Hola familia! 

So sorry last week's email was so short. But I'll do my best to make up for it this week!

 

On Monday we played sports with our ward and got all the kids to come and even a lot of leaders too since it was a holiday and they didn't have school. They also brought friends who aren't members so it was a good opportunity to meet new people and get them to a non-threatening activity. We played soccer and volleyball and had a blast! Tuesday was pretty much a normal day. We got to go to the temple on Wednesday. The Redlands temple is tiny but so SO pretty! 

We finally got pictures of the six of us that are serving in the ward together so I'll attach that. From left to right is Elder Morris, Elder Robles, me, Hermana Lauaki-Sablan, Elder Bird and Elder Allen. We have gotten to be pretty good friends the past six weeks! Hermana Lauaki-Sablan and I have been busy taking lots of pictures and making memories! 

Transfers are coming up, we find out on Monday who is going and who is staying. We're pretty sure at least one elder in the ward is leaving because he's been here for awhile. But Hermana Lauaki-Sablan and I are both hoping that we stay together, at least for one more transfer! We think we will because we're both new to the area and everything but we all remember what happened that last time I made a prediction! Either way, I'll let you know next week. But just remember the address in Highland will stay the same so feel free to send letters :)

 

The Spanish is coming along. I understand a lot more than I used to and am getting more confident in speaking. The members compliment us a lot and help us realize that we are still learning and we're learning faster than we realize. I mean 4 months ago I couldn't say five sentences without resorting to memorization. Now I have 1-hour lessons and don't think twice about it.

Also, I am learning to speak Tongan from Hermana Lauaki-Sablan! I only know how to say "Hi, how are you, very good, yes and no" but it's a start! The other day she asked me a question in Spanish and I answered in Togan and we just felt so cultured!

I met my new best friend at a member's house. This little puppy was so stinking cute I wanted to put her in my bag and take her home. But I didn't… 

While we were at this home, though, we had prepared to share a message but my companion told me she wanted to change it and share something else. I didn't know why but I just went with the flow. While we were sharing our scripture and talking about it, the woman started crying and said that she was going through a really tough time. She said she knows Heavenly Father is with her but that she really needed to hear what we said. I'm so glad Hermana Lauaki-Sablan was in tune to the Spirit so she could know what this lady needed.

 

On a funny note, today we went shopping and I am probably the most awkward person I've ever met. I wouldn't even tell this story but Hermana Lauaki-Sablan is crying just thinking about it so I figured I'd give you all a good laugh too. Today while we were at the store we were walking to the cash register and I was following Hermana Lauaki-Sablan. I tried to squeeze past this lady who was standing there counting all the pens in her basket. As I'm walking past her, my bad got stuck on a hook. I told her I was stuck but she wouldn't move for me. I tried to unhook it but I had a package of toilet paper in my hand. So I figured the only way to get out of this without making a scene or knocking something down was to switch the toilet paper to my other hand and reach back and unhook myself. But as I brought the toilet paper over to the other hand, the package hit this lady in the head. I put my hand on her back and apologized but she didn't even look at me, she just kept counting her pens. Meanwhile my companion and the cashier are dying of quiet laughter. I felt awful but if she didn't even take the time to look up at me I guess it didn't bother her too much. I did make the effort to apologize though!

 

On Saturday we volunteered at the Bishop's storehouse which fills food orders for people who are going through a really hard time. They can go to their bishop and order what their family needs then they come to the bishop's storehouse and get their order filled. It's like a warehouse/grocery store. And this one is the 2nd largest one in the western United States so that was cool to work there. I helped bag apples and bananas and helped fill some food orders for people. They were so sweet and so grateful for the charity of others that made it possible for them to have this food. And it was good for me to see where some of my contributions go and how it all works. The Lord's house is a house of order and I love that!

After the storehouse we came home, had lunch and studied for a bit. Then we got a call to help some members move out of their house. So we were on the road again, packing up boxes for them and cleaning and loading up the trucks. Luckily the other four elders were there too so we didn't have to do too much heavy lifting, just sorting and packing and cleaning.

 

A good spiritual experience we had this week was with a lady that we haven't taught yet but they day we met her went like this: We had her name and address given to us by the elders in the ward so we went to visit her. We went to her apartment and she came to the door, we told her who we are and why we were there. She said she didn't have time for us at that moment so we exchanged phone numbers and planned to come back at another time. Then before we left we did our usual "Is there anything we can do to help you?" She shook her head no but then looked down and started crying. She kept shaking her head and saying there was nothing we could do but she told us that she was sad. Very very sad. And she just kept crying. So my companion offered to give her a hug and she started crying harder and said "I just needed to know everything would be okay, then you guys came. Thank you, thank you." It was a really tender experience.

Another day we were driving and we had tried to see everyone that we had planned but they either weren't home or didn't let us in. So we sat there for a second and decided to try someone else. As we pull us to her house we're parking an at the exact same second we both said "OH!! Wait..." Then we just looked at each other startled and I said "What were you thinking?" Hermana Lauaki-Sablan said she just had an idea of who we could go see. And I said "Me too! Who did you think of?" So Hermana Lauaki-Sablan said "You first..." Right when I said the name she said that was the person she was thinking of! And it was someone who we haven't been teaching or even talked about for a while. So it was really cool to see that the Holy Ghost would put into both of our minds who we needed to see at that time.

 

I love being a missionary and I am loving California. We go running every morning and all I have to do is throw a sweatshirt on with my capris and it is perfect weather. Sometimes it gets a little warm but I remember the Arizona summers and I'm grateful to be here! We're working hard and having fun at the same time. I can't believe this week will be my four month mark. Time is just flying by! I am making memories that will last a lifetime! I am one lucky, lucky girl. Love and miss you all! Enjoy your week :)

 

 

Mucho amor,

Hermana Granado

Reading more about Stephanie's Mission on the Mission Blog - http://californiaredlandsmission.blogspot.com