I JUST LOVE THE GOSPEL!!

Welp!!! It is here! I will leave Corning tomorrow! I'm headed to Colusa. It's in the Yuba City Zone! It's about 2ish hours from here. So it will be super excited!! And the AWESOME part! So my companion is Sister Duncan! She and Sister Seely were actually companions! I've head awesome things about her! I talked to her one the phone earlier today and I'm super excited! Sister Fitzgerald will do a killer job taking on Corning! We have also heard great things about her new comp Sister Heder. So!! Another adventure begins!! But not yet... I'm still in Corning! I have to soak in the time I have left! Haha. But let's talk about the week, shall we! 

So this week we were able to see Kodi almost everyday. We first taught her about Repentance and then the Law of Chastity, had her interview, as she called it "before-baptism-dinner" and then Sunday was her baptism. It's just been so amazing to watch her grow. I'm so blessed to have been there from start to baptism. She had literally given up her sins to know God. She gave up smoking, coffee, tea, she comes to church every Sunday, reads the Book Of Mormon, does kneeling prayers, studies the heck outta the pamphlets we give her, she has repented. She just has completely done a 180.. wow. I'm just so dumbfounded when this happens. I was pondering the other day about a change of heart. How can we CONSTANTLY have that change of heart? How can we always feel that conviction that our recent converts feel or even when we truly repent and feel that undeniable power of the Atonement? How do we always feel the gospels truth and power in our lives? 

Welp, let's talk about Kodi's baptism..... I wish I were more excited to tell this story. Why you ask? Let's just say it almost didn't happen...  so.. this is how it went down. So you must know that where Kodi and Pat live is about 15-20 minutes away from the church. So Pat tried to get his truck started. He got 2 feet and it completely died... COMPLETELY!!! She told us that the battery totally is done... so Pat is basically in tears and Kodi is upset, .   Long story short they were finally able to make it to the church, the baptism was an hour and a half late starting, some of the wardies had to leave, but the most importantly Kodi was finally baptized!!!  She and Pat were so HAPPY!!  I am so proud of her!!! Righteousness won!!!

It was super cool. So we found these people last Sunday and they didn't seem super interested. But Sister Fitz really felt prompted to go see them. So we did and we caught them just as they were about to leave. Her name is Sara, his is Marty and his sisters name is Elizabeth. They said they wanted us to come back later. So we set a time and it all worked out perfectly with what we got caught up doing and when they got home. It was so cool. We taught all 3 of them the restoration and they totally felt the spirit. And THEY ASKED if they could come to church!!! Oh man!!!! I love it when that happens!!  it was so cool tho! It just goes to show that we are doing the Lords work. And when we realize that and follow the spirit we will always be doing His will and find who He has prepared for us. It's so cool to see these kinda things happen! I love missionary work!!  

Something that I really found interesting. So we were visiting a less active and her daughter happened to be there. Now, you must know that this less active lady had told Sister Seely and I months ago that she instituted the Sacrament at home. So with that being said, there are things obviously not right there. But her daughter was just going on and on, talking a million miles an hour, about how all these people are so deceived and a certain huge religion has the devil at the head of it. And she was just saying that the Bible was so true it's just that all these people are deceived. Then she goes on to say that she has "the Lord in her life". Then she would say that there was no way Noah could've gotten all those animals on one boat. So she said that he must've gotten all of their DNA and that's what they meant but all the animals. But then she said "well, then where would he have gotten the DNA from?" It was just crazy... she went on and on about "holy men" and if they were really holy they wouldn't need a bulletproof car to drive around in, that God would just protect them.. Then we finally got a word in about Joseph Smith and she was like "oh, didn't he restore the Lutheran church?" Hahaha.... it was quite the visit... the words of the Savior kept coming to mind when He said "they draw near unto me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." That's exactly how these ladies were.. it just blows my mind how so many people can say that they know Jesus then completely reject Him and His teachings. It never ceases to amaze me! 

