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3 years already?
11 years ago
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Another Snowy Day in NYC!
Hello again from NYC!
It is snowing like crazy... I swear there is more snow this winter than last. Luckily, this year I have some good snow boots so I am staying A LOT more dry than last year. Last year I had to put plastic bags on my feet, ghetto I know! But yeah, we have been super cold here the last week! (Gosh, I am always talking about the weather... I am so lame!) But besides the cold, we are doing really well. Like I said, the work is picking up a lot in this area now and so we are SO grateful for that. I love having appointments to go to and feeling as that we are able to help people. Having busy days just makes the work so great!
We had a couple of cool miracles this week that have been so wonderful. First, we had a former investigator show up at church. She had never been taught by us but we had tried to go look her up right when Hna. Anderson got here. She was really cool but super busy so we never had the chance to teach her. The last couple of weeks, every time we would pass by her apartment, Hna. Anderson and I would mention her and always just have her on our minds. So then on Sunday, she showed up to church with a member. It was so cool! We have an appointment with her on Saturday. She stayed for all three hours and was participating in class! We are excited to see how that works out.
We continue to teach Cesar and he is progressing just wonderfully towards baptism. It has been soo cool to see him willing accept the commandments and follow them even if they are hard for him. Our last appointment he prayed and it was such a great prayer. I just love hearing people pour out their souls to their Heavenly Father. It is such a sweet experience.
In our district meetings we are reviewing the new lessons that they will be teaching in the MTC. They are AWESOME! Every time we have them I get some new insight on how I can help specific investigators, I love it! Elder Torres is our district leader and he does such a good job. We just love these meetings.
So here is a fun story: The other day a less active member asked us to come over to help move some stuff in her apartment. We showed up and she said that we weren't strong enough so we needed to call the elders and have them help. So we call them, wait for like 45 minutes and then she has them move like three super small boxes (we could have moved them just fine) It was pretty funny. Then she had each of us missionaries pray... but pray for something different. Hna. Anderson and Elder Martin and I could just NOT hold it in... it was so funny! We were all laughing so hard, but so was our member. Now retelling this story, it's really not that funny, but it was really funny in the moment. Wow, I am no longer funny. Ha... sorry guys!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Remember the help the missionaries in your area and share that testimony you have. I know this is Gods work here on the earth! I love it with all my heart!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
It is snowing like crazy... I swear there is more snow this winter than last. Luckily, this year I have some good snow boots so I am staying A LOT more dry than last year. Last year I had to put plastic bags on my feet, ghetto I know! But yeah, we have been super cold here the last week! (Gosh, I am always talking about the weather... I am so lame!) But besides the cold, we are doing really well. Like I said, the work is picking up a lot in this area now and so we are SO grateful for that. I love having appointments to go to and feeling as that we are able to help people. Having busy days just makes the work so great!
We had a couple of cool miracles this week that have been so wonderful. First, we had a former investigator show up at church. She had never been taught by us but we had tried to go look her up right when Hna. Anderson got here. She was really cool but super busy so we never had the chance to teach her. The last couple of weeks, every time we would pass by her apartment, Hna. Anderson and I would mention her and always just have her on our minds. So then on Sunday, she showed up to church with a member. It was so cool! We have an appointment with her on Saturday. She stayed for all three hours and was participating in class! We are excited to see how that works out.
We continue to teach Cesar and he is progressing just wonderfully towards baptism. It has been soo cool to see him willing accept the commandments and follow them even if they are hard for him. Our last appointment he prayed and it was such a great prayer. I just love hearing people pour out their souls to their Heavenly Father. It is such a sweet experience.
In our district meetings we are reviewing the new lessons that they will be teaching in the MTC. They are AWESOME! Every time we have them I get some new insight on how I can help specific investigators, I love it! Elder Torres is our district leader and he does such a good job. We just love these meetings.
