December 23 and December 30, 2013 E-mails

12/23/2013

I am alive! The flight was good but tiring. In Sacramento the plane had to wait for another plane to move so we left only like ten minutes late, but then in Dallas we got on the plane and there was technical difficulty after technical difficulty. Something about tray table and a rear door being open I don´t know. I sat exactly in the middle of the plane. Three rows: two seats, five seats, two seats. I sat in the middle of the five seat row. For ten and a half hours. It is SO hot! Well not really hot but humid! Sweat, sweat, sweat! But oh well ‘así es.’ The city is amazing! My first area here is Congreso. Right smack dab in the middle of the city! We have la Casa Rosada and the Obelisk and the Congress building in our area. It is so great!! My companions are Hermana Sabrina Escobar from Cordoba Argentina and Hermana Lindsey Dunn from Idaho. They are the Sister Training leaders. Oh and Hermana Dunn is the mission nurse, so if I have a problem she is literally right there! They are the best! They are such hard workers and I have a ton to learn from them! I´m so grateful for them!! We are teaching some amazing people, and the ward is so great!! President Ayre and Herman Ayre had been waiting for me and Hermana Jensen since the MTC! They said we were the last visa waiters to come. I love them so much! They are wonderful!! Couldn´t ask for better leader! I am so excited to be here and to work!! Oh yikes I am running out of time!

Love you all Merry Christmas!!!

Hermana Arntsen

 

12/30/2013

¡MOM!

So, since we talked on Christmas Day not too much has happened. I´m all better no more icky nasty stomach stuff! I have been getting these huge bug bites though. Like bigger and more itchy than mosquitos, so either there are some nasty mosquitos here or it´s something else. Hermana Scarlett thinks it is bed bugs because she slept on my mattress for a while when the two Congreso companionships lived together and she got bites just like that and no one else did. But then Hermana Dunn checked my mattress and didn´t see any bed bugs, but we will figure it out.

We are teaching some amazing people! Mario is this 57ish year-old man. He is awesome and came to church yesterday for the first time in a white button up shirt tie and pants! Whoo hoo! He looked so spiffy and I think he knew it. It´s so true that when you dress your best you do your best! Also we are teaching Moises, a young man who is a nurse of some sort I think. He is really cool. Last Sunday he downloaded the app for the hymns on his phone and he was trying to find the scriptures too! Boss! They both have baptismal dates! Mario is going to be baptized this Saturday!!!! And Moises the next week because he just left on vacation! Then we are also teaching this family of 6, Domingo, dad, Fabiana, mom, Cinthia, 14, twin girls (I don´t know how to spell their names), 7, and Matias, 3. Domingo and Fabiana and Cinthia all accepted baptismal dates for the 12! Cinthia for sure she is amazing! She says that every time she reads the Book of Mormon it gives her energy. I suppose would be a good translation, it excites her that´s better. 'Me da animo' is what she said. Yeah excites her is the better translation. She is so great!

Saturday night we were planning, and we send Bishop a text to let him know who we expected at church on Sunday. He returned with a phone call and told me and Hermana Dunn that we were speaking in church about the New Year and goals. Church starts at 9:30am and it´s about a 20 minute bus ride. So we had no time in the morning. But somehow we prepared and gave talks yesterday. Hermana Escobar said it was good and that I only said like four little mistakes in 10 minutess, so that is really great!

Everything is great here I am LOVING it!!! Couldn´t ask for a better call!!!

Love you,

Hermana Arntsen

 

December 18, 2013

Megan made it to Argentina! 

Megan and Mission President Ayre and Sister Ayre in Buenos Aires!

 

 

 



December 17, 2013

Photos from Megan's time in Sacramento.

Megan and members in Sacramento.

Megan and missionaries in Sacramento.

December 9, 2013 E-mail

Mommy,

Well I got the big news out of the way but if there is anyone else that may be reading this I GOT MY VISA!! This time next week I will be on a plane! I'm so excited! I know this only happened because of all the prayers, most of which have not come from my mouth. I'm so grateful for all the support from everyone!!! Argentina here I come!

Tell Tim (Puente) congratulations for me!! That is so exciting! I bet there are thousands and thousands of people in Michigan just a'waiting to hear the Gospel there! He will be a great missionary!

Tell Grandpa I love him and have his picture on my wall! Always think of you all!

Sister Scott, there is nothing to it! It's hard to not be happy when you're serving! Because every act of service is an act of service to God and He always blesses and rewards us for every kind act!

I'm so excited to go to the Gilbert temple! It's so wonderful that we have one EVEN closer! If Mesa wasn't close enough how's Gilbert! That just shows how extremely important temples are! Disneyland is not the happiest place on Earth-- the TEMPLE IS!!

