Its autumn which means crunchy leaves

Sisters Oliphant, Wilson, Marroquin, Landon at the Sacramento Temple

So before I begin with this week I didnt have a chance to finish last week. So this is carry over from my last week in Stockton.

Sister C. introduced us to her neighbor who is a complete drunk. Oh my goodness he is hilarious. I could not break a smile on my face the entire time hahaa. But yeah although he said he has not been sober for I think 8 years, literally, he has one of the most profound testimony of Jesus Christ I have heard yet from an investigator.  We stopped by his home and visited with him for a bit and he practically taught us about the atonement. He knows the only way out of this whole mess is though Jesus Christ. It was sad though because I think he thought he was too trapped to get out. We told the addiction recovery instructor about him and invited him to come on Tuesday nights. The gospel can change lives if we only allow it.

I keep having funny dreams. I dont know if its apostate to have mission inappropriate dreams or not but I can't help but think they are just tender mercies from the lord. I mean I really can't help what I dream about right. haha  A few I had at the MTC were about escaping the MTC and trying to get back in undetected. It was like a Jason Bourne action movie with hired secret agents to do the job for us. I had another about someone in particular (I wont mention names) kidnapping me from the MTC.  Anyway its fun because in the morning we seem to have fun unrealistic stories to share from our dreams and while they dont make sense they are our source of entertainment. Anyways....

Sister Wilson sang a beautiful musical number on Sunday. She sang "Savior Redeemer of My Soul" #113. But the Joseph Smith version. Look it up. Its jaw dropping awesome. (Also its in 17 miracles. Have you seen that movie? you NEED to!) Well anyways we had a little posse of people sitting by us, well me cause she was singing on the stand. This posse included all our friends aka people we were encouraging to come to church (recent converts, less actives, and investigators). Well anyways the song was beautiful, Sister Wilson has a gorgeous voice. Well as she finished the crowd erupted with applause! bahaha Okay maybe not the whole sacrament meeting, but at least the little posse I was sitting with. Oh my goodness hilarious. No one knew what to do, especially me. Turns out a few in the back rows joined in too. Luckily I caught Sister Wilson's face before she came to sit down with us.  Priceless. bahahahahaha

Sign language is rough. Every time we teach it feels like my first week in the field all over again. Mostly because we dont teach in asl like ever and I am super rusty at it already in just the 6 weeks since the MTC. (Don't worry I've already warmed up in Carmichael.)

Good luck to Elvera. Hopefully Riverside doesn't have as many dogs as Sacramento, but oh my goodness I have never been covered so much in dog hair in my life. EVERYONE has dogs here.

Okay quick Lynda story. bahaha This one is good too. So Lynda was invited over to FHE at the Robisons home. We were invited over as well. Well in Stockton everyone lives in gated communities. Doesn't matter how rich or poor you are, there are fences around everything. The poor areas the gates are easy to get past, the rich ones, more difficult. Well the Robisons lets just say are well off, so they have a gate keeper even. We pull up to the little booth with the gate keeper man and say who we are here to see etc.  Meanwhile on the right side of us is a separate lane for residents to beep themselves in, while we wait for the guy to call the Robisons to make sure they are expecting us etc. Well as he is doing his gate keeping job we hear a big crunch on our right side. We look over and there is Lynda, who had just broke the wood gate/stick thing that comes down! Apparently she thought she could just tail gate someone in! So the little thing came down right on the hood of her GIANT SUV and snapped into 4 pieces. We just looked over in horror and awkwardly didn't know what to do. bahaha Anyways Lynda didnt really know what to do so she just followed us into the park/neighborhood. Later, security came to the Robisons home and without Lynda knowing, the Robisons were so great. They told the officer they would pay for the entire thing and not to tell Lynda about it. For all we know it cost up to $500 to replace the gate. The Robisons are true examples of those who love as Christ and sacrifice.

Lori is doing well! She is less active and this week we had the most inspired lesson. lLri has set a goal to receive her temple recommend. So excited for her! She's also planning on getting her patriarchal blessing as soon as she can too!!!

I have a pic of Barb and Guyla to show you. haha  They are our friends who live at the trailer park next to Dan. Dan will be baptized in Jan.  I'll tell you more when I get the pic, but this is to remind me.