Going along with things that never cease to amaze me!!! So... this happened with Felicia ('gator on date for 1-1-17 Baptism) and Michelle (girl with epilepsy that wants to get baptized). So we were teaching them the law of chastity, at separate times of course. But we explain that it entails not living with someone before marriage. Well, after we explain it and even talked about "buying the Home" vs. "renting the home" and that it comes with investment and when things go wrong your gonna fix it when you buy it. But when you rent, it's not going to be a priority because you may not be there for long anyway. So, you see, we asked them if they had questions and they both said no. Then they just go on about how they plan to live with their boyfriends/fiancés... BAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! IT MAKES ME CRAZY!! They want to be baptized but they don't understand that in order to be worthy of baptism, they have to live these laws and they are COVENANTING WITH GOD that they will obey FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!!!... I just can't believe it... it blows my mind how blind with world is... Satan is doing a heck of a job... 

But!! One a happier note!! We had the ward Halloween party this week and it was HILARIOUS!!!! Kodi came IN A MINION ONEZIE!! Hahahahaha!!!!!  oh man, I just love her!! Hahah! She also carved a pumpkin that said "I ️ Jesus" on it... hahahah!! Oh I love Kodi...  then Tiana came too and she latched on to one of the members and afterwards she was asking about Tiana.... so, Tiana has the mindset of a 10 year old. Haha. So. Yeah... haha. Sister Reid was concerned for her... but yeah! Then Brother Day!! Oh man! He's a funny guy! He dressed up like a pumpkin! He put on an orange shirt and cut out jack-o-lantern shapes and stuck them on! Then he's like "Sisters, I need a picture with you two!" Haha. So don't worry, there will pictures come out the wazoo this week!  super fun time!! 

Well, the spiritual thought today is from studies today. Ahh!!! I just LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!!! Can't deny it's truth!! But in 3 Nephi 15, Jesus talks about His sheep. Well, I LOVED  what it said in the institute manual about this! It was just a random commentator who said this but it is amazing!! 

"By day and by night the shepherd is always with his sheep. … This was necessary on account of the exposed nature of the land, and the presence of danger from wild animals and robbers. One of the most familiar and beautiful sights of the East is that of the shepherd leading his sheep to the pasture. … He depends upon the sheep to follow, and they in turn expect him never to leave them. … As he is always with them, and so deeply interested in them, the shepherd comes to know his sheep very intimately. … One day a missionary, meeting a shepherd on one of the wildest parts of the Lebanon, asked him various questions about his sheep, and among others if he counted them every night. On answering that he did not, he was asked how he knew if they were all there or not. His reply was, ‘Master, if you were to put a cloth over my eyes, and bring me any sheep and only let me put my hands on its face, I could tell in a moment if it was mine or not’” (George M. Mackie, Bible Manners and Customs [n.d.], 33, 35).

Love that!! Also, I read in 3 Nephi 17. This is my very favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. Ah! It just is so amazing.. so it's Jesus blessing the little children.. again in the institute manual, Sister Michaelene P. Grassli tells of Spencer W. Kimball's amazing experience visiting some members in Chile. Here's what she said:

 “One of the greatest expressions of love for children that I have seen occurred when I was serving as a stake president in Chile. President Spencer W. Kimball visited Chile for an area conference. Members of the Church from four countries met together in a stadium that held about fifteen thousand people. We asked President Kimball what he would like to do after the conference. His eyes full of tears, he said, ‘I would like to see the children.’ One of the priesthood leaders announced over the microphone that President Kimball would like to shake the hands or bless each of the children in the stadium. The people were astounded--there was a great silence. President Kimball greeted about two thousand children one by one, crying as he shook their hands or kissed them or put his hands on their heads and blessed them. The children were very reverent and looked at him and cried too. He said he’d never felt this kind of spirit in his life. It was a tremendous moment in the lives of all the Church members there” (Janet Peterson and Eduardo Ayala, “Friend to Friend,” Friend, Mar. 1996, 6–7).

I just love the gospel. I'm so grateful to have to knowledge and the light that it brings. I would be nothing without my Savior. I'm so grateful for His compassion and His love towards all of us. I know He Lives and I know this is His gospel. This is the way back Him. HE is the way back home. Only through Him will we live again as we did before this life. It's all true. How blessed are we to have to fullness of the truth. 

Thanks for all you guys do!! I love ya a lot! And thanks for sending the package!! I haven't gotten it yet because it's at the mission office but within the next couple days!! It will so nice because my feet won't be soaked all the time! Haha.! 

Love, 

Sister Hood

Ps...Fun fact: Juicy fruit gum will blow up voles and gophers!  