In California Sacramento mission we get four temple times a year one, of which is the Mission Temple Day that we have in December. We have a Christmas Conference with talent shows and talks and nativities and a temple session for the whole mission! It is actually this week on Wednesday! I'm so excited to go to the temple again! Nothing is better!! In fact, me and my whole district are singing in the Christmas Conference on Wed. Wish us luck!

 

Yes we find wonderful people to teach! We have pages and pages of potential investigators but the best people that we find we know about from the members! There is no better teaching situation than when a member invites his/her friend to hear the missionaries or to come to church!!!!!!!!

I'm so jealous for those missionaries (that you are cooking for in the Tempe Mission Zone Conference this week)! It's always the best when we have members cook at Zone Conference!

I love you all so much! And I thank you for your support and prayers!

Hermana Arntsen <3

Thanksgiving Day e-mail! (11/28/13)

MOMMY!!!!

This week was awesome! A lot of things happened: we have some great investigators, we had Zone Conference, we almost burned down the apartment, and we finally reached p-day!!

Zone Conference was really cool. Elder David Baxter of the Presidency of the Seventy was there (after coming from NC at Mary's mission :D). President had asked me to play the piano. Well Sister Lewis was the one who asked haha! It was incredible! I kind of biffed a song pretty bad but that's ok. Elder Baxter was amazing! His trainings were so great and the Spirit was so strong!!! It was so wonderful to meet a special witness of Jesus Christ and be taught by him.

I guess I had better tell you about the fire before you freak out.... Well the other week Hermana Hanson bought a couple little candles because our apartment doesn't smell so great sometimes. And she had used them so much the wicks had gone out. Well, I thought of our little candle warmer and suggested that we put them on the stove on low. So we did that for about a week and it was fine and perfectly dandy and worked like a charm. Then a few nights ago, somehow the stove was turned on low like normal it was on high.... Yeah.... Well the wax of both candles caught on fire and was burning in the glass. I noticed it right before the smoke detector went off. Then, we don't have a fire extinguisher in the apt so we were trying to figure out what to do. Hermana. Freestone thought to put water on it but when she did that the flame just flared up massively. Thanks to a loving Heavenly Father, nothing else caught on fire in the apartment. Then I found the tongs in the dishwasher, but when Hermana Hanson went to pick up the first one it shattered and spilt wax on the stove. But the second one did not shatter; it was the only one still burning. We got it outside (luckily we live on the first floor) and we put it out with some dirt. That was an adventure. Then the last few days leftover smoke and burning wax has set off the smoke detector, but we are all fine.

We also got a new car this week. It's really nice a 2013 Toyota with a touch screen radio! Also I had an epiphany! Dad, when you and Mom serve a mission later you should definitely be called to be the vehicle coordinator for a mission! You would be perfect!!! And all the missionaries would love you Mom!! Just food for thought! 

Then I forgot to tell you we didn't have p-day on Monday because of Thanksgiving but today it was an ALL DAY P DAY!!! Whoot!! A nice family fed us wonderful turkey and everything!! I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving! 

Also, if anyone reading this has good faith-promoting experiences about the law of tithing or any principle of the Gospel, and you feel comfortable, please could you share them with me? I would really appreciate it! :D Missionary opportunity right here! Also please do not forget the challenge to bring one nonmember to church or an activity before Christmas! I know that the Lord will help you and you will have success it you put your heart, mind, and soul into it! Your friends and family are the people who are ready to hear the Gospel!! But we as missionaries can't always get to them, you can! 

Love you all!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hermana Arntsen

Megan and a member in Tracy, CA

Decorating a Christmas tree at Thanksgiving!

November 17, 2013 E-mail

Mommy,

South Sac is great! I have no reason to complain and every reason to rejoice! The work is good. We are teaching some great people. Briana is ten years old. Her grandma is a member but her parents are not. She is so smart! She knows and remembers everything and she has already asked us to be baptized. She just has to talk to her mom about it!

At church on Sunday we had seven investigators! Woo hoo! They are all so great! We are so excited that they were able to come feel the Spirit! One man, Jose, we met last week and taught him the Restoration. He seemed to really be thinking about it. Then he came to church yesterday and brought his little son! He had read the pamphlet we left with him, and we gave him a Book of Mormon but he is going out of town for a few weeks to San Fran for work. But he said we would read and go to church in San Fran if we got him the address! We are so excited for him!

I'm sorry I don't have much more to say this week and I forgot my card reader so I can't upload pictures right now. Next week I promise!

Te amo muchisimo!

Hermana Arntsen

November 5, 2013 E-mail and letter, November 11, 2013 E-mail

November 5, 2013

Mommy,

Everything sound so great at home! I'm so excited to hear about everyone.

