Transfer: South Salt Lake

My Rose Park District.

Me and my old companion Sister Bragg.

Me and Hermana Ibarra, Nielsen and Bragg, with Elder Andrus in back.

I have been transferred! After two weeks and one day I have already served in two areas, which is pretty much the same as the majority of sisters here. So I am no longer living in Rose Park, but I am living in South Salt Lake. My new companion is Sister Arias. She is from Guatemala, is super nice, and is actually a Temple Square sister that is now doing the proselyting part of the mission. There are four of us living in the same apartment, so I actually got put back with my MTC companion, Sister Vincent. Sister Arias and Sister McNelly were companions, but when Sister Vincent and I came, they split the area. Unfortunately, Sister Arias mostly served in the other area so we are pretty much starting from scratch here. Yeah, two weeks in the field, and we're already white washing. Let's just say that I really know why the Area Book is important now.

Me and Hermana Nielsen after biking back from Temple Square.

Life in South Salt Lake is definitely different than in Rose Park. I think that my Mom was praying a little too hard for my safety because I haven't been able to break up any fights here. But it's all good, this area feels more like Utah instead of Mexico, but it's okay!

Running through the sprinklers after our last transfer.

The people here really are great, and we meet people on the street everyday. One guy was fixing his car yesterday, and we ended up talking to him for a good half hour or so. It really is surprising how so many people live in Utah, and really have no idea what the Book of Mormon is. Crazy Crazy Crazy.

Hermana Vincent and I in our new T-Shirts, on the first day in South Salt Lake!

I really hope that the weather clears up soon because nobody is outside when it's freezing. Which pretty much makes it impossible to find people.

Me and Sister Ibarra touching ET my last night in Rose Park.

Well, once again, I don't know when I will be switching Location so I can't really give out my address. Either email me or wait until I can confidently say what my address is! I miss and love you all!

One night someone brought us 2 dozen roses!

Hermana Vincent and I transferred to China!

General Conference Weekend

Wow, so much to write about during the weeks here because so much more happens than in the MTC. So I will just start talking.

First off, we broke up a fight a few days ago. We were in the middle of a lesson with a recent convert, and someone called her, and then she immediately ran out of her house and told us to follow her. We ran for a few blocks to find that her daughter was being beaten up by her boyfriend. We broke it up, and started walking our separate ways, and then the boyfriend turned around and started telling us (within his curse words) how he pretty much worships the devil. Needless to say, the cops were involved, and it was a little crazy. But don't worry, I feel 100% safe here! The moral of the story: Don't drink or do drugs. This guy was foaming at the mouth, and I have no idea what caused it. One thing about here is the fact that the families are so broken and have so many problems. It makes you really appreciate the Gospel and how it blesses families.

Have you guys ever seen the Other Side of Heaven? Remember Elder Feki, Elder Groberg's mission companion? We met the real life Feki's Sister our walking the other day. It was super cool, and it's kind of cool because my Branch President in the MTC served in Tonga, and Elder Groberg was his Mission President. Yeah, crazy small world.

 

So the other night we were walking around, and all of our apartments were falling through. We had been trying to visit with this guy for a while, but we haven't been able to. My companion was pulling our her phone, and then it flew her hands and fell off the balcony. It pretty much landed on this man, and then we started talking. He was so open to everything, and he is probably the sweetest man that we have ever met. His name is Edgar, and he is from Guatemala. He was absolutely awesome. We asked him if we could visit him again, and as we were walking to his house, we saw him on the front porch reading the Book of Mormon! We were so excited! He had been reading it for 20 minutes before we even got there! People always say that they will read or pray, but he actually does it! He even came to general conference, which was absolutely awesome! He said that he loved it. The people here really are so great, and it is going to be hard to say goodbye when my visa does come.