So here is a fun story: The other day a less active member asked us to come over to help move some stuff in her apartment. We showed up and she said that we weren't strong enough so we needed to call the elders and have them help. So we call them, wait for like 45 minutes and then she has them move like three super small boxes (we could have moved them just fine) It was pretty funny. Then she had each of us missionaries pray... but pray for something different. Hna. Anderson and Elder Martin and I could just NOT hold it in... it was so funny! We were all laughing so hard, but so was our member. Now retelling this story, it's really not that funny, but it was really funny in the moment. Wow, I am no longer funny. Ha... sorry guys!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Remember the help the missionaries in your area and share that testimony you have. I know this is Gods work here on the earth! I love it with all my heart!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
Friday, January 21, 2011
Stardate: 32.817
Well, so let me tell you that I asked the Elders for a creative subject and this was the most creative... thanks Elder Sather. I guess it's from Star Trek.... anyway, moving on....
This week has just been great! We have felt 1000% better so I feel great about that and we were able to have so much success this last week! I was talking to my District Leader the week before and he said, "Don't worry Sis. Passantino, whenever we have bad weeks, it's because good weeks are coming." Boy was he right! This week has just been wonderful! So for the highlights of the week:
First of all, on Thursday we met with a lady we tracted into named Daisy. We had tracted into her about a week before and she told us to come back. We did and he had SUCH a good first lesson with her. She knows a couple people who are members of the church and she wants to know what it is all about. She had seen some advertisements on the TV for the youth of the church and she knew that it must be good because we want to help the youth so much. She is so great! The spirit was so strong and she is ready and willing to do what she needs to do to receive and answer to her prayers. I love lessons like that. They just pump you up for the rest of the week. She is so great and I am so excited to see her progress. The Lord really does lead us to the prepared people, we just have to find them and follow the spirit. As long as we are working hard we will see miracles. Man, she is so cool. She even committed to reading the Book of Mormon for one hour every day (a goal she set for herself). I am just so excited!
Then on Sunday, I got a call for a missionary in the Bronx. He said he had a referral for us and gave us the information. It was for a guy that had come to church in the Bronx a couple times but lives in our area. On Sunday one of our appointments canceled on us so we went by his house. He is so cool and really prepared. He accepted a baptismal date for Feb 12. His name is Cesar and he is just so cool. We have taught him a couple times since then and he has loved it! I just love when people know that it is true and can feel of the spirit in their houses. Oh man, we are so excited about it!
On Friday we got invited to go to Mission Counsel in Sacrsdale. It is usually for the Zone leaders and District Leaders but for some reason a couple of sisters were invited to go! It was great. As usual, I love being in meetings like that with President Smith. I know he leads this mission under the direction of our Heavenly Father. It was a great surprise to go. We found out the morning of the meeting so we traveled to Scarsdale that day and had a great time. The spirit was strong and it was great to be motivated to get out there and keep going! Plus I got to see some of my favorite missionaries which was wonderful! I loved it!
Hna. Anderson and I have been having a blast together. The other day while tracting we did a slow motion fight in the hallway. We thought it was so funny! We also do the hoicks pocus witch walk while walking down the street... don't worry, it's while no one is watching. Then one morning we were standing in front of the mirror getting ready and at the same time did the same dance move to the EFY song... so funny! We just get along so well. I have been best friends with every companion I have had. I feel so blessed!
Well, I love you all so much! Thanks for all the love that I get from you all, especially the ones that write me faithfully :) Have an amazing week!
Con amor- Hermana Passantino
This week has just been great! We have felt 1000% better so I feel great about that and we were able to have so much success this last week! I was talking to my District Leader the week before and he said, "Don't worry Sis. Passantino, whenever we have bad weeks, it's because good weeks are coming." Boy was he right! This week has just been wonderful! So for the highlights of the week:
First of all, on Thursday we met with a lady we tracted into named Daisy. We had tracted into her about a week before and she told us to come back. We did and he had SUCH a good first lesson with her. She knows a couple people who are members of the church and she wants to know what it is all about. She had seen some advertisements on the TV for the youth of the church and she knew that it must be good because we want to help the youth so much. She is so great! The spirit was so strong and she is ready and willing to do what she needs to do to receive and answer to her prayers. I love lessons like that. They just pump you up for the rest of the week. She is so great and I am so excited to see her progress. The Lord really does lead us to the prepared people, we just have to find them and follow the spirit. As long as we are working hard we will see miracles. Man, she is so cool. She even committed to reading the Book of Mormon for one hour every day (a goal she set for herself). I am just so excited!
