It's kind of a long story

This week's shout out goes out to that nice guy on the corner who sold us those strawberries. You rock.

So I don't really have a lot of time considering right now it's already... 5:36. So I'm going to be real quick with this one.

This week we struggled with the Elders in our ward. Honestly, I can not say half the things I feel about them right now, because I know Jesus would never say anything like that. Luckily, we worked it out so hopefully we will be able to work in unity for the ward. 

We met this nice man on the corner wheeling around a ton of strawberries. He told us he had just bought them this morning, so we were super excited. He said $13 and I literally dug everything out of my wallet and came up with a little over $9. He was so nice, he said it was fine and took it. I'm really grateful for that act of Christlike kindness. He had no idea who we were but he was still willing to just take it. As a result, we were able to talk to a lot of people by offering them strawberries. When you have something, you share it right? 

Well, it's the same with the gospel. 

This gospel is fresh. It's good. For everyone. We have it. Are we going to keep it to ourselves? No. That's not the point. When Jesus was on the Earth, he gave everything to everyone. It didn't matter who it was. In fact, he sought those who had nothing and tried to give to them. They still had agency to accept or reject, but ultimately they were given the opportunity. That's all we are asked to do, share. And if God asked you to do something, would you? I sure hope so. 

Anyways. I guess I'm a little grumpy from last week. But it'll be better this week. If not I'll make it so. I appreciate you all- your prayers are definitely carrying me, along with the Lord. I'll send pictures next week too (hahaahah)

Love you all!

Sister Kwan

Sweating's ok if you like swimming

This week's shout out goes out to Brentwood corn. It's seriously good. 

Seriously though, if it gets any hotter, I might die.

On the flip-side, I think sweating is making us lose weight. Sis Lutui was saying how if you wear a garbage bag while you run (like in Silver Linings Playbook) then you lose weight super fast because it's hot. I guess I'm ok with it but it's only a little like drowning. 

This week we met Sandy. When she saw Sister Lutui, she ran up to her and hugged her and wouldn't let go. Needless to say, she's one of the people who remembered Sister Lutui from a year ago (did I ever say that? She was "born" here a year ago when we first got here.) Sandy's prepared for baptism, but she refuses to do it because she hasn't received a spiritual confirmation. Hopefully she will soon.  

We had some great lessons with Craig. His biggest thing is that he isn't willing to change his lifestyle because he's comfortable. Along with that, he feels like the atonement is too good to be true. Like getting something for nothing. Which is understandable. He did say that if he knew this gospel was true, that he would want it for his daughters. Which is good, but really he should want it for himself... but he is so nice. He really is interested in learning more and finding truth. 

We met James this week! It was super cool because we just walked right up to him, and he was looking for a church. That doesn't normally happen. He said he would talk to his wife about us coming back. We haven't yet, but we will definitely follow up. He loves his family and really cares about finding a good church for his kids, so we are excited!

Then we met another sister in the ward with her 2 kids. She told us she's getting induced on Monday, so we are super excited to meet her baby girl! We were talking to her kids about prayer and it was like this

McKenna: Daddy's rude when Gavin prays at dinner time!

Us: Why?

McKenna: Daddy eats! 

  

One of our members who doesn't come out to church a lot had us over for dinner. She lives in "Disco Bay" and she lives on the water. So I will attach pictures. It's pretty awesome. It's SO pretty out there. And I have a bunch of videos to attach. (One time Google caught me before I sent it because I said I needed to attach something. Hopefully I'll remember this time. Ha.) 

Went to Why I Believe because Kim was speaking! She is doing so well. I love her. But there were so many missionaries there! Sister Meredith asked us all to go up and sing "Called to Serve" at the end. It was messy. But a spiritual mess. It was a really great night. We brought someone who comes to church only sometimes and she really enjoyed it. Only she might've gotten a concussion the other day and was experiencing the effects of it while we were there. But she got a priesthood blessing and it helped a little. I think. 

This week's thought is about trusting in the Lord's timing. Sis Tsan, who's serving in Alamo 1st and 2nd, told me that Fulvia is getting baptized! I just looked it up and I don't think I've ever written about her before, but she's a Russian lady that I taught in Alamo 2nd a year ago. She's getting baptized this Saturday! So I'm really excited for her, even though I haven't seen her in a year. But I just think about how we were able to set the pace for her. The first time we met her, she asked us how we knew the church was true. I still remember that today. And she was so nice. Obviously I wish she had been baptized while we were there, but everything happens in God's time. It's hard to wait, but there's always a lesson attached to it. And whatever we do, it's for a wise purpose. Not our purpose, but His purpose. 

Hope you are all doing great! Love you all. 

Sister Kwan

Prayers and Painkillers

This week's shout out goes out to all the missionaries on bike. I don't know how you do it, but holy cow. 

So the title and the shout out all go together, but I'm going to save that for the end because that's like the best and worst part of the week. 

525,600 minutes. That's right. That's a year (says Rent). And that's happening June 5th. It's kind of crazy to believe that it's been so long! We're definitely on the downhill and I can feel it. Time flies so quickly. 

A member referred us to her neighbor, Marilyn. Little did we know that her family would be so open! I missed the lesson because I was on exchanges in the Spanish program, but it sounded like it was wonderful. Honestly, they sound so prepared. She wants to fix her marriage and get her kids involved in a church. And she asked us for a priesthood blessing. Who does that?? She's so awesome. They have a strong testimony of prayer and they have great family values. I'm super stoked to meet with them!

Meanwhile, I was on exchanges with an unnamed Hermana. It's kind of crazy sitting there and hearing a lesson in another language and then have them all turn to you. I just decided to smile. And bear my testimony. But that was really my only contribution haha it was fun though! The reason I'm leaving her unnamed is because I kind of have a bone to pick with her. We start the exchanges in a meeting where we talk about what we want to work on, and one of the Sister Trainers says, "You know, I feel prompted to say this, but we don't need to be cookie cutter missionaries. We can be ourselves AND be obedient." I liked that. A lot. However, the other Sister Trainer, who I was with, did not understand that. I HATE when people are fake. I can't deal with that. And so it was kind of an uncomfortable exchange because I was on my toes the whole time. I'll probably still get in a little bit of trouble because well. If you squeeze a tube of toothpaste, you can't put it back in, right? :) 

So here's the best part. This week, I overcame my fears and rode a bike. It's literally been at least 10 years. If you don't know why, you should definitely consider asking me sometime, because it's a good story. The Elders needed to take our care to Oakland, so we figured. Eh. We need to work. Let's do it. At least now I know that I'm in a lot better shape than I thought. And who ever said stationary bikes are anything like real life? That was a lie. So this trip is supposed to be 6 miles round trip. However, no one said anything about it being completely uphill. And we got lost. And it was way hot. And thus we set out to go and do service. Luckily we got to wear shorts, because the bike was too big for me. We did it, and we survived. Partially. 

That night, we get to dinner and my legs start tingling. It started in my knees and went up into my thighs. And when we got home that night I literally thought I was going to die. At that point, I felt like if I cut off my legs, I'd probably be in better shape, because it hurt like. I can't even compare, but either way, it was more than anything I've ever known. And there I was, dying. And I got down and started kneeling to pray, and I said, "Heavenly Father. I know you know how much this hurts, so I hope you know how much I need help right now too." And so I prayed. And we got some painkillers too. But the next morning, I woke up and holy cow. It was as if nothing's happened. Ever. No pain. At all. And I haven't felt any since. Which really shows the power of prayer. It's never worked so quick for me, but when I needed it, there it was. How blessed we are.

Love you all

Sister Kwan