So this week is transfers and I'M GETTING TRANSFERED!! :D I'm going up to East Sacramento! I'm so excited! I will be serving in the ward that Hermana Jensen just left last transfer! Haha! We just did a little swaperoo! I don't know what the Lord has in store for me and Hermana Jensen but we are for sure going to be stuck together for a while haha. That is really all I have to report. I will be in a trio with Hermana Skidmore (she came out with me) and Hermana Clonts (Hermana Marroquin trained her right before me). I'm so excited and it will be great!

This week was good. Hermana Dando got emergency transferred to Stockton on last Wednesday because a Hermana went home. So Hermana Jensen and I were an actually companionship for a week. It was good but sad. We were on bikes because neither of us is authorized to drive the car so that was fun. We had two flat tires and we had to replace a bike tube so Brother Robinson helped us a little. I have pictures!

Biking was one of the hardest things I have had to do on the mission, but it definitely expanded my view of my abilities and limits. It was a good week.  A couple of our investigators are so close to baptism. They won't quite accept a date yet, but they have felt the Spirit and have noticed the change of repentance in their lives. I'm excited for the progress we have been seeing.

Always a good week in the work!

Love,

Hermana Arntsen

November 5, 2013 Letter

Hey Family! 

So guess what? Pretty much the second I got off e-mailing you today, I got a call from an Assistant, Elder Morley, who told me that my assignment has changed.  I am not going to East Sacramento with Hermanas Skidmore and Clonts.  I am going to South Sacramento with Hermanas Hansen and Freestone. That was quite the surprise! I asked Elder Morley what might be the reason for the change (just out of curiosity) and he said: “Just a change we felt needed to happen. When the spirit prompts us we just listen.”  I trust Elder Morley.  Although it may be a little hard, I now it will all be ok.  I just have to trust in the Lord—that he knows where I am and where I need to be going. It may be a little harder, but harder things are ALWAYS worth it in the end. South Sac here I come!

Love from a missionary,

Hermana Arntsen

 

Hermana Arntsen & Hermana Jensen--5 months out!

November 11, 2013

Mommy,

Everything is great here in South Sac. So the mission is divided into zones which align almost exactly with stake boundaries. I was in the Manteca Zone in Tracy with the Manteca Stake. They were going to transfer me to the East Sac zone and that stake but instead I got transferred to the South Sac zone and this stake. I love it here. Everything is really great! My companions are so much fun and I love them so much!!!!!!!! The area is great! Very ghetto but great.

I'm in a branch now not a ward, but it's really great the people are wonderful! We live in an apartment complex on the corner of Mack Rd. and Valley Hi in Sacramento (for Dad if he wants to see the area). The area goes as far North as Florin road and as far South as Bilby, if you can find it it's just south of Elk Grove Blvd. Then we have the two freeways as boundaries on the sides. It's a lot bigger than Tracy but that's good, more people to meet.

The other day we went to knock on a potential investigator's door and his nephew answered who apparently was about to get baptized a few years ago and is the nephew of the Elders Quorum president in our branch. He's awesome and we are excited to teach him, Omar.

My companions are a blast! Hermana Hanson trained Hermana Jensen so we are almost just swapping. Hermana Hanson is from South Jordan and she wants to be an EMT. She is downright hysterical! And so loving! A wonderful missionary! Hermana Freestone I already knew. She was the companion of the exchange sister in Tracy, so I already spent a few days with her and love her! She brings out the gangster in me, haha! She is a really good missionary and really cares for the people and has a great vision for improvement! I'm so excited for this area and this transfer.

I'm almost at my six month mark! AAHH!! I can't think about it! The time is flying TOOOO fast! But I'm excited for the time I do have to be a missionary and serving here is great!

I'll keep an eye out for Elder Clausen when I get there (Buenos Aires) which I still don't know when that is. But Elder Sorensen, who was in my MTC district and just got there, says that it the highest baptizing in South America, so that's exciting!

Bring as many people as you can to the Gilbert Temple open house! It's a great no-harm missionary opportunity! In Tracy there was an Elder from Gilbert and he said to me, Sister Arntsen why does the cultural celebration have to be at Hamilton?! That's not even in Gilbert and Hamilton is the worst! Haha! I thought it was so funny! Later he admitted it was a good school. Haha!

Have the best week! Be a missionary!

Love,

Hermana Arntsen

October 29, 2013 Letter

Mommy!
I will definitely be a missionary for Halloween! Actually it will be a fun day. We will be working until 4 pm.  Then me and my companions are going to Chipotle before the zone activity. I think we're just going to be playing some games and stuff. Then after the zone activity we are going to have zone training. It's all at night because we can't exactly work on Halloween. :)

This week was good. The Elders (Elder Lee, the District leader and Elder Bradshaw) had a baptism this past Saturday. Terecita and her son, Angel were baptized. The husband of this family was baptized a while ago and now the family is complete! That was exciting.

