Princess Phone

Holla Familia, 

This week has been full of adventures. Unfortunately I need to take more pictures!! haha.

Anywho! This Last Monday I attended for the first time what is called: Empty Nesters. All the old people in the ward come to this Old Schoolhouse and several other people from different churches come as well. I have been told so much about it! I didn't know what to expect, but I knew it was going to be awesome. We arrived about 30 minutes late, but the Spiritual thought at the beginning was still going on. Sister Isobe said that the spiritual thoughts usually only last 15 or so minutes. So this was a Really long spiritual thought, and several of the old people had fallen asleep haha. I wish I could recall what the man was talking about... I think it was about family history... and something that someone in his family had done... but he was talking so quietly and mumbling and we came in during the middle/end. That I really didn't have a clue what he was talking about. He talked for a good 50 minutes though. Anywho, they had a potluck after the spiritual thought. The food was super good. Southern Hospitality food. haha. But the part that everyone enjoys about Empty Nesters is the very end. Where they have people come up and play their music. Bluegrass!!! Best Music EVER! There are some members that were there, Gary and Jaquie Ferguson, They sang with some pretty popular people, like Jonny Cash, and other Bluegrass singers and such. They said they couldn't sing... Lies. haha. So when I say the music is the best part, I'm serious! These people are crazy good: Banjo, Basses, Guitar, Some other electric instrument, Singing! They got Sister Isobe to get up and play her Violin. It was super neat. They only hold it once a month, so it is a real treat for missionaries. 

So another cool thing that we did. We have a Chiropractor in the ward: Dr. Olsen, so we go every week to get 'realigned' It is so nice, but it hurts, I think I have gotten more back problems doing it than if I had just let it alone.... anywho, they have this thing called Allergenics laser thingy. That supposedly they run this laser up and down your spine and different spots and it causes your nervous system to not respond to those allergies. So if it works... I no longer have the allergy to 'trees and grass weed' next time I'm going to try 'Domestic Animals' and see if it helps with my allergies at all. The owners of the house that we live in have a dog... and well... It's either that or something else. Maybe I'm allergic to people and I will just be sneezing and having an awesome time forever! :) 

We did a ton of service this week!! We set up an old library for a book sale - lots of dust, lots of interesting books, and we had donuts at the end.. mmm... Southern Hospitality. haha. We also went to an Animal Shelter! They didn't have any dogs... only rabbits, cats, snakes, fish, and birds. Oh and Chinchillas! I didn't even know what Chinchillas were!! I still don't really know what they are... they look like really big field mice mixed with a rabbit... Which is really freaky... I think the word Chinchilla is pretty cool though. Yes I am a dork. Anywho! The best service activity this week: We cleaned up the yard of a less active member. Let me tell yah. have you ever seen hoarder shows... well it wasn't that bad... but there was a ton of stuff! Tons of tools, rusted machinery, shotgun shells, lawn mowers, jacks, tarps, tons of firewood, and poison oak. It was super fun! He also had an old race car! He raced once upon a time but after spending about 10 grand on his car and not getting anything from racing... he decided it was time to give it up. Hopefully we can get him coming out to church, he says the only thing that is keeping him back is that he has so many little jobs that he needs to do, and the only day he has off from work is Sunday. SO he will have no excuse after his yard is clean!

We then went and visited another Less active member named Fred Jr. He is an interesting dude. He doesn't really have a desire to know anything about God or the church or anything. He enjoys talking with us though. He is a really good cook too. He made us Chocolate dipped strawberries. They were super good. 

We had Zone Conference this week. Only one more meeting with President Pitt and then they go home! AAAHHHH! no bueno! he is such an awesome Mission President, but I'm excited for the new Mission President. It's always interesting to see how other people work so perhaps things will just sky rocket! During ZC we practiced talking to people and how we should just get to the point as soon as we can and bear testimony because it is the spirit that is going to testify to people. We also practiced answering questions that people would bring up to us like:

Do Mormons regard the Bible as Holy Scripture and the word of God?

What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

and many, many more. We were to answer these questions in 40 seconds or less. It was intense. We did it and then they showed us how we were supposed to respond to the question, or the churches stance on the questions. Things are becoming more and more 'touchy' to talk about, when we need to be bold and straight forward. God does not change. He is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever. We may not understand everything that goes on, or why things are the way they are, but God does, and man cannot comprehend all the things that God does. The World is changing. We cannot change with the world. We need to take a firm stand in what we believe, even if it seems to bring us momentary pain, discomfort, unsatisfactory results. A big talk that I strongly suggest everyone to read is "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. It is a byu speech. But it talks about how "difficult" it is to be a member, and so forth. It's not going to be easy. Life is Hard, but with the Savior our weaknesses can become strengths. We must not give up, we must not give in.

Alright final thing! I have a mama and papa out here in Back Creek. Benita and Alan Ferguson. They are amazing. They have already given me a nickname: Phone. Sister Isobes name is: Princess. So together we are the: Princess Phone. Which supposedly was a "cool" phone back in the day. haha. Since they were reactivated into the church about a year ago by Sister Tuckett and Richards, they have been taking care of, and watching over the missionaries that come into the area. I have never felt so much love from people that I met for the very first time. I was instantly their child. I can't really describe how I felt when I was around them. I was just happy. We shared the Mormon message: Reclaimed with them, and talked about Repentance. 

The part that stuck out to me in Preach my Gospel: "Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, and the world." "The definition of reclaim is “to recall from wrong or improper conduct … to rescue from an undesirable state” It is all about becoming who we know we can be and who God wants us to be. There is always something greater that we can do and be. things we can improve on. It is never too late to start again, there is no such thing with the Atonement, we can always start now. It all starts with a Desire. 

Well I hope everything is going well. Big things are happening back home! and I hope everyone can keep their heads on straight! I love you all. Be good, and don't have too much fun! 

Loves,

Sister Karen Call

"Whoever you are and wherever you may be, you hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can now imagine. Every day and every hour you can choose to make or keep a covenant with God. Wherever you are on the path to inherit the gift of eternal life, you have the opportunity to show many people the way to greater happiness. When you choose whether to make or keep a covenant with God, you choose whether you will leave an inheritance of hope to those who might follow your example."
—Henry B. Eyring