November begins ...

Hello Dad, Mom, and kiddos ... and whoever else might have interest in my life

I don't have the chance to read emails before I write them today so sorry... this wont be in response to anything in your letters. Although I did see the Halloween costumes. Looks like fun!

Today is Sister Larson's last day with us. It will be sad to send off a companion already. We have had some fun and wonderful moments together these last 6 weeks, but it will be nice to be back into a regular companionship. Seriously trios are a testimony to me why we don't practice polygamy haha. It just doesn't work when we are not perfect people.  It also feels like Christmas... or like when Kassie left for college. We all dig through all her stuff and take what we want. And of course since I am one of the newer missionaries I had a lack of all the important stuff.

Well this week the senior couple arrived! And it was a miracle they came exactly when we needed them most. Two or even three missionaries in the deaf branch were still not enough. Prayers were answered when the Hudnors came to us! They have such fire and are ready to work. So wonderful to us too :] ... They don't know a lick of sign tho'... so we are their interpreters. Mom you should keep up the sign and Dad learn it so you can come do this in 10 years. Then again I don't know if I would wish that calling upon anyone haha.

Let me describe how Sunday went... This might give you a better clue as to what an asl mission is like and when the Hudnors realized what they were getting themselves into. Our meeting schedule is backwards by the way.

Right before we head into Relief Society the teacher says she can't teach and asks us to. We tell her we are instructed not to so she asks Sister Hudnor on her first week and not knowing sign to fill in and hands her the Ensign. Welcome to the branch Sister Hudnor. I sat in on priesthood to interpret for Elder Hudnor so he wasn't completely clueless. First time I have ever attended priesthood. Wish I could have attended Sister Hudnors lesson tho'. Sunday School teachers didn't show up so we ended up teaching Sunday School about the holy spirit. We had two hearing non-members there so we translated as well. Lastly as we walked into Sacrament meeting the bulletin said "Speakers: Missionaries."  Oh my goodness.  We all just about died. Surprise! I'm not sure if it was lucky or not that the sacrament look 30 minutes to pass to the 15 members there haha but it made our talks that much more like testimonies. Oh and we translated for Sacrament meeting too.

Oh deaf work is so different. I am so glad I have Sister Wilson again because she just laughs with me when something goes amiss. I think i come home every Sunday with a side ache and ab work out cause I have laughed all Sunday through.

It has its perks though too. We are the only two missionaries who leave the mission almost everyday. We cover the southern half of the Roseville mission as well. We had dinner this week with two sisters from the Roseville mission actually. We also put over 115 miles on our car that day. I have gone to more Starbucks on my mission than in my whole life combined. Haha. Ironic I know. But deaf socials are always there and that is how we tract. We go to 2-3 of them a week. Sometimes its at a pizza place or that 5k etc.

Ramiro and Sandra dropped us this week. It was one of the saddest things I have ever felt. The highs are high and the lows are low and its crazy how they happen with the same people just weeks apart.

Mom I started the New Testament this week as well! Terrill I think I beat you in the Book of Mormon race. Finished and already back to First Nephi to finish a challenge my mission president gave me. I have learned to love the scriptures so much on my mission. I finally understand what it means to feast. Although there isn't much time to feast the desire is there and it makes we want to absorb everything. I love learning and knowledge has been poured out to me these last few months.

Thank so much for the support and love!

Take care!

Love,

Sister Elephant

Hello Familia!

Its raining here today!? What about you? I love it! Its so cleansing. and its like legitimately raining. (Utah has few of those) and I feel right at home. Now if only it would lightening and thunder too. Last night as the clouds began to roll in and the winds picked up as we stood outside and chatted with Demetrius for a good hour. We froze. Came home put on our big sweaters, made hot apple cider, and curled up. It was so cozy and I have a feeling there will be many nights like that in the near future. The sunlight is a little shorter and the wind a little crisper. It feels like fall :] We even carved pumpkins today as a district. Mine has a little asl "I Love You" hand (ily) but it didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.

This week we had a nice little surprise. Monday night President Lewis gave us a call announcing an early transfer. My companion, Sister Larson, doesn't go home until the end of the month, but with Sister Acker coming in (not on a transfer) she threw off everything. So we met Sister Acker Tuesday evening and became a trio! But with Sister Wilson! My momma! Sisters Acker and Sellers (deaf sister) are in Stockton now and Sisters Wilson and Larson are both in Carmichael with me! We will be a trio for a total of two weeks and then send Sister Larson home. That means I get  two mommas at the same time and get to be with Sister Wilson again! She is just the best and its so rare to be with your trainer again. We have three beds crammed in a little room.  Its like a sleep over every night.