Our investigator, Publio, came to the baptism--sort of. It started at 6:30, and he got there at 7:55 pm. Just in time to eat some food. But we got to show him the font and he really like it. He is so awesome! Just yesterday we were talking to him, and he said, "I love our church:" Our church! I expect he will be baptized very soon. He said he will be, he just won't settle on a date yet. He's really sad though that we will be leaving some time. Publio is very special to my companionship. He is down right hilarious! He always has something funny to say! We're really glad to be teaching him.

Also at church was this family we are teaching: Armando--dad, Maria--mom, Armando jr,--9, and Leondardo--6. Maria and the kids came once before, and she really like it, which was a miracle because she told us she doesn't like church. This week Armando came which was even more of a miracle because he usually goes hunting every weekend Friday 'til Sunday, but this week he was there! They are a really cute family.

Also this Sunday I played the organ in Sacrament meeting (we usually rotate weeks). So earlier that morning I texted the Sister to get the hymn numbers: 98,111,and 36 in the Spanish hymn book (himnario). So I practiced those, and they weren't too bad. Then I go to church and I wasn't listening to Brother Carreno announcing the song because I was waiting for our investigators. And the usual hymn conductor was outside of the room so another missionary stepped up to lead. So, I played the entire introduction of #98 but when I looked to the conductor to start she just had this confused look on her face and walked over showing me the himnario--we were singing #106! So I flipped to that one and sight-read the organ! AH! The sacrament hymn was normal, thank goodness, but then there was a rest hymn they didn't tell me about! So I also sight-read "The Banner of Zion?" (I don't remember what it's called--I'm just translating in my head! haha). It was a crazy day on the organ!! Oh, mission life!

Love,
Hermana Arntsen

October 21, 2013 E-mail

Mommy!

That's cool about the Elders in the Tempe mission (using Facebook). We don't get to use Facebook yet (I'm pretty jealous about Mary!). They think that in April the Sacramento mission will get iPhones and iPads for every missionary, and I'm assuming they'll use Facebook then, but I don't know. And I'm hoping not to be here by then, but it's in the Lord's hands. Elder Sorensen and Elder Carter from the MTC got their visas this week and are leaving on the 28th for Argentina, but Hermana Jensen and I are still here. We are not sure why, but that is the way it is, and we are trying to move on until it's our time, too.

We are doing a ton of great work here in Tracy which is good!!! Everyone is progressing and we are finding great people! I'm so excited for the future. I know that almost everyone we contact will be baptized one day.

I'm sorry I don't have too much time right now but I'm grateful for your email! We rode bikes four days this week and Hermana Dando got a flat tire on Friday, but we were close to home so that's a tender mercy! On Tuesday we rode about 13 miles and it was great! I bet you never would have thought you daughter who took so long to learn how to ride a bike would ride 13 miles in one day!! Haha! It’s great exercise and we get to talk to more people and everyone sees us, and then they know who we are later when we meet them and baptized them! :D

I hope you have the best week ever!!! I love you!

Hermana Megan Arntsen

October 14, 2013 E-mail

Mommy!

I'm great! We had five non-members at church this Sunday!! That was pretty exciting! Just me and Hermana Dando and Hermana Jensen rockin' it up in TRACY! We are doing some great work here! The area is growing so fast and we are so excited! I can't believe Grandpa Della is 101!!! If you could please send me her address so I could write her happy birthday that would be great! And as well any and all mail from anyone who can lift a pen is MORE THAT WELCOME :D I don't have too much longer before it will be very slow and hard to get mail, so I'd really appreciate as much as possible now. :D

This week was amazing! So we had a really awkward day and a really frustrating day. The awkward day was Wednesday: First this kid Arley canceled our apt because his relationship with his ex just ended and he "needs some time" that was awkward. Haha! Then later we were going to see an less active and she was late for our apt so we chilled on an adjacent street waiting for here but this lady was staring at us out of here house so we pulled out the map and pretended like we were on the phone so we wouldn't look weird (not the last time we did that that day). Then we were going to an apt with a guy and on the way we saw a couple Hispanic ladies so we pulled over to see which house they went to (potential investigators!!) but soon that got too awkward so we got out of the car and walked down the street to maybe knock a few doors. We knocked on this bright yellow house with cacti out front (good sign of Hispanics) and a white gentleman answered. Awkward. But he was really nice and we referred him to the Elders. Then later we went to an apt with this nice couple but when we pulled up to their house a cop car was outside and an officer at their door. Awkward! So we waited in the car until the cop left, and she didn't leave until we got out of the car. Haha! So that was the awkward day but we still got a lot of work done. Then Friday was the frustrating day because we had five appointments and every single one canceled, and our less actives wouldn't open the door when we knew that they were inside. It was really hard but we pressed on and continued to work and we found a couple of great people. "Let us all press on in the work of the Lord"!!!!!

