Sister Mod the maid

My fun fact about Virginia for the week is that you can leave a piece of bread out on the counter for a whole week and instead of drying out, it actually becomes more moist. Hahaha...also I know. I hate the word moist too, but it's the only fitting adjective. And, yes, I did try out my bread theory. Gross but true everyone, gross but true. 

We have had a GREAT week here in Ham/Cat! The rain has been non-stop since Monday, so it's extra humid right now which has been sooo fun! Sister Ewell and I love looking like lions every day, it's awesome! (Joke) One fun thing that happened this week was that we got to visit this sweet sweet older lady who is just the nicest, cutest grandma ever. We occasionally go over and help her clean her house because she lives in a huge mansion. Rough life, right?! But, ya, so here's the deal.  Her house was built in 1813 and I don't think it's been cleaned since then.  Haha, but for real. It's the sickest house ever, but it's covered in layers of spider webs :’)  This week I vacuumed up 12 crickets.  I just feel like I deserve some recognition for that, so feel free to thank me for my sacrifice.

Lion hairdos compliments of the rain. ;)

The missionary work is awesome right now…a 12 out of 10!!!  This week our Jewish church tour miracle investigator told us that she wants to be baptized September 15th; an investigator that's been taught all the lessons and was not progressing decided that he wants to be baptized too; and, we found the CUTEST Muslim family that wants to learn more about the gospel!!  Miracles are happening people, the church is true.

My spiritual gem for the week is a quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin that says, "His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.”  I'm learning every day that sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our best will simply not be good enough…but, when we seek Christ's help, we can become more than enough.  Just keep trying your hardest at whatever you're doing and the Savior will make up the difference. He always does. I've seen that at so many different times in the short time that I've been out on my mission.  I know that as we ask for the Savior's help we can become better than we could ever imagine!  I hope everyone has an awesome week.  Also, happy late 24th of July…go Pioneers, amiright?!  (Not Lehi Pioneers, like actual Pioneers #LPOD.)  Lol kidding, (I love everyone sorry.) 

Sister Mod

ALSO shout out to the best mom in the world for sending me the cutest package ever. (Proof below)

Going on splits with Sister Hannah Erickson. First time on splits!

Farmer...errrrr....Sister Mod has been helping with the chickens and cows and horses.
I never thought I'd see the day and I love this!

Check out the dog! I'm cracking up!

Spiritual giant or just regular giant, lol

Aftermath of one of the Virginia rainstorms.

Quote of the week: "You have the biggest hands I've ever touched."

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Not only did I have the biggest foot anyone had ever seen (tbt to my bee sting days) but now I have the biggest hands too. Hahah. Back story: We knocked on this man's door and he opened up and started talking to us, but he was like a foot shorter than me, so I'm sure his neck kinda hurt after the conversation, lol. He shook our hands and then looked at me with such surprise and said those words hahah. I was like, "Ya haha, I'm pretty tall." And he was like, "Ya that's just amazing, so cool, woah, nice." So if any of you are wondering if I'm still tall, I'd like to confirm that question with a solid answer. Yes. Haha. 

Rain boots are always a good idea.

This week it has been POURING rain!! The rain here isn't like Utah rain though. It's like someone took a swimming pool and dumped it on your head. It's awesome. It has also been awesome for missionary work!! Everyone feels so bad for us so they let us in so fast #blessed tho. Also, a couple of super, super happy things happened this week! We committed an investigator to baptism, and the girl that I talked about last week TESTIFIED OF JESUS CHRIST. She literally went from not knowing who He was to just casually testifying of the atonement to her friend. Like WHAT? So cool!! Missionary work is just the coolest! So ya 10/10 week. Just happy to be here :)

My spiritual gem of the week (as a 93-year-old lady in our ward calls them) (ya I know, cute right?) Is 2 Nephi 22:2 that says, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation". I've learned that missionary work is useless if I rely on my own strength, but as I rely on the strength of my Savior and Heavenly Father, miracles happen often. The church is trueeeeeee everyone! Go read the Book of Mormon thx lol. Have a good week :))

Sister Mod

Paige really is so happy to be on her mission. I just love her!

Miracles :'))

Sister Ewell and Sister Mod

Okay, so I want to start with a story that describes how I feel about this email right now. Last Sunday Sister Ewell and I were just chillin' in church and the youth speaker got up. He gave an awesomeee talk, but when it got to the end he forgot how to close his talk, so he just looked at the congregation in silence for a minute and walked away slowly. Then he stopped dead in his tracks like 3 steps away from his seat, looked at the congregation again, walked all the way back up to the pulpit, and said these words that have become my new life motto. "I feel like there's something I'm supposed to say... but I don't know what it is." He then proceeded to bow and take his seat. Hahaha. Amen dude. Amen. 

So hey everyone! It's Sister Mod and I feel like there is something I'm supposed to say, but I don't know what it is. Hahah! I'm sure tons of sweet things happened this week, butttttt I only remember like 2. This whole mission thing is a blur, I'm tellin' ya. ;) We did have some pretty crazy miracles this week though!!

Miracle #1 happened when our recent convert told us that his daughter wanted to talk to us about our beliefs for a report she was doing in school. I've never been so pumped to be interviewed, lol. So she came to the church and we gave her a tour and she was like, "Okay, this is cool," but nothing else happened. THEN, the next day our convert texted us again and was like, "Hey she has a couple more questions for her report." At this point we were like, "Hmm. Interesting..." So she came back to the church and was like, "Ya, I just felt something different while I was here. I can't describe it." (YA U FELT THE SPIRIT GIRL), and "I've never really connected with the Jewish faith." (THAT'S BC U SHOULD BE MORMON PROBABLY). And, "I've been looking for another church to be a part of." :') So now we're teaching her and she is amazinggg. 