Then on Sunday, I got a call for a missionary in the Bronx. He said he had a referral for us and gave us the information. It was for a guy that had come to church in the Bronx a couple times but lives in our area. On Sunday one of our appointments canceled on us so we went by his house. He is so cool and really prepared. He accepted a baptismal date for Feb 12. His name is Cesar and he is just so cool. We have taught him a couple times since then and he has loved it! I just love when people know that it is true and can feel of the spirit in their houses. Oh man, we are so excited about it!
On Friday we got invited to go to Mission Counsel in Sacrsdale. It is usually for the Zone leaders and District Leaders but for some reason a couple of sisters were invited to go! It was great. As usual, I love being in meetings like that with President Smith. I know he leads this mission under the direction of our Heavenly Father. It was a great surprise to go. We found out the morning of the meeting so we traveled to Scarsdale that day and had a great time. The spirit was strong and it was great to be motivated to get out there and keep going! Plus I got to see some of my favorite missionaries which was wonderful! I loved it!
Hna. Anderson and I have been having a blast together. The other day while tracting we did a slow motion fight in the hallway. We thought it was so funny! We also do the hoicks pocus witch walk while walking down the street... don't worry, it's while no one is watching. Then one morning we were standing in front of the mirror getting ready and at the same time did the same dance move to the EFY song... so funny! We just get along so well. I have been best friends with every companion I have had. I feel so blessed!
Well, I love you all so much! Thanks for all the love that I get from you all, especially the ones that write me faithfully :) Have an amazing week!
Con amor- Hermana Passantino
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Another Snowy Day in NYC!
Hello hello!
Well, here I am emailing from a city covered in white freezing cold, fluffy wet stuff. We are planning a snow day in central park which would be a BLAST and I have wanted to do it since I've gotten here. We just have to wait for the ok from President before a bunch of missionaries take over central park and make a bunch of missionary snow men. Ha ha, I think I am so creative! But you better believe that it will be happening if we get to! If not, maybe I will just make one at a park by our house, although, after seeing Elf, a snowball fight in central park would be a blast as well. But maybe not with the elders, just because they throw hard and I don't feel like getting a snowball to the face!
This last week has been a bit rough for Hna. Anderson and I. We both were hit with some weird sicknesses that took a bit to get over. I think Brian's strep throat got sent to me through the computer! Ha ha, just kidding. I didn't get it near as bad as him but I was down for a bit. I will have to agree on what he says when talking about the blessings of health. It is so wonderful to feel healthy and well so that you can go on and preach the gospel. Luckily, this week we are both feeling a lot better and we are working hard. This week has already started out well and we are excited to see results!
This week we have decided to work on having confidence in our message. Sometimes when we contact people or we go tracting, we just feel like we bugging people and that they just don't care! But this week we have been trying hard to focus on the fact that we have a message that is going to change their lives! "This isn't a high school football game for goodness sakes, this is eternal salvation " (That is a quote Brian used in his last letter to me and I loved it!) We also have been focusing a lot on acting and not "reacting" to different situations. I think a lot of times we blame so much on "what other people do" when in reality, we have the choice to act on our own! No one can make us act or feel one way or another, we get to choose. Isn't that cool? We can always be happy! So, as Hermana Anderson and I walk down the street and get rejected 20 times in a row, we still keep smiles on and keep going, because we can act!
Anyway, I hope everything is going well where all of you are! I heard it is pretty cold all through the US so try to stay warm and I will be doing the same! Thanks for all your love! Until next week...