Okay back up to 

CARMICHAEL!!------------------------------------------------------------

This week was stake conference so it wasnt normal asl branch style. Instead we took turns, Sister Larson and I interpreting for both sessions. That was fun. Okay and yeah the Lord blessed me the entire time. I don't know how I did it but I think those from the deaf branch hopefully got something out of the whole thing. The asl is coming quite along. We taught in asl all week and for some reason its not as stressful as I thought. I'm catching most of it and for some reason I feel pretty comfortable teaching too. The MTC is all coming back! lol. Thank heavens for the MTC. Literally.

But this week, on Thursday, my first full day up here we had a booth at the ASL celebration on the capitol grounds in down town Sacramento. We got 12 referals!!! 10 of which are deaf! It should be a busy transfer contacting them all :] So very excited! I came at the just the right time! The Lord has blessed up with much work to do. Also quite a few hearing people flocked to me at the booth and I found Nathan!! Well more like Nathan found us!!!! He's read the Book of Mormon, knows its the word of God, and wants the gospel in his life. I was in shock the whole time as we chatted. He's never met with the missionaries before. Because I'm an asl sister we had to pass him off the the YSA elders because he's hearing.  I was so privileged to still have taught him his first lesson! Do when he is baptized I'll still be able to go! He's awesome and will get wet! The Elders already told me they met with him and he's progressing!!! Woo hoo!!!! Miracles baby!

I love Sister Larson! My step mom as I call her. Sister Wilson is my mom. Don't worry mama mie you cannot be replaced, its a missionary lingo thing. Sister Larson is actually very mother like, very gentle and loving. She is the perfect balance to me who is a little more rough around the edges. Sister Larson went to the MTC with only 2 years of asl under her and bless her soul she has improved so much I'm sure! She's so much better at comprehension that me. Half the time I'm still clueless to deafies when they just start going. My brain doesn't work that fast yet.

I shattered a glass cup all over my kitchen yesterday. That was a pain cleaning up. Took an hour. A thousand little pieces and I didnt want glass in anyone's foot. Missionary apartments are quite the habitation. I always move in and have the desire to organize. There is always so much stuff left behind.

Did I mention we have a gym!!! At our complex! Aww its the best! Also the members don't feed us as much so maybe between less giant meals from the members, not dessert everynight, and a gym I'll take off all this weight I've put on. I've never weighed this much before. Oh my goodness I do not like it and miss running. Praying for a running companion at some point on my mission.

Saturday we ran a 5k actaully at a deaf event. We go to alot of those. Its how we tract. Congrats to Stu and Terrill on their way awesome PRs.  I won't tell you how long it took us to finish it. But yeah I can't complain none-the-less. How many missionaries get to run 5ks on their mission- not on a p-day!

HAPPY B'DAY STU!!!!! HOOO WOO!! You are super old now, but yeah happy b'day. Hope your day is magical! ... and you hit your under 20 min PR soon!

Did i mention its FALL!!! Its nothing compared to a Wisconsin fall but the trees are changing colors and there are crunchy leaves everywhere. I probably look drunk when I walk cause I'm always trying to crunch all the leaves as we walk around. Its so much fun :]

Well yep that's the mission. Life is still good. And its all thanks for Heavenly Father and you for getting me here. Thanks.

Love,

Sister Elephant

ps Thats my name here.

Awww you have just great letters!
 Always words of comfort :]
    

Mom I am so proud of you!!!! Wow way to hit your goal!!!!! We have turned into quite the running family :] So who's up for another race when I get back?  Maybe we can do another race as a family that December!? Lol  We can all do different races in length and just make sure we find a race that plows their streets before we do it :]   I think I'm actually running a 5k this Saturday which will be interesting 'cause I haven't ran long distance since pre-MTC.  In the mornings you can only go running if you have a roommate who wants to run with you. I do have a roommate who I walk with but that's about it.  Its good though 'cause it wakes we up more than just stretching or pilates which everyone else does. No I still do not have running shoes. I forgot how expensive they are.
    

So I'm writing you a day late because every six weeks we have this little thing called transfers! So our p-day changes to Tuesday so we can prep for Wednesday transfers. Usually they let trainers and fresh missionaries stay together for 2 transfers. (Referred to as training 'cause we have additional training time everyday.)  Well because asl has only 4 sisters things aren't quite that convenient. I am being transferred up north to the deaf branch in Carmichael! I will be with Sister Larson. This is her last transfer before she goes home. Meanwhile Sister Wilson and Sister Sellers (deaf) will be teaching in Stockton! I'm so jealous. I want to stay with Sister Wilson and all the people I have grown to love here. 6 weeks is never long enough. Hopefully I will be back though. So when Sister Larson leaves that means a new asl sister comes in next transfer. We will see who trains her 'cause that means we all get flip flopped all over again.

