Thursday, December 11, 2014

Hi! Just a quick email I do not have too much to say since it has only been a couple days. I am glad I could resolve the disagreement though. It is comforting to know that at least one of my parents can recognize me.
     So Tuesday was my last day at Welfare. So sad! I will miss it but I am sure I will get to go back and cover and maybe I will be called there again. I learned so much from serving there it was truly a humbling experience. Yesterday was transfer day and it was crazy! I had to fly out of the nest and out of mama Cardus' tender wing ;( Both Sister Rajahs companion and mine were coming back from outbound so of course we seized the opportunity to go on exchanges with each other yesterday! It was the best. I just love her so much! We weren't able to be together for long though because we were asked sort of on the spot to "babysit" a few new sisters while they waited for their trainers to return from outbound. So it was similar to what a sister had to do for me while I was waiting for Sister Cardus to come...make sense? It was so fun! I just helped a new Sister from Texas move into her new apartment and get things situated. I can't believe I am in my third transfer now time is really flying. Sister Garcia got back from New Mexico around 4 yesterday! It was so nice to finally meet her! She is very very nice and I know that she is going to teach me a lot and how to be nice and stuff. It is going to be a grreeatt transfer I just know it :) She is our district leader and is going to do a really good job. Thank you so much for the Christmas package! Our apartment was definitely lacking in the Christmas decoration department so thank you so much. So are you all ready to hear from me on Christmas?! Wahooo only a couple more weeks. Would the house phone be best to call? I will get to talk for like 45 minutes. Anyways, not much to report today but we are still looking forward to Charles' baptism on Sunday! I love you all. Peace and blessins.

xoxo, Sister Leavitt ♥

Monday, December 8, 2014

Heeeyy!!

     So I feel like I need to address this first thing. I see what picture you are referring to on the blog and that is not me. I repeat that is NOT ME. It really does look like me and Sister Cardus though but unfortunately it is not.

     The second thing I need to address is the transfer changes. WAHOOO. We had transfer conference this morning and I felt like I was going to cry and throw up all at the same time. My nails are bitten down to nubs which makes it impossible to scratch my bed bug bites. So stressful. I already knew I was not going to be with Sister Cardus another transfer because we found out yesterday that she is a new Zone leader! Yay, shes so great. Thats my trainer everyone. Sooooo I have another foreign companion annndd she iss.........Sister Garcia from Spain! Mucho espanol. I have actually not met her yet though because she left to go outbound to New Mexico when I got here so on Wednesday will be our first time meeting. Everyone says she is super nice though and I am excited for this new transfer. Also my P-day has been changed to Thursday. Its a super random day I know but I get double P-day this week so that's legit. For the new transfer I will no longer be at Welfare Square :( but I do have a new assignment at guest services. My new companion and I will be assigned a couple days a week to basically be the receptionists for Temple Square. We will schedule V.I.P tours and stuff so it will be good. I am happy to have an assignment again. Sister Cardus is moving just down the hall so if I ever need my mom she will be close. I am also living in the same bed bug apartment haha but its okay I am glad I don't have to move and my Thai BFF Sister Tan is staying in the same apartment as me so its all good. So the new transfers will start on Wednesday and then I will get to email again on Thursday so I will let you know how everything goes.

     This week was crazy though. As you know, Charles had a baptismal date for last Saturday the 6th. We were all excited and were getting everything set up for Saturday when suddenly he dropped of the face of the earth. Noooooooooooooo! It was the worst. He would not answer our phone calls any more and he didn't show up to our appointment so by Saturday when we still hadn't heard from him we were super sad. I thought we were being punked by the whole situation because he really is too good to be true. His baptism was scheduled for 1pm on Saturday and at 12:50 we get a call from Charles when we were in the middle of the tour. This was the first call from him of the week. "Hey where are y'all? I'm at the church its almost time for my baptism." No way. I honestly cried. He said he was really busy all week helping out his old friends from the baptist church! Unfortunately because it was so last minute we were not able to baptize him this week but he is on date for next Saturday and Sister Cardus and I plan to go together. I have grown a strong testimony that fasting works! I have never fasted so hard in my life but I know the Lord blesses us for our efforts.