As we were talking about this Kodi said "Well, if they blew up above ground the bright side is you wouldn't even have to decorate for Halloween!!" HAHA!! She's hilarious! 

 

PHOTOS FOR YOUR PLEASURE AND ENJOYMENT!

Love Visiting Sister Knowles & Her Cute PUPPY!!

MY THRONE IN CORNING!!

SISTER HOOD ~ SISTER FITZGERALD & MAX
STINKS FOR YOU GUSSY!!

RAIN ~ RAIN ~ GO AWAY!!  OUR FEET ARE PICKLED!!
SISTER HOOD & SISTER FITZGERALD

KODI'S BEAUTIFUL BAPTISM DAY
FEELING BLESSED TO BE WITH HER TODAY!!
SISTER FITZ ~ KODI ~ SISTER HOOD

SISTER LEQUIA ~ SISTER HOOD ~ BROTHER LEQUIA
SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE ~ LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!

OLIVE ORCHARDS ~ YUMMY YUM!!

GOOFY GIRLIES!!
SISTER HOOD ~ SISTER FITZGERALD ~ KODI

#BAPTIZINGNATIONS

Hey Fammmm & Friends!!

No, the weather isn't really super cold. There was a crazy hail storm here earlier this year and a couple tornadoes but apparently that's not normal. I should most likely be transferred down south so I should be good! I'll keep y'all posted on that next week!! 

Well... anywho... I'm glad all is well in Farmington. I'm excited for my package. Transfers are next week so hopefully they will just keep it at the mission office!! Thanks for all you guys do!! 

Great things are happening! Crazy that we are having back to back baptisms!! #BaptizingNations. So blessed.. seriously. The longer I'm out here the more I just feel so incredibly blessed! I love my Heavenly Father so much!! 

So we met with Margurate this week! I really really love meeting with her! I just love her! HAH! It's just always so edifying! She feels the spirit and it teaches all of us. She has a bunch of questions about what exactly it means to be "a member" and stuff. So we shared Mosiah 18 with her. It just talks about what we are covenanting and we also shared an awesome quote about why we have the church. The answer is to perfect us as we strive to live Gods laws. But it really resonated with her. We talked about her being baptized and she said that she will get her answer but it's just going to take awhile because she is one to think it through lots and lots of times. Which is good because she understands that it's a huge decision and she needs to be committed to it. I mean these are promises to God we are making here.. She was ready a long time ago though. She will come around, but will y'all just pray for her? Her son Cam is struggling a little in school and she's a single mom and she struggles and she's looking for an answer. Bottom line, she could use the prayers.  she did come to Sacrament Meeting and Nic's baptism! She and Cam bolted before we could talk to them though... 

Oh good ol' Kodi! Hah!! Aw man! She's a riot, let me tell ya! Never a dull moment with this one! But super cool experience during planning. So ya know how we were planning her date to be the 30th. Well, it's hard sometimes to get through a lesson with her so we were kinda wondering if we were going to make it. So we thought about it, talked it out and prayed about it. We came to the conclusion that even 8 year olds get baptized.. they don't need to know the in's and out's of the gospel. They just need to have experiences that tells them this is true. For instance, in the Book Of Mormon the people Alma was teaching by the waters of Mormon, Alma asked them "if this is what you want, to be baptized, what are you waiting for!?!" So they went into the waters of Mormon and were baptized!! They only knew the little bit of what Alma taught them and what they felt in their hearts. This is a powerful and humbling lesson for me.. haha. When someone is ready, by all means! Run with them to the font! 

So. After we talked about this we prayed again and decided to talk to the Zone Leader's to talk about things like the amount of time they need to be living the Word of Wisdom, for example. We found out it is 2 weeks. We were freaking out because Kodi was going to drink some coffee when Sister Trapane got back from Utah because she hates it.. so we called up Kodi and asked her how long it had been since she had coffee or tea! She was like "uhh... a month...". Sister Fitz and I freaked out!! Best news we had heard for a long time!! So we told her about it and that she can't have it if she wants to be baptized on the 30th. We did actually teach it to her too. Haha. It is such a tender mercy that Heavenly Father is letting me be her for both of these baptisms!! So blessed!! Nothing short of a miracle! 