       
Kathy is doing well! We taught her the plan of salvation, but our best lesson this week is when Sister Moore from our ward joined us and we discussed prayer, the atonement, and God's love for us. It was so powerful. at one point we were all in tears as we testified that she too has a father in heaven who loves her. What a simple gospel principle that we are all children of God. And that he loves us. Yet so many do not understand. What power resides in that simple primary song "I am a child of God" that even primary children know. We are so lucky to know.  I think that gospel principle alone can teach us the most. I know i don't even understand what that truly means, but I think the more we grow to understand it the more we change.

        
Lynda has a baptism date for this Saturday,  but she hasn't quit smoking yet so we will have to push the date back. Luckily in the mission I will be able to go to baptisms if i helped teach. So when Lynda or Kathy are baptized, they both will be ;], Ii will be able to come down for the big day! That will be a huge blessing!

Tell Cal "Hi" for me!! And tell him sorry Zina is already married. haha Zina is a little more baptist that Cal is however (however you want to interpret that haha). And she is still learning. Cal has the doctrine pretty well down.

Way to utilize those missionary moments!!!! Keep it up! 4H is such a great place too do that too. Sounds like seminary is keeping you busy. Remember you are blessing those kids lives more than you know. Making the right decision in high school changes your life in so many large ways. They need that spirit everyday to get them thru high school. We are encouraging a high school student here to go. Her family is so great but she doesn't think its possible cause of the early morning time.  I can not say it enough, it is more than worth it! Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven and it would be more crazy to go through high school and those years without seminary. Learning the gospel and drawing closer to our Heavenly Father should always be first on our priority list.
           

Love you too. I didn't get to tell you much about this week but I'll make up for it Monday.

Remember I love you!

Sister Oliphant

Why hello familia :]

 

When I write these weekly letters home I dont really know where to start, but then as I begin to do so I realize that there is by no means anywhere close to enough time to tell you everything I want to say.

 

This week we had training for all the new missionaries who came in this last transfer. It was great to see all the elders I came to the field with. But wow what a shocker! It is amazing what just 5 weeks will do to a 19 year old boy.

 

Our deaf teaching pool grew by a ton this week! We had zero people we were teaching, and I think we have 6 deaf people we are teaching this week. It will be good ASL practice :]

 

Not only has our deaf pool of people increased but so has our English/hearing.  This week was busy!  But it was so wonderful to be serving the Lord with such diligence. Lynda is a black woman who is our most promising investigator currently. She has a baptism date for the 22nd of Sept and she is diligently trying to quit smoking before then. She is just so wonderful, its amazing how much you grow to love those you serve. She has become such a good friend and we only hope the ward cherishs her as much as we do and they welcome her into the ward with genuine love for her. She has a testimony, we're just waiting for the fellowshipping to pick up. Shes ready! and its so exciting so see her profess "she will not be afraid to be called a Mormon!" haha.

 

Kathy (the super intelligent-lawyer-wicken) joined us at church on Sunday! It was obvious she felt the spirit! The spirit is truely the teacher of all things. Feeling and recognizing that spirit makes all the difference. I never want to be without the spirit. We might as well cancel all our plans for the day if we cant teach or have the spirit.

 

Oh my goodness. We were approached by literally the craziest person I have ever met. Her name is "H" and I wish words could describe her. That might be a story saved for later... email won't do it justice.

 

Max gets married on Friday!!!!!! I'm kind of freaking out a bit. (and trying not to let it distract me) and then next goes Natalia and Aaron. I am missing the most important day of so many of my closest friends and its taking a lot of faith to stay patient and remember this is where I am supposed to be. But its not easy. I'm sure there will be many more weddings, celebrations, and other big events I will miss in the next year and for that matter the rest of my life. The Lord is teaching me so much.  It of course is just not very easy. But I guess that is how we learn.

 

The work continues to go forth and I learn to love the people and this whole expereince more and more everyday. I pray that I can still remain with my trainer after this transfer. Sister Wilson is literally the best! I love her so much! and I feel like we are a good team :]  I know not everyone loves their trainer but the Lord blessed me so much to be put with the best of the best! If I dont stay with her I most likely will go to English work. Pray that I stay asl!!!