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
PS: We got to teach a Buddhist guy this last week. It was interesting but he was really nice. We meet to many cool people out here!
Well, here I am emailing from a city covered in white freezing cold, fluffy wet stuff. We are planning a snow day in central park which would be a BLAST and I have wanted to do it since I've gotten here. We just have to wait for the ok from President before a bunch of missionaries take over central park and make a bunch of missionary snow men. Ha ha, I think I am so creative! But you better believe that it will be happening if we get to! If not, maybe I will just make one at a park by our house, although, after seeing Elf, a snowball fight in central park would be a blast as well. But maybe not with the elders, just because they throw hard and I don't feel like getting a snowball to the face!
This last week has been a bit rough for Hna. Anderson and I. We both were hit with some weird sicknesses that took a bit to get over. I think Brian's strep throat got sent to me through the computer! Ha ha, just kidding. I didn't get it near as bad as him but I was down for a bit. I will have to agree on what he says when talking about the blessings of health. It is so wonderful to feel healthy and well so that you can go on and preach the gospel. Luckily, this week we are both feeling a lot better and we are working hard. This week has already started out well and we are excited to see results!
This week we have decided to work on having confidence in our message. Sometimes when we contact people or we go tracting, we just feel like we bugging people and that they just don't care! But this week we have been trying hard to focus on the fact that we have a message that is going to change their lives! "This isn't a high school football game for goodness sakes, this is eternal salvation " (That is a quote Brian used in his last letter to me and I loved it!) We also have been focusing a lot on acting and not "reacting" to different situations. I think a lot of times we blame so much on "what other people do" when in reality, we have the choice to act on our own! No one can make us act or feel one way or another, we get to choose. Isn't that cool? We can always be happy! So, as Hermana Anderson and I walk down the street and get rejected 20 times in a row, we still keep smiles on and keep going, because we can act!
Anyway, I hope everything is going well where all of you are! I heard it is pretty cold all through the US so try to stay warm and I will be doing the same! Thanks for all your love! Until next week...
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
PS: We got to teach a Buddhist guy this last week. It was interesting but he was really nice. We meet to many cool people out here!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Another Round in the City...
Well, our mission is very interesting. We have 4 zones in the city and 3 zones that are upstate. It seems that most missionaries tend to spend most of their time in the city given the names "city missionaries" and the rest in upstate given the names "upstate missionaries". (I know, you are all smart and got that, don't ask me why I spent time explaining it) Anyway, I am once again staying in the City for this transfer which REALLY makes me a "city missionary" although we already knew that. Transfer calls last night were actually some of the hardest that I have gone through... weird, I know. Here's the story...
So, I have wanted to serve in CT for a LONG time... and this transfer Hna. Baxter is leaving, perfect timing for me to go. But from some news that I heard on Saturday I was pretty positive that I would be staying in Inwood another cycle. I got my whining out and came to grips that I needed to stay. So, last night comes around and about 2 hours before transfer calls come in President Smith calls me. Now, when President Smith calls you on the night of transfers, you know he is thinking up something. So he starts to ask about my area and how my companion is doing with Spanish and all this stuff. He had read my email and knew that I wanted to go to CT. I, of course, am freaking out a bit just because I was so sure I was staying but then my hopes went up again that maybe I would be going! I asked him but President just told me to "sit tight" next to the phone and he'll let me know. So the rest of the night I was just so anxious to get transfer calls. They finally came in and well, I am staying here. In fact, nothing with the Sisters really changed that much. But for some reason, I was being a grumpy guss because a lot of my favorite people to serve around were all going upstate without me. Here is the city girl STAYING in the city again (with only two more cycles after this one)... I kind of was feeling sorry for myself while we walked to our last appointment of the night. We went to visit a member who was baptized earlier this year. We sang the song, "I'll go where you want me to go" and the whole time I was thinking of myself and how I just wished where I wanted to go could have been where the Lord wanted me to go. After the opening prayer our member told us that her mom and passed away. She said that song was perfect because she knows that each of us have a purpose to accept the will of the Lord. I felt so selfish. The whole time I was thinking about myself when I was missing the bigger picture of it all. We aren't here to serve around our friends and to go where we want to go. We do what the Lord wants, and every time we receive the better end of the deal. This mission isn't for me, it's so I can serve others. I am so grateful that the Lord is over this mission. I know that we are in the places where HE needs us most. The good news is... I GET TO BE WITH HNA. ANDERSON AGAIN and I just love her so I am sooo happy about that! The Lord always teaches us what we need and if staying in the city again is where I need to be, then I am ready and willing. (Although I still am NOT to happy about another winter in the city... I was hoping for a car so I didn't have to battle the snow much :)