We also had dinner with Kodi, Sister Trapane and Kodi's relatives, Joe and Shannon. It was cool. Joe and Shannon had never heard the Restoration so it was cool to teach them and see them feel the spirit. 

Welp.. I got bit by a STINK'IN dog!! I was so mad.. lemme tell you this story!! So! We were going to visit a less active and they have a fence around their yard and so we opened up the fence and this dumb dog starts growling and being sassy. So I bent down to let him sniff me because usually they are fine after that.. but instead he attacked my STINK'IN leg!!!!! I was so mad... then!!!! I backed up to give him some space and he lunged at me again and I about kicked him but I heard the owner pull up so he just bit my shoe a good one too... it's a dang good thing she pulled up or he would'a been punted across the yard... . 

But.. on a more spiritual note!! I liked this quote! 

The battle for your souls is increasingly fierce. The adversary is strong and cunning. However, you have within your physical body the powerful spirit of a son or daughter of God. Because He loves you and wants you to come home to Him, our Father in Heaven has given you a conscience that tells your spirit when you are keeping the Lord’s commandments and when you are not. If you will pay more attention to your spiritual self, which is eternal, than to your mortal self, which is temporary, you can always resist the temptations of Satan and conquer his efforts to take you into his power” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1993, 5–6; or Ensign, May 1993, 6–7).

We saw Jesus today for lunch and he told us some serious issues are happening with his family situation... so please keep them in your prayers!! 

Nick's baptism was so great!! Aw man! It always hits the feels when someone gets baptized. It was so great. Kodi showed up and she's was having a really hard morning because of a difference in opinion with her family member... but it should all work out... pray for her too.. pretty please.  

Sorry, I don't have a ton for ya this week but I will shoot some pictures over! We do have some pretty funny ideas for Halloween. So stay tuned! Thanks for all the love and support!! Love you guys a lot!! 

Love, 

Sister Hood  

PICTURAS!!!

LOVE THE BEAUTIFUL STAIN GLASS WINDOW OF OUR SAVIOR AND THE LAMBS!!

SPLITZ!!  SISTER HOOD & SISTER FITZ
WE LOVE GETTING TO KNOW OTHER SISTER MISSIONARIES AND SHARING GREAT IDEAS!!

DOES YOUR DOOG BITE?   YESSSS! MY DOOG BITES!!
PA & GRANNY - MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR FRENCH ACCENT~ HAHA!!  FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T GET IT ~ DOES PINK PANTHER RING A BELL?

I LOVE THIS LADY WITH ALL
MY HEART ~ MY SELFIE SISTA!!
SISTER HOOD & SISTER CHAMBER'S

SO MUCH STRENGTH FROM THE ATONEMENT!!

Aw.. it's so good to hear from you guys. I love y'alls. ️

Welp!! Here we are again! Writing/reading the weekly email. Isn't it weird how time just keeps on going! And it goes STINKIN fast sometimes... it's sad because my time here in Corning is coming to an end. But the good news is that there are sooo many great things happening here. 

But first, Mommy I don't need really need my snow boots or my coat cuz It doesn't snow here.. hah!! Just my regular boots and warm clothes will be awesome.  also, I will be transferred Nov. 1st, so what ever you think is better for sending the package.  I'm excited to get it though! I feel like I wear the same outfits over and over..  so it will be nice to switch it up. 

My first day when I was talking to President Marston, he shared with me Doctrine and Covenants 31. In verse 5 it says that if we thrust in our sickles with ALL YOUR SOUL, and in the next verse it says to declare the word for a little time and I (the Lord) will prepare a place for them... Pres. told me and there is a place held there wide open for everyone to jump in. We also have to our part. Which is keeping our covenants and thrusting in our sickles with our WHOLE SOULS. That's what is going to bring all of his children in, if not now, later for sure. I have faith that one day our loved ones that are lost will find their way once again. I know one day our whole family will be sitting together in the temple one day... I feel that that's true. The Spirit has promised me that several times.. 