      On Thursday we had a special Relief Society meeting in the Relief Society building with all of the General Relief Society Presidency. So much Relief Society in one sentence. It was such a blessing to hear from them!  I admire these women and their powerful testimonies. They asked us, "What are some of the words that come to mind when you think of Relief Society?" Sister Cardus and I were whispering back and forth to each other words like shalls, back problems, casseroles, and vanilla scented perfume. But I was also thinking of words like love, charity, and service! It is such a blessing to be a part of the largest women's organization in the world and also the largest sister mission in the world.

     Speaking of our mission we broke the record last month for the highest amount of baptisms in one transfer in the history of the mission. The Lord blessed us with 160 baptisms last transfer! President Poulsen was happy. So naturally, we celebrated with pizza today.

       It is a great time to be alive. The Lords work is hastening and it is a blessing to be apart of it. I love you all and will talk to you in like 3 days! #sharethegift

Love, Sister Leavitt <3

 

 

Yesterday, I went on exchanges with Sister Toa (Vanuatu) and Sister Kang (Cambodia) to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional :)

 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Hey Fam,

aksfjal;sfkj

I never know how to start these letters but it has been another amazing week!

    I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving. Mine was really good. A stake in Bountiful was assigned to have all us Sisters for Thanksgiving. We didn't know it until we got there but we actually got assigned to the Stake Presidents house so I guess we were really lucky. His name is Dan Lake and his wife's name is Chris. It was their "off year" for Thanksgiving for all their kids were at the in-laws so they were really happy to have us. They said they were going to send you an email of a picture we took but I don't know if they did yet. It was just me, Sister Cardus and another companionship of Sister Steenhoek (Kaylee's roommate from college) and her companion Sister Chau. It was really nice and relaxing we just talked a lot and after dinner we watched Ephraim's rescue. We were there from 12-6 but I wish we could've stayed there forever it was so nice. I miss being in homes and stuff. I know that there is nothing that will make us happier faster than counting our blessings. "There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter...we can be grateful" -Dieter F Uchtdorf.
Here's a list of things I am grateful for:

1. my mission

2. Jesus Christ

3. my fam

4. home cooked meals

5. my companion

6. my investigators

7. Ben&Jerrys

       Last Tuesday we got the news about the "He is the Gift" promotion. "He" meaning Jesus Christ of course. It is such an awesome title and the apostles (Bednar and Nelson) who put this together were truly inspired. I am not sure if you have heard about it but so far it has been really awesome. It is all based around a video that was made by the church about how Jesus Christ is the true gift of Christmas. I'm sure grandma can tell you about it since she was here but it is kind of the theme this year in all the visitors centers around the world. If you haven't watched it yet you definitely should and then share it with the world! That is what we are trying to do. The church even bought out a portion of youtubes homepage for December 7th. The "He is a gift video" is expected to have millions of views by the end of that day. WHOOP. It is so exciting to be a part of it!

     This week we have been continuing to teach Charles. He is always like 40 minutes early to our appointments its hilarious. He is the easiest person to teach I will probably never get this lucky again in my mission he is just so awesome. Here are some of my favorite quotes from him

1."Love casts out all fear"

2."Life aint gonna be a bowl of cherries"

3."Thats true right there!!"

He is teaching me a lot actually. Like on Wednesday I was reading him a scripture in the Book of Mormon when right in the middle of me speaking he snatched my Book of Mormon out of my hand and said, "Now quote me a scripture Sister Leavitt." He said, "You can sit there and read me scriptures all day but it is not until you memorize them and lock them in your heart that you can truly apply them into your life." uhhh....wut. I just stared at him speechless like an idiot. Needless to say I have been trying to memorize scriptures every day since then. He is getting baptized this Saturday! I can't wait!

       Even brighter than the lights that are here on Temple Square are the people. Most people. I am talking about the people that sing along with us Sisters when we are trying to invite the spirit and the people who absolutely beam when they walk up the ramp and see the statue of Christ. However, I am not talking about the people who "romantically" dance with their significant other while the Christus narration is playing, and that actually happened by the way. I was trying so hard not to laugh when I saw that yesterday. One of our assignments is at the Christus and because of the massive amounts of people we have to let up about 40 or so at a time. We are there for about an hour and I can tell you that there is no greater experience than sharing your testimony of Christ over and over to large amounts of people! I am truly blessed to get to spend so much time here especially at Christmas time.