There have been so many blessings of being here. I mean, got to be a missionary in Salt Lake during conference! We got to go to the first session which was so cool. It's funny because I have lived in Utah my entire life, and I never went to conference until I was on my mission. Fun fact, the conference center has 20,595 seats in it. They told us that 90,000 people come to Temple Square for conference. It really is pretty amazing! And I got to see Liza! Which was absolutely fantastic! And it was beautiful weather, which was especially nice for us because we biked to Temple Square both days. It's funny because within a week, I will have gone to Temple Square 4 times. That's over half the week.

I can't believe my mission is what it is. I thought that when I went to Salt Lake before my mission it would be the last opportunity that I would have for 18 months. It's crazy how fast plans can change, but it's pretty remarkable at the same time.

Also, letters.. for now. I would probably just email me because I have no idea if I am staying for another transfer or if I will be done. It is absolutely crazy right now!

I love you all, and I hope that you are all doing well!

-Hermana Jamie Vawdrey

Temporarily Reassigned to the Utah, Salt Lake City Mission

So for those of you that haven't heard, I have been temporary reassigned to the Salt Lake City Mission. But it doesn't feel like Utah. We are in Rose Park, and it's pretty much a MiniMexico. I forget that I am only 30 minutes away from home, until I am either on Redwood Road, North Temple, or I look to see the state capital building. Really though, it's so strange!

It's crazy because in the MTC, I felt like we did the same thing everyday. And now, even though we are still doing the same thing everyday, there are so many crazy things that happen. The people here have some crazy life stories, but for the most part, the people here are really nice! The first few days were a little bit rough readjusting to mission life, but I have learned to enjoy it!

I should start by saying that in this mission, I probably gain on average 10 lbs/day. We have the opportunity to be fed by members every night. The food tastes so good, but there is SOO MUCH! On Saturday, we had a dinner appointment with Margarita. She is the nicest lady (which actually all of them are), but she prepared so much food. And culturally, it's offensive if you don't eat it. So... We go to her house, and we start eating, and as we're eating, she pretty much keeps putting more food on our plates. It was such a struggle; we all gave each other the look of "I am going to throw up," but we put on our happy faces and kept eating. The only thing that I could think of was in the movie Matilda when Bruce has to eat the rest of the chocolate cake. I thought one serving was big, but then there were two, then three... It felt like it was never going to end.. I just had to keep thinking, "Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!" But I made it through! Oh, but that's not the end of the story. After our dinner appointment, we were walking down the street, and we hear a party going on. My companions (we're in a foursome right now) walked behind the house and started talking. They were so welcoming us, and made us sit down with them. They offered us food, beer, and dessert. We insisted that we were fine, but before we knew it, there was pozole in front of us, and there was no choice. We ate it, and I didn't even think that it was even possible. Anyway, we thought we were going to explode, but OH WAIT, the story isn't over yet. We rode our bikes down the street to go to our next appointment. When we got the house we realized that they were having a party, too. It was pretty much the exact same party, too. The blaring Spanish music, the bounce house, and the mass amounts of food. To make a long story short, they fed us as well, but OH WAIT, after we left that party, we met a member at the church to pick up some clothes. The Sister gets out of her car, and says, "Look what I got for you sisters!" She brought us different sweet breads. Mine was an enamorada, which tasted divine, but as soon as we got home I decided that I never wanted to eat again.

But then the same thing pretty much happened the next day. Maybe it was just because it was Easter, but so much more food. We actually got done having lunch with some of the members, and then we here, "Hey Sistas" in a deep Tongan voice. "Come here, I want to show you something."--"You're not going to feed us right?" He just had the biggest grin, and when we walked into the house, it was full of food. Living room, kitchen, backyard, no importa.. it was everywhere! They kept making us eat, but at least it all tastes good! The polynesians definitely know how to cook, too! Mmmmmm! And that was all before our dinner appointment!

On to maybe something a little more applicable to the gospel..