Love you so much!!

Hermana Arntsen

September 30 E-mail, Letter Sept. 30 and October 7 E-mail

9/30/13

Everything is good! The work is starting to pick up since Hermana Jensen got here. We work really well together, and we are raising our vision for the area. We had a great week with lots of lessons and success. We are teaching the man named Publio and he's awesome. He says he'll be baptized but he hasn't accepted a date yet. He knows though that this is what he needs to be doing. His life is a novella (a Spanish soap opera) and he talks a lot about his life but he's hysterical! So funny. He sang in choir with us yesterday! Everything is really good. I've decided not to worry about my visa anymore-- I'm not going to think about it or dwell on it at all. I need to focus on the work here. Whatever He wants to happen will and that's awesome. We did go to the broadcast and a dinner it was great! I loved it so much! Thomas S. Monson truly is a Prophet of God! I hope everyone is doing well! I love you Mom! Oh thanks for the cookies they're a big hit!!

Hermana Arntsen

Letter received 10/4/13

I have a cool analogy for you.  So at the beginning of every transfer our Stake President, President Maxfield, feeds the whole zone and then just talks to us a little about the work.  This week he told us a very profound story: “There has been a lot of flooding in Colorado, and right now is the time that farmers usually harvest their crops.  Now their harvest sits in several feet of water and the farmers can’t get to their harvest.  In the Stake I am confident there are at least 5,000 people ready to accept the Gospel but you as missionaries can’t get to them—they’re buried in water.  The only people who can reach them are the members.  And just like the crops, if they are not harvested, they rot.  So, please help teach the members their duty so we can get to those people.”  I love this so much!  

Thank you for everything.  I love you!

Hermana Arntsen

10/7/13

My conference weekend was fantastic!! The talks were a-mazing and so direct and straightforward. There is no way to not understand what they are calling us to do! I love it so much! My favorite part though was a piece of Elder Holland's talk (we got to watch him in English!). He was talking about a woman who had children or grandchildren (I don't remember exactly) who strayed and why that happened because she was a good person. He said that she received an answer: "I gave him to you because I know that you could and would love him no matter what he did." I definitely don't have posterity yet but I have been comparing this to my trials as a missionary,and I can see the hand of the Lord in them and can almost hearing Him tell me "I gave you this trial because I knew that you could and would love it no matter what happened." And I feel blessed and special.

The work is going really good! We have been doing so well with our goals the past couple of weeks and the work is really progressing!

We are teaching this woman Maria and her husband Armando. Maria finally came to church the week before conference with her two sons: Armando, 8, and Leonardo, 5. We weren't sure if she liked it or not-- she's a thinker. But when we talked to her about it she said that she definitely felt good there and that she liked it. And that she wants to go back. Armando also said he wanted to go back! We are so excited.

Also we stopped by Elvira's house. She is the miracle from a couple months ago. She actually didn't end up getting baptized because of a situation of offense with one of her daughters in Mexico and told us that she wasn't going to change. So we hadn't seen her for quite a while, but we stopped by last week and got to see her. We could see the loss of the Spirit in her and she admitted that she was sad. We did though resolve a couple of her concerns and she still calls us her "angelitos" (little angels). Not sure what will happen in the future with her, but I think she will regain that desire soon. People can feel when they miss out on blessings and that helps them realize what they need to do.

With the faith of us as a trio we are starting to realize the potential of the area and the work is progressing!

I pray that you will make the Lord's work a bigger priority in your life. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Love,

Hermana Arntsen

September 16, 2013 E-mail

Mommy! (and everyone else),

I can't believe Mary is leaving already (Mary Mayfield—going on a mission to North Carolina Sept. 25)! She will be a bomb missionary! I'm so proud of her for going!

It's been strange because my trainer, Sis Marroquin, is going home this transfer which ends in a week and a half. Thanks for the cookies! 

The work is great! Last week we increased our teaching pool by four! We have quite a few investigators who will be baptized they just don't know it yet (haha). Just kidding, but the Lord has blessed us to find several precious souls who I believe are ready. I'm stoked!

I love you so much and thank you for all that you have are and will do for me!!!