      I love you all and hope you have the best Christmas. Happy Birthday tomorrow dad, you old fart!

Love, Sister Leavitt <3

      

Thanksgiving with the Lakes in Bountiful

Sister Steenhoek. Kaylee's roommate from college

This is my district leader Sister Truscilio from Italy!

West 2 District 2!

Gabriella and Johnathon's baptism on Saturday. Check out how tall that elder is!

Our Thai roommates clogged up our sink with their stinky food. Soooo nasty!

Monday, November 24, 2014

Dear Family,

     NO WAY! GOOO PIRATES!!! Can I say, finally? That's so awesome Aust you have no idea how bummed I am that I missed out on that. It sounds like it was super intense! I was tossing and turning Saturday night not knowing the result and I was speed walking to the computer today to find out! I am so happy! WHOOP! CONGRATS! Hows the ankle dad? Hatin it? Hahahah.

      My week was good of course! I can't believe that it is already week 5 of this transfer and that I will be with a new companion soon. I am coming up on my three month mark, can you believe it? The time is flying it seems like pday every other day now but at the same time when I think about the last time I emailed it seems like forever ago. The days are just filled and I am staying super busy which I am grateful for.

     Speaking of gratitude.....I am so excited for Thanksgiving! Serving at Welfare Square during this time is an absolute blessing. It is packed all the time and I am filling a lot of orders which is really an awesome experience. I have so much to be grateful for. It might be hard being away from my fam this Thanksgiving but fortunately we get to go to members houses! We are going to a members house in Bountiful with one other companionship and I am very thankful for that! You have seen the dinners I make and I am so happy that I get a legit one at least twice a year (thanksgiving and Christmas.) So the lights come on this Friday and we get new schedules. I am so excited! We get assignments in our districts and 3 companionship's will be in one place. Also, because we will be so busy at night time our Pday schedule is changing. Right now my pday starts at 12:30 and goes until the rest of the night but next week my pday will start in the morning and end at 6 so I will be emailing earlier for the next 6 weeks. So just a heads up about that!

    So this week we have still been trying to get rid of the bed bugs :( They are all gone now though, hallelujah! Some of the Senior Missionaries have been helping us out a lot. They washed all of our bedding on really really high heat like 3 times so now all my blankets and towels are crispy and burned! Hahaha I just have to laugh in this situation. It has been an adventure for sure but thank goodness the buggers are gone!

     Our grandpa hick, Tim, was baptized on Sunday! We think he liked it? The guy does not say much and sometimes it is difficult to understand him because of his heavy accent but we are so happy for him. He said "Yup...it was fine." So it was fine! Haha people are so funny. Sadly we did not get to skype it because Sundays are really busy  His wife Cindy is not baptized yet she has a problem with the word of wisdom but we are continuing to teach her. We have been teaching Charles a lot this week and he is just the best. I want you all to meet him. He has church at 1pm and he gets so excited that he shows up to the church at 10am! I wish I had that kind of motivation. He truly has been lead here through the spirit and is so ready to be baptized. He does live here in Salt Lake so we will get to attend the baptism on December 6th.

     We will also be attending a baptism this Saturday in Layton Utah for a Hispanic lady named Gabriella. We met her a couple weeks ago when the local Elders brought her here for a tour. She has come a couple times since then and has invited us to go to her baptism! We are excited for that. She has shown a lot of faith within her family considering most of her family members are against her decision. I admire her for following the promptings of the spirit to be baptized.

       Anyways everything is great here! I just wanted to take a minute to say how grateful I am for all of you. I miss you very much and am bummed I will not be able to see the dog show this year! Record it for me maybe? I am so grateful for my mission and most importantly I am grateful for my savior Jesus Christ. Let us all take time to reflect on the many blessings we have been given this Thanksgiving season!

XoOoOxXxXOXxo

-Sister Leavitt <3

 

Bed Bugs Life! :(

Monday, November 17, 2014

Hey hey,

     How is every one? Everything is good here and really COLD! I am so sick of being cold all the time I feel like I was just in Winter in Rexburg. There is no escaping it!

