September 8, 2014

Hey family!

Today has been a crazy adventure trying to find a place to email! It stormed really bad this morning and completely flooded La Quinta and the library where we email was closed due to the flooding! But luckily, last minute, we found a place to email. 

This week was a bit of a whirlwind. Just as always there were good times and a few bad moments.

I went on an exchange with Hermana Jepperson this week. She's new to the mission, only been here a couple weeks. But the minute I saw her I said "I know you!" and it only took a few questions to find out where I'd seen her before. She went to Utah State! Love that place. She was actually in my ward my freshman year but we didn't ever really meet. But now, almost three years later, I recognized her the second she walked up! I honestly feel like she will be my companion in the future, so I'll let you know when that happens!

Also, on Friday night Carmen got baptized! Remember that story about when I had forgotten my planner and since we were both new in the area we went to the only other place we knew how to get to. As we parked we noticed a "for rent" sign next door so we remembered that one of our street contacts was looking for a place to rent. We wrote down the information and went to visit the person we came for. The next day we went to that street contact to give her the rent information. When she opened the door she started saying every reason in the book why she didn't want to see us anymore. We told that was fine but that we had some information on a place to rent since we knew she was looking. Her entire face changed, she took the information and we were able to keep teaching her. Her daughter Nadia got baptized and I got to go back for her baptism and on Friday Carmen, the mom, was baptized! I was planning on going back to see it but last minute my ride cancelled on me so I couldn't go. But the important thing is that she was baptized! So great :)

And we're making some progress on the pinata! Who knew that it would be so much work?! But the activity is this week and I'll try to send pictures of our finished product!

Gotta go! The computer's kicking me off. Love you and miss you all. Until next week!

Love,

Hermana Granado

September 2, 2014

Hello Family!

Where does the time go?! Sorry I couldn't email yesterday because we email at a public library and it was closed for the holiday. I also have super limited time today since we gotta go out and teach people!

But this week was good! It definitely had challenges and struggles but there were miracles like always.

Something new we're doing is helping an Hermana in the ward with a piñata! We're making it from scratch! So difficult but definitely something good to learn. Now I know what I can contribute to all the fiestas when I get home! :)

In other news, our investigator stopped smoking! It's been almost a month now and she hasn't smoked! It's a miracle because we've been trying to help her stop forever but it wasn't until she started praying that she found the strength to stop. Prayer works miracles!

We also did one of our 5 planned exchanges for the month. I stay in the area every time but a different sister will come be with me while Hermana Martinez goes to different areas to help other missionaries. So last week Hermana Stuber came to Indio and that was so fun! We had to go down to Banning to meet them since they're serving in Redlands. She has served here before so she helped me with some things that even I didn't know about the area! And tonight we will go to Palm Desert to exchange and I will have a new sister that just came in a couple weeks ago. So I am learning from all these other sisters too! What a blessing I have to meet all these great girls.

Love,

Hermana Granado

August 25, 2014

Part One

Hello family!

Both me and Hermana Martinez will be staying in Indio for the next six weeks! Then Hermana Martinez will be going home and I'll get someone new.

This week was a good one for the most part. I was feeling a little sick for a few days but I think it was just stress, which never goes away on the mission! But I'm feeling better now so no worries!

We found another new investigator this week, Fransisca. She is super ready to accept the gospel and so excited to get baptized. The funny thing is that we've been teaching her roommate for a little over 3 months now and never met her until last week. We had never even seen her before. But she told us that she would hear us come over and wanted to talk to us and wanted to come to church but was too shy to come meet us. Until last week she opened the door and told us all of that. I can't say it enough - everything happens in the Lord's timing.

Also, we've been helping my roommate Sister Mucke pack and get ready to go home. She's flying back to Germany tomorrow! And Hermana Martinez and Hermana Pesqueira (who's also serving my ward) are both heading home in 6 weeks. So that's been the topic of conversation lately!

This week we got to go on exchanges and I got to see Hermana Lauaki-Sablan! She came here and I spent the day with Hermana Clark who was in the MTC with me! We didn't spend a lot of time together in Mexico but we always said we'd be companions one day. And we were! for ONE DAY! We also had another sister with us for the day so I got to see how it works being in a trio and how three missionaries work together as opposed to two. It was fun and interesting but I'm grateful for my one companion :)

I love you all and I hope you have a fantastic week!

Love,

Hermana Granado

Pictures:

1. Hermana Zamora, Hermana Pesqueira, me and Hermana Martinez. We're all serving together in the Thermal ward.

2. Mural we found in downtown Indio

Part Two

Hello again,

First things first. I tried so many new things this week! Food wise of course. First was I tried tacos de lengua (tongue) and then Hermana Martinez made me try some Puerto Rican drink, that was an adventure. And our new member Alondra brought us Churros Locos to try! That one is really hard to describe. It has a ton of stuff like mango and cucumber and gueritos churros peanuts and some other stuff I can't remember with Chamoy which is like a spicy sauce. I'm trying all kinds of new things!