Hermana Arntsen

September 9, 2013 E-mail

Hey everyone! So this past Monday was Labor Day (right? I think I'm mixing up days). Well on Labor Day there was this HHUUUGGEE activity at the temple with all the Spanish wards and branches in the mission! There was a soccer tournament and carne asada, and so much fun! And then yesterday in Tracy was the Bean Festival. It's just like a huge street fair. Well, the High Council man in our ward had bought a booth for his business but let the church use it on Sunday so they set up a Family History booth. We got to go and proselyte. It was so much fun because we got to talk to so many people all at once!

Sorry out of time! "I must obey. Amen."

Love,

Hermana Arntsen

Megan and her companions won Subway gifts cards from the Mission President

for having the cleanest car in the zone!

Megan and a few missionary friends!

Megan and companions at the Sacramento Temple!

August 26, 2013 E-mail

So I've been asked what a day in the life of a missionary is like.

A Day in the Life of a Bold, Believing, Baptizing California Sacramento Missionary:

6:30 am-- Wake up, Pray, Exercise

7:00 am-- Shower, Get ready for the day, Eat Breakfast

8:00 am-- Personal Study: pray, study from scriptures, Preach My Gospel, General Conference, Missionary Library (Our Heritage, Jesus the Christ, True to the Faith, Our Search for Happiness), etc., write in Study Journal what I learn and receive of the Spirit, pray.

9:00 am-- Companionship Study: Sing a hymn (in Spanish) with companions, pray together, do recitation: a select few scriptures and quotes that President Lewis wants us to memorize we recite one every day, read three pages from the Missionary Handbook (in Spanish), read two sections of the supplement: additional guidelines President has for the mission, talk about each other's Personal Study and what we learned, make any specific lesson plans we need to for the day, discuss specific needs of investigators.

10:00 am-- More Companionship Study: the first two transfers of the mission you are trained by your trainer based off of a program made by the church which is designed to help me learn how better to teach lessons and become acquainted with Preach My Gospel

11:00 am-- LUNCH!! Don't forget to bless the food!

12:00 pm-- Language Study: study Spanish!!! Which is really however you want, reading from scriptures, translating hymns, doing exercises in the grammar books...etc.

1:00 pm-- PROSOLYTE!!! We prayerfully go visit our investigators, go to appointments, tract, visit potential investigators, ask for referrals, contact referrals, visit less actives.

5:00 pm-- Usually we have dinner around five because the handbbok says that dinner should be finished by six.

9:00 pm--return home, unless in a lesson then return by 9:30, and PLAN: pray, set goals for the next day, prayerfully decide who to visit the next day, decide what you will study the next day, pray 

9:30 pm-- write in journal, get ready for bed, reflect on the day, get in bed, pray, tell you companions you love them and good night.

10:30 pm-- lights out! And sleep miraculously overtakes you the second the clock strikes 10:30! Well most of the time! Haha.

That's a day in the life of a missionary! Other than our calling and authority, the one thing that makes the day so special is prayer. We pray13 times a day not including all the prayers we say while proselyting (to start and end a lesson, before entering a house, etc.). That's what makes the day miraculous! And guess what??!! YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!! I challenge you all to find time to pray twice more in the day than you usually do and I promise that you will feel the Holy Ghost more and receive more guidance in your lives!!

Love you all so much!!!!

Hermana Arntsen

August 22, 2013 E-mail

Megan's District on P-day!

August 13, 2013 E-mail

EVERYONE!!!

So this week was the level part of a roller coaster ride! On Thursday I think we got a call from President for my trainer, who had been having terrible leg pain and been to three different doctors and gotten an MRI and an ultrasound with no definitive answers, and President said that, because this week is transfers, she might have to go home. My trainer only has one transfer left and leaving now was so devastating for her. After that phone call we had quite a powerful companionship testimony meeting. After two weeks of issues and doctors’ appointments, this was our bleakest moment. But, just as with Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove, at our moments of greatest alarm is when the light appears—after we have exerted all our strength. That night we went to see Brother Bills, the chiropractor. He stretched some things and then had my trainer walk. We he saw the way she was walking and where the pain was he said come back over and lie down. He poked around a little and found the source of her pain. A muscle that is part of the hip flexor (the psoas for you medical people) had become seriously inflamed and constricted which had pulled on the lumbar system of her spine and caused nerve pinching. Well, he helped loosen it up a little and gave her some stretches to do and said that with time she would be okay. We still don't know if she will go home early or not, but after so many prayers, attempted solutions, after exerting all our strength, we found the light and we know what is wrong and how to fix it. For whatever trial you are currently enduring in this moment, ask yourself: "Have I exerted ALL my strength?" If not, DO IT. If so, then keep faith in knowing that the light is coming. Light always triumphs over darkness. When light appears, darkness HAS to depart- it cannot endure the presence of light. Also remember the Atonement is in everything.