     It has been a really busy and crazy week but once again it has been a week of miracles. Last Tuesday I think is when we found out that we had some unwanted visitors staying in our apartment. Who might those visitors be? Oh, just an infestation of BED BUGS that's all. So nasty!!!! We had to have these professional sniffing dogs come in and bark at them and stuff, then we have had to basically move out of our rooms so they can detox it. I am not a genius by any means but the root of the problem might be stemming from the fact that we get our mattresses from DI? Haha it has been interesting for sure but all is well in Zion.

      Things have been getting pretty busy at Welfare Square because of the Holiday season. I love filling orders there and hearing peoples stories, like I have said before it is extremely humbling.  We send people over to Temple Square and help them feel of the spirit there and that always lifts their spirits whether they be members or nonmembers. The lights and Christmas decorations are already up but the lights will not turn on until the day after Thanksgiving. We have been doing "Christmas Training" over the past couple days because apparently it is a zoo here from like 5-10 at night.
They say it can take an hour just to get from one visitors center to another and they have an average of about 17 lost children a night. Naturally I am super excited!

      So Nelly did not get Baptized on Wednesday because it was kind of a random day to request in the middle of the week but she did get baptized on Friday and we got to skype it! It was so so amazing. There were a lot of people in attendance and she has an awesome ward supporting her. It was so great to see her and once again put a voice with a face. I cannot describe it because I love these people I am teaching and some of them I have never seen face to face. Once I see them I just love them even more. She was so happy and she gave a beautiful testimony. Unfortunately we did not get a picture with her because the Sisters in NY abruptly ended the skype sesh but thats ok :(

       I need to tell you about Charles. We met Charles on Friday when he was walking out of the Joseph Smith movie. He is a retired black baptist preacher and he has the most tender heart of anyone I have ever met. We asked him about the movie and he said "It was okay" and he wanted to learn more. We got his information and set up an appointment with him on Saturday. It was the best lesson of my life. This man is so in tune with the spirit. He is one of those "golden investigators." Everything we would explain to him about the restoration he would just nod his head and say "thats true," and then explain it back to us better than we explained to him. He is blind in one eye and is starting to go blind in the other so he cannot read the Book of Mormon but we set up the app on his phone and showed him how he can listen to it. He is just the coolest person I can't explain it. He is so chill and in tune with the spirit its like he is seeing Lehi's vision 24/7. Long story short he committed to be baptized on December 6th. That makes 4 baptisms this transfer. The Lord has truly blessed us! Oh yeah I forgot to tell you that Tim another one of our investigators in getting baptized this Sunday he is from North Carolina and he is just the biggest grandpa hick but we have been teaching him since my first week and he has committed to be baptized.

       I have really learned the importance of obedience. I know that obedience brings blessings and exact obedience brings miracles! Sister Cardus taught me that :( So sad that there are only like less than 3 weeks left in this transfer :( time flies! I love you all and go pirates! Lets win this year, eh? Bye nowww.

-Sister Leavitt <3

:D

Everyone was making fun of me because they said I was dressed like Waldo and I was upset! ;( Haha

I am actually a really good companion. I made her a dinner of a half a muffin, a slice of cheese and some carrots! Muy delicioso!
 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Hey Everyone,

     First off thanks so much for the birthday love! It was a good day! I cannot believe I am 21 though....ew so old. I got spoiled by my companion, roommates, and other sisters here. My day went like this: missionary work, eat at tucanos, missionary work, eat cupcakes, missionary work, eat at kneaders, missionary work, eat cake. I think I gained 21 pounds.This birthday was much better than the last considering I got to do missionary work and I did not have to clean any toilets. Win, win.