 

Sorry this letter is kind of short and dry but I love you so much! and thanks for the letters this week!

 

Love, Sister Oliphant

Labor Day

Hey Herd!

Hows it goin? Your letters were great this week thanks! Sounds like you are all excited for school to start! Woo-hoo for school!!!!

Let me first start off with just how much I love you. To have such an awesome family that is one: hilarious and knows how to enjoy life, two: so supportive and loving, and three: deeply enriched in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Heavenly Father has blessed me to have such wonderful examples of stellar individuals in my family! And to think no matter how hard you try you can't get rid of me and you'll always be my family brings a huge smile to my face. Keep up the awesomeness! 'Cause the gospel just keeps blessing those who do all they can to turn to Christ and become more like him.

So we have been volunteering at a thrift store! Its one of the funnest things! (Kassie I know you share in this love for thrift shores with me!) We mostly just sort but its fun cause we always fund hilarious and way cool stuff. I've been bad and bought a few things, but one thing I bought was 3 inches of scrapbook paper for $1! It was the best deal ever! Ii shared with the comp and roommates, but I still have plenty of cool paper to make fun envelopes and letters.

That was sister Campos who texted you yesterday! She's quite the hoot. Her husband and her have 4 kids.   It was truly a miracle that we received the referral to stop by their house and check up on them. We clicked with their family instantly and they are coming back to church and are beginning to prepare to be sealed as a family as soon as they can! Their kids are great andIt felt right at  home to be over there for dinner with all the kids running around and having fun. They are so great! There have been quite a few eye openers for me here on the mission and one of them how important members are to missionary work! Missionary work is seriously impossible without them. Not only do we need members to just feed us dinner, we need people to be investigators friends, REALLY fulfill home and visiting teachers responsibilities, and come to lessons with us. When members pitch in doing this it makes our load so much easier! And the system works so much better! We're a team with the ward and without their support nothing can happen! The Brookside ward here tho' is awesome, we wish it was always better, but they help us and there are a few who are really missionary minded and help us with the things people don't think about. Like saying hello and sitting by investigators at church, dropping by people's homes to just be a good friend, and again home and visiting teaching. Missionary work in so many ways is continual visiting teaching (or home teaching), strange but that seriously is what it is! I was always way bad at doing my VT before but oh my, my testimony of it has completely 180ed! Its the most important callings in the church! Everyone needs to be taken care of and looked after! And no one should fall through the cracks. Yeah anyways members are awesome.

I got a flu shot at zone conference. Actually they made me. Yep I cried again. I'm beginning to think that's my worst fear. Its gotten to the point its more than kind of pathetic. I feel like I'm three, but for some reason I can't help when the eyes get all watery. Yep world, that is my weakness, my kryptonite. Funny I know. But since, I've been up and down with everything you can imagine. I think it just sent my immune system out of wack.

I was on splits with Lani (the deaf woman) to do some deaf work, and a male singe adult member who is less active told us he's gay. Oh my!  I had no idea what to do 'cause I barely understood a thing that was going on. Good thing I knew that one word. Lol  But yeah I need to work on the asl 'cause I had no idea what to say or how to say it. Learning a language isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Thankfully the Lord is blessing me, and I can now understand 70% of what lani says instead of just the 10% before. lol They go so fast!!!!!!!

We started teaching a wicken recently. Did i already tell you about her? She is so cool!!!!!! She cast for us even, its her version of praying. Anyways she's way legit and super interested. Shes a smart cookie and has a lot of good, but hard, questions to answer. Mostly just 'cause we are used to teaching more simply. Like she read the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon and was like... "where did the book of Lehi go?" Not very many people even think about the the first time around. She's smart and super awesome!

Happy September! Its my favorite month and its just beautiful outside isn't it?!

Well I must bid you adieu,

I love you and KNOW this gospel is the only way we can return to live with our heavenly father again. Its the one way that allows us to progress and become better people. Very slowly we become more and more like Jesus Christ. We just can't get frustrated as we make baby steps. When we receive knowledge it then becomes our responsibility to share it and act on it. We know we know, God knows we know, and so should others. Missionary work continues to be awesome! I will admit the the highs are high and the lows are low, but it's because people's salvation are on the line!!!!

Take care, continue being those awesome examples to all those around you! Everyone is watching you! :]

Sister Oliphant