Miracle #2. Someone gave us money instead of having us over for dinner so we got Thai food. God is good. 

Last, I just wanted to share a quote I came across this week that I thought was sweetttt. It says, "There isn't a person you wouldn't love if you could read their story." So my lil spiritual thought this week is to treat everyone like they're going through their most difficult trial. I'm learning about how important it is to treat everyone with love and kindness even if you don't have reason too. We're all children of God and life's hard enough, so remember to make it a little easier for someone else. :)) Thanks for all the cute emails, keep 'em coming. I loveeee it:) Hope everyone has a gr8 week!!

Sister Mod

wahoo americaaaa

Paige and her cute comp were invited to ride on a wagon
in the town parade.

First of all, HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE!! I felt very patriotic being here, and yes, this was my most patriotic 4th yet (for those who were wondering). Go America, am I right? Lol. Second, so remember how I said I wasn't melting yet? Ya so I lied. Haha! I literally am convinced that I live in a wet toaster. Haha! It is SO hot, but I'm lovin' it:) I already have sweet tan lines on my feet. 

This week was great as always:)) We did a ton of street contacting and visiting people which was fun! Just to give you all a taste of the wonderful people I serve here in Virginia, I'll tell you a couple of experiences I had this week! 

Virginia is just so GREEN!

1. Sister Ewell and I were just driving down this random back road in the middle of nowhere (so basically my whole area, lol) and we saw a man sitting with a table in front of him. We were like hmmm. I wonder what he's up to... turns out he was having a lemonade stand. A LEMONADE STAND. Hahah! Guys, a 65-year-old man was just having a lemonade stand in the middle of the day. Whatta guy. Whatta legend. Livin' life to the fullest. 

2. We were having a lesson with one of our investigators and just as we were about to leave he's like, "WAIT! I almost forgot. I got you both something." Little did we know that we were about to receive a life-changing gift. He then proceeded to pull out 2 mini disco lights from a box. We died. Hahahah. So if anyone wants to party you know where to go. ;)

3. We were Facebook finding (friending people on Facebook and starting conversations) and I messaged this man. I'll reenact the conversation real fast, lol.

Me: "Hey! How are you?" 

Him: "Jewish."

Hahahah. Good talk. 

4.  Someone made us pancakes with lettuce in them. That's all I have to say about that topic. 

On a more spiritual note, we also found a sweet investigator!! His name is Marcus and he is one of our miracles for the week. We had our day all planned out to teach investigators all Friday, but one by one everyone canceled. That led us right to Marcus at the perfect time. God is in the details of our lives and I know that he has a plan for all of us! Our Heavenly Father led us to Marcus, but only after all of our plans fell through. We are all going to go through hard times and disappointments but I know that it's all part of the plan and there's happiness ahead if we just keep pushing through. We are in the most capable hands in the universe so there's nothing to worry about. I love you all soooo much and I hope everyone had a great week :)))

Sister Mod 

Sister Ewell and Sister Mod. Cuties!

These skies though!

Old McDonald had a .........

HELLO from the most humid place on earth;)

Update on the President of the United States and his progress: I'm sure he's great, but I live on a farm 2 hours away from him so I really don't know. Hahah! It'll still be a hot minute before he's Mormon;)

I made it to DC safe and sound and I'm just lovin' it here:) So my area is called Ham/Cat! (Ok ok. I know what you're thinking. Poor Sister Mod. It sounds like she is serving in the ugliest area in the world... but OH CONTRAIRE! IT MOST DEFINITELY IS NOT! Do not be fooled by the unfortunate name of Ham Cat;)) This place is like an eternal canyon drive without the mountains! There are huge trees literally everywhere and everything is bright green! It's absolutely amazing, but ya we for sure live in the middle of nowhere. It takes us an hour and a half to drive from the top to the bottom of our area! I live on a cute farm just like most people out here. Everyone around here has horses or cows or goats or chickens. It's sick. Also, everyone lives in beautiful mansion houses! #blessed 

Look at this gorgeous area! Paige is the luckiest!!

Cute Sister Ewell is Paige's trainer.

My cute trainer's name is Sister Ewell!! She is from Murray and has been out for 9 months. She's so so sweet and patient with me because this past week I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off, hahah! I have no clue what I'm doing or where I am or who I'm talking to, so she just helps me along! Haha! Such an angel. 

People are so sweet here in Virginia! Even if they're not interested at all, most of them have been so nice to us. Some people are scared of us though. Hahah! We have had like four people just stare at us and slowly back away, hahah. So uncomfortable, but so funny. Like we can see you dude. You're not getting away that easy. We also had one kid say, "Sorry. We're kind of Jewish," and his mom was like, "What? No we're not." And he was like, "Well I am." And she was like, "No you're not dude." Hahah. Good stuff. So in conclusion, missionaries are kind of scary and that kid isn't Jewish. Haha. 

This week has been crazy but I have never felt so much strength from my Heavenly Father. He really will support us through all of our good and bad times, and He loves us no matter what. I know that because I wouldn't be able to be here on my mission if He wasn't helping me through every minute. If you're going through a hard time right now, start finding at least three tender mercies every day, and I promise as you look for them, you'll see how much your Heavenly Father loves you and is trying to help you!! I love you all so much and I'm prayin' for ya:)) 

Sister Mod

Flying out to DC.

What an amazing place!

Meeting Sister Ewell for the first time!

Paige with President and Sister Caplin