Anywho! Let's get on with it shall we! So! The highlights of the week!! We have 2 baptisms coming right up!! And no... I did not forget to tell you about these.. they both picked a date this week... hah! So.. it will be crazy.. so Kodi is getting baptized on the 30th! She's pretty close to ready I think. We prayed that it would happen if it was Heavenly Father's will and lo and behold! Here we are counting down! We still have a lot to teach her! But we are mainly focusing on the most Important things. And it makes things interesting when we are really trying to help her understand everything and she is off the wall doing whatever... patience is becoming a thing... but!! The other almost member is Nick! He is 9. He is different from the Nick that looked like the lost puppy. But he is pretty cute. Haha. He shoulda been baptized a year ago but his mom/grandma didn't think he was ready.. his date is 23rd... and no, not of November.. haha. I mean this coming Sunday,. Hah!! So stressful.. but he's a sponge so we will be good. So yeah!! Those are the highlights! 

Ron dropped us yesterday... oh my gosh... I literally cried.... he called us during ward council and left a message saying that he didn't want to bother with the church thing right now... it broke my heart.. ah!! We had such a great lesson on the Atonement and HE CRIED!!!!! BAHHH!! Stupid Satan.... I really did cry though.. it was so sad.  but, ya know, we are johnny-appleseed-isn't it up out here. Hah! Good one, eh? 

We had a lesson with Margurate. That was great. Aw! I just love her!! I held Wilma. Haha... you'll see who Wilma is.  but she was telling us that she just keeps feeling this resonating feeling when we meet with her. It just stays with her.. we try to help her recognize that it's the spirit. And she did but it hasn't quite clicked with her yet. She's a slow cooker but she'll come around  

So we had interviews with President this week. That was great! Ah! He is just so loving and so wise. I love hearing his thoughts. But I told him about some weird things that have been happening in our home... like one night, Sister Fitz just went to bed because she wasn't feeling well. So I was just sitting at my desk reading my signing journal and I kept hearing noises in the kitchen and nothing was there. Then suddenly I would feel a presence standing right behind me. I would turn around and nothing was there.. it FREAKED me out!! Of course I prayed and whatnot, but the uneasiness I felt didn't go away. I woke up like 4 times during the night and wandered around the house. It just felt wrong... then during comp study the next day, Sister Fitz read something that reminded her of her dream she had where she was casting out devils..... I about lost it.. haha. And it had been getting progressively worse as time has gone on. so. I brought that up with Pres. We talked about it and he advised us to have our Ward Mission Leader bless our home and maybe give us blessings too. So. That's what happened yesterday. It feels so much better. But in our closing prayer he asked that legions of angels would stand as sentinels guarding our home and watching over it that nothing dark would be able to enter in. I thought that was SOOO powerful!! Man.. super cool. So yeah! That was great! I always enjoy my time with President Marston! 

We also went on exchanges on Saturday. That was good... I prefer to just my own thing in my area but it's always good to learn from other Sisters. I like my companion though.. Haha. We flow well together and we just work well together. And that's how it was with Sister Seely too. I just don't like exchanges a whole lot! Nevertheless!!! I feel not to murmur. I will go and do the things which the Lord commanded.  

Well, Sister Fitz and I were talking about sacrifice and service yesterday. I love what she said. She said that it's not really a service or sacrifice unless it hurts a little. It's so true!! Service is a sacrifice. And what's the pointing of sacrificing something if it doesn't even hurt a little. It wouldn't even be a sacrifice... anyway. I just liked that. So we are trying to give more to those around us. So it will be fun. 

Oh!! Yesterday we spoke in Sacrament... oh good ghandi.. I was freaking out all week. Because there is ZERO time to do anything but teach people.. haha. But I am glad to say that it went pretty well. ️ They asked us to talk about one talk from General Conference. So I chose The Master Healer from the Women's session. It spoke to me. Love just anything that has to do with Jesus!  so I will attach my talk if y'all are bored and miss me.  hah!! But Sister Fitz talked about Elder Bednars talk, If Ye Had Known Me or something... but apparently there were tears in the congregation and our talks touched a guy who had come for the first time in years and years. Brother Lequia said that he walked out crying because it was right down his alley. I prayed like crazy to touch someone's heart, that the spirit would speak through me. And it did apparently. And I feel very inadequate when I have to speak, so of course I asked Heavenly Father to make my weaknesses become strong. So, everybody said we did really well. So that was a major tender mercy. I feel so much strength come from the Atonement. It's just such a blessing. 

