder; I love them all so much. Sister Hanks and I are basically the only ones from Utah and going to Alabama; everyone else is from the East coast and either going to Salt Lake or Arizona.

- The food: Taste...honestly could be worse. But on the other hand, what's in the food...let's just say everyone in our district is having poop problems. Whatever you do, DO NOT drink the orange juice. Also whoever said the chocolate milk is the best thing in the cafeteria is wrong, its definitely the pineapple, How they get it so good every time--wow.

- The people: One of my favorite parts of being here is seeing SO many of my friends from college and back home. Also, my branch president and his wife, the Frosts, are actually the parents to a guy in my home ward, so that was a fun connection. 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: 

I think I've felt just about every single emotion since being here. It finally got to the point where I think it all just built up and I finally broke. Yah, I had a little tear sesh. Maybe even two. But you guys, I promise I am so good now! And I found out every sister in our district has cried at least once too, lol. Crying is so good for the soul haha. But a couple days later I was brought to reflect on my Savior and how relatable He is. And how he felt every single thing I've been feeling! Excitement, comparison, sadness, exhaustion, joy, inadequacy...and so much more. How comforting to know He knows EXACTLY how I feel and knows EXACTLY how to comfort me. Whether that be through something like the scriptures or a person. For me, it was a cool moment with my sweet companion Sister Hanks. Man, I love her. She was a testament and literal mouthpiece to me that God sees me and wants me to know how much he loves me. 

Alma 7:11-12--Talks about the Savior in such a beautiful way that I related this week to...

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 ...and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. I've seriously felt them. Love you all! One more email from me and then I'll be in BAMAAAA!