So last night was definitely an interesting Easter. There are three different types of people when teaching a lesson: the interested, the bored, and the dark. It was really interesting because last night, I got a dose of the dark. Even though I really couldn't understand everything that was going on, I could definitely feel a difference in that room. It was good to have an experience that I could compare to, but I don't think I want to teach a murderer that has no desire to change ever again. But don't worry Mom, I am on the Lord's team.

Well, let's just say things are pretty crazy here! And I don't know when I will be shipping off to Argentina, so just email me if you want because now I can email whoever!

Love you all,

Hermana Vawdrey

Fun Times in the MTC

Hey everybody, today marks week five that I have been here. 5 down and when to go! Oh, and tomorrow half of my district is getting reassigned because of visa problems. It's pretty funny because the first question that you ask people in the MTC is "Where are you going?" No joke, it comes before, "What's your name?" Which isn't really a problem because you can always just look at their nametag. Anyway, as I was saying... It's funny when people ask where we are going because we just look at them and say, "I don't know, but we're either leaving Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday." They give us really funny looks because they really don't know what we are doing here without mission calls. But who else gets to serve in two different missions? Be jealous.

Alright.. So does someone want to tell me when Easter and General Conference are this year? Seriously, I thought it was still February so knowing any kind of specific date is really difficult. Either way, you all need to watch conference when it does happen because it's going to be so great! 

 Also, the special feature in between sessions will be about the MTC. And guess who was in the choir when they were filming? My companion and I. So, watch for me singing and then you won't miss me so much. Because let's be honest, you all miss me to the point that it's almost unbearable. So if you miss me that much.. you should write me. Except I am leaving and I don't know where I am going yet... So I guess it makes it kind of difficult.

 Other than that, everything here is going excellent! I am going to miss my district like crazy when we leave! Five of us are going to Argentina, two to Chile, one to Peru, and two to California so we are going to spread out quite a bit. I am jealous of others here because their entire districts are going to the same mission! Either way, it will be cool after the mission to hear about everyone's adventures.

We have a lot of fun here, though. Although I am not sure if things are actually funny or if our sense of humor has changed because we are laughing all of the time. It's great here! We even got to celebrate St. Patrick's day. The MTC is great, and I don't care what anybody says about it.

 

Church wise.... This church is true. I thought that before I came here that I would be taught how to manipulate people into becoming members, but it's the total opposite. Everyday we are taught how essential the spirit is because it's the only way that people will know the truth for themselves! That's all!

Love you all,

Hermana Vawdrey

HOLA!

Today means that we have been here 4 weeks now. It's weird to think that we're the ones that are counting down the days before we leave. It feels really weird when we are giving advice to the incoming missionaries because we haven't really been here all that long, but it's kind of fun for people to think we are knowledgeable.

The MTC is such an unusual place because you will be so happy, then you'll be crying because your sad, and then you'll be crying because you're happy, and then you'll be laughing because you're crying, and then you'll be crying because you feel like it, and then you'll be tired (you're always tired.) because of everything. Seriously, it's one big emotional roller coaster here, and it's really funny because the boys in the district never understand why we're crying or laughing. Poor innocent boys, but they're great. They really are!

So Daylight Savings was awful. I didn't think that I would have a problem being tired because I haven't really struggled to much in the past, but Sunday was so long. We went to choir practice because we thought that it might be a good idea to stay awake. NOPE. We said the opening prayer so I bowed my head, and I don't remember anything about the prayer. After a little bit, I hear, "Did she ever get back up after the prayer?" Apparently I fell asleep pretty instantaneously. Just so you know, I was not the only one. One of the girls in my district was singing the song in her sleep, and it was really funny.

Also, when I get back.. I hope that you are all ready to play some four square because I don't want to brag or anything, but I have really improved my skills.. or maybe the people who were good just left? Either way, I hope you guys are up for a challenge.

Things here are great! I love my companion, and all of the people in my district! If you were wonder if this church was true, well it is! It's so great! It's great being a missionary!

-Hermana Jamie Vawdrey

Thanks for the Letters!