Welp! That's about all I got for ya!! I love you guys a lot and I'm so grateful for each of you and the impact you have had on my life. Especially, you, mom and dad. If you weren't strong I wouldn't be either. But one thing I learned from Zone Meeting this week is that everything we have as members of the church is because of the First Vision. Think about it, it will blow you away.  well. I love ya! Have a great week!! 

Love, 

Sister Hood

PHOTOS FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT!!

MEET WILMA!!
 I HAVE TO BE BRAVE AS A MISSIONARY!!

SO PRETTY!!  

YUMMY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!
WE ARE SO LOVED BY THE PEOPLE HERE!!

HE HAS BLESSED ME IN MY LIFE..JUST WOW!!

Hey Fam!! 

So.. one thing I need! I possible.. so since we have to be in early on Halloween, we wanted to make Zebra Popcorn and celebrate our own way!!  So could you include melting chocolates and other ingredients in in the package? Or if not, I can just buy it. But we really wanted to make.. 

Missionary life is awesome. It's hard sometimes because I really love my bed and 6:30 is so early. It seems earlier when it's dark, but what a blessing it is to serve the Lord full time. I am realizing that more and more. Well, the 'gators are doing well. We have 5 progressing right now: Felicia, Kodi, Margurate, Angelica, and Michelle. Lily Burrell and Felicia are on date. The Burrell's are the family we have been trying to get to church for ages. But since Sister Burrell was offended 15 years ago or something they haven't been back... isn't that so so sad!! She is forfeiting the blessings Heavenly Father wants to give her family. Not to mention her responsibility as a parent to rear her children in righteousness... it's so hard...  But it's part of being a missionary. When dealing with peoples agency sometimes ya wanna run screaming into the night... but that's where charity comes in! Which I am still lacking.... Haha.. good thing the Atonement is real. We are now teaching Sister Mcka's grandsons, Nick and Max. They are such good boys! So polite! 

But it was a good week. This week I did feel a little off, just not quite myself. I kind of think it has to do with recent changes in my life.... but! It doesn't matter because I'm back to me now!  Man... We were just going somewhere and were listening to this song by Nashville Tribute about the Book Of Mormon. We were just listening to the words and I just felt such joy about the Celestial Kingdom.. but because He already redeemed us we now can live forever and ever with our families in Their presence!!! I just don't understand why I am so blessed while others have to struggle so hard. It just blows me away how He has blessed me in my life.. just wow. 

It was really a super powerful testimony meeting this week. I cried.. and I never cry.. hardly ever. The Spirit was just so strong.. I just felt so good!! Kodi, Michelle, Sister Bingham, Sister Mcka and the boys came (who we have started preparing for baptism), Brother Pepper came (we tracted into him, he's recently returning..). And Austin was there and he got the Priesthood!!

Ah! It was just amazing... Sister Fitzgerald got up and bore her testimony and shared 2 Ne. 9:10. Which is so powerful!! It says: "O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit." It goes along with what I was talking about before and she tied it into the sacrament and aw man.. it hit the feels.. I just feel so grateful. There were people who just said that they were so grateful for us and stuff. I didn't even realize we meant so much to them.. it's just a blessing. Then in M C Meeting they compared us (Sister Seely, Fitz and I) to Sister Johnson and Sister Smith... that is a HUGE compliment.. they were the first sisters here after a long time and they totally turned it around.. so that was really awesome to hear. Ahh!!! I just love Corning.. 

Hah!! For my bug story this week, it was worse than the one with Maryann. Well lemme tell you this story! So Sister Tranpane feeds us every Tuesday and invites Kodi and her hubby Pat over too. Well Sister Trapane had to head over to Utah for some reason so she let us know that Someone offered to feed us for the 2 weeks she is gone. Well, to be completely honest, I was a little terrified because I know Someone has 39 animals in her little trailer... a snake named Fred, 3 dogs, 4 cats, 3 toads, rats and mice.. how many? Way to many to count... But little did I know that there were many more than 39 that she neglected to tell us... So there we were standing there for an hour and a half watching her make alfredo spaghetti, garlic bread and kabobs. Yes, an hour and a half. That's way longer than actually eating  and our spiritual thought is supposed to take... She did turn on some ASL videos about the Bible for us. Just in case we wanted to learn the Bible song in sign language I guess.. hahaha!!! When that was over we just continued to watch her cook. She threw the kabobs in the oven and left them in for WAAAYYY too long.. hahaha! It seriously was like charcoal.. she was like "Hubby! Do you think these are done?" He was like "Yeah Honey.. very done.."  She went on bragging about her culinary experience as she poured bottled alfredo sauce into the browned beef that her hubby cooked... hahah!!!! Ohh .. But that wasn't even bad compared to the bug adventures.

