All You Zombies (show your faces)

Familia mia

In honor of Jensen's zombie contingency game, and messages about the gathering of Israel hidden in pop culture.
Jensen, get your application in before I come home--I know you want to save it to the last minute like you do, but I want to play, so pretend like the date is the 28th and get it all done so we can chill without threat of death from stress hanging over your head. But, obviously, do your best and stuff: ) I bet Laney has changed. She sounds really different on the phone, all grown-ed up and shiny. It's so good to hear how everyone is doing. It sounds like they are all in very good places right now.

My poor companion. I don't know if I've already mentioned that her and her sister are polar opposites. She just sent her some new (very myspace-esque) pictures of herself, showing of her new hair and new tattoos. She's got a couple of classy stars right on her chest, filled in with leopard print and then a cross on her ankle with the date when their father died and a 'my hero' written underneath (which is ironic since her father hates tattoos) she's also got an owl on her forearm and my favorite are her two new ones on either wrist that say 'thug' and 'nasty'. Yeah... she's kinda ghetto, but hey, so am I after living in Houston for a year and a half.

But also, I understand that the two of them are good friends in spite of all their differences. her sister is just young and angry at God right now, which is hard for the rest of her family to watch. Hermana Taet's mom seems very chill to me. From what I hear, I gather that she's exactly like my companion except not a member of the church yet and with a few tattoos herself. I've got a charming picture on my camera of a little girl we're teaching after her sister decided to write 'Thug 4 Life' on her chest with an eyeliner pencil.

It makes me appreciate my own sisters. I really miss you folks like crazy sometimes! Yesterday was hard. I think it finally hit me that I'm actually leaving. It was ugly. My poor companions didn't know what to do, so they just watched me sort of bawl off and on through all the church meetings. But I'm at peace now. I prayed about it last night and basically said, 'I know that Jesus already suffered through all of this, so I'd like to not deal with it thank you. help me be happy.' and that seems to be very effective, because now I'm just excited to work hard this last week and then hang with you guys next week.

One more funny story:

To start, does anyone know the movie practical magic? If you do, this story is even funnier.

So, as is fairly common among Sister Missionaries before they leave on their missions, Hna. Taets had a lot of people who were like "Sooo... Ya know... a mission is a GREAT place to meet guys. Eh? Eh?"

Rolling eyes forever.

In exasperation she finally said to one friend, "Look, if I go to Texas and I meet a Black and Mexican man with green eyes who speaks Spanish and is a Texan cowboy, then maybe I'll marry the dude, alright?" she was trying to come up with an absurd combination so as to never risk finding him. Ever since then she and this friend have periodically mentioned her mythical black/Mexican green-eyed Texan cowboy who speaks Spanish jokingly. In all of her letters this friend was like, "Hey, have you found him yet?"

Sooo... guess who we tracted into this last week?

His name is Herby Francois, he's Haitian with those sort of green/hazle eyes and he knows Spanish because he's been living in Mexico for a while going to school there.

HILARIOUS. I could have died laughing. Next time we go over to teach him, I really hope he's got a cowboy hat on. Hermana Taets will flip. Exact plot of practical magic, except we're Mormon instead of witches. Sweet.

But, she probably won't marry him. He's a nice guy and all, but nah. They'll just be friends.

Our recent converts are so cool. Alexis (15) and his little sister Cindy (9) both want to serve missions. We let Alexis wear Hna. Taets tag for a minute and it looked so perfect! I also got news recently that Victor Alvaranga, who got baptized when I was in Louetta back in November and then moved into the south mission recently got the Melchizedek Priesthood and is preparing to serve a mission! It was kind of fun how we finally heard from him. I've written him a couple of letters, but I haven't gotten one back from him in several months, so I was just praying hard that he was doing well. When Hna. Bastian was at the temple a few weeks ago, she ran into some sister missionaries from the south mission who did a double take and were like, "Hey! We know you! You're in Victor's baptism pictures!" Turns out they know Victor because they serve in his new ward in the south mission and they'd seen his baptism pics. Soooo cool. So, we got to hear about how awesome he's doing. Alicia is serving in the relief society and all I keep hearing from people over in 6th ward is how amazing the Ovalle family is and how totally solid they've become in just a year. It makes me so happy that my convert friends are still active and are progressing so rapidly in the gospel. I've had such a blessed and successful mission.

To be totally honest, I'm not sure I really did anything. Well, correction. I know I didn't do anything. I just showed up and tried really hard and exhausted myself thoroughly and kind of made an idiot out of myself, but inexplicably got to have joy in a ton of success and good times. Beats me how it works out that way, but I'll take it.

It seems to me that this is a common theme in missionary work. The Lord doesn't always let us see the success that comes from our own efforts, but rather works in such a way to keep those things veiled, while we instead see the success from previous labors and from the spirit of God working on the hearts of men.