So, there are a lot of changes in the mission and it is going to be an interesting cycle. We have some really good potentials for this coming cycle on baptisms and we continue to work hard. This area kind of wears at your body because of all the walking so we are tired A LOT... but it is nice to know that we are tired because we are working hard and doing the Lords work. I love it! We had the chance to go to the temple today and I was so grateful for that time to take a couple hours out of the busy city life and reflect on the things of the Lord. I am so blessed to have a temple in my mission. That may be the last time I get to go before I come home... weird. Time continues to fly by and I find myself getting more lost in the work. I just feel like I still have so much to learn and do! I continue to be grateful that the Lord knows what I need and how I will best grow. Although we have challenges, we sometimes need to take a step back and look at the blessings we have. They always outweigh the bad stuff.
It seems that my family seems to be having a rough time with the whole health situation... my goodness, everyone needs to get these sicknesses out of the way please! Ha ha, I know it's not your fault and I will keep you in my prayers! I hope everyone is having a great New Year! I love you all! Until next week....
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
So, I have wanted to serve in CT for a LONG time... and this transfer Hna. Baxter is leaving, perfect timing for me to go. But from some news that I heard on Saturday I was pretty positive that I would be staying in Inwood another cycle. I got my whining out and came to grips that I needed to stay. So, last night comes around and about 2 hours before transfer calls come in President Smith calls me. Now, when President Smith calls you on the night of transfers, you know he is thinking up something. So he starts to ask about my area and how my companion is doing with Spanish and all this stuff. He had read my email and knew that I wanted to go to CT. I, of course, am freaking out a bit just because I was so sure I was staying but then my hopes went up again that maybe I would be going! I asked him but President just told me to "sit tight" next to the phone and he'll let me know. So the rest of the night I was just so anxious to get transfer calls. They finally came in and well, I am staying here. In fact, nothing with the Sisters really changed that much. But for some reason, I was being a grumpy guss because a lot of my favorite people to serve around were all going upstate without me. Here is the city girl STAYING in the city again (with only two more cycles after this one)... I kind of was feeling sorry for myself while we walked to our last appointment of the night. We went to visit a member who was baptized earlier this year. We sang the song, "I'll go where you want me to go" and the whole time I was thinking of myself and how I just wished where I wanted to go could have been where the Lord wanted me to go. After the opening prayer our member told us that her mom and passed away. She said that song was perfect because she knows that each of us have a purpose to accept the will of the Lord. I felt so selfish. The whole time I was thinking about myself when I was missing the bigger picture of it all. We aren't here to serve around our friends and to go where we want to go. We do what the Lord wants, and every time we receive the better end of the deal. This mission isn't for me, it's so I can serve others. I am so grateful that the Lord is over this mission. I know that we are in the places where HE needs us most. The good news is... I GET TO BE WITH HNA. ANDERSON AGAIN and I just love her so I am sooo happy about that! The Lord always teaches us what we need and if staying in the city again is where I need to be, then I am ready and willing. (Although I still am NOT to happy about another winter in the city... I was hoping for a car so I didn't have to battle the snow much :)
So, there are a lot of changes in the mission and it is going to be an interesting cycle. We have some really good potentials for this coming cycle on baptisms and we continue to work hard. This area kind of wears at your body because of all the walking so we are tired A LOT... but it is nice to know that we are tired because we are working hard and doing the Lords work. I love it! We had the chance to go to the temple today and I was so grateful for that time to take a couple hours out of the busy city life and reflect on the things of the Lord. I am so blessed to have a temple in my mission. That may be the last time I get to go before I come home... weird. Time continues to fly by and I find myself getting more lost in the work. I just feel like I still have so much to learn and do! I continue to be grateful that the Lord knows what I need and how I will best grow. Although we have challenges, we sometimes need to take a step back and look at the blessings we have. They always outweigh the bad stuff.