     Guys, I am getting so cultured here. We had exchanges twice this week so on Thursday I was with Sister Xu from China, and on Saturday I was with my District leader, Sister Truscilio, from Italy. It is so interesting spending a entire day with somebody from a different country. You all should try it sometime. I am learning so much! My english is tested every day. "Sister Leavitt how do you spell _____?" "Sister Leavitt what are boogers? (no joke)" It is so hard not to laugh in these situations. Oh and when I was with a Mandarin tour with Sister Xu I had to get a picture with one of the guests because "I look like Eve." Every day here is an adventure even though I am on the same ol' square the people are what make the difference. These sisters here have the most incredible stories and I truly admire them. A large majority of the Sisters here are the only members in their families and they chose to serve missions simply because of the great love they have for the Lord. So inspiring!
      I am definitely learning the importance of being bold. This is something that is difficult for me at times because 1. I don't want to hurt any ones feelings 2. I don't want to offend anyone 3. I don't want anyone to yell at me 4. I am kinda a whimp. I have truly gained a testimony of being bold with people and letting them know about the truthfulness of this gospel! This is the most important thing they will ever hear and I have been called of God to be an instrument in his hands and to teach His children. We have been so blessed this week again and because Sister Cardus has been teaching me to just "open my freaking mouth" (tough love) we have been able to receive 12 new investigators this week and we have a baptism this Wednesday. I do not think I have talked about her but her name is Nelly and she is from NY! Sister Cardus was teaching her before I was her companion and she has sort of been an eternal investigator but last week we were able to commit her to baptism and she said, "Okay I will but I want it to be next Wednesday." We were like, "Sure, that works." Nelly is a really special lady. She has been in a wheelchair for the past couple years because she got like half her foot cut off? She said she had an accident but we are not sure how exactly? Anyways she is really neat and we are hoping we will be able to skype the baptism!

      Something I would encourage you all to do this week is read the conference talk that was given last conference by Jorg...something? I do not remember his name or what it was called but I do remember that it like changed my life, so read it! I love you all and I am so grateful for your support. Sick of hearing that yet? Bye now.

-Love, Sister Leavitt <3

"Act Drunk"-Sister Cardus. My first drink as a 21 year old! Brazilian lemonade!

Happy Birthday to me :)

Sister Tan made me a cake! She's just the best!

Monday, November 3, 2014

Heyyyy!

Wow another amazing week has already gone by! I hope everyone is doing well and had the best Halloween. Thanks so much for the package it has been fun as you can see from the pictures and my Thai roommates got to try cupcakes for the first time so that was cool! This week has been kind of crazy with transfers and all but I am just so grateful that everything is the same for Sister Cardus and I. The most exciting news for this week was Mary's baptism! We were able to get a hold of the local bishop there in Patterson, CA and they set up a skype account so we were able to see Marys face for the first time and we got to experience the entire baptism. "I looove technology"-Kip Dynamite. She was so nervous it was so cute. It was a really small baptism and that's just the way she wanted it. She actually moved the baptism to Friday so that less people would come haha. She is so wonderful we just love her so much! It has been a true blessing getting to teach her. She was confirmed yesterday and she already is counting down the days when she can go into the temple. We are already making plans for me to come visit her and for us to go inside the San Diego Temple together. The church is true!! On Friday we had a halloween dinner and we went to the Temple, all of us as a mission. What a beautiful sight that was! 200 sisters gathered together in the same temple session was incredible. The spirit was so strong. I know I probably say this a lot but I am so grateful to be in this mission. It is THE BEST, I LOVE IT. Sister Cardus and I did a really long fast yesterday for the new transfer and we have been seeing so many miracles since. Juan came to church yesterday for the first time and he said "it made me feel warm"...but he said it in spanish. I have a firm testimony that the spirit testifies strongly to people through the hymns. While all of us sisters were singing in sacrament he was just holding his heart and he had his eyes closed. It made me tear up. Our baptismal goal this transfer is 5. Our zone leaders think we are crazy but we prayed about it and we feel that the Lord will bless us if we are diligent! We will see how it goes but we feel really strongly that we can achieve it. Oh I also met Al Fox yesterday. The tattooed mormon girl? Do you know her? I love her she is so inspiring. We met in the cross walk so it was a short encounter but it was sweet. I am sorry I do not have a lot of time today. Just know that I love you all and I appreciate you support. Hey ps its my birthday on Wednesday, in case you forgot ;)

-Te amo mucho, Sister Leavitt <3

Happy Halloween! :D

We see this pose too often on Temple Square. So many people getting engaged...

The scriptures are life!

Mary's Baptism! Isn't she beautiful?



YAY! This is Mary and the Elders that taught her in California.