Thank you everyone for the DearElders and actually Letters! Seriously, it's fantastic. Also, I still want to know who wrote from "Tu Amor." Fess up; I am curious. 

 

 Onto other news, the MTC is still great. People may try and tell you that the MTC is not the best thing ever, but it really is. Well, besides the actually field (I am guessing). The next few weeks will be very interesting because the MTC continues to fill up with more and more Sisters! We have finally brought color to this place! I feel both sad and jealous of the Elders. They don't really get to switch up their outfits too much; but at the same time, they never have to worry about what to wear.

Well, you guys should just ask me questions because I feel like I have so much to write.. and then I come into the computer lab, and BAM.. I have nothing to write.

Tuesdays are really great though because we get to do TRC which is when people volunteer, and we get to practice teaching them. It's really nice to teach those who speak spanish because it gives us really good practice. The language really hasn't seemed to be too much of a problem yet (Thanks to Srta Taylor), but it's a lot of fun to be able to have actually conversations with people who speak really well. Anyway, we were teaching an older lady who was a little hard of hearing, and we started telling us about how music is the fastest way to invite the spirit into a lesson. My companion then asks "What's your favorite hymn?" ..... she gave us both a blank stare nodded her head and responded "yes". So we don't know how much she really understood of what we were saying, but it was cool to hear about her. It was probably funnier when it happened, but thought I would share. 

 

- Hermana Vawdrey

 

 

 

The MTC is Great!

 So... The MTC is great. My concept of time has been severely messed up because the minutes seem like hours, and the hours seem like minutes. If you have been on a mission, then you probably know what I am talking about. We wake up (early), Go study, eat breakfast, study, study, study, lunch, study, study, study, dinner, study, study, bed. Yet, we are able to have so much fun!

The mission really is a unique time in our lives that we don't have to worry about jobs, school, or elementary school problems like four square. WAIT. Scratch that, Four square is a huge deal here. In fact, I got kicked out the game for all of gym time the other day. But as I was saying, you don't worry about the same problems. Don't get me wrong, you have many other stresses to deal with (language, lack of time, early mornings). All in all though, it is absolutely amazing to be here, and I will be sad when I have to leave. IF I leave. Getting visas for Argentina is nearly impossible, so it is very probable that I will be reassigned before being able to go. It's pretty crazy, but hopefully I get there someday. Don't cry for me, Argentina.

So I got to see Ashley (cough cough... I mean, Sister Mecham) quite a few times, and that was just great! It finally hit us that we probably wouldn't see each other for a long time so we actually had to say goodbye. We kept postponing it, but eventually she flew to the Philippines and now she is there! It really is so crazy how many people that I see here that I know. I don't know where they keep coming from, they're popping out of the snow like daisies!
Really, this is the only place in the world where you will ever be surrounded by thousands of other missionaries, and it is awesome! Last night, M. Russell Ballard came to speak.. and that was pretty cool.

The Spanish is coming along alright. It's really sad to remember how much I have forgotten since High School. At the same time, however, it's really cool to see how fast it comes back. The other day we were talking to a lady who volunteered in Spanish.  Hermana Vincent and I had an actual conversation with her. I really wasn't thinking too much about it either, which was absolutely awesome. We really are blessed to be able to speak and understand faster, but you also have to work very hard to be able to qualify for the blessings.

So my district is absolutely wonderful! There are four elders and six hermanas: Elder Cazier, Elder Nelson, Elder Richardson, Elder Lee, Hermana Hardy, Hermana Kalama, Hermana Cleveland, Hermana Miner, and my companion Hermana Vincent. We have so much fun together, but we are also able to focus and study a lot! I could not have been blessed with a better district! Oh, and Hermana Kalama is from Hawaii.. and she worked at the Polynesian Cultural Center so she taught me how to dance, and she's going to set me up when I get back!

I love you all, but my time is running out.

- Hermana Vawdrey