This week I had my first encounter with JWs. I bawled afterwards. Like a baby. I'll admit it. And I wasn't even with my companions. I was on exchanges and was with a member.  We were trying to teach a lesson to an investigator. Trying.

This week we met a 4 year old deaf boy. He is just the cutest! His family are members of the Spanish branch and they are afraid he's not learning anything at church. So for our service hours we are going to go over and do some primary lessons. Should be fun :]

Saturday we organized a branch missionary activity. we had a picnic at the chapel right next to the Sacramento Temple and then went on a temple tour afterwards. It was so great! We ended up not having any investigators there but we did get quite a few less actives, members of the branch who have yet to enter the temple, and Kelly our recent convert (baptized when I was in the mtc). Missionaries have the opportunity to bring investigators to the temple tour when it is out of their area so when hearing about the deaf event the Stockton sisters decided they wanted to come as well! They brought Lani (deaf woman), Jamie (The one who keeps texting you pics), and Kathy!!! It was so good to see her! And she announced to us that evening she wants to be baptized! December 1st is her big day! We are so excited for her!!

I have to write a shorter letter this week. Sorry. but I love you all so much and pray for you all so much! Take care and hope you are enjoying this beautiful time of year :]

Love,

Sister Oliphant

Rollercoaster

Hello hello.

Okay, well that's nerve wracking to know that any word I type could potentially be shared across the pulpit at the 2nd ward. but I'm just going to try and write my letters like I would normally. Pressure is on. Thanks for the warning haha.

Sounds like the family and second ward are very involved with missionary work right now. Thanks for all your support. It really makes all the difference when missionaries feel like they have support. Without it we are entirely useless. So excited for Issaka :] Way to go on eating meat! Big steps! Woo-hoo!

Hopefully I will get an invite from Natalia and Aaron this week too. Please PLEASE take lots of pictures. It really hurts knowing I can't be there for her wedding. Or Aarons wedding. And the fact that they are marrying each other just adds a hundred more "hurts" and "PLEASES" to those statements.

Umm, please do not throw the typewriter away.  I want to have a stab at it too :] Even if it is for just a letter or two. Knowing our family we will find many uses for fun stuff like that. Sounds like terrill is keeping the family laughing! Thanks for the laugh Terrill, I too enjoyed your funny one liners even if i have to imagine your voice myself. Keep up the good work running you two boys! (and Mom for that matter!) Boys will you keep running over the winter to stay in shape? How does that work? and Terrill are you doing TRACK?!

Well autumn is rolling in and the weather is not as bright and sadly my emotions of this past week have reflected it. You know at the beginning of the rollercoaster you start climbing and you are all excited and pumped for the ride cause you know its going to be awesome! You have this huge smile on your face cause you know the ride is always crazy yet worth it. And with every click of the rollercoaster, as it gets farther and farther from the comforting ground, your excitement and fire doubles. Well its sad to see it go, but time ticks and its sad to see that part of the mission was past. This week the ups and downs and all-arounds with wind blowing in your hair at 100 miles an hour kicked in. WELCOME TO THE MISSION :]

 

Now luckily I've ridden many rollercoasters in my life and still have a strong passion for them. Your mind goes crazy, but as you try walking toward the exit sign in a straight line you realize that while that was the craziest thing ever, you also want to hop back in line and do it all over again. So while you get jerked all around, don't know which way is up, and there are moments you think you're not quite strapped in tight enough, you still find it all so thrilling and glad you bought a ticket. Well my friends and family the bumps and jumps and loopty-loops are crazy and now I know exactly what everyone talks about when they try to describe missions. But while your hearts wants to leap out of your chest for most of the ride, you love the experience and it makes it all worth it.

So that's about how I describe my week, I don't know how to go into much detail. I think its more the emotions that fly in every direction rather than the actual events.

Let me tell you the story of Sandra though. Sandra is Ramiro's mother. Now she is not really his mother. But shes more or less adopted him into her family. When we first went to visit Ramiro, he was not home but had a wonderful chat with his mom. When we mentioned we were missionaries she got real wide eyes and a lot more quiet. Upon returning we bonded so close with her, but she asked us not to talk religion in her home. We made plans to teach Ramiro elsewhere. But on our third visit, as we got out of the car, she approaches us and tells us to stay she WANTS TO JOIN TOO!! It was a miracle and one of the most amazing lessons and night of my life. I don't know if I have ever been more happy in my life. She is a gem and I have grown to love her so much. The thing is tho'... she's hearing so we need to pass her off to English Elders. Its too impossible to teach ASL and English at the same time when they have completely different needs. I love the both of them so much tho!