This is the work of God. Everything that God has created (which is EVERYTHING), He has created "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the greatest source of comfort, help, knowledge, and peace because it contains the Fullness of the Everlasting Gospel. Turn to it for help. Oh, that we used the Book of Mormon as we use our cell phones: on our person ALL the time, checking it every thirty seconds, searching for every answer in its contents.... I invite you all to pick one way in which you can make your copy of the Book of Mormon more like you cell phone and try it out this week. If an honest effort in this task does not increase your happiness and feeling of the Holy Ghost this week then I am not a representative of Jesus Christ, the Church is not true, and the Book of Mormon is not the word of God. But it IS the Word of God, this Church is THE true Church, and I am a representative of Jesus Christ. Then, you have nothing to lose. So, do it.

Remember I love you all so much! You are wonderful examples to me!!

Hermana Arntsen

Hermana Arntsen, Hermana Marroquin, and Hermand Donda

Arrival at Sacramento
Missionaries with Mission President and his wife

August 5, 2013 E-mail

Everything is good here! We did have to move that baptism back because her son had a baby and she missed church, but she still is wonderful! She quit smoking and drinking coffee and is feeling the blessings that come with that! I am going to send you a ton of pictures! I finally think I've got it figured out! And,maybe when you get the chance or Caitlin too, could you send me some cookies?? Like monster cookies preferably? I really miss your cookies!
Sorry not much to report this week!

Love you!!

Hermana Arntsen

July 29, 2013 E-mail

EVERYONE!! and MOM!! (because I love you most!)

This week was pretty cool. We had exchanges and the exchange sister is half Chilean so her Spanish is awesome! It was a really cool experience to learn from her! After exchanges Hermana Marroquin was having terrible leg pain and numbness and craziness! So we went to Urgent Care the other day and they said they had no idea what was wrong so they gave her Ibuprofen and said wait it out. Then she got a blessing but then it was Sunday. And we were at Church. And Hermano Bills (the chiropractor) is at church. So, we say hey Hermano, no one knows what’s wrong with Hermana Marroquin, what do you think? Well, he had her walk around and stretch something then he said okay, it could be one of a few different things come in tomorrow and we'll take an x-ray and figure it out. That was the only straight answer we had gotten about it! It's crazy awesome! Chiropractors know everything! Not really, I'm joking, but it was still such a blessing for Hermana Marroquin and consequently me and Hermana Dando. When your companions are happy you are happy. :D So, if you choose to be the happy one then you will be happy all the time anyway! So choose to be happy!!!

Also, Elvira, the miracle for a couple weeks ago, came to church and is going to be baptized in a few weeks!!! She's golden! And a less active family we haven't really been able to contact came to church yesterday! The Gospel is addictive! And the Spirit!!

I love you all!!! Choose this week to be happy!! I promise you will be if you constantly decide to be!

Hermana Arntsen

July 22, 2013 E-mail

EVERYONE!!!!

So this week was good! I don't have a bike anymore because the one I was using was another sister's and the Zone Leaders came to take it back to her so we can't bike anymore. Although and Elder in the zone collects bikes and then uses the parts to construct new ones and he said he might have a bike for me to use so that would be cool.

So the High Councilman (the one who wanted us to play the organ and gave us that awesome promise) assigned to our ward is a chiropractor and he adjusts missionaries for free! So we went today...man it was awesome! Apparently my feet were and inch off and my neck was discombobulated too. Mom, you know how you always mentioned that my neck leaned forward well it doesn't as much anymore! You also know how I can't touch my toes because I don't bend at my hips properly. Well Hermano Bills (the chiropractor) says I have a little bit of scoliosis (or however you spell it). He said I shouldn't be too worried about it as long as I exercise and keep coming to see him while I'm here, but he said that when I get home I should definitely have a chiropractor look at it. He said they would usually take an x-ray but he can't obviously now. So just an FYI I need to see a chiropractor later. I'm telling you, Mom, so someone knows because I will forget. I'm telling you, everyone else, so that I can testify of the hand of the Lord in everything! He knew that I need to go to Argentina but also knew that there are people here who I need and who need me. That scoliosis never would have been found probably if I hadn't come to Sacramento, been assigned to Tracy, had Hermano Bills as a High Councilman, and gone to his office. The Lord is in everything! As long as we are obedient, His will will guide our lives. When His will is guiding our lives-- and we accept it-- the fruits will ONLY be marvelous and leading to eternal perfection. So be obedient, strive to follow all His words, and then watch miracles unfold and godly change come about!

I feel like I had a lot more to say but, as Nephi writes, what I've said sufficeth me! THE TRUTH WILL PREVAIL! I HOPE YOU ARE ALONG FOR THE RIDE!!