Now to the more important stuff. This week was full of miracles. Seriously! I don't know if there are just more and more great things happening or if I'm just starting to be more aware of them. All I know is that I am so very blessed to be here at this time to be an instrument and a witness to all of this.

First of all, Tuesday we got the most lessons we've ever had in one day. Ever! And three of them we got members from the church to come help teach and be a friend which was so great!

Then we had what I like to call the Coco Palm Miracle. We were on our way to dinner on Wednesday and we realized that we were there too early. So we decided to walk around the neighborhood where our dinner was. As we were walking I was just trying to be observant and keep my mind off how hot it was. So we turned the corner and I saw the street sign that read Coco Palm. I had never heard of that street before, so of course I casually made a little song about it. That was it, we kept walking until it was time for dinner. Then when we went home that night and we were planning for the next day. We found that we were going to be in that same area so we took out the area book (where it has all the records of people that missionaries have taught before) and we found 5 people that all live on the street Coco Palm! A street I've never seen or even heard of for the 4 months that I've been here. And a street that I still wouldn't have recognized if I hadn't made a silly song about it earlier that day. We went back and even though nothing happened with those people yet, you never know. Maybe all they needed that day was to know someone cared about them. Maybe they just needed a knock on the door or a reminder of the important things in life. I may never know what will come from us going to visit them but I do know that we were led there for a reason. There are no coincidences. Only tender mercies and miracles. Coco Palm Miracle.

On Saturday we checked the phone and had a text message from some people that were recently baptized but haven't been coming to church. We've been trying to see since I got here in May. We went time and time again and no answer. Ever. They would even look at us through the window and not open the door. So we started leaving notes every time we went. We'd cut things out of the church magazines or write scriptures on an index card, anything to get them thinking about the gospel. After months of them ignoring us they sent us a message asking us to come over and when we were in the lesson we asked what the reason was and they said they "felt incomplete without Jesus Christ in their lives" Such a miracle!

We also got to go visit an investigator who we haven't seen for a while because she's been having a lot of health problems. She's very very educated and so nice. I sometimes felt out of place going to see her because I didn't know if she liked our visits, plus I have a new companion now (she's never met Hermana Martinez.) so I'm the only one she's used to and I wasn't too sure if she liked me. But when we were talking to her she looked straight at me and told me this: "I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. Apart from the church, just as a human being. And the kindness you've shown me. I know there is a God because He sent you and you've given me something that I couldn't have found on my own." She mentioned the time that she was about to have surgery and we came the day before and sang to her to help her calm down and all the times she needed us and we were there for her. It was so nice to see that I had made a difference in someone's life, and I didn't even know it! Miracle.

Miracles happen everyday, but sometimes we don't see them. I have made it a goal and a rule for myself to take a minute every day to jot down the miracles that happen. Once I started doing that I saw the Lord's hand in every little detail of my life. I knew it was there but I don't think I ever paid attention like I should have. But taking that time at the end of the day really helps me to count my blessings. They are many!

Love,

Hermana Granado

Pictures:

1. We got to help put floors in for a member that hasn't come to church in a loooong time!

2. Sister Mucke went home to Germany! Miss her lots

August 11, 2014

Hey Family!

Hope everyone had a great week, I know I did! And it just flew by! I can't believe we're already almost halfway through August! Where did the time go?!

This week we had a baptism! We planned it and set it up and went a little insane under the pressure but it all worked out and Alondra had a great day which is what is important. It was really cool being on the other side of a baptism and seeing what my missionaries had to do for me!

The rest of this week was good but I can't really remember much to tell you guys. The baptism overshadowed a lot.

Next Monday we'll receive transfer news! I am pretty sure that Hermana Martinez and I will both stay here, but I'll let you know for sure next week. Hermana Martinez goes home at the end of this transfer so she has about 7 weeks left from today before she finishes her mission. So we're just talking about home and trying to get her prepared to get back into the swing of things. 

I can't even imagine when that's me. It seems so far away! But I know the time will just fly by so I'm doing my best to enjoy ever minute and work hard every day.

Love you,

Hermana Granado

August 3, 2014

Hello Family!

Another week gone, man the time sure does fly when you're having fun! And boy am I having fun. We're doing great here in Indio, we had a really great week and are working harder than ever!

I just love my companion, Hermana Martinez. And that is something that really helps to enjoy the work we're doing every day. But the sad thing for me is that she only has 8 more weeks until she goes home. Which may sound like a lot but it goes by like nothing!

This week wasn't as hot because it rained a lot! The only bad thing about that is all the humidity! It feels like Puerto Rico! Hermana Martinez is loving it.

Yesterday we had 8 investigators come to church! It was so good! I think they liked it too because they didn't run out right when it finished, which is always a good sign :)

Also, Alondra is getting baptized this week! It will be on Saturday and we're so excited! It's the first baptism I've ever organized because I usually get transferred before they get baptized so it's my first time organizing everything! Pray for me!