It's a little sad now, because we're setting baptismal dates with people, but I won't be here to see them enter the waters of baptism. Still, I'll get pictures in the mail and how great will be our joy in heaven.

With all of that said, I have had the most amazing mission. And I'll be telling you all about it for the rest of eternity.

I LOVE YOU! I will see you very soon.

Hermanita Lirioblanco

Ojala que si

THANK YOU! I loved getting letters from mommy and daddy at Zone meeting. That was very sweet, and I might have blubbed a little. Or a lot. Aren't my Zone Leaders amazing? I'm so lucky to have them around. Except this week i won't have them around because they have to go to this weird leadership thing that Salt Lake has ordered. We think our mission is probably going to be prototype for some new program. They filmed a new 'the district' which I'm sure will be just as awesome and at the same time confusing as the old one that they made us watch in the MTC. (The District is a missionary training film in which a documentary crew followed around a district of missionaries here in Texas and since they were perfect we all have to be just like them.) Nah, I won't hate. They were good missionaries and some of them are working at the MTC now. But yes, I have greatly enjoyed all your letters, my whole mission, And Jensen and Laney's drawings. I was thinking recently about how awesomely great you guys were at sending me mail.

Zone meeting was way epic. Elder McGary gave us a talk on Faith, but all anybody’s notes said afterwards were, ‘Wow, Elder McGary really loves us’. That’s the truth that the spirit testified of more than anything through the whole meeting. He’s such a great guy. Voted most likely to be a general authority. He’s also, hilariously, the most quoted Elder. In everybody’s talks/e-mails-to-president/pity-cards-for-Hermana-Taets they always have to add an ‘and as Elder McGary says [insert favorite Elder Mcgary Quote here]’.

One of my favorites is ‘keep pushing’ because of its ‘keep peddling’ -esque vibe.

I got to go on a sweet exchange (and very convenient) after Zone Meeting with Hermana Christensen and Hermana Bastian. It was way cool because I got to visit Olivia and her kids and then go to Edith’s baptism with them. I’ve got pictures from the last couple of baptisms we had attached.

Completely unrelated--I've discovered that seaweed is delicious.

Jensen, remember when you promised me you'd have a completed book for me to read when I got home? How's it coming?

My entire district is somewhat disturbed by Jensen's (and Laney's for that matter) birthday present.

"Wait, wait... this is the sister who you said, 'if someone would just give her money she could make the world a better place', this is that sister?" - Elder Kerr

"Yes." -Me

"Why does she want a sniper rifle?" -Elder Kerr

"I expect it's for when Zombies attack." –Me

I can’t wait to meet Vera. Jensen. That is so you. And Laney with her archery set kind of makes me picture Narnia in my mind. We were talking today about how cool it would be to meet Aslan.

I’m surprised my package made it home so fast, I’m glad Laney liked her little Book of Mormon and case—yeah, I did make it. That’s probably what everyone’s getting for their birthdays forever onward until I come up with another idea. And yes, that journal is public. There’s nothing in there that I really care about anyone reading. I might have to censor some of my other journals though. I just write down EVERYTHING. And everything includes personal details about companions & investigators etc. stuff most people don’t need to know, nor would they really want to.

Funny Story of The Week (and my favorite ‘people-don’t-think-I-know-Spanish-cause-I-be-white’ story EVER!): So I was sitting in the bank while Hermana Taets had to figure out some paper-work stuff and Hermana Ang was in the bathroom, so I was just chillin’ with these three other people, all of whom were Hispanic and were chatting with each other. There was a couple, and then a younger gentleman. The older man was talking to this young guy for several minutes before he finally motioned to me, across the way and asked, “Es su esposa?” (‘Is this your wife?’) and the young guy just said, “Ojala.” (Which is a fun Spanish word that’s taken from Arabic, literally it’s like Ala willing or God willing, but it pretty much just means, I hope or I wish.) they all chuckled and then I looked up and said, “Gracias.” Which startled them all and the older guy was like, “?!Entiendes?!” (You understand?!) and then I was like, “Si, hablo espanol.” And we all laughed and this guy looked pretty embarrassed for a minute. When he left he winked at me. Huh. Creepy. But still, it was SO funny. When somebody just says Ojala now we all have to laugh.

Ahhh… Missionary work. How sweet the sound.

We had another baptism this week. The Arzate family! I’ve got pictures from that one too. It was a sweet experience. Not many people came, but there was a very nice spirit there.

Well, I’d better get going, but I hope you all enjoy the pictures! It’s from Edith’s Baptism, and then the Arzate family and then I think I put in one from the Ulloa baptism. She’s a child of record, but her family LOVES missionaries and we go over to their house all the time, so they had us take pictures with her at her baptism. SO cute! We’re not going to get to go to temple as a district this transfer, so this will probably be my district picture for this, my last, and most awesome district. I think they’re more appropriate like this anyway.