 

Love you all (as appropriately as a missionary can ;D)

Hermana Arntsen

July 15, 2013 e-mail

MOMMY and Everyone else!

This week was GREAT!! There were low points but they all paid off! Yesterday we had eaten dinner at the church and finished early so we were letting in digest before going out in the heat when the other sisters (there are three companionships in our ward) came rushing in saying that they had a referral for us and she wanted to see us right now. So we got up and went to meet her. She had just returned from Mexico where she had attended a church activity. Elders had been there and one of them is from Ripon, CA which is in the mission. That Elder told his parents about her and told them to give the referral to the missionaries. So the Ripon sisters texted it to our other sisters and that's how we got it. Anyway, this woman's name is Elvira. She is BOSS! When she was 25 she was diagnosed with terminal, stage 5 uterine cancer and said "No, I'm going to live" and she did! Once she was also kidnapped for ransom which was the equivalent of $1 million and survived! Then she moved here! She is so great! She said she loves the church already and wants to be BAPTIZED!! Whoot! Then her daughter came in and joined us and asked us a ton of questions. Then the daughter’s two teenage sons came and listened and talked with us too, we gave them Books of Mormon as well. They all seemed pretty happy when we asked for a return appointment we all can't wait to go back!

This was only one miracle from yesterday which Hermana Dando and I believe to be the result of a Preisthood promise. Yesterday morning before church she and I had been fiddling on the organ just to see if we could do it and our High Councilman, Brother Bills, came up to us with the biggest smile on his face! (Just last week he said that he hoped one day to have an organist in this ward) He expressed his excitment to hear the organ in Sacrament meeting. We hastily assured him this was the first time we had touched an organ and we weren't going to be playing it during Sacrament. He promised us that if we played the organ, the Lord would bless us and help us. We couldn't let him down and had faith in his promise as a worthy Priesthood holder, so we played the organ in Sacrament meeting. We did very well, Mom, you would be pleased! That was the first miracle: we played well. Next, a less active family we have been visiting CAME TO CHURCH! We were so excited to see them! They seemed a little nervous to be back but the mom said that they intended on coming next week too! That was the second miracle, and then Elvira and her family were the third. It was a wonderful Sunday! So wonderful that the rest of the week and the low points don't matter. They are forgotten through the blessing and grace of Jesus Christ and His Atonement!

Oh, Mom you asked about the bikes. Well there again Christ has shed froth the grace of His Atonement because there is no way I was ever as good at riding a bike as I have been the last two weeks! It's actually enjoyable now!

Dad you asked about weather: last week it was in the 110s but it's cooled off to the mid-90s. There is a ton of wind here in Tracy! I love it!

Oh by the way...I cut my hair today! It's a lot shorter. I'll try and send you a photo as soon as I can. This way it will be cooler for riding bikes and more out of my way during the day.

This work is true! This work is God's! This work is marvelous! This work is wonderful! I know that as you try to take part in it in your lives you will feel the power and the miracles of God's glory!

I LOVE YOU ALL SSSSSSOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!

Hermana Arntsen

E-mail July 8, 2013

The Fourth of July was good. That's the day I got transferred again. Okay, so when I was assigned a trainer I was assigned to Sister Jackson an English speaker but to a Spanish district. Weird, huh?  Well President later came up to us and explained that there is a sister who was still in the MTC because of illness who is an English speaker and that she was expected in a week. So when she arrived she would be Sister Jackson's companion and I would be transferred to the Spanish sisters in that district as part of a trio. Well the sister came way early from the MTC, so I got one night in Ripon with Sister Jackson and then got transferred to Tracy in the morning because that other sister came early. So now I'm in Tracy with the Spanish sisters. My trainer is now Hermana Marroquin and my other companion is Hermana Dando who is being follow-up trained (training after first three month training).

It's great here. We have a car but can only drive so many miles a month so tonight we are going out on the bikes tonight for the first time. I'll let you know how that goes :P. The work is a little harder here because we can only teach people who speak Spanish. If we would be teaching them English we have to transfer their records to the English speaking sisters. So it's hard to find people we can teach. We had an investigator come to church yesterday! Yavette is in his 20s. He's pretty cool and he's a journalist or trying to be. Because he had to work though we went with him to the 9:00 ward (Spanish is at 1:00). Guess who I saw!!!!!! The Rhees's! Corwin's family! I don't think they recognized me, and I didn't get to talk to them but we're going next week again with Yavette while he tries to re-work his schedule, so maybe I'll get to see them again.

I'm excited to get to work and I'm glad to hear about your missionary experience Mom! Keep it up! And tell Dad I want to know what he did too, please! <3

In the strength of the Lord nothing can be impossible to us!

ALL MY LOVE!!!

Hermana Arntsen