On Saturday we got up early and we to help one of our investigators with her yard sale! That was fun. We woke up at 5:30 instead of 6:30. One hour might not seem like a lot but we really value that time we have to sleep. But we were able to help her get all organized and make some money to get her kids ready to head back to school! Plus she came to church yesterday so it was good to see what a little service can do :) 

time you get a chance, do some service! It's something we're really working on and focusing on here. Service brings miracles and shows the love of the Savior.

Other than that, not much else exciting going on. I love you all and miss you tons! Have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Granado

Pictures:

1. Me and Sister Dowd, we're obviously best friends because she shared a Capri-sun with me. It means a lot, trust me.

2. We heart attacked our bishop's office door to show our appreciation for him!

July 28, 2014

Hello family!

This week was really good, we're still finding more people to teach which is great! Nothing happens in missionary work until you have someone to teach. Alondra's baptism was moved to August 9th because they went out of town but it's still on! We're really excited.

On Friday we went to a member's house and baked cookies with her and her husband who isn't a member. We shared a short message then got to baking! It was really fun :)

On Wednesday while I was on exchanges with Sister Dowd, we stopped at a gas station to get gas and decided to run in to get a drink, it was particularly hot. I didn't get anything because I had a water bottle in the car, while Sister Dowd was paying, two police officers walk in, sunglasses and bulletproof vests and all, very intimidating. And one of them looked at us and says "I'll buy it" We were all taking off guard and Sister Dowd says "no that's okay, thank you though." The police officer then says "no, I want to. (looks at me) and what are you getting, Sister?" I said I didn't need anything and he told me to go grab something. As soon as I opened my mouth to object he says "Now!" So I mumbled a "yes sir" and got a Gatorade as fast as I could. He turned out to be a member of the Church in another area, it was the nicest and scariest thing that happened to me that day.

We also had a conference with our mission president and he talked to us about how we could work with the members better to help the people we're teaching. I love conferences and meetings with our mission president because he gives us a ton of new ideas about how we could be working harder and smarter!

I am loving this time of my mission and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can't believe I've already been out for nine months and only have nine more left. I still feel like I'm just starting. I am learning more and more every day and I love it!

Love,

Hermana Granado

July 21, 2014

Hello family!

This week was so good! Hermana Martinez and I went on exchanges for a day so I was with Sister Dowd. I'll be with her once a week for the next three weeks or so (just like I was with Hermana Magnusson). Sister Dowd is also my roommate (she took Sister Tauteoli's place) I'll attach a picture of us.

We got to make some cookies for our investigators and the members in our ward who are less active and the ones who are active and help us a lot. We saw a lot of success from that! One of our new investigators called us to see when we could come and teach her family, a less active family asked to set up an appointment for us to come over and a member called us to see if she could come to any appointments or help us teach any of our investigators. Not sure what we put in those cookies but we might make them again soon for some more people!

We also got to do some service at a senior center. They had some paid entertainment booked but they cancelled so we did it for free! We sang hymns- some in Spanish, some in English and a missionary sang in Samoan. Then another one of the missionaries did a violin solo- it was really cool and the lovely little ladies at the senior center loved it!

Some fun things coming up- we're having a visit from Elder Evans, who is the Executive Director of the Missionary Department for the Church. So he is basically in charge of missionary work. And he's coming to speak to us! So that is exciting. That will be on August 28th. So in order to prepare for that we're having our zone conference this Friday where we'll meet with some of our district leaders and zone leaders (who are just normal missionaries but have more leadership responsibility) and our mission president. We usually do it every 3 months or so but we're doing it a little earlier in anticipation for our visit from Elder Evans.

A little side note: remember how I showed you the tan line on my foot when we skyped on Mother's day? Well it's gotten more and more defined as the summer has gone on and my roommates or other sister missionaries, when they see my feet they always comment on it. Always. Without fail. I think it's embarrassing but they're all really impressed and jealous of it. I guess that just goes to show how little entertainment we have as missionaries.

And remember how I used to tell you how I'm self conscious about my Spanish? Well that hasn't really changed much. But last night the other sisters who are serving in our ward (they're both native speakers) were telling me that it's good! One of them said that when they heard me speaking Spanish at church she noticed that its improving. The other one told me that she called a member on the phone the other day and the member thought she was me! And She's from Mexico! That made me feel a lot better about my abilities :) I just am so grateful because I want to be able to communicate with the people I'm serving! I want to get to know them and their concerns and I want to be able to say the things that will help them. But it is something that I will have to continue to work on throughout my life. I am really grateful for this opportunity to learn the language though! When people ask how we learned so fast and we tell them that we had 6 weeks of training and then we just study an hour a day and talk to people, they're really impressed at how much we know! It is all the Spirit and I am definitely getting divine help so that I can talk to and teach the people here in California! What a blessing.

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.

Pictures:

1. Me and Sister Dowd

2. The lovely Hermana Martinez

3. Making cookies!