It seems that my family seems to be having a rough time with the whole health situation... my goodness, everyone needs to get these sicknesses out of the way please! Ha ha, I know it's not your fault and I will keep you in my prayers! I hope everyone is having a great New Year! I love you all! Until next week....
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
Saturday, January 1, 2011
It's a Beautiful Life!
Well, I can not even believe that it is already 2011. My mind is just going crazy on how fast this last year has flown by. As I sat inside yesterday I was just so grateful for the last year that I have had to be a missionary. It has been the best year of my life. It has been hard but amazing, all at the same time. I loved 2010 but I have high hopes for 2011 as well, it's going to be a great year, I can feel it now!
We had to be in at 6:00 pm last night. It's a good thing, it was kind of crazy outside. The line at this store that sales only alcohol was HUGE (so sad). It's funny because New York City is always such the happening place for New Years Eve and here I am, living in Manhattan, and I was actually happy to be inside so early. We played some really fun games. I have become a little bit obsessed with Yahtzee and Phase 10. CJ and Mom are in for a bum whooping when I get home in Yahtzee. Today we played with Elder Fox and Elder Duran and Elder Duran got 3 Yahtzees in a row, what the heck? Ha ha, but it's ok, I still love that game! We also played a mean game of Phase 10 of 7 of us missionaries. It took FOREVER and I am pretty sure we all cheated at some point. Ha ha.
Not too much has happened since I last emailed. Transfers are next week so we will see what happens. I really have NO clue at all. If I don't get transferred this cycle, then I will for sure next cycle. Just so I have my last two cycles somewhere else. I just can not believe how fast time is going. It is pushing me to work harder because I really feel that time is running out.
I hope everyone had a good new year. As far as my new years resolutions: Work my hardest my last three cycles in the mission, come home find a job and a husband. Ha ha! And yes family, I am still working on the split end picking, I told you it would be done when I get home... and it will be :) Love you all! Have a amazing day and I can't wait to hear from you on Wednesday!
The church is true, this work is amazing, I love my Savior... it's a beautiful life!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
We had to be in at 6:00 pm last night. It's a good thing, it was kind of crazy outside. The line at this store that sales only alcohol was HUGE (so sad). It's funny because New York City is always such the happening place for New Years Eve and here I am, living in Manhattan, and I was actually happy to be inside so early. We played some really fun games. I have become a little bit obsessed with Yahtzee and Phase 10. CJ and Mom are in for a bum whooping when I get home in Yahtzee. Today we played with Elder Fox and Elder Duran and Elder Duran got 3 Yahtzees in a row, what the heck? Ha ha, but it's ok, I still love that game! We also played a mean game of Phase 10 of 7 of us missionaries. It took FOREVER and I am pretty sure we all cheated at some point. Ha ha.
Not too much has happened since I last emailed. Transfers are next week so we will see what happens. I really have NO clue at all. If I don't get transferred this cycle, then I will for sure next cycle. Just so I have my last two cycles somewhere else. I just can not believe how fast time is going. It is pushing me to work harder because I really feel that time is running out.
I hope everyone had a good new year. As far as my new years resolutions: Work my hardest my last three cycles in the mission, come home find a job and a husband. Ha ha! And yes family, I am still working on the split end picking, I told you it would be done when I get home... and it will be :) Love you all! Have a amazing day and I can't wait to hear from you on Wednesday!
The church is true, this work is amazing, I love my Savior... it's a beautiful life!
Con Amor- Hermana Passantino
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