I love and miss you all! Next week will probably be my last real letter, because I’m going to be honest… I don’t think I’m going to have much time to write on my last P-day. That’s going to be craziness. I’ll probably just touch base with a ‘see-you-in-two-days’ notsie.

Con Carino, Hermana Lillywhite

God Bless America! LET'S BAPTIZE LADY LIBERTY!

Querida Familia,

This letter might be short this week, because I just wrote a monster one to President Hansen. It’s a long, dramatic, tear-jerker-of-a-story. I’ll tell you about it in a few weeks. Sorry.

I’m SUCH a horrible daughter. I totally forgot about your anniversary. Horrible person. Right here. I finally remembered yesterday when we were driving along and Elder Inkley started talking about how he had a dream that he got married on the fourth of July. As soon as he said, ‘married on the fourth of July’ something stirred inside of me, and I was like, “hmmm… why did a bell just ring in my mind?” and then he told us about the dream and ended with, “I have always wanted to get married on the fourth of July… or maybe the third of July.”

And BOOM. Se me cayo el veinte. (Silly expression that means ‘the lightblub turned on’, which I just realized is kind of an equally dumb expression in English) I realized that I’d TOTALLY forgotten. I’m so sorry. I owe you cake. Or maybe guilty missionary pie. I invented it here after talking about Waitress with one of my companions during P-day shopping. Lightning hit my brain for a delicious and horrible-for-you treat. I claim no ownership of this recipe. I’ll give credit where credit is due. God inspired it. It’s amazing. There is banana. But mostly chocolate.

I did remember Laney’s birthday though… and I made her present like a month ago. It’s sitting in the trunk of our corolla right now. Hermana says we can go to the post office today after service, but we’ll see. I know I need to sent it SOON. It’s got a bunch of other stuff that I won’t need for the next three weeks and don’t want to pack. A Spanish grammar book—the only journal from my mission that anyone else is allowed to read right now, a plastic rose from Olivia’s wedding and some other fun stuff. Oh! And that article from the Houston Chronicle about us. It’s better in print because it’s in print and Anti-Mormons can’t leave digital comments all over it. But yeah… I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL TONZ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Sorry I’m a horrible person.

Does anybody know the Waka Waka song? It’s all I’ve heard since the world cup started and it’s been stuck in everybody’s head. They tried to teach us all the dance from the music video. I know Shakira is kind of an idiot, but the song is pretty groovy and she’s a daughter of God, so if you haven’t heard it yet, enjoy it, and imagine me trying to dance like that with a bunch of adorable Hispanic young women.

You bought Jensen a GUN!?

…SICK!

Even better that she named it Vera. Wow. We didn’t own a single gun when I left and now there are plural guns. Fair enough. You never know when Zombies might attack. Vera will be so useful just during the beginning of the apocalypse. That’s the sweetest early birthday present ever. It would be a sniper-rifle too. Geez. We’re so cool.

That’s too bad about Airbender. I was super excited for it. We got happy meals and everything and were playing with the airbender toys while I gushed about martial arts stuff and the Elders all looked confused and awed. Well. At least the cartoon is still amazing. But I’m sad that they didn’t adapt it into a very good film. I can wait to see it then. I’d rather start out watching the movies I’ll actually enjoy; twilight, harry potter, Alice etc.

I love it when you talk about the food. You mentioning your diet makes me think of my diet though. I mean the inevitable one that I have to go on when I get home. A member in our ward made us all weigh ourselves when we went over to her house for lunch. Hispanic people are so blunt, they just call each other fat, short, bald etc. Nobody has told called me Gorda or even Gordita yet, but I’m just waiting for it. Some people did ask me if I was pregnant.

Grr.

I’m not.

Fourth of July was fun. Another story I’m going to wait three weeks to tell you.

So, I think I mentioned months and months ago about how the Liberty Tax Credit Union over here had hired dozens and dozens of people to wear these aqua colored robes and Lady liberty hats and dance on the side of the road with signs until the end of Tax season. There was this one girl down who we saw almost every day, and she really stood out because she was dressed like lady liberty, first of all, but also because she was always smiling and just looked so friendly and happy. She had her Ipod on and was just grooving by the side of the road every day, totally into her own music and smiling and waving at us as we drove by. We decided that we needed to figure out how to talk to her. Even though it’s a busy road etc. So we parked and went to talk to her. She was so sweet and prepared! We got to visit her a couple of times before I got transferred and since then she’s continued studying with the missionaries, and tomorrow she’s getting interviewed for baptism! YAY! HAPPY FORTH OF JULY! LADY LIBERTY IS GETTING BAPTISED!

I love this woman so much. I got to visit with her yesterday during P-day and it totally made my life. Missionary work is the greatest thing ever.

I’m loving my life out here in the field, I can’t believe how amazing my mission has been and will continue to be. I love you all and I miss you!!!

Q.B.S.P. Hermana Lillywhite