We taught so many lessons this week and have a hand full of investigators which NEVER happens in the deaf branch. Our asl work is booming and the Lord is blessing us with so much success. We had the highest number of goals reached and surpassed for the district this week! And we have 4 progressing investigators! That is unheard of in deaf work. When I came at the beginning of the transfer we had zero. The lord is blessing us so much!

One of the hardest things about missionary work is seeing others (especially those you love so dearly) know the truth yet chose to ignore it. I don't quite understand why yet. I'm not sure if its just lack of knowledge or understanding about how it all fits together and why its so important.  I just don't know why someone can intentionally choose bad over good. Maybe its patience. I don't know. But its so frustrating! Especially when there is nothing you can do to help. You pour your soul out and while they listen and understand they don't seem to regard it as something special or that it applies to them.

ASL work has its own dynamics like any other different culture. Its very unique and so very hard to explain. Maybe I will have at it one of these times... It will help you understand how serving ASL is unlike any other mission. Especially when so very few people understand.

Anyways...

my time is up.

I continue to love this gospel so very much! i am so grateful that the lord has blessed me with so much knowledge and truth. The atonement of Jesus Christ is so very real and is the most real power that exists and we all have access to! Riding the Rollercoaster is such a thrill and Iam so grateful for the opportunity to have a place and empty seat on the ride.

Much love from your daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, granddaughter, and dear friend.

I am so lucky to have you all.

Sister Oliphant

General Conference Rocks!!!!!

GENERAL CONFERENCE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness, best conference ever. ever. ever. ever. EVER.

Sister Wilson told me they are going to set up a baptism date with Kathy soon!!!!

So missionaries age standard?! right?!?!?! The chapel was filled with 8 missionaries and 5 members. Jaws dropped and then it took a lot for me to not start cheering. I'm stoked. There WILL be more missionaries out. Especially sisters. Numbers are going to explode for sisters. That sisters can go on missions and then come back and get married before their 21st birthday. Yeah it doesn't surprise me that Issaka and Emily are putting in their papers!!!! Woo-hoo!!! Love those two. They were one of the many my mind immediately jumped to. I'm excited to hear about the many more :]

This week has been a week of awareness. We are so in the last days. Like LAST last LAST of days. And its the missionaries responsibility to help sort the wheat from the tares before the great burning. I am here to harvest the wheat! The world is ready for a change and its obvious that with this new missionary announcement we need to work hard to prepare the world for what is coming. It is coming soon. We have a few things yet to accomplish, but we seem to be beginning it all. Steps are being taken and the work is accelerating.... I'm so excited, i just cant hide it ;]

My first week in Carmichael we had an ASL celebration in downtown Sacramento. We had a whole list of people sign up for free dvds. Well turned out most were hearing we had to pass them off to the elders. Its nice to be able to be a part of the finding though. Anyways after a chat with Ramirio and friend across the walkway I was able to invite them over to talk to me. We chatted and discussed the Book of Mormon. Well this week we were finally able to contact him, and since we have taught him twice! He came to General Conference and says he wants to be baptized! Because this is Sister Larson's (my companion) last transfer we are going to do everything in our control to see that he is baptized before the end of the transfer (Oct 31st).   We will see what happens. He is very language-less (bluebox is what we call it) meaning he's more gestures than asl.  We will see how this goes! We are relying on faith so much that this can happen!!!!!! (picture of us at the celebration above)

Contacted the Chords this week.... They moved to Orem, Utah. Shucks. This was the referral I received the day I got my mission call at Tucanos (in Orem, Utah)!!!  Funny how small the world is.

Being in Carmichael we are in the stake where the headquarters of the mission is. We stop by the mission office almost weekly, if not more, and its been great to make relationships with all the older missionaries who serve there. The APs and office elders are also in my zone because of this. Its a nice treat :]

This week we had a zone meeting and they picked on me to recite all of D&C 4 in front of 18 missionaries. It felt like primary days when they asked me to recite the 10th Article of Faith in sacrament meeting. Somehow it all came out tho. Hopefully in the right order.

Well I just wanted to let you know how AWESOME my companion is. I love her. I am not quite sure why the Lord has blessed me so much to send my three amazing companions in my mission so far. Sister Furnell, Wilson (Wink), and Larson (Laugh), are all super amazing!!! .. Which makes me a little nervous for what is to come haha. Anyways sister Larson and I work well together, we have had high goals together and we are hitting most of them! Over all mission work is fantastic. Such a positive experience :] I think the only thing I miss are people (and sleeping in past 6:30). My companion goes home at the end of this transfer, and there is a new asl sister (Sister Acker) coming 2 weeks ahead of transfer! I have a feeling we will be serving around each other lots this next year together.