So as she is cooking we would hear SMACK on the counter and she would slowly slide her hand off and wipe it on her pants... we looked at each other like "Oh no..." we tried not to laugh. That happened several times. Then out of the corner of my eye I see this thing move across the wall.... I looked over and this massive cockroach was running across. Then I just happened to look into the open cupboard and there was a monster in there... it was seriously MASSIVE... I had to turn around and take a big swig of my Coke. It was seriously like one of those horror movies.. haha! Then I heard SMACK! followed by the squeak of her hand and the ruffle of her pants as she wiped off the roach guts. Then next thing I know she reaches into drawer where her spatula was, she grabbed it and wiped it on her pants and then STIRRED THE SAUCE!!!!!!!! It took all of my being to not freak a leak... lemme tell ya!! That went on all night... she pulled everything out wrapped it in plastic wrap (thank goodness). But even then it didn't stop her "friends" from getting to the bread.. thank goodness Sister Fitzgerald was watching or I would have picked the nasty one.... who knows how much "extra protein" was added to that meal.. I don't want to know.

So we sat down and talked over our lovely meal (which I'm sincerely grateful for)... nice view of the snake staring me down and the mice and rats squeaking and climbing on the cage.. it was terrible.. then she announced that she had desert!!! Ohhh boy... I had had PLENTY to eat.. Nonetheless you can't refuse her "creations". So she piled on a massive heap of something with "crazy" in the same.. It actually wasn't bad until ya got to the canned fruit.. Sister Fitz distracted her while it mysteriously disappeared... I know I know! I need to repent for that.. she will still receive blessings as if I had eaten it. Then she called her hubby in and asked him to pull Fred out to play.... and he did. I held Fred. There are pictures. That was kinda scary and awesome at the same time.. but yeah! There's your story of the week... there will be more next week because she is making us stuffed peppers for dinner on Tuesday.. and like 5 other days this month.. so stay tuned.  

Wow! We had such a great time with Sister Knowles. She is a Less-Active lady we have been visiting for a long, long time. Her heart was quite hardened and she had a really hard time with the Book Of Mormon but is super into the Bible. But in Washington, several years ago she was baptized and went to the temple. Now she has totally turned her back on it. So that breaks my heart every time. We have showed her scriptures that go hand in hand with the Bible and it started to soften her heart. But this week we have been visiting her pretty often and we just go over and take her dog out, we bought her flowers because for the 26 years she was married, or any other time in her life she had never gotten flowers from someone..  and she asked us to get her a watch she really wanted and she would give us money. But I just saw it and got it for her. It really was no big deal. We just talked to her and asked her about her husband who has now passed away. Ya know, just serving her. She bought us pizza for lunch and stuff and that was great. She told us yesterday that she wanted to come to church with us in November when her knee heals because she just had surgery... I was flabbergasted.... we have tried and tried and tried and tried and we got her to a linger longer once.. but now she is telling us she actually wants to come to church... it really opened my eyes to the importance of Christlike service.. we don't need to keep poking and prodding to get someone to come. All we have to do is just love them and serve them and the Spirit will touch their hearts and bring them back... it's so amazing. I'm just so grateful to have learned that lesson because that's what we need to do with the Burrell's too. Just love them and have fun with them and show them that they aren't just a project. But that's the best thing I learned this week. 

Things North Cal peeps don't understand:

1. What stop signs are... 
2. When you inch towards the door, it DOES NOT mean keep talking! I'm dying to hear your random whatever!!...
3. When you are ending a conversation. So either they follow you while you walk away or they just corner you and make you listen to their story...
4. Just because you use soap and water, doesn't mean it's clean... 
5. That bras or belts are a very important part of a wardrobe... 
6. When you are looking steadfastly at the teacher/speaker it means you want to listen.. not keep talking.. 

These are just some of the things we deal with everyday...  oh how I love Corning... 

Love ya peeps!!  have a great week.  Love you guys! 

Love, 

Sister Hood