Anyways, I'm jealous of the autumn you are having, it is just beginning to cool off around here. I like to have a cardigan on me when it gets dark. Which does earlier and earlier. I don't know what we will do when it gets dark so early and people don't like us knocking on their door when its dark.

Aww I still forgot pics of our title of liberty we made last week.  Its super fly ;]

Love you all so much!!!!! You help me be so much better :]

Love,

Sister Elephant

OH I LOVE YOUR LETTERS!!!!!

They seriously make my week! I just laugh then cry through them every time. 

Terrill you are seriously the greatest stud for writing me so much! PS all you other kids shape up, or I might only write you as many times you wrote me on your mission ;]

STU BALL! Congrats!! Holy guacamole! I kind of wish girls had that kind of thing {referring to his Eagle Court of Honor}. Guys are lucky. Getting dirty and going camping is actually quite the fun I've realized. Young women's isn't just quite the same. Anyways love ya! Hope that was a great b'day present too!!! Seriously so proud of you!

And to the two running boys:  Your pics rock. Terrill it's obvious by your face expression you're giving it all you got. Keep it up you two! I know you can achieve you goal!!!

So glad you are enjoying the autumn there... Its not quite as colorful here. Nor do I think it will ever be. Mom you rock at running/ walking. Keep up the good effort. We are having another family race the month I get home, and everybody is running this time! :] It is what I wish for my coming home present from all ya'll in Wisc. So start practicing now. 14 month notice should be plenty of time ;] Dad that includes you hahaha.

Mom you need to learn asl!! Haha just think how useful that would be when you end up going deaf.  Don't worry I'm planning on inheriting the genetics soon too. Sorry about your ear tho. Don't forget to take care of yourself too okay. I know you work your toosh off for everybody else, but its also important to reward ourselves too. When was the last time you sat down and had an hour to yourself?  Like really yourself.  Do it k. Mom's are too important to have them not treating themselves right. And make Terrill and Alecia start teaching you basics. I'm sure they have them down still.

Elvera spoke!? woo hoo!! When does she leave again? When she is a missionary she can email me :] its nice... missionary to missionary can email too.  It saves on stamps. Not that we ever do it anyways 'cause we only have that hour. Oh well.

Okay well this week was MIRACLE WEEK!!!!

We had at least one everyday!!!

The lord answers prayers! haha I was beginning to miss the outdoors so much he gave us an opportunity to go hiking... in our skirts. What we thought was a driveway out in the middle of nowhere turned out to be only a jeep trail.  Instead of a house we found vultures and a deer carcase at the end of the trail. hahaha It was quite the fun experience. We did find the house later and with perfect timing too! Right as Connie came home. Shes an asl teacher who lives literally in the middle of the boonies. We are going to teach her though!!!

Tuesday miracle was finding and teaching Bibca. bahahahhahahahaha That's another story. I think she wins over Holly as the craziest person I met on the mission though. Her name that she introduces herself as is "Biblical Creator Virginia Ann". Pretty much she thinks she's the savior of the world, will never die, and can heal people. We thought her name was Bibca so that's what we refer to her as. All good.  She'll get it figured out in the next life. Until then we prayed she will have peace in this life.

Second miracle.... i got a letter in the mail :] very much anticipated.

Wednesday we met Adam at gospel dictionary night. We teach gospel related signs. Also we had 3 members present lessons and 2 rclas. It was a good day for numbers!

Thursday we found a new deafie.. who is a member!!!!! Funny how people go into hiding. Also had dinner with Adam.

Friday we found Sonny!!! Well more like he found us. Also a miracle, hearing, but so ready for the gospel. We sent the elders back.

Saturday the RS broadcast seemed to say exactly what everyone needs... We had to leave the room in search for tissues. and Kelly, a recent convert came! Because she now has a permanent ride to church! Members who take their covenants seriously rock!!!!!

Sunday we were exactly at the right place, at the right time, and said exactly the right thing to help a dear friend feel her heavenly fathers love.

"There can be miracles" has been our theme song this week.

LOVE YOU FAM!!!

Sister Elephant

ps  www.mormon.org/me/72KM   <--- hey its me. online!!! boom baby.

pss We made a title of liberty for our front room this morning. its AWESOME! And we almost lit out apt on fire. haha That